80_FR_78463 80 FR 78222 - Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects and Colorado River Storage Project 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria

80 FR 78222 - Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects and Colorado River Storage Project 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 241 (December 16, 2015)

Page Range78222-78224
FR Document2015-31619

Western Area Power Administration (Western), Colorado River Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy, is seeking comments on its Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP marketing plan will expire on September 30, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria provides the basis for marketing the long-term, firm hydroelectric resources of the SLCA/IP to be effective October 1, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are published herein. This Federal Register notice (FRN) formally initiates Western's public process and request for public comments. Western will prepare and publish the final 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria after public comments on the criteria are considered. The Energy Planning and Management Program as set forth in 10 CFR part 905 is not specifically applicable to the SLCA/IP; however, Western used the Power Marketing Initiative outlined in Subpart C for general guidance in developing a framework for this proposal. This FRN is not a call for applications. A call for applications from those interested in an allocation of SLCA/IP power will occur in a future notice.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78222-78224]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31619]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects and Colorado River 
Storage Project 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan and announcement of 
public information and comment forums.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (Western), Colorado River 
Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power marketing 
agency of the Department of Energy, is seeking comments on its Proposed 
2025 Marketing Plan for the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects 
(SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP marketing plan will expire on September 
30, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria provides the 
basis for marketing the long-term, firm hydroelectric resources of the 
SLCA/IP to be effective October 1, 2024. The Proposed General Power 
Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are published herein. This Federal 
Register notice (FRN) formally initiates Western's public process and 
request for public comments. Western will prepare and publish the final 
2025 General Power Marketing Criteria after public comments on the 
criteria are considered. The Energy Planning and Management Program as 
set forth in 10 CFR part 905 is not specifically applicable to the 
SLCA/IP; however, Western used the Power Marketing Initiative outlined 
in Subpart C for general guidance in developing a framework for this 
proposal. This FRN is not a call for applications. A call for 
applications from those interested in an allocation of SLCA/IP power 
will occur in a future notice.

DATES: A public information forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 
14, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West 
Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The public comment forum is 
scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST 
at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City, 
Utah. Written comments may be submitted to Western on or before March 
30, 2016.
    Responses to questions about the proposed criteria unanswered at 
the forum will be provided in writing within a reasonable period of 
time. An opportunity will be given to all interested parties to present 
written or oral statements at the public comment forum. The forums will 
be transcribed, and copies will be available upon request. Any fees 
required by the transcription firm to provide a transcribed copy will 
be the responsibility of the requestor. Additionally, Western is 
available to consult on a government-to-government basis with Tribes 
that express interest in doing so.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments regarding the proposed 2025 General 
Power Marketing Criteria to Ms. Lynn Jeka, CRSP Manager, Western Area 
Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake 
City, UT 84111-1580. Western's representatives will explain the 
proposed criteria and answer questions. Comments may also be faxed to 
(801) 524-5017, or emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Parker Wicks, Public Utilities 
Specialist, or Mr. Steve Mullen, Public Utilities Specialist, at 
Western Area Power Administration, CRSP Management Center, 150 East 
Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1580, telephone 
(801) 524-5493, or email to [email protected]. Information can also 
be found at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/power-marketing.aspx.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brief descriptions of the projects included 
in the SLCA/IP are provided below:

Colorado River Storage Project

    Authorized in 1956, the CRSP and participating projects initiated 
the comprehensive development and use of water resources of the Upper 
Colorado River. The CRSP is comprised of the Glen Canyon, Flaming 
Gorge, Blue Mesa, Crystal, and Morrow Point dams and powerplants. CRSP 
storage units stabilize the erratic flows of the Colorado River and its 
tributaries so annual water delivery commitments to the Lower Colorado 
River Basin, as well as to farmers, municipalities, and industries in 
the Upper Basin, can be met. Delivery of this water to consumers is 
accomplished, in part, through the participating projects discussed 
below. Additional project development may occur in future years. 
Initial hydroelectric generation began at the CRSP facilities in 1963. 
The maximum operating capacity of the five original CRSP powerplants is 
currently about 1,760 MW. The average annual generation over the 20-
year period from 1994 through 2014 was about 5,208,238 MWh.

Participating Projects

    Seedskadee Project (Fontenelle Powerplant): The Seedskadee Project 
was authorized as one of the initial group of participating projects 
authorized with the CRSP in 1956. The Fontenelle Dam, powerplant, and 
reservoir are the principal features of the Seedskadee Project. The 
powerplant commenced operation in May 1968. The maximum operating 
capacity of Fontenelle Powerplant is 10 MW. The average annual 
generation from 1994-2014 was 53,477 MWh.
    Dolores Project (McPhee Dam and Towaoc Canal Powerplants): The 
Dolores Project was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act of 
September 30, 1968, as a participating project under the Colorado River 
Storage Project Act. The maximum operating capacity of the two 
powerplants is 12.8 MW, and the combined average annual output of 
McPhee Dam and Towaoc Canal powerplants from 1994-2014 was 18,161 MWh.

Integrated Projects

    Western consolidated and operationally integrated the Collbran and 
Rio Grande projects with CRSP beginning on October 1, 1987. These 
integrated projects have retained their separate financial obligations 
for repayment; however, an SLCA/IP rate is set to recover revenues to 
meet the repayment requirements of all projects. The maximum operating 
capacity of the eleven SLCA/IP powerplants is 1,818.6 MW, and the 
average annual generation from 1994-2014 was about 5,635,057 MWh. The 
SLCA/IP resources are currently marketed to approximately 140 long-term 
customers, and many more electric service providers enjoy this power 
indirectly through parent organizations that are direct customers of 
the SLCA/IP. Existing contracts will terminate at the end of the 
September 2024 billing period.
    Collbran Project (Upper Molina and Lower Molina Powerplants): 
Authorized in 1952 and in service since 1962. The maximum operating 
capacity of the two powerplants is presently 13.5 MW. The average 
annual generation from 1994-2014 was 41,915 MWh.
    Rio Grande Project (Elephant Butte Powerplant): The Rio Grande 
Project was authorized in 1905, and the

[[Page 78223]]

powerplant went into service in 1940. The maximum operating capacity of 
the Elephant Butte Powerplant is 27.0 MW. The average annual generation 
was 66,743 MWh from 1994-2014.

Current Marketing Plan Background

    The final Post-1989 General Power Marketing and Allocation 
Criteria, SLCA/IP (Post-1989 Plan), was published in the Federal 
Register (51 FR 4844-4870, February 7, 1986) and provided the marketing 
plan principles used to market what is now referred to as the SLCA/IP 
firm hydropower resources. The firm electric service contracts 
associated with the Post-1989 Plan were initially to expire in 2004. 
Western's Energy Planning and Management Program (EPAMP) Final Rule, 
Subpart C--Power Marketing Initiative was adopted for the SLCA/IP as 
published in the Federal Register (64 FR 34414-34417, Friday, June 25, 
1999), which extended the firm electric contracts associated with the 
Post-1989 Plan through September 30, 2024, and also established a Post-
2004 resource pool. The current marketing plan is inclusive of the 
Post-1989 Plan as extended and amended by EPAMP and the Post-2004 Power 
Marketing Initiative.

Proposed 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria Background

    During the summer of 2015, Western held four meetings to initiate 
informal discussions with current SLCA/IP firm electric service 
customers and their representatives. The meetings were held in Phoenix, 
Arizona; Lakewood, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Salt Lake 
City, Utah. These meetings provided customers the opportunity to review 
current marketing plan principles and provide informal input to Western 
for consideration in this Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan. Some of the key 
marketing plan principles discussed at the meetings included marketing 
area, contract term, resource pools, and marketable resource. The main 
input Western received from the commenters during these meetings was 
that the Post-1989 Plan worked well and that Western should make as few 
changes as possible. Western agrees and proposes to keep the general 
contract format and maintain the existing allocations with its current 
customers. Western is also proposing that, if after it completes its 
analysis there is additional resource available, a power pool of 2 
percent be created to serve new customers. Although Western's existing 
customers requested that no new power pool be created and that any 
additional marketable resource be allocated to them to offset 
reductions in their allocations due to the 1996 Glen Canyon Dam 
Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision, Western determined 
it could support additional wide-spread use by allocating any 
additional resource to benefit new customers rather than try to 
distribute a small amount of power among the approximately 135 existing 
customers. Western considered the feedback it received in developing 
the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan, outlined below.

Proposed 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria

    Western's Proposed 2025 Power Marketing Plan will remain 
predominantly unchanged from the Post-1989 General Power Marketing 
Criteria and Post-2004 Power Marketing Initiative. The Marketing Plan 
principles are as follows:

Proposed Marketing Plan Principles

    1. Contract Term: A 40-year contract term would be used for firm 
electric service contracts. The firm electric service contract term 
would begin October 1, 2024, and expire September 30, 2064.
    2. Marketing Area: The Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan supports 
continuing the current SLCA/IP marketing area, which is divided into 
Northern and Southern Divisions.
    A. The Northern Division consists of the states of Colorado, New 
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; the City of Page, Arizona; a portion of the 
area in Arizona which lies in the drainage area of the Upper Colorado 
River Basin to be served by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority; and 
White Pine County and portions of Elko and Eureka counties in Nevada.
    B. The Southern Division consists of the remaining portion of the 
state of Arizona and that part of the state of Nevada in Clark, 
Lincoln, and Nye counties that comprise the southern portion of the 
state.
    3. New Resource Pool: Currently, the CRSP MC is doing extensive 
modeling to determine the amount of SLCA/IP resource that will be 
available for the 2025 Marketing Plan. Western expects that capacity 
and energy will be available above what is currently allocated to 
existing customers. If so, the 2025 Marketing Plan will provide a 2 
percent resource pool of the modeled marketable resource. The 
allocation of this resource would occur one time at the beginning of 
the contract term, October 1, 2024. If, after the analysis of available 
marketable resource is completed, there is less than 2 percent 
available for a resource pool, then no resource pool will be made 
available to new customers. Western's determination of the availability 
of a resource pool will be announced through an FRN. Depending upon the 
timing, it may be announced in conjunction with another action (i.e., 
Final 2025 Marketing Plan) or it may be announced in a separate FRN.
    4. Western will provide new allocations only to eligible preference 
entities in the Northern Division and Native American tribes in either 
the Northern or Southern Division. Western will give priority to those 
preference entities that currently do not receive the benefit of 
Federal hydropower. If the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, 
Western, through the public process, will determine the amount of 
power, if any, to allocate in accordance with the marketing criteria 
and administrative discretion under Reclamation Law.
    5. Eligible applicants, except Native American tribes, must be 
ready, willing, and able to receive and distribute or use power from 
Western. Ready, willing, and able means the eligible applicant has the 
facilities needed for the receipt of power or has made the necessary 
arrangements for transmission and/or distribution service, and its 
power supply contracts with third parties permit the delivery of 
Western's power.
    6. Eligible applicants must have the necessary arrangements for 
transmission and/or distribution service in place by October 1, 2023.
    7. An eligible Native American applicant must be an Indian tribe as 
defined in the Indian Self Determination Act of 1975, 25 U.S.C. 450b, 
as amended.
    8. In determining allocations, Western will give priority 
consideration in the following order to entities satisfying these 
marketing criteria:
    A. Federally recognized Native American tribes.
    B. Municipal corporations and political subdivisions including 
irrigation or other districts, municipalities, and other governmental 
organizations that have electric utility status by October 1, 2023. 
``Electric utility status'' means that the entity has responsibility to 
meet load growth, has a distribution system, and is ready, willing, and 
able to purchase Federal power from Western on a wholesale basis.
    C. Electric cooperatives and public utilities, other than electric 
utilities, that are recognized as utilities by their applicable legal 
authorities, are nonprofit in nature, have electrical facilities, and 
are independently governed and financed.
    D. Other eligible applicants.

[[Page 78224]]

    9. In determining allocations, Western will consider existing 
Federal power resource allocations of the applicants.
    10. Western will base allocations to Native American tribes on 
actual loads experienced in the most recent calendar year. Western may 
use estimated load values if actual load data are not available. 
Western will evaluate and may adjust inconsistent estimates during the 
allocation process. Western is available to assist tribes in developing 
load estimates.
    11. Western will base allocations to eligible applicants on the 
actual loads experienced in the most recent calendar year and will 
apply current marketing criteria to these loads.
    12. The minimum allocation will be 100 kW.
    13. Contractors must execute electric service contracts within 6 
months of receiving a contract offer from Western, unless Western 
agrees otherwise in writing.
    14. If unanticipated obstacles to the delivery of electric service 
to a Native American tribe arise, Western retains the right to provide 
the economic benefit of the resource directly to the tribe.
    15. Existing Marketable Resource: Dependent upon available 
resource, Western proposes extending the existing contract rates of 
delivery commitments, with associated energy, to the existing SLCA/IP 
long-term, firm power customers.
    16. Hydrology and River Operations Withdrawal Provision: Western 
will reserve the right to adjust, at its discretion and sole 
determination, the contract rate of delivery on 5 years' advance 
written notice in response to changes in hydrology and river 
operations. Any such adjustments would occur after an appropriate 
public process.
    17. Service Seasons: The Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan supports 
continuing the current SLCA/IP summer and winter seasons.
    A. Summer Season: The 6-month period from the first day of the 
April billing period through the last day of the September billing 
period in any calendar year.
    B. Winter Season: The 6-month period from the first day of the 
October billing period of any calendar year through the last day of the 
March billing period of the next succeeding calendar year.
    18. Retention of Existing Contract Provisions: The Proposed 2025 
Marketing Plan supports using the existing SLCA/IP firm electric 
service contract provisions with only minor modifications. Customer 
Displacement Power (CDP) and Western Replacement Power (WRP) contract 
provisions will continue to be available in the new SLCA/IP firm 
electric service contracts. The CDP and WRP provisions allow customers, 
at their discretion, to augment hydropower allocations with purchase 
power. Western reserves enough capacity on the CRSP transmission system 
to deliver the maximum amount of hydropower the system is capable of 
generating, which under certain conditions can sometime occur. In times 
when hydropower deliveries are lower, this transmission capacity can be 
made available for use by the customers. Under CDP, customers may elect 
to use this reserved transmission capacity to deliver their own energy 
resources in hours that it is needed to augment the hydropower 
deliveries. WRP is similar to CDP, but customers request that Western 
act as their agent and purchase energy available on the market to 
augment hydropower deliveries.

Availability of Information

    Documents developed or retained by Western during this public 
process will be available, by appointment, for inspection and copying 
at the CRSP MC, located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt 
Lake City, Utah. Western will post information concerning the Proposed 
2025 Marketing Plan on its Web site at: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/power-marketing.aspx. Written comments 
received as part of the 2025 Marketing Plan formal public process will 
be available for viewing on the Web site.

Procedural Requirements

Environmental Compliance

    Western will evaluate this action for compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the 
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), 
and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 1021).

Determination Under Executive Order 12866

    Western has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under 
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the 
Office of Management and Budget is required.

    Dated: December 8, 2015.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-31619 Filed 12-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                              78222                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices

                                                Dated: December 10, 2015.                             be submitted to Western on or before                  hydroelectric generation began at the
                                              Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,                                March 30, 2016.                                       CRSP facilities in 1963. The maximum
                                              Deputy Secretary.                                          Responses to questions about the                   operating capacity of the five original
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–31611 Filed 12–15–15; 8:45 am]            proposed criteria unanswered at the                   CRSP powerplants is currently about
                                              BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                                                                      forum will be provided in writing                     1,760 MW. The average annual
                                                                                                      within a reasonable period of time. An                generation over the 20-year period from
                                                                                                      opportunity will be given to all                      1994 through 2014 was about 5,208,238
                                              DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                    interested parties to present written or              MWh.
                                                                                                      oral statements at the public comment
                                                                                                      forum. The forums will be transcribed,                Participating Projects
                                              Western Area Power Administration
                                                                                                      and copies will be available upon                       Seedskadee Project (Fontenelle
                                              Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects                 request. Any fees required by the                     Powerplant): The Seedskadee Project
                                              and Colorado River Storage Project                      transcription firm to provide a                       was authorized as one of the initial
                                              2025 General Power Marketing Criteria                   transcribed copy will be the                          group of participating projects
                                                                                                      responsibility of the requestor.                      authorized with the CRSP in 1956. The
                                              AGENCY:  Western Area Power                                                                                   Fontenelle Dam, powerplant, and
                                              Administration, Department of Energy                    Additionally, Western is available to
                                                                                                      consult on a government-to-government                 reservoir are the principal features of
                                              (DOE).                                                                                                        the Seedskadee Project. The powerplant
                                                                                                      basis with Tribes that express interest in
                                              ACTION: Notice of the Proposed 2025                                                                           commenced operation in May 1968. The
                                                                                                      doing so.
                                              Marketing Plan and announcement of                                                                            maximum operating capacity of
                                                                                                      ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
                                              public information and comment                                                                                Fontenelle Powerplant is 10 MW. The
                                              forums.                                                 regarding the proposed 2025 General
                                                                                                      Power Marketing Criteria to Ms. Lynn                  average annual generation from 1994–
                                              SUMMARY:    Western Area Power                          Jeka, CRSP Manager, Western Area                      2014 was 53,477 MWh.
                                                                                                      Power Administration, 150 East Social                   Dolores Project (McPhee Dam and
                                              Administration (Western), Colorado
                                                                                                      Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City,               Towaoc Canal Powerplants): The
                                              River Storage Project Management
                                                                                                      UT 84111–1580. Western’s                              Dolores Project was authorized by the
                                              Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power
                                                                                                      representatives will explain the                      Colorado River Basin Act of September
                                              marketing agency of the Department of
                                                                                                      proposed criteria and answer questions.               30, 1968, as a participating project
                                              Energy, is seeking comments on its
                                                                                                      Comments may also be faxed to (801)                   under the Colorado River Storage
                                              Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the
                                                                                                      524–5017, or emailed to SLIPPost2024@                 Project Act. The maximum operating
                                              Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects
                                                                                                      wapa.gov.                                             capacity of the two powerplants is 12.8
                                              (SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP
                                                                                                                                                            MW, and the combined average annual
                                              marketing plan will expire on                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
                                                                                                                                                            output of McPhee Dam and Towaoc
                                              September 30, 2024. The Proposed                        Parker Wicks, Public Utilities Specialist,
                                                                                                                                                            Canal powerplants from 1994–2014 was
                                              General Power Marketing Criteria                        or Mr. Steve Mullen, Public Utilities
                                                                                                                                                            18,161 MWh.
                                              provides the basis for marketing the                    Specialist, at Western Area Power
                                              long-term, firm hydroelectric resources                 Administration, CRSP Management                       Integrated Projects
                                              of the SLCA/IP to be effective October                  Center, 150 East Social Hall Avenue,                     Western consolidated and
                                              1, 2024. The Proposed General Power                     Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–                  operationally integrated the Collbran
                                              Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are                  1580, telephone (801) 524–5493, or                    and Rio Grande projects with CRSP
                                              published herein. This Federal Register                 email to SLIPPost2024@wapa.gov.                       beginning on October 1, 1987. These
                                              notice (FRN) formally initiates                         Information can also be found at                      integrated projects have retained their
                                              Western’s public process and request for                https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/                    separate financial obligations for
                                              public comments. Western will prepare                   PowerMarketing/Pages/power-                           repayment; however, an SLCA/IP rate is
                                              and publish the final 2025 General                      marketing.aspx.                                       set to recover revenues to meet the
                                              Power Marketing Criteria after public                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brief                      repayment requirements of all projects.
                                              comments on the criteria are                            descriptions of the projects included in              The maximum operating capacity of the
                                              considered. The Energy Planning and                     the SLCA/IP are provided below:                       eleven SLCA/IP powerplants is 1,818.6
                                              Management Program as set forth in 10                                                                         MW, and the average annual generation
                                              CFR part 905 is not specifically                        Colorado River Storage Project
                                                                                                                                                            from 1994–2014 was about 5,635,057
                                              applicable to the SLCA/IP; however,                        Authorized in 1956, the CRSP and                   MWh. The SLCA/IP resources are
                                              Western used the Power Marketing                        participating projects initiated the                  currently marketed to approximately
                                              Initiative outlined in Subpart C for                    comprehensive development and use of                  140 long-term customers, and many
                                              general guidance in developing a                        water resources of the Upper Colorado                 more electric service providers enjoy
                                              framework for this proposal. This FRN                   River. The CRSP is comprised of the                   this power indirectly through parent
                                              is not a call for applications. A call for              Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Blue                      organizations that are direct customers
                                              applications from those interested in an                Mesa, Crystal, and Morrow Point dams                  of the SLCA/IP. Existing contracts will
                                              allocation of SLCA/IP power will occur                  and powerplants. CRSP storage units                   terminate at the end of the September
                                              in a future notice.                                     stabilize the erratic flows of the                    2024 billing period.
                                              DATES: A public information forum is                    Colorado River and its tributaries so                    Collbran Project (Upper Molina and
                                              scheduled for Thursday, January 14,                     annual water delivery commitments to                  Lower Molina Powerplants): Authorized
                                              2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the                 the Lower Colorado River Basin, as well               in 1952 and in service since 1962. The
tkelley on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES




                                              Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart                    as to farmers, municipalities, and                    maximum operating capacity of the two
                                              Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The public                 industries in the Upper Basin, can be                 powerplants is presently 13.5 MW. The
                                              comment forum is scheduled for                          met. Delivery of this water to consumers              average annual generation from 1994–
                                              Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 11                   is accomplished, in part, through the                 2014 was 41,915 MWh.
                                              a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn,                   participating projects discussed below.                  Rio Grande Project (Elephant Butte
                                              5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt                    Additional project development may                    Powerplant): The Rio Grande Project
                                              Lake City, Utah. Written comments may                   occur in future years. Initial                        was authorized in 1905, and the


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:21 Dec 15, 2015   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00062   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM   16DEN1


                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices                                              78223

                                              powerplant went into service in 1940.                   be allocated to them to offset reductions             new customers. Western’s
                                              The maximum operating capacity of the                   in their allocations due to the 1996 Glen             determination of the availability of a
                                              Elephant Butte Powerplant is 27.0 MW.                   Canyon Dam Environmental Impact                       resource pool will be announced
                                              The average annual generation was                       Statement Record of Decision, Western                 through an FRN. Depending upon the
                                              66,743 MWh from 1994–2014.                              determined it could support additional                timing, it may be announced in
                                                                                                      wide-spread use by allocating any                     conjunction with another action (i.e.,
                                              Current Marketing Plan Background
                                                                                                      additional resource to benefit new                    Final 2025 Marketing Plan) or it may be
                                                The final Post-1989 General Power                     customers rather than try to distribute a             announced in a separate FRN.
                                              Marketing and Allocation Criteria,                      small amount of power among the                          4. Western will provide new
                                              SLCA/IP (Post-1989 Plan), was                           approximately 135 existing customers.                 allocations only to eligible preference
                                              published in the Federal Register (51                   Western considered the feedback it                    entities in the Northern Division and
                                              FR 4844–4870, February 7, 1986) and                     received in developing the Proposed                   Native American tribes in either the
                                              provided the marketing plan principles                  2025 Marketing Plan, outlined below.                  Northern or Southern Division. Western
                                              used to market what is now referred to                                                                        will give priority to those preference
                                              as the SLCA/IP firm hydropower                          Proposed 2025 General Power
                                                                                                      Marketing Criteria                                    entities that currently do not receive the
                                              resources. The firm electric service                                                                          benefit of Federal hydropower. If the
                                              contracts associated with the Post-1989                   Western’s Proposed 2025 Power                       applicant has met the eligibility criteria,
                                              Plan were initially to expire in 2004.                  Marketing Plan will remain                            Western, through the public process,
                                              Western’s Energy Planning and                           predominantly unchanged from the                      will determine the amount of power, if
                                              Management Program (EPAMP) Final                        Post-1989 General Power Marketing                     any, to allocate in accordance with the
                                              Rule, Subpart C—Power Marketing                         Criteria and Post-2004 Power Marketing                marketing criteria and administrative
                                              Initiative was adopted for the SLCA/IP                  Initiative. The Marketing Plan                        discretion under Reclamation Law.
                                              as published in the Federal Register (64                principles are as follows:                               5. Eligible applicants, except Native
                                              FR 34414–34417, Friday, June 25, 1999),                                                                       American tribes, must be ready, willing,
                                              which extended the firm electric                        Proposed Marketing Plan Principles
                                                                                                                                                            and able to receive and distribute or use
                                              contracts associated with the Post-1989                    1. Contract Term: A 40-year contract
                                                                                                                                                            power from Western. Ready, willing,
                                              Plan through September 30, 2024, and                    term would be used for firm electric
                                                                                                                                                            and able means the eligible applicant
                                              also established a Post-2004 resource                   service contracts. The firm electric
                                                                                                                                                            has the facilities needed for the receipt
                                              pool. The current marketing plan is                     service contract term would begin
                                                                                                                                                            of power or has made the necessary
                                              inclusive of the Post-1989 Plan as                      October 1, 2024, and expire September
                                                                                                                                                            arrangements for transmission and/or
                                              extended and amended by EPAMP and                       30, 2064.
                                                                                                         2. Marketing Area: The Proposed 2025               distribution service, and its power
                                              the Post-2004 Power Marketing
                                                                                                      Marketing Plan supports continuing the                supply contracts with third parties
                                              Initiative.
                                                                                                      current SLCA/IP marketing area, which                 permit the delivery of Western’s power.
                                              Proposed 2025 General Power                             is divided into Northern and Southern                    6. Eligible applicants must have the
                                              Marketing Criteria Background                                                                                 necessary arrangements for transmission
                                                                                                      Divisions.
                                                During the summer of 2015, Western                       A. The Northern Division consists of               and/or distribution service in place by
                                              held four meetings to initiate informal                 the states of Colorado, New Mexico,                   October 1, 2023.
                                              discussions with current SLCA/IP firm                   Utah, and Wyoming; the City of Page,                     7. An eligible Native American
                                              electric service customers and their                    Arizona; a portion of the area in Arizona             applicant must be an Indian tribe as
                                              representatives. The meetings were held                 which lies in the drainage area of the                defined in the Indian Self Determination
                                              in Phoenix, Arizona; Lakewood,                          Upper Colorado River Basin to be served               Act of 1975, 25 U.S.C. 450b, as
                                              Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico;                      by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority;               amended.
                                              and Salt Lake City, Utah. These                         and White Pine County and portions of                    8. In determining allocations, Western
                                              meetings provided customers the                         Elko and Eureka counties in Nevada.                   will give priority consideration in the
                                              opportunity to review current marketing                    B. The Southern Division consists of               following order to entities satisfying
                                              plan principles and provide informal                    the remaining portion of the state of                 these marketing criteria:
                                              input to Western for consideration in                   Arizona and that part of the state of                    A. Federally recognized Native
                                              this Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan.                      Nevada in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye                     American tribes.
                                              Some of the key marketing plan                          counties that comprise the southern                      B. Municipal corporations and
                                              principles discussed at the meetings                    portion of the state.                                 political subdivisions including
                                              included marketing area, contract term,                    3. New Resource Pool: Currently, the               irrigation or other districts,
                                              resource pools, and marketable                          CRSP MC is doing extensive modeling                   municipalities, and other governmental
                                              resource. The main input Western                        to determine the amount of SLCA/IP                    organizations that have electric utility
                                              received from the commenters during                     resource that will be available for the               status by October 1, 2023. ‘‘Electric
                                              these meetings was that the Post-1989                   2025 Marketing Plan. Western expects                  utility status’’ means that the entity has
                                              Plan worked well and that Western                       that capacity and energy will be                      responsibility to meet load growth, has
                                              should make as few changes as possible.                 available above what is currently                     a distribution system, and is ready,
                                              Western agrees and proposes to keep the                 allocated to existing customers. If so, the           willing, and able to purchase Federal
                                              general contract format and maintain                    2025 Marketing Plan will provide a 2                  power from Western on a wholesale
                                              the existing allocations with its current               percent resource pool of the modeled                  basis.
                                              customers. Western is also proposing                    marketable resource. The allocation of                   C. Electric cooperatives and public
                                                                                                                                                            utilities, other than electric utilities, that
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                                              that, if after it completes its analysis                this resource would occur one time at
                                              there is additional resource available, a               the beginning of the contract term,                   are recognized as utilities by their
                                              power pool of 2 percent be created to                   October 1, 2024. If, after the analysis of            applicable legal authorities, are
                                              serve new customers. Although                           available marketable resource is                      nonprofit in nature, have electrical
                                              Western’s existing customers requested                  completed, there is less than 2 percent               facilities, and are independently
                                              that no new power pool be created and                   available for a resource pool, then no                governed and financed.
                                              that any additional marketable resource                 resource pool will be made available to                  D. Other eligible applicants.


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                                              78224                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices

                                                 9. In determining allocations, Western               Power (WRP) contract provisions will                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                              will consider existing Federal power                    continue to be available in the new                   AGENCY
                                              resource allocations of the applicants.                 SLCA/IP firm electric service contracts.
                                                 10. Western will base allocations to                                                                       [EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0439; FRL 9939–81–
                                                                                                      The CDP and WRP provisions allow                      OEI]
                                              Native American tribes on actual loads                  customers, at their discretion, to
                                              experienced in the most recent calendar                 augment hydropower allocations with                   Information Collection Request
                                              year. Western may use estimated load                    purchase power. Western reserves                      Submitted to OMB for Review and
                                              values if actual load data are not                      enough capacity on the CRSP                           Approval; Comment Request;
                                              available. Western will evaluate and                    transmission system to deliver the                    Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts,
                                              may adjust inconsistent estimates                       maximum amount of hydropower the                      Chemical and Radionuclides Rules
                                              during the allocation process. Western                  system is capable of generating, which
                                              is available to assist tribes in developing             under certain conditions can sometime                 AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                              load estimates.                                         occur. In times when hydropower                       Agency (EPA).
                                                 11. Western will base allocations to                 deliveries are lower, this transmission               ACTION: Notice.
                                              eligible applicants on the actual loads                 capacity can be made available for use
                                              experienced in the most recent calendar                                                                       SUMMARY:   The U.S. Environmental
                                                                                                      by the customers. Under CDP,                          Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted
                                              year and will apply current marketing
                                                                                                      customers may elect to use this reserved              an Information Collection Request (ICR)
                                              criteria to these loads.
                                                 12. The minimum allocation will be                   transmission capacity to deliver their                for the Disinfectants/Disinfection
                                              100 kW.                                                 own energy resources in hours that it is              Byproducts, Chemical and
                                                 13. Contractors must execute electric                needed to augment the hydropower                      Radionuclides Rules (EPA ICR No.
                                              service contracts within 6 months of                    deliveries. WRP is similar to CDP, but                1896.10, OMB Control No. 2040–0204)
                                              receiving a contract offer from Western,                customers request that Western act as                 to the Office of Management and Budget
                                              unless Western agrees otherwise in                      their agent and purchase energy                       (OMB) for review and approval in
                                              writing.                                                available on the market to augment                    accordance with the Paperwork
                                                 14. If unanticipated obstacles to the                hydropower deliveries.                                Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et
                                              delivery of electric service to a Native                Availability of Information                           seq.). This is a proposed extension of
                                              American tribe arise, Western retains                                                                         the ICR, which is currently approved
                                              the right to provide the economic                          Documents developed or retained by                 through December 31, 2015. Public
                                              benefit of the resource directly to the                 Western during this public process will               comments were previously requested
                                              tribe.                                                  be available, by appointment, for                     via the Federal Register (80 FR 17040)
                                                 15. Existing Marketable Resource:                    inspection and copying at the CRSP MC,                on March 31, 2015, during a 60-day
                                              Dependent upon available resource,                      located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue,               comment period. This notice allows for
                                              Western proposes extending the existing                 Suite 300, Salt Lake City, Utah. Western              an additional 30 days for public
                                              contract rates of delivery commitments,                 will post information concerning the                  comments. A description of the ICR is
                                              with associated energy, to the existing                 Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan on its                   provided in this renewal notice,
                                              SLCA/IP long-term, firm power                           Web site at: https://www.wapa.gov/                    including its estimated burden and cost
                                              customers.                                              regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/                    to the public. An Agency may not
                                                 16. Hydrology and River Operations                                                                         conduct or sponsor and a person is not
                                                                                                      power-marketing.aspx. Written
                                              Withdrawal Provision: Western will                                                                            required to respond to a collection of
                                                                                                      comments received as part of the 2025
                                              reserve the right to adjust, at its                                                                           information unless it displays a
                                                                                                      Marketing Plan formal public process
                                              discretion and sole determination, the                                                                        currently valid OMB control number.
                                                                                                      will be available for viewing on the Web
                                              contract rate of delivery on 5 years’                                                                         DATES: Additional comments may be
                                                                                                      site.
                                              advance written notice in response to                                                                         submitted on or before January 15, 2016.
                                              changes in hydrology and river                          Procedural Requirements
                                                                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                              operations. Any such adjustments
                                              would occur after an appropriate public                 Environmental Compliance                              referencing Docket ID Number EPA–
                                              process.                                                                                                      HQ–OW–2011–0439, to (1) EPA online
                                                                                                        Western will evaluate this action for               using www.regulations.gov (our
                                                 17. Service Seasons: The Proposed                    compliance with the National
                                              2025 Marketing Plan supports                                                                                  preferred method), by email to OW-
                                                                                                      Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of                    Docket@epa.gov or by mail to EPA
                                              continuing the current SLCA/IP summer                   1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), the Council
                                              and winter seasons.                                                                                           Docket Center, Environmental
                                                                                                      on Environmental Quality Regulations                  Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T,
                                                 A. Summer Season: The 6-month
                                                                                                      (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and DOE                     1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
                                              period from the first day of the April
                                                                                                      NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 1021).                       Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB via
                                              billing period through the last day of the
                                              September billing period in any                         Determination Under Executive Order                   email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.
                                              calendar year.                                          12866                                                 Address comments to OMB Desk Officer
                                                 B. Winter Season: The 6-month period                                                                       for EPA.
                                              from the first day of the October billing                 Western has an exemption from                         EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                              period of any calendar year through the                 centralized regulatory review under                   received will be included in the public
                                              last day of the March billing period of                 Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no                docket without modification including
                                              the next succeeding calendar year.                      clearance of this notice by the Office of             any personal information provided,
                                                                                                      Management and Budget is required.                    unless the comment includes profanity,
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                                                 18. Retention of Existing Contract
                                              Provisions: The Proposed 2025                                                                                 threats, information claimed to be
                                                                                                       Dated: December 8, 2015.
                                              Marketing Plan supports using the                                                                             Confidential Business Information (CBI)
                                                                                                      Mark A. Gabriel,                                      or other information whose disclosure is
                                              existing SLCA/IP firm electric service
                                              contract provisions with only minor                     Administrator.                                        restricted by statute.
                                              modifications. Customer Displacement                    [FR Doc. 2015–31619 Filed 12–15–15; 8:45 am]          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              Power (CDP) and Western Replacement                     BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                Kevin Roland, Drinking Water


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Document Created: 2015-12-16 01:00:40
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 01:00:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan and announcement of public information and comment forums.
DatesA public information forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The public comment forum is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Written comments may be submitted to Western on or before March 30, 2016.
ContactMr. Parker Wicks, Public Utilities Specialist, or Mr. Steve Mullen, Public Utilities Specialist, at Western Area Power Administration, CRSP Management Center, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1580, telephone (801) 524-5493, or email to [email protected] Information can also be found at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/ power-marketing.aspx.
FR Citation80 FR 78222 

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