81_FR_64328 81 FR 64147 - Boulder Canyon Project

81 FR 64147 - Boulder Canyon Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 181 (September 19, 2016)

Page Range64147-64149
FR Document2016-22465

In this notice, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) establishes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 base charge and rates for Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service, as approved by the Deputy Secretary of Energy (Deputy Secretary). The base charge will provide sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs, including interest expense, and to repay investments within the allowable period.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 181 (Monday, September 19, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64147-64149]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22465]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Boulder Canyon Project

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of approval for Fiscal Year 2017 base charge and rates.

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SUMMARY: In this notice, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) 
establishes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 base charge and rates for Boulder 
Canyon Project (BCP) electric service, as approved by the Deputy 
Secretary of Energy (Deputy Secretary). The base charge will provide 
sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs, including interest 
expense, and to repay investments within the allowable period.

DATES: The base charge and rates will be effective the first day of the 
first full billing period beginning on or after October 1, 2016, and 
will remain in effect through September 30, 2017, or until superseded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald E. Moulton, Regional 
Manager, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, 
P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 605-2453, email 
[email protected], or Mr. Scott Lund, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest 
Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 
85005-6457, (602) 605-2442, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hoover Dam, authorized by the Boulder Canyon 
Project Act (45 Stat. 1057, December 21, 1928), sits on the Colorado 
River along the Arizona and Nevada border. The Hoover Dam power plant 
has 19 generating units (two for plant use) and an installed capacity 
of 2,078,800 kilowatts (kW) (4,800 kW for plant use). High-voltage 
transmission lines and substations connect BCP power to consumers in 
southern Nevada, Arizona, and southern California. Electric service 
rates are adjusted annually using an existing rate formula established 
on April 19, 1996. The rate formula requires BCP power customers to pay 
a base charge (expressed in dollars), rather than a rate, for their 
power. The base charge is calculated to generate sufficient revenue to 
cover all annual costs, including interest expense, and to repay 
investments within allowable time periods. The base charge is allocated 
to each BCP power customer in proportion to its allocation of Hoover 
power. The composite power rate, expressed in mills per kilowatt-hour 
(mills/kWh), is calculated by dividing the base charge by energy sales 
in a year. However, it is the base charge and not the power rate that 
is used to calculate BCP customers' bills.
    Rate Schedule BCP-F9 under Rate Order No. WAPA-171 was approved on 
an interim basis by the Deputy Secretary for a five-year period 
beginning October 1, 2015, and ending September 30, 2020.\1\ This rate 
schedule, which was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC) on a final basis on December 11, 2015, requires the 
base charge be calculated annually based on current financial and 
hydrological data.\2\ This notice sets forth the calculation for the FY 
2017 BCP base charge.
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    \1\ 80 FR 44098 (July 24, 2015).
    \2\ Docket No. EF15-7-000 (153 FERC ] 62,189).
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    The FY 2017 base charge for BCP electric service is $69,662,289, a 
9.3 percent increase from the FY 2016 base charge of $63,735,856. The 
primary factors contributing to the change in the base charge are prior 
year carryover and total expenses. Prior year carryover, the difference 
between the previous year's base charge and expense, has decreased by 
$9 million, or 62.7 percent. Prior year carryover offset current year 
expenses, thereby reducing the base charge. In FY 2014, carryover 
increased significantly when customers repaid certain capitalized 
investments. Since that time carryover has steadily decreased, 
contributing to the increase in the FY 2017 base charge. Total 
expenses, which include operation, maintenance and replacement costs, 
increased by $6 million, or 9.2 percent, while other expenses such as 
the uprating credit program and Hoover Dam Visitor Center costs 
decreased by $10 million, or 37 percent. Despite the overall expense 
decrease of $4 million, the FY 2017 base charge is increasing due to 
the reduction of prior year carryover.
    The FY 2017 composite rate of 19.63 mills/kWh increased 7.11 
percent compared to the FY 2016 composite rate of 18.33 mills/kWh. The 
FY 2017 energy rate of 9.82 mills/kWh increased 7.11 percent compared 
to the FY 2016 energy rate of 9.17 mills/kWh. The FY 2017 capacity rate 
of $1.89/kW-month increased 9.8 percent compared to the FY 2016 
capacity rate of $1.72/kW-month. Energy sales are forecast to increase 
2 percent from FY 2016 while FY 2017 capacity sales are expected to 
decrease 0.5 percent due to poor hydrological conditions. The increase 
in the FY 2017 base charge is the primary driver behind the increases 
in the composite, energy and capacity rates. The base charge and rates 
were calculated using WAPA's FY 2016 Final Master Schedule which 
provides FY 2017 energy and capacity sales projections.
    The following summarizes the steps taken by WAPA to ensure 
involvement of all interested parties in determining the base charge 
and rates:
    1. A Federal Register notice was published on April 4, 2016 (81 FR 
19169), announcing the proposed rate adjustment process, initiating a 
public consultation and comment period, announcing public information 
and public comment forums, and presenting procedures for public 
participation.
    2. Discussion of the proposal occurred at two informal BCP 
Contractor meetings held April 5, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona and April 
12, 2016, via web conference. Representatives from WAPA and the Bureau 
of Reclamation (Reclamation) explained the basis for the estimates used 
to calculate the base charge and rates and held a question and answer 
session.
    3. At the public information forum held on April 27, 2016, in 
Phoenix, Arizona, WAPA and Reclamation representatives explained the 
proposed base charge and rates for FY 2017 and held a question and 
answer session at these informal meetings.

[[Page 64148]]

    4. A public comment forum held on May 25, 2016, in Phoenix, 
Arizona, provided the public with an opportunity to comment for the 
record.
    5. WAPA received several comments during the 90-day consultation 
and comment period ending July 5, 2016. Comments and responses, 
paraphrased for brevity when not affecting the meaning of the 
statement, are presented below.
    Comment: Commenters objected to the expense WAPA incurred to 
negotiate electric service contracts for the Post-2017 marketing 
period.
    Response: Department of Energy Order RA 6120.2 requires the 
recovery of all costs of operating and maintaining a power system. It 
was necessary and appropriate to incur costs associated with 
negotiating the Post-2017 electric service contracts and implementation 
agreement. During the negotiations, WAPA remained mindful of costs 
incurred and was prudent in managing travel and related expenses.
    Comment: A commenter questioned why the FY 2017 base charge has 
cost increases for power marketing when the negotiations for the Post-
2017 electric service contracts have concluded.
    Response: The commenter is correct in pointing out that 
negotiations on the Post-2017 electric service contracts concluded in 
2016. The increase in power marketing costs in the FY 2017 base charge 
is necessary to implement and support the 31 additional electric 
service contracts that will be in effect during the Post-2017 marketing 
period.
    Comment: A commenter expressed concern regarding changes to WAPA's 
General Western Allocation, which is a component of the Facility 
Expenses cost category.
    Response: WAPA provided a detailed explanation of cost allocation 
changes that affect the General Western Allocation during a customer 
meeting held on August 23, 2016. WAPA will continue to provide 
customers with detailed explanations of changes in BCP costs.
    Comment: A commenter encouraged Reclamation and WAPA to separately 
account for Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) expenses collected during 
each marketing period in the event a refund is given for those 
expenses.
    Response: Reclamation and WAPA are able to identify the PRB 
expenses collected in each marketing period, inclusive of any refunds.
    Comment: A commenter asked for an update on a customer audit of the 
BCP and whether the audit will impact the FY 2017 base charge.
    Response: The BCP contractors designated an audit selection 
committee to oversee the selection process of a new audit firm. 
Southern California Public Power Authority plans to administer the 
contract. This audit will not affect the FY 2017 base charge and rates 
as any findings will not be identified until after the FY 2017 base 
charge and rates are in effect.
    Comment: A commenter requested that detailed presentations be made 
when the FY 2018 base charge is proposed so new contractors can better 
understand the proposal.
    Response: WAPA will increase the level of detail presented in 
future presentations and supporting documentation and work with new 
contractors to assist them in understanding the proposed base charge.
    Comment: A commenter requested the current Ten Year Operating Plan 
and supporting documentation for the FY 2017 base charge.
    Response: Reclamation has sent new and existing contractors the 
latest Ten Year Operating Plan. Supporting documentation for the base 
charge is available on WAPA's Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx.

Electric Service Rates

    The base charge and the resulting calculated rates for electric 
service are designed to recover expenses including operation and 
maintenance, payments to states, visitor services, the uprating 
program, replacements, investment repayment, and accumulated interest. 
WAPA's power repayment study (PRS) allocates the base charge for 
electric service equally between capacity and energy.

Availability of Information

    Information about this base charge and rate adjustment, including 
the PRS, comments, letters, memorandums, and other supporting material 
developed or maintained by WAPA and used to develop the FY 2017 base 
charge and rates is available for public review at the Desert Southwest 
Region, Western Area Power Administration, 615 South 43rd Avenue, 
Phoenix, AZ 85009. The information is also available on WAPA's Web site 
at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx.

Ratemaking Procedure Requirements

    BCP electric service rates are developed under the Department of 
Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101-7352), through which the power 
marketing functions of the Secretary of the Interior under the 
Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as amended and 
supplemented by subsequent enactments, particularly section 9(c) of the 
Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)), and other acts 
that specifically apply to the project involved, were transferred to 
and vested in the Secretary of Energy, acting by and through WAPA.
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00A, effective October 25, 2013, the 
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and 
transmission rates to the Administrator of WAPA; (2) the authority to 
confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis 
to the Deputy Secretary; and (3) the authority to confirm, approve, and 
place into effect on a final basis, to remand or to disapprove such 
rates to the FERC. Existing Department of Energy procedures for public 
participation in power rate adjustments (10 CFR part 903) were 
published on September 18, 1985 (50 FR 37835). Department of Energy 
procedures were followed by WAPA in developing the rate formula 
approved by FERC on December 11, 2015.\3\
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    \3\ Docket No. EF15-7-000 (153 FERC ] 62,189).
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    The Boulder Canyon Project Implementation Agreement (BCPIA) 
requires that WAPA determine the annual base charge and rates for the 
next fiscal year before October 1 of each rate year. The rates for the 
first rate year, and each fifth rate year thereafter, become effective 
provisionally upon approval by the Deputy Secretary subject to final 
approval by FERC. For all other rate years, as is the case for FY 2017, 
the rates become effective on a final basis upon approval by the Deputy 
Secretary.
    In accordance with 10 CFR part 904, effective June 1, 1987, and the 
BCPIA, the rates are reviewed annually and adjusted to assure 
sufficient revenues are collected to achieve payment of all costs and 
financial obligations associated with the project. Each fiscal year, 
WAPA prepares a PRS for the BCP to update actual revenues and expenses, 
including interest, estimates of future revenues, operating expenses, 
and capitalized costs.
    Consistent with procedures set forth in 10 CFR parts 903 and 904 
and 18 CFR part 300, WAPA held a consultation and comment period. The 
notice of the proposed FY 2017 base charge and rates for electric 
service was published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2016 (81 FR 
19169).
    Under Delegation Order Nos. 00-037.00A and 00-001.00F and in 
compliance with 10 CFR parts 903 and 904, I hereby approve the FY 2017 
base charge and rates for BCP electric service

[[Page 64149]]

on a final basis under Rate Schedule BCP-F9 through September 30, 2017.

    Dated: September 12, 2016.
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall,
Deputy Secretary of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-22465 Filed 9-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 181 / Monday, September 19, 2016 / Notices                                           64147

                                                  skills gained both in and out of school                 Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, (602) 605–                    2014, carryover increased significantly
                                                  environments. PISA 2018 will focus on                   2453, email rmoulton@wapa.gov, or Mr.                 when customers repaid certain
                                                  reading literacy as the major domain.                   Scott Lund, Rates Manager, Desert                     capitalized investments. Since that time
                                                  Mathematics and science literacy will                   Southwest Region, Western Area Power                  carryover has steadily decreased,
                                                  also be assessed as minor domains, with                 Administration, P.O. Box 6457,                        contributing to the increase in the FY
                                                  additional assessments of global                        Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, (602) 605–                    2017 base charge. Total expenses, which
                                                  competence and financial literacy. In                   2442, email slund@wapa.gov.                           include operation, maintenance and
                                                  addition to the cognitive assessments                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hoover                     replacement costs, increased by $6
                                                  described above, PISA 2018 will include                 Dam, authorized by the Boulder Canyon                 million, or 9.2 percent, while other
                                                  questionnaires administered to assessed                 Project Act (45 Stat. 1057, December 21,              expenses such as the uprating credit
                                                  students, school principals, and                        1928), sits on the Colorado River along               program and Hoover Dam Visitor Center
                                                  teachers. To prepare for the main study                 the Arizona and Nevada border. The                    costs decreased by $10 million, or 37
                                                  in 2018, NCES will conduct a PISA field                 Hoover Dam power plant has 19                         percent. Despite the overall expense
                                                  test from April–May 2017 to evaluate                    generating units (two for plant use) and              decrease of $4 million, the FY 2017 base
                                                  newly developed assessment and                          an installed capacity of 2,078,800                    charge is increasing due to the reduction
                                                  questionnaire items, to test the                        kilowatts (kW) (4,800 kW for plant use).              of prior year carryover.
                                                  assessment operations, and to test                      High-voltage transmission lines and                      The FY 2017 composite rate of 19.63
                                                  school recruitment, data collection, and                substations connect BCP power to                      mills/kWh increased 7.11 percent
                                                  data management procedures. The PISA                    consumers in southern Nevada,                         compared to the FY 2016 composite rate
                                                  main study will be conducted in the                     Arizona, and southern California.                     of 18.33 mills/kWh. The FY 2017 energy
                                                  U.S. from September–November 2018.                      Electric service rates are adjusted                   rate of 9.82 mills/kWh increased 7.11
                                                  This submission requests approval for:                  annually using an existing rate formula               percent compared to the FY 2016 energy
                                                  Recruitment and pre-assessment                          established on April 19, 1996. The rate               rate of 9.17 mills/kWh. The FY 2017
                                                  activities for the 2017 field test sample;              formula requires BCP power customers                  capacity rate of $1.89/kW-month
                                                  administration of the field test; and                   to pay a base charge (expressed in                    increased 9.8 percent compared to the
                                                  recruitment of schools for the 2018 main                dollars), rather than a rate, for their               FY 2016 capacity rate of $1.72/kW-
                                                  study sample.                                           power. The base charge is calculated to               month. Energy sales are forecast to
                                                    Dated: September 14, 2016.
                                                                                                          generate sufficient revenue to cover all              increase 2 percent from FY 2016 while
                                                                                                          annual costs, including interest                      FY 2017 capacity sales are expected to
                                                  Kate Mullan,
                                                                                                          expense, and to repay investments                     decrease 0.5 percent due to poor
                                                  Acting Director, Information Collection                 within allowable time periods. The base
                                                  Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy                                                               hydrological conditions. The increase in
                                                                                                          charge is allocated to each BCP power                 the FY 2017 base charge is the primary
                                                  Officer, Office of Management.
                                                                                                          customer in proportion to its allocation              driver behind the increases in the
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–22443 Filed 9–16–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          of Hoover power. The composite power                  composite, energy and capacity rates.
                                                  BILLING CODE 4000–01–P                                  rate, expressed in mills per kilowatt-                The base charge and rates were
                                                                                                          hour (mills/kWh), is calculated by                    calculated using WAPA’s FY 2016 Final
                                                                                                          dividing the base charge by energy sales              Master Schedule which provides FY
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                    in a year. However, it is the base charge             2017 energy and capacity sales
                                                                                                          and not the power rate that is used to                projections.
                                                  Western Area Power Administration                       calculate BCP customers’ bills.                          The following summarizes the steps
                                                                                                             Rate Schedule BCP–F9 under Rate                    taken by WAPA to ensure involvement
                                                  Boulder Canyon Project                                  Order No. WAPA–171 was approved on                    of all interested parties in determining
                                                  AGENCY: Western Area Power                              an interim basis by the Deputy Secretary              the base charge and rates:
                                                  Administration, DOE.                                    for a five-year period beginning October
                                                                                                                                                                   1. A Federal Register notice was
                                                                                                          1, 2015, and ending September 30,
                                                  ACTION: Notice of approval for Fiscal                                                                         published on April 4, 2016 (81 FR
                                                                                                          2020.1 This rate schedule, which was
                                                  Year 2017 base charge and rates.                                                                              19169), announcing the proposed rate
                                                                                                          approved by the Federal Energy
                                                                                                                                                                adjustment process, initiating a public
                                                  SUMMARY:   In this notice, the Western                  Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a
                                                                                                                                                                consultation and comment period,
                                                  Area Power Administration (WAPA)                        final basis on December 11, 2015,
                                                                                                                                                                announcing public information and
                                                  establishes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017                   requires the base charge be calculated
                                                                                                          annually based on current financial and               public comment forums, and presenting
                                                  base charge and rates for Boulder                                                                             procedures for public participation.
                                                  Canyon Project (BCP) electric service, as               hydrological data.2 This notice sets forth
                                                                                                          the calculation for the FY 2017 BCP                      2. Discussion of the proposal occurred
                                                  approved by the Deputy Secretary of                                                                           at two informal BCP Contractor
                                                  Energy (Deputy Secretary). The base                     base charge.
                                                                                                             The FY 2017 base charge for BCP                    meetings held April 5, 2016, in Phoenix,
                                                  charge will provide sufficient revenue to                                                                     Arizona and April 12, 2016, via web
                                                  cover all annual costs, including interest              electric service is $69,662,289, a 9.3
                                                                                                          percent increase from the FY 2016 base                conference. Representatives from WAPA
                                                  expense, and to repay investments                                                                             and the Bureau of Reclamation
                                                  within the allowable period.                            charge of $63,735,856. The primary
                                                                                                          factors contributing to the change in the             (Reclamation) explained the basis for
                                                  DATES: The base charge and rates will be                                                                      the estimates used to calculate the base
                                                                                                          base charge are prior year carryover and
                                                  effective the first day of the first full               total expenses. Prior year carryover, the             charge and rates and held a question
                                                  billing period beginning on or after                                                                          and answer session.
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                                                                                                          difference between the previous year’s
                                                  October 1, 2016, and will remain in                     base charge and expense, has decreased                   3. At the public information forum
                                                  effect through September 30, 2017, or                   by $9 million, or 62.7 percent. Prior year            held on April 27, 2016, in Phoenix,
                                                  until superseded.                                       carryover offset current year expenses,               Arizona, WAPA and Reclamation
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                    thereby reducing the base charge. In FY               representatives explained the proposed
                                                  Ronald E. Moulton, Regional Manager,                                                                          base charge and rates for FY 2017 and
                                                  Desert Southwest Region, Western Area                     1 80   FR 44098 (July 24, 2015).                    held a question and answer session at
                                                  Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457,                      2 Docket   No. EF15–7–000 (153 FERC ¶ 62,189).      these informal meetings.


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                                                  64148                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 181 / Monday, September 19, 2016 / Notices

                                                     4. A public comment forum held on                    to oversee the selection process of a new             amended and supplemented by
                                                  May 25, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona,                      audit firm. Southern California Public                subsequent enactments, particularly
                                                  provided the public with an opportunity                 Power Authority plans to administer the               section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project
                                                  to comment for the record.                              contract. This audit will not affect the              Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)), and
                                                     5. WAPA received several comments                    FY 2017 base charge and rates as any                  other acts that specifically apply to the
                                                  during the 90-day consultation and                      findings will not be identified until after           project involved, were transferred to
                                                  comment period ending July 5, 2016.                     the FY 2017 base charge and rates are                 and vested in the Secretary of Energy,
                                                  Comments and responses, paraphrased                     in effect.                                            acting by and through WAPA.
                                                  for brevity when not affecting the                         Comment: A commenter requested                        By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00A,
                                                  meaning of the statement, are presented                 that detailed presentations be made                   effective October 25, 2013, the Secretary
                                                  below.                                                  when the FY 2018 base charge is                       of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to
                                                     Comment: Commenters objected to                      proposed so new contractors can better                develop power and transmission rates to
                                                  the expense WAPA incurred to                            understand the proposal.                              the Administrator of WAPA; (2) the
                                                  negotiate electric service contracts for                   Response: WAPA will increase the                   authority to confirm, approve, and place
                                                  the Post-2017 marketing period.                         level of detail presented in future                   such rates into effect on an interim basis
                                                     Response: Department of Energy                       presentations and supporting                          to the Deputy Secretary; and (3) the
                                                  Order RA 6120.2 requires the recovery                   documentation and work with new                       authority to confirm, approve, and place
                                                  of all costs of operating and maintaining               contractors to assist them in                         into effect on a final basis, to remand or
                                                  a power system. It was necessary and                    understanding the proposed base                       to disapprove such rates to the FERC.
                                                  appropriate to incur costs associated                   charge.                                               Existing Department of Energy
                                                  with negotiating the Post-2017 electric                    Comment: A commenter requested the                 procedures for public participation in
                                                  service contracts and implementation                    current Ten Year Operating Plan and                   power rate adjustments (10 CFR part
                                                  agreement. During the negotiations,                     supporting documentation for the FY                   903) were published on September 18,
                                                  WAPA remained mindful of costs                          2017 base charge.                                     1985 (50 FR 37835). Department of
                                                  incurred and was prudent in managing                       Response: Reclamation has sent new                 Energy procedures were followed by
                                                  travel and related expenses.                            and existing contractors the latest Ten               WAPA in developing the rate formula
                                                     Comment: A commenter questioned                      Year Operating Plan. Supporting                       approved by FERC on December 11,
                                                  why the FY 2017 base charge has cost                    documentation for the base charge is                  2015.3
                                                  increases for power marketing when the                  available on WAPA’s Web site at                          The Boulder Canyon Project
                                                  negotiations for the Post-2017 electric                 https://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/                     Implementation Agreement (BCPIA)
                                                  service contracts have concluded.                       Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx.                requires that WAPA determine the
                                                     Response: The commenter is correct                                                                         annual base charge and rates for the
                                                  in pointing out that negotiations on the                Electric Service Rates                                next fiscal year before October 1 of each
                                                  Post-2017 electric service contracts                       The base charge and the resulting                  rate year. The rates for the first rate year,
                                                  concluded in 2016. The increase in                      calculated rates for electric service are             and each fifth rate year thereafter,
                                                  power marketing costs in the FY 2017                    designed to recover expenses including                become effective provisionally upon
                                                  base charge is necessary to implement                   operation and maintenance, payments                   approval by the Deputy Secretary
                                                  and support the 31 additional electric                  to states, visitor services, the uprating             subject to final approval by FERC. For
                                                  service contracts that will be in effect                program, replacements, investment                     all other rate years, as is the case for FY
                                                  during the Post-2017 marketing period.                  repayment, and accumulated interest.                  2017, the rates become effective on a
                                                     Comment: A commenter expressed                       WAPA’s power repayment study (PRS)                    final basis upon approval by the Deputy
                                                  concern regarding changes to WAPA’s                     allocates the base charge for electric                Secretary.
                                                  General Western Allocation, which is a                  service equally between capacity and                     In accordance with 10 CFR part 904,
                                                  component of the Facility Expenses cost                 energy.                                               effective June 1, 1987, and the BCPIA,
                                                  category.                                                                                                     the rates are reviewed annually and
                                                     Response: WAPA provided a detailed                   Availability of Information                           adjusted to assure sufficient revenues
                                                  explanation of cost allocation changes                    Information about this base charge                  are collected to achieve payment of all
                                                  that affect the General Western                         and rate adjustment, including the PRS,               costs and financial obligations
                                                  Allocation during a customer meeting                    comments, letters, memorandums, and                   associated with the project. Each fiscal
                                                  held on August 23, 2016. WAPA will                      other supporting material developed or                year, WAPA prepares a PRS for the BCP
                                                  continue to provide customers with                      maintained by WAPA and used to                        to update actual revenues and expenses,
                                                  detailed explanations of changes in BCP                 develop the FY 2017 base charge and                   including interest, estimates of future
                                                  costs.                                                  rates is available for public review at the           revenues, operating expenses, and
                                                     Comment: A commenter encouraged                      Desert Southwest Region, Western Area                 capitalized costs.
                                                  Reclamation and WAPA to separately                      Power Administration, 615 South 43rd                     Consistent with procedures set forth
                                                  account for Post-Retirement Benefit                     Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009. The                        in 10 CFR parts 903 and 904 and 18 CFR
                                                  (PRB) expenses collected during each                    information is also available on WAPA’s               part 300, WAPA held a consultation and
                                                  marketing period in the event a refund                  Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/                     comment period. The notice of the
                                                  is given for those expenses.                            regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-                      proposed FY 2017 base charge and rates
                                                     Response: Reclamation and WAPA                       canyon-rates.aspx.                                    for electric service was published in the
                                                  are able to identify the PRB expenses                                                                         Federal Register on April 4, 2016 (81 FR
                                                                                                          Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  collected in each marketing period,                                                                           19169).
                                                  inclusive of any refunds.                                 BCP electric service rates are                         Under Delegation Order Nos. 00–
                                                     Comment: A commenter asked for an                    developed under the Department of                     037.00A and 00–001.00F and in
                                                  update on a customer audit of the BCP                   Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C.                    compliance with 10 CFR parts 903 and
                                                  and whether the audit will impact the                   7101–7352), through which the power                   904, I hereby approve the FY 2017 base
                                                  FY 2017 base charge.                                    marketing functions of the Secretary of               charge and rates for BCP electric service
                                                     Response: The BCP contractors                        the Interior under the Reclamation Act
                                                  designated an audit selection committee                 of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as                    3 Docket   No. EF15–7–000 (153 FERC ¶ 62,189).



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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 181 / Monday, September 19, 2016 / Notices                                            64149

                                                  on a final basis under Rate Schedule                    Confidential Business Information (CBI)               contain the information claimed as CBI
                                                  BCP–F9 through September 30, 2017.                      or other information whose disclosure is              must be submitted for inclusion in the
                                                    Dated: September 12, 2016.                            restricted by statute.                                public docket. Information so marked
                                                  Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall,
                                                                                                             • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental                  will not be disclosed except in
                                                                                                          Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/                 accordance with procedures set forth in
                                                  Deputy Secretary of Energy.
                                                                                                          DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.                 40 CFR part 2.
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–22465 Filed 9–16–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.                          2. Tips for preparing your comments.
                                                  BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                     • Hand Delivery: To make special                   When preparing and submitting your
                                                                                                          arrangements for hand delivery or                     comments, see the commenting tips at
                                                                                                          delivery of boxed information, please                 http://www.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                follow the instructions at http://                    comments.html.
                                                  AGENCY                                                  www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.                       3. Environmental justice. EPA seeks to
                                                  [EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0794; FRL–9947–88]                        Additional instructions on                         achieve environmental justice, the fair
                                                                                                          commenting or visiting the docket,                    treatment and meaningful involvement
                                                  Registration Review; Draft Ecological                   along with more information about                     of any group, including minority and/or
                                                  and/or Human Health Risk                                dockets generally, is available at http://            low income populations, in the
                                                  Assessments; Notice of Availability                     www.epa.gov/dockets.                                  development, implementation, and
                                                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      enforcement of environmental laws,
                                                  AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                                  Agency (EPA).                                              For pesticide specific information                 regulations, and policies. To help
                                                                                                          contact: The Chemical Review Manager                  address potential environmental justice
                                                  ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                          listed in the Table of Unit III.                      issues, the Agency seeks information on
                                                  SUMMARY:    This notice announces the                      For general questions on the                       any groups or segments of the
                                                  availability of EPA’s draft human health                registration review program, contact:                 population who, as a result of their
                                                  and ecological risk assessments for the                 Richard Dumas, Pesticide Re-Evaluation                location, cultural practices, or other
                                                  registration review of carfentrazone-                   Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide                 factors, may have atypical or
                                                  ethyl, copper compounds, mineral                        Programs, Environmental Protection                    disproportionately high and adverse
                                                  acids, spinosad, and spinetoram and                     Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,                   human health impacts or environmental
                                                  opens a public comment period on these                  Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone                  effects from exposure to the pesticides
                                                  documents. Registration review is EPA’s                 number: (703) 308–8015; email                         discussed in this document, compared
                                                  periodic review of pesticide                            address:dumas.richard@epa.gov.                        to the general population.
                                                  registrations to ensure that each                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                                II. Authority
                                                  pesticide continues to satisfy the                      I. General Information
                                                  statutory standard for registration, that                                                                        EPA is conducting its registration
                                                  is, the pesticide can perform its                       A. Does this action apply to me?                      review of the chemicals listed in the
                                                  intended function without unreasonable                    This action is directed to the public               Table of Unit III pursuant to section 3(g)
                                                  adverse effects on human health or the                  in general, and may be of interest to a               of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
                                                  environment. As part of the registration                wide range of stakeholders including                  and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the
                                                  review process, the Agency has                          environmental, human health, farm                     Procedural Regulations for Registration
                                                  completed comprehensive draft human                     worker, and agricultural advocates; the               Review at 40 CFR part 155, subpart C.
                                                  health and/or ecological risk                           chemical industry; pesticide users; and               Section 3(g) of FIFRA provides, among
                                                  assessments for all chemicals listed in                 members of the public interested in the               other things, that the registrations of
                                                  the Table of Unit III. After reviewing                  sale, distribution, or use of pesticides.             pesticides are to be reviewed every 15
                                                  comments received during the public                     Since others also may be interested, the              years. Under FIFRA, a pesticide product
                                                  comment period, EPA will issue revised                  Agency has not attempted to describe all              may be registered or remain registered
                                                  risk assessments, explain any changes to                the specific entities that may be affected            only if it meets the statutory standard
                                                  the draft risk assessments, and respond                 by this action. If you have any questions             for registration given in FIFRA section
                                                  to comments and may request public                      regarding the applicability of this action            3(c)(5) (7 U.S.C. 136a(c)(5)). When used
                                                  input on risk mitigation before                         to a particular entity, consult the                   in accordance with widespread and
                                                  completing proposed registration review                 Chemical Review Manager listed in the                 commonly recognized practice, the
                                                  decisions for the chemicals listed in the               Table of Unit III.                                    pesticide product must perform its
                                                  Table of Unit III. Through this program,                                                                      intended function without unreasonable
                                                  EPA is ensuring that each pesticide’s                   B. What should I consider as I prepare                adverse effects on the environment; that
                                                  registration is based on current                        my comments for EPA?                                  is, without any unreasonable risk to
                                                  scientific and other knowledge,                            1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this              man or the environment, or a human
                                                  including its effects on human health                   information to EPA through                            dietary risk from residues that result
                                                  and the environment.                                    regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark                from the use of a pesticide in or on food.
                                                  DATES: Comments must be received on                     the part or all of the information that               III. Registration Reviews
                                                  or before November 18, 2016.                            you claim to be CBI. For CBI
                                                  ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                        information in a disk or CD–ROM that                    As directed by FIFRA section 3(g),
                                                  identified by docket identification (ID)                you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the              EPA is reviewing the pesticide
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0794, by                         disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then                        registrations for the chemicals listed in
                                                  one of the following methods:                           identify electronically within the disk or            the Table in this Unit to ensure that they
                                                     • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                CD–ROM the specific information that                  continue to satisfy the FIFRA standard
                                                  www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                  is claimed as CBI. In addition to one                 for registration—that is, that these
                                                  instructions for submitting comments.                   complete version of the comment that                  chemicals can still be used without
                                                  Do not submit electronically any                        includes information claimed as CBI, a                unreasonable adverse effects on human
                                                  information you consider to be                          copy of the comment that does not                     health or the environment.



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Document Created: 2016-09-17 02:29:50
Document Modified: 2016-09-17 02:29:50
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 approval for Fiscal Year 2017 base charge and rates.
DatesThe base charge and rates will be effective the first day of the first full billing period beginning on or after October 1, 2016, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2017, or until superseded.
ContactMr. Ronald E. Moulton, Regional Manager, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 605-2453, email [email protected], or Mr. Scott Lund, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 605-2442, email [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 64147 

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