82 FR 37444 - Amended Application for Presidential Permit; Nogales Interconnection Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 153 (August 10, 2017)

Page Range		37444-37445
FR Document		2017-16882
Nogales Transmission, L.L.C. (Nogales Transmission, or the Applicant) has submitted two amendments to its application for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an electric transmission line across the United States border with Mexico.
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37444-37445]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16882]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. PP-420]


Amended Application for Presidential Permit; Nogales 
Interconnection Project

AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of amended application.

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SUMMARY: Nogales Transmission, L.L.C. (Nogales Transmission, or the 
Applicant) has submitted two amendments to its application for a 
Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an 
electric transmission line across the United States border with Mexico.

DATES: Comments or motions to intervene must be submitted on or before 
September 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments or motions to intervene should be addressed as 
follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), 
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Lawrence (Program Office) 
at 202-586-5260 or via electronic mail at 
[email protected]; Rishi Garg (Program Attorney) at 202-
586-0258.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The construction, operation, maintenance, 
and connection of facilities at the international border of the United 
States for the transmission of electric energy between the United 
States and a foreign country requires a Presidential permit issued 
pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 10485, as amended by E.O. 12038.
    On April 8, 2016, Nogales Transmission filed an application with 
the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability of the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE) for a Presidential permit for the proposed 
Nogales Interconnection Project (the Project). Nogales Transmission has 
its principal place of business in Dallas, Texas. It is a subsidiary of 
Hunt Power, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which in turn is a 
subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
    On May 19, 2016, DOE published a Notice of Application in the 
Federal Register for the proposed Project. In the initial application, 
the proposed Project would originate at the existing UNS Electric, Inc. 
(UNSE) Valencia Substation in Nogales, Arizona. A new, approximately 3-
mile, overhead, 138-kV alternating current (AC) transmission line would 
be constructed from the Valencia Substation west to the proposed 
Gateway Substation. An approximately two-mile, overhead, 230-kV AC line 
would be constructed from the proposed Gateway Substation to the 
proposed international border crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border.
    A 300 MW bi-directional back-to-back high-voltage direct current 
(HVDC) converter (i.e., DC tie) would be located at the proposed 
Gateway Substation, which would allow for an asynchronous connection 
between the U.S. and Mexico. The DC tie would be constructed in two 
phases, with each phase capable of 150 megawatts (MW) of bi-directional 
flow, for a total of up to 300 MW. Minor modifications within the 
existing Valencia Substation would be made to accommodate the 
connection of the proposed 138-kV transmission line.
    In the initial application, the U.S. portion of the proposed 
Project would cross the U.S.-Mexico border at 31[deg]19'57.844'' N., 
110[deg]58'35.908'' W., which is just west of the Mariposa Port of 
Entry. On January 9, 2017, Nogales Transmission amended its application 
to modify the proposed international border crossing to a location 
approximately 25 feet to the east at 31[deg]19'57.846'' N., 
110[deg]58'35.620'' W. A portion of the new, approximately two-mile, 
overhead, 230-kV AC transmission line extending south from the proposed 
Gateway Substation to the proposed international border crossing was 
also proposed to be shifted approximately 25 feet to the east (the 
location of the proposed right-of-way [ROW] was not proposed to be 
changed).
    On May 31, 2017, DOE received a letter from Nogales Transmission 
amending its initial Presidential permit application a second time to 
reflect

[[Page 37445]]

changes to the proposed electrical configuration, which has been 
designed to make the proposed Project more cost-effective for the 
Applicant.
    The reconfiguration would connect the proposed Project to the UNSE 
transmission system at the proposed Gateway Substation rather than at 
the existing Valencia Substation, as initially proposed. A new, 
approximately 3-mile, overhead double-circuit 138-kV AC transmission 
line would be constructed on new monopoles. The first circuit would 
originate at an existing pole 1,900 feet west of the existing Valencia 
Substation and terminate at the proposed Gateway Substation. At this 
origination point, the existing UNSE ``Vail to Valencia'' transmission 
line would be severed and connected to this new line, thereby 
converting the existing UNSE ``Vail to Valencia'' transmission line to 
the ``Vail to Gateway'' transmission line. The second circuit would 
originate at the proposed Gateway Substation and proceed in an easterly 
direction to the same pole (1,900 feet west of the existing Valencia 
Substation), where it would connect with the existing portion of the 
UNSE 138-kV ``Vail to Valencia'' transmission line that travels east to 
the existing Valencia Substation. This circuit would constitute the new 
``Gateway to Valencia'' transmission line and serve as the source for 
Valencia. The existing UNSE Vail to Valencia line currently connects to 
the Valencia Substation; this line is the current (and only) source of 
power for the City of Nogales. The Valencia Substation is the first 
existing substation within the U.S. The Nogales Interconnection project 
would change the configuration such that the Vail to Valencia line 
would become the Vail to Gateway line. Because the Valencia Substation 
still needs a source of power, the Gateway to Valencia line would be 
built. Minor modifications to relaying equipment within the Valencia 
Substation would be made to accommodate this Gateway to Valencia line.
    In addition to the DC tie at the Gateway site as initially proposed 
(now referred to as the Nogales Gateway Substation), on the eastern 
portion of the Gateway site, a 138-kV UNSE Gateway Substation would 
consist of a three bay breaker and a half open air configuration to 
accommodate the line from Vail, the line to Valencia, and the 
connection to the DC tie, as well as a future UNSE distribution 
transformer. The Nogales Gateway Substation and the UNSE Gateway 
Substation would be located on the Gateway site and collectively 
referred to as the Gateway Substation. There were no additional changes 
proposed in this amendment to the location of the new, approximately 
two-mile, overhead, 230-kV AC transmission line extending south from 
the proposed Gateway Substation to the proposed international border 
crossing. The proposed reconfiguration would not affect the location of 
the proposed route or ROW requirements, but certain changes were 
proposed to be made to the conductors and towers. A comparison of the 
initial configuration and the reconfiguration for each of the 
alternative routes is provided in the application amendment.
    The draft Environmental Assessment contains relevant figures in 
Chapters 1 and 2. It can be downloaded from the Document Library page 
on the project Web site: http://nogalesinterconnectionea.com/.
    The Proposed Project One-line Diagram (Figure 2.4-5) illustrates 
the details of the configuration as proposed by the amendment. A side-
by-side comparison of the reconfiguration to the original application 
is also in the appendix to the Applicant's amendment (which can also be 
downloaded from the project Web site).
    Procedural Matters: Any person may comment on this application by 
filing such comment at the address provided above. Any person seeking 
to become a party to this proceeding must file a motion to intervene at 
the address provided above in accordance with Rule 214 of the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 
385.214). Two copies of each comment or motion to intervene should be 
filed with DOE on or before the date listed above.
    Additional copies of such motions to intervene also should be filed 
directly with: Enrique Marroquin, Nogales Transmission, L.L.C., 1900 
North Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.
    Before a Presidential permit may be issued or amended, DOE must 
determine that the proposed action is in the public interest. In making 
that determination, DOE considers the environmental impacts of the 
proposed project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, determines the project's impact on electric 
reliability by ascertaining whether the proposed project would 
adversely affect the operation of the U.S. electric power supply system 
under normal and contingency conditions, and any other factors that DOE 
may also consider relevant to the public interest. DOE also must obtain 
the concurrences of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense 
before taking final action on a Presidential permit application.
    Copies of this application amendment will be made available for 
public inspection and copying (upon request) at the address provided 
above, and by accessing the program Web site at: http://energy.gov/oe/services/electricity-policy-coordination-and-implementation/international-electricity-regulatio-2.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 3, 2017.
Christopher A. Lawrence,
Electricity Policy Analyst, Transmission Permitting and Technical 
Assistance Division, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy 
Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2017-16882 Filed 8-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 153 / Thursday, August 10, 2017 / Notices 37445

changes to the proposed electrical changes proposed in this amendment to Copies of this application amendment
configuration, which has been designed the location of the new, approximately will be made available for public
to make the proposed Project more cost- two-mile, overhead, 230-kV AC inspection and copying (upon request)
effective for the Applicant. transmission line extending south from at the address provided above, and by
The reconfiguration would connect the proposed Gateway Substation to the accessing the program Web site at:
the proposed Project to the UNSE proposed international border crossing. http://energy.gov/oe/services/electricity-
transmission system at the proposed The proposed reconfiguration would not policy-coordination-and-
Gateway Substation rather than at the affect the location of the proposed route implementation/international-
existing Valencia Substation, as initially or ROW requirements, but certain electricity-regulatio-2.
proposed. A new, approximately 3-mile, changes were proposed to be made to Issued in Washington, DC, on August 3,
overhead double-circuit 138-kV AC the conductors and towers. A 2017.
transmission line would be constructed comparison of the initial configuration Christopher A. Lawrence,
on new monopoles. The first circuit and the reconfiguration for each of the Electricity Policy Analyst, Transmission
would originate at an existing pole alternative routes is provided in the Permitting and Technical Assistance
1,900 feet west of the existing Valencia application amendment. Division, Office of Electricity Delivery and
Substation and terminate at the The draft Environmental Assessment Energy Reliability.
proposed Gateway Substation. At this contains relevant figures in Chapters 1 [FR Doc. 2017–16882 Filed 8–9–17; 8:45 am]
origination point, the existing UNSE and 2. It can be downloaded from the BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
‘‘Vail to Valencia’’ transmission line Document Library page on the project
would be severed and connected to this Web site: http://
new line, thereby converting the nogalesinterconnectionea.com/. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
existing UNSE ‘‘Vail to Valencia’’ The Proposed Project One-line
transmission line to the ‘‘Vail to Diagram (Figure 2.4–5) illustrates the Federal Energy Regulatory
Gateway’’ transmission line. The second details of the configuration as proposed Commission
circuit would originate at the proposed by the amendment. A side-by-side
[Docket No. EF17–4–000]
Gateway Substation and proceed in an comparison of the reconfiguration to the
easterly direction to the same pole original application is also in the
Bonneville Power Administration;
(1,900 feet west of the existing Valencia appendix to the Applicant’s amendment
Notice of Filing
Substation), where it would connect (which can also be downloaded from
with the existing portion of the UNSE the project Web site). Take notice that on July 31, 2017,
138-kV ‘‘Vail to Valencia’’ transmission Procedural Matters: Any person may Bonneville Power Administration
line that travels east to the existing comment on this application by filing submitted tariff filing per: BP–18 IS–18
Valencia Substation. This circuit would such comment at the address provided Rate to be effective 10/1/2017.
constitute the new ‘‘Gateway to above. Any person seeking to become a Any person desiring to intervene or to
Valencia’’ transmission line and serve as party to this proceeding must file a protest this filing must file in
the source for Valencia. The existing motion to intervene at the address accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
UNSE Vail to Valencia line currently provided above in accordance with Rule the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
connects to the Valencia Substation; this 214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
line is the current (and only) source of Commission’s Rules of Practice and Protests will be considered by the
power for the City of Nogales. The Procedure (18 CFR 385.214). Two copies Commission in determining the
Valencia Substation is the first existing of each comment or motion to intervene appropriate action to be taken, but will
substation within the U.S. The Nogales should be filed with DOE on or before not serve to make protestants parties to
Interconnection project would change the date listed above. the proceeding. Any person wishing to
the configuration such that the Vail to Additional copies of such motions to become a party must file a notice of
Valencia line would become the Vail to intervene also should be filed directly intervention or motion to intervene, as
Gateway line. Because the Valencia with: Enrique Marroquin, Nogales appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
Substation still needs a source of power, Transmission, L.L.C., 1900 North Akard protests must be filed on or before the
the Gateway to Valencia line would be Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. comment date. On or before the
built. Minor modifications to relaying Before a Presidential permit may be comment date, it is not necessary to
equipment within the Valencia issued or amended, DOE must serve motions to intervene or protests
Substation would be made to determine that the proposed action is in on persons other than the Applicant.
accommodate this Gateway to Valencia the public interest. In making that The Commission encourages
line. determination, DOE considers the electronic submission of protests and
In addition to the DC tie at the environmental impacts of the proposed interventions in lieu of paper using the
Gateway site as initially proposed (now project pursuant to the National eFiling link at http://www.ferc.gov.
referred to as the Nogales Gateway Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as Persons unable to file electronically
Substation), on the eastern portion of amended, determines the project’s should submit an original and 5 copies
the Gateway site, a 138-kV UNSE impact on electric reliability by of the protest or intervention to the
Gateway Substation would consist of a ascertaining whether the proposed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
three bay breaker and a half open air project would adversely affect the 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
configuration to accommodate the line operation of the U.S. electric power 20426.
from Vail, the line to Valencia, and the supply system under normal and This filing is accessible on-line at
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

connection to the DC tie, as well as a contingency conditions, and any other http://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary
future UNSE distribution transformer. factors that DOE may also consider link and is available for review in the
The Nogales Gateway Substation and relevant to the public interest. DOE also Commission’s Public Reference Room in
the UNSE Gateway Substation would be must obtain the concurrences of the Washington, DC. There is an
located on the Gateway site and Secretary of State and the Secretary of eSubscription link on the Web site that
collectively referred to as the Gateway Defense before taking final action on a enables subscribers to receive email
Substation. There were no additional Presidential permit application. notification when a document is added

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Document Created: 2017-08-10 01:01:02
Document Modified: 2017-08-10 01:01:02
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of amended application.
Dates		Comments or motions to intervene must be submitted on or before September 11, 2017.
Contact		Christopher Lawrence (Program Office) at 202-586-5260 or via electronic mail at [email protected]; Rishi Garg (Program Attorney) at 202- 586-0258.
FR Citation		82 FR 37444