82_FR_46028 82 FR 45839 - Bonneville Power Administration; Order Approving Rates on an Interim Basis and Providing Opportunity for Additional Comments

82 FR 45839 - Bonneville Power Administration; Order Approving Rates on an Interim Basis and Providing Opportunity for Additional Comments

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 189 (October 2, 2017)

Page Range45839-45841
FR Document2017-21060

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45839-45841]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21060]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. EF17-3-000]


Bonneville Power Administration; Order Approving Rates on an 
Interim Basis and Providing Opportunity for Additional Comments

Before Commissioners: Neil Chatterjee, Chairman; Cheryl A. LaFleur, 
and Robert F. Powelson.

    1. In this order, we approve on an interim basis Bonneville Power 
Administration's (Bonneville) proposed 2018-2019 transmission rates, 
with the exception of the rates for transmission service on the 
Southern Intertie, which are addressed separately in another order, 
pending our further review. We also provide an additional period of 
time for parties to file comments.

I. Background

    2. On July 31, 2017,\1\ Bonneville filed a request for interim and 
final approval of its transmission rates \2\ in accordance with section 
7 of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act 
(Northwest Power Act) \3\ and Part 300 of the Commission's 
regulations.\4\ Bonneville projects that the filed rates will produce 
average annual transmission revenues of $1.044 billion and annual net 
revenues of $4.65 million.\5\ Bonneville asserts that this level of 
annual revenues is sufficient to recover its costs for the 2018-2019 
rate approval period, while providing cash flow to ensure at least a 95 
percent probability of making all payments to the United States 
Treasury in full and on time for each year of the rate period.\6\
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    \1\ Bonneville submitted errata filings on August 7, 2017, and 
August 10, 2017, respectively, to correct various attachments to the 
July 31, 2017 Transmittal Letter and to add inadvertently omitted 
documents to the record.
    \2\ The proposed transmission rates for which Bonneville seeks 
approval for the period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 
2019 are: Formula Power Transmission Rate (FPT-18.1); Formula Power 
Transmission Rate (FPT-18.3); Integration of Resources Rate (IR-18); 
Network Integration Rate (NT-18); Point-to-Point Rate (PTP-18); 
Montana Intertie Rate (IM-18) (IM Rate); Use-of-Facilities 
Transmission Rate (UFT-18); Advance Funding Rate (AF-18); Townsend-
Garrison Transmission Rate (TGT-18); WECC and Peak Service Rate (PW-
18); Oversupply Rate (OS-18); Eastern Intertie Rate (IE-18); 
Ancillary and Control Area Services Rates (ACS-18); and Transmission 
General Rate Schedule Provisions. Bonneville July 31, 2017 
Transmittal Letter at 3.
    \3\ 16 U.S.C. 839e (2012).
    \4\ 18 CFR pt. 300 (2017).
    \5\ These values are the totals of all of Bonneville's 
transmission revenues, inclusive of the transmission rates at issue 
in Docket No. EF17-4-000. See Bonneville August 7, 2017 Transmittal 
Letter at 2; Bonneville Power Admin., 160 FERC ] 61,113 (2017) 
(approving on an interim basis the transmission rates associated 
with the Southern Intertie).
    \6\ Bonneville July 31, 2017 Transmittal Letter at 5, 8.
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II. Notice of Filing

    3. Notice of Bonneville's July 31, 2017 filing was published in the 
Federal Register, 82 FR 37,445 (2017),\7\ with protests and 
interventions due on or before August 30, 2017. Timely motions to 
intervene were filed by Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative, 
Powerex Corporation, Turlock Irrigation District, Avista Corporation, 
Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Northwest Requirements 
Utilities, Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, NorthWestern 
Corporation, Western Public Agencies Group, M-S-R Public Power Agency, 
Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1, Public Power Council, 
Puget Sound Energy Inc., Idaho Power Company, and Avangrid Renewables 
LLC. Renewable Northwest filed a timely motion to intervene and 
comments. Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information Center 
(Sierra Club/MEIC) filed a timely motion to intervene and protest. On 
September 14, 2017, Bonneville filed a request for leave to answer and 
answer to Sierra Club/MEIC's protest and Renewable Northwest's 
comments.
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    \7\ Notices of Bonneville's errata filings were published in the 
Federal Register, 82 FR 41,014 (2017) and 82 FR 40,151 (2017). The 
notices of the errata filings retained the August 30, 2017 date by 
which protests or interventions were due.
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    4. Sierra Club/MEIC argues that eliminating Bonneville's IM 
Rate,\8\ in particular, is necessary to meet Bonneville's statutory 
mandate to encourage the widest possible diversified use of electric 
power at the lowest possible rates to consumers, consistent with sound 
business principles.\9\ Sierra Club/MEIC asserts that the IM Rate is 
the primary impediment to renewable resource development in 
Montana.\10\ Sierra Club/MEIC explains that Bonneville effectively 
charges two rates for Montana producers seeking to use the Eastern 
Intertie--the IM Rate and the Network Rate--which inequitably allocates 
transmission costs and has impeded subscription of the Eastern 
Intertie.\11\ According to Sierra Club/

[[Page 45840]]

MEIC, eliminating this ``pancake'' rate structure would enable high-
quality Montana wind resources to affordably transmit their power and 
meet growing needs for renewable power in the Pacific Northwest.\12\ 
Sierra Club/MEIC states that the IM Rate yields very little revenue for 
Bonneville because it is undersubscribed, and that cost recovery 
principles, cost causation principles, and Bonneville's segmentation 
policy do not support maintaining the IM Rate.\13\ Lastly, Sierra Club/
MEIC states that speculation on future upgrades to Bonneville's 
transmission network is not a legitimate basis for maintaining the IM 
Rate, and eliminating the IM Rate does not require Bonneville to roll-
in the Southern Intertie.\14\ Sierra Club/MEIC urges the Commission to 
disapprove the IM Rate and direct Bonneville to establish a rate 
structure for the Eastern Intertie that is consistent with Bonneville's 
statutory mandate.\15\
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    \8\ The IM Rate is the rate that Bonneville charges for the 
available 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity on the Eastern Intertie, 
which is the portion of the Montana Intertie between the Townsend 
and Garrison substations in western Montana that Bonneville built 
and continues to operate.
    \9\ Sierra Club/MEIC Protest at 1.
    \10\ Id. at 11.
    \11\ Id. at 2-3, 11.
    \12\ Id. at 2-3.
    \13\ Id. at 3, 12.
    \14\ Id. at 31, 33.
    \15\ Id. at 12.
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    5. Renewable Northwest similarly filed comments requesting that the 
Commission disapprove Bonneville's proposed IM Rate on the basis that 
the rate does not ``encourag[e] the widest possible diversified use of 
electric power at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent 
with sound business principles.'' \16\ Renewable Northwest asserts that 
the IM Rate imposes a financial disadvantage that is a disincentive to 
the use of Bonneville's 184 MW of unsubscribed Eastern Intertie 
capacity.\17\ Renewable Northwest suggests that eliminating the IM Rate 
would encourage subscription of Eastern Intertie capacity and generate 
additional revenue for Bonneville.\18\ Renewable Northwest encourages 
the Commission to direct Bonneville to work with stakeholders on a rate 
structure that would encourage subscription of Bonneville's available 
Eastern Intertie capacity in a manner that is consistent with 
Bonneville's statutory directives.\19\
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    \16\ Renewable Northwest Comments at 7 (quoting 16 U.S.C. 838g 
(2012).
    \17\ Of the 200 MW available on the Eastern Intertie that are 
subject to the IM Rate, 16 MW are subscribed, leaving 184 MW still 
available. Id.
    \18\ Id. at 4.
    \19\ Id. at 10.
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III. Discussion

A. Procedural Matters

    6. Pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.214 (2017), the timely, unopposed motions to 
intervene serve to make the entities that filed them parties to this 
proceeding.
    7. Rule 213(a)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.213(a)(2) (2017), prohibits an answer to a 
protest or an answer unless otherwise ordered by the decisional 
authority. We are not persuaded to accept Bonneville's answer to the 
comments and protests, and therefore, reject it.

B. Standard of Review

    8. Under the Northwest Power Act, our review of Bonneville's 
transmission rates is limited to determining whether Bonneville's 
proposed rates satisfy the specific requirements of section 7(a)(2) of 
the Northwest Power Act, including that such rates:
    (A) Are sufficient to assure repayment of the Federal investment in 
the Federal Columbia River Power System over a reasonable number of 
years after first meeting [Bonneville's] other costs;
    (B) are based upon [Bonneville's] total system costs; and
    (C) insofar as transmission rates are concerned, equitably allocate 
the costs of the Federal transmission system between Federal and non-
Federal power utilizing such system.\20\
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    \20\ 16 U.S.C. 839e(a)(2) (2012). Bonneville also must comply 
with the financial, accounting, and ratemaking requirements in 
Department of Energy Order No. RA 6120.2.
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    9. Unlike the Commission's statutory authority under the Federal 
Power Act, the Commission's authority under section 7(a) of the 
Northwest Power Act does not include the power to modify the rates. The 
responsibility for developing rates in the first instance is vested 
with Bonneville's Administrator. The rates are then submitted to the 
Commission for approval or disapproval. In this regard, the 
Commission's role can be viewed as an appellate one: To affirm or 
remand the rates submitted to it for review.\21\
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    \21\ See, e.g., Bonneville Power Admin., 152 FERC ] 61,201, at P 
10 (2015) (citing U.S. Dep't of Energy--Bonneville Power Admin., 67 
FERC ] 61,351, at 62,216-17 (1994); Aluminum Co. of Am. v. 
Bonneville Power Admin., 903 F.2d 585, 592-93 (9th Cir. 1989)).
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    10. Moreover, review at this interim stage is further limited. In 
view of the volume and complexity of a Bonneville rate application, 
such as the one now before the Commission in this filing, and the 
limited period in advance of the requested effective date in which to 
review the application,\22\ the Commission generally defers resolution 
of issues on the merits of Bonneville's application until the order on 
final confirmation. Thus, we generally approve the proposed rates on an 
interim basis, unless the filing is patently deficient, and provide the 
parties with an additional opportunity to raise issues with regard to 
Bonneville's filing.\23\
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    \22\ See 18 CFR 300.10(a)(3)(ii) (2017).
    \23\ See, e.g., Bonneville Power Admin., 152 FERC ] 61,201 at P 
11 (citing U.S. Dep't of Energy--Bonneville Power Admin., 64 FERC ] 
61,375, at 63,606 (1993); U.S. Dep't of Energy--Bonneville Power 
Admin., 40 FERC ] 61,351, at 62,059-60 (1987)).
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    11. We decline at this time to grant Bonneville's request for final 
confirmation and approval of Bonneville's proposed transmission rates. 
However, we will grant Bonneville's request for interim approval. Our 
preliminary review indicates that Bonneville's transmission rates 
filing appears to meet the statutory standards and the minimum 
threshold filing requirements of Part 300 of the Commission's 
regulations.\24\ Moreover, our preliminary review of Bonneville's 
submittal indicates that it does not contain any patent deficiencies. 
The proposed rates, with the exception of the rates for transmission 
service on the Southern Intertie which are addressed separately in 
another order, therefore will be approved on an interim basis pending 
our further review. In addition, we note that no one will be harmed by 
this decision because interim approval allows Bonneville's rates to go 
into effect subject to refund with interest; the Commission may order 
refunds with interest if the Commission later determines in its final 
decision not to approve the rates.\25\
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    \24\ See, e.g., id. P 12 (citing U.S. Dep't of Energy--
Bonneville Power Admin., 105 FERC ] 61,006, at PP 13-14 (2003); U.S. 
Dep't of Energy--Bonneville Power Admin., 96 FERC ] 61,360, at 
62,358 (2001)).
    \25\ 18 CFR 300.20(c) (2017).
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    12. We will also provide an additional period of time for parties 
to file comments and reply comments on issues related to final 
confirmation and approval of Bonneville's proposed rates. This will 
ensure that the record in this proceeding is complete and fully 
developed. Specifically, if parties wish to file additional comments, 
they will be due within 30 days of the date of this order. Reply 
comments are due 20 days thereafter.
The Commission orders:
    (A) Interim approval of Bonneville's proposed transmission rates, 
with the exception of the rates for transmission service on the 
Southern Intertie, is hereby granted, to become effective on October 1, 
2017, through September 30, 2019, subject to refund with interest as 
set forth in section 300.20(c) of the Commission's regulations, 18 CFR 
300.20(c), pending final action and

[[Page 45841]]

either their approval or their disapproval.
    (B) Within 30 days of the date of this order, parties who wish to 
do so may file additional comments regarding final confirmation and 
approval of Bonneville's proposed rates. Parties who wish to do so may 
file reply comments within 20 days thereafter.
    (C) The Secretary shall promptly publish this order in the Federal 
Register.


    By the Commission.

    Issued: September 25, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-21060 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices 45839 Docket Numbers: ER17–2541–000. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY probability of making all payments to Applicants: Estill Solar I, LLC. the United States Treasury in full and Description: Baseline eTariff Filing: Federal Energy Regulatory on time for each year of the rate period.6 MBR Application to be effective 11/22/ Commission II. Notice of Filing 2017. [Docket No. EF17–3–000] 3. Notice of Bonneville’s July 31, 2017 Filed Date: 9/22/17. Bonneville Power Administration; filing was published in the Federal Accession Number: 20170922–5093. Register, 82 FR 37,445 (2017),7 with Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/13/17. Order Approving Rates on an Interim Basis and Providing Opportunity for protests and interventions due on or Docket Numbers: ER17–2542–000. Additional Comments before August 30, 2017. Timely motions Applicants: Northern States Power to intervene were filed by Pacific Company, a Minnesota corporation. Before Commissioners: Neil Chatterjee, Northwest Generating Cooperative, Chairman; Cheryl A. LaFleur, and Robert F. Powerex Corporation, Turlock Irrigation Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Powelson. District, Avista Corporation, Sacramento 2017–9–22 NSP–MGE–LBA Filing- 0.0.0–650 to be effective 11/22/2017. 1. In this order, we approve on an Municipal Utility District, Northwest Filed Date: 9/22/17. interim basis Bonneville Power Requirements Utilities, Industrial Administration’s (Bonneville) proposed Customers of Northwest Utilities, Accession Number: 20170922–5116. 2018–2019 transmission rates, with the NorthWestern Corporation, Western Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/13/17. Public Agencies Group, M–S–R Public exception of the rates for transmission Docket Numbers: ER17–2543–000. service on the Southern Intertie, which Power Agency, Snohomish County Applicants: Southwest Power Pool, are addressed separately in another Public Utility District No. 1, Public Inc. order, pending our further review. We Power Council, Puget Sound Energy Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: also provide an additional period of Inc., Idaho Power Company, and 2415R8 KMEA NITSA NOA and time for parties to file comments. Avangrid Renewables LLC. Renewable Cancellation of Westar NITSA NOA SA Northwest filed a timely motion to 2390 to be effective 9/1/2017. I. Background intervene and comments. Sierra Club Filed Date: 9/22/17. 2. On July 31, 2017,1 Bonneville filed and Montana Environmental Accession Number: 20170922–5120. a request for interim and final approval Information Center (Sierra Club/MEIC) Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/13/17. of its transmission rates 2 in accordance filed a timely motion to intervene and with section 7 of the Pacific Northwest protest. On September 14, 2017, Docket Numbers: ER17–2544–000. Electric Power Planning and Bonneville filed a request for leave to Applicants: Northern States Power Conservation Act (Northwest Power answer and answer to Sierra Club/ Company, a Wisconsin corporation. Act) 3 and Part 300 of the Commission’s MEIC’s protest and Renewable Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: regulations.4 Bonneville projects that Northwest’s comments. 2017–9–22 NSPW Concur to NSPM the filed rates will produce average 4. Sierra Club/MEIC argues that MGE LBA Filing-0.0.0–650 to be annual transmission revenues of $1.044 eliminating Bonneville’s IM Rate,8 in effective 11/22/2017. billion and annual net revenues of $4.65 particular, is necessary to meet Filed Date: 9/22/17. million.5 Bonneville asserts that this Bonneville’s statutory mandate to Accession Number: 20170922–5122. level of annual revenues is sufficient to encourage the widest possible Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/13/17. recover its costs for the 2018–2019 rate diversified use of electric power at the approval period, while providing cash lowest possible rates to consumers, The filings are accessible in the flow to ensure at least a 95 percent consistent with sound business Commission’s eLibrary system by principles.9 Sierra Club/MEIC asserts clicking on the links or querying the 1 Bonneville submitted errata filings on August 7, that the IM Rate is the primary docket number. 2017, and August 10, 2017, respectively, to correct impediment to renewable resource Any person desiring to intervene or various attachments to the July 31, 2017 Transmittal development in Montana.10 Sierra Club/ protest in any of the above proceedings Letter and to add inadvertently omitted documents to the record. MEIC explains that Bonneville must file in accordance with Rules 211 2 The proposed transmission rates for which effectively charges two rates for and 214 of the Commission’s Bonneville seeks approval for the period of October Montana producers seeking to use the Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019 are: Formula Eastern Intertie—the IM Rate and the 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Power Transmission Rate (FPT–18.1); Formula Network Rate—which inequitably time on the specified comment date. Power Transmission Rate (FPT–18.3); Integration of Resources Rate (IR–18); Network Integration Rate allocates transmission costs and has Protests may be considered, but (NT–18); Point-to-Point Rate (PTP–18); Montana impeded subscription of the Eastern intervention is necessary to become a Intertie Rate (IM–18) (IM Rate); Use-of-Facilities Intertie.11 According to Sierra Club/ party to the proceeding. Transmission Rate (UFT–18); Advance Funding Rate (AF–18); Townsend-Garrison Transmission eFiling is encouraged. More detailed Rate (TGT–18); WECC and Peak Service Rate (PW– 6 Bonneville July 31, 2017 Transmittal Letter at 5, information relating to filing 18); Oversupply Rate (OS–18); Eastern Intertie Rate 8. requirements, interventions, protests, (IE–18); Ancillary and Control Area Services Rates 7 Notices of Bonneville’s errata filings were service, and qualifying facilities filings (ACS–18); and Transmission General Rate Schedule published in the Federal Register, 82 FR 41,014 Provisions. Bonneville July 31, 2017 Transmittal (2017) and 82 FR 40,151 (2017). The notices of the can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/ Letter at 3. errata filings retained the August 30, 2017 date by docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For 3 16 U.S.C. 839e (2012). which protests or interventions were due. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES other information, call (866) 208–3676 4 18 CFR pt. 300 (2017). 8 The IM Rate is the rate that Bonneville charges (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. 5 These values are the totals of all of Bonneville’s for the available 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity transmission revenues, inclusive of the on the Eastern Intertie, which is the portion of the Dated: September 22, 2017. transmission rates at issue in Docket No. EF17–4– Montana Intertie between the Townsend and Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 000. See Bonneville August 7, 2017 Transmittal Garrison substations in western Montana that Letter at 2; Bonneville Power Admin., 160 FERC ¶ Bonneville built and continues to operate. Deputy Secretary. 9 Sierra Club/MEIC Protest at 1. 61,113 (2017) (approving on an interim basis the [FR Doc. 2017–20996 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] transmission rates associated with the Southern 10 Id. at 11. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Intertie). 11 Id. at 2–3, 11. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1

45840 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices MEIC, eliminating this ‘‘pancake’’ rate serve to make the entities that filed interim basis, unless the filing is structure would enable high-quality them parties to this proceeding. patently deficient, and provide the Montana wind resources to affordably 7. Rule 213(a)(2) of the Commission’s parties with an additional opportunity transmit their power and meet growing Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR to raise issues with regard to needs for renewable power in the 385.213(a)(2) (2017), prohibits an Bonneville’s filing.23 Pacific Northwest.12 Sierra Club/MEIC answer to a protest or an answer unless 11. We decline at this time to grant states that the IM Rate yields very little otherwise ordered by the decisional Bonneville’s request for final revenue for Bonneville because it is authority. We are not persuaded to confirmation and approval of undersubscribed, and that cost recovery accept Bonneville’s answer to the Bonneville’s proposed transmission principles, cost causation principles, comments and protests, and therefore, rates. However, we will grant and Bonneville’s segmentation policy reject it. Bonneville’s request for interim do not support maintaining the IM B. Standard of Review approval. Our preliminary review Rate.13 Lastly, Sierra Club/MEIC states indicates that Bonneville’s transmission that speculation on future upgrades to 8. Under the Northwest Power Act, rates filing appears to meet the statutory Bonneville’s transmission network is our review of Bonneville’s transmission standards and the minimum threshold not a legitimate basis for maintaining rates is limited to determining whether filing requirements of Part 300 of the the IM Rate, and eliminating the IM Rate Bonneville’s proposed rates satisfy the Commission’s regulations.24 Moreover, does not require Bonneville to roll-in specific requirements of section 7(a)(2) our preliminary review of Bonneville’s the Southern Intertie.14 Sierra Club/ of the Northwest Power Act, including submittal indicates that it does not MEIC urges the Commission to that such rates: contain any patent deficiencies. The (A) Are sufficient to assure repayment disapprove the IM Rate and direct proposed rates, with the exception of of the Federal investment in the Federal Bonneville to establish a rate structure the rates for transmission service on the Columbia River Power System over a for the Eastern Intertie that is consistent Southern Intertie which are addressed reasonable number of years after first with Bonneville’s statutory mandate.15 separately in another order, therefore meeting [Bonneville’s] other costs; 5. Renewable Northwest similarly (B) are based upon [Bonneville’s] total will be approved on an interim basis filed comments requesting that the system costs; and pending our further review. In addition, Commission disapprove Bonneville’s (C) insofar as transmission rates are we note that no one will be harmed by proposed IM Rate on the basis that the concerned, equitably allocate the costs this decision because interim approval rate does not ‘‘encourag[e] the widest of the Federal transmission system allows Bonneville’s rates to go into possible diversified use of electric between Federal and non-Federal power effect subject to refund with interest; the power at the lowest possible rates to utilizing such system.20 Commission may order refunds with consumers consistent with sound 9. Unlike the Commission’s statutory interest if the Commission later business principles.’’ 16 Renewable authority under the Federal Power Act, determines in its final decision not to Northwest asserts that the IM Rate the Commission’s authority under approve the rates.25 imposes a financial disadvantage that is section 7(a) of the Northwest Power Act 12. We will also provide an additional a disincentive to the use of Bonneville’s does not include the power to modify period of time for parties to file 184 MW of unsubscribed Eastern the rates. The responsibility for comments and reply comments on Intertie capacity.17 Renewable developing rates in the first instance is issues related to final confirmation and Northwest suggests that eliminating the vested with Bonneville’s Administrator. approval of Bonneville’s proposed rates. IM Rate would encourage subscription The rates are then submitted to the This will ensure that the record in this of Eastern Intertie capacity and generate Commission for approval or proceeding is complete and fully additional revenue for Bonneville.18 disapproval. In this regard, the developed. Specifically, if parties wish Renewable Northwest encourages the Commission’s role can be viewed as an to file additional comments, they will be Commission to direct Bonneville to appellate one: To affirm or remand the due within 30 days of the date of this work with stakeholders on a rate rates submitted to it for review.21 order. Reply comments are due 20 days structure that would encourage 10. Moreover, review at this interim thereafter. subscription of Bonneville’s available stage is further limited. In view of the The Commission orders: Eastern Intertie capacity in a manner volume and complexity of a Bonneville that is consistent with Bonneville’s rate application, such as the one now (A) Interim approval of Bonneville’s statutory directives.19 before the Commission in this filing, proposed transmission rates, with the and the limited period in advance of the exception of the rates for transmission III. Discussion service on the Southern Intertie, is requested effective date in which to A. Procedural Matters review the application,22 the hereby granted, to become effective on Commission generally defers resolution October 1, 2017, through September 30, 6. Pursuant to Rule 214 of the of issues on the merits of Bonneville’s 2019, subject to refund with interest as Commission’s Rules of Practice and application until the order on final set forth in section 300.20(c) of the Procedure, 18 CFR 385.214 (2017), the confirmation. Thus, we generally Commission’s regulations, 18 CFR timely, unopposed motions to intervene approve the proposed rates on an 300.20(c), pending final action and 12 Id. at 2–3. 20 16 U.S.C. 839e(a)(2) (2012). Bonneville also 23 See, e.g., Bonneville Power Admin., 152 FERC 13 Id. at 3, 12. must comply with the financial, accounting, and ¶ 61,201 at P 11 (citing U.S. Dep’t of Energy— sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 14 Id. at 31, 33. ratemaking requirements in Department of Energy Bonneville Power Admin., 64 FERC ¶ 61,375, at 15 Id. at 12. Order No. RA 6120.2. 63,606 (1993); U.S. Dep’t of Energy—Bonneville 16 Renewable Northwest Comments at 7 (quoting 21 See, e.g., Bonneville Power Admin., 152 FERC Power Admin., 40 FERC ¶ 61,351, at 62,059–60 16 U.S.C. 838g (2012). ¶ 61,201, at P 10 (2015) (citing U.S. Dep’t of (1987)). 17 Of the 200 MW available on the Eastern Intertie Energy—Bonneville Power Admin., 67 FERC 24 See, e.g., id. P 12 (citing U.S. Dep’t of Energy— that are subject to the IM Rate, 16 MW are ¶ 61,351, at 62,216–17 (1994); Aluminum Co. of Bonneville Power Admin., 105 FERC ¶ 61,006, at PP subscribed, leaving 184 MW still available. Id. Am. v. Bonneville Power Admin., 903 F.2d 585, 13–14 (2003); U.S. Dep’t of Energy—Bonneville 18 Id. at 4. 592–93 (9th Cir. 1989)). Power Admin., 96 FERC ¶ 61,360, at 62,358 (2001)). 19 Id. at 10. 22 See 18 CFR 300.10(a)(3)(ii) (2017). 25 18 CFR 300.20(c) (2017). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Notices 45841 either their approval or their facilities that tie into the Overland Pass taken, but the filing of a comment alone disapproval. Pipeline Company all located in Carbon will not serve to make the filer a party (B) Within 30 days of the date of this County, Wyoming; and the to the proceeding. The Commission’s order, parties who wish to do so may abandonment by sale of natural gas rules require that persons filing file additional comments regarding final liquids pipelines, associated natural gas comments in opposition to the project confirmation and approval of liquids measurement facilities, and provide copies of their protests only to Bonneville’s proposed rates. Parties who natural gas liquids rail loading facilities the party or parties directly involved in wish to do so may file reply comments to Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company. the protest. within 20 days thereafter. Pursuant to section 157.9 of the (C) The Secretary shall promptly Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9, Persons who wish to comment only publish this order in the Federal within 90 days of this Notice the on the environmental review of this Register. Commission staff will either complete project should submit an original and its environmental assessment (EA) and two copies of their comments to the By the Commission. Secretary of the Commission. place it into the Commission’s public Issued: September 25, 2017. record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or Environmental commentors will be Kimberly D. Bose, issue a Notice of Schedule for placed on the Commission’s Secretary. Environmental Review. If a Notice of environmental mailing list, will receive [FR Doc. 2017–21060 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] Schedule for Environmental Review is copies of the environmental documents, BILLING CODE 6717–01–P issued, it will indicate, among other and will be notified of meetings milestones, the anticipated date for the associated with the Commission’s Commission staff’s issuance of the final environmental review process. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY environmental impact statement (FEIS) Environmental commentors will not be or EA for this proposal. The filing of the required to serve copies of filed Federal Energy Regulatory EA in the Commission’s public record Commission documents on all other parties. for this proceeding or the issuance of a However, the non-party commentors [Docket No. CP17–493–000] Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and will not receive copies of all documents state agencies of the timing for the filed by other parties or issued by the Colorado Interstate Gas Company, LLC’; Notice of Application completion of all necessary reviews, and Commission (except for the mailing of the subsequent need to complete all environmental documents issued by the Take notice that on September 14, federal authorizations within 90 days of Commission) and will not have the right 2017, Colorado Interstate Gas Company, the date of issuance of the Commission to seek court review of the LLC (CIG), Post Office Box 1087, staff’s FEIS or EA. Commission’s final order. Colorado Springs, Colorado 80944, filed There are two ways to become The Commission strongly encourages in Docket No. CP17–493–000 an involved in the Commission’s review of electronic filings of comments, protests application pursuant to section 7(b) of this project. First, any person wishing to the Natural Gas Act (NGA) requesting an and interventions in lieu of paper using obtain legal status by becoming a party the eFiling link at http://www.ferc.gov. order authorizing the abandonment of to the proceedings for this project certain facilities related to the Rawlins Persons unable to file electronically should, on or before the comment date Processing Plant, all as more fully set should submit an original and 14 copies stated below, file with the Federal forth in the application which is on file Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 of the protest or intervention to the with the Commission and open to First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, Federal Energy regulatory Commission, public inspection. The filing may also a motion to intervene in accordance 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC be viewed on the web at http:// with the requirements of the 20426. www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Commission’s Rules of Practice and This filing is accessible on-line at Enter the docket number excluding the Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) http://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary last three digits in the docket number and the Regulations under the NGA (18 link and is available for review in the field to access the document. For CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party Commission’s Public Reference Room in assistance, please contact FERC Online status will be placed on the service list Washington, DC. There is an Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ maintained by the Secretary of the eSubscription link on the Web site that ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or Commission and will receive copies of enables subscribers to receive email TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. all documents filed by the applicant and notification when a document is added Any questions concerning this by all other parties. A party must submit application may be directed to to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance original and 7 copies of filings made Francisco Tarin, Director, Regulatory with any FERC Online service, please with the Commission and must mail a Affairs, Colorado Interstate Gas copy to the applicant and to every other email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or Company, LLC, P.O. Box 1087, Colorado party in the proceeding. Only parties to call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, Springs, Colorado, 80944 at (719) 667– the proceeding can ask for court review call (202) 502–8659. 7517 or Mark A. Minich, Assistant of Commission orders in the proceeding. Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern General Counsel, Colorado Interstate However, a person does not have to Time on October 17, 2017. Gas Company, LLC, P.O. Box 1087, intervene in order to have comments Dated; September 26, 2017. considered. The second way to sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80944 at (719) 520–4416. participate is by filing with the Kimberly D. Bose, Specifically, CIG is requesting Secretary of the Commission, as soon as Secretary. approval for the abandonment in place possible, an original and two copies of [FR Doc. 2017–21059 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] of the Rawlins lean oil processing and comments in support of or in opposition BILLING CODE 6717–01–P fractionation plants, as well as natural to this project. The Commission will gas liquids truck off-loading facilities, consider these comments in and natural gas liquids interconnecting determining the appropriate action to be VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1


Document Created: 2017-09-30 04:41:24
Document Modified: 2017-09-30 04:41:24
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
FR Citation82 FR 45839 
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