82_FR_57968 82 FR 57734 - Loveland Area Projects-Rate Order No. WAPA-179

82 FR 57734 - Loveland Area Projects-Rate Order No. WAPA-179

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 234 (December 7, 2017)

Page Range57734-57742
FR Document2017-26375

The Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA-179 and Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2, placing firm electric service and sale of surplus products formula rates for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Loveland Area Projects (LAP) into effect on an interim basis (Provisional Formula Rates).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57734-57742]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26375]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Loveland Area Projects--Rate Order No. WAPA-179

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of order concerning firm electric service and sale of 
surplus products formula rates.

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

SUMMARY: The Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed and approved Rate 
Order No. WAPA-179 and Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2, placing firm 
electric service and sale of surplus products formula rates for the 
Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Loveland Area Projects (LAP) 
into effect on an interim basis (Provisional Formula Rates).

DATES: The Provisional Formula Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2 are 
effective on the first day of the first full billing period beginning 
on or after January 1, 2018, and will remain in effect through December 
31, 2022, pending confirmation and approval by Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a final basis or until superseded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael D. McElhany, Regional 
Manager, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration, 5555 
East Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland, CO 80538-8986, telephone (970) 
461-7201, or Mrs. Sheila D. Cook, Rates Manager, Rocky Mountain Region, 
Western Area Power Administration, 5555 East Crossroads Boulevard, 
Loveland, CO 80538-8986, telephone (970) 461-7211, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Firm Electric Service

    On December 2, 2014, the Deputy Secretary of Energy approved, on an 
interim basis, Rate Schedule L-F10 under Rate Order No. WAPA-167 for a 
5-year period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending December 31, 2019 
(79 FR 72663-72670 (Dec. 8, 2014)).\1\ This rate

[[Page 57735]]

schedule is formula-based, providing for adjustments to the Drought 
Adder component.\2\ On January 1, 2017, the Drought Adder component of 
the LAP effective rate schedule was adjusted downward, recognizing 
repayment of drought costs included in the Drought Adder component of 
the approved formula rates. Under Rate Schedule L-F10 with adjusted 
Drought Adder component as of January 1, 2017, the composite rate is 
36.56 mills per kilowatt-hour (mills/kWh) (a Base component of 29.90 
mills/kWh and a Drought Adder component of 6.66 mills/kWh), the firm 
energy rate is 18.28 mills/kWh, and the firm capacity rate is $4.79 per 
kilowatt-month (kWmonth).
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    \1\ FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA-167 on a final 
basis on June 25, 2015, in Docket No. EF15-4-000. See United States 
Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration (Loveland 
Area Projects), 151 FERC ] 62,222.
    \2\ The Drought Adder component is a formula-based revenue 
requirement that includes future purchase power above timing 
purchases, previous purchase power drought deficits, and interest on 
the purchase power drought deficits. See 72 FR 64061 (November 14, 
2007). The Drought Adder was added as a component to the energy and 
capacity rates in Rate Order No. WAPA-134, which was approved by the 
Deputy Secretary on an interim basis on November 14, 2007, (72 FR 
64061). FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA-134 on a final 
basis on May 16, 2008, in Docket No. EF08-5181. See United States 
Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration (Loveland 
Area Projects), 123 FERC ] 62,137. WAPA reviews the Drought Adder 
component each September to determine if drought costs differ from 
those projected in the Power Repayment Study and whether an 
adjustment to the Drought Adder component is necessary. See 72 FR 
64065. The Drought Adder component may be adjusted downward using 
the approved annual Drought Adder adjustment process, whereas an 
incremental upward adjustment to the Drought Adder component greater 
than the equivalent of 2 mills/kWh requires a public rate process. 
See 72 FR 64065.
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    Effective January 1, 2018, WAPA is adjusting the overall composite 
rate, which is reflected in adjustments to the formula-based charge 
components. The Drought Adder component will go down to zero and the 
Base component will be adjusted upward to reflect present costs 
attributed to both charge components. Rate Schedule L-F10 is being 
superseded by Rate Schedule L-F11. Under Rate Schedule L-F11, the 
Provisional Formula Rates for firm electric service will result in a 
composite rate of 31.44 mills/kWh (a Base component of 31.44 mills/kWh 
and a Drought Adder component of 0 mills/kWh), the firm energy rate 
will be 15.72 mills/kWh, and the firm capacity rate will be $4.12/
kWmonth. This is a 14 percent decrease when compared to the LAP firm 
electric rates under Rate Schedule L-F10.

Sale of Surplus Products

    On August 12, 2016, the Deputy Secretary of Energy approved, on an 
interim basis, Rate Schedule L-M1 under Rate Order No. WAPA-174, for a 
5-year period beginning October 1, 2016, and ending September 30, 2021 
(81 FR 56632-56652 (August 22, 2016)).\3\ This Rate Schedule is 
formula-based, providing for LAP Marketing to sell LAP surplus energy 
and capacity products; currently reserves, regulation, and frequency 
response. If LAP surplus products are available, the charge for each 
product will be determined based on market rates plus administrative 
costs. The customer will be responsible for acquiring transmission 
service necessary to deliver the product(s), for which a separate 
charge may be incurred. Rate Schedule L-M1 is being superseded by Rate 
Schedule L-M2. Rate Schedule L-M2 will include ``energy'' as a fourth 
surplus product offered under this rate schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA-174 on a final 
basis on March 9, 2017, in Docket Nos. EF16-5-000 and EF16-5-001. 
See United States Department of Energy, Western Area Power 
Administration (Loveland Area Projects), 158 FERC ] 62,181.
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Legal Authority

    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, 
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 of Energy; and (3) the authority to 
confirm, approve, and place into effect on a final basis, to remand, or 
to disapprove such rates to FERC. Federal rules (10 CFR part 903) 
govern DOE procedures for public participation in power rate 
adjustments.
    Under Delegation Order Nos. 00-037.00B and 00-001.00F and in 
compliance with 10 CFR part 903 and 18 CFR part 300, I hereby confirm, 
approve, and place Rate Order No. WAPA-179, which provides the formula 
rates for LAP firm electric service and sale of surplus products, into 
effect on an interim basis. The new Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2 will 
be submitted to FERC for confirmation and approval on a final basis.

    Dated: November 30, 2017.
Dan Brouillette,
Deputy Secretary of Energy.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPUTY SECRETARY

    In the matter of: Western Area Power Administration Rate 
Adjustment for the Loveland Area Projects

Rate Order No. WAPA-179
ORDER CONFIRMING, APPROVING, AND PLACING THE LOVELAND AREA PROJECTS 
FIRM ELECTRIC SERVICE AND SALE OF SURPLUS PRODUCTS FORMULA RATES INTO 
EFFECT ON AN INTERIM BASIS
    The firm electric service and sale of surplus products rates for 
the Loveland Area Projects (LAP) set forth in this order are 
established in accordance with section 302 of the Department of Energy 
(DOE) Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152). This Act transferred to, and 
vested in, the Secretary of Energy the power marketing functions of the 
Secretary of the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of 
Reclamation (Reclamation) under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 
32 Stat. 388), as amended and supplemented by subsequent laws, 
particularly section 9(c) of the Reclamation Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 
485h(c)) and section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 
825s), and other acts that specifically apply to the projects involved.
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, 
the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) the authority to develop power 
and transmission rates to the Administrator of Western Area Power 
Administration (WAPA); (2) the authority to confirm, approve, and place 
such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Deputy Secretary of 
Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm, approve, and place into 
effect on a final basis, to remand, or to disapprove such rates to the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Federal rules (10 CFR part 
903) govern DOE procedures for public participation in power rate 
adjustments.

Acronyms, Terms, and Definitions

    As used in this Rate Order, the following acronyms, terms, and 
definitions apply:
    Base: A fixed revenue requirement that includes O&M expenses, 
investments and replacements, interest on investments and replacements, 
normal timing power purchases (purchases due to operational 
constraints, not associated with drought), and transmission costs.
    Capacity: The electric capability of a generator, transformer, 
transmission circuit, or other equipment. It is expressed in kilowatts.
    Capacity Rate: The rate which sets forth the charges for capacity. 
It is expressed in dollars per kilowatt-month and applied to each 
kilowatt of the Contract Rate of Delivery (CROD).
    Composite Rate: The Power Repayment Study (PRS) rate for commercial 
firm power, which is the

[[Page 57736]]

total annual revenue requirement for capacity and energy divided by the 
total annual energy sales. It is expressed in mills per kilowatt-hour 
and used only for comparison purposes.
    Customer: An entity with a contract that is receiving firm electric 
service from WAPA.
    Deficits: Deferred or unrecovered annual and/or interest expenses.
    DOE Order RA 6120.2: An order outlining power marketing 
administration financial reporting and rate-making procedures.
    Drought Adder: A formula-based revenue requirement that includes 
future purchase power above timing purchases, previous purchase power 
drought deficits, and interest on the purchase power drought deficits.
    Energy: Measured in terms of the work it is capable of doing over a 
period of time. Electric energy is expressed in kilowatt-hours.
    Energy Charge: The charge under the rate schedule for energy. It is 
expressed in mills per kilowatt-hour and applied to each kilowatt-hour 
delivered to each Customer.
    Firm: A type of product and/or service always available at the time 
requested by a Customer.
    FY: Fiscal year; October 1 to September 30.
    kW: Kilowatt--the electrical unit of capacity that equals 1,000 
watts.
    kWh: Kilowatt-hour--the electrical unit of energy that equals 1,000 
watts in 1 hour.
    kWmonth: Kilowatt-month--the electrical unit of the monthly amount 
of capacity.
    mills/kWh: Mills per kilowatt-hour--the unit of charge for energy 
(equal to one tenth of a cent or one thousandth of a dollar).
    MW: Megawatt--the electrical unit of capacity that equals 1 million 
watts or 1,000 kilowatts.
    Non-timing Power Purchases: Power purchases that are not related to 
operational constraints such as management of endangered species, 
species habitat, water quality, navigation, control area purposes, etc.
    O&M: Operation and Maintenance.
    P-SMBP: The Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program.
    P-SMBP--ED: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division.
    P-SMBP--WD: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Western Division.
    Power: Capacity and energy.
    Power Factor: The ratio of real to apparent power at any given 
point and time in an electrical circuit. Generally, it is expressed as 
a percentage.
    Preference: The provisions of Reclamation Law that require WAPA to 
first make Federal Power available to certain entities. For example, 
section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)) 
states that preference in the sale of Federal Power shall be given to 
municipalities and other public corporations or agencies and also to 
cooperatives and other nonprofit organizations financed in whole or in 
part by loans made under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
    Provisional Formula Rate: A formula rate confirmed, approved, and 
placed into effect on an interim basis by the Deputy Secretary of 
Energy.
    Ratesetting PRS: The Power Repayment Study used for the rate 
adjustment period.
    Regions: WAPA's Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) and Upper Great Plains 
Region (UGP).
    Revenue Requirement: The revenue required by the PRS to recover 
annual expenses (such as O&M, purchase power, transmission service 
expenses, interest, and deferred expenses) and repay Federal 
investments and other assigned costs.

Effective Date

    The Provisional Formula Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2 will take 
effect on the first day of the first full billing period beginning on 
or after January 1, 2018, and will remain in effect through December 
31, 2022, pending approval by FERC on a final basis or until 
superseded.

Public Notice and Comment

    WAPA followed the Procedures for Public Participation in Power and 
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions, 10 CFR part 903, in 
developing these rates and schedules. The steps WAPA took to involve 
interested parties in the rate process were:
    1. A Federal Register notice, published on July 3, 2017 (82 FR 
30856) (Proposal FRN), announced the proposed rates for LAP and began 
the 90-day public consultation and comment period.
    2. On July 5, 2017, WAPA emailed letters to LAP Preference 
Customers and interested parties transmitting a copy of the Proposal 
FRN.
    3. On August 22, 2017, at 9 a.m. (MDT), WAPA held a public 
information forum at the Denver Embassy Suites, 7000 Yampa Street, 
Denver, Colorado. WAPA provided updates to the proposed firm electric 
service and sale of surplus products formula rates for both LAP and P-
SMBP--ED. WAPA also answered questions and gave notice that more 
information was available in the customer rate brochure.
    4. On August 22, 2017, at 11 a.m. (MDT), following the public 
information forum, at the same location, WAPA held a public comment 
forum to provide an opportunity for customers and other interested 
parties to comment for the record. No oral or written comments were 
received at this forum.
    5. On August 23, 2017, at 9 a.m. (CDT), WAPA held a public 
information forum at the Holiday Inn, 100 West 8th Street, Sioux Falls, 
South Dakota. WAPA provided updates to the proposed firm electric 
service and sale of surplus product formula rates for both the P-SMBP--
ED and LAP. WAPA also answered questions and gave notice that more 
information was available in the customer rate brochure.
    6. On August 23, 2017, at 11 a.m. (CDT), following the public 
information forum, at the same location, a public comment forum was 
held. The comment forum gave the public an opportunity to comment for 
the record. Two oral comments were received at this forum.
    7. WAPA provided a website that contains all dates, customer 
letters, presentations, FRNs, customer brochure, and other information 
about this rate process. The website is located at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/rates/Pages/2018-Rate-Adjustment-Firm-Power.aspx.
    8. During the 90-day consultation and comment period, which ended 
on October 2, 2017, WAPA received two oral comments (from the August 23 
public comment forum). The comments and WAPA's responses are addressed 
below. All comments have been considered in the preparation of this 
Rate Order.
    Two representatives of the following organizations made oral 
comments:
Mid-West Electric Consumers Association, Colorado
Missouri River Energy Services, South Dakota

Project Descriptions

Loveland Area Projects

    The Post-1989 General Power Marketing and Allocation Criteria 
(Criteria), published in the Federal Register on January 31, 1986 (51 
FR 4012), integrated the resources of the P-SMBP--WD and the Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project (Fry-Ark). This operational and contractual 
integration, known as LAP, allowed an increase in marketable resource, 
simplified contract administration, and established a blended rate for 
LAP power sales. WAPA markets LAP power in northeastern Colorado, east 
of the

[[Page 57737]]

Continental Divide in Wyoming, west of the 101st meridian in Nebraska, 
and most of Kansas.
    The P-SMBP--WD and Fry[dash]Ark retain separate financial status. 
For this reason, separate PRSs are prepared annually for each project. 
These PRSs are used to determine the sufficiency of the firm electric 
service rate to generate adequate revenue to repay project investment 
and costs during each project's prescribed repayment period. The 
revenue requirement of the Fry[dash]Ark PRS is combined with the P-
SMBP--WD revenue requirement, derived from the P-SMBP PRS, to develop 
one rate for LAP firm electric sales.

Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Western Division

    The P-SMBP, originally the Missouri River Basin Project, was 
authorized by Congress in section 9 of the Flood Control Act of 
December 22, 1944 (Pub. L. 534, 58 Stat. 887, 891). This multipurpose 
program provides flood control, irrigation, navigation, recreation, 
preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife, and power 
generation. Multipurpose projects have been developed on the Missouri 
River and its tributaries in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, 
South Dakota, and Wyoming.
    In addition to the multipurpose water projects authorized by 
section 9 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, certain other existing 
projects have been integrated with the P-SMBP for power marketing, 
operation, and repayment purposes. The Colorado-Big Thompson, Kendrick, 
Riverton, and Shoshone Projects were combined with the P-SMBP in 1954, 
followed by the North Platte Project in 1959. These projects are 
referred to as the ``Integrated Projects'' of the P-SMBP.
    The Flood Control Act of 1944 also authorized the inclusion of the 
Fort Peck Project with the P-SMBP for operation and repayment purposes. 
The Riverton Project was reauthorized as a unit of P-SMBP in 1970. 
Together the P-SMBP--WD and the Integrated Projects have 19 power 
plants.
    The P-SMBP is marketed by two Regions. The RMR, with a regional 
office in Loveland, Colorado, markets the Western Division power of P-
SMBP through LAP to approximately 75 customers. The UGP Region, with a 
regional office in Billings, Montana, markets power from the Eastern 
Division of P-SMBP to approximately 340 customers.
    The adjustment to the P-SMBP--ED rate is in a separate formal rate 
process, which is documented in Rate Order No. WAPA-180. Rate Order No. 
WAPA-180 is also scheduled to go into effect on the first day of the 
first full billing period on or after January 1, 2018.

Fryingpan[dash]Arkansas Project

    Fry-Ark is a trans-mountain diversion development in southeastern 
Colorado authorized by the Act of Congress on August 16, 1962 (Pub. L. 
87-590, 76 Stat. 389, as amended by Title XI of the Act of Congress on 
October 27, 1974 (Pub. L. 93-493, 88 Stat. 1486, 1497)). The 
Fry[dash]Ark diverts water from the Fryingpan River and other 
tributaries of the Roaring Fork River in the Colorado River Basin on 
the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Arkansas River on the 
Eastern Slope of the Rocky Mountains. The water diverted from the 
Western Slope, together with regulated Arkansas River water, provides 
supplemental irrigation and M&I water supplies, and produces 
hydroelectric power. Flood control, fish and wildlife enhancement, and 
recreation are other important purposes of Fry[dash]Ark. The only 
generating facility in Fry-Ark is the Mt. Elbert Pumped[dash]Storage 
powerplant on the Eastern Slope.

Power Repayment Study--Firm Electric Service Rate

    WAPA prepares PRSs each FY to determine if revenues will be 
sufficient to repay, within the required time, all costs assigned to 
the LAP. Repayment criteria are based on WAPA's applicable laws and 
legislation, as well as policies including DOE Order RA 6120.2. To meet 
the Cost Recovery Criteria outlined in DOE Order RA 6120.2, revised 
PRSs and rate adjustments have been developed to demonstrate sufficient 
revenues will be collected under the Provisional Formula Rates to meet 
future obligations. The revenue requirement and composite rate for LAP 
firm electric service are being reduced, as indicated in Table 1:

                         Table 1--Comparison of Revenue Requirements and Composite Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Existing         Provisional
                 Firm Electric Service                      requirements       requirements      Percent Change
                                                         (January 1, 2017)  (January 1, 2018)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAP Revenue Requirement (million $)....................              $74.5              $64.1               -14%
LAP Composite Rate (mills/kWh).........................              36.56              31.44               -14%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the existing rate methodology, rates for LAP firm electric 
service are designed to recover an annual revenue requirement that 
includes power investment repayment, aid to irrigation repayment, 
interest, purchase power, O&M, and other expenses within the allowable 
period. The annual revenue requirement continues to be allocated 
equally between capacity and energy.

Existing and Provisional Formula Rates

    The existing Rate Schedule L-F10 and provisional Rate Schedule L-
F11 continue to be formula-based, with Base and Drought Adder 
components, and provide for an annual incremental upward adjustment to 
the Drought Adder up to 2 mills/kWh. An incremental increase to the 
Drought Adder component greater than 2 mills/kWh, requires a public 
process. The Drought Adder may be adjusted downward pursuant to the 
formula, by using the approved annual Drought Adder adjustment process. 
A comparison of the existing and Provisional Formula Rates for LAP firm 
electric service is listed in Table 2:

[[Page 57738]]



                          Table 2--Comparison of Existing and Provisional Formula Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Existing Charges
                                                             Under Rate        Provisional
                                                           Schedule L-F10     Charges Under
                 Firm Electric Service                     With Modified    Rate Schedule  L-    Percent Change
                                                          Drought Adder As  F11 As of January
                                                           of January 1,         1, 2018
                                                                2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firm Energy Rate (mills/kWh)...........................              18.28              15.72               -14%
Firm Capacity Rate ($/kWmonth).........................              $4.79              $4.12               -14%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under Rate Schedule L-M2, the Provisional Formula Rate will consist 
of a charge for products listed in the rate schedule that will be 
determined at the time of the sale based on market rates, plus 
administrative costs.

Certification of Rates

    WAPA's Administrator certified that the Provisional Formula Rates 
for LAP firm electric service under Rate Schedule L-F11 and sale of 
surplus products under Rate Schedule L-M2 are the lowest possible rates 
consistent with sound business principles. The Provisional Formula 
Rates were developed following administrative policies and applicable 
laws.

LAP Firm Electric Service Rate Discussion

    According to Reclamation Law, WAPA is required to establish power 
rates sufficient to recover O&M, purchased power and interest expenses, 
and repay power investment and irrigation aid.
    The Criteria, published in the Federal Register on January 31, 1986 
(51 FR 4012), operationally and contractually integrated the resources 
of the P-SMBP--WD and Fry[dash]Ark (thereafter referred to as LAP). A 
blended rate was established for the sale of LAP firm electric service.

P-SMBP--WD

    The P[dash]SMBP--WD portion of the revenue requirement was 
developed from the revenue requirement calculated in the P[dash]SMBP 
Ratesetting PRS. The P[dash]SMBP--WD revenue requirement decreased 
approximately 14 percent from the previous revenue requirement 
primarily as a result of the Drought Adder component being reduced to 
zero, as the P-SMBP drought-related debts are projected to be fully 
repaid in 2018. The Base component costs for the P-SMBP--WD have 
increased primarily due to inflationary annual and capital cost 
increases associated with incorporating three new out-year projections 
into the 5-year cost evaluation period into the P-SMBP Ratesetting PRS. 
The revenue requirements for P-SMBP--WD are as follows:

       Table 3--Summary of P-SMBP--WD Revenue Requirements ($000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Revenue Requirement (Jan 2017):
    (29.80 mills/kWh x 1,988,000,000 kWh)...............         $59,242
Provisional Decrease:
 Base: 2.41 mills/kWh x 1,988,000,000 kWh...............           5,129
 Drought Adder: -6.66 mills/kWh x 1,988,000,000 kWh.....         -13,578
                                                                  -8,449
Provisional Revenue Requirement (29.80 - 4.25 = 25.55             50,793
 mills/kWh x 1,988,000,000 kWh).........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fry-Ark

    The Fry[dash]Ark portion of the revenue requirement was developed 
from the revenue requirement calculated in the Fry-Ark Ratesetting PRS. 
The Fry[dash]Ark revenue requirement decreased approximately 13 percent 
due to the Base component costs decreasing, even though the three new 
out-year projections for annual expenses and capital costs within the 
5-year cost evaluation period include inflation. This decrease is 
caused by the annual expense projections in the current Fry-Ark 
Ratesetting PRS being an average of $0.3 million per year lower than 
the annual expense projections in the previous Fry-Ark Ratesetting PRS. 
In addition to lower annual expenses, ancillary service revenue 
projections have increased an average of $1.1 million per year over the 
previous projections; resulting in a net revenue increase of 
approximately $1.4 million per year. This net revenue helps offset the 
revenue requirement for firm electric service. The revenue requirements 
for Fry[dash]Ark are as follows:

         Table 4--Summary of Fry-Ark Revenue Requirements ($000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Revenue Requirement (Jan 2017)..................         $15,328
Provisional Decrease:
    Base................................................          -1,978
    Drought Adder.......................................               0
                                                                  -1,978
                                                         ---------------
Provisional Revenue Requirement.........................          13,350
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The net effect of the P-SMBP--WD and Fry-Ark adjustments to the 
Drought Adder and Base components results in an overall decrease to the 
LAP revenue requirement. The following Table 5 compares LAP existing 
revenue

[[Page 57739]]

requirements to the proposed revenue requirements:

           Table 5--Summary of LAP Revenue Requirements ($000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Existing       Provisional
                                          (January 2017)  (January 2018)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-SMBP--WD..............................         $59,242         $50,793
Fry-Ark.................................          15,328          13,350
                                         -------------------------------
    Total LAP...........................          74,571          64,144
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As a part of the current and provisional rate schedules, WAPA 
provides for a formula-based adjustment of the Drought Adder component 
of up to 2 mills/kWh. The 2 mills/kWh cap places a limit on the amount 
the Drought Adder component can be adjusted relative to associated 
drought costs to recover costs attributable to the Drought Adder 
formula rate for any one-year cycle. Continuing to identify the firm 
electric service revenue requirement using Base and Drought Adder 
components will assist WAPA in the presentation of future impacts of 
droughts, demonstrate repayment of drought[dash]related costs in the 
PRSs, and allow WAPA to be more responsive to changes caused by 
drought[dash]related expenses. WAPA will continue to charge and bill 
its Preference Customers firm electric service rates for energy and 
capacity, which are the sum of the Base and Drought Adder components.
    Under Rate Schedule L-F11, WAPA will continue to identify its firm 
electric service revenue requirement using Base and Drought Adder 
components. The Base component is a fixed revenue requirement for each 
project that includes annual O&M expenses, investment repayment and 
associated interest, normal timing power purchases, and transmission 
costs. Normal timing power purchases are purchases due to operational 
constraints (e.g., management of endangered species habitat, water 
quality, navigation, control area purposes, etc.) and are not 
associated with drought. WAPA cannot adjust the Base component without 
a public process.
    The Drought Adder component is a formula-based revenue requirement 
that includes costs attributable to the drought conditions in the 
Regions. The Drought Adder component includes costs associated with 
future Non-timing Power Purchases to meet firm electric service 
contractual obligations not covered with available system generation 
due to a drought, previously incurred deficits due to purchased power 
debt that resulted from Non-timing Power Purchases made during a 
drought, and the interest associated with drought debt. The Drought 
Adder component is designed to repay the drought debt within 10 years 
from the time the debt was incurred, using balloon-payment methodology. 
For example, the drought debt incurred in FY 2009 will be repaid by FY 
2019.
    The annual revenue requirement calculation will continue to be 
summarized by the following formula: Annual Revenue Requirement = Base 
Revenue Requirement + Drought Adder Revenue Requirement. Under this 
Provisional Rate, the LAP annual revenue requirement equals $64.1 
million and is comprised of a Base revenue requirement of $64.1 million 
plus a Drought Adder revenue requirement of $0. A comparison of the 
existing and provisional charge components is listed in Table 6:

                                                        Table 6--Summary of LAP Charge Components
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Existing Charges Under Rate Schedule L-F10     Provisional Charges Under Rate Schedule L-F11
                                           with Modified Drought Adder As of January 1,                As of January 1, 2018
                                         ----------------------2017---------------------------------------------------------------------- Percent Change
                                                           Drought Adder                                   Drought Adder
                                          Base Component     Component     Total Charge   Base Component     Component     Total Charge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firm Capacity                                      $3.92           $0.87           $4.79           $4.12              $0           $4.12             -14
 (/kWmonth).............................
Firm Energy (mills/kWh).................           14.95            3.33           18.28           15.72               0           15.72             -14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    WAPA reviews its firm electric service rates annually. WAPA will 
review the Base and Drought Adder components after the annual PRSs are 
complete, generally in the first quarter of the calendar year. If an 
adjustment to the Base component is necessary, or if an incremental 
upward adjustment to the Drought Adder component greater than the 
equivalent of 2 mills/kWh to the PRS Composite Rate is necessary, WAPA 
will initiate a public process pursuant to 10 CFR part 903 prior to 
making an adjustment.
    In accordance with the approved annual Drought Adder adjustment 
process, WAPA will review the Drought Adder component annually in early 
summer to determine if drought costs differ from those projected in the 
PRSs. In October, WAPA will determine if a change to the Drought Adder 
component is necessary, either incremental or decremental. Any 
adjustments to the Drought Adder component, up to 2 mills/kWh, will be 
implemented in the following January billing cycle. Although 
decremental adjustments to the Drought Adder component will occur as 
drought costs are repaid, the adjustments cannot result in a negative 
Drought Adder component. Implementing the Drought Adder component 
adjustment on January 1 of each year will help keep the drought 
deficits from escalating as quickly, will lower the interest expense 
due to drought deficits, will demonstrate responsible deficit 
management, and will provide prompt drought deficit repayments.

[[Page 57740]]

Statement of Revenue and Related Expenses

    The following Table 7 provides a summary of projected revenue and 
expense data for the Fry-Ark firm electric service revenue requirement 
through the 5-year provisional rate approval period:

          Table 7--Fry-Ark Comparison of 5-Year Rate Period (FY 2018-2022) Total Revenues and Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Existing Rate    Provisional     Difference
                                                                      ($000)        Rate ($000)       ($000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenues \1\..............................................         $89,012         $84,359         $-4,653
Revenue Distribution:
Expenses:
    O&M.........................................................          32,322          31,334            -988
    Purchase Power..............................................             691             724              33
    Transmission \1\............................................          12,663          12,248            -415
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Interest....................................................          16,080          14,779          -1,301
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Expenses..........................................          61,756          59,085          -2,671
Principal Payments:
    Capitalized Expenses (deficits).............................               0               0               0
    Original Project and Additions..............................          21,757          14,893          -6,864
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Replacements................................................           5,499          10,381           4,882
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Principal Payments \2\............................          27,256          25,274          -1,982
        Total Revenue Distribution..............................          89,012          84,359          -4,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes $7,033M of pass-through transmission revenue and expense projections related to network service
  contract No. 13-RMR-2368 with Public Service Company of Colorado.
\2\ The difference in principal payments is due to changes between the FY15 and FY18 work plans, as well as the
  decrease in revenue being available for repayment during the 5-year period due to the revenue requirement
  decrease.

    The summary of P-SMBP--WD projected revenues and expenses for the 
5-year provisional rate approval period is included in the P-SMBP 
Statement of Revenue and Related Expenses that is part of Rate Order 
No. WAPA-180.

Sale of Surplus Products Discussion

    The existing Rate Schedule L-M1 is formula-based, providing for LAP 
Marketing to sell LAP surplus energy and capacity products; currently 
reserves, regulation, and frequency response. If LAP surplus products 
are available, the charge will be determined at the time of the sale 
based on market rates, plus administrative costs. The customer will be 
responsible for acquiring transmission service necessary to deliver the 
product(s), for which a separate charge may be incurred. Rate Schedule 
L-M1 is being superseded by Rate Schedule L-M2. Rate Schedule L-M2 will 
include ``energy'' as a fourth surplus product offered under this rate 
schedule.

Basis for Rate Development

    WAPA is lowering the overall charges for firm electric service by 
14 percent, by reducing the Drought Adder component to zero and 
increasing the Base component to reflect present costs. The Provisional 
Formula Rates under Rate Schedule L-F11 will provide sufficient revenue 
to pay all annual costs, including interest expenses, and repay 
investments and irrigation aid within the allowable periods. In 
addition, WAPA is modifying language in the Sale of Surplus Products 
rate schedule to include ``energy'' as a fourth surplus product offered 
under this rate schedule. This change will be included in a new Rate 
Schedule L-M2.

Comments

    WAPA received two oral comments during the public consultation and 
comment period. The comments expressed have been paraphrased, where 
appropriate, without compromising the meaning of the comments.
    A. Comment: Both customer representatives supported the rate 
adjustment as proposed, and emphasized the need for continued cost 
control regarding the Base component.
    Response: WAPA is committed to keeping the power rates at the 
lowest possible rates while maintaining sound business principles.

Availability of Information

    Information about this rate adjustment, including the customer rate 
brochure, PRSs, comments, letters, memorandums, and other supporting 
materials that were used to develop the Provisional Formula Rates, is 
available for inspection and copying at the Rocky Mountain Regional 
Office, 5555 East Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland, Colorado. Many of 
these documents are also available on WAPA's Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/rates/Pages/2018-Rate-Adjustment-Firm-Power.aspx.

RATEMAKING PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS

Environmental Compliance

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347; the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE 
NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), WAPA 
has determined that this action is categorically excluded from the 
preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact 
statement. A copy of the categorical exclusion determination is 
available on WAPA's Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/environment/Pages/CX2017.aspx. Look for file entitled ``LAP WAPA-179 
FES Rate Adjustment.''

Determination Under Executive Order 12866

    WAPA has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under 
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no

[[Page 57741]]

clearance of this notice by the Office of Management and Budget is 
required.

Submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

    The Provisional Formula Rates herein confirmed, approved, and 
placed into effect on an interim basis, together with supporting 
documents, will be submitted to FERC for confirmation and final 
approval.

ORDER

    In view of the foregoing, and under the authority delegated to me, 
I confirm and approve on an interim basis, effective the first full 
billing period on or after January 1, 2018, Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-
M2 for the Loveland Area Projects of the Western Area Power 
Administration. These rate schedules shall remain in effect on an 
interim basis, pending the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's 
confirmation and approval of them, or substitute rates, on a final 
basis through December 31, 2022, or until superseded.

    Dated: November 30, 2017
Dan Brouillette
Deputy Secretary of Energy

Rate Schedule L-F11

(Supersedes Rate Schedule L-F10)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

Loveland Area Projects

FIRM ELECTRIC SERVICE

(Approved Under Rate Order No. WAPA-179)

Effective

    The first day of the first full billing period beginning on or 
after January 1, 2018, and extending through December 31, 2022, or 
until superseded by another rate schedule, whichever occurs earlier.

Available

    Within the marketing area served by the Loveland Area Projects; 
parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Applicable

    To the firm electric service delivered at specific point(s) of 
delivery, as established by contract.

Character

    Alternating current, 60 hertz, three phase, delivered and metered 
at the voltages and points established by contract.

Formula Rate and Charge Components

Rate = Base component + Drought Adder component

    Monthly Charge as of January 1, 2018, under the Rate:
    CAPACITY CHARGE:
    $4.12 per kilowatt per month (kWmonth) of billing capacity.
    ENERGY CHARGE:
    15.72 mills per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of monthly entitlement.
    BILLING CAPACITY:
    Unless otherwise specified by contract, the billing capacity will 
be the seasonal contract rate of delivery.
    Base Component: A fixed revenue requirement that includes operation 
and maintenance expense, investments and replacements, interest on 
investments and replacements, normal timing power purchases (purchases 
due to operational constraints, not associated with drought), and 
transmission costs. Any proposed change to the Base component will 
require a public process.
    The Base revenue requirement is $64.1 million and the charges under 
the formulas are:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE17.003

    Drought Adder Component: A formula-based revenue requirement that 
includes future purchase power above timing purchases, previous 
purchase power drought deficits, and interest on the purchase power 
drought deficits. As of January 1, 2018, the Drought Adder component 
revenue requirement is $0.0 million and the charges under the formulas 
are:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE17.004

    Annual Drought Adder Adjustment Process: The Drought Adder 
component may be adjusted annually using the above formulas for any 
costs attributed to drought of less than or equal to the equivalent of 
2 mills/kWh to the Power Repayment Study (PRS) composite rate. Any 
planned incremental adjustment to the Drought Adder component greater 
than the equivalent of 2 mills/kWh to the PRS composite rate will 
require a public process.
    The annual review process is initiated in early summer when WAPA 
reviews the Drought Adder component and provides notice of any 
estimated change to the Drought Adder component charge under the 
formula. In October, WAPA will make a final determination of any change 
to the Drought Adder component charge, either incremental or 
decremental. If a Drought Adder component change is required, a 
modified Drought Adder revenue requirement and the associated charges 
will become effective the following January 1 and will be identified in 
a Drought Adder modification update. WAPA will inform customers of 
updates by letter and post updates to WAPA's external website.

[[Page 57742]]

Adjustments

    For Transformer Losses: If delivery is made at transmission voltage 
but metered on the low[dash]voltage side of the substation, the meter 
readings will be increased to compensate for transformer losses as 
provided for in the contract.
    For Power Factor: None. The customer will be required to maintain a 
power factor at all points of measurement between 95[dash]percent 
lagging and 95[dash]percent leading.

Rate Schedule L-M2
(Supersedes Rate Schedule L-M1)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

Loveland Area Projects

SALE OF SURPLUS PRODUCTS

(Approved Under Rate Order No. WAPA-179)

Effective

    The first day of the first full billing period beginning on or 
after January 1, 2018, and extending through December 31, 2022, or 
until superseded by another rate schedule, whichever occurs earlier.

Applicable

    This rate schedule applies to Loveland Area Projects (LAP) 
Marketing and is applicable to the sale of the following LAP surplus 
energy and capacity products: energy, frequency response, regulation, 
and reserves. If any of the above LAP surplus products are available, 
LAP can make the product(s) available for sale, providing entities 
enter into separate agreement(s) with LAP Marketing which will specify 
the terms of sale(s).

Formula Rate

    The charge for each product will be determined at the time of the 
sale based on market rates, plus administrative costs. The customer 
will be responsible for acquiring transmission service necessary to 
deliver the product(s), for which a separate charge may be incurred.

[FR Doc. 2017-26375 Filed 12-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                57734                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                   Filed Date: 11/30/17.                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.                               can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
                                                   Accession Number: 20171130–5214.                        Accession Number: 20171201–5188.                   docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/21/17.                       Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                  other information, call (866) 208–3676
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–364–000.                           Docket Numbers: ER18–371–000.                      (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
                                                   Applicants: Midcontinent                                Applicants: ISO New England Inc.,                    Dated: December 1, 2017.
                                                Independent System Operator, Inc.                       New England Power Pool Participants                   Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
                                                   Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:                   Committee.                                            Deputy Secretary.
                                                2017–11–30_Revisions to LRZ for the                        Description: Installed Capacity                    [FR Doc. 2017–26392 Filed 12–6–17; 8:45 am]
                                                States of Louisiana and Texas to be                     Requirements, Hydro-Quebec
                                                                                                                                                              BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                effective 12/1/2017.                                    Interconnection Capability Credits and
                                                   Filed Date: 11/30/17.                                Related Values for 2018/2019, 2019/
                                                   Accession Number: 20171130–5223.                     2020 and 2010/2021 Annual
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/21/17.                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                                                                        Reconfiguration Auctions of ISO New
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–365–000.                        England, Inc., et al.                                 Western Area Power Administration
                                                   Applicants: Access Energy Solutions,                    Filed Date: 12/1/17.
                                                LLC.                                                       Accession Number: 20171201–5189.                   Loveland Area Projects—Rate Order
                                                   Description: Baseline eTariff Filing:                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                  No. WAPA–179
                                                Market Based Rate Tariff to be effective                   Docket Numbers: ER18–372–000.
                                                1/29/2018.                                                                                                    AGENCY:   Western Area Power
                                                                                                           Applicants: Southern California                    Administration, DOE.
                                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.
                                                                                                        Edison Company.                                       ACTION: Notice of order concerning firm
                                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5002.
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                       Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:                 electric service and sale of surplus
                                                                                                        Memorandum of Agreement on the                        products formula rates.
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–366–000.                        Pacific Direct Current Intertie to be
                                                   Applicants: Midcontinent                             effective 2/1/2018.                                   SUMMARY:   The Deputy Secretary of
                                                Independent System Operator, Inc.,                         Filed Date: 12/1/17.                               Energy confirmed and approved Rate
                                                Ameren Illinois Company.                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5244.                   Order No. WAPA–179 and Rate
                                                   Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
                                                                                                           Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                  Schedules L–F11 and L–M2, placing
                                                2017–12–1_SA 2022 Ameren-Kirkwood
                                                                                                           Docket Numbers: ER18–373–000.                      firm electric service and sale of surplus
                                                1st Rev WDS to be effective 11/1/2017.
                                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.                                    Applicants: American Transmission                  products formula rates for the Western
                                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5056.                     Systems, Incorporated, PJM                            Area Power Administration (WAPA)
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                    Interconnection, L.L.C.                               Loveland Area Projects (LAP) into effect
                                                                                                           Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:                 on an interim basis (Provisional
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–367–000.                                                                              Formula Rates).
                                                   Applicants: Midcontinent                             ATSI submits Engineering and
                                                                                                        Construction Services Agreement SA                    DATES: The Provisional Formula Rate
                                                Independent System Operator, Inc.,
                                                Ameren Illinois Company.                                No. 4716 to be effective 1/31/2018.                   Schedules L–F11 and L–M2 are effective
                                                   Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:                      Filed Date: 12/1/17.                               on the first day of the first full billing
                                                2017–12–1_Ameren-RECC WCA/UCA/                             Accession Number: 20171201–5253.                   period beginning on or after January 1,
                                                WDS to be effective 1/1/2018.                              Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                  2018, and will remain in effect through
                                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.                                    Take notice that the Commission                    December 31, 2022, pending
                                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5067.                     received the following qualifying                     confirmation and approval by Federal
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                    facility filings:                                     Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–368–000.                           Docket Numbers: QF18–30–000.                       on a final basis or until superseded.
                                                   Applicants: Southern California                         Applicants: Flambeau Solar Partners,               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
                                                Edison Company.                                         LLC.                                                  Michael D. McElhany, Regional
                                                   Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:                      Description: Refund Report of                      Manager, Rocky Mountain Region,
                                                LGIA Arlington Solar, LLC Service                       Flambeau Solar Partners, LLC.                         Western Area Power Administration,
                                                Agreement No. 205, TOT781 to be                            Filed Date: 12/1/17.                               5555 East Crossroads Boulevard,
                                                effective 1/31/2018.                                       Accession Number: 20171201–5209.                   Loveland, CO 80538–8986, telephone
                                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.                                    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                  (970) 461–7201, or Mrs. Sheila D. Cook,
                                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5137.                                                                           Rates Manager, Rocky Mountain Region,
                                                                                                           The filings are accessible in the
                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                                                                          Western Area Power Administration,
                                                                                                        Commission’s eLibrary system by
                                                                                                                                                              5555 East Crossroads Boulevard,
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–369–000.                        clicking on the links or querying the
                                                                                                                                                              Loveland, CO 80538–8986, telephone
                                                   Applicants: Southern California                      docket number.
                                                                                                                                                              (970) 461–7211, email scook@wapa.gov.
                                                Edison Company.                                            Any person desiring to intervene or
                                                   Description: Tariff Cancellation:                    protest in any of the above proceedings               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                Notices of Cancellation GIA and Distrib                 must file in accordance with Rules 211                Firm Electric Service
                                                Serv Agmt Ellwood Storage Project to be                 and 214 of the Commission’s
                                                                                                                                                                On December 2, 2014, the Deputy
                                                effective 1/23/2018.                                    Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
                                                                                                                                                              Secretary of Energy approved, on an
                                                   Filed Date: 12/1/17.                                 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
                                                   Accession Number: 20171201–5140.                                                                           interim basis, Rate Schedule L–F10
                                                                                                        time on the specified comment date.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                   Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/22/17.                                                                          under Rate Order No. WAPA–167 for a
                                                                                                        Protests may be considered, but
                                                                                                                                                              5-year period beginning January 1, 2015,
                                                   Docket Numbers: ER18–370–000.                        intervention is necessary to become a
                                                                                                                                                              and ending December 31, 2019 (79 FR
                                                   Applicants: Southern California                      party to the proceeding.
                                                                                                                                                              72663–72670 (Dec. 8, 2014)).1 This rate
                                                Edison Company.                                            eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
                                                   Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: TO                information relating to filing                         1 FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order
                                                Tariff Amendment New Appendix XI to                     requirements, interventions, protests,                WAPA–167 on a final basis on June 25, 2015, in
                                                be effective 3/31/2018.                                 service, and qualifying facilities filings            Docket No. EF15–4–000. See United States



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:50 Dec 06, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00032   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM   07DEN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices                                          57735

                                                schedule is formula-based, providing for                interim basis, Rate Schedule L–M1                     ORDER CONFIRMING, APPROVING,
                                                adjustments to the Drought Adder                        under Rate Order No. WAPA–174, for a                  AND PLACING THE LOVELAND AREA
                                                component.2 On January 1, 2017, the                     5-year period beginning October 1,                    PROJECTS FIRM ELECTRIC SERVICE
                                                Drought Adder component of the LAP                      2016, and ending September 30, 2021                   AND SALE OF SURPLUS PRODUCTS
                                                effective rate schedule was adjusted                    (81 FR 56632–56652 (August 22,                        FORMULA RATES INTO EFFECT ON
                                                downward, recognizing repayment of                      2016)).3 This Rate Schedule is formula-               AN INTERIM BASIS
                                                drought costs included in the Drought                   based, providing for LAP Marketing to                    The firm electric service and sale of
                                                Adder component of the approved                         sell LAP surplus energy and capacity                  surplus products rates for the Loveland
                                                formula rates. Under Rate Schedule L–                   products; currently reserves, regulation,             Area Projects (LAP) set forth in this
                                                F10 with adjusted Drought Adder                         and frequency response. If LAP surplus                order are established in accordance with
                                                component as of January 1, 2017, the                    products are available, the charge for                section 302 of the Department of Energy
                                                composite rate is 36.56 mills per                       each product will be determined based                 (DOE) Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
                                                kilowatt-hour (mills/kWh) (a Base                       on market rates plus administrative                   7152). This Act transferred to, and
                                                component of 29.90 mills/kWh and a                      costs. The customer will be responsible               vested in, the Secretary of Energy the
                                                Drought Adder component of 6.66                         for acquiring transmission service                    power marketing functions of the
                                                mills/kWh), the firm energy rate is 18.28               necessary to deliver the product(s), for              Secretary of the Department of the
                                                mills/kWh, and the firm capacity rate is                which a separate charge may be                        Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation
                                                $4.79 per kilowatt-month (kWmonth).                     incurred. Rate Schedule L–M1 is being
                                                   Effective January 1, 2018, WAPA is                                                                         (Reclamation) under the Reclamation
                                                                                                        superseded by Rate Schedule L–M2.                     Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as
                                                adjusting the overall composite rate,                   Rate Schedule L–M2 will include
                                                which is reflected in adjustments to the                                                                      amended and supplemented by
                                                                                                        ‘‘energy’’ as a fourth surplus product                subsequent laws, particularly section
                                                formula-based charge components. The                    offered under this rate schedule.
                                                Drought Adder component will go down                                                                          9(c) of the Reclamation Act of 1939 (43
                                                to zero and the Base component will be                  Legal Authority                                       U.S.C. 485h(c)) and section 5 of the
                                                adjusted upward to reflect present costs                                                                      Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C.
                                                                                                           By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00B,                825s), and other acts that specifically
                                                attributed to both charge components.
                                                                                                        effective November 19, 2016, the                      apply to the projects involved.
                                                Rate Schedule L–F10 is being
                                                                                                        Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The                   By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00B,
                                                superseded by Rate Schedule L–F11.
                                                                                                        authority to develop power and                        effective November 19, 2016, the
                                                Under Rate Schedule L–F11, the
                                                                                                        transmission rates to the Administrator               Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) the
                                                Provisional Formula Rates for firm
                                                                                                        of WAPA; (2) the authority to confirm,                authority to develop power and
                                                electric service will result in a
                                                                                                        approve, and place such rates into effect             transmission rates to the Administrator
                                                composite rate of 31.44 mills/kWh (a
                                                                                                        on an interim basis to the Deputy                     of Western Area Power Administration
                                                Base component of 31.44 mills/kWh and
                                                                                                        Secretary of Energy; and (3) the                      (WAPA); (2) the authority to confirm,
                                                a Drought Adder component of 0 mills/
                                                kWh), the firm energy rate will be 15.72                authority to confirm, approve, and place              approve, and place such rates into effect
                                                mills/kWh, and the firm capacity rate                   into effect on a final basis, to remand,              on an interim basis to the Deputy
                                                will be $4.12/kWmonth. This is a 14                     or to disapprove such rates to FERC.                  Secretary of Energy; and (3) the
                                                percent decrease when compared to the                   Federal rules (10 CFR part 903) govern                authority to confirm, approve, and place
                                                LAP firm electric rates under Rate                      DOE procedures for public participation               into effect on a final basis, to remand,
                                                Schedule L–F10.                                         in power rate adjustments.                            or to disapprove such rates to the
                                                                                                           Under Delegation Order Nos. 00–                    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
                                                Sale of Surplus Products                                037.00B and 00–001.00F and in                         (FERC). Federal rules (10 CFR part 903)
                                                  On August 12, 2016, the Deputy                        compliance with 10 CFR part 903 and                   govern DOE procedures for public
                                                Secretary of Energy approved, on an                     18 CFR part 300, I hereby confirm,                    participation in power rate adjustments.
                                                                                                        approve, and place Rate Order No.
                                                                                                                                                              Acronyms, Terms, and Definitions
                                                Department of Energy, Western Area Power                WAPA–179, which provides the
                                                Administration (Loveland Area Projects), 151 FERC       formula rates for LAP firm electric                     As used in this Rate Order, the
                                                ¶ 62,222.
                                                  2 The Drought Adder component is a formula-           service and sale of surplus products,                 following acronyms, terms, and
                                                based revenue requirement that includes future          into effect on an interim basis. The new              definitions apply:
                                                purchase power above timing purchases, previous         Rate Schedules L–F11 and L–M2 will be                   Base: A fixed revenue requirement
                                                purchase power drought deficits, and interest on        submitted to FERC for confirmation and                that includes O&M expenses,
                                                the purchase power drought deficits. See 72 FR
                                                64061 (November 14, 2007). The Drought Adder            approval on a final basis.                            investments and replacements, interest
                                                was added as a component to the energy and                                                                    on investments and replacements,
                                                                                                          Dated: November 30, 2017.
                                                capacity rates in Rate Order No. WAPA–134, which                                                              normal timing power purchases
                                                was approved by the Deputy Secretary on an              Dan Brouillette,
                                                                                                                                                              (purchases due to operational
                                                interim basis on November 14, 2007, (72 FR 64061).      Deputy Secretary of Energy.
                                                FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA–                                                                  constraints, not associated with
                                                134 on a final basis on May 16, 2008, in Docket No.     DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                  drought), and transmission costs.
                                                EF08–5181. See United States Department of                                                                      Capacity: The electric capability of a
                                                Energy, Western Area Power Administration               DEPUTY SECRETARY                                      generator, transformer, transmission
                                                (Loveland Area Projects), 123 FERC ¶ 62,137.
                                                WAPA reviews the Drought Adder component each             In the matter of: Western Area Power                circuit, or other equipment. It is
                                                September to determine if drought costs differ from     Administration Rate Adjustment for the                expressed in kilowatts.
                                                                                                        Loveland Area Projects                                  Capacity Rate: The rate which sets
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                those projected in the Power Repayment Study and
                                                whether an adjustment to the Drought Adder              Rate Order No. WAPA–179                               forth the charges for capacity. It is
                                                component is necessary. See 72 FR 64065. The
                                                Drought Adder component may be adjusted                                                                       expressed in dollars per kilowatt-month
                                                downward using the approved annual Drought                3 FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order            and applied to each kilowatt of the
                                                Adder adjustment process, whereas an incremental        WAPA–174 on a final basis on March 9, 2017, in        Contract Rate of Delivery (CROD).
                                                upward adjustment to the Drought Adder                  Docket Nos. EF16–5–000 and EF16–5–001. See
                                                component greater than the equivalent of 2 mills/       United States Department of Energy, Western Area
                                                                                                                                                                Composite Rate: The Power
                                                kWh requires a public rate process. See 72 FR           Power Administration (Loveland Area Projects), 158    Repayment Study (PRS) rate for
                                                64065.                                                  FERC ¶ 62,181.                                        commercial firm power, which is the


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                                                57736                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                total annual revenue requirement for                    first make Federal Power available to                 information was available in the
                                                capacity and energy divided by the total                certain entities. For example, section                customer rate brochure.
                                                annual energy sales. It is expressed in                 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of                  4. On August 22, 2017, at 11 a.m.
                                                mills per kilowatt-hour and used only                   1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)) states that                  (MDT), following the public information
                                                for comparison purposes.                                preference in the sale of Federal Power               forum, at the same location, WAPA held
                                                   Customer: An entity with a contract                  shall be given to municipalities and                  a public comment forum to provide an
                                                that is receiving firm electric service                 other public corporations or agencies                 opportunity for customers and other
                                                from WAPA.                                              and also to cooperatives and other                    interested parties to comment for the
                                                   Deficits: Deferred or unrecovered                    nonprofit organizations financed in                   record. No oral or written comments
                                                annual and/or interest expenses.                        whole or in part by loans made under                  were received at this forum.
                                                   DOE Order RA 6120.2: An order                        the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.                  5. On August 23, 2017, at 9 a.m.
                                                outlining power marketing                                  Provisional Formula Rate: A formula                (CDT), WAPA held a public information
                                                administration financial reporting and                  rate confirmed, approved, and placed                  forum at the Holiday Inn, 100 West 8th
                                                rate-making procedures.                                 into effect on an interim basis by the                Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
                                                   Drought Adder: A formula-based                       Deputy Secretary of Energy.                           WAPA provided updates to the
                                                revenue requirement that includes                          Ratesetting PRS: The Power                         proposed firm electric service and sale
                                                future purchase power above timing                      Repayment Study used for the rate                     of surplus product formula rates for
                                                purchases, previous purchase power                      adjustment period.                                    both the P-SMBP—ED and LAP. WAPA
                                                drought deficits, and interest on the                      Regions: WAPA’s Rocky Mountain                     also answered questions and gave notice
                                                purchase power drought deficits.                        Region (RMR) and Upper Great Plains                   that more information was available in
                                                   Energy: Measured in terms of the                     Region (UGP).                                         the customer rate brochure.
                                                work it is capable of doing over a period                  Revenue Requirement: The revenue                     6. On August 23, 2017, at 11 a.m.
                                                of time. Electric energy is expressed in                required by the PRS to recover annual                 (CDT), following the public information
                                                kilowatt-hours.                                         expenses (such as O&M, purchase                       forum, at the same location, a public
                                                   Energy Charge: The charge under the                  power, transmission service expenses,                 comment forum was held. The comment
                                                rate schedule for energy. It is expressed               interest, and deferred expenses) and                  forum gave the public an opportunity to
                                                in mills per kilowatt-hour and applied                  repay Federal investments and other                   comment for the record. Two oral
                                                to each kilowatt-hour delivered to each                 assigned costs.                                       comments were received at this forum.
                                                Customer.                                                                                                       7. WAPA provided a website that
                                                   Firm: A type of product and/or service               Effective Date                                        contains all dates, customer letters,
                                                always available at the time requested                     The Provisional Formula Rate                       presentations, FRNs, customer brochure,
                                                by a Customer.                                          Schedules L–F11 and L–M2 will take                    and other information about this rate
                                                   FY: Fiscal year; October 1 to                                                                              process. The website is located at
                                                                                                        effect on the first day of the first full
                                                September 30.                                                                                                 https://www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/
                                                                                                        billing period beginning on or after
                                                   kW: Kilowatt—the electrical unit of                                                                        rates/Pages/2018-Rate-Adjustment-
                                                                                                        January 1, 2018, and will remain in
                                                capacity that equals 1,000 watts.                                                                             Firm-Power.aspx.
                                                                                                        effect through December 31, 2022,
                                                   kWh: Kilowatt-hour—the electrical                                                                            8. During the 90-day consultation and
                                                                                                        pending approval by FERC on a final
                                                unit of energy that equals 1,000 watts in                                                                     comment period, which ended on
                                                                                                        basis or until superseded.
                                                1 hour.                                                                                                       October 2, 2017, WAPA received two
                                                   kWmonth: Kilowatt-month—the                          Public Notice and Comment                             oral comments (from the August 23
                                                electrical unit of the monthly amount of                                                                      public comment forum). The comments
                                                                                                           WAPA followed the Procedures for
                                                capacity.                                                                                                     and WAPA’s responses are addressed
                                                   mills/kWh: Mills per kilowatt-hour—                  Public Participation in Power and
                                                                                                        Transmission Rate Adjustments and                     below. All comments have been
                                                the unit of charge for energy (equal to                                                                       considered in the preparation of this
                                                one tenth of a cent or one thousandth                   Extensions, 10 CFR part 903, in
                                                                                                        developing these rates and schedules.                 Rate Order.
                                                of a dollar).                                                                                                   Two representatives of the following
                                                   MW: Megawatt—the electrical unit of                  The steps WAPA took to involve
                                                                                                        interested parties in the rate process                organizations made oral comments:
                                                capacity that equals 1 million watts or                                                                       Mid-West Electric Consumers
                                                1,000 kilowatts.                                        were:
                                                                                                           1. A Federal Register notice,                        Association, Colorado
                                                   Non-timing Power Purchases: Power                                                                          Missouri River Energy Services, South
                                                purchases that are not related to                       published on July 3, 2017 (82 FR 30856)
                                                                                                        (Proposal FRN), announced the                           Dakota
                                                operational constraints such as
                                                management of endangered species,                       proposed rates for LAP and began the                  Project Descriptions
                                                species habitat, water quality,                         90-day public consultation and
                                                                                                        comment period.                                       Loveland Area Projects
                                                navigation, control area purposes, etc.
                                                   O&M: Operation and Maintenance.                         2. On July 5, 2017, WAPA emailed                     The Post–1989 General Power
                                                   P-SMBP: The Pick-Sloan Missouri                      letters to LAP Preference Customers and               Marketing and Allocation Criteria
                                                Basin Program.                                          interested parties transmitting a copy of             (Criteria), published in the Federal
                                                   P-SMBP—ED: Pick-Sloan Missouri                       the Proposal FRN.                                     Register on January 31, 1986 (51 FR
                                                Basin Program—Eastern Division.                            3. On August 22, 2017, at 9 a.m.                   4012), integrated the resources of the P-
                                                   P-SMBP—WD: Pick-Sloan Missouri                       (MDT), WAPA held a public                             SMBP—WD and the Fryingpan-
                                                                                                        information forum at the Denver                       Arkansas Project (Fry-Ark). This
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                                                Basin Program—Western Division.
                                                   Power: Capacity and energy.                          Embassy Suites, 7000 Yampa Street,                    operational and contractual integration,
                                                   Power Factor: The ratio of real to                   Denver, Colorado. WAPA provided                       known as LAP, allowed an increase in
                                                apparent power at any given point and                   updates to the proposed firm electric                 marketable resource, simplified contract
                                                time in an electrical circuit. Generally,               service and sale of surplus products                  administration, and established a
                                                it is expressed as a percentage.                        formula rates for both LAP and P-                     blended rate for LAP power sales.
                                                   Preference: The provisions of                        SMBP—ED. WAPA also answered                           WAPA markets LAP power in
                                                Reclamation Law that require WAPA to                    questions and gave notice that more                   northeastern Colorado, east of the


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices                                                       57737

                                                Continental Divide in Wyoming, west of                           operation, and repayment purposes. The                      Act of Congress on October 27, 1974
                                                the 101st meridian in Nebraska, and                              Colorado-Big Thompson, Kendrick,                            (Pub. L. 93–493, 88 Stat. 1486, 1497)).
                                                most of Kansas.                                                  Riverton, and Shoshone Projects were                        The Fry-Ark diverts water from the
                                                  The P-SMBP—WD and Fry-Ark retain                               combined with the P-SMBP in 1954,                           Fryingpan River and other tributaries of
                                                separate financial status. For this                              followed by the North Platte Project in                     the Roaring Fork River in the Colorado
                                                reason, separate PRSs are prepared                               1959. These projects are referred to as                     River Basin on the Western Slope of the
                                                annually for each project. These PRSs                            the ‘‘Integrated Projects’’ of the P-SMBP.                  Rocky Mountains to the Arkansas River
                                                are used to determine the sufficiency of                            The Flood Control Act of 1944 also                       on the Eastern Slope of the Rocky
                                                the firm electric service rate to generate                       authorized the inclusion of the Fort                        Mountains. The water diverted from the
                                                adequate revenue to repay project                                Peck Project with the P-SMBP for                            Western Slope, together with regulated
                                                investment and costs during each                                 operation and repayment purposes. The                       Arkansas River water, provides
                                                project’s prescribed repayment period.                           Riverton Project was reauthorized as a                      supplemental irrigation and M&I water
                                                The revenue requirement of the Fry-Ark                           unit of P-SMBP in 1970. Together the P-                     supplies, and produces hydroelectric
                                                PRS is combined with the P-SMBP—WD                               SMBP—WD and the Integrated Projects                         power. Flood control, fish and wildlife
                                                revenue requirement, derived from the                            have 19 power plants.                                       enhancement, and recreation are other
                                                P-SMBP PRS, to develop one rate for                                 The P-SMBP is marketed by two                            important purposes of Fry-Ark. The
                                                LAP firm electric sales.                                         Regions. The RMR, with a regional                           only generating facility in Fry-Ark is the
                                                                                                                 office in Loveland, Colorado, markets                       Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage powerplant
                                                Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—
                                                                                                                 the Western Division power of P-SMBP                        on the Eastern Slope.
                                                Western Division
                                                                                                                 through LAP to approximately 75
                                                  The P-SMBP, originally the Missouri                                                                                        Power Repayment Study—Firm Electric
                                                                                                                 customers. The UGP Region, with a
                                                River Basin Project, was authorized by                                                                                       Service Rate
                                                                                                                 regional office in Billings, Montana,
                                                Congress in section 9 of the Flood                               markets power from the Eastern                                 WAPA prepares PRSs each FY to
                                                Control Act of December 22, 1944 (Pub.                           Division of P-SMBP to approximately                         determine if revenues will be sufficient
                                                L. 534, 58 Stat. 887, 891). This                                 340 customers.                                              to repay, within the required time, all
                                                multipurpose program provides flood                                 The adjustment to the P-SMBP—ED                          costs assigned to the LAP. Repayment
                                                control, irrigation, navigation,                                 rate is in a separate formal rate process,                  criteria are based on WAPA’s applicable
                                                recreation, preservation and                                     which is documented in Rate Order No.                       laws and legislation, as well as policies
                                                enhancement of fish and wildlife, and                            WAPA–180. Rate Order No. WAPA–180                           including DOE Order RA 6120.2. To
                                                power generation. Multipurpose                                   is also scheduled to go into effect on the                  meet the Cost Recovery Criteria outlined
                                                projects have been developed on the                              first day of the first full billing period                  in DOE Order RA 6120.2, revised PRSs
                                                Missouri River and its tributaries in                            on or after January 1, 2018.                                and rate adjustments have been
                                                Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North                                                                                           developed to demonstrate sufficient
                                                Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.                               Fryingpan-Arkansas Project                                  revenues will be collected under the
                                                  In addition to the multipurpose water                            Fry-Ark is a trans-mountain diversion                     Provisional Formula Rates to meet
                                                projects authorized by section 9 of the                          development in southeastern Colorado                        future obligations. The revenue
                                                Flood Control Act of 1944, certain other                         authorized by the Act of Congress on                        requirement and composite rate for LAP
                                                existing projects have been integrated                           August 16, 1962 (Pub. L. 87–590, 76                         firm electric service are being reduced,
                                                with the P-SMBP for power marketing,                             Stat. 389, as amended by Title XI of the                    as indicated in Table 1:

                                                                                  TABLE 1—COMPARISON OF REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND COMPOSITE RATES
                                                                                                                                                                     Existing            Provisional
                                                                                        Firm Electric Service                                                     requirements          requirements      Percent Change
                                                                                                                                                                (January 1, 2017)     (January 1, 2018)

                                                LAP Revenue Requirement (million $) ......................................................................                  $74.5                 $64.1            ¥14%
                                                LAP Composite Rate (mills/kWh) ..............................................................................               36.56                 31.44            ¥14%



                                                   Under the existing rate methodology,                          Existing and Provisional Formula Rates                      Adder component greater than 2 mills/
                                                rates for LAP firm electric service are                                                                                      kWh, requires a public process. The
                                                designed to recover an annual revenue                              The existing Rate Schedule L–F10 and                      Drought Adder may be adjusted
                                                requirement that includes power                                  provisional Rate Schedule L–F11                             downward pursuant to the formula, by
                                                investment repayment, aid to irrigation                          continue to be formula-based, with Base                     using the approved annual Drought
                                                repayment, interest, purchase power,                             and Drought Adder components, and                           Adder adjustment process. A
                                                O&M, and other expenses within the                               provide for an annual incremental                           comparison of the existing and
                                                allowable period. The annual revenue                             upward adjustment to the Drought                            Provisional Formula Rates for LAP firm
                                                requirement continues to be allocated                            Adder up to 2 mills/kWh. An                                 electric service is listed in Table 2:
                                                equally between capacity and energy.                             incremental increase to the Drought
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                                                57738                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                                                             TABLE 2—COMPARISON OF EXISTING AND PROVISIONAL FORMULA RATES
                                                                                                                                                                                    Existing Charges
                                                                                                                                                                                       Under Rate                        Provisional
                                                                                                                                                                                    Schedule L–F10                    Charges Under
                                                                                               Firm Electric Service                                                                  With Modified                    Rate Schedule                  Percent Change
                                                                                                                                                                                    Drought Adder As                    L–F11 As of
                                                                                                                                                                                      of January 1,                   January 1, 2018
                                                                                                                                                                                           2017

                                                Firm Energy Rate (mills/kWh) ...................................................................................                                       18.28                            15.72                  ¥14%
                                                Firm Capacity Rate ($/kWmonth) ..............................................................................                                          $4.79                            $4.12                  ¥14%



                                                  Under Rate Schedule L–M2, the                                             LAP Firm Electric Service Rate                                               from the revenue requirement
                                                Provisional Formula Rate will consist of                                    Discussion                                                                   calculated in the P-SMBP Ratesetting
                                                a charge for products listed in the rate                                       According to Reclamation Law,                                             PRS. The P-SMBP—WD revenue
                                                schedule that will be determined at the                                     WAPA is required to establish power                                          requirement decreased approximately
                                                time of the sale based on market rates,                                     rates sufficient to recover O&M,                                             14 percent from the previous revenue
                                                plus administrative costs.                                                  purchased power and interest expenses,                                       requirement primarily as a result of the
                                                                                                                            and repay power investment and                                               Drought Adder component being
                                                Certification of Rates
                                                                                                                            irrigation aid.                                                              reduced to zero, as the P-SMBP drought-
                                                   WAPA’s Administrator certified that                                         The Criteria, published in the Federal                                    related debts are projected to be fully
                                                the Provisional Formula Rates for LAP                                       Register on January 31, 1986 (51 FR                                          repaid in 2018. The Base component
                                                firm electric service under Rate                                            4012), operationally and contractually                                       costs for the P-SMBP—WD have
                                                                                                                            integrated the resources of the                                              increased primarily due to inflationary
                                                Schedule L–F11 and sale of surplus
                                                                                                                            P-SMBP—WD and Fry-Ark (thereafter                                            annual and capital cost increases
                                                products under Rate Schedule L-M2 are
                                                                                                                            referred to as LAP). A blended rate was                                      associated with incorporating three new
                                                the lowest possible rates consistent with
                                                                                                                            established for the sale of LAP firm                                         out-year projections into the 5-year cost
                                                sound business principles. The                                              electric service.
                                                Provisional Formula Rates were                                                                                                                           evaluation period into the P-SMBP
                                                developed following administrative                                          P-SMBP—WD                                                                    Ratesetting PRS. The revenue
                                                policies and applicable laws.                                                 The P-SMBP—WD portion of the                                               requirements for P-SMBP—WD are as
                                                                                                                            revenue requirement was developed                                            follows:

                                                                                            TABLE 3—SUMMARY OF P-SMBP—WD REVENUE REQUIREMENTS ($000)
                                                Current Revenue Requirement (Jan 2017):
                                                    (29.80 mills/kWh × 1,988,000,000 kWh) ......................................................................................................................................                              $59,242
                                                Provisional Decrease:
                                                  Base: 2.41 mills/kWh × 1,988,000,000 kWh ....................................................................................................................................                                5,129
                                                  Drought Adder: ¥6.66 mills/kWh × 1,988,000,000 kWh .................................................................................................................                                       ¥13,578
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ¥8,449
                                                Provisional Revenue Requirement (29.80 ¥ 4.25 = 25.55 mills/kWh × 1,988,000,000 kWh) ...........................................................                                                              50,793



                                                Fry-Ark                                                                     projections for annual expenses and                                          ancillary service revenue projections
                                                                                                                            capital costs within the 5-year cost                                         have increased an average of $1.1
                                                  The Fry-Ark portion of the revenue                                        evaluation period include inflation.                                         million per year over the previous
                                                requirement was developed from the                                          This decrease is caused by the annual                                        projections; resulting in a net revenue
                                                revenue requirement calculated in the                                       expense projections in the current Fry-                                      increase of approximately $1.4 million
                                                Fry-Ark Ratesetting PRS. The Fry-Ark                                        Ark Ratesetting PRS being an average of                                      per year. This net revenue helps offset
                                                revenue requirement decreased                                               $0.3 million per year lower than the                                         the revenue requirement for firm
                                                approximately 13 percent due to the                                         annual expense projections in the                                            electric service. The revenue
                                                Base component costs decreasing, even                                       previous Fry-Ark Ratesetting PRS. In                                         requirements for Fry-Ark are as follows:
                                                though the three new out-year                                               addition to lower annual expenses,
                                                                                                  TABLE 4—SUMMARY OF FRY-ARK REVENUE REQUIREMENTS ($000)
                                                Current Revenue Requirement (Jan 2017) .........................................................................................................................................                              $15,328
                                                Provisional Decrease:
                                                    Base ..............................................................................................................................................................................................       ¥1,978
                                                    Drought Adder ..............................................................................................................................................................................                   0
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ¥1,978

                                                Provisional Revenue Requirement ......................................................................................................................................................                         13,350



                                                  The net effect of the P-SMBP—WD                                           Adder and Base components results in                                         requirement. The following Table 5
                                                and Fry-Ark adjustments to the Drought                                      an overall decrease to the LAP revenue                                       compares LAP existing revenue



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                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices                                                                                   57739

                                                requirements to the proposed revenue
                                                requirements:

                                                                                                      TABLE 5—SUMMARY OF LAP REVENUE REQUIREMENTS ($000)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Existing     Provisional
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (January       (January
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2017)          2018)

                                                P-SMBP—WD ..........................................................................................................................................................                 $59,242       $50,793
                                                Fry-Ark .....................................................................................................................................................................         15,328        13,350

                                                      Total LAP ..........................................................................................................................................................            74,571         64,144



                                                   As a part of the current and                                             service revenue requirement using Base                                       incurred deficits due to purchased
                                                provisional rate schedules, WAPA                                            and Drought Adder components. The                                            power debt that resulted from Non-
                                                provides for a formula-based adjustment                                     Base component is a fixed revenue                                            timing Power Purchases made during a
                                                of the Drought Adder component of up                                        requirement for each project that                                            drought, and the interest associated
                                                to 2 mills/kWh. The 2 mills/kWh cap                                         includes annual O&M expenses,                                                with drought debt. The Drought Adder
                                                places a limit on the amount the                                            investment repayment and associated                                          component is designed to repay the
                                                Drought Adder component can be                                              interest, normal timing power                                                drought debt within 10 years from the
                                                adjusted relative to associated drought                                     purchases, and transmission costs.                                           time the debt was incurred, using
                                                costs to recover costs attributable to the                                  Normal timing power purchases are                                            balloon-payment methodology. For
                                                Drought Adder formula rate for any one-                                     purchases due to operational constraints                                     example, the drought debt incurred in
                                                year cycle. Continuing to identify the                                      (e.g., management of endangered species                                      FY 2009 will be repaid by FY 2019.
                                                firm electric service revenue                                               habitat, water quality, navigation,
                                                requirement using Base and Drought                                          control area purposes, etc.) and are not                                       The annual revenue requirement
                                                Adder components will assist WAPA in                                        associated with drought. WAPA cannot                                         calculation will continue to be
                                                the presentation of future impacts of                                       adjust the Base component without a                                          summarized by the following formula:
                                                droughts, demonstrate repayment of                                          public process.                                                              Annual Revenue Requirement = Base
                                                drought-related costs in the PRSs, and                                         The Drought Adder component is a                                          Revenue Requirement + Drought Adder
                                                allow WAPA to be more responsive to                                         formula-based revenue requirement that                                       Revenue Requirement. Under this
                                                changes caused by drought-related                                           includes costs attributable to the                                           Provisional Rate, the LAP annual
                                                expenses. WAPA will continue to                                             drought conditions in the Regions. The                                       revenue requirement equals $64.1
                                                charge and bill its Preference Customers                                    Drought Adder component includes                                             million and is comprised of a Base
                                                firm electric service rates for energy and                                  costs associated with future Non-timing                                      revenue requirement of $64.1 million
                                                capacity, which are the sum of the Base                                     Power Purchases to meet firm electric                                        plus a Drought Adder revenue
                                                and Drought Adder components.                                               service contractual obligations not                                          requirement of $0. A comparison of the
                                                   Under Rate Schedule L–F11, WAPA                                          covered with available system                                                existing and provisional charge
                                                will continue to identify its firm electric                                 generation due to a drought, previously                                      components is listed in Table 6:

                                                                                                                TABLE 6—SUMMARY OF LAP CHARGE COMPONENTS
                                                                                           Existing Charges Under Rate Schedule L–F10                                     Provisional Charges Under Rate Schedule L–F11
                                                                                           with Modified Drought Adder As of January 1,                                                As of January 1, 2018
                                                                                                              2017                                                                                                                              Percent
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Change
                                                                                                                                                                               Base                  Drought Adder
                                                                                          Base Compo-               Drought Adder                                                                                               Total Charge
                                                                                                                                                Total Charge                 Component                Component
                                                                                              nent                   Component

                                                Firm Capacity
                                                   (/kWmonth) ...............                           $3.92                      $0.87                      $4.79                      $4.12                           $0            $4.12           ¥14
                                                Firm Energy (mills/kWh)                                 14.95                       3.33                      18.28                      15.72                            0            15.72           ¥14



                                                  WAPA reviews its firm electric                                              In accordance with the approved                                            component will occur as drought costs
                                                service rates annually. WAPA will                                           annual Drought Adder adjustment                                              are repaid, the adjustments cannot
                                                review the Base and Drought Adder                                           process, WAPA will review the Drought                                        result in a negative Drought Adder
                                                components after the annual PRSs are                                        Adder component annually in early                                            component. Implementing the Drought
                                                complete, generally in the first quarter                                    summer to determine if drought costs                                         Adder component adjustment on
                                                of the calendar year. If an adjustment to                                   differ from those projected in the PRSs.                                     January 1 of each year will help keep
                                                the Base component is necessary, or if                                      In October, WAPA will determine if a                                         the drought deficits from escalating as
                                                                                                                            change to the Drought Adder
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                                                an incremental upward adjustment to                                                                                                                      quickly, will lower the interest expense
                                                the Drought Adder component greater                                         component is necessary, either                                               due to drought deficits, will
                                                than the equivalent of 2 mills/kWh to                                       incremental or decremental. Any                                              demonstrate responsible deficit
                                                the PRS Composite Rate is necessary,                                        adjustments to the Drought Adder                                             management, and will provide prompt
                                                WAPA will initiate a public process                                         component, up to 2 mills/kWh, will be                                        drought deficit repayments.
                                                                                                                            implemented in the following January
                                                pursuant to 10 CFR part 903 prior to
                                                                                                                            billing cycle. Although decremental
                                                making an adjustment.
                                                                                                                            adjustments to the Drought Adder


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                                                57740                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                Statement of Revenue and Related                                           expense data for the Fry–Ark firm
                                                Expenses                                                                   electric service revenue requirement
                                                  The following Table 7 provides a                                         through the 5–year provisional rate
                                                summary of projected revenue and                                           approval period:

                                                         TABLE 7—FRY-ARK COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR RATE PERIOD (FY 2018–2022) TOTAL REVENUES AND EXPENSES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Provisional
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Existing Rate                    Difference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Rate
                                                                                                                                                                                                       ($000)                          ($000)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ($000)

                                                Total Revenues 1 .........................................................................................................................               $89,012          $84,359       $¥4,653
                                                Revenue Distribution:
                                                Expenses:
                                                    O&M ......................................................................................................................................             32,322           31,334         ¥988
                                                    Purchase Power ...................................................................................................................                        691              724           33
                                                    Transmission 1 ......................................................................................................................                  12,663           12,248         ¥415

                                                      Interest ..................................................................................................................................          16,080           14,779       ¥1,301

                                                         Total Expenses ..............................................................................................................                     61,756           59,085       ¥2,671
                                                Principal Payments:
                                                    Capitalized Expenses (deficits) ............................................................................................                                0                0            0
                                                    Original Project and Additions ..............................................................................................                          21,757           14,893       ¥6,864

                                                      Replacements .......................................................................................................................                  5,499           10,381         4,882

                                                             Total Principal Payments 2 ............................................................................................                       27,256           25,274       ¥1,982
                                                             Total Revenue Distribution ............................................................................................                       89,012           84,359       ¥4,653
                                                  1 Excludes $7,033M of pass-through transmission revenue and expense projections related to network service contract No. 13–RMR–2368 with
                                                Public Service Company of Colorado.
                                                  2 The difference in principal payments is due to changes between the FY15 and FY18 work plans, as well as the decrease in revenue being
                                                available for repayment during the 5-year period due to the revenue requirement decrease.


                                                   The summary of P-SMBP—WD                                                costs, including interest expenses, and                                   Mountain Regional Office, 5555 East
                                                projected revenues and expenses for the                                    repay investments and irrigation aid                                      Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland,
                                                5–year provisional rate approval period                                    within the allowable periods. In                                          Colorado. Many of these documents are
                                                is included in the P-SMBP Statement of                                     addition, WAPA is modifying language                                      also available on WAPA’s Web site at
                                                Revenue and Related Expenses that is                                       in the Sale of Surplus Products rate                                      https://www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/
                                                part of Rate Order No. WAPA–180.                                           schedule to include ‘‘energy’’ as a fourth                                rates/Pages/2018-Rate-Adjustment-
                                                                                                                           surplus product offered under this rate                                   Firm-Power.aspx.
                                                Sale of Surplus Products Discussion
                                                                                                                           schedule. This change will be included
                                                                                                                                                                                                     RATEMAKING PROCEDURE
                                                   The existing Rate Schedule L–M1 is                                      in a new Rate Schedule L–M2.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     REQUIREMENTS
                                                formula-based, providing for LAP                                           Comments
                                                Marketing to sell LAP surplus energy                                                                                                                 Environmental Compliance
                                                and capacity products; currently                                             WAPA received two oral comments                                           In compliance with the National
                                                reserves, regulation, and frequency                                        during the public consultation and                                        Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
                                                response. If LAP surplus products are                                      comment period. The comments                                              1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347; the Council
                                                available, the charge will be determined                                   expressed have been paraphrased,                                          on Environmental Quality Regulations
                                                at the time of the sale based on market                                    where appropriate, without                                                for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts
                                                rates, plus administrative costs. The                                      compromising the meaning of the                                           1500–1508); and DOE NEPA
                                                customer will be responsible for                                           comments.                                                                 Implementing Procedures and
                                                acquiring transmission service                                               A. Comment: Both customer                                               Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), WAPA
                                                necessary to deliver the product(s), for                                   representatives supported the rate                                        has determined that this action is
                                                which a separate charge may be                                             adjustment as proposed, and                                               categorically excluded from the
                                                incurred. Rate Schedule L–M1 is being                                      emphasized the need for continued cost                                    preparation of an environmental
                                                superseded by Rate Schedule L–M2.                                          control regarding the Base component.                                     assessment or an environmental impact
                                                Rate Schedule L–M2 will include                                              Response: WAPA is committed to                                          statement. A copy of the categorical
                                                ‘‘energy’’ as a fourth surplus product                                     keeping the power rates at the lowest                                     exclusion determination is available on
                                                offered under this rate schedule.                                          possible rates while maintaining sound                                    WAPA’s Web site at https://
                                                Basis for Rate Development                                                 business principles.                                                      www.wapa.gov/regions/RM/
                                                                                                                           Availability of Information                                               environment/Pages/CX2017.aspx. Look
                                                  WAPA is lowering the overall charges
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                                                                                                                                                                                                     for file entitled ‘‘LAP WAPA–179 FES
                                                for firm electric service by 14 percent,                                     Information about this rate                                             Rate Adjustment.’’
                                                by reducing the Drought Adder                                              adjustment, including the customer rate
                                                component to zero and increasing the                                       brochure, PRSs, comments, letters,                                        Determination Under Executive Order
                                                Base component to reflect present costs.                                   memorandums, and other supporting                                         12866
                                                The Provisional Formula Rates under                                        materials that were used to develop the                                     WAPA has an exemption from
                                                Rate Schedule L–F11 will provide                                           Provisional Formula Rates, is available                                   centralized regulatory review under
                                                sufficient revenue to pay all annual                                       for inspection and copying at the Rocky                                   Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices                                           57741

                                                clearance of this notice by the Office of               UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF                           voltages and points established by
                                                Management and Budget is required.                      ENERGY                                                contract.
                                                Submission to the Federal Energy                        WESTERN AREA POWER                                    Formula Rate and Charge
                                                Regulatory Commission                                   ADMINISTRATION                                        Components
                                                   The Provisional Formula Rates herein                 ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION                                 Rate = Base component + Drought
                                                confirmed, approved, and placed into                    Loveland Area Projects                                Adder component
                                                effect on an interim basis, together with
                                                supporting documents, will be                           FIRM ELECTRIC SERVICE                                   Monthly Charge as of January 1, 2018,
                                                submitted to FERC for confirmation and                                                                        under the Rate:
                                                                                                        (Approved Under Rate Order No.
                                                final approval.                                                                                                 CAPACITY CHARGE:
                                                                                                        WAPA–179)
                                                                                                                                                                $4.12 per kilowatt per month
                                                ORDER                                                   Effective                                             (kWmonth) of billing capacity.
                                                   In view of the foregoing, and under                    The first day of the first full billing               ENERGY CHARGE:
                                                the authority delegated to me, I confirm                period beginning on or after January 1,                 15.72 mills per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
                                                and approve on an interim basis,                        2018, and extending through December                  of monthly entitlement.
                                                effective the first full billing period on              31, 2022, or until superseded by another                BILLING CAPACITY:
                                                or after January 1, 2018, Rate Schedules                rate schedule, whichever occurs earlier.                Unless otherwise specified by
                                                L–F11 and L–M2 for the Loveland Area                                                                          contract, the billing capacity will be the
                                                Projects of the Western Area Power                      Available                                             seasonal contract rate of delivery.
                                                Administration. These rate schedules                      Within the marketing area served by                   Base Component: A fixed revenue
                                                shall remain in effect on an interim                    the Loveland Area Projects; parts of                  requirement that includes operation and
                                                basis, pending the Federal Energy                       Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and                       maintenance expense, investments and
                                                Regulatory Commission’s confirmation                    Wyoming.                                              replacements, interest on investments
                                                and approval of them, or substitute                                                                           and replacements, normal timing power
                                                rates, on a final basis through December                Applicable                                            purchases (purchases due to operational
                                                31, 2022, or until superseded.                             To the firm electric service delivered             constraints, not associated with
                                                  Dated: November 30, 2017                              at specific point(s) of delivery, as                  drought), and transmission costs. Any
                                                Dan Brouillette                                         established by contract.                              proposed change to the Base component
                                                Deputy Secretary of Energy                                                                                    will require a public process.
                                                                                                        Character                                               The Base revenue requirement is
                                                Rate Schedule L–F11                                       Alternating current, 60 hertz, three                $64.1 million and the charges under the
                                                (Supersedes Rate Schedule L–F10)                        phase, delivered and metered at the                   formulas are:




                                                  Drought Adder Component: A                            power drought deficits, and interest on               million and the charges under the
                                                formula-based revenue requirement that                  the purchase power drought deficits. As               formulas are:
                                                includes future purchase power above                    of January 1, 2018, the Drought Adder
                                                timing purchases, previous purchase                     component revenue requirement is $0.0




                                                  Annual Drought Adder Adjustment                       the PRS composite rate will require a                 decremental. If a Drought Adder
                                                Process: The Drought Adder component                    public process.                                       component change is required, a
                                                may be adjusted annually using the                        The annual review process is initiated              modified Drought Adder revenue
                                                above formulas for any costs attributed                 in early summer when WAPA reviews                     requirement and the associated charges
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                                                to drought of less than or equal to the                 the Drought Adder component and                       will become effective the following
                                                equivalent of 2 mills/kWh to the Power                  provides notice of any estimated change               January 1 and will be identified in a
                                                                                                                                                                                                           EN07DE17.004</GPH>




                                                Repayment Study (PRS) composite rate.                   to the Drought Adder component charge                 Drought Adder modification update.
                                                Any planned incremental adjustment to                   under the formula. In October, WAPA                   WAPA will inform customers of updates
                                                the Drought Adder component greater                     will make a final determination of any                by letter and post updates to WAPA’s
                                                than the equivalent of 2 mills/kWh to                   change to the Drought Adder                           external website.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           EN07DE17.003</GPH>




                                                                                                        component charge, either incremental or


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                                                57742                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                Adjustments                                             DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                  component.2 On January 1, 2017, the
                                                                                                                                                              Drought Adder component of the P–
                                                  For Transformer Losses: If delivery is                Western Area Power Administration                     SMBP—ED effective rate schedule was
                                                made at transmission voltage but                                                                              adjusted downward, recognizing
                                                metered on the low-voltage side of the                  Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—                    repayment of drought costs included in
                                                substation, the meter readings will be                  Eastern Division—Rate Order No.                       the Drought Adder component of the
                                                increased to compensate for transformer                 WAPA–180                                              approved formula rates. Under Rate
                                                losses as provided for in the contract.                                                                       Schedule P–SED–F12 with adjusted
                                                                                                        AGENCY:Western Area Power
                                                  For Power Factor: None. The customer                                                                        Drought Adder component as of January
                                                                                                        Administration, DOE.                                  1, 2017, the firm capacity charge is
                                                will be required to maintain a power
                                                                                                        ACTION: Notice of order concerning firm               $6.50/kWmonth and the firm energy
                                                factor at all points of measurement
                                                                                                        power, firm peaking power, and sale of                charge is 16.18 mills/kWh. Under Rate
                                                between 95-percent lagging and
                                                                                                        surplus product formula rates.                        Schedule
                                                95-percent leading.
                                                                                                                                                              P-SED-FP12, the firm peaking capacity
                                                                                                        SUMMARY:  The Deputy Secretary of                     charge is $5.85/kWmonth. Firm peaking
                                                Rate Schedule L–M2                                      Energy confirmed and approved Rate                    energy is normally returned. A firm
                                                (Supersedes Rate Schedule L–M1)                         Order No. WAPA–180 and Rate                           peaking energy charge of 16.18 mills/
                                                                                                        Schedules P-SED-F13, P-SED-FP13, and                  kWh will be assessed in the event
                                                UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
                                                                                                        P–SED–M1 for firm power service, firm                 energy is not returned.
                                                ENERGY
                                                                                                        peaking power service, and a new                         Effective January 1, 2018, WAPA is
                                                WESTERN AREA POWER                                      formula rate for sale of surplus products             adjusting the overall composite rate of
                                                ADMINISTRATION                                          for the Western Area Power                            the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program,
                                                                                                        Administration (WAPA) Pick-Sloan                      which is reflected in an adjustment to
                                                ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION                                                                                         the formula-based charge components of
                                                                                                        Missouri Basin Program—Eastern
                                                Loveland Area Projects                                  Division (P-SMBP—ED) into effect on an                the firm power rate schedules. The
                                                                                                        interim basis (Provisional Formula                    Drought Adder component of the firm
                                                SALE OF SURPLUS PRODUCTS                                                                                      power rate schedules will go down to
                                                                                                        Rates).
                                                (Approved Under Rate Order No.                                                                                zero and the Base component will be
                                                                                                        DATES:  The Rate Schedules P-SED-F13,                 adjusted upward to reflect present costs
                                                WAPA–179)
                                                                                                        P-SED-FP13, and P-SED-M1 are effective                attributed to the charge components.
                                                Effective                                               on the first day of the first full billing            WAPA’s Upper Great Plains Region
                                                                                                        period beginning on or after January 1,               (UGP) is removing the 5 percent voltage
                                                  The first day of the first full billing               2018, and will remain in effect through               discount in the existing P-SMBP—ED
                                                period beginning on or after January 1,                 December 31, 2022, pending                            firm power rate schedule P-SED-F12
                                                2018, and extending through December                    confirmation and approval by Federal                  and removing the voltage discount from
                                                31, 2022, or until superseded by another                Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)                   the firm power revenue requirement.
                                                rate schedule, whichever occurs earlier.                on a final basis or until superseded.                 The total annual revenue requirement
                                                Applicable                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr.                 for P-SMBP—ED is $230.1 million for
                                                                                                        Jody S. Sundsted, Acting Regional                     firm power service and firm peaking
                                                  This rate schedule applies to                         Manager, Upper Great Plains Region,                   power service. Under Rate Schedule P-
                                                Loveland Area Projects (LAP) Marketing                  Western Area Power Administration,                    SED-F13, the firm capacity charge is
                                                and is applicable to the sale of the                    2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT                   $5.25/kWmonth and the firm energy
                                                following LAP surplus energy and                        59101–1266, telephone (406) 255–2800,                 charge is 13.27 mills/kWh. Under Rate
                                                capacity products: energy, frequency                    or Ms. Linda Cady-Hoffman, Rates                      Schedule P-SED-FP13, the firm peaking
                                                response, regulation, and reserves. If                  Manager, Upper Great Plains Region,                   capacity charge is $4.75/kWmonth. Firm
                                                any of the above LAP surplus products                   Western Area Power Administration,                    Peaking Energy is normally returned. A
                                                are available, LAP can make the                         2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT
                                                                                                                                                                2 The Drought Adder component is a formula-
                                                product(s) available for sale, providing                59101–1266, telephone (406) 255–2920,
                                                                                                                                                              based revenue requirement that includes future
                                                entities enter into separate agreement(s)               email cady@wapa.gov.                                  purchase power above timing purchases, previous
                                                with LAP Marketing which will specify                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            purchase power drought deficits, and interest on
                                                                                                                                                              the purchase power drought deficits. See 72 FR
                                                the terms of sale(s).
                                                                                                        Firm Electric Service                                 64067 (November 14, 2007). The Drought Adder
                                                                                                                                                              was added as a component to the energy and
                                                Formula Rate
                                                                                                          On December 2, 2014, the Deputy                     capacity rates in Rate Order No. WAPA–135, which
                                                                                                        Secretary of Energy approved, on an                   was approved by the Deputy Secretary on an
                                                  The charge for each product will be                                                                         interim basis on November 14, 2007 (72 FR 64067).
                                                determined at the time of the sale based                interim basis, Rate Schedules P-SED-                  FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA–
                                                on market rates, plus administrative                    F12 and P-SED-FP12 under Rate Order                   135 on a final basis on April 14, 2008, in Docket
                                                costs. The customer will be responsible                 No. WAPA–166 for the 5-year period                    No. EF08–5031. See United States Department of
                                                                                                        beginning January 1, 2015, and ending                 Energy, Western Area Power Administration (Pick-
                                                for acquiring transmission service                                                                            Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division),
                                                                                                        December 31, 2019 (79 FR 72670–72677                  123 FERC ¶ 62,048. WAPA reviews the Drought
                                                necessary to deliver the product(s), for
                                                                                                        (Dec. 8, 2014)).1 These rate schedules                Adder component each September to determine if
                                                which a separate charge may be
                                                                                                        are formula-based, providing for                      drought costs differ from those projected in the
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                                                incurred.                                                                                                     Power Repayment Study and whether an
                                                                                                        adjustments to the Drought Adder
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–26375 Filed 12–6–17; 8:45 am]                                                                   adjustment to the Drought Adder component is
                                                                                                                                                              necessary. See 72 FR 64071. The Drought Adder
                                                BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                    1 FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order            component may be adjusted downward using the
                                                                                                        WAPA–166 on a final basis on March 18, 2015, in       approved annual Drought Adder adjustment
                                                                                                        Docket No. EF15–3–000. See United States              process, whereas an incremental upward
                                                                                                        Department of Energy, Western Area Power              adjustment to the Drought Adder component greater
                                                                                                        Administration (Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin             than the equivalent of 2 mills/kWh requires a
                                                                                                        Program—Eastern Division), 150 FERC ¶ 62,170.         public rate process. See 72 FR 64071.



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Document Created: 2017-12-07 00:34:37
Document Modified: 2017-12-07 00:34:37
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 order concerning firm electric service and sale of surplus products formula rates.
DatesThe Provisional Formula Rate Schedules L-F11 and L-M2 are effective on the first day of the first full billing period beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2022, pending confirmation and approval by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a final basis or until superseded.
ContactMr. Michael D. McElhany, Regional Manager, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration, 5555 East Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland, CO 80538-8986, telephone (970) 461-7201, or Mrs. Sheila D. Cook, Rates Manager, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration, 5555 East Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland, CO 80538-8986, telephone (970) 461-7211, email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 57734 

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