83 FR 36586 - Boulder Canyon Project
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)
Western Area Power Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)
| Page Range | 36586-36588 | |
| FR Document | 2018-16248 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 36586-36588] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-16248] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Boulder Canyon Project AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of proposed fiscal year 2019 base charge and rates for electric service. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) is proposing to calculate formula rates for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service. The expiration of the FY 2018 base charge and rates on September 30, 2018, requires this action. The proposed base charge will provide sufficient revenue to recover all annual costs and repay investment obligations within the allowable period. The proposed base charge and rates are scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2018, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2019. Publication of this Federal Register notice will initiate the public process. DATES: The consultation and comment period begins today and will end October 29, 2018. WAPA will present a detailed explanation of the proposed FY 2019 base charge and rates at a public information forum that will be held on August 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) in Phoenix, Arizona. WAPA will also host a public comment forum that will be held on September 28, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MST in Phoenix, Arizona. Written comments will be accepted any time during the consultation and comment period. ADDRESSES: The public information forum and public comment forum will be held at WAPA's Desert Southwest Customer Service Regional Office located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009. Send written comments to Mr. Ronald E. Moulton, Regional Manager and Senior Vice President, Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6457, or email [email protected]. WAPA will post information about the rate process and written comments received on its website at: http://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx. Written comments must be received by the end of the consultation and comment period to be considered by WAPA in its decision process. As access to federal facilities is controlled, any U.S. citizen wishing to attend a public forum at WAPA must [[Page 36587]] present an official form of picture identification (ID), such as a U.S. driver's license, U.S. passport, U.S. government ID, or U.S. military ID at the time of the meeting. Foreign nationals should contact Ms. Tina Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western Area Power Administration, at (602) 605-2565 or email at [email protected] in advance of a forum to obtain the necessary form for admittance to the Desert Southwest Customer Service Regional Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tina Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6457, (602) 605-2565, or email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hoover Dam, authorized by the Boulder Canyon Project Act (45 Stat. 1057, December 21, 1928), sits on the Colorado River along the Arizona- Nevada border. Hoover Dam's power plant has 19 generating units (two for plant use) and an installed capacity of 2,078.8 megawatts (4,800 kilowatts for plant use). High-voltage transmission lines and substations deliver this power to southern Nevada, Arizona, and southern California, where it is marketed and sold by WAPA in collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The rate-setting methodology for BCP calculates an annual base charge rather than a unit rate for power. Though WAPA determines a unit rate for comparative purposes, BCP contractors are billed the base charge in proportion to their allocation of BCP power. Rate Schedule BCP-F10 was confirmed and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a five-year period ending September 30, 2022.\1\ Rate Schedule BCP-F10 requires the base charge and rate formulas be calculated annually based on current financial and hydrology data. The base charge is designed to recover an annual revenue requirement that includes investment repayment, interest, operations, maintenance and replacements, payments to states, and Hoover Dam visitor services. The total costs are offset by projected revenue from water sales, the Hoover Dam visitor services, ancillary services, and late fees. The annual revenue requirement is the base charge for electric service divided equally between capacity and energy. The annual composite rate is the base charge divided by annual energy sales. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ EF18-1-000 (June 6, 2018). Comparison of Base Charge and Rates ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Existing FY Proposed FY 2018 2019 Amount change Percent change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Base Charge ($)................................. $76,910,193 $69,741,657 - $7,168,536 - 9.3 Composite Rate (mills/kWh)...................... 19.98 18.92 - 1.06 - 5.3 Energy Rate (mills/kWh)......................... 9.99 9.46 - 0.53 - 5.3 Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo)......................... $1.99 $1.88 - $0.11 - 5.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Federal Register notice initiating the FY 2018 public process proposed a one-time $15 million working capital collection for Reclamation for the new 50-year marketing period beginning October 1, 2017, which caused an increase to the base charge for FY 2018.\2\ At the time, WAPA anticipated a corresponding $15 million reduction to the base charge for FY 2019. During the FY 2018 public process, Reclamation and WAPA worked collaboratively with BCP customers to address customer concerns about the increase in the base charge resulting from the working capital collection. Reclamation and WAPA moderated the impact of the base charge increase by lowering some costs in FY 2018 and deferring other costs to FY 2019. The final result was a $7.2 million increase to the base charge rather than the $15 million increase originally proposed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ 82 FR 27814 (September 18, 2017). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The proposed FY 2019 base charge is decreasing $7.2 million from the FY 2018 base charge. This change is attributed to deferred costs, adjusted non-power revenue projections, and working capital. Reclamation's costs for operations, maintenance and replacements, and visitor services are increasing $2.7 million primarily as a result of deferrals from FY 2018, while WAPA's costs remain relatively flat. Non- power revenue projections are decreasing $5.1 million due to decreased tourism projections while the Hoover Dam Visitor Center and elevators are being renovated. The $15 million working capital for the new marketing period was collected in FY 2018 and no further collections are necessary in FY 2019. Reclamation and WAPA will continue to review projections to further reduce the proposed FY 2019 base charge, thereby benefitting all BCP customers. A lower base charge will also help offset the impact of financial obligations from the previous marketing period, referred to as transitional items, assessed to new customers independent of the base charge calculation. Any resulting changes to the proposed FY 2019 base charge will be presented at the public information forum. The proposed FY 2019 composite and energy rates decreased 5.3 percent and the capacity rate decreased 5.4 percent compared to the FY 2018 rates. The percentage decrease between the proposed base charge and rates differs due to energy and capacity projections. This proposal, to be effective October 1, 2018, is preliminary and subject to change based on modifications to forecasts before publication of the final base charge and rates. Legal Authority The proposed formulas for electric service and the base charge and rates constitute a major rate adjustment, as defined by 10 CFR 903.2(e); therefore WAPA will hold public information and public comment forums for this rate adjustment, pursuant to 10 CFR 903.15 and 903.16. WAPA will review and consider all timely public comments and amend or adjust the proposal as appropriate. Proposed rates will be forwarded to the Deputy Secretary of Energy for approval. WAPA is proposing this action 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 Reclamation under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as amended and supplemented by subsequent laws, particularly section [[Page 36588]] 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)); and other acts that specifically apply to the BCP. 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 WAPA's Administrator; (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. Existing DOE procedures for public participation in rate adjustments (10 CFR 903) were published on September 18, 1985 (50 FR 37835). Availability of Information All studies, comments, letters, memorandums, and other documents WAPA prepares or uses to develop the proposed base charge and rates will be available for inspection and copying at the Desert Southwest Customer Service Regional Office, Western Area Power Administration, located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009. Many of these documents and supporting information are available on WAPA's website at: http://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.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 is in the process of determining whether an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement should be prepared or if this action can be categorically excluded from those requirements. Determination Under Executive Order 12866 WAPA has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the Office of Management and Budget is required. Dated: July 20, 2018. Mark A. Gabriel, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018-16248 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![36586 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Notices
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and canal intake with trashracks and fish DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern screens; A 5,350-foot-long power canal;
time on the specified comment date. four 5-foot-diameter, 280-foot-long steel Western Area Power Administration
Protests may be considered, but penstocks; a powerhouse with 4
intervention is necessary to become a turbine/generators with rated capacity Boulder Canyon Project
party to the proceeding. of 300 kilowatts (kW) each for a total AGENCY: Western Area Power
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed capacity of 1,200 kW; a 60-foot-wide, 20 Administration, DOE.
information relating to filing foot-long concrete-lined tailrace; a 0.25- ACTION: Notice of proposed fiscal year
requirements, interventions, protests, mile-long, 12.47 kilovolt transmission 2019 base charge and rates for electric
service, and qualifying facilities filings line; and access roads. service.
can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/ The estimated averaged annual
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For generation of the project would be 3 SUMMARY: Western Area Power
other information, call (866) 208–3676 gigawatt-hours and would be conveyed Administration (WAPA) is proposing to
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. from the powerhouse to the existing calculate formula rates for fiscal year
Dated: July 24, 2018. Pacific Power and Light Company (FY) 2019 Boulder Canyon Project (BCP)
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., substation. electric service. The expiration of the
FY 2018 base charge and rates on
Deputy Secretary. Applicant Contact: Mark Sigl, Go
September 30, 2018, requires this
[FR Doc. 2018–16218 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am] With the Flow Hydro Power, LLC, 8021
action. The proposed base charge will
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Firestone Way, Antelope, CA 95843,
provide sufficient revenue to recover all
phone (916) 812–5051.
annual costs and repay investment
FERC Contact: Kim Nguyen, (202) obligations within the allowable period.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 502–6105. The proposed base charge and rates are
Federal Energy Regulatory Deadline for filing comments, motions scheduled to become effective on
Commission to intervene, competing applications October 1, 2018, and will remain in
(without notices of intent), or notices of effect through September 30, 2019.
[Project No. 14879–000] intent to file competing applications: 60 Publication of this Federal Register
days from the issuance of this notice. notice will initiate the public process.
Notice of Preliminary Permit Competing applications and notices of DATES: The consultation and comment
Application Accepted for Filing and intent must meet the requirements of 18 period begins today and will end
Soliciting Comments, Motions To CFR 4.36. October 29, 2018. WAPA will present a
Intervene, and Competing
The Commission strongly encourages detailed explanation of the proposed FY
Applications: Go With the Flow Hydro
electronic filing. Please file comments, 2019 base charge and rates at a public
Power, LLC
motions to intervene, notices of intent, information forum that will be held on
On June 8, 2018, Go With the Flow and competing applications using the August 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to
Hydro Power, LLC (Go With the Flow) Commission’s eFiling system at http:// 12:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time
filed an application for a preliminary www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. (MST) in Phoenix, Arizona. WAPA will
permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Commenters can submit brief comments also host a public comment forum that
Federal Power Act, proposing to study up to 6,000 characters, without prior will be held on September 28, 2018,
the feasibility of the Go With the Flow registration, using the eComment system from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MST in
Hydroelectric Project (project) to be at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ Phoenix, Arizona. Written comments
located on the Umatilla River about 8.7 ecomment.asp. You must include your will be accepted any time during the
river miles upstream from the name and contact information at the end consultation and comment period.
confluence with the Columbia River, of your comments. For assistance, ADDRESSES: The public information
and 2.1 miles west southwest of please contact FERC Online Support at forum and public comment forum will
Hermiston in Umatilla county, Oregon. FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) be held at WAPA’s Desert Southwest
On July 11, 2018, the applicant filed an 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 Customer Service Regional Office
amended permit application for the (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please located at 615 South 43rd Avenue,
project. The sole purpose of a send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Phoenix, Arizona 85009. Send written
preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 comments to Mr. Ronald E. Moulton,
the permit holder priority to file a First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Regional Manager and Senior Vice
license application during the permit The first page of any filing should President, Desert Southwest Customer
term. A preliminary permit does not include docket number P–14879–000. Service Region, Western Area Power
authorize the permit holder to perform More information about this project, Administration, P.O. Box 6457,
any land-disturbing activities or including a copy of the application, can Phoenix, Arizona 85005–6457, or email
otherwise enter upon lands or waters be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’ dswpwrmrk@wapa.gov. WAPA will post
owned by others without the owners’ link of Commission’s website at http:// information about the rate process and
express permission. www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibary.asp. written comments received on its
The proposed project will be at the Enter the docket number (P–14879) in website at: http://www.wapa.gov/
site of the existing, abandoned Jim Boyd the docket number field to access the regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-
Hydroelectric Project (P–7269). The document. For assistance, contact FERC canyon-rates.aspx. Written comments
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
license for the Jim Boyd Project was Online Support. must be received by the end of the
terminated in 2011, and Go With the consultation and comment period to be
Flow has purchased these facilities. The Dated: July 24, 2018.
considered by WAPA in its decision
proposed run-of-river project will Kimberly D. Bose, process.
involve rehabilitation and upgrade of Secretary. As access to federal facilities is
the following existing facilities: A 3.5- [FR Doc. 2018–16232 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am] controlled, any U.S. citizen wishing to
foot-high concrete diversion weir; a BILLING CODE 6717–01–P attend a public forum at WAPA must
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:33 Jul 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_36732/page/1.svg)
![36588 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Notices
9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Title: Section 76.916, Petition for
1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)); and other acts COMMISSION Recertification.
that specifically apply to the BCP. Form Number: Not applicable.
By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00B [OMB 3060–0562] Type of Review: Extension of a
effective November 19, 2016, the currently approved collection.
Information Collection Being Reviewed Respondents: Business or other for-
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The
by the Federal Communications profit entities; State, local or tribal
authority to develop power and
Commission Under Delegated government.
transmission rates to WAPA’s
Authority Number of Respondents and
Administrator; (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates AGENCY: Federal Communications Responses: 10 respondents; 15
into effect on an interim basis to the Commission. responses.
Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the ACTION: Notice and request for Estimated Time per Response: 10
authority to confirm, approve, and place comments. hours.
into effect on a final basis, to remand, Frequency of Response: On occasion
or to disapprove such rates to FERC. SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort reporting requirement; Third party
Existing DOE procedures for public to reduce paperwork burdens, and as disclosure requirement.
participation in rate adjustments (10 required by the Paperwork Reduction Obligation to Respond: Required to
CFR 903) were published on September Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
18, 1985 (50 FR 37835). Communications Commission (FCC or authority for this information collection
Commission) invites the general public is contained in Sections 4(i) and 623 of
Availability of Information and other Federal agencies to take this the Communications Act of 1934, as
All studies, comments, letters, opportunity to comment on the amended.
memorandums, and other documents following information collections. Total Annual Burden: 150 hours.
WAPA prepares or uses to develop the Comments are requested concerning: Total Annual Cost: None.
proposed base charge and rates will be Whether the proposed collection of Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No
available for inspection and copying at information is necessary for the proper impact(s).
the Desert Southwest Customer Service performance of the functions of the
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Regional Office, Western Area Power Commission, including whether the
There is no need for confidentiality with
information shall have practical utility;
Administration, located at 615 South this collection of information.
the accuracy of the Commission’s
43rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009. Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 76.916
burden estimate; ways to enhance the
Many of these documents and provides that a franchising authority
quality, utility, and clarity of the
supporting information are available on wishing to assume jurisdiction to
information collected; ways to minimize
WAPA’s website at: http:// regulate basic cable service and
the burden of the collection of
www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/ associated rates after its request for
information on the respondents,
Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx. certification has been denied or
including the use of automated
revoked, may file a petition for
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements collection techniques or other forms of
recertification with the Commission.
information technology; and ways to
Environmental Compliance The petition must be served on the cable
further reduce the information
operator and on any interested party
In compliance with the National collection burden on small business
that participated in the proceeding
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
denying or revoking the original
1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347; the Council The FCC may not conduct or sponsor
certification. Oppositions to petitions
on Environmental Quality Regulations a collection of information unless it
may be filed within 15 days after the
for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts displays a currently valid Office of
petition is filed. Replies may be filed
1500–1508); and DOE NEPA Management and Budget (OMB) control
within seven days of filing of
number. No person shall be subject to
Implementing Procedures and oppositions.
any penalty for failing to comply with
Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), WAPA Federal Communications Commission.
a collection of information subject to the
is in the process of determining whether
PRA that does not display a valid OMB Marlene Dortch,
an environmental assessment or an
control number. Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
environmental impact statement should
be prepared or if this action can be DATES: Written PRA comments should [FR Doc. 2018–16199 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am]
categorically excluded from those be submitted on or before September 28, BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
requirements. 2018. If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments, but find it
Determination Under Executive Order difficult to do so within the period of FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
12866 time allowed by this notice, you should COMMISSION
advise the contact listed below as soon
WAPA has an exemption from as possible. Radio Broadcasting Services; AM or
centralized regulatory review under FM Proposals To Change the
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no Community of License
clearance of this notice by the Office of Cathy Williams, FCC, via email to PRA@
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Management and Budget is required. fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. AGENCY: Federal Communications
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Commission.
Dated: July 20, 2018.
additional information about the ACTION: Notice.
Mark A. Gabriel, information collection, contact Cathy
Administrator. Williams at (202) 418–2918. DATES:The agency must receive
[FR Doc. 2018–16248 Filed 7–27–18; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: comments on or before September 28,
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P OMB Control Number: 3060–0562. 2018.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:33 Jul 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_36732/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-07-28 01:43:34
Document Modified: 2018-07-28 01:43:34
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of proposed fiscal year 2019 base charge and rates for electric service. | |
| Dates | The consultation and comment period begins today and will end October 29, 2018. WAPA will present a detailed explanation of the proposed FY 2019 base charge and rates at a public information forum that will be held on August 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) in Phoenix, Arizona. WAPA will also host a public comment forum that will be held on September 28, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MST in Phoenix, Arizona. Written comments will be accepted any time during the consultation and comment period. | |
| Contact | Ms. Tina Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6457, (602) 605-2565, or email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 36586 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR