Application To Export Electric Energy; Williams Energy Marketing and Trading Company

Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated and require authorization under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On April 5, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) received an application from Williams to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico. Williams is a full-service energy marketing, trading, and price-risk management company. Williams does not own, control, or operate any facilities for the transmission or distribution of electric power, nor does it have a franchised service area. Although Williams is affiliated with entities which own two electric power generating facilities, the electric power to be exported to Mexico would be purchased from electric utilities and Federal power marketing agencies within the United States. Williams proposes to arrange for the delivery of electric energy to Mexico over the international transmission facilities owned by San Diego Gas and Electric Company, El Paso Electric Company, Central Power and Light Company, and Comision Federal de Electricidad, the national electric utility of Mexico. The construction of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Williams, as more fully described in the application, has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended. Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at the address provided above in accordance with Secs. 385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with the DOE on or before the date listed above. Comments on the Williams application to export electric energy to Mexico should be clearly marked with Docket EA-208. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Charlene K. Stanford, Regulatory Analyst, Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Company, P.O. Box 2848, Tulsa, OK 74101 and Hillary E. Howard, Esq., The Williams Companies, Inc., One Williams Center, Suite 4100, Tulsa, OK 74172. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and a determination is made by the DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by accessing the Fossil Energy Home Page at www.fe.doe.gov. Upon reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select ``Regulatory Programs,'' then ``Electricity Regulation,'' and then ``Pending Proceedings'' from the options menus. DOE has granted the applicant's request for an expedited notice and comment period of fifteen (15) days so that Williams may avail itself of an opportunity to export to Mexico within three weeks.

Issued in Washington, DC, on April 20, 1999. Anthony J. Como, Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. 99-10409 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P