Applications To Export Electric Energy; Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.

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 January 22, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) received two separate applications from MLCS to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico and to Canada. MLCS is a power marketer and does not own or control any facilities for the generation or transmission of electricity, nor does it have a franchised service area. MLCS proposes to transmit to Mexico and to Canada electric energy purchased from electric utilities and other suppliers within the U.S. In FE Docket EA-202, MLCS 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. In FE Docket EA-203, MLCS proposes to arrange for the delivery of electric energy to Canada over the international transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities, Detroit Edison Company, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission Company. The construction of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by MLCS, as more fully described in the applications, 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 MLCS application to export electric energy to Mexico should be clearly marked with Docket EA-202. Comments on the MLCS application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-203. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Douglas F. John, John and Hengerer, 1200 17th Street, N.W. Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 and Richard I. Beitler, Vice President and Senior Counsel, Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. World Financial Center, 250 Vesey Street, North Tower, New York, New York, 10281-1312. A final decision will be made on these applications 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 actions will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of these applications 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'', then ``Electricity'', then ``Pending Proceedings'' from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 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. 99-3834 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P