[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14893-14894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7935]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket EA-98-E]


Application to Amend Electricity Export Authorization; Western 
Systems Power Pool

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: The Western Systems Power Pool (``WSPP'') has filed an 
application on behalf of its members to amend its electricity export 
authorization issued September 5, 1996, in Order EA-98-C. The 
application requests the authorization be amended to permit 8 new 
member companies to export electricity to Canada.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before April 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex (FE-52), Office of 
Coal & Power, Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 (FAX 202-287-5736).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

[[Page 14894]]

Rosalind Carter (Program Office) 202-586-7983 or Michael Skinker 
(Program Attorney) 202-586-6667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. 
Sec. 824a(e)).

    On September 5, 1996, in Docket EA-98-C, the Office of Fossil 
Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) authorized 42 ``public 
utility'' members of the WSPP to export electric energy to Canadian 
members, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro), or 
other future Canadian members. The facilities to be utilized for these 
exports are the international transmission facilities owned and 
operated by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), also a WSPP 
member. The facilities consist of two 500-kV transmission lines at 
Blaine, Washington, and one 230-kV transmission line at Nelway, British 
Columbia, that interconnect with facilities of BC Hydro, and one 230-kV 
line, also at Nelway, connecting to West Kootenay Power, Limited. The 
construction and operation of these international transmission 
facilities was previously authorized by Presidential Permits PP-10, PP-
46, and PP-36, respectively.
    On March 12, 1997, WSPP submitted an application to amend the 
export authorization by adding 8 new member companies to the list of 
authorized electricity exporters. The new members are: Intercoast Power 
Marketing Company, National Gas & Electric L.P., PowerEx, TransAlta 
Enterprises Corporation, TransCanada Energy Ltd., Tucson Electric Power 
Company, Western Power Services, Inc., and Williams Energy Services 
Company.

Procedural Matters

    Any persons 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 
such petitions and protests should be filed with the DOE on or before 
the date listed above.
    Additional copies are to be filed directly with: Michael E. Small, 
Esq., Wright & Talisman, P.C., 1200 G Street, Suite 600, Washington, 
D.C.
    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.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 24, 1997.
Anthony J. Como,
Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Systems, 
Office of Coal & Power IM/EX, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 97-7935 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M