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[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 151 (Thursday, August 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42083-42084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20978]

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PACIFIC NORTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER AND CONSERVATION PLANNING COUNCIL

Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan

AGENCY: Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning 
Council (Northwest Power Planning Council, Council).

ACTION: Notice of final action adopting Fourth Northwest Conservation 
and Electric Power Plan.

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SUMMARY: Following the mandate set out in the Pacific Northwest 
Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980

[[Page 42084]]

(16 U.S.C. 839 et seq.) (the Act), in April 1983 the Council adopted a 
regional power plan, the Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan 
(the plan). The plan was completely amended in 1986. Although the Act 
requires the Council to review the plan at least every five years, the 
Council has taken up certain parts of the plan more often, to respond 
to ongoing changes in the regional energy picture and to incorporate 
the most recent technology and analysis. The Council amended the plan 
in 1989 by publishing the 1989 Supplement to the 1986 Power Plan, 
updating certain technical data. In April 1991, the Council adopted 
another complete amendment of the plan. In March 1996, the Council 
released for public comment the Draft Fourth Power Plan.
    The Council deferred adoption of the power plan pending completion 
of the Comprehensive Review of the Northwest Energy System, and 
systematic examination of the region's electrical energy system 
conducted at the behest of the four Northwest Governors. On August 22, 
1997, once the Comprehensive Review had adopted its recommendations, 
the Council issued an Addendum to the draft plan on and took public 
comment through October 31, 1997. Hearings on the draft plan and the 
Addendum were conducted throughout the four Northwest states, as 
required by statute.
    The Fourth Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan and the 
Addendum, taken together, constitute the complete Power Plan. Changes 
that resulted from the intervening Comprehensive Review and public 
comment were not incorporated in the draft power plan document itself, 
but were set out in the Addendum. In those cases, then, in which 
Addendum updates the data and analyses of the Fourth Plan document, the 
Addendum governs.
    Along with the plan and Addendum, the Council adopted a Response to 
Comments. This document summarizes all the major comments submitted 
during the course of public consideration of the plan and Addendum and 
shows how the Council responded to those issues.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The electricity industry nationwide 
continues to work through a radical restructuring. To give the four 
Northwest states a voice in how this restructuring affect the region, 
the governors' ``Comprehensive Review of the Northwest Energy System'' 
studied the power system and made recommendations about its future.
    In light of this restructuring, the Fourth Power Plan has taken a 
different approach from that of earlier plans. the 1991 Power Plan, for 
example, has a its theme: ``a time for action.'' In contrast, this plan 
focuses on ``Northwest Power in Transition: Issues and Opportunities.'' 
This Power Plan has fewer policy determination or recommended actions. 
Instead, it is designed to serve as a guidebook for the region's 
transition to a restructured industry. It has background on the 
industry and analysis of the major issues that must be addressed as the 
Northwest moves into a new energy future. Its goal reflects that of the 
governors in convening the regional review: to develop, through a 
public process, recommendations for changes in the institutional 
structure of the region's electric utility industry. The resulting 
system, the governors said, should ``protect the region's natural 
resources and distribute equitably the costs and benefits of a more 
competitive marketplace'' while still ensuring the region of ``an 
adequate, efficient, economical and reliable power system,'' in the 
words of the Northwest Power Act.
    This Power Plan has the components required by the Northwest Power 
Act. It includes, among other elements: energy conservation program, a 
recommendation for research and development; a methodology for 
determining quantifiable environmental costs and benefits; a twenty 
year demand forecast; a forecast of power resources that the Bonneville 
Power Administration will need to meet its obligations; an analysis of 
reserve and reserve reliability requirements; and a surcharge 
methodology. The plan also includes the Council's Fish and Wildlife 
Program, developed pursuant to other procedural requirements under the 
Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like copies of any of 
these documents, please contact the Council's central office. the 
Fourth Power Plan is publication 98-22, the technical appendices are 
publication 98-22A, the Addendum is publication 98-23, and the Response 
to Comments is publication 98-24. You may order all or any part of this 
series you wish. The technical appendices may be ordered by individual 
sections. Please call 1-503-222-5161 or 1-800-222-3355. You may FAX 
your request to 1-503-795-3370. If you wish to make a request by e-
mail, please e-mail to [email protected]. All of these documents are 
also available on the Council's web-site: http;//www.nwppc/
downdocs.htm. Please contact the Council's public affairs division for 
further information.
Stephen L. Crow,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 98-20978 Filed 8-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-AJ-M
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