[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10769]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. EA-235]


Application to Export Electric Energy; Sempra Energy Resources

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Sempra Energy Resources (SER) has applied for authority to 
transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico pursuant to 
section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before May 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex (FE-27), Office of 
Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX 202-287-5736).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 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. 
824a(e)).
    On March 28, 2001, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the 
Department of Energy (DOE) received an application from SER to transmit 
electric energy from the United States to Mexico. In a related 
proceeding currently before DOE (FE Docket PP-235), SER has applied for 
a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a 
new electric transmission facility between San Diego Gas and Electric 
Company's (SDG&E's) Imperial Valley Substation in Imperial County, 
California, and the Termoelectrica de Mexicali (TDM) powerplant SER 
proposes to construct in the vicinity of Mexicali, Baja California, 
Mexico. The electric energy SER proposes to export to Mexico would be 
for the purpose of providing ``black start'' capability to the TDM 
powerplant and for providing ancillary equipment power when the 
facility's electrical generating equipment is not in operation. Exports 
from the United States to the TDM plant for ``black start'' purposes 
are expected to occur routinely, such as during weekend plant 
shutdowns, with a maximum of 12 MW to be exported.
    The electric energy SER proposes to export to Mexico would be 
obtained from its own generation sources or from power purchase 
agreements and delivered to SDG&E's Imperial Valley Substation using 
the existing domestic transmission system. The exported electricity 
would be transmitted to Mexico over the facilities proposed in FE 
Docket PP-235.
    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 SER application to export electric energy to Mexico 
should be clearly marked with Docket EA-235. Additional copies are to 
be filed directly with Alberto Abreu, Director, Permitting and 
Licensing, Sempra Energy Resources, 101 Ash Street, P.O. Box 1831, San 
Diego, CA 92112-4150.
    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 http://www.fe.doe.gov. Upon 
reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select ``Electricity'' and then 
``Pending Proceedings'' from the options menus.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/
Ex, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-10769 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P