[Federal Register: March 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 10214-10215]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr03-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. EA-196-B]
Application To Export Electric Energy; Minnesota Power, Inc.
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of application.
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SUMMARY: Minnesota Power, Inc. (Minnesota Power) has applied for
renewal of its authority to transmit electric energy from the United
States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.
DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on
or before April 3, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Import/Export (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: Xavier Puslowski (Program Office) 202-
586-4708 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.
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 February 11, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the
Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-196 authorizing
Minnesota Power to transmit electric energy from the United States to
Canada. Minnesota Power is a Minnesota corporation that owns electric
generation and transmission facilities and sells and distributes
electricity within its northern Minnesota service territory. That two-
year authorization expired on February 11, 2001.
On March 2, 2001, Minnesota Power filed an application with FE for
renewal of that export authority for a two-year term. That
authorization was issued on May 23, 2001.
On February 3, 2003, Minnesota Power applied for renewal of its
authorization to export electric energy to Canada for a five year term
beginning upon the expiration of its current authorization. Minnesota
Power proposes to arrange for delivery of electric energy to Canada
over transmission facilities owned and operated by Basin Electric Power
Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities,
International Transmission, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Joint
Owners of the Highgate Project, Inc., Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric
Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power and Light
Co., Inc., Minnkota Power, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk
Power Corp., Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission
Company.
The electric energy that Minnesota Power proposes to export will be
either firm or interruptible. The exported energy will be purchased
from other entities voluntarily and, therefore, will be surplus to the
needs of the selling entities.
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 Sec. Sec. 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 Minnesota Power request to export to Canada should
be clearly marked with Docket EA-196-B. Additional copies are to be
filed directly with Steven W. Tyacke, Esq., Minnesota Power, Inc., 30
West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2092.
DOE notes that the circumstances described in this application are
virtually identical to those for which export authority had been
granted in FE Order No. EA-196. Consequently, DOE believes that it has
adequately satisfied its responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 through the documentation of a
categorical exclusion in the FE Docket EA-196 proceeding.
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
accessing the Fossil Energy Home Page at http://www.fe.doe.gov. Upon
reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select ``Electricity,'' from the
Regulatory Info menu, and then ``Pending Proceedings'' from the options
menus.
[[Page 10215]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2003.
Anthony Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power
Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 03-4997 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P