73 FR 82 pgs. 22938-22939 - Application to Export Electric Energy; Minnesota Power
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 82Pages: 22938 - 22939
Docket number: [OE Docket No. EA-196-C]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-9211 Filed 4-25-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Energy Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[OE Docket No. EA-196-C]
Application to Export Electric Energy; Minnesota Power
AGENCY:
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE.
ACTION:
Notice of Application.
SUMMARY:
ALLETE, Inc., d/b/a/ Minnesota Power has applied to renew its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA).
DATES:
Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before May 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES:
Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX 202-586-8008).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated by the Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f)) and require authorization under section 202(e) of the FPA (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)).
On February 11, 1999, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-196 authorizing Minnesota Power to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada for a two-year term. That Order was renewed for a two-year term on May 23, 2001, and again, for a five-year term on April 8, 2003. The current export authorization will expire on May 23, 2008. On April 18, 2008, Minnesota Power filed an application with DOE to renew the export authority contain in Order No. EA-196-B for an additional five-year term.
Minnesota Power will arrange for the delivery of exports to Canada over the international transmission facilities currently owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Co., Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co.
The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Rainbow has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.
DOE notes that the electricity export authorization held by Minnesota Power in Order No. EA-196-B will expire on May 23, 2008, prior to the close of the public comment period in this proceeding. Minnesota Power has advised DOE that it will cease all electricity export activities after May 23rd until such time as it has obtained a valid export authorization. Minnesota Power is aware that continuing to export in the absence of such an Order is a violation of the FPA and may result in a denial of its authorization to export and subject it to sanctions and penalties under the FPA.
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 §§ 385.211 or 385.214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the date listed above.
Comments on the Minnesota Power application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket No. EA-196-C. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Christopher D. Anderson, Associate General Counsel, ALLETE, Inc., 30 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
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, 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 program's Home Page at http://oe.energy.gov/permits.htm.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 23, 2008.
Anthony J. Como,
Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. E8-9211 Filed 4-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P