Jim Woodruff Project

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Southeastern Power Administration

Jim Woodruff Project

AGENCY: Southeastern Power Administration (Southeastern), DOE

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: On March 21, 1994, the Deputy Secretary confirmed and

approved, on an interim basis, Rate Schedule JW-1-D for the Jim

Woodruff Project's power. The rates were approved on an interim basis

through September 20, 1995, and are subject to confirmation and

approval by the Federal Regulatory Commission on a final basis.

DATES: Approval of rates on an interim basis is effective September 20,

1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leon Jourolmon, Director, Power

Marketing, Southeastern Power Administration, Department of Energy,

Samuel Elbert Building, Elberton, Georgia 30635.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by

Order issued July 16, 1991, in Docket No. EF91-3031-000, confirmed and

approved Wholesale Power Rate Schedule JW-1-C and JW-2-B through

September 19, 1995. Rate Schedule JW-1-D replaces this schedule. Rate

Schedule JW-2-B remains in effect.

Issued in Washington, DC., March 21, 1994.

William H. White,

Deputy Secretary.

[Rate Order No. SEPA-32]

In the Matter of: Southeastern Power Administration--Jim

Woodruff Project Power Rates; Order Confirming and Approving Power

Rates on an Interim Basis.

Pursuant to sections 302(a) and 301(b) of the Department of Energy

Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, the functions of the Secretary of

the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under Section 5 of the

Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to the Southeastern

Power Administration (Southeastern) were transferred to and vested in

the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. 0204-108, effective

May 30, 1986, 51 FR 19744 (May 30, 1986), the Secretary of Energy

delegated to the Administrator the authority to develop power and

transmission rates, and delegated to the Under Secretary the authority

to confirm, approve, and place in effect such rates on an interim basis

and delegated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the

authority to confirm and approve on a final basis or to disapprove

rates developed by the Administrator under the delegation. On November

4, 1993, the Secretary of Energy issued Amendment No. 3 to Delegation

Order No. 0204-108, (58 FR 59716; November 10, 1993) granting the

Deputy Secretary authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect

Southeastern's rates on an interim basis. This rate order is issued by

the Deputy Secretary pursuant to said notice.

Background

Power from the Jim Woodruff Project is presently sold under

Wholesale Power Rate Schedules JW-1-C and JW-2-B. All of these rate

schedules were approved by the FERC on July 16, 1991, for a period

ending September 19, 1995.

Public Notice and Comment

Southeastern prepared a Power Repayment Study dated August 1993 for

the Jim Woodruff Project which showed that revenues at current rates

were more than adequate to meet repayment criteria. A revised repayment

study shows that Southeastern can forego the last step of a five step

rate increase approved in 1991 and still meet repayment criteria.

Southeastern is proposing Rate Schedule JW-1-D to forego this increase.

Rate Schedule JW-2-B remains in effect.

Opportunities for public review and comment on the proposed Rate

Schedule JW-1-D and supporting documents were announced by Notice

published in the Federal Register on September 8, 1993, and September

20, 1993, and all affected customers were notified by mail. Pursuant to

the Notice, a public information and comment forum was scheduled in

Tallahassee, Florida, on October 12, 1993, where an opportunity for

oral presentation of views was afforded. The forum was cancelled

because no interested party expressed an intention to attend. The

written comments are included for the record. No substantive comments

have been received by Southeastern.

Discussion

System Repayment

An examination of Southeastern's revised system power repayment

study, prepared in August 1993, for the Jim Woodruff Project, reveals

that if Southeastern foregos the last step of a five step rate increase

approved in 1991, all system power costs are paid within their

repayment life. The Administrator of Southeastern has certified that

the rates are consistent with applicable law and that they are the

lowest possible rates to customers consistent with sound business

principles.

Environmental Impact

Southeastern has reviewed the possible environmental impacts of the

rate adjustment under consideration and has concluded that, because the

adjusted rates would not significantly affect the quality of the human

environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act

of 1969, the proposed action is not a major Federal action for which

preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is required.

Availability of Information

Information regarding these rates, including studies, and other

supporting materials is available for public review in the offices of

Southeastern Power Administration, Samuel Elbert Building, Elberton,

Georgia 30635, and in the Washington Liaison Office, James Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585.

Submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The rates hereinafter confirmed and approved on an interim basis,

together with supporting documents, will be submitted promptly to the

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for confirmation and approval on a

final basis for a period beginning September 20, 1994, and ending no

later than September 19, 1995.

Order

In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated to

me by the Secretary of Energy, I hereby confirm and approve on an

interim basis, effective September 20, 1994, attached Wholesale Power

Rate Schedule JW-1-D. The rate schedules shall remain in effect on an

interim basis through September 19, 1995, unless such period is

extended or until the FERC confirms and approves them or substitute

rate schedules on a final basis.

Issued in Washington, DC., March 21, 1994.

William H. White,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 94-7385 Filed 3-28-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P