# Notice of Robert D. Willis Proposed Power Rate Change > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-25334 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** September 24, 1997 - **Citation:** 62 FR 49976 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Southwestern Power Administration Notice of Robert D. Willis Proposed Power Rate Change AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Public Review and Comment Period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Administrator, Southwestern, has prepared Current and Revised 1997 Power Repayment Studies for the Robert D. Willis (Willis) project which show the need for an increase in annual revenues required to meet cost recovery criteria. The increase in the revenues required was the result of an increase in estimated Operations and Maintenance costs by Corps of Engineers and the increased amount of large maintenance items estimated for Willis. The Administrator has also developed a proposed rate schedule for the isolated Willis project to recover the required revenues. The proposed rate for the Willis project would increase annual revenues approximately 13.5 percent from $266,928 to $302,928 beginning January 1, 1998. DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin on the date of publication of this Federal Register and will end November 10, 1997. 1. Public Information Forum--October 2, 1997, 9:30 a.m., Central Time in Tulsa, OK 2. Public Comment Forum--October 29, 1997, 1:30 p.m., Central Time in Tulsa, OK Southwestern is only conducting a 45 day public notice and comment period (10 CFR 903.14(d)) since the Willis project is considered a minor adjustment. In addition, this project has a single hydroelectric power customer and that customer has been notified of the proposed rate increase. It is anticipated that any comments from the customer or other interested parties will be developed well within the 45 day period provided. ADDRESSES: The Forums will be held in Southwestern's offices, Suite 1600, Williams Center Tower I, One West Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. Ten copies of the written comments should be submitted to the Assistant Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 1619, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101-1619. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power [[Page 49977]] Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, PO Box 1619, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101, (918) 595-6696. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Energy was created by an Act of the U.S. Congress, through the Department of Energy Organization Act, Pub. L. 95-91, dated August 4, 1977, and Southwestern Power Administration's power marketing activities were transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Energy, effective October 1, 1977. Southwestern markets power from 24 multiple-purpose reservoir projects with power facilities constructed and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These projects are located in the States of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Southwestern's marketing area includes these states plus Kansas and Louisiana. Of the total, 22 projects comprise an Integrated System and are interconnected through Southwestern's transmission system and exchange agreements with other utilities. The Sam Rayburn Dam project, located in eastern Texas, is not interconnected with Southwestern's Integrated System hydraulically, electrically, or financially. Instead, the power produced by the Sam Rayburn Dam project is marketed by Southwestern as an isolated project under a contract through which the customer purchases the entire power output of the project at the dam. The Willis project, located on the Neches River downstream from the Sam Rayburn Dam, consists of two 4,000 kilowatt hydroelectric generating units. It, like the Sam Rayburn Dam project, is marketed as an isolated project under a contract through which the customer, Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency (SRMPA), receives the entire output of the project. The SRMPA contract is for a period of 50 years as a result of SRMPA's funding the construction of the hydroelectric facilities at the project. A separate power repayment study is prepared for each project which has a special rate based on its isolated project determination. Following Department of Energy Order Number RA 6120.2, the Administrator, Southwestern, prepared a current power repayment study for the Robert D. Willis project using the existing annual rate of $266,928. The study indicated that maintaining the current rate will create a revenue deficit for the project. This is primarily a result of the Corps of Engineers increase of estimated Operations and Maintenance cost of the Willis Project allocated from the Sam Rayburn Project. The Revised Power Repayment Study for the isolated Willis project shows that a increase of $36,000 (a 13.5 percent increase) annually will satisfy repayment criteria. This increase would change annual revenues produced by the Willis Project from $266,928 to $302,928 and satisfy the present financial criteria for repayment of the project. Opportunity is presented for customers and interested parties to receive copies of the studies and proposed rate schedule for the Willis project. If you desire a copy of the Repayment Study Data Package for the Willis project, submit your request to: Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, PO Box 1619, Tulsa, OK 74101, (918) 595-6696. A Public Information Forum is scheduled to be held October 2, 1997. The Forum is to explain to customers and interested parties the proposed rates and supporting studies. The Forum will be conducted by a chairman who will be responsible for orderly procedure. Questions concerning the rates, studies and information presented at the Forum may be submitted from interested persons and will be answered, to the extent possible, at the Forum. Questions not answered at the Forum will be answered in writing, except the questions involving voluminous data contained in Southwestern's records may best be answered by consultation and review of pertinent records at Southwestern's offices. Persons interested in attending the Public Information Forum should indicate in writing by 4 p.m., Central Time, Tuesday, September 30, 1997, their intent to appear at such Forum. Accordingly, if no one so indicates their intent to attend, no such Forum will be held. A Public Comment Forum is scheduled to be held October 29, 1997. At the Public Comment Forum interested persons may submit written comments or make oral presentations of their views and comments. This Forum will also be conducted by a chairman who will be responsible for orderly procedure. Southwestern's representatives will be present, and they and the chairman may ask questions of speakers. The chairman may allow others to speak if time permits. Persons interested in attending or speaking at the Public Comment Forum should indicate in writing by 4 p.m., Central Time, Friday, October 24, 1997, their intent to appear at such Forum. Accordingly, if no one so indicates their intent to attend, no such Forum will be held. A transcript of each Forum will be made. Copies of the transcripts may be obtained, for a fee, directly from the transcribing service. Copies of all documents introduced will be available from Southwestern upon request, also for a fee. Written comments on the proposed rates for the project are due on or before 45 days from publication. Written comments should be submitted to the Assistant Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, PO Box 1619, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101. Following review of the oral and written comments, the Administrator will submit the rate proposals and the Power Repayment Studies for the Willis project, in support of the proposed rates, to the Deputy Secretary of Energy for confirmation and approval on an interim basis and subsequently to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for confirmation and approval on a final basis. The FERC will allow the public an opportunity to provide written comments on the proposed rate increases before making a final decision. Issued in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this 15th day of September 1997. Michael A. Deihl, Administrator. [FR Doc. 97-25334 Filed 9-23-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-25334. Public record. Not legal advice.