Start Preamble

AGENCY:

Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) 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.

DATES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before June 5, 2006.

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 202-586-5860).

Start Further Info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.

End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

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 June 23, 2004, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-290 authorizing OPG to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. That Order will expire on June 23, 2006.

On May 12, 2006, OPG filed an application with DOE for renewal of the export authority contained in Order No. EA-290. OPG does not own or control any transmission or distribution assets, nor does it have a franchised service area. The electric energy which OPG proposes to export to Canada would be purchased from electric utilities and Federal power marketing agencies within the U.S.

OPG has requested expedited treatment of this renewal application and that the authorization, if granted, be effective for a period of five years beginning June 23, 2006. In response to the OPG request, DOE has shortened the comment period to 15 days.

OPG 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, Vermont Electric Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co.

The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by OPG has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.

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 OPG application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-290-A. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Andrew Barrett, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Strategy, Ontario Power Generation Inc., 700 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X6, Canada and Jerry L. Pfeffer, Energy Industries Advisor, June Broadstone, Esq., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 1440 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005.

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 e-mailing Odessa Hopkins at Odessa.hopkins@hq.doe.gov.

Start SignatureEnd Signature End Supplemental Information