FR 2021-04023

The document from the Federal Register details a notice from the Western Area Power Administration regarding a new tariff filing, specifically identified as Rate Order No. WAPA-194. Submitted on February 16, 2021, this filing is set to take effect on March 25, 2021. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced this filing and provided guidelines for those interested in intervening or protesting against it.

General Summary

This notice outlines the process and protocol for engaging with a tariff filing made by the Western Area Power Administration. Interested parties––those who might be affected by the rate changes or have an interest in the proceedings––can submit their interventions or protests electronically through the FERC website. Alternatively, submissions can be made by mail if online filing is not feasible. Importantly, anyone wishing to become a formal party to the proceedings must follow specific procedures as stipulated by FERC's rules.

Significant Issues or Concerns

There are several notable concerns with the document. Firstly, the absence of an abstract in the metadata misses an opportunity to provide a concise summary of the notice for a quick reader overview. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity regarding the specifics of the tariff changes and their potential impacts, creating uncertainty for stakeholders trying to understand the implications.

Furthermore, the notice lacks a comparative analysis with prior rates or insights into the necessity of these new rates. For individuals unfamiliar with the regulatory landscape, the procedures for filing comments or objections may seem complex and inaccessible. Lastly, while addressing filing alternatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the document’s clarity about temporary measures and alternate locations could be improved for better understanding.

Public Impact

For the general public, this document is essential as it represents a change in the cost structure of power administration which might affect utilities and everyone relying on them. However, due to the lack of specific details on the tariff changes, it is challenging for the average individual to discern the direct consequences.

Stakeholder Impact

Specific stakeholders, including utility companies, governmental agencies, and energy consumers, might be directly impacted by this notice. Utility companies would need to adapt their billing and financial planning to accommodate any rate adjustments. Governmental and regulatory bodies must ensure compliance with the new rate structures while considering the broader implications on public policy and equity. Consumers might experience changes in their utility costs, though without detailed information, it remains unclear how these changes might manifest.

Overall, while the document is procedural in nature, affecting stakeholders engaged deeply with energy regulation, it might benefit from greater clarity and accessibility to foster broader public understanding and participation in the regulatory process.