Summary of FERC Meeting Agenda for March 2020

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Below are brief summaries of the agenda items for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's originally scheduled March 19, 2020 meeting, pursuant to the agenda as issued on March 12, 2020. Due to COVID-19 and measures undertaken by government agencies to address the pandemic, the Commission cancelled the open meeting on March 13, 2020. All orders listed on the Sunshine Act Notice will be processed by notational voting. Agenda items E-12, E-13, E-24, and E-28 have not been summarized due to omission from the agenda.

In this issue…

  • Electric Items
  • Hydro Items
  • Certificate Items

 

Electric

E-1 – Electric Transmission Incentives Policy Under Section 219 of the Federal Power Act (Docket No. RM20-10-000). Agenda item E-1 may be an order initiating a new rulemaking proceeding relating to Electric Transmission Incentives Policy under section 219 of the Federal Power Act (FPA).

E-2 – Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (Docket Nos. ER19-1965-000, ER19-1965-001). In Order No. 845, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission) adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 22, 2019, Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to APGI's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On January 31, 2020, APGI filed a request to be relieved of certain requirements promulgated in Orders No. 845 and 845-A. APGI asserts that two effective OATTs relate to discrete transmission facilities that have never been the subject of a generation owner or developer request for transmission service, and accordingly, are negotiating bilateral transmission service agreements (TSAs) that reflect the limited nature of these transmission facilities. Agenda item E-2 may be an order addressing APGI's compliance filing or the request for waiver of compliance with Orders No. 845 and 845-A.

E-3 – Emera Maine (Docket Nos. ER19-1887-000, ER19-1887-001). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 17, 2019, Emera Maine (Emera) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to Emera's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On July 15, 2019, Emera Maine filed an amendment to the May 17 compliance filing in order to include several new provisions incorporated into its LGIP. Agenda item E-3 may be an order addressing Emera's compliance filing.

E-4 – GridLiance High Plains LLC (Docket Nos. ER19-1961-000, ER19-1961-002). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 22, 2019, GridLiance High Plains LLC (GridLiance) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to APGI's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On June 13, 2019, the Commission directed GridLiance to furnish additional information, finding the May 22 compliance filing to be deficient. On July 15, 2019, GridLiance filed a supplement to its original compliance filing. Agenda item E-4 may be an order addressing GridLiance's compliance filing.

E-5 – Idaho Power Company (Docket Nos. ER19-1936-000, ER19-1936-001). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 22, 2019, Idaho Power Company (IPC) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to IPC's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On June 13, 2019, the Commission directed IPC to furnish additional information, finding the May 22 compliance filing to be deficient. On July 30, 2019, IPC filed a supplement to its original compliance filing. Agenda item E-5 may be an order addressing IPC's compliance filing.

E-6 – ISO New England Inc. and Participating Transmission Owners Administrative Committee (Docket No. ER19-1951-000). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 22, 2019, ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to IPC's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On June 5, 2019, the New England Power Pool Participants Committee (NEPOOL) filed comments and a protest, stating that it generally supports the ISO-NE compliance filing with a few exceptions. The most notable exception is regarding the availability of Surplus Interconnection Service, where the ISO-NE proposal would contravene Commission policy by reducing the availability of such service for new resources. Agenda item E-6 may be an order addressing ISO-NE's compliance filing.

E-7 – Nevada Power Company (Docket No. ER19-1904-000). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 20, 2019, Nevada Power Company (Nevada Power) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to Nevada Power's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. Agenda item E-7 may be an order addressing Nevada Power's compliance filing.

E-8 – Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (Docket Nos. ER19-1947-000, ER19-1947-001). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On May 22, 2019, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (Puget Sound) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to Puget Sound's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On June 13, 2019, the Commission directed Puget Sound to furnish additional information, finding the May 22 compliance filing to be deficient. On July 15, 2019, Puget Sound filed a supplement to its original compliance filing. Agenda item E-8 may be an order addressing Puget Sound's compliance filing.

E-9 – Sky River LLC (Docket No. ER19-2112-000). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On June 12, 2019, Sky River LLC (Sky River) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to Sky River's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. Agenda item E-9 may be an order addressing Sky River's compliance filing.

E-10 – Smoky Mountain Transmission LLC (Docket Nos. ER19-2233-000, ER19-2233-001). In Order No. 845, the Commission adopted revisions to the Commission's pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) and pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) to, among other things, enable a new interconnection customer to utilize the unused portion of an existing interconnection customer's interconnection service within specific parameters. Order No. 845 required that a transmission provider's tariff must: (1) include a definition of surplus interconnection service; (2) provide an expedited interconnection process outside of the interconnection queue for surplus interconnection service; (3) allow affiliates of the original interconnection customers to use surplus interconnection service for another interconnecting generating facility; (4) allow for the transfer of surplus interconnection service that the original interconnection customer or one of its affiliates does not intend to use; and (5) specify what reliability-related studies and approvals are necessary to provide surplus interconnection service and ensure the reliable use of surplus interconnection service. On June 21, 2019, Smoky Mountain Transmission LLC (Smoky Mountain) submitted, pursuant to the directives in Commission Orders No. 845 and 845-A, a compliance filing containing revisions to Smoky Mountain's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) LGIP and LGIA. On July 12, 2019, Smoky Mountain filed an amendment to the June 21 compliance filing in order to include several new provisions incorporated into its LGIP. Agenda item E-10 may be an order addressing Smoky Mountain's compliance filing.

E-11 – Western Interconnect LLC (Docket No. ER19-2165-001). On June 14, 2019, Western Interconnect LLC (Western) submitted an Order No. 845 compliance filing (Compliance Filing) to amend Attachment M (Large Generator Interconnection Procedures Agreement) of its Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). On July 10, 2019, Western filed an amendment to its Compliance Filing to provide additional detail in Attachment M regarding Western's procedures for requests for supplemental interconnection service. Agenda item E-11 may be an order on Western's Compliance filing and related amendment.

E-12 – Omitted

E-13 – Omitted

E-14 – Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (Docket No. ER18-462-001). On December 15, 2017, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) filed the currently effective Resource Adequacy construct of its Open Access Transmission, Energy, and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff (Tariff) to provide certainty regarding the rules and requirements related to Resource Adequacy in the MISO region (MISO December Filing). The MISO December Filing requested that the Commission reaffirm that MISO's Resource Adequacy Tariff provisions are just and reasonable. On February 28, 2018, the Commission issued an order accepting the MISO December Filing (February Order). On March 30, 2018, numerous entities requested rehearing of the Commission's February Order. Agenda item E-14 may be an order on the requests for rehearing of the February Order.

E-15 – Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (Docket No. ER11-4081-006). On February 28, 2018, the Commission issued an order on remand (Order on Remand) addressing certain revisions to the resource adequacy construct in Module E of the MISO Tariff previously filed by MISO in 2011 (MISO 2011 Filing) and later conditionally accepted by the Commission subject to modification. The Order on Remand found that Commission modifications to the MISO 2011 Filing could be considered to be major modifications and that because the Commission could not find the MISO's 2011 Filing to be just and reasonable without such modifications, the Commission's conditional acceptance of the MISO 2011 Filing is reversed and the MISO 2011 Filing is rejected in its entirety. On March 30, 3018, the Midwest TDUs requested rehearing of the Order on Remand. Agenda item E-15 may be an order on the Midwest TDUs' request for rehearing.

E-16 – PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (Docket Nos. ER17-1138-002, ER17-1138-003). On November 17, 2017, the Commission issued an order, inter alia, accepting proposed revisions to PJM Interconnection L.L.C.'s (PJM) Open Access Transmission Tariff and Reliability Assurance Agreement that establish pseudo-tie requirements for new external resources that want to participate in PJM's forward capacity auctions and also establish a transition period with deliverability requirements to allow for existing pseudo-tied resources that had previously cleared a forward capacity auction to comply with such requirements (November Order). The November Order accepted PJM's proposed revision subject to conditions and a subsequent PJM compliance filing. On December 15, 2017, PJM filed its compliance filing as required by the November Order. On December 18, 2017, multiple entities requested rehearing of the November Order. Agenda item E-16 may be an order on the requests for rehearing and PJM's December 2017 compliance filing.

E-17 – ISO New England Inc., New England Power Pool Participants Committee, and Participating Transmission Owners Administrative Committee (Docket No. ER19-1952-000). On May 22, 2019, ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE), along with the New England Power Pool Participants Committee, and the PTO Administrative Committee, on behalf of the New England Participating Transmission Owners, submitted proposed revisions to Schedule 22 of the ISO-NE Open Access Transmission Tariff to shrink the scope of the interconnection feasibility study and enlarge the reasonable efforts timeframes for completing interconnection feasibility studies and interconnection system impact studies (May Filing). Agenda item E-17 may be an order on the ISO-NE's May Filing.

E-18 – Reporting of Transmission Investments (Docket No. RM20-11-000). Agenda item E-18 may be a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing regulations related to reporting of transmission investments.

E-19 – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.; Thermo Cogeneration Partnership, L.P. (Docket Nos. ER20-681-000, ER20-682-000). On December 23, 2019, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) and Thermo Cogeneration Partnership, L.P. (Thermo) each filed pursuant to section 205 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), applications for market-based rate (MBR) authority and associated waivers and blanket authorizations. Tri-State and Thermo's applications request MBR authority retroactively to September 3, 2019, when Tri-State became a public utility under the FPA upon the admission of Mieco, Inc. as a non-exempt member-owner of Tri-State (Thermo's parent). Numerous entities moved to intervene or protest in the proceedings. Agenda item E-19 may be an order on Tri-State and Thermo's applications for MBR authority.

E-20 – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Docket Nos. ER20-676-000, ER20-683-000, ER20-683-001, EL20-26-000). On December 23, 2019, pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, Tri-State filed its "Stated Rate Tariff" which establishes rates for the service Tri-State provides to its forty-three electric distribution cooperative and public power district members (Utility Members) under their existing wholesale contracts with Tri-State. Concurrently, and also pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, Tri-State resubmitted its initial filing of Rate Schedules FERC No. 1 through No. 43., which represent existing long-term, wholesale power supply contracts between Tri-State and its forty-three Utility Members. Agenda item E-20 may be an order on Tri-State's Stated Rate Tariff and Rate Schedules FERC No. 1 through No. 43.

E-21 – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Docket Nos. ER20-686-000, ER20-688-000, ER20-688-001, ER20-726-000, ER20-728-000, EL20-25-000). On December 26, 2019, pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, Tri-State submitted its proposed Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tri-State OATT), which establishes the rates, terms and conditions for transmission service over Tri-State's transmission facilities in the Western Interconnection. On December 27, 2019, pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, Tri-State filed certain pre-existing transmission service and related agreements between Tri-State and certain transmission customers and other counterparties that either deviate from the applicable form of service agreements in the Tri-State OATT or are otherwise required by the Commission's regulations to be filed. Agenda item E-21 may be an order on the Tri-State OATT and certain of its pre-existing transmission service and other related agreements.

E-22 – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Docket Nos. ER20-689-000, ER20-690-000, ER20-691-000, ER20-691-001, ER20-693-000, ER20-694-000, ER20-694-001, ER20-695-000, ER20-695-001, ER20-772-000, ER20-782-000, ER20-872-000 & ER20-970-000). The filings in the above-referenced dockets were submitted by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) to establish a comprehensive cost of service rate for the full requirements service that Tri-State provides to its electric distribution and cooperative and public power members as well as rate schedules consisting of existing long-term, full requirements wholesale power supply contracts between Tri-State and each of its members to which a stated rate apply. Agenda item E-22 may be an order on Tri-State's applications.

E-23 – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Docket No. EL20-16-000). On December 23, 2019, pursuant to sections 205 and 206 of the FPA, Tri-State filed a petition for declaratory order requesting the Commission terminate the controversy and remove uncertainty regarding the La Plata Electric Association, Inc. and United Power, Inc. complaints. Agenda item E-23 may be an order on Tri-State's petition for declaratory order.

E-24 – Omitted

E-25 – Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (Docket No. ER20-855-000). On January 21, 2020, pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) submitted a Request for Approval of Depreciation Rates used to calculate charges for transmission service provided under MISO's Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff (MISO Tariff). Agenda item E-25 may be an order on NIPSCO and MISO's request.

E-26 – Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (Docket Nos. ER20-170-000, ER20-170-001). On October 23, 2019, pursuant to section 205 of the FPA, MISO and the MISO Transmission Owners filed submitted revisions to the MISO Tariff to include a new Schedule 50 that will enable the MISO Transmission Owners' recovery from Interconnection Customers reasonable expenses, including overheads, associated with operation, maintenance, and repair of a Transmission Owner's Interconnection Facilities. On December 19, 2019, the Commission issued a deficiency letter requesting additional information regarding the October 23 filing. On January 21, 2020, MISO submitted a response to the Commission's deficiency letter. Agenda item E-26 may be an order on the MISO Transmission Owners and MISO's request.

E-27 – Public Citizen, Inc. v. Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., The People of the State of Illinois By Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan v. Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., Dynegy, Inc. and Sellers of Capacity into Zone 4 of the 2015-2016 MISO Planning Resource Auction (Docket Nos. EL15-70-002, EL15-71-002, EL15-72-002). The above-referenced proceedings concerned four complaints filed with the Commission in May and June 2015 regarding the response of the MISO 2015/16 Planning Resource Auction (Auction) for Local Resource Zone 4 (Zone 4). On December 31, 2015, the Commission issued an order addressing those portions of the Complaints that challenged the justness and reasonableness of provisions of MISO's Tariff governing the Auction, granting the Complaints in part and finding, among other things, that certain provisions in the Tariff associated with market power mitigation and with calculating Capacity Import Limits were no longer just and reasonable for prospective application. On July 19, 2019, the Commission issued an order on the remaining arguments raised in the Complaint, dismissing the remaining claims and finding the results of the 2015/2016 Auction for Zone 4 was just and reasonable. On August 19, 2019, Public Citizen, Inc. filed a request for rehearing of the Commission's July 19 order. Agenda item E-27 may be an order on the request for rehearing.

E-28 – Omitted

E-29 – Mountain Breeze Wind, LLC (Docket No. TX19-1-000). On December 28, 2018, Mountain Breeze Wind, LLC (Mountain Breeze), pursuant to section 210 and 211 of the FPA, submitted an application requesting the Commission issue a proposed and final order requiring Cedar Creek Wind Energy LLC (Cedar Creek) provide interconnection and transmission services to Mountain Breeze's proposed 170 MW wind-powered generating facility located in Weld County, Colorado. Agenda item E-29 may be an order on Mountain Breeze's application.

E-30 – Modesto Irrigation District and Turlock Irrigation District v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (Docket No. EL15-55-003). This proceeding involves a complaint by Modesto Irrigation District (Modesto) and Turlock Irrigation District (Turlock) against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) alleging that PG&E breached certain interconnection agreements. On May 15, 2019, the Commission issued an order on remand from the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit finding that PG&E breached the interconnection agreements as alleged by Modesto and Turlock and directing PG&E to undertake a study in accordance with section 9.11.1 of the interconnection agreements. On June 5, 2019, Turlock and Modesto filed a motion for clarification of the Commission's May 15 order. On June 14, 2019, PG&E filed a request for rehearing of the Commission's May 15 order. Agenda item E-30 may be an order on the requests for rehearing and/or clarification.

E-31 – NYC ENERGY LLC (Docket No. ER20-629-000). On December 18, 2019, NYC ENERGY LLC (NYCE), pursuant to Rule 207 of the Commission's rules, filed a request for a limited waiver of section 30.3.6 of Attachment X of the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT), such that NYCE's Interconnection Request is reinstated as an active request holding position 522 in the New York Independent System Operator, Inc.'s (NYISO) interconnection queue. Agenda item E-31 may be an order on NYCE's request for limited waiver.

 

Hydro

H-1 – Premium Energy Holdings, LLC (Docket No. P-14991-001). On July 12, 2019, Premium Energy Holdings, LLC (Premium Energy) filed an application for a preliminary permit for the Haiwee Pumped Storage Project. On July 18, 2019 and January 30, 2020, the Commission issued a deficiency letter informing Premium Energy that its July 12 application was deficient and requesting additional information. Premium Energy submitted information in response to the Commission's deficiency letters on August 22, 2019 and February 12, 2020, respectively. Agenda item H-1 may be an order on Premium Energy's application.

H-2 – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (Docket Nos. P-606-027, P-606-037). On May 15, 2019, as supplemented January 30, 2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed, pursuant to Rule 207(a)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a petition for declaratory order requesting that the Commission declare that the California State Water Resources Control Board has waived its authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to issue a water quality certification with respect to PG&E's pending application to surrender its license for the Project. Agenda item H-2 may be an order addressing the petition for declaratory order.

H-3 – Essex Company, LLC (Docket No. P-2800-050). On June 7, 2017, City of Lawrence, Conservation Law Foundation, Inc., Groundwork Lawrence, Inc., Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc., 60 Island Street, LLC, Everett Mills Real Estate, LLC, GES Realty LLC and Pacific Mills Acquisition LLC (collectively Complainants) filed a complaint requesting that the Commission issue an order enforcing the provisions of the Lawrence Hydroelectric Project license that require Essex Company, LLC (Essex) to, among other things: avoid any adverse impact on the historic project works known as the North and South Canals; duplicate their historic operation as water conveyances; maintain and perpetuate the cultural and historic character of the area in which the Canals are located; protect them from the degradations of pollution; and enhance the public availability and enjoyment of their cultural and historical character. On August 8, 2019, the Commission's Office of Energy Projects – Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC) issued a Response to Complaint, finding that Essex is not in violation of its license and directed Essex to take certain specified actions, including making repairs to the walkways at both ends of the North Canal, filing an updated public safety plan, filing information concerning whether the North and South Canals should be removed from the project license, filing a trash plan, filing signage proposals for the Carriage House and cooperating with the City of Lawrence concerning bridges within the project boundary. On September 9, 2019, Complainants filed a request for rehearing of the DHAC Response to Complaint. Agenda item H-3 may be an order addressing the request for rehearing.

 

Certificates

C-1 – PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC (Docket No. CP19-78-000). On February 1, 2019, Penn East Pipeline Company, LLC (PennEast) submitted, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application for an amendment to a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the PennEast Pipeline Project. On January 19, 2018, the Commission granted PennEast a Certificate to construct the Project, which includes approximately 116 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline, three (3) lateral pipelines, one (1) compressor station, and related facilities to provide up to 1,107,000 dekatherms per day of new firm natural gas transportation capacity. Since the Certificate Order, PennEast has identified four modifications to the Pennsylvania portion of the Project design, route, workspace, and construction methods that will enable it to further minimize impacts of the Project. On September 20, 2019, Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment concluding that approval of the proposed Project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Agenda item C-1 may be an order addressing the application for an amendment to the CPCN.

C-2 – Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (Docket No. CP19-475-000). On June 3, 2019, Gulfstream Natural Gas Systems, LLC (Gulfstream) submitted, pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an abbreviated application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Phase IV Expansion Project. The Project is designed to create approximately 78,000 dekatherms per day of mainline capacity from existing points of receipt in Mississippi and Alabama to an existing point of delivery in Manatee County, Florida. On January 16, 2020, Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment concluding that approval of the Project would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Agenda item C-2 may be an order addressing the CPCN application.

C-3 – Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC (Docket No. CP19-474-000). On May 31, 2019, Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC (FGT) submitted, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct, own, and operate facilities consisting of (i) approximately 13.7 miles of 30-inch pipeline loop extension in Columbia and Union Counties; (ii) approximately 7.0 miles of 30-inch pipeline loop extension in Clay and Putnam Counties; (iii) relocation of associated pig receiver stations from Columbia County to Union County, and from Clay County to Putnam County; and (iv) modifications at FGT's existing Compressor Station (CS) 18 in Orange County to allow compressor unit #1805 to have bi-directional gas flow capability into FGT's existing mainline (Putnam Expansion Project). On December 6, 2019, Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment concluding that approval of the Project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Agenda item C-3 may be an order addressing the CPCN application.

C-4 – Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Docket No. CP19-125-000). On March 29, 2019, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) submitted, pursuant to Sections 7(c) and 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an abbreviated application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct, operate, and maintain (i) approximately 22 miles of 30-inch diameter natural gas pipeline which will parallel along existing utility rights-of-way, including Gulf South's existing Index 99 located in San Augustine and Sabine Counties, Texas and (ii) other auxiliary appurtenant facilities at both the existing Hall Summit Compressor Station in Bienville Parish Louisiana and the Magasco Compressor Station in Sabine County, Texas (Index 99 Expansion Project). On November 22, 2019, Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment concluding that if Gulf South constructs and operates the proposed facilities in accordance with its application, supplements, and staff's recommended mitigation measures below, approval of the Index 99 Expansion Project would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Agenda item C-4 may be an order addressing the abbreviated CPCN application.

C-5 – ANR Pipeline Company (Docket No. CP20-1-000). On October 1, 2019, as supplemented October 22, 2019 and November 1, 2019, ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) submitted, pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an abbreviated application requesting the authorizations necessary to abandon leases and acquire storage assets from Mid Michigan Gas Storage Company. On October 8, 2019, Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment Report concluding that the proposed abandonment by sale qualifies as a categorical exclusion. Agenda item C-5 may be an order addressing the abbreviated application requesting authority for abandonment.

C-6 – Texas Eastern Transmission, LP and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Docket Nos. CP18-485-001, CP18-505-001). On May 17, 2018, Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) jointly submitted, pursuant to Sections 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application requesting approval to abandon Line 41-A-5-B and related facilities, located in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of Louisiana. On June 18, 2018, Texas Eastern submitted, pursuant to Sections 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application requesting approval to abandon certain onshore and offshore facilities comprising the Cameron System in Louisiana and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. On July 18, 2018, the Commission issued an order granting the requested abandonment authority. On August 19, 2019, Peregrine Oil & Gas II filed, pursuant to Rules 212 and 713 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a motion for an emergency stay and a request for rehearing of the Commission's order granting abandonment authority. Agenda item C-6 may be an order addressing the abbreviated application requesting authority for abandonment.

C-7 – Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P.; Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP (Docket Nos. CP17-495-000, CP17-494-000). On September 21, 2017, Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P. (Jordan Cove) submitted, pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application for authorization to site, construct, and operate a liquefied natural gas terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon, capable of liquefying up to 1.04 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for export to overseas markets (Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project). On September 21, 2017, Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP (PCGP) submitted, pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct and operate a natural gas transmission pipeline providing about 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Malin hub to the Jordan Cove terminal, crossing portions of Klamath, Jackson, Douglas, and Coos Counties, Oregon (Pacific Connector). On November 15, 2019, Commission staff issued an Environmental Impact Statement concluding that approval of both the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project and the Pacific Connector would result in a number of significant environmental impacts; however, the majority of impacts would be less than significant because of the impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures proposed by Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector and those recommended by staff in the EIS. Agenda item C-7 may be an order addressing the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project and Pacific Connector applications.

 

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