Notice2025-16340
Southwestern Power Administration; Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project-Rate Order No. SWPA-88
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 26, 2025
Effective
October 1, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The Acting Administrator of the Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern) has confirmed, approved and placed into effect on an interim basis Rate Order No. SWPA-88 (Rate Order), which provides the rate schedule Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy at Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (RDW-23). This new rate schedule for the Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) replaces the existing power rate under Rate Schedule RDW-15 which expires on September 30, 2025. Rate Schedule RDW-23 increases the annual wholesale power rate for Willis by 28.6 percent.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 163 (Tuesday, August 26, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 26, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41559-41561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16340]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration; Robert D. Willis Hydropower
Project--Rate Order No. SWPA-88
AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of rate order.
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SUMMARY: The Acting Administrator of the Southwestern Power
Administration (Southwestern) has confirmed, approved and placed into
effect on an interim basis Rate Order No. SWPA-88 (Rate Order), which
provides the rate schedule Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy
at Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (RDW-23). This new rate schedule
for the Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) replaces
the existing power rate under Rate Schedule RDW-15 which expires on
September 30, 2025. Rate Schedule RDW-23 increases the annual wholesale
power rate for Willis by 28.6 percent.
DATES: The effective period for the rate schedule specified in Rate
Order No. SWPA-88 is October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027,
pending confirmation and approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) on a final basis, or until superseded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer, Southwestern Power Administration,
(918) 595-6684 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e786c776a767f307176726d71705e6d696e7f30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3751455e435f5619585f5b445859774440475619505841">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 15, 2016, FERC confirmed and
approved Rate Schedule RDW-15 under Rate Order No. SWPA-70 on a final
basis through September 30, 2019. Rate Schedule RDW-15 was subsequently
extended through September 30, 2025. Southwestern published a Federal
Register notice (Proposed FRN) on May 16, 2025 (90 FR 21029), proposing
to increase the annual rate by approximately 28.6 percent from
$1,282,836 to $1,650,648. The Proposed FRN also initiated a 30-day
public consultation and comment period. No written comments were
received.
Following review of the proposal, Rate Order No. SWPA-88, which
provides the rate for the hydro power and energy from Robert D. Willis
Hydropower Project, is hereby confirmed, approved, and placed into
effect on an interim basis. Southwestern will submit Rate Order No.
SWPA-88 to FERC for confirmation and approval on a final basis.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Department of Energy
Acting Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration
In the matter of: Southwestern Power Administration), Robert D. Willis
Hydropower Project Rate Schedule, Rate Order No. SWPA-88
Order Confirming, Approving, and Placing Increased Power Rate Schedule
in Effect on an Interim Basis ( )
Pursuant to sections 301(b) and 302(a) of the Department of Energy
Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7152(a), 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 Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), were transferred
to, and vested in the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. S1-
DEL-RATES-2016, effective November 19, 2016, the Secretary of Energy
delegated: (1) the authority to develop power and transmission rates to
Southwestern's Administrator; (2) the authority to confirm, approve,
and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Deputy
Secretary of Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm, approve, and
place into effect on a final basis, or to remand or disapprove such
rates, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). By
Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-S3-2024, effective August 30, 2024, the
Secretary of Energy also delegated the authority to confirm, approve,
and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Under
Secretary for Infrastructure. By Redelegation Order No. S3-DEL-SWPA1-
2023, effective April 10, 2023, the Under Secretary for Infrastructure
redelegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the Southwestern Administrator.
Background
On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order No. SWPA-70, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy placed into effect the current Robert D. Willis
Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) rate schedule (RDW-15) on an
interim basis for the period January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2019.
FERC confirmed and approved RDW-15 on a final basis on June 15, 2016,
for a period ending September 30, 2019. On September 22, 2019, in Rate
Order No.
[[Page 41560]]
SWPA-76, the Assistant Secretary for Electricity extended RDW-15 for
two years, for the period of October 1, 2019, through September 30,
2021. On August 30, 2021, in Rate Order No. SWPA-79, the Administrator,
Southwestern, extended RDW-15 for two years, for the period of October
1, 2021, through September 30, 2023. On September 25, 2023, in Rate
Order No. SWPA-83, the Administrator, Southwestern, temporarily
extended RDW-15 for one year, for the period of October 1, 2023,
through September 30, 2024. On September 13, 2024, in Rate Order No.
SWPA-86, the Administrator, Southwestern, temporarily extended RDW-15
for one year, for the period of October 1, 2024, through September 30,
2025.
Discussion
Southwestern's current rate schedule for the Robert D. Willis
isolated rate system, RDW-15, is based on the 2015 Power Repayment
Studies (PRS). Each subsequent annual PRS from 2016 through 2022
indicated the need for a revenue adjustment within a plus or minus five
percent range of the current revenue estimate. It is Southwestern's
practice for the Administrator to defer, on a case-by-case basis,
revenue adjustments that are within plus or minus five percent of the
revenue estimated from the current rate schedule. Therefore, the
Administrator deferred revenue adjustments annually for Robert D.
Willis through 2022. Southwestern prepared a 2023 Current PRS which
indicated that the existing power rate would not satisfy present
financial criteria regarding repayment of investment within a 50-year
period due to increased operations and maintenance expenses as well as
increased cost of replacements in the hydroelectric generating
facilities. The 2023 Revised PRS indicates the need for an increase in
annual revenues of $367,812 (28.6 percent) is necessary to accomplish
repayment in the required number of years. Accordingly, Southwestern
has prepared a new proposed rate schedule (RDW-23) based on the
additional revenue requirement to ensure repayment.
Southwestern conducted the rate adjustment proceeding in accordance
with title 10, part 903, subpart A of the Code of Federal Regulations
(10 CFR part 903), ``Procedures for Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions.'' Opportunities for
public review and comment during a 30-day period on the proposed Robert
D. Willis power rate were announced by a Federal Register notice
published on May 16, 2025 (90 FR 21029), with written comments due June
16, 2025. Southwestern published the Federal Register notice, the
proposed rate schedule, and the draft 2023 PRS on its website for
interested parties to review and comment upon during the public comment
period.
Following the conclusion of the comment period on June 16, 2025,
Southwestern finalized the Power Repayment Studies and Rate Schedule
RDW-23 for the proposed annual rate of $1,650,648 which is the lowest
possible rate needed to satisfy the repayment criteria set forth within
the provisions of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2.
This rate represents an annual increase of 28.6 percent. The Acting
Administrator made the decision to approve the rate proposal for
implementation.
Southwestern will continue to perform its Power Repayment Studies
annually, and if the 2025 results should indicate the need for
additional revenues, another rate adjustment proceeding will be
conducted to implement the updated revenue requirements.
Comments and Responses
Southwestern did not receive any written comments during the 30-day
public review and comment period.
Availability of Information
Information regarding the rate adjustment proceeding, including the
Final 2023 PRS and Rate Proposal, for Rate Schedule RDW-23 is available
for public review in the offices of Southwestern Power Administration,
6655 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136. Rate Schedule RDW-23 is
available on Southwestern's website at <a href="http://www.energy.gov/swpa/rates-and-repayment">www.energy.gov/swpa/rates-and-repayment</a>.
Certification of Rates
I have certified that the provisional rate under Rate Schedule RDW-
23 is the lowest possible rate consistent with sound business
principles. The rate was developed following administrative policies
and applicable laws.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
Southwestern has determined that this action fits within the
following categorical exclusions listed in appendix B to subpart D of
10 CFR 1021.410: B4.3 (Electric power marketing rate changes).
Categorically excluded projects and activities do not require
preparation of either an environmental impact statement or an
environmental assessment. A copy of the categorical exclusion
determination is available on Southwestern's website at <a href="http://www.energy.gov/swpa/southwestern-power-administration">www.energy.gov/swpa/southwestern-power-administration</a>.
Determination Under Executive Order 12866
Southwestern has an exemption from centralized regulatory review
under Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice
by the Office of Management and Budget is required.
Submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Rate Schedule RDW-23 herein confirmed, approved, and placed into
effect on an interim basis, together with supporting documents, will be
submitted to FERC for confirmation and final approval.
Order
In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated to
me by the Secretary of Energy, I hereby confirm, approve and place in
effect on an interim basis, effective October 1, 2025, Rate Schedule
RDW-23, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy at Robert D. Willis
Hydropower Project. The rate schedule shall remain in effect on a
temporary basis through September 30, 2027, or until the FERC confirms
and approves the rate on a final basis, or until it is superseded by a
subsequent rate.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 20,
2025, by Marshall Boyken, Acting Administrator for Southwestern Power
Administration, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of
Energy. That document, with the original signature and date, is
maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance
with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as
an official document of DOE. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC on August 22, 2025.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of
Energy.
[[Page 41561]]
Rate Schedule RDW-23
(Supersedes Rate Schedule RDW-15)
Effective October 1, 2025
United States Department of Energy Southwestern Power Administration
Rate Schedule RDW-23
Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy at Robert D. Willis
Hydropower Project
Effective
During the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, in
accordance with interim approval from Rate Order No. SWPA-88 issued by
the Acting Administrator on August 20, 2025, and pursuant to final
approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Applicable
To the power and energy purchased from the Southwestern Power
Administration (Southwestern) for the sale of all Hydro Power and
Energy generated at the Robert Douglas Willis Hydropower Project
(Robert D. Willis) (formerly designated as Town Bluff).
Character and Conditions of Service
Three-phase, alternating current, delivered at approximately 60
Hertz, at the nominal voltage, at the point of delivery, and in such
quantities as are specified by contract.
1. Wholesale Rates, Terms, and Conditions for Hydro Power and Energy
1.1. These rates shall be applicable regardless of the quantity of
Hydro Power and Energy available or delivered; provided, however, that
if an Uncontrollable Force prevents utilization of both of the
project's power generating units for an entire billing period, and if
during such billing period water releases were being made which
otherwise would have been used to generate Hydro Power and Energy, then
Southwestern shall, upon request, suspend billing for subsequent
billing periods, until such time as at least one of the project's
generating units is again available.
1.2. The term ``Uncontrollable Force,'' as used herein, shall mean
any force which is not within the control of the party affected,
including, but not limited to, failure of water supply, failure of
facilities, flood, earthquake, storm, lightning, fire, epidemic, riot,
civil disturbance, labor disturbance, sabotage, war, acts of war,
terrorist acts, or restraint by court of general jurisdiction, which by
exercise of due diligence and foresight such party could not reasonably
have been expected to avoid.
1.3. Hydro Power Rates, Term, and Conditions:
1.3.1. Charge for the Period of October 1, 2025, through September
30, 2027 $137,554 per month ($1,650,648 per year) for Robert D. Willis
Hydro Power and Energy purchased from October 1, 2025, through
September 30, 2027.
[FR Doc. 2025-16340 Filed 8-25-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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