|
<br />I
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />,
<br />
<br />VI. Public Coordination
<br />
<br />There are published "Procedures for Public Participation in General Adjust-
<br />ments in Rates for Power Marketed by the Western Area Powerc Admi ni strat ion"
<br />(43 Fed. Reg. 12080, Mar. 23, 1978, .as amended.Qr 44 Fed. Reg. 7797,
<br />Feb. 7, 1979). The following discusSTon summarizes the steps Western has
<br />taken to assure involvement of interested parties in the rate process,
<br />including consideration of associated environmental matters.
<br />
<br />The August 1978 Power Repayment Study indicated that a 38% rate increase (at
<br />58.2% Load Factor) would be necessary to provide the required revenue. At
<br />the request of the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA),
<br />meetings were held with CREDA representatives on December 19, 1978, on
<br />January 19, 1979, and March 30, 1979 to discuss the matter. All CRSP
<br />customers were formally invited to the CREDA meetings. At the first meeting,
<br />copies of a draft of the proposed power rate brochure were distributed to
<br />those present. At the three meetings, questions were asked by CREDA repre-
<br />sentatives and written answers were distributed at the meetings or mailed
<br />subsequently. A list of all customers individually invited to attend the
<br />meetings is attached as "Exhibit AU to this assessment.
<br />
<br />Federal Register Notice 44 FR 19533 (April 3, 1979) announced the proposed
<br />CRSP rate adjustment and the public information and comment forums for public
<br />participation. This notice was subsequently amended by Federal Register
<br />Notices 44 FR 24154 (April 24, 1979) and 44 FR 30759 (May 29, 19(9) to add
<br />references to Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) standards and
<br />written comments. A press release was issued on April 3, 1979, to announce
<br />the proposed rate adjustment and the forums. On April 5, 1979, letters were
<br />sent to customers and other interested parties to announce the proposed rate
<br />adjustment and forums and transmit copies of the CRSP brochure dated April
<br />1979, entitled "Proposed Power Rate Adjustment." Public information forums
<br />were held on the proposed rate increase in Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City,
<br />Utah; and Denver, Colorado, on April 24, 25, and 26, 1979, respectively. At
<br />those forums numerous customers and other interested persons were in atten-
<br />dance. Procedures were reviewed, a summary of the brochure was presented, and
<br />all questions asked were answered at the forums by Western representatives or
<br />answered in writing before June 1, 1979.
<br />
<br />In accordance with notices previously given, as referred to above, and
<br />reminder notices given by May 10, 1979, letters to customers and June 6, 1979,
<br />press releases, a publiC comment forum was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on
<br />June 26, 1979, with customers and other interested persons in attendance.
<br />Written comments were received until the close of the comment period on
<br />July 11, 1979.
<br />
<br />Several of the customers' comments seemed to merit further consideration,
<br />and a revised repayment study was made in August 1979. By means of an
<br />August 22, 1979, letter to all customers, an August 24, 1979, Federal Register
<br />Notice (44 FR 49785), and a press release dated August 24, 1979, announcement
<br />was made of another public information forum to be held in Salt Lake City,
<br />Utah on September 5, 1979. At this forum, a revised proposed rate increase
<br />of 23.8 percent was announced and copies were distributed of the August 1979
<br />revised repayment study,'the overhead projections used at the forum, and a
<br />
<br />13
<br />
|