Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Approves Market-Based Rate Tariff for Ensign Wind Energy

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a market-based rate tariff for Ensign Wind Energy, LLC, allowing the company to sell energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates. The approval includes waivers for certain accounting and reporting requirements, as well as authorization for the issuance of securities and assumption of liabilities.

Ensign Wind Energy, LLC, a wind energy company owned by Stargrass Class A Holdings, LLC, has been granted market-based rate authority for its 98.9-megawatt wind generating facility in Gray and Meade Counties, Kansas. The company's proposed market-based rate tariff was accepted for filing, effective August 30, 2021, and will be subject to Electric Quarterly Reports (EQR) with the Commission.

The Commission's approval is based on the company's representations that it satisfies the requirements for market-based rate authority regarding horizontal and vertical market power. The company has also been designated as a Category 2 seller in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) region and as a Category 1 seller in all other regions.

Key Takeaways:

• Ensign Wind Energy, LLC has been granted market-based rate authority for its wind generating facility in Kansas.
• The company's proposed market-based rate tariff provides for the sale of energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates.
• The Commission has waived certain accounting and reporting requirements for the company, including the filing of cost-of-service information and accounting and reporting requirements under Part 41 and Part 141 of the Commission's regulations.
• The company has been authorized to issue securities and assume liabilities, subject to certain conditions.
• The company must file Electric Quarterly Reports (EQR) with the Commission, consistent with Order Nos. 2001 and 768.

Statistics:

• 98.9 megawatts, the capacity of Ensign Wind Energy's wind generating facility in Kansas
• 2, the number of categories for sellers in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) region
• 1, the number of category for sellers in all other regions
• August 30, 2021, the effective date of the market-based rate tariff
• 30 days, the timeframe for filing a request for rehearing by the Commission

Sources:

• Ensign Wind Energy, LLC, Application for Market-Based Rate Authority, Docket No. ER21-2296-000.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Order No. ER21-2296, August 20, 2021.
• Market-Based Rates for Wholesale Sales of Electric Energy, Capacity, and Ancillary Services by Public Utilities, Order No. 697, 119 FERC P 61,295.
• Open Access and Priority Rights on Interconnection Customer's Interconnection Facilities, Order No. 807, 150 FERC P 61,211.