Pacific Transmission Rates Extended Unchanged Until 2031
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The Western Area Power Administration is keeping the same formula rates for the Pacific Alternating Current Intertie transmission service in the Sierra Nevada region, just updating the dates. These rates start April 1, 2026, and will last until March 31, 2031, unless changed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This means customers using this transmission service can expect steady pricing with no surprises for the next five years.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Existing PACI Formula Rates Continued
If you are a customer of Western Area Power Administration Sierra Nevada (WAPA-SN) using the PACI point-to-point transmission service, the existing formula rates remain unchanged except for updated dates. These Provisional Formula Rates are effective on the first full billing period on or after April 1, 2026, and will remain in effect through March 31, 2031, pending FERC approval.
Monthly Billing for Reserved Capacity
WAPA-SN will bill customers monthly for the maximum amount of capacity reserved for periods from 1 hour up to 1 month, and those charges are payable whether the reserved capacity is used or not. Billing for reserved capacity begins under the effective rate period starting on or after April 1, 2026.
Pass-Through of Charges and Credits
The PACI formula rate includes Components 2 and 3 to pass through any charges or credits from FERC-approved tariff, contract, or rate schedule changes and any charges or credits from the Host Balancing Authority directly to relevant customers. WAPA-SN will pass through such charges or credits directly when possible, or allocate them via Component 1 when direct pass-through is not possible.
Rates Designed to Recover Project Costs
WAPA-SN states the provisional cost-based formula rates will provide sufficient revenue to recover annual operation, maintenance, replacement expenses, interest expense, and capital repayment requirements, and that the equitable formula rates will aid and benefit the Central Valley Project by offsetting project power costs. These rate objectives apply during the April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031 period.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14901, Desert Southwest Region and Western Area Lower Colorado Balancing Authority-Rate Order No. WAPA-222
The Desert Southwest Region and Western Area Lower Colorado Balancing Authority are keeping their current power and transmission rates the same, but extending them from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031. This means customers won’t see any price changes for these services for the next five years. The extension helps keep the lights on smoothly without surprise costs for everyone involved.
2026-12068, Boulder Canyon Project
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2026-06002, 2028 Resource Pool-Parker-Davis Project, Final Power Allocations
The Western Area Power Administration just finalized how it’ll share new hydropower from the Parker-Davis Project starting October 1, 2028. This affects current and new power customers by adjusting their power amounts and creating a special resource pool for new users. The changes kick in April 27, 2026, with service beginning in 2028, helping more folks get clean, reliable energy.
2025-20296, Boulder Canyon Project
Starting October 1, 2025, the Boulder Canyon Project’s electric service rates will go up by 2.5%, raising the base charge from $74.3 million to $76.2 million for fiscal year 2026. This change mainly affects the power customers who get electricity from Hoover Dam and is due to less leftover money from last year. These new rates will stay in effect through September 30, 2026.
2025-16885, 2028 Resource Pool-Parker-Davis Project, Proposed Power Allocations
The Western Area Power Administration is sharing its plan for how it will divide up power from the Parker-Davis Project in 2028. This affects businesses and communities that applied by January 31, 2025, and could change how much power they get and what they pay. The public can now review the list and share their thoughts before the plan is finalized.
2025-15235, Proposed Collections From Central Valley Project Power Contractors To Carry Out the Restoration, Improvement and Acquisition of Environmental Habitat Provisions of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992
The Western Area Power Administration’s Sierra Nevada region is keeping the same rules for collecting payments from Central Valley Project power contractors to help restore and improve the environment. These rules replace older ones but don’t change how much or when contractors pay. This update just cleans up paperwork and removes some outdated references.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01328, Notice of Petition for Modification of Waiver of Compliance
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Alstom, and Hallcon want to update a special safety agreement for Metrolink train workers. They’re adding a new company, Joshua Grading and Excavating, and including former Amtrak employees now working for Alstom. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by February 23, 2026—this won’t cost anyone extra but helps keep trains safe and smooth!
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The Desert Southwest Region of the Western Area Power Administration is extending its current electricity service rates without any changes through September 30, 2031. This affects customers using balancing authority and transmission services in the Lower Colorado area, keeping costs steady for the next five years. The public can comment on this extension from January 26 to March 27, 2026.