[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68758-68759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33021]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2852-000-NY]
New York State Electronic & Gas Corporation; Notice of New York
Electric & Gas Corporation's Request To Use Alternative Procedures in
Filing a License Application
December 8, 1998.
On November 27, 1998, the existing licensee, New York State
Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG), filed a request to use alternative
procedures for submitting an application for non-power license for the
existing Keuka Hydroelectric Project No. 2852. The project is located
on Keuka Lake, Waneta Lake, Lamoka Lake, and Mud Creek, in Steuben and
Schuyler Counties, New York.
The project consists of: (1) The 183-foot-long and 13-foot-high
Bradford dam; (2) a 74,000-acre-foot reservoir comprising Waneta and
Lamoka Lakes; (3) a 9,288-foot-long canal; (4) a 3,600-foot-long
penstock; (5) an 835-foot-long penstock; (6) a powerhouse with a single
2,000-kw generating unit; and (7) appurtenant facilities. NYSEG has
demonstrating that it has made an effort to contact all resource
agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and
others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus exists that the
use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case.
NYSEG has submitted a communications protocol that is supported by
most interested entities.
The purpose of this notice is to invited any additional comments on
NYSEG's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section
4.34(i) of the Communication's regulations.\1\ Additional notices
seeking comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and
protests, and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a
later date.
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\1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the licensing of
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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The alternative procedures being requested here combine the
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process,
allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment
(EA) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This process
differs from the traditional way the applicant prepares a license
application because the prefiling consultation with agencies, Indian
tribes, and NGOs is done concurrently with the environmental review
process
[[Page 68759]]
rather than waiting for the Commission staff to conduct its
environmental review of the application after it is filed with the
Commission. The alternative procedures are intended to simplify and
expedite the licensing process by combining the prefiling consultation
and environmental review processes into a single process, to facilitate
greater participation, and to improve communication and cooperation
among the participants.
Applicant Prepared EA Process and Keuka Project Schedule
NYSEG has distributed an Information Package for the proposed
project to state and federal resource agencies, and NGOs. NYSEG has met
with the participants on September 19, 1998, October 20, 1998, and
November 20, 1998 to discuss the alternative licensing process and
potential issues by the participants. NYSEG has submitted a proposed
schedule for the alternative licensing process that leads to the filing
of a non-power license application by February 2001.
Comments
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any comments on NYSEG's proposal to use the
alternative procedures to file an application for the Keuka
Hydroelectric Project.
Filing Requirements
The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the
Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number
(Keuka Hydroelectric Project No. 2852).
For further information on this process, please contact William
Guey-Lee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2908 or
E-mail at william.gueylee@fer.fed.us.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-33021 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
