[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 17164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9160]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2177, GA]
Georgia Power Company; Notice of Georgia Power Company's Request
to Use Alternative Procedures In Preparing a License Application
April 2, 1998
On March 23, 1998, the existing licensee, Georgia Power Company
(GPC), filed a request to use alternative procedures for submitting an
application for new license for the existing Middle Chattahoochee
Project No. 2177.\1\ GPC has demonstrated that they have made an effort
to contact resource agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs), and others affected by their proposal, and that a
consensus exists that the use of an alternative procedure is
appropriate in this case.
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\1\ The 115.7-megawatt Middle Chattahoochee project is located
on the Chattahoochee River in Harris and Muscogeee Counties,
Georgia, and Chambers, Lee and Russell Counties, Alabama. The
project consists of three developments; Goat Rock, Oliver Dan, and
North Highlands.
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The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on GPC's request
to use the alternative procedure pursuant to Section 4.34(i) of the
Commission's regulations.\2\ 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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\2\ Order No. 596, Regulations for 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 document
(NEPA document) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This
differs from the traditional process, in which the applicant consults
with agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the
application for the license and before filing it, but the Commission
staff performs the environmental review after the application is filed.
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.
Comments
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any comments on GPC's proposal to use the
alternative procedures to prepare an application to relicense the
Middle Chattachoochee 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 Procedure,'' and include the project name and number
(Middle Chattahoochee Project, No. 2177).
For further information, please contact Ronald McKitrick of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 770-452-2363 ext. 44 or E-mail
at [email protected]
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.
Acting Secretary
[FR Doc. 98-9160 Filed 4-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
