[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 25844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12998]
[[Page 25844]]
Rural Utilities Service
Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Intent
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to hold scoping meeting and prepare an
environmental assessment and/or environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS),
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and RUS
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794) may prepare an
Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for its Federal action related to a proposal by Alabama Electric
Cooperative to construct two combustion turbines at the site of their
existing McIntosh Power Plant located in McIntosh, Alabama. RUS may
provide financing assistance to Alabama Electric Cooperative for
project construction costs.
MEETING INFORMATION: RUS will conduct a scoping meeting in an open
house forum on June 27, 1996, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the McIntosh
Power Plant located on the west side of Highway 43 at mile marker 41 in
McIntosh, Alabama.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior Environmental
Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Ag.
Box 1571, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250, telephone
(202) 720-1784.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alabama Electric Cooperative proposes to
construct two 113 megawatt (MW) combustion turbine generators adjacent
to its existing McIntosh Power Plant. This power plant is located just
west of U.S. Highway 43 near the center of Section 1, Township 3 north,
Range 1 west in Washington County, Alabama, just south of McIntosh.
Alternatives to be considered by RUS and Alabama Electric
Cooperative to Alabama Electric Cooperative constructing the generation
facility proposed include: (a) No action, (b) purchase of peaking
capacity from independent power producers, co-generators, and other
electric utilities, and (c) constructing the proposed generation
facilities at alternative site locations.
To be presented at the public scoping meeting will be an
alternative evaluation and siting-study prepared by Alabama Electric
Cooperative. The alternative evaluation and siting study is available
for public review at RUS at the address provided in this notice or at
Alabama Electric Cooperative, U. S. Highway 29 North, Andalusia,
Alabama 36420. It can also be reviewed at the libraries in McIntosh and
Chatom, Alabama.
Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed
project. Representatives from RUS and Alabama Electric Cooperative will
be available to discuss RUS's environmental review process, describe
the project and alternatives under consideration, discuss the scope of
environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and accept
oral and written comments. Written comments will be accepted for at
least 30 days after the June 27th public scoping meeting. Written
comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided in this notice.
From information provided in the alternative evaluation and siting
study, input that may be provided by government agencies, private
organizations, and the public, Alabama Electric Cooperative will
prepare an environmental analysis to be submitted to RUS for review. If
significant impacts are not evident based on a review of the
environmental analysis and other relevant information, RUS will prepare
an environmental assessment to determine if the preparation of an EIS
is warranted.
Should RUS determine that the preparation of an EIS is not
warranted, it will prepare a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
The FONSI will be made available for public review and comment for 30
days. RUS will not take its final action related to the project prior
to the expiration of the 30-day period.
Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental
procedures as prescribed by CEQ and RUS environmental policies and
procedures.
Dated: May 17, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator--Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-12998 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
