2024-12181. Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission or FERC) regulations, 18 CFR part 380, Commission staff reviewed Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) application for an amendment to the license of the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project No. 1121 and have prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed amendment. PG&E is proposing to remove Inskip Diversion Dam, adjacent infrastructure, fish ladder, and approximately 30,000 to 56,000 cubic yards of sediment from behind the dam. No changes to long-term operations of the project are proposed. The Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project consists of five developments that divert water from the North and South Forks of Battle Creek, and several tributaries and springs, for power generation. The project is located on Battle Creek, and North Fork and South Fork Battle Creek in Shasta and Tehama counties, California. The project occupies Federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The EA contains Commission staff's analysis of the potential environmental effects of removing Inskip Diversion Dam, and concludes that the proposed amendment, with appropriate environmental protective measures, would not constitute a major Federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

The EA may be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov using the “elibrary” link. Enter the docket number (P-1121) in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail] or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, [phone].

You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

All comments must be filed by June 28, 2024.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​ecomment.asp. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-1121-136.

The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at [phone] or [e-mail].

For further information, contact Rebecca Martin at 202-502-6012 or [e-mail].

Dated: May 29, 2024.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,

Acting Secretary.