2015-32276. Energy Resources USA, Inc.; Notice of Competing Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments and Motions To Intervene

On November 28, 2015, Energy Resources USA, Inc. (Energy Resources) filed an application for a preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), proposing to study the feasibility of the Selden Lock and Dam Hydroelectric Project (Selden Project or project) to be located at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Selden Lock and Dam on the Black Warrior River in Green County, Alabama. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners' express permission.

Energy Resources' permit application is filed in competition with Lock+^TM Hydro Friends Fund III, proposed Selden Lock and Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 14672-000, which was publicly noticed November 24, 2015. The deadline for filing competing applications is January 25, 2016. Energy Resources competing permit application is timely filed.

The proposed project would consist of the following: (1) A 200-foot-long, 140-foot-wide intake channel; (2) a 133-foot-long, 83-foot-wide powerhouse containing two generating units with a total capacity of 12.5 megawatts; (3) a 4000-foot-long, 1600-foot-wide tailrace; (4) a 4.16/69 kilo-Volt (kV) substation; (5) a 330-foot-long addition to the existing access road; and (6) a 3-mile-long, 69 kV transmission line. The proposed project would have an estimated average annual generation of 68,900 megawatt-hours, and operate as directed by the Corps.

Applicant Contact: Mr. Ander Gonzalez, Energy Resources USA Inc., 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 804, Coral Gables, Florida 33134; Phone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail]

FERC Contact: Christiane Casey; phone: [phone].

Deadline for filing comments and motions to intervene: 60 days from the issuance of this notice.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments and motions to intervene 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. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-14741-000.

More information about this project, including a copy of the application, can be viewed or printed on the “eLibrary” link of the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number (P-14741) in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

Dated: December 17, 2015.

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,

Deputy Secretary.