Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Intent
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Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Intent
[Federal Register: May 23, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 101)] [Notices]
[Page 25844]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov][[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.
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
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