[Federal Register: March 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 51)]
[Notices]
[Page 12305-12306]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr04-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notification of Plans for
a Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Proposed Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project
AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public hearing.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental
Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the DOE
Regulations Implementing NEPA (10 CFR part 1021), the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE), has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (the
Draft EIS) for the Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project
in Logan County, IL, and scheduled a public hearing in Elkhart, IL, to
receive comments on the Draft EIS.
The Draft EIS (DOE/EIS-0284) has been distributed to members of
Congress, Federal and state regulatory agencies, state and local
government officials, national stakeholders, and other interested
persons and organizations. Copies of the Draft EIS have been made
available at the Elkhart Public Library for public review, and the
Draft EIS is also available for review at the following Internet site:
http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/docs/deis/deis.html.
DATES: DOE invites members of Congress; State, local, and tribal
governments; other Federal agencies; and the general public to provide
comments on the Draft EIS. The comment period on the Draft EIS runs
through April 19, 2004; DOE will consider all comments received by that
date in preparing a Final EIS. Comments received after April 19, 2004,
will be considered to the extent practicable. Written, oral, fax, or e-
mail comments will be considered (see ADDRESSES). DOE will conduct a
public hearing on March 30, 2004, to provide an opportunity for the
public to present comments on the draft document, ask questions, and
discuss concerns with DOE officials regarding the Draft EIS. The date,
time, and location for the public hearing are as follows: March 30,
2004, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Elkhart Grade School, 206 South Gillett Street,
Elkhart, IL. DOE officials will be available beginning at 5 p.m. on the
day of the meeting for informal discussions on the project and the NEPA
process. Displays and other forms of information about the proposed
Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project will be available.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be obtained upon request by
writing to Lloyd Lorenzi, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy
Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236; by
telephone (412) 386-6159; by facsimile (412) 386-4822; or by e-mail
lorenzi@netl.doe.gov).
Comments concerning the Draft EIS can be submitted by the means
described above or by leaving a message at toll-free number 1-800-276-
9851. Specific information regarding the public hearing can also be
obtained from the DOE contact noted above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the Low-
Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project or the NEPA process for
this Project, please contact Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi at the address provided
above. For general information on the DOE NEPA process, contact Ms.
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (EH-
42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0119; telephone 202-586-4600 or leave a message at
1-800-472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS evaluates the potential
environmental impacts of the Low-Emission Boiler System project that
was proposed by Babcock Power, Inc., to demonstrate reliable and
economical technologies for meeting the environmental performance
requirements of coal-fired power generation. DOE's proposed action is
to provide cost-shared funding of approximately $30 million (about
23.5% of the total cost) for the proposed project. The Department of
Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, is participating as a cooperating
agency in the preparation of this EIS, and may provide financing for a
portion of the proposed project. The project would involve constructing
and operating a 91 megawatt-electric coal-fired generating plant on
property owned by Turris Coal Company adjacent to its existing mining
operations near Elkhart, IL. The plant would be owned and operated by
Corn Belt Energy Corporation.
The Draft EIS also evaluates the environmental impacts of a no-
action alternative under which DOE would not provide cost-shared
funding. Alternative sites and technologies that were considered in
developing the proposed project are also presented. The Draft EIS
analyzes potential impacts on air quality, aesthetics and land use,
surface water and groundwater, solid waste, traffic and transportation,
ecological and cultural resources, noise, socioeconomics, environmental
justice, and other resources.
Public Hearing Process: DOE will conduct a public hearing at the
Elkhart Grade School, 206 South Gillett Street, Elkhart, IL, on March
30, 2004, at 7 p.m. In addition, the public is invited to an informal
session at this location beginning at 5 p.m. to learn more about the
proposed Low-Emission Boiler System project. Displays and other
information about the project will be available, and DOE personnel will
be present to discuss the proposed project and the NEPA process.
The formal hearing will begin at 7 p.m. DOE invites people who wish
to speak at this public hearing to contact Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi, either by
phone, fax, e-mail, or in writing (see ADDRESSES in this notice).
People who do not arrange in advance to speak may register at the
[[Page 12306]]
meeting and will be provided opportunities to speak following
previously scheduled speakers. Speakers will be requested to limit
their initial comments to about five minutes. Speakers who need more
than five minutes should indicate the length of time desired in their
request. Depending on the number of speakers, DOE may need to limit
speakers to five minutes initially but will provide additional
opportunities as time permits. Speakers may also provide written
materials to supplement their presentations. Oral and written comments
will be given equal consideration.
DOE will begin the meeting with an overview of the proposed Low-
Emission Boiler System Project. The meeting will not be conducted as an
evidentiary hearing, and speakers will not be cross-examined. However,
speakers may be asked questions to help ensure that DOE fully
understands their comments or suggestions. A presiding officer will
establish the order of speakers and provide any additional procedures
necessary to conduct the meeting.
Issued in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 8, 2004.
Lloyd Lorenzi, Jr.,
NEPA Compliance Officer, National Energy Technology Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 04-5881 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
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