[Federal Register: November 29, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 229)]
[Notices]
[Page 69102-69103]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29no06-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Availability of a Special Environmental Analysis;
Potomac River Generating Station
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
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SUMMARY: DOE has prepared a Special Environmental Analysis (SEA) for
Actions Taken under U.S. Department of Energy Emergency Orders
Regarding Operation of the Potomac River Generating Station in
Alexandria, Virginia, and is announcing its availability. In the SEA,
DOE examines environmental impacts from the Secretary of Energy's
December 20, 2005 Emergency Order, and the Secretary's September 28,
2006 extension of that Emergency Order; the SEA covers a period of
about 24 months beginning in December 2005. The SEA also considers
alternatives that include mitigation measures that DOE may take until
the Potomac Electric Power Company's (PEPCO) installation of two
additional 230 kV electric transmission lines to the Central
Washington, DC area (expected in June 2007) that would appear to
eliminate the emergency that lead to the issuance of the December 20,
2005 Emergency Order.
DOE prepared the SEA after consulting with the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) for alternative arrangements under 40 CFR
1506.11, which applies where emergency circumstances make it necessary
to take action without preparing an environmental impact statement
(EIS). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency worked with DOE on this
SEA.
Simultaneously with issuance of the SEA, the Secretary is issuing
another temporary extension of the Emergency Order until February 1,
2007. DOE is providing the public an opportunity to comment before the
Secretary considers whether to allow the Order to expire, extend the
Order, or extend the Order with mitigation measures.
DATES: DOE has posted the SEA on two websites: its Web site for this
matter at http://www.oe.energy.gov/permitting/372.htm and the DOE NEPA Web site at http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/documentspub.html. Comments on
umentspub.html. Comments on
the SEA should be submitted to DOE on or before January 8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Anthony J. Como;
Permitting, Siting, and Analysis Division; Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20); U.S. Department of Energy;
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone: 202-
586-5935; fax: 202-586-5860; or anthony.como@hq.doe.gov. Due to postal
security procedures, comments sent through the U.S. Mail may be
delayed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the DOE NEPA
process, please contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA
Policy and
[[Page 69103]]
Compliance (GC-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103; telephone: 202-586-4600; fax:
202-586-7031; or leave a toll-free message at: 800-472-2756.
For further information on the Emergency Order contact Lawrence
Mansueti, Permitting, Siting, and Analysis Division; Office of
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20); U.S. Department of
Energy; telephone: 202-586-2588; fax: 202-586-5860; or
lawrence.mansueti@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 20, 2005, the Secretary of
Energy issued Order No. 202-05-3 (Emergency Order) pursuant to Section
202(c) of the Federal Power Act. The Emergency Order directed Mirant
Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mirant Potomac River, LLC,
to generate electricity at its Potomac River Generating Station in
limited circumstances in order to address electric reliability,
including the risk of a blackout, in the Central Washington DC area. On
September 28, 2006, the Secretary of Energy issued Order No. 202-06-2
temporarily extending DOE Order No. 202-05-3 until December 1, 2006.
In emergency situations, pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.11, the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 call for agencies to consult with CEQ
to determine what alternative arrangements the agency will take in lieu
of preparing an environmental impact statement that might otherwise be
required for the relevant action. DOE prepared the SEA pursuant to the
alternative arrangements agreed upon with CEQ.
The SEA includes descriptions of the DOE Emergency Order and
extensions thereof, assessments of the direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts resulting from the actions, and consideration of alternative
actions that DOE could take that could lessen the adverse effect of any
additional future extension of the Order.
Issued in Washington DC on November 22, 2006.
David R. Hill,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. E6-20225 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
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