[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65830-65831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26388]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Incorporated: Notice of Intent To
Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA).
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities
Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the
Agency, intends to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR 1794 in connection
with potential impacts related to projects proposed by PowerSouth
Energy Cooperative, Inc. (PowerSouth) of Andalusia, Alabama. The
proposal consists of the construction of a new 360-megawatt peaking-
load gas-fired generation facility at the existing McIntosh Power
Plant. PowerSouth is requesting USDA Rural Development to provide
financial assistance for the proposed action.
DATES: Rural Development will conduct a scoping meeting in an open
house format in order to provide information and solicit comments for
the preparation of an EA. The meeting will be held on November 20,
2008, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the McIntosh Elementary School
in McIntosh, Alabama. Written questions and comments must be received
no later than December 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact:
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural
Development Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or
e-mail [email protected]. The McIntosh Elementary School
is located at 8945 Highway 43 N.Highway 43 North, Highway 43 Northon
the west side of Highway 43 near the Ciba Plant entrance, McIntosh,
Alabama, telephone (251) 944-2481. An Alternatives Report prepared by
PowerSouth will be available at the public scoping meeting, at the
Agency's address provided in this notice, at the Agency's Web site:
http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm, at PowerSouth Energy
Cooperative, Inc., 2027 East Three Notch Street, Andalusia, Alabama
36420, and at the:
McIntosh Branch Library, 83 Olin Road, McIntosh, AL 36553, Phone: 251-
944-2047.
Washington Public Library, 14102 St. Stephens Avenue, Chatom, AL 36515.
Phone: 251-847-2097.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Inc. proposes
to construct a new 360-megawatt peaking-load gas-fired generation
facility at the existing McIntosh Power Plant in Washington County,
Alabama with an in-service date of late 2010.
Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed
project. Representatives from the Agency and PowerSouth Energy
Cooperative, Inc. will be available at the scoping meeting to discuss
the environmental review process, describe the proposal, discuss the
scope of environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and
accept comments. As part of its broad environmental review process, the
Agency must take into account the effect of the proposal on historic
properties in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR Part 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3), the Agency is using its procedures for public involvement
under NEPA to meet is responsibilities to solicit and consider the
views of the public during Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments
submitted in response to scoping will inform Agency decision making in
Section 106 review. Any
[[Page 65831]]
party wishing to participate more directly with the Agency as a
``consulting party'' in Section 106 review may submit a written request
to do so to the Agency contact at the above address.
From information provided in the Alternatives Report, input that
may be provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the
public, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Inc. will prepare an
environmental analysis to be submitted to the Agency for review. The
Agency will review the environmental analysis to determine the
significance of the impacts of the proposal and if acceptable will
adopt it as the environmental assessment (EA) of the proposal. The
Agency's EA would be available for review and comment for 30 days, with
a notice of availability published in area newspapers and the Federal
Register. Should the Agency determine that the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary, it will prepare a
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Public notification of a
FONSI would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers with
circulation in the proposal area.
Any final action by Rural Development related to the proposed
project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with
environmental review requirements as prescribed by the Agency's
environmental policies and procedures (7 CFR 1794).
Dated: October 30, 2008.
Ben Shuman,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural
Development/Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-26388 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
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