[Federal Register: December 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 241)]
[Notices]
[Page 76024-76025]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de08-45]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Wind Hydropower Integration Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of a Draft Wind Hydropower Feasibility Study Report.
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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is publishing
this notice to inform interested parties of the Draft Feasibility Study
Report for the Wind Hydropower Integration Feasibility Study (WHFS).
The WHFS involved a study on the integration of wind energy generated
by Indian tribes
[[Page 76025]]
and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri
River to supply power to Western. This study applies only to Western's
Upper Great Plains Region (UGPR).
DATES: An entity interested in commenting on the Draft WHFS report must
submit written comments to Western's Upper Great Plains Office at the
address below. Western must receive written and/or electronic comments
by 4 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, on February 13, 2009. Western
reserves the right to not consider any comments received after the
prescribed date and time.
Western will hold a public meeting on the Draft Feasibility Study
Report associated with the WHFS. The public meeting date is: January
13, at 1 p.m., Mountain Standard Time. The public meeting location is
the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 2111 N. LaCrosse Street, Rapid City,
SD.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Robert J. Harris, Regional
Manager, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration,
2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, or e-mail
UGPWindHydroFS@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael A. Radecki, Energy
Services Specialist, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power
Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266,
telephone (406) 247-7442, or e-mail radecki@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law
109-58 amended Title XXVI of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to, inter
alia, add a new Section 2606 (25 U.S.C. 3506). Section 2606 requires
that the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Army and the Secretary [of the Interior], shall conduct a study of the
cost and feasibility of developing a demonstration project that uses
wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the
Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River to supply firming power
to the Western Area Power Administration.
25 U.S.C. 3506(a) also directed the formation of a study team to
include an independent tribal engineer and a Western customer
representative. In March 2007, through written correspondence, Western
requested nominations for an independent tribal engineer from each of
the 25 Indian tribes in the UGPR. Three Indian tribes and one tribal
organization responded and served as WHFS study team members. Western
solicited non-tribal customer representation through the Mid-West
Electric Consumers Association, which represents the majority of
Western's customers in the UGPR. Three UGPR customers served as
customer representative project team members.
Western requested public comment on the draft WHFS work plan
through notice published in the Federal Register / Vol. 72 No. 181, pg.
53560-53561, on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Additionally, a public
meeting was held in Bismarck, North Dakota, on September 27, 2007. The
final WHFS work plan was issued on November 5, 2007.
Objectives
Section 2606 (25 U.S.C. 3505 (c)), required that a report
describing the results of the study be prepared and include an analysis
and comparison of the potential energy cost or benefits to the
customers of the Western Area Power Administration through the use of
combined wind and hydropower; an economic and engineering evaluation of
whether a combined wind and hydropower system can reduce reservoir
fluctuation, enhance efficient and reliable energy production, and
provide Missouri River management flexibility; if found feasible,
recommendations for a demonstration project to be carried out by the
Western Area Power Administration, in partnership with an Indian tribal
government or tribal energy resource development organization, and
Western Area Power Administration customers to demonstrate the
feasibility and potential of using wind energy produced on Indian land
to supply firming energy to the Western Area Power Administration; and
an identification of the economic and environmental costs of, or
benefits to be realized through, a Federal-tribal-customer partnership;
and the manner in which a Federal-tribal-customer partnership could
contribute to the energy security of the United States.
WHFS Draft Report
Western seeks public comment on the Draft WHFS report.
The Draft WHFS report has been structured to address the
requirements of section 2606, as well as incorporate and make best use
of previous wind integration and transmission studies. In particular,
the study has incorporated the results of the Dakota Wind Transmission
study, October 2005, to the extent appropriate. The WHFS report also
documents efforts undertaken to fulfill the objectives identified in
the WHFS work plan.
Availability of Information
The Draft WHFS report is available for inspection and copying at
the UGPR office located at 2900 4th Ave. North, Billings, Montana.
Comments and responses to comments on the Draft WHFS report will be
available for inspection and copying at this location after the comment
period closes. The Draft WHFS report and future WHFS documents are/will
be available for viewing at http://www.wapa.gov/ugp/PowerMarketing/
WindHydro/Default.htm.
WHFS Report Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE
NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), Western
has determined the WHFS is encompassed within a class of action listed
in Appendix A to Subpart D (10 CFR 1021.410) which lists actions not
normally requiring the preparation of either an Environmental Impact
Statement or an Environmental Assessment. Specifically, the WHFS action
met the categorical exclusion listed under A9 of Appendix A to Subpart
D of part 1021 ``Information gathering/data analysis/document
preparation/dissemination,'' which specifically includes feasibility
studies.
Dated: December 3, 2008.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8-29602 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
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