82 FR 11340 - Energy Answers Arecibo, LLC: Notice of availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 34 (February 22, 2017)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 34 (February 22, 2017)
| Page Range | 11340-11341 | |
| FR Document | 2017-03404 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 22, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 11340-11341] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-03404] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Energy Answers Arecibo, LLC: Notice of availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the Department of Agriculture (USDA), has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), RUS's implementing regulations, 7 CFR part 1970, and other applicable environmental requirements related to providing financial assistance for Energy Answers Arecibo, LLC's (Energy Answers) proposed (Project) in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. RUS will also use the FEIS to meet its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 54 U.S.C. 300101, and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800). The FEIS addresses the construction, operation, and maintenance of Energy Answers' proposed Project, a waste-to-energy generation and resource recovery facility described previously in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). It also addresses the roughly 3,820 comments received during the comment periods for the DEIS. The overall project area encompasses parts of the Cambalache Ward in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. DATES: Written comments on the FEIS will be accepted 30 days following the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's environmental impact statement receipt notice in the Federal Register. Notices of Availability of the FEIS will be published in the local newspapers. After a 30-day public review period on the FEIS, RUS will consider comments and prepare a Record of Decision for its respective action. The environmental review process is expected to conclude in the late winter or spring of 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To receive copies of the FEIS or request information on the proposed Project, the FEIS process, and RUS financing, contact Mr. Steven Polacek, Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) 205-9805, fax: (202) 690-0649, or email: [email protected]. Copies of the FEIS will be available for review in the Arecibo Public Library (Nicolas Nabal Barreto), located at: 210 Santiago Iglesias Pantin Ave., Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Energy Answers plans to request financial assistance for the proposed Project from RUS. Completing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a precursor requirement to processing a loan application from Energy Answers. Upon completion of the EIS process, RUS would review Energy Answers' application along with other technical and financial considerations. Energy Answers proposes to construct a waste to energy generation and resource recovery facility in the Cambalache Ward of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The proposed facility would receive and process approximately 2,300 tons of municipal waste per day and generate a gross capacity of 77 megawatts (MW). The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will purchase power generated from the facility. The preferred location of the facility is the site of a former paper mill and would cover approximately 79.6 acres of the 90-acre parcel. The proposal would include the following facility components: A municipal solid waste receiving and processing building; processed refuse fuel storage building; boiler and steam turbine; emission control system; ash processing and storage building; and other associated infrastructure and buildings. Two other connected actions, which would be constructed by other utilities, include installation of an approximately 2.0-mile raw water line and construction of a 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line approximately 0.8 miles in length. The connected actions will be addressed in the proposed Project's EIS. In accordance with 7 CFR 1970.15(c)(2) and 40 CFR 1502.18, RUS incorporates as an appendix received on the environmental impact analyses and associated documentation prepared by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) where appropriate. PRIDCO served as a lead agency in preparing an EIS under the Puerto Rico Environmental Public Policy Act, Article 4(B)(3), Law No. 416 (September 22, 2004). The USEPA completed air quality analyses and issued a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for the proposed Project on June 11, 2013. As applicable, the EIS documents changes in the affected environment and environmental consequences that may have changed since issuance of the PRIDCO-EIS and USEPA PSD permit. Under NEPA regulations, RUS is required to identify and evaluate reasonable alternatives to the Project, as well as a no-action alternative. Reasonable alternatives are those that are ``practical or feasible from the technical and economic standpoint.'' In determining reasonable alternatives, RUS considered a number of factors including the proposed action's size and scope, state of the technology, economic considerations, legal considerations, socioeconomic concerns, availability of resources, and the timeframe in which the identified need must be fulfilled. Alternative site locations, thermal conversion technologies, cooling process water sources, alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies were also considered. RUS reviewed multiple needs including (1) providing a dispatchable electrical generation resource that adds to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's (PREPA) reserve capacity levels, (2) helping PREPA meet the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard enacted by Puerto Rico and use cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy resources, and (3) decreasing Puerto Rico's dependence on imported [[Page 11341]] fossil fuels and contributing to the fuel diversification of the generation both owned and purchased by PREPA. Of the alternatives considered by RUS, the Arecibo Waste-to-Energy and Resource Recovery Project best minimizes or mitigates the potential impacts on the environment while meeting the proposed purpose and need for the project. RUS is authorized to make loans and loan guarantees that finance the construction of water lines, electrical transmission lines, Waste- to-Energy and Resource Recovery facilities. RUS is responsible for completing the environmental review process prior to processing Energy Answers' application. Completion of the environmental review process allows the project proponents to submit an application for financing to RUS. It does not represent a commitment to fund the project or a determination that the applicant has met the agency's underwriting criteria. All loan applicants are required to demonstrate eligibility, financial feasibility and provide reasonably adequate security for any financing made available from RUS.The proposed Project is subject to the jurisdiction of, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant presidential executive orders and federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in addition to the completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 1970. RUS has prepared the FEIS to analyze the impacts of its respective Federal actions and the proposed Project in accordance with NEPA, as amended, the Council in Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500- 1508), and Rural Development's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1970). RUS has already prepared and published a DEIS which can be found on the Agency Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/environmental-studies/impact-statements/arecibo-waste-energy-generation-and-resource. In accordance with 7 CFR 1970.15(c)(2) and 40 CFR 1502.18, RUS incorporates, as an appendix, the environmental impact analyses and associated documentation prepared by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) and the USEPA where appropriate. PRIDCO served as a lead agency in preparing an EIS under the Puerto Rico Environmental Public Policy Act, Article 4(B)(3), Law No. 416 (September 22, 2004). The USEPA completed air quality analyses and issued a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for the proposed Project on June 11, 2013. As applicable, the EIS documents changes in the affected environment and environmental consequences that may have changed since issuance of the PRIDCO-EIS and USEPA PSD permit. RUS has determined that its action regarding the proposed Project would be an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800). As part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposed Project on historic properties in accordance with Section 106. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments submitted in response to this Notice will inform RUS decision-making in its Section 106 review process. The Final EIS is available in both Spanish and English for review at the following Web site: http://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/environmental-studies/impact-statements/arecibo-waste-energy-generation-and-resource. The Final EIS will be available for review 30 days after the USEPA's EIS receipt notice in the Federal Register. Following this review period, RUS will publish a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the ROD will be published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. This Notice of Availability also serves as a notice of proposed floodplain and wetland action. It is anticipated that Energy Answers would need to fill 2.4 acres (9,793.4 square meters) of on-site wetlands for proposed Project. Energy Answers will be required to implement mitigation for the wetland conversion, as contained in their Section 404 permit. Additionally, excavation required for the proposed Project is expected to result in a small increase in base flood elevations along predominately undeveloped properties located east and west, as well as immediately upstream, of the Project site. Christopher A. McLean, Assistant Administrator--Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2017-03404 Filed 2-21-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![11340 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 34 / Wednesday, February 22, 2017 / Notices
Comments may also be sent to the Desk proposed Project, a waste-to-energy components: A municipal solid waste
Officer for Agriculture, Office of generation and resource recovery receiving and processing building;
Information and Regulatory Affairs, facility described previously in the Draft processed refuse fuel storage building;
Office of Management and Budget Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). boiler and steam turbine; emission
(OMB), Washington, DC 20503. It also addresses the roughly 3,820 control system; ash processing and
All comments received in response to comments received during the comment storage building; and other associated
this notice, including names and periods for the DEIS. The overall project infrastructure and buildings. Two other
addresses when provided, will be a area encompasses parts of the connected actions, which would be
matter of public record. Comments will Cambalache Ward in Arecibo, Puerto constructed by other utilities, include
be summarized and included in the Rico. installation of an approximately 2.0-
submission for Office of Management DATES: Written comments on the FEIS mile raw water line and construction of
and Budget approval. will be accepted 30 days following the a 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line
publication of the Environmental approximately 0.8 miles in length. The
E-Government Act Compliance connected actions will be addressed in
Protection Agency’s environmental
FAS is committed to complying with impact statement receipt notice in the the proposed Project’s EIS.
the E-Government Act of 2002, to Federal Register. Notices of Availability In accordance with 7 CFR
promote the use of the Internet and of the FEIS will be published in the 1970.15(c)(2) and 40 CFR 1502.18, RUS
other information technologies to local newspapers. After a 30-day public incorporates as an appendix received on
provide increased opportunities for review period on the FEIS, RUS will the environmental impact analyses and
citizen access to Government consider comments and prepare a associated documentation prepared by
information and services, and for other Record of Decision for its respective the Puerto Rico Industrial Development
purposes. action. The environmental review Company (PRIDCO) and the United
Persons with disabilities who require process is expected to conclude in the States Environmental Protection Agency
an alternative means for communication late winter or spring of 2017. (USEPA) where appropriate. PRIDCO
of information (e.g., Braille, large print, served as a lead agency in preparing an
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s EIS under the Puerto Rico
receive copies of the FEIS or request
Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice Environmental Public Policy Act,
information on the proposed Project, the
and TDD). Article 4(B)(3), Law No. 416 (September
FEIS process, and RUS financing,
Dated: February 13, 2017.
22, 2004). The USEPA completed air
contact Mr. Steven Polacek,
quality analyses and issued a Prevention
Holly Higgins, Environmental Protection Specialist,
of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Rural Utilities Service, Water and
permit for the proposed Project on June
Service. Environmental Programs, 1400
11, 2013. As applicable, the EIS
[FR Doc. 2017–03429 Filed 2–21–17; 8:45 am] Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop
documents changes in the affected
1571, Washington, DC 20250, telephone:
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P environment and environmental
(202) 205–9805, fax: (202) 690–0649, or
consequences that may have changed
email: Steve.Polacek@wdc.usda.gov.
since issuance of the PRIDCO–EIS and
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Copies of the FEIS will be available for
USEPA PSD permit.
review in the Arecibo Public Library Under NEPA regulations, RUS is
Rural Utilities Service (Nicolas Nabal Barreto), located at: 210 required to identify and evaluate
Santiago Iglesias Pantin Ave., Arecibo, reasonable alternatives to the Project, as
Energy Answers Arecibo, LLC: Notice Puerto Rico 00612.
of availability of a Final Environmental well as a no-action alternative.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Energy Reasonable alternatives are those that
Impact Statement Answers plans to request financial are ‘‘practical or feasible from the
AGENCY:Rural Utilities Service, USDA. assistance for the proposed Project from technical and economic standpoint.’’ In
ACTION:Notice of Availability of a Final RUS. Completing the Environmental determining reasonable alternatives,
Environmental Impact Statement. Impact Statement (EIS) is a precursor RUS considered a number of factors
requirement to processing a loan including the proposed action’s size and
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service application from Energy Answers. Upon scope, state of the technology, economic
(RUS), an agency within the Department completion of the EIS process, RUS considerations, legal considerations,
of Agriculture (USDA), has prepared a would review Energy Answers’ socioeconomic concerns, availability of
Final Environmental Impact Statement application along with other technical resources, and the timeframe in which
(FEIS) to meet its responsibilities under and financial considerations. Energy the identified need must be fulfilled.
the National Environmental Policy Act Answers proposes to construct a waste Alternative site locations, thermal
(NEPA), RUS’s implementing to energy generation and resource conversion technologies, cooling
regulations, 7 CFR part 1970, and other recovery facility in the Cambalache process water sources, alternative fuels
applicable environmental requirements Ward of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The and renewable energy technologies were
related to providing financial assistance proposed facility would receive and also considered.
for Energy Answers Arecibo, LLC’s process approximately 2,300 tons of RUS reviewed multiple needs
(Energy Answers) proposed (Project) in municipal waste per day and generate a including (1) providing a dispatchable
Arecibo, Puerto Rico. RUS will also use gross capacity of 77 megawatts (MW). electrical generation resource that adds
the FEIS to meet its responsibilities The Puerto Rico Electric Power to Puerto Rico Electric Power
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
under Section 106 of the National Authority will purchase power Authority’s (PREPA) reserve capacity
Historic Preservation Act, 54 U.S.C. generated from the facility. The levels, (2) helping PREPA meet the
300101, and its implementing preferred location of the facility is the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
regulations, ‘‘Protection of Historic site of a former paper mill and would enacted by Puerto Rico and use cleaner
Properties’’ (36 CFR part 800). The FEIS cover approximately 79.6 acres of the and more environmentally friendly
addresses the construction, operation, 90-acre parcel. The proposal would energy resources, and (3) decreasing
and maintenance of Energy Answers’ include the following facility Puerto Rico’s dependence on imported
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Feb 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_11374/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 34 / Wednesday, February 22, 2017 / Notices 11341
fossil fuels and contributing to the fuel issued a Prevention of Significant DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
diversification of the generation both Deterioration (PSD) permit for the
owned and purchased by PREPA. proposed Project on June 11, 2013. As Foreign-Trade Zones Board
Of the alternatives considered by applicable, the EIS documents changes [S–16–2017]
RUS, the Arecibo Waste-to-Energy and in the affected environment and
Resource Recovery Project best environmental consequences that may Foreign-Trade Zone 20—Norfolk,
minimizes or mitigates the potential have changed since issuance of the Virginia; Application for Expansion of
impacts on the environment while PRIDCO–EIS and USEPA PSD permit. Subzone 20E; STIHL Incorporated;
meeting the proposed purpose and need Virginia Beach, Virginia
RUS has determined that its action
for the project.
RUS is authorized to make loans and regarding the proposed Project would be An application has been submitted to
loan guarantees that finance the an undertaking subject to review under the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the
construction of water lines, electrical Section 106 of the National Historic Board) by the Virginia Port Authority,
transmission lines, Waste-to-Energy and Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 and its grantee of FTZ 20, requesting the
Resource Recovery facilities. RUS is implementing regulations, ‘‘Protection expansion of Subzone 20E to include an
responsible for completing the of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR part additional site of STIHL Incorporated,
environmental review process prior to 800). As part of its broad environmental located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The
processing Energy Answers’ application. review process, RUS must take into application was submitted pursuant to
Completion of the environmental account the effect of the proposed the provisions of the Foreign-Trade
review process allows the project Project on historic properties in Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–
proponents to submit an application for accordance with Section 106. Pursuant 81u), and the regulations of the Board
financing to RUS. It does not represent to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its (15 CFR part 400). It was formally
a commitment to fund the project or a procedures for public involvement docketed on February 6, 2017.
determination that the applicant has under NEPA to meet its responsibilities Subzone 20E was approved on April
met the agency’s underwriting criteria. to solicit and consider the views of the 24, 2009 (Board Order 1612, 74 FR
All loan applicants are required to public during Section 106 review. 21623, May 8, 2009) and consists of five
demonstrate eligibility, financial Accordingly, comments submitted in sites (86.56 acres). They are as follows:
feasibility and provide reasonably response to this Notice will inform RUS Site 1 (47.02 acres)—536 Viking Drive,
adequate security for any financing decision-making in its Section 106 Virginia Beach; Site 2 (19.52 acres)—
made available from RUS.The proposed review process. 2525 International Parkway, Virginia
Project is subject to the jurisdiction of, Beach; Site 3 (7.14 acres)—601 Central
The Final EIS is available in both
and contingent upon, compliance with Drive, Virginia Beach; Site 4 (10.26
Spanish and English for review at the
all relevant presidential executive acres)—825 London Bridge Road,
following Web site: http://
orders and federal, state, and local Virginia Beach; and, Site 5 (2.62
www.rd.usda.gov/publications/
environmental laws and regulations in acres)—528 Viking Drive, Virginia
environmental-studies/impact-
addition to the completion of the Beach. The applicant is requesting
statements/arecibo-waste-energy-
environmental review requirements as authority to expand the subzone to
generation-and-resource. The Final EIS
prescribed in RUS’s Environmental include an additional site: Proposed Site
will be available for review 30 days after
Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 6 (45 acres)—2600 International
the USEPA’s EIS receipt notice in the
1970. Parkway, Virginia Beach. The existing
RUS has prepared the FEIS to analyze Federal Register. Following this review
subzone and the proposed site would be
the impacts of its respective Federal period, RUS will publish a Record of
subject to the existing activation limit of
actions and the proposed Project in Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the
FTZ 20. No additional authorization for
accordance with NEPA, as amended, the availability of the ROD will be
production activity has been requested
Council in Environmental Quality (CEQ) published in the Federal Register and in
at this time.
Regulations for Implementing the local newspapers. In accordance with the Board’s
Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR This Notice of Availability also serves regulations, Kathleen Boyce of the FTZ
parts 1500–1508), and Rural as a notice of proposed floodplain and Staff is designated examiner to review
Development’s Environmental Policies wetland action. It is anticipated that the application and make
and Procedures (7 CFR part 1970). RUS Energy Answers would need to fill 2.4 recommendations to the Executive
has already prepared and published a acres (9,793.4 square meters) of on-site Secretary.
DEIS which can be found on the Agency wetlands for proposed Project. Energy Public comment is invited from
Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/ Answers will be required to implement interested parties. Submissions shall be
publications/environmental-studies/ mitigation for the wetland conversion, addressed to the Board’s Executive
impact-statements/arecibo-waste- as contained in their Section 404 Secretary at the address below. The
energy-generation-and-resource. permit. Additionally, excavation closing period for their receipt is April
In accordance with 7 CFR required for the proposed Project is 3, 2017. Rebuttal comments in response
1970.15(c)(2) and 40 CFR 1502.18, RUS expected to result in a small increase in to material submitted during the
incorporates, as an appendix, the base flood elevations along foregoing period may be submitted
environmental impact analyses and predominately undeveloped properties during the subsequent 15-day period to
associated documentation prepared by located east and west, as well as April 18, 2017.
the Puerto Rico Industrial Development A copy of the application will be
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
immediately upstream, of the Project
Company (PRIDCO) and the USEPA site. available for public inspection at the
where appropriate. PRIDCO served as a Office of the Executive Secretary,
lead agency in preparing an EIS under Christopher A. McLean, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room
the Puerto Rico Environmental Public Assistant Administrator—Electric Program, 21013, U.S. Department of Commerce,
Policy Act, Article 4(B)(3), Law No. 416 Rural Utilities Service. 1401 Constitution Avenue NW.,
(September 22, 2004). The USEPA [FR Doc. 2017–03404 Filed 2–21–17; 8:45 am] Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the
completed air quality analyses and BILLING CODE P ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Feb 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_11374/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-02-22 00:08:37
Document Modified: 2017-02-22 00:08:37
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement. | |
| Dates | Written comments on the FEIS will be accepted 30 days following the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's environmental impact statement receipt notice in the Federal Register. Notices of Availability of the FEIS will be published in the local newspapers. After a 30-day public review period on the FEIS, RUS will consider comments and prepare a Record of Decision for its respective action. The environmental review process is expected to conclude in the late winter or spring of 2017. | |
| Contact | To receive copies of the FEIS or request information on the proposed Project, the FEIS process, and RUS financing, contact Mr. Steven Polacek, Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) 205-9805, fax: (202) 690-0649, or email: [email protected] Copies of the FEIS will be available for review in the Arecibo Public Library (Nicolas Nabal Barreto), located at: 210 Santiago Iglesias Pantin Ave., Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 11340 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR