83 FR 55358 - Alabama Power Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement and Soliciting Scoping Comments
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 214 (November 5, 2018)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 214 (November 5, 2018)
| Page Range | 55358-55359 | |
| FR Document | 2018-24107 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 55358-55359] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-24107] [[Page 55358]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2146-111; Project No. 82-000; Project No. 618-000] Alabama Power Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement and Soliciting Scoping Comments On July 28, 2005, Alabama Power Company (Alabama Power) filed, pursuant to sections 4(e) and 15 of the Federal Power Act,\1\ an application for a single new license to continue operation and maintenance of three previously separately licensed projects that include seven developments: (1) The Coosa Hydroelectric Project No. 2146, which comprises the Weiss, H. Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, and Bouldin developments; (2) the Mitchell Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 82; and (3) the Jordan Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 618. The single new operating license would combine all of these projects as one project, the Coosa River Hydroelectric Project (Coosa River Project) No. 2146, with a combined 960.9 megawatts of hydroelectric generating capacity. The projects are located on the Coosa River, in the states of Alabama and Georgia, and occupy about 280 acres of federal land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 16 U.S.C. 797(e) and 808 (2012). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On December 31, 2009, Commission staff issued a final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Coosa River Project. On June 20, 2013 (June 20 Order), the Commission issued a single new 30-year license to Alabama Power for the continued operation and maintenance of the Coosa River Project.\2\ On July 18, 2013, Alabama Rivers Alliance and American Rivers (jointly) filed a request for rehearing of the Commission's June 20 Order. On July 22, 2013, Alabama Power and Georgia Environmental Protection Division also filed separate requests for rehearing of the Commission's June 20 Order.\3\ On April 21, 2016 (April 21 Order), the Commission issued an order on rehearing and clarification regarding the new license for the project.\4\ On May 17, 2016, Alabama Rivers Alliance and American Rivers (jointly) filed a request for rehearing of the April 21 Order. On September 12, 2016, the Commission issued an order denying rehearing of the April 21 Order. Subsequently, Alabama Rivers Alliance and American Rivers (jointly) filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (court), and on July 6, 2018, the court issued an opinion vacating and remanding the new license to the Commission for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Alabama Power Company, 143 FERC 61,249 (2013), order on reh'g and clarification, 155 FERC 61,080 (2016), order denying reh'g, 156 FERC 61,171 (2016). \3\ The Atlanta Regional Commission adopted and incorporated by reference Georgia Environmental Protection Division's request for rehearing. \4\ Alabama Power Company, 155 FERC 61,080 (2016). \5\ American Rivers v. FERC, 895 F.3d 32 (D.C. Cir. 2018). By notice issued on September 10, 2018, the previous licenses for the Coosa River, Jordan, and Mitchell Hydroelectric Projects were reinstated; each project is currently operating under an annual license. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to address the issues identified by the court, Commission staff intend to prepare a draft and final environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EIS will describe and evaluate the probable effects of the proposed action and alternatives. The focus of the EIS will be the issues identified by the court as requiring further analyses (i.e., dissolved oxygen, fish entrainment and turbine mortality, federally listed threatened and endangered species, and cumulative effects). For the resource areas not the subject of the opinion, the EIS will either include or incorporate by reference the analysis in the Commission's final EA. To support and assist this environmental review, we are conducting scoping on the issues to be addressed in the EIS and are issuing a scoping document for comment under separate cover. Individuals, organizations, and agencies with environmental expertise and concerns are encouraged to comment on the scoping document. At this time, we do not anticipate holding public or agency scoping meetings. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR part 402. The deadline for filing scoping comments is 30 days from the issuance date of this notice. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file scoping comments using the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [email protected], (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502- 8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-2146-111. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. The record for this proceeding is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access documents. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filing and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. Copies of the scoping document outlining the subject areas to be addressed in the EIS were distributed to the parties on the Commission's mailing list. Copies of the scoping document may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. The draft EIS will be sent to all persons and entities on the Commission's service and mailing lists for the Coosa River Project. The draft EIS will include our recommendations for operating procedures, and environmental protection and enhancement measures that should be part of any new license issued by the Commission. Recipients will then have 60 days to review the draft EIS and file written comments with the Commission. All comments filed with the Commission on the final EIS will be considered in the Order taking final [[Page 55359]] action on the license application. The application will be processed according to the following Hydro Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Milestone Target date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Issue Scoping Document.................. October 2018. Comments Due on Scoping Document........ November 2018. Issue Revised Scoping Document (if December 2018. necessary). Issue Additional Information Request (if December 2018. necessary). Additional Information Response Due..... March 2019. Draft EIS Issued........................ August 2019. Comments Due on Draft EIS............... October 2019. Final EIS Issued........................ December 2019. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This notice informs all interested individuals, organizations, and agencies with environmental expertise and concerns, that: (1) The Commission staff has decided to prepare an EIS addressing the issues raised by the court; and (2) the comments, recommendations, and terms and conditions already on file with the Commission on the application will be taken into account in the EIS. Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Aaron Liberty at (202) 502-6862, or by email at [email protected]. Dated: October 30, 2018. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018-24107 Filed 11-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![55358 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 214 / Monday, November 5, 2018 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY American Rivers (jointly) filed a request www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
for rehearing of the April 21 Order. On ecomment.asp. You must include your
Federal Energy Regulatory September 12, 2016, the Commission name and contact information at the end
Commission issued an order denying rehearing of the of your comments. For assistance,
April 21 Order. Subsequently, Alabama please contact FERC Online Support at
[Project No. 2146–111; Project No. 82–000;
Rivers Alliance and American Rivers FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
Project No. 618–000]
(jointly) filed a petition in the U.S. 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
Alabama Power Company; Notice of Court of Appeals for the District of (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please
Intent To Prepare Environmental Columbia Circuit (court), and on July 6, send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal
Impact Statement and Soliciting 2018, the court issued an opinion Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
Scoping Comments vacating and remanding the new license First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
to the Commission for further The first page of any filing should
On July 28, 2005, Alabama Power proceedings consistent with the include docket number P–2146–111.
Company (Alabama Power) filed, opinion.5 The Commission’s Rules of Practice
pursuant to sections 4(e) and 15 of the In order to address the issues require all intervenors filing documents
Federal Power Act,1 an application for identified by the court, Commission with the Commission to serve a copy of
a single new license to continue staff intend to prepare a draft and final that document on each person on the
operation and maintenance of three environmental impact statement (EIS) in official service list for the project.
previously separately licensed projects accordance with the National Further, if an intervenor files comments
that include seven developments: (1) Environmental Policy Act. The EIS will or documents with the Commission
The Coosa Hydroelectric Project No. describe and evaluate the probable relating to the merits of an issue that
2146, which comprises the Weiss, H. effects of the proposed action and may affect the responsibilities of a
Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, and alternatives. The focus of the EIS will be particular resource agency, they must
Bouldin developments; (2) the Mitchell the issues identified by the court as also serve a copy of the document on
Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 82; and requiring further analyses (i.e., that resource agency.
(3) the Jordan Dam Hydroelectric Project dissolved oxygen, fish entrainment and The record for this proceeding is
No. 618. The single new operating turbine mortality, federally listed available for review at the Commission
license would combine all of these threatened and endangered species, and in the Public Reference Room or may be
projects as one project, the Coosa River cumulative effects). For the resource viewed on the Commission’s website at
Hydroelectric Project (Coosa River areas not the subject of the opinion, the http://www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary
Project) No. 2146, with a combined EIS will either include or incorporate by link. Enter the docket number excluding
960.9 megawatts of hydroelectric reference the analysis in the the last three digits in the docket
generating capacity. The projects are Commission’s final EA. number field to access documents. For
located on the Coosa River, in the states To support and assist this assistance, contact FERC Online
of Alabama and Georgia, and occupy environmental review, we are Support.
about 280 acres of federal land conducting scoping on the issues to be You may also register online at http://
administered by the U.S. Bureau of addressed in the EIS and are issuing a www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
Land Management. scoping document for comment under esubscription.asp to be notified via
On December 31, 2009, Commission separate cover. Individuals, email of new filing and issuances
staff issued a final Environmental organizations, and agencies with related to this or other pending projects.
Assessment (EA) for the Coosa River environmental expertise and concerns For assistance, contact FERC Online
Project. On June 20, 2013 (June 20 are encouraged to comment on the Support.
scoping document. At this time, we do Copies of the scoping document
Order), the Commission issued a single
not anticipate holding public or agency outlining the subject areas to be
new 30-year license to Alabama Power
scoping meetings. addressed in the EIS were distributed to
for the continued operation and
With this notice, we are initiating the parties on the Commission’s mailing
maintenance of the Coosa River Project.2
informal consultation with the U.S. Fish list. Copies of the scoping document
On July 18, 2013, Alabama Rivers
and Wildlife Service and NOAA may be viewed on the web at http://
Alliance and American Rivers (jointly)
Fisheries under section 7 of the www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link.
filed a request for rehearing of the
Endangered Species Act and the joint Enter the docket number excluding the
Commission’s June 20 Order. On July
agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR last three digits in the docket number
22, 2013, Alabama Power and Georgia
part 402. field to access the document. For
Environmental Protection Division also
The deadline for filing scoping assistance, please contact FERC Online
filed separate requests for rehearing of
comments is 30 days from the issuance Support.
the Commission’s June 20 Order.3 On The draft EIS will be sent to all
date of this notice.
April 21, 2016 (April 21 Order), the The Commission strongly encourages persons and entities on the
Commission issued an order on electronic filing. Please file scoping Commission’s service and mailing lists
rehearing and clarification regarding the comments using the Commission’s for the Coosa River Project. The draft
new license for the project.4 On May 17, eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/ EIS will include our recommendations
2016, Alabama Rivers Alliance and docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can for operating procedures, and
1 16
submit brief comments up to 6,000 environmental protection and
U.S.C. 797(e) and 808 (2012).
2 Alabama Power Company, 143 FERC 61,249 characters, without prior registration, enhancement measures that should be
(2013), order on reh’g and clarification, 155 FERC using the eComment system at https:// part of any new license issued by the
61,080 (2016), order denying reh’g, 156 FERC Commission. Recipients will then have
61,171 (2016). 5 American Rivers v. FERC, 895 F.3d 32 (D.C. Cir. 60 days to review the draft EIS and file
3 The Atlanta Regional Commission adopted and
2018). By notice issued on September 10, 2018, the written comments with the
incorporated by reference Georgia Environmental previous licenses for the Coosa River, Jordan, and
Protection Division’s request for rehearing. Mitchell Hydroelectric Projects were reinstated;
Commission. All comments filed with
4 Alabama Power Company, 155 FERC 61,080 each project is currently operating under an annual the Commission on the final EIS will be
(2016). license. considered in the Order taking final
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 214 / Monday, November 5, 2018 / Notices 55359
action on the license application. The Schedule. Revisions to the schedule
application will be processed according may be made as appropriate.
to the following Hydro Licensing
Milestone Target date
Issue Scoping Document .................................................................................................................................................................. October 2018.
Comments Due on Scoping Document ............................................................................................................................................ November 2018.
Issue Revised Scoping Document (if necessary) ............................................................................................................................ December 2018.
Issue Additional Information Request (if necessary) ........................................................................................................................ December 2018.
Additional Information Response Due .............................................................................................................................................. March 2019.
Draft EIS Issued ............................................................................................................................................................................... August 2019.
Comments Due on Draft EIS ............................................................................................................................................................ October 2019.
Final EIS Issued ............................................................................................................................................................................... December 2019.
This notice informs all interested constitute a major federal action For assistance, please contact FERC
individuals, organizations, and agencies significantly affecting the quality of the Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@
with environmental expertise and human environment. ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or
concerns, that: (1) The Commission staff The U.S. Department of for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659.
has decided to prepare an EIS Transportation participated as a Any person wishing to comment on
addressing the issues raised by the cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA may do so. Your comments
court; and (2) the comments, the EA. Cooperating agencies have should focus on the EA’s disclosure and
recommendations, and terms and jurisdiction by law or special expertise discussion of potential environmental
conditions already on file with the with respect to resources potentially effects, reasonable alternatives, and
Commission on the application will be affected by the proposal and participate measures to avoid or lessen
taken into account in the EIS. in the NEPA analysis. environmental impacts. The more
Any questions regarding this notice The proposed Empire North Project specific your comments, the more useful
may be directed to Aaron Liberty at includes the following facilities: they will be. To ensure that the
(202) 502–6862, or by email at • A new 21,000 horsepower Commission has the opportunity to
aaron.liberty@ferc.gov. compressor station in Jackson consider your comments prior to
Dated: October 30, 2018. Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania; making its decision on this project, it is
Kimberly D. Bose, • a new 32,000 horsepower important that we receive your
compressor station in the Town of comments in Washington, DC, on or
Secretary.
Farmington, Ontario County, New York; before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on
[FR Doc. 2018–24107 Filed 11–2–18; 8:45 am]
• modifications of the existing November 29, 2018.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
regulator valves and station piping and For your convenience, there are three
installation of metering facilities at the methods you can use to file your
existing New Victor Regulator Station in comments to the Commission. The
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Ontario County, New York; Commission encourages electronic filing
Federal Energy Regulatory • minor modifications to the existing of comments and has staff available to
Commission Jackson Meter and Regulator Station in assist you at (866) 208–3676 or
Jackson Township, Tioga County, FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. Please
[Docket No. CP18–89–000] Pennsylvania; and carefully follow these instructions so
• upgrading the maximum allowable that your comments are properly
Notice of Availability of the
operating pressure of the Empire recorded.
Environmental Assessment for the
Connector Pipeline from 1,290 to 1,440 (1) You can file your comments
Proposed Empire North Project;
pounds per square inch gauge. electronically using the eComment
Empire Pipeline, Inc.
The Commission mailed a copy of the feature on the Commission’s website
The staff of the Federal Energy Notice of Availability to federal, state, (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Regulatory Commission (FERC or and local government representatives Documents and Filings. This is an easy
Commission) has prepared an and agencies; elected officials; Native method for submitting brief, text-only
environmental assessment (EA) for the American tribes; other interested comments on a project;
Empire North Project, proposed by parties; and local libraries and (2) You can also file your comments
Empire Pipeline, Inc. (Empire) in the newspapers. The EA is only available in electronically using the eFiling feature
above-referenced docket. Empire electronic format. It may be viewed and on the Commission’s website
requests authorization to construct and downloaded from the FERC’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
operate gas compression facilities in (www.ferc.gov), on the Environmental Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and Documents page (https://www.ferc.gov/ you can provide comments in a variety
Ontario County, New York. industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). In of formats by attaching them as a file
The EA assesses the potential addition, the EA may be accessed by with your submission. New eFiling
environmental effects of construction using the eLibrary link on the FERC’s users must first create an account by
and operation of the Empire North website. Click on the eLibrary link clicking on eRegister. You must select
Project in accordance with the (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ the type of filing you are making. If you
requirements of the National elibrary.asp), click on General Search, are filing a comment on a particular
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The and enter the docket number in the project, please select ‘‘Comment on a
FERC staff concludes that approval of Docket Number field, excluding the last Filing;’’ or
the proposed project, with appropriate three digits (i.e., CP18–89). Be sure you (3) You can file a paper copy of your
mitigating measures, would not have selected an appropriate date range. comments by mailing them to the
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Document Created: 2018-11-03 00:28:25
Document Modified: 2018-11-03 00:28:25
| 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 | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 55358 |
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