Department of Energy
AGENCY:
Department of Energy.
ACTION:
Notice of availability.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability for public review and comment of the Kentucky Pioneer Integrated Combined Cycle (IGCC) Demonstration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) (DOE/EIS-0318). DOE also announces two public hearings on the Draft EIS. DOE prepared the Draft EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and the DOE NEPA regulations (10 CFR Part 1021). The Draft EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the Kentucky Pioneer Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Project, a proposed Clean Coal Technology Program demonstration project in Clark County, Kentucky that was proposed by Global Energy, Inc. DOE's proposed action is to provide cost-shared funding of approximately $78 million (about 18 percent of the total cost of $432 million) for the proposed project. The project would involve constructing and operating a 540 megawatt-electric IGCC plant at the J.K. Smith Site owned by Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative. The plant would be powered by synthesis gas generated from coal and refuse-derived fuel and a molten-carbonate fuel cell operating on the synthesis gas. This proposed project is expected to demonstrate the commercial viability of the fixed bed British Gas Lurgi process in the United States, and the operation of a high temperature molten carbonate fuel cell using synthesis gas. IGCC plants can operate at significantly higher efficiencies than conventional coal-fired power plants.
DATES:
DOE invites the public to comment on the Kentucky Pioneer IGCC Demonstration Project Draft EIS. Comments should be submitted by January 4, 2002 to ensure consideration (see ADDRESSES section for more details). DOE will consider comments submitted after January 4, 2002, to the extent practicable. Public hearings on the Kentucky Pioneer IGCC Demonstration Project Draft EIS will be held at the Lexington Public Library, 140 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky, December 10, 2001, from 7 PM to 9 PM, and at Trapp Elementary School, Clark County, Kentucky, December 11, 2001, from 7 PM to 9 PM. In addition, informal sessions will be held prior to both hearings beginning at 4 p.m. for the public to learn more about the proposed action. Displays and other information about the proposed agency action and location will be available, and DOE personnel will be present to answer questions. The hearings will provide an opportunity for information ( printed page 59238) exchange and discussion among DOE and the public, as well as opportunities for the public to present oral or written comments.
ADDRESSES:
Comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, fax, telephone, or electronic mail to: Mr. Roy Spears, NEPA Document Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880, Telephone: 304-285-5460, Fax 304-285-4403, leave message at 1-800-276-9851, rspear@netl.doe.gov.
Requests for copies of the Kentucky Pioneer IGCC Demonstration Project Draft EIS or other information regarding this environmental analysis should be addressed to Mr. Spears at any of the addresses above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For further information on the proposed project or the environmental impact statement, please contact Mr. Spears as directed above. For general information on the Department's NEPA process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Borgstrom may be contacted by calling 202-586-4600 or by leaving a message at 1-800-472-2756.