Sithe Piney LLC; Notice of Pennsylvania Electric Company's Request to Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 39124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18523]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 309-PA]


Sithe Piney LLC; Notice of Pennsylvania Electric Company's 
Request to Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application

July 15, 1999.
    On June 24, 1999, the existing licensee, Pennsylvania Electric 
Company (Penelec), filed a request to use alternative procedures for 
submitting an application for new license for the existing Sithe Piney 
Hydroelectric Project No. 309. The project is located on the Clarion 
River, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.
    The project consists of: (1) the 427-foot-long and 139-foot-high 
concrete arch dam with crest elevation of 1,075 ft. msl, an 84-foot-
long left non-overflow wall, and a 200-foot-long right non overflow 
wall; (2) an 800-acre surface area reservoir; (3) an 84-foot-wide 
integral intake; (4) three 230-foot-long; 14-foot-diameter penstocks; 
(5) a powerhouse with 3 generating units totaling 28,300 kilowatts; (6) 
a 250-foot-long tailrace; (7) 700-foot-long and 900-foot-long 
transmission lines; and (8) appurtuenant facilities.
    Penelec states that it has discussed the applicant prepared 
environmental assessment process with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat 
Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and that those agencies have expressed 
support for the use of alternative procedures. Penelec is developing a 
draft communications protocol that will be distributed to the other 
participants in the relicensing process.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on 
Penelec's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to 
Section 4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations.\1\ Additional notices 
seeking comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and 
protests, and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a 
later date.
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    \1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of 
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para.61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedures being requested here combine the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing Penelec to complete and file an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This process differs 
from the traditional way the applicant prepares a license application 
because the prefiling consultation with agencies, Indian tribes, and 
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) is done concurrently with the 
environmental review process rather than waiting for the Commission 
staff to conduct its environmental review of the application after it 
is filed with the Commission. The alternative procedures are intended 
to simplify and expedite the licensing process by combining the 
prefiling consultation and environmental review processes into a single 
process, to facilitate greater participation, and to improve 
communication and cooperation among the participants.

Applicant Prepared EA Process and Piney Project Schedule

    Penelec has distributed an Information Package for the proposed 
project to state and federal resource agencies, and NGOs. Penelec has 
held an initial consultation meeting to discuss potential issues by the 
participants, and is currently conducting studies. Penelec has 
submitted a proposed schedule for the alternative licensing process 
that leads to the filing of a license application by October 2000.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on Penelec's proposal to use the 
alternative procedures to file an application for the Piney 
Hydroelectric Project.

Filing Requirements

    The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as 
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    All comment filing must bear the heading ``Comments on the 
Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number 
(Piney Hydroelectric Project No. 309).
    For further information on this process, please contact William 
Guey-Lee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2808 or 
E-mail at william.gueylee@ferc.fed.us.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-18523 Filed 7-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M