[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7711]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 31, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Energy Planning and Management Program
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of availability for the draft environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Department of Energy (DOE),
Western Area Power Administration (Western), has prepared a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Energy Planning
and Management Program (Program). The EIS was prepared in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C.
4321-4335; Council on Environmental Quality regulations, 40 CFR parts
1500-1508; and DOE regulations for compliance with NEPA, 10 CFR part
1021.
The proposed Program would require Western's long-term firm
customers to implement long-term energy planning to help enhance
efficient electric energy use. The proposed Program could link
Western's power resource commitments to customer programs for long-term
energy planning and efficient electric energy use, or Western could
continue to market power on a project-specific basis in the future.
Pursuant to section 114 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, this
draft EIS analyzes the environmental impacts of integrated resource
planning by Western's long-term firm power customers. Western may
extend existing firm power resource commitments pursuant to the
Program; the impacts of various extension options are also documented
in the draft EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To receive a copy of the draft EIS,
submit written comments on the draft EIS, or for additional information
contact:
Robert C. Fullerton, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 3402,
A6100, Golden, CO 80401-0098, (303) 275-1610.
James D. Davies, Billings Area Office, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 35800, Billings, MT 59107-5800, (406) 657-
6532.
Stephen A. Fausett, Loveland Area Office, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003, (303) 490-7201.
J. Tyler Carlson, Phoenix Area Office, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 352-2453.
James C. Feider, Sacramento Area Office, Western Area Power
Administration, 1825 Bell Street, suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95825-1097,
(916) 649-4418.
John Harrington, Salt Lake City Area Office, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 11606, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0606, (801)
524-6372.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 19, 1991, Western proposed in
concept an Energy Planning and Management Program (56 FR 16093). The
goals of the Program were to market Western's long-term firm power
resource as existing commitments expire, to promote the stable,
efficient and economical use of electrical generation and conservation
resources by Western's customers, to encourage long-term energy
management planning and efficient electric energy use by Western's
customers, and to do so in an equitable manner consistent with existing
laws and constraints. On May 1, 1991, Western announced its intention
to prepare an EIS on the Program due to potentially significant
environmental and economic issues that may be of interest to the public
(56 FR 19995).
Combined public information/environmental scoping meetings on the
Program were held in seven States in June of 1991. Based on the
feedback received from these meetings, Western developed alternatives
to be analyzed in the EIS.
Alternatives workshops were held in eight cities during March and
April 1992. The further public input received during these workshops,
as well as comments previously received, assisted Western in the
development of the range of alternatives featured in the draft EIS.
Western's development of an EIS was subsequently reinforced by section
114 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which requires EIS preparation as
well as Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) development and implementation
by Western's customers.
Twelve alternatives are analyzed in the draft EIS, including the no
action alternative. Resource extensions are featured in several of the
alternatives, while other alternatives anticipate the marketing of
power on a project-specific basis. For those alternatives featuring an
extension of resources, periods of time up to 35 years are analyzed, at
extension levels varying from 90 to 100 percent. Both integrated
resource planning for all customers and a special provision for small
customers are included in the draft EIS. No preferred alternative is
designated to provide additional time for public involvement and to
assure that all alternatives are given fair and equitable
consideration.
IRP requirements will amend Western's Guidelines and Acceptance
Criteria for Customer Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs. A
wide range of technical energy services will continue to be provided to
Western's customers.
The IRP proposal does include a penalty provision for noncompliance
with the IRP requirement.
Public hearings on the draft EIS will be held on the following
dates and at the following locations:
April 12, 1994, 1 p.m., Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second
Street NW., Albuquerque, NM.
April 18, 1994, 1 p.m., Quality Inn City Center, 154 West 600 South,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
April 19, 1994, 1 p.m., Ramkota Convention Center, I-29 and Russell
Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
April 20, 1994, 1 p.m., Holiday Inn NE, 5321 Date Avenue, Sacramento,
California.
April 22, 1994, 10 a.m., Stapleton Plaza Hotel, 3333 Quebec Street,
Denver, Colorado.
April 25, 1994, 6 p.m., Phoenix Area Office Conference Room, 615 South
43rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.
April 28, 1994, 9 a.m., Doublewood Inn, 3333 13th Avenue South, Fargo,
North Dakota.
May 3, 1994, 6 p.m., Ontario Hilton, 700 North Haven Avenue, Ontario,
California.
At the draft EIS hearings, Western will provide a brief
informational overview on the document's organization and the
environmental impacts of the Program. Meeting participants will then
have an opportunity for questions and answers followed by the main
purpose of the meeting, comments from the public.
Written comments on the proposed Program and the draft EIS should
be submitted to Western and post marked by 45 days after publication in
the Federal Register of the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of
availability of the draft EIS.
Section 205(a) of the Integrated Resource Planning Title to the
Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires the preparation of an EIS in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. This EIS
will fulfill the section 205(a) mandate.
Issued in Golden, Colorado, March 24, 1994.
William H. Clagett,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-7711 Filed 3-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P