[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11960]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 

Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact 
Statement for Hawaii Geothermal Project

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) today withdraws its Notice of 
Intent (57 FR 5433, February 14, 1992) to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement for Phases 3 and 4 of the Hawaii Geothermal Project as 
defined by the State of Hawaii in its April 1989 proposal to Congress.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roland R. Kessler, Director, Office of 
Renewable Energy Conversion, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
(EE-12) Room 5H-095, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hawaii Geothermal Project consisted of 
four phases: Phase 1--exploration and testing of the geothermal 
resource beneath the slopes of the active Kilauea volcano on the Big 
Island; Phase 2--demonstration of deep-water power cable technology in 
the Alenuihaha Channel between the Big Island and Maui; Phase 3--
verification and characterization of the geothermal resource on the Big 
Island; and Phase 4--construction and operation of commercial 
geothermal power production facilities on the Big Island with overland 
and submarine transmission of electricity from the Big Island to Oahu 
and other islands. Phase 1 was completed in approximately 1986 and 
Phase 2 was completed in 1991.
    On February 14, 1992, the Department of Energy published a Notice 
of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Phases 3 and 
4 of the Hawaii Geothermal Project. Public scoping meetings were held 
from March 7 through March 16, 1992, and an Implementation Plan was 
issued in April 1993.
    On December 8, 1992, the Governor of the State of Hawaii approved a 
geothermal policy statement issued by the Hawaii Department of Business 
and Economic Development and Tourism indicating that Hawaii is no 
longer pursuing or planning to pursue the geothermal/cable project that 
it had proposed in 1989. Thus, DOE considers the project to be 
terminated. In addition, no new Federal funds have been appropriated 
for this project beyond those originally appropriated and designated by 
the Congress for environmental analysis. All funds previously 
appropriated have been expended. Since there is no longer a proposal 
for action, the Department is withdrawing its notice of intent to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
    Background scientific data on the affected environment collected by 
the Department of Energy and cooperating agencies for use in the 
preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement will be made 
available for future scientific research. Copies of documents 
containing the data will be placed in the following reading rooms in 
the near future:

Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Library, 220 
South King Street, Fourth Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Hilo Office, 
Century Building, 80 Pauahi Street, Room 207, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Information 
Office, 220 South King Street, Suite 1100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Geothermal 
Office, Financial Plaza of the Pacific, 130 Merchant Street, Suite 
1060, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Energy 
Division, Publications Section, 335 Merchant Street, Room 110, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Hana Public and School Library, Hana Highway, Hana, Hawaii 96713
Hawaii State Library, Hawaii Document Center Unit, 634 Pensacola 
Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Hawaii Energy Extension Service, Hawaii Business Center, 99 Aupuni 
Street, Room 214, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii 96721-0647
Kahuku Public and School Library, 56490 Kam Highway, Kahuku, Hawaii 
96731
Kahului Public Library, 90 School Street, Kahului, Hawaii 96732
Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 
96740
Kauai Office of Economic Development, 4444 Rice Street, Room 230, 
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Lihue Public Library, 4391-A Rice Street, Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Maui Energy Extension Service, 200 South High Street, Wailuku, Hawaii 
96793
Molokai Public Library, Ala Maloma Street, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748
Mountain View Public and School Library, Highway 11, Mountain View, 
Hawaii 96771
Pahala Public and School Library, Pakalana Street, Pahala, Hawaii 96777
Pahoa Public and School Library, 15-3038 Puna Road, Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
Pearl City Public Library, 1138 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, Hawaii 
96782
U.S. Department of Energy, Freedom of Information Public Reading Room, 
Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585
U.S. Department of Energy, Pacific Site Office, Prince Kuhio Building, 
Room 4322, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
U.S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, Public Reading 
Room, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California 94612-5208
Waimanelo Public and School Library, 41-1320 Kalanianaole Highway, 
Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 10, 1994.
Frank M. Stewart, Jr.,
Acting Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 94-11960 Filed 5-16-94; 8:45 am]
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