[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 221 (Thursday, November 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57580-57581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28286]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC Docket No. CP95-35-000 and PRPB Docket No. 94-62-1219-JPM]


EcoElectrica, L.P., Notice of Availability of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement/Preliminary Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed EcoElectrica LNG Import Terminal and 
Cogeneration Project in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico

November 9, 1995.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and 
the Puerto Rico Planning Board (PRPB) have prepared this joint draft 
environmental impact statement/preliminary environmental impact 
statement (DEIS/PEIS) on the natural gas facilities proposed by 
EcoElectrica, L.P. (EcoElectrica) in the above dockets.
    The joint EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act and Puerto Rico's law requiring an 
EIS under the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Regulations 
(Article 4[c] of law No. 9). The FERC and PRPB believe, subject to 
public comment, that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate 
mitigation measures including receipt of necessary permits and 
approvals, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The joint 
EIS evaluates alternatives to the proposal.

[[Page 57581]]

    The joint EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the proposed EcoElectrica LNG Import 
Terminal and Cogeneration Project, which includes the following 
facilities:
     A marine terminal for unloading liquified natural gas 
(LNG) tankers, two 1,000,000-barrel LNG storage tanks, an LNG 
vaporization system, and a natural gas accumulator pipeline.
     A 461-megawatt electric cogeneration facility that would 
use the vaporized LNG as a fuel source. The power plant facility would 
consist of two gas turbines fueled by natural gas and one steam 
generator. The gas turbines could also use propane (LPG) as a secondary 
fuel and number 2 oil as an emergency fuel.
     A desalination facility that could generate up to 
4,000,000 gallons of potable water per day. The multistage flash system 
would use the surplus heat from power production to produce freshwater. 
The power plant would require up to 1,000,000 gallons per day for 
operating needs. The surplus would be sold for public use.
     Other facilities necessary for operation of the 
cogeneration facility include a 2.3-mile-long, 230-kilovolt 
transmission line connecting the plant substation to an existing Puerto 
Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) substation; a 1.1-mile-long, 8-
inch-diameter natural gas pipeline to the PREPA power plant; a 3.5-
mile-long, 10-inch-diameter pipeline to supply LGP to the cogeneration 
facility; and a 1.2-mile-long, 8-inch-diameter water pipeline to 
connect to an existing offsite water supply or to outside delivery 
systems.
    The joint EIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and 
is available for public inspection at:

Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426-1119, (202) 208-1371
Puerto Rico Planning Board, P.O. Box 41119, Santurce, Puerto Rico 
00940, (809) 727-4444

    Copies have been mailed to Federal, commonwealth and local 
agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, public 
libraries, newspapers, and parties to this proceeding.
    A limited number of copies of the joint EIS are available from 
either:

Mr. Chris Zerby, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC EIS Project 
Manager, Office of Pipeline Regulation, Room 7312, 825 North Capitol 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-0111.
Mrs. Maria Gordillo, Puerto Rico Planning Board, PRPB EIS Project 
Manager, P.O. Box 41119, Santurce, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, (809) 727-
4444

    Any person wishing to comment on the joint EIS may do so. Written 
comments must reference FERC Docket No. CP95-35-000 and PRPB Docket No. 
94-62-1219-JPM. Comments should be addressed to:

Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20426
Luis Frias, Secretary, Secretary PRPB, P.O. Box 41119, Santurce, P.R. 
00940-1119

    Comments should be filed as soon as possible, but must be received 
no later than December 26, 1995,\1\ to ensure consideration prior to a 
FERC or PRPB decision on this proposal. A copy of any comments should 
also be sent to Mr. Chris Zerby, FERC EIS Project Manager, or Mrs. 
Maria Gordillo, PRPB EIS Project Manager at the above addresses.

    \1\ The ``to the party addressed'' letter in the EIS stated that 
comments must be received by December 18, 1995. However, we are 
extending this date to December 26, 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments will be considered by the FERC and PRPB but will not serve 
to make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to 
become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene 
pursuant to Rule 214 of the FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 
CFR 385.214).
    In addition to asking for written comments, we invite you to attend 
any of the joint public meetings the FERC and PRPB will conduct to 
solicit comments on the draft EIS. The locations and times for these 
meetings are listed below.
    The public meetings will be designed to give you more detailed 
information and another opportunity to offer your comments on the 
proposed project. Those wanting to speak at the meetings can call the 
EIS Project Manager to preregister their names on the speaker list. 
Those people on the speaker list before the date of the meeting will be 
allowed to speak first. A second speaker list will be developed at each 
meeting. Priority will be given to people representing groups. A 
transcript of each meeting will be made so that your comments will be 
accurately recorded. This transcript will be available in both Spanish 
and English.

Schedule for Joint EIS Public Scoping Meetings

December 11, 1995 (10:00 am)
    San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Planning Board, Minillas 
Building, 14th floor
December 12, 1995 (10:00 am)
    Penuelas, Puerto Rico, Alcaldia (Municipal Building)
December 13, 1995 (10:00 am)
    Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Centro Cultural Maria Arzola

    Additional information about this project is available from Mr. 
Chris Zerby, FERC EIS Project Manager, at (202) 208-0111. Information 
concerning the involvement of the Puerto Rico Planning Board can be 
obtained from Mrs. Maria Gordillo, PRPB EIS Project Manager at (809) 
727-4444.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-28286 Filed 11-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M