[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 25844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12998]




[[Page 25844]]

Rural Utilities Service


Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold scoping meeting and prepare an 
environmental assessment and/or environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 
Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794) may prepare an 
Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for its Federal action related to a proposal by Alabama Electric 
Cooperative to construct two combustion turbines at the site of their 
existing McIntosh Power Plant located in McIntosh, Alabama. RUS may 
provide financing assistance to Alabama Electric Cooperative for 
project construction costs.

MEETING INFORMATION: RUS will conduct a scoping meeting in an open 
house forum on June 27, 1996, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the McIntosh 
Power Plant located on the west side of Highway 43 at mile marker 41 in 
McIntosh, Alabama.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Ag. 
Box 1571, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250, telephone 
(202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alabama Electric Cooperative proposes to 
construct two 113 megawatt (MW) combustion turbine generators adjacent 
to its existing McIntosh Power Plant. This power plant is located just 
west of U.S. Highway 43 near the center of Section 1, Township 3 north, 
Range 1 west in Washington County, Alabama, just south of McIntosh.
    Alternatives to be considered by RUS and Alabama Electric 
Cooperative to Alabama Electric Cooperative constructing the generation 
facility proposed include: (a) No action, (b) purchase of peaking 
capacity from independent power producers, co-generators, and other 
electric utilities, and (c) constructing the proposed generation 
facilities at alternative site locations.
    To be presented at the public scoping meeting will be an 
alternative evaluation and siting-study prepared by Alabama Electric 
Cooperative. The alternative evaluation and siting study is available 
for public review at RUS at the address provided in this notice or at 
Alabama Electric Cooperative, U. S. Highway 29 North, Andalusia, 
Alabama 36420. It can also be reviewed at the libraries in McIntosh and 
Chatom, Alabama.
    Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
project. Representatives from RUS and Alabama Electric Cooperative will 
be available to discuss RUS's environmental review process, describe 
the project and alternatives under consideration, discuss the scope of 
environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and accept 
oral and written comments. Written comments will be accepted for at 
least 30 days after the June 27th public scoping meeting. Written 
comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided in this notice.
    From information provided in the alternative evaluation and siting 
study, input that may be provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public, Alabama Electric Cooperative will 
prepare an environmental analysis to be submitted to RUS for review. If 
significant impacts are not evident based on a review of the 
environmental analysis and other relevant information, RUS will prepare 
an environmental assessment to determine if the preparation of an EIS 
is warranted.
    Should RUS determine that the preparation of an EIS is not 
warranted, it will prepare a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). 
The FONSI will be made available for public review and comment for 30 
days. RUS will not take its final action related to the project prior 
to the expiration of the 30-day period.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
procedures as prescribed by CEQ and RUS environmental policies and 
procedures.

    Dated: May 17, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator--Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-12998 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P