[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 245 (Thursday, December 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66994-66995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32223]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.; 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) proposes to 
prepare an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for its Federal action related to a proposal by 
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., to construct a 250 megawatt 
combined cycle electric generating plant in Southeast Missouri.

MEETING INFORMATION: RUS will conduct a scoping meeting in an open 
house forum on January 22, 1997, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 6 
p.m. until 8 p.m.

[[Page 66995]]

at the Boot Hill Education Center of Southeast Missouri State 
University located at 700 North Douglas Street in Malden, Missouri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Engineering and 
Environmental Staff, Rural Utility Service, Stop 1571, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 
720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., 
proposes to construct the plant at one of three potential sites. These 
sites are in the Missouri counties of Butler, Dunklin, and Stoddard. 
The site in Butler County is located on State Highway 53 just north of 
Fagus, the site in Dunklin County is located just west of Glennonville 
on the east side of the St. Francis River, and the site in Stoddard 
County is located west of Idalia on County Road E.
    The plant will incorporate an advanced technology Siemens 
combustion turbine which is considered one of the most efficient unit 
of its type on the market. The primary fuel for the plant will be 
natural gas with low sulfur fuel oil to be used as a backup fuel. The 
plant will include the construction of gas and steam turbines, heat 
recovery stream generator, cooling towers, water treatment facilitates, 
electrical switchyard, and a fuel oil storage tank.
    Alternatives considered by RUS and Associated Electric Cooperative, 
Inc., to constructing the generation facility proposed include: (a) No 
action, (b) purchase of power, (c) load management and conservation, 
and (d) constructing a simple cycle combustion plant.
    To be presented at the public scoping meeting will be a siting and 
alternatives study prepared by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. 
The siting and alternatives study is available for public review at RUS 
at the address provided in this notice or at Associated Electric 
Cooperative, Inc., 2814 South Golden, Springfield, Missouri, phone 
(417) 881-1204. This document will also be available at the following 
libraries:

City of Sikeston Library, 221 North Kingshighway, Sikeston, MO 63801, 
(573) 471-4140
Dexter Public Library, 34 South Elm, Dexter, MO 63841, (573) 624-3764
Dunklin County Public Library, 226 North Main Street, Kennett, MO 63857 
(573) 888-3561
New Madrid Memorial Library, 431 Mill Street, New Madrid, MO 63869, 
(573) 748-2378
Poplar Bluff Public Library, 318 North Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 
63901, (573) 686-8639
Piggot Public Library, 361 West Main Street, Piggot, Arkansas 72454, 
(501) 598-3666

    Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
project. Representatives from RUS, Associated Electric Cooperative, 
Inc., and Burns and McDonnell will be available at the scoping meeting 
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 public scoping meeting. Written comments should be sent to RUS at 
the address provided in this notice.
    From information provided in the siting and alternatives study, 
input that may be provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., 
and Burns and McDonnell 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. Public notification of a FONSI would be published in the Federal 
Register and in newspapers with a circulation in the project area 
displaying this notice. 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: December 12, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator--Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-32223 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]
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