[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 59278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29435]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Associated Electric Cooperative; Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a finding of no significant impact with respect to its action 
related to the construction of a 100 megawatt simple cycle combustion 
turbine electric generation plant in Southeast Missouri by Associated 
Electric Cooperative (Associated). The finding of no significant impact 
is the conclusion of an environmental assessment prepared by RUS. The 
environmental assessment is based on an environmental analysis 
submitted to RUS by Associated. RUS conducted an independent evaluation 
of the environmental analysis and concurs with its scope and content. 
The environmental analysis has been incorporated by reference in the 
environmental assessment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Stop 1571, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-
0468, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The preferred site for the plant is located 
in Stoddard County, Missouri, approximately 1.2 miles east of Idalia on 
County Road E. As proposed, the project is a 100-MW, simple-cycle 
combustion turbine generator. It will be powered by a Westinghouse 
501D5A simple cycle/dry low-nitrogen oxides combustor. Fuel for the 
plant will be natural gas. No backup source of fuel, such as number 2 
fuel oil, is proposed. The plant will occupy approximately three acres 
and will be located at an existing 12 acre electric distribution 
substation site. The main generator unit will be approximately 40 feet 
wide and 140 feet long. The exhaust stack will be 50 feet high. This 
type of combustion turbine is typically used for peak power generation 
and would normally be expected to operate only a few hundred to a few 
thousand hours per year.
    Alternatives considered to constructing the project as proposed 
included no action, conservation and load management, power purchases, 
combined cycle combustion turbine technology, and an alternative site 
location.
    Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact along with the environmental analysis are available 
for review at, or can be obtained from, RUS at the address provided 
herein or from Jerry Bindel, Associated Electric Cooperative, PO Box 
754, Springfield, Missouri, 65801-0754 telephone (417) 885-9272. Mr. 
Bindel's E-mail address is [email protected]. These documents are also 
available at Bloomfield Public Library, 200 Seneca Street, Bloomfield, 
Missouri. Interested parties wishing to comment on the adequacy of the 
environmental assessment should do so within 30 days of the publication 
of this notice. RUS will take no action that would approve clearing or 
construction activities related to proposed combined cycle power plant 
prior to the expiration of the 30-day comment period.

    Dated: October 27, 1998.
Thomas L. Eddy,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Electric Program.
[FR Doc. 98-29435 Filed 11-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P