[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 215 (Friday, November 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 59962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29765]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2169, TN]


Tapoco, Inc.; Notice of Tapoco, Inc's Request To Use Alternative 
Procedures in Preparing a License Application

November 2, 1998.
    This notice supersedes the NOTICE OF TAPOCO, INC'S REQUEST TO USE 
ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES IN PREPARING A LICENSE APPLICATION, dated 
October 28, 1998.
    On October 1, 1998, the existing licensee, Tapoco, Inc. (Tapoco), 
filed a request to use alternative procedures for submitting an 
application for new license for the existing Tapoco Project No. 
2169.\1\ Tapoco has demonstrated that they have made an effort to 
contact resource agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organization 
(NGOs), and others affected by their proposal, and that a consensus 
exists that the use of an alternative procedure is appropriate in this 
case.
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    \1\ The 326.5-megawatt Tapoco (originally known as the Tallasee 
project) project is located on the Little Tennessee and its 
tributary, the Cheoah River, in Blount and Monroe Counties, 
Tennessee, and Graham and Swain Counties, North Carolina. The 
project consists of four development; Chilhowee, Cheoah, Santeetlah, 
and Calderwood.
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    The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on Tapoco request 
to use the alternative procedure, pursuant to Section 4.34(i) of the 
Commission's regulations.\2\ Additional notices seeking comments on the 
specific project proposal, interventions and protests, and recommended 
terms and conditions will be issued at a later date.
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    \2\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of 
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedures being requested here combine the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing the applicant to complete and file an environmental document 
(NEPA document) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This 
differs from the traditional process, in which the applicant consults 
with agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the 
application for the license and before filing it, but the Commission 
staff performs the environmental review after the application is filed. 
The alternative procedures are intended to simplify and expedite the 
licensing process by combining the prefiling consultation and 
environmental review processes into a single process, to facilitate 
greater participation, and to improve communication and cooperation 
among the participants.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on Tapoco's proposal to use the 
alternative procedures to prepare an application to relicense the 
Tapoco Project.

Filing Requirements

    The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as 
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the 
Alternative Procedure,'' and include the project name and number 
(Tapoco Project, No. 2169).
    For further information, please contact Ronald McKitrick of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 770-452-2363 ext. 44 or E-mail 
at [email protected].
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-29765 Filed 11-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M