[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 73539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33868]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 67; 120; 2085; 2175]
Southern California Edison; Notice of Southern California
Edison's Request to use Alternative Procedures in Filing License
Applications
December 23, 1999.
On December 10, 1999, the existing licensee, Southern California
Edison (SCE) filed a request to use the Commission's alternative
procedures in submitting applications to relicense four existing
hydroelectric projects--Big Creek No. 2A, 8, and Eastwood (FERC No.
67); Big Creek No. 3 (FERC No. 120); Mammoth Pool (FERC No. 2085); and
Big Creek No. 1 and 2 (FERC No. 2175). The projects are located in the
San Joaquin River Basin of California, and have a combined capacity of
about 871.6 megawatts. This notice invites comments on SCE's request,
pursuant to Section 4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations. Additional
notices seeking comments on the specific project proposal,
interventions and protests, and recommended terms and conditions will
be issued at a later date.
The alternative procedure being requested here would combine the
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process,
allowing the applicants to file an applicant-prepared Environmental
Assessment in lieu of Exhibit E of the license applications. 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 all of the environmental review after the application is
filed. the alternative procedures are intended to reduce redundancies
in 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. The alternative procedures can be tailored to
the particular project under consideration.
Alternative Procedures and the Big Creek Projects
In this instance, SCE is proposing a consolidated relicensing of
our projects within what is known as the Big Creek System. An
applicant-prepared environmental assessment would be filed on all four
projects with their applications. SCE also intends on negotiating an
agreement on the relicensing of the projects by December, 2004. The
application on the Mammoth Pool project is due to be filed in 2005,
while the other three applications are due in 2007.
Comments
SCE has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact resource
agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and
others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus likely exists
that the use of the alternative procedures is appropriate in this case.
SCE has also submitted a communications protocol that was developed in
consultation with interested entities.
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any additional comments on the licensee's
proposal to use the alternative procedures. The licensee's request may
be viewed on the web at http://rimsweb1.ferc.fed.us/rims/. Call 202-
208-2222 for assistance.
Filing Requirements
Any 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 names and numbers: Big
Creek No. 2A, 8, and Eastwood (FERC No. 67); Big Creek No. 3 (FERC No.
120); Mammoth Pool (FERC No. 2085); and Big Creek No. 1 and 2 (FERC No.
2175). For further information, please contact Vince Yearick at (202)
219-3073 or e-mail at [email protected].
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-33868 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am]
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