[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 2939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1188]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2114-WA]


Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County; Notice of Public 
Utility District No. 2 of Grant County's Request to Use Alternative 
Procedures in Filing a License Application

January 12, 2000.
    On December 15, 1999, the existing licensee, Public Utility 
District No. 2 of Grant County (Grant PUD), filed a request pursuant to 
use the Commission's alternative procedures in submitting an 
application for a new license for the existing Priest Rapids 
Hydroelectric Project No. 2114. The 1,994-megawatt hydroelectric 
project includes two dams, Priest Rapids Dam and Wanapum Dam, and two 
powerhouses. The project is located on the Columbia River, in the 
center of the state of Washington. Grant PUD 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. Grant PUD has also 
submitted a communications protocol that was developed in consultation 
with interested entities.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on Grant PUD's 
request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to section 4.34(i) 
of the Commission's regulations.\1\ 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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    \1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of 
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedure being requested here combines the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) 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 improve the licensing process by combining 
the prefiling consultation and environmental review processes into a 
single process, to facilitate greater application, and to improve 
communication and cooperation among the participants.

Alternative Licensing Process and Priest Rapids Schedule

    Grant PUD has submitted a proposed schedule for the process that 
leads to the filing of a new license application by October, 2003. 
Public scoping meetings to determine the scope of environmental 
analysis that will be completed to support the Commission's licensing 
decision would be held in the spring of 2000. Studies of environmental 
issues and alternatives developed during scoping would be conducted 
through 2002 (if needed), with a draft application and draft applicant-
prepared environmental assessment (APEA) to be issued for comment in 
early 2003.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on Grant PUD's proposal to use 
the alternative licensing procedures to file an application for the 
Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project. 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 Procedures,'' and include the project name and number 
(Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project No. 2114).
    For further information on this process, please contact Charles 
Hall of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2852 or E-
mail [email protected].

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-1188 Filed 1-18-00; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M