[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 53265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22394]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Dairyland Power Cooperative, Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is publishing an environmental assessment (EA) for a project proposed 
by Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The 
project consists of constructing a natural gas-fired simple cycle, 
combustion turbine power generation facility in Wheaton Township in 
Chippewa County, Wisconsin. Total electrical output from the facility 
is expected to range from 71 megawatts (MW) to 98 MW depending upon 
operating conditions. RUS proposes to provide financial assistance to 
DPC for this project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental 
Staff, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-
1571, telephone: (202) 720-1414; e-mail: [email protected]. 
Information is also available from George L. Johnston, Senior 
Environmental Biologist, DPC, 3200 East Avenue South, La Crosse, 
Wisconsin 54601, telephone (608) 787-1322, FAX: (608) 787-1241. His e-
mail address is: [email protected]. RUS seeks written comments on the 
DPC proposal. Written comments should be submitted to RUS within 30 
days of the publication of this notice to the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DPC proposes to construct the facility at a 
site in Wheaton Township in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. The preferred 
site is located adjacent to their Elk Mound Substation, which is 
located north of Highway 29. The primary purpose of the facility is to 
meet DPC peak electrical load during hot summer weather. Under those 
conditions the facility's expected output is about 71 MW of power. The 
proposed project will consist of two simple cycle combustion turbines. 
Each turbine will have a maximum rating of 35.5 Mw. The generation unit 
consists of turbines similar to those found in commercial airline 
engines. The primary fuel will be natural gas and distillate oil will 
serve as the back up fuel for the plant. A 2.2 miles long new high-
pressure gas line from the proposed generating station north to an 
existing gas line will provide gas supply. The total water usage will 
be approximately 3 million gallons per year. The generating power 
station will require approximately 5 acres of land. The substation 
facilities will also require some upgrading.
    The EA is available for public review at the RUS or the 
headquarters of DPC at the addresses provided in this notice and at the 
following locations:
     Chippewa Falls Public Library, 105 West Central Street, 
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
     I. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire 
Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided in this notice. RUS will accept questions and comments on the 
EA for 30 days from the date of publication of this notice.
    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 
review procedures as prescribed by the 7 CFR Part 1794, Environmental 
Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: August 28, 2000.
Lawrence R. Wolfe,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff.
[FR Doc. 00-22394 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P