[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 2398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-783]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 8 / Thursday, January 11, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 2398]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., 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 issuing an environmental assessment with respect to the potential 
environmental impacts related to the construction of three 100-
megawatt, natural gas fired combustion turbine electric generators in 
west-central Johnson County, Missouri. RUS may provide financing 
assistance to Associated Electric Cooperative for the project.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Bob Quigel, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-0468. Bob's e-mail address is 
[email protected]. Information is also available from Jerry Bindel 
of Associated Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 754, Springfield, Missouri 
65801-0754 telephone (417) 885-9272. Jerry's e-mail address is 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Associated Electric Cooperative proposes to 
construct and operate three, 100-megawatt, simple cycle combustion 
turbine generators on an 80 acre site in Johnson County, Missouri. The 
entire plant would use about 11 acres of the site. The site is located 
approximately 2 miles north of Holden, Missouri. State Highway 131 
borders the eastern edge of the site.
    The primary fuel for the units would be natural gas with fuel oil 
backup. The generators are Siemens Westinghouse V84.2 dry low-nitrogen 
combustors. Each generating unit would be approximately 60 feet wide 
and 150 feet long. The exhaust stacks would be 90 feet high. An 
electric substation, a 100-foot by 60-foot maintenance building, water 
storage tanks, fuel oil storage tank and unloading area, a gas 
conditioning area and pump house would be located near the combustion 
turbines. A 150-foot microwave tower would be located on site to enable 
controlling the plant from a remote location. A 1,300-foot natural gas 
pipeline and approximately 2.6 miles of electric transmission line will 
be needed at the site to supply natural gas to the units and connect 
them to the existing electric transmission grid.
    Subsequent to receiving a stormwater permit from the Missouri 
Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Associated Electric Cooperative 
initiated land clearing activities at the site. However, no permanent 
foundations or plant structures can be constructed on the site until 
Associated Electric Cooperative has received the air permit for the 
project from the Air Quality Control Program of the MDNR.
    Associated Electric Cooperative prepared an environmental analysis 
for RUS which describes the project and assesses its environmental 
impacts. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of the 
environmental analysis and believes that it accurately assesses the 
impacts of the proposed project. This environmental analysis will serve 
as RUS' environmental assessment of the project. No significant impacts 
are expected as a result of the construction of the project.
    The environmental assessment can be reviewed at the Associated 
Electric Cooperative headquarters located at 2814 South Golden Street, 
Springfield, Missouri 65807-3213. Copies of this document will also be 
available at the Holden Public Library, 101 West Third Street, Holden, 
Missouri 64040-1302, telephone (816) 732-4545. It can also be reviewed 
at the headquarters of RUS at the address provided above.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided. RUS will accept questions and comments on the environmental 
assessment for at least 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: January 4, 2001.
Lawrence R. Wolfe,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff.
[FR Doc. 01-783 Filed 1-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P