[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37225-37226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17809]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Preparing a 
License Application

July 11, 2001.
    Take notice that the following request to use alternative 
procedures to prepare a license application has been filed with the 
Commission and is available for public inspection. This filing may also 
be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``RIMS'' link, 
select ``Docket#'' and follow the instructions (call 202-208-2222 for 
assistance).
    a. Type of Application: Request to use alternative procedures to 
prepare a new license application.
    b. Project No.: 2586.
    c. Date filed: May 23, 2001.
    d. Applicant: Alabama Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC).
    e. Name of Project: Conecuh River Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: On the Conecuh River near the towns of Gantt and River 
Falls, in Covington County, Alabama.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Mike Noel, Environmental Engineer, Alabama 
Electric Cooperative, Inc., Post Office Box 550, Anadalusia, AL 36420, 
(334) 427-3248.
    i. FERC Contact: Ron McKitrick, (770) 452-3778; e-mail 
[email protected].
    j. Deadline for Comments: 30 days from the date of this notice.
    All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: 
David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Copies of this filing are on 
file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. 
Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via 
the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's web site under the ``e-Filing'' link.
    k. The Conecuh River Project consists of two developments: The 
existing Point ``A'' development consists of a 2,800-foot-long earthen 
dam, 700-acre

[[Page 37226]]

reservoir, three generating units with an installed capacity of 5,200 
kW, and a 0.39-mile-long transmission line. The existing Gantt 
Development consists of a 1,562-foot-long earthen dam, a 2,767-acre 
reservoir, and two generating units with an installed capacity of 3,050 
Kw.
    l. Alabama Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC) has demonstrated that 
it has made an effort to contact all federal and state resources 
agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and others affected by 
the project. AEC has also demonstrated that a consensus exists that the 
use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. AEC has 
submitted a communications protocol that is supported by the 
stakeholders.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on 
AEC's request to use the alternative procedures, 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. 
AEC will complete and file a preliminary Environmental Assessment, in 
lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from the 
traditional process, in which an applicant consults with agencies, 
Indian tribes, NGOs, and other parties during preparation of the 
license application and before filing the application, 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 pre-filing 
consultation and environmental review processes into a single process, 
to facilitate greater participation, and to improve communication and 
cooperation among the participants.
    AEC has had preliminary discussion with federal and state resources 
agencies, NGOs, county and local governments, homeowners, and members 
of the public regarding the Conecuh River Project. AEC intends to file 
6-month progress reports during the alternative procedures process that 
leads to the filing of a license application by April 30, 2003.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17809 Filed 7-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P