[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46441-46442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22236]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. PP-68-2]


Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; San Diego Gas & 
Electric Company

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetland involvement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has applied to amend 
Presidential Permit PP-68 authorizing the construction, operation, 
maintenance, and connection of a 230-kV electric transmission line at 
the U.S. international border with Mexico. The proposed action has the 
potential to impact on a floodplain/wetlands. In accordance with DOE 
regulations for compliance with floodplain/wetlands environmental 
review requirements (10 CFR part 1022), a floodplain or wetlands 
assessment will be performed for this proposed action in a manner so as 
to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within potentially affected 
floodplain and wetlands.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than September 
20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, questions about the proposed action, and 
requests to review the draft environmental assessment should be 
directed to: Ellen Russell, Office of Coal & Power Import and Export 
(FE-27), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350. Fax: (202) 287-
5736. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-6667.
    For Further Information on General DOE Floodplain and Wetlands 
Environmental Review Requirements Contact:
    Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance 
(EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0119; Phone: 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 
800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Executive Order 11988, Floodplain 
Management, and 10 CFR part 1022, Compliance with Floodplain-Wetlands 
Environmental Review Requirements (http://tis-nt.eh.doe.gov/nepa/tools/regulate/nepa_reg/1022/1022.htm), notice is given that DOE is 
considering an application from SDG&E to amend the existing 
Presidential permit to authorize it to make certain changes to the 
existing transmission line to provide for the connection of the 510-
megawatt (MW) Otay Mesa merchant powerplant being developed 1.5 miles 
north of the border. To interconnect the new powerplant to the existing 
PP-68 international transmission facilities, SDG&E proposes to 
construct a 5-acre switchyard within the fenced boundary of the 
powerplant and to construct approximately 0.1 miles of new 230-kV 
transmission line to interconnect with the 230-kV Miguel-Tijuana 
transmission line.
    SDG&E also proposes to reconductor that portion of the existing 
transmission line from the new 5-acre switchyard, north to the Miguel 
Substation, a distance of approximately 8.5 miles. SDG&E proposes to 
bundle each circuit by adding a second set of conductors to

[[Page 46442]]

each phase (i.e., 12 total conductors versus 6 that currently exist). 
The 1.5 mile portion of SDG&E's Miguel-Tijuana international 
transmission line south of the Otay Mesa powerplant will remain 
unchanged. Notice of SDG&E's application to amend Presidential Permit 
PP-68 appeared in the Federal Register on February 27, 2001 (66 FR 
12504).
    Before making a final decision on granting or denying a 
Presidential permit amendment to SDG&E, DOE will prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) to address the environmental impacts that 
would accrue from the proposed project and reasonable alternatives. The 
EA will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Because the 
proposed action has the potential to impact on a floodplain/wetlands, 
the EA will include a floodplain and wetlands assessment. A floodplain 
statement of findings will be included in any Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) that may be issued following completion of the EA. 
Copies of the EA and FONSI may be requested by telephone, facsimile, or 
e-mail from the address given above.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Import/Export, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-22236 Filed 9-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P