[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4984-4985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2314]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold 
Public Workshops and Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent To hold public workshops and prepare an 
environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping workshops and prepare an environmental assessment (EA) in 
connection with possible impacts related to the construction and 
operation of a new gas-fired combustion turbine generation facility. 
The project is proposed by Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. 
(Brazos), of Waco, Texas. RUS may provide financing assistance for the 
project. RUS will hold two public scoping workshops for a proposed Gas-
fired Electrical Generation Plant. The first workshop is scheduled for 
Tuesday, February 11, 2003, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Decatur 
Civic Center. The Decatur Civic Center is located at 2010 W. U.S. 380, 
in Decatur, Texas. The second workshop will be held on Wednesday, 
February 12, 2003, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Community 
Center. The Twin Lakes Community Center is located at 420 Highway 59, 
Jacksboro, Texas.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 
1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571, 
telephone: (202) 720-1953 or e-mail: [email protected].; or Mike 
McClendon, Brazos at (254) 750-6326 or e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brazos is proposing to construct a new gas-
fired combustion turbine and is evaluating potential sites located in 
Wise and Jack Counties, Texas. One potential site is located in the 
southwest corner of Wise County. It is approximately 11 miles northwest 
of Springtown, west of the intersection of State Highway 199 and FM 
920. A second potential site is located north of the City of Bridgeport 
on or adjacent to the former U.S. Stone Mining company operation 
northwest of the intersection of State Highway 101 and FM 1658. The 
third potential site is located northeast of State Highway 199 and FM 
1156 in Jack County and southeast of the intersection of Shepard Road/
Henderson Ranch Rd. and FM 1156. Associated facilities include a gas 
pipeline, water pipeline and transmission facilities generation plant.
    Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted in writing 
at the public workshop or in writing no later than March 14, 2003, to 
RUS at the address provided above.
    An environmental assessment (EA) will be prepared for the proposed 
project. Based on a review of the Environmental Assessment and other 
relevant information, RUS will determine if the preparation of an

[[Page 4985]]

environmental impact statement is necessary. Should RUS determine that 
the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not necessary, 
it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State, and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review procedures as prescribed by RUS' Environmental 
Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: January 28, 2003.
Lawrence R. Wolfe,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2314 Filed 1-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P