[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 2329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-876]



[[Page 2329]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc.; Notice of Availability 
of an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an environmental assessment (EA).

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for a project proposed by 
Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc., (GVEA) of Fairbanks, Alaska. 
The project consists of constructing a 138kV transmission line between 
the GVEA North Pole Power Plant, North Pole, Alaska, and the Carney 
Substation, which is approximately 22 miles southeast of North Pole.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, RUS, Engineering and 
Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-1414, FAX: (202) 720-0820, e-mail: 
[email protected]. Information is also available from Mr. Greg 
Wyman, Manager of Construction Services, GVEA, POB 71249, Fairbanks, 
Alaska 99707-1249, telephone (907) 451-5629. His e-mail address is: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GVEA proposes to construct the North Pole-
Carney Substation 138kV Transmission Line Project, which is 
approximately 22 miles in length. The primary purpose of the facility 
is to meet the projected future increases in regional power 
requirements and to improve the quality of service to existing 
customers. To accommodate the new transmission line, either a new 
substation would be built next to the North Pole Power Plant, or the 
existing generating/substation facilities at North Pole would be 
modified to provide an additional breaker to feed the transmission line 
and other breaker bays for future growth. In addition, GVEA would 
modify the Carney Substation to provide an additional breaker to allow 
for termination of the transmission line. The Carney Substation work 
would take place within the existing substation footprint.
    Alternatives to the proposed project are discussed in detail in the 
EA. They include the no action, energy conservation, purchase of power, 
upgrade existing transmission lines, and constructing new transmission 
facilities.
    The EA is available for public review at RUS or GVEA at the 
addresses provided in this notice and at the following locations:
    (1) Noel Wien Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK 
99701.
    (2) North Pole City Library, 601 Snowman Lane, North Pole, AK 
99705.
    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, RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: January 6, 2004.
Lawrence R. Wolfe,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff.
[FR Doc. 04-876 Filed 1-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P