[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12305-12306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5881]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notification of Plans for 
a Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental 
Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the DOE 
Regulations Implementing NEPA (10 CFR part 1021), the U.S. Department 
of Energy (DOE), has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (the 
Draft EIS) for the Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project 
in Logan County, IL, and scheduled a public hearing in Elkhart, IL, to 
receive comments on the Draft EIS.
    The Draft EIS (DOE/EIS-0284) has been distributed to members of 
Congress, Federal and state regulatory agencies, state and local 
government officials, national stakeholders, and other interested 
persons and organizations. Copies of the Draft EIS have been made 
available at the Elkhart Public Library for public review, and the 
Draft EIS is also available for review at the following Internet site: 
http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/docs/deis/deis.html.

DATES: DOE invites members of Congress; State, local, and tribal 
governments; other Federal agencies; and the general public to provide 
comments on the Draft EIS. The comment period on the Draft EIS runs 
through April 19, 2004; DOE will consider all comments received by that 
date in preparing a Final EIS. Comments received after April 19, 2004, 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Written, oral, fax, or e-
mail comments will be considered (see ADDRESSES). DOE will conduct a 
public hearing on March 30, 2004, to provide an opportunity for the 
public to present comments on the draft document, ask questions, and 
discuss concerns with DOE officials regarding the Draft EIS. The date, 
time, and location for the public hearing are as follows: March 30, 
2004, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Elkhart Grade School, 206 South Gillett Street, 
Elkhart, IL. DOE officials will be available beginning at 5 p.m. on the 
day of the meeting for informal discussions on the project and the NEPA 
process. Displays and other forms of information about the proposed 
Low-Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project will be available.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be obtained upon request by 
writing to Lloyd Lorenzi, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy 
Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236; by 
telephone (412) 386-6159; by facsimile (412) 386-4822; or by e-mail 
([email protected]).
    Comments concerning the Draft EIS can be submitted by the means 
described above or by leaving a message at toll-free number 1-800-276-
9851. Specific information regarding the public hearing can also be 
obtained from the DOE contact noted above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the Low-
Emission Boiler System Proof-of-Concept Project or the NEPA process for 
this Project, please contact Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi at the address provided 
above. For general information on the DOE NEPA process, contact Ms. 
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (EH-
42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0119; telephone 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 
1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS evaluates the potential 
environmental impacts of the Low-Emission Boiler System project that 
was proposed by Babcock Power, Inc., to demonstrate reliable and 
economical technologies for meeting the environmental performance 
requirements of coal-fired power generation. DOE's proposed action is 
to provide cost-shared funding of approximately $30 million (about 
23.5% of the total cost) for the proposed project. The Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, is participating as a cooperating 
agency in the preparation of this EIS, and may provide financing for a 
portion of the proposed project. The project would involve constructing 
and operating a 91 megawatt-electric coal-fired generating plant on 
property owned by Turris Coal Company adjacent to its existing mining 
operations near Elkhart, IL. The plant would be owned and operated by 
Corn Belt Energy Corporation.
    The Draft EIS also evaluates the environmental impacts of a no-
action alternative under which DOE would not provide cost-shared 
funding. Alternative sites and technologies that were considered in 
developing the proposed project are also presented. The Draft EIS 
analyzes potential impacts on air quality, aesthetics and land use, 
surface water and groundwater, solid waste, traffic and transportation, 
ecological and cultural resources, noise, socioeconomics, environmental 
justice, and other resources.
    Public Hearing Process: DOE will conduct a public hearing at the 
Elkhart Grade School, 206 South Gillett Street, Elkhart, IL, on March 
30, 2004, at 7 p.m. In addition, the public is invited to an informal 
session at this location beginning at 5 p.m. to learn more about the 
proposed Low-Emission Boiler System project. Displays and other 
information about the project will be available, and DOE personnel will 
be present to discuss the proposed project and the NEPA process.
    The formal hearing will begin at 7 p.m. DOE invites people who wish 
to speak at this public hearing to contact Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi, either by 
phone, fax, e-mail, or in writing (see ADDRESSES in this notice). 
People who do not arrange in advance to speak may register at the

[[Page 12306]]

meeting and will be provided opportunities to speak following 
previously scheduled speakers. Speakers will be requested to limit 
their initial comments to about five minutes. Speakers who need more 
than five minutes should indicate the length of time desired in their 
request. Depending on the number of speakers, DOE may need to limit 
speakers to five minutes initially but will provide additional 
opportunities as time permits. Speakers may also provide written 
materials to supplement their presentations. Oral and written comments 
will be given equal consideration.
    DOE will begin the meeting with an overview of the proposed Low-
Emission Boiler System Project. The meeting will not be conducted as an 
evidentiary hearing, and speakers will not be cross-examined. However, 
speakers may be asked questions to help ensure that DOE fully 
understands their comments or suggestions. A presiding officer will 
establish the order of speakers and provide any additional procedures 
necessary to conduct the meeting.

    Issued in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 8, 2004.
Lloyd Lorenzi, Jr.,
NEPA Compliance Officer, National Energy Technology Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 04-5881 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P