[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 61635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23479]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Brazos Electric 
Power Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold a Public Scoping 
Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare 
an environmental impact statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, 
intends to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare an environmental 
impact statement in connection with potential impacts related to a 
project being proposed by Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc., 
(WFEC), of Anadarko, Oklahoma, and Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, 
Inc., (Brazos) of Waco, Texas. The proposal consists of the 
construction and operation of a 750 megawatt coal-fired electric 
generation facility at the existing Hugo Generating Station near Hugo, 
Oklahoma.

DATES: RUS will conduct a public scoping meeting in an open-house 
format on November 1, 2004, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Kiamichi 
Technical Center, 107 South 15th Street, Hugo, Oklahoma.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Rankin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, 
telephone: (202) 720-1953 or e-mail: [email protected], or Gerald 
Butcher, Senior Environmental Specialist, Western Farmers Electric 
Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 429, Anadarko, OK 73005-0429, telephone: 
(405) 559-4341, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: WFEC and Brazos propose to construct and 
operate a 750 MW coal-fired electric generation facility at the 
existing Hugo Generating Station near Hugo, Oklahoma. Construction of 
the project will require the construction of new electric transmission 
lines. Studies are currently underway to determine potential connection 
points and transmission line corridors. As soon as the connection 
points and transmission line corridors are identified RUS will hold 
additional public meetings. The schedule developed by WFEC and Brazos 
would place the facility in commercial operation by 2010. Alternatives 
to be considered by RUS include no action, purchased power, renewable 
energy sources, distributed generation, and alternative transmission 
line routes.
    Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted (orally or 
in writing) at the public scoping meeting or in writing within 30 days 
after the November 1, 2004 meeting to RUS at the address provided in 
this notice.
    RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public in the preparation of a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS will be available 
for review and comment for 45 days. A Final EIS will then be prepared 
that considers all comments received. The Final EIS will be available 
for review and comment for 30 days. Following the 30-day comment 
period, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing 
the availability of the Draft and Final EIS and the ROD will be 
published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. 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 requirements as prescribed in Title 7 CFR Part 1794, 
Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: October 5, 2004.
Glendon D. Deal,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Water and Environmental 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 04-23479 Filed 10-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P