[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43729-43730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12385]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Applications Accepted for Filing and Soliciting 
Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

July 25, 2006.
    Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been 
filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection:
    a. Type of Applications: Preliminary Permit (Competing).
    b. Applicants, Project Numbers, and Dates Filed: ORPC Maine, LLC, 
filed the application for Project No. 12680-000 at 3:07 p.m. on May 30, 
2006. Additional information was filed on July 14, 2006.
    The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point Reservation filed the 
application for Project No. 12710-000 at 10:25 a.m. on July 10, 2006.
    ORPC Maine, LLC, filed the application for Project No. 12711-000 at 
10:28 a.m. on July 10, 2006.
    c. Names of the projects: Western Passage OCGenTM Power 
Project, Passamaquoddy Tribe Tidal Hydrokinetic Energy Project, 
Cobscook Bay OCGenTM Power Project. The projects would be 
located in the Western Passage in the Atlantic Ocean in Washington 
County, Maine. No dam, either existing or new, would be used for any of 
the projects.
    d. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.
    e. Applicants Contacts: For ORPC Maine, LLC, contact Ms. Mary 
McCann, Manager of Environmental Services, Devine Tarbell & Associates, 
Inc., 970 Baxter Blvd., Portland, ME 04103, phone (207) 775-4495. For 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe of the Pleasant Point Reservation, contact 
Steve Crawford, Environmental Director, Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy 
Tribe, Salkom Road, Route 190, P.O. Box 343, Perry, ME 04667, phone 
(207) 853-2600.
    f. FERC Contact: Chris Yeakel, (202) 502-8132.
    g. Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to 
intervene: 60 days from the issuance date of this notice.
    The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all 
intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of 
that document on each person in the official service list for the 
project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the 
Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the 
responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve 
a copy of the document on that resource agency.
    h. Description of Projects: The Western Passage project proposed by 
ORPC Maine, LLC, would consist of: (1) 80 to 120 ocean current 
generation (OCGenTM) modules each approximately 13 feet-
wide, 49 feet-long, and 11 feet-high, consisting of, (2) an anchoring 
support structure, (3) two horizontally mounted turbines, (4) an 
integrated generator with a maximum capacity of 158 kilowatts, and (5) 
interconnection transmission lines. The Western Passage project 
proposed by ORPC Maine, LLC, would have an average annual generation of 
28.8 to 43.2 gigawatt-hours and would be sold to a local utility.
    The project proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe at the Pleasant 
Point Reservation would consist of: (1) 55 Underwater Electric Kite 
(UEK) units 10 feet-tall, 18 feet-wide, and 16 feet-long consisting of, 
(2) two counter-rotating runners, (3) a fish/bird/mammal protection 
screen and deterrent system, and (4) a proposed transmission line. The 
Passamaquoddy Tribe's project would have an average annual generation 
of 29.25 gigawatt-hours and would be sold to a local utility.
    The Cobscook Bay project proposed by ORPC Maine, LLC, would consist 
of: (1) 100 to 150 ocean current generation (OCGenTM) 
modules each approximately 13 feet-wide, 49 feet-long, and 11 feet-
high, consisting of, (2) an anchoring support structure, (3) two 
horizontally mounted turbines, (4) an integrated generator with a 
maximum capacity of 158 kilowatts, and (5) interconnection transmission 
lines. The Cobscook Bay project proposed by ORPC Maine, LLC, would have 
an average annual generation of 36 to 54 gigawatt-hours, and would be 
sold to a local utility.
    i. Locations of Applications: A copy of the application is 
available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission in the 
Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, 
Washington DC 20426, or by calling (202) 502-8371. This filing may also 
be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the 
``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three 
digits in the docket number field to access the document. For 
assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail 
[email protected]. For TTY, call (202) 502-8659. A copy is 
also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h 
above.
    j. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing 
list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.
    k. Competing Preliminary Permit: Anyone desiring to file a 
competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project 
must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to 
file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified 
comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). 
Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to 
file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days 
after the specified comment date for the particular application. A 
competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 
4.30(b) and 4.36.
    l. Competing Development Application: Any qualified development 
applicant desiring to file a competing development application must 
submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the 
particular application, either a competing development application or a 
notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely 
notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested 
person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after 
the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing 
license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.
    m. Notice of Intent: A notice of intent must specify the exact 
name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective 
applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to 
submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary 
permit application or a development application (specify which type of 
application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) 
named in this public notice.
    n. Proposed Scope of Studies Under Permit: A preliminary permit, if 
issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed 
preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the 
preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of 
preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. 
Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide 
whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to 
construct and operate the project.
    o. Comments, Protests, or Motions To Intervene: Anyone may submit 
comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, 
.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission 
will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who 
file a motion to

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intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party 
to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must 
be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular 
application.
    Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically 
via the Internet in lieu of paper; See 18 CFR 385.2001 (a)(1)(iii) and 
the instructions on the Commission's Web site under ``e-filing'' link. 
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing.
    p. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filings must 
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS'', ``RECOMMENDATIONS 
FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS'', ``PROTEST'', OR ``MOTION TO INTERVENE'', as 
applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to 
which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed 
by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the 
Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any 
motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the 
Applicant specified in the particular application.
    q. Agency Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies are invited 
to file comments on the described application. A copy of the 
application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If 
an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing 
comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an 
agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-12385 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P