[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 150 (Friday, August 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 44275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12742]



[[Page 44275]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for the FutureGen Project 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings and opportunity for comment.

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SUMMARY: On Friday, July 28, 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 
issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the proposed action of providing up to $700 million of Federal 
funding for the FutureGen Project (71 FR 42840). The FutureGen Project 
would comprise the planning, design, construction and operation by a 
private sector organization of a coal-fired electric power and hydrogen 
gas production plant integrated with carbon dioxide capture and 
geologic sequestration of the captured gas. DOE's National Energy 
Technology Laboratory (NETL) is hosting public scoping meetings near 
each of the four proposed FutureGen Project sites. Dates, locations, 
and information about the public scoping meetings are contained under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below.

DATES: DOE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the 
EIS from all interested parties. Comments must be received by September 
13, 2006, to ensure consideration. Late comments will be considered to 
the extent practicable. DOE also invites members of the public to 
participate in public scoping meetings (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) 
to learn more about the proposed FutureGen Project and provide oral 
comments on the alternatives and environmental issues to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed scope of the EIS and requests for 
copies of the Draft EIS may be submitted by fax (304-285-4403), e-mail 
([email protected]), or a letter addressed to the NEPA 
Document Manager for the FutureGen Project: Mr. Mark L. McKoy, National 
Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 880, 
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880, Attn: FutureGen Project EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments or requests to participate in 
the public scoping process also can be submitted by contacting Mr. Mark 
L. McKoy directly at telephone 304-285-4426; toll free number 1-800-
432-8330 (extension 4426); fax 304-285-4403; or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NETL is hosting four public scoping meetings 
to present an overview of the proposed project and to provide the 
public with an opportunity to comment and ask questions. An informal 
session of the public scoping meetings will begin at approximately 4 
p.m., followed by a formal session beginning at approximately 7 p.m. 
Members of the public who wish to speak at a public scoping meeting 
should contact Mr. Mark L. McKoy, either by phone, fax, e-mail, or in 
writing (see ADDRESSES in this Notice). Those who do not arrange in 
advance to speak may register at a meeting (preferably at the beginning 
of the meeting) and may speak after previously scheduled speakers. 
Speakers will be given approximately five minutes to present their 
comments. Those speakers who want 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 all speakers to five minutes 
initially and provide second opportunities as time permits. Speakers 
may also provide written materials to supplement their presentations. 
Oral and written comments will be given equal consideration. State and 
local elected officials and tribal leaders may be given priority in the 
order of those making oral comments.
    DOE will begin each meeting with an overview of the proposed 
FutureGen 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 the 
comments or suggestions. A presiding officer will establish the order 
of speakers and provide any additional procedures necessary to conduct 
the meeting.

Meeting Schedule

Texas--Jewett

    Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2006.
    Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    Place: City of Fairfield's Green Barn (Fairgrounds Exhibits Bldg.) 
839 E. Commerce, Fairfield, Texas 75840. This site is 2.5 miles East of 
I-45 on Hwy 84 (aka Commerce Street).

Texas--Odessa

    Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006.
    Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    Place: The CEED (Center for Energy and Economic Diversification) 
Building is located at 1400 North FM 1788 in Midland, Texas 79707.

Illinois--Tuscola

    Date: Thursday, August 29, 2006.
    Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    Place: Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. Central Avenue, Tuscola, 
IL 61953. (From Interstate 57, take exit 212 to U.S. Highway 36. The 
Tuscola Community Building is at the intersection of North Central 
Avenue and South Main Street.)

Illinois--Mattoon

    Date: Thursday, August 31, 2006.
    Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    Place: Riddle Elementary School, 4201 Western Avenue, Mattoon, IL. 
(Located at the corner of Western Avenue and 43rd Street (CR 300E).)
    All meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Any 
individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a 
sign language interpreter, or a translator, please contact Mr. Mark 
McKoy, U.S. DOE-NETL, toll free (800) 432-8330 ext. 4426, fax (304) 
285-4403, or via e-mail at [email protected] at least 48 hours 
in advance of the meeting so that arrangements can be made.
    Additional information about FutureGen can be found at these Web 
sites: http://www.doe.gov; http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/futuregen/; http://www.futuregenalliance.org.

    Dated: August 1, 2006.
Mark J. Matarrese,
Director, Office of Environment, Security, Safety and Health.
 [FR Doc. E6-12742 Filed 8-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P