[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 10284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3625]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Alternative 
Energy and Alternate Use Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Preparation of an environmental assessment (EA).

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SUMMARY: The MMS is issuing this notice to advise the public, pursuant 
to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq., that the MMS intends to prepare an EA for the 
Alternative Energy and Alternate Use (AEAU) proposed rule. The MMS is 
issuing this notice to facilitate public involvement. The preparation 
of this EA is an important step in the rulemaking process. An Advanced 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 2005. A Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) analyzed the establishment of the MMS AEAU program, of which 
rulemaking is a component. The Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and 
Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf was 
published on November 6, 2007 (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-046).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals 
Management Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You 
may also contact Mr. Bennett by telephone at (703) 787-1660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In August 2005, Congress enacted the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) amended 
section 8 of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337, to give the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) authority to issue a lease, 
easement, or right-of-way on the OCS for activities that are not 
otherwise authorized by the OCSLA, or other applicable law, if those 
activities (1) produce or support production, transportation, or 
transmission of energy from sources other than oil and gas or (2) use, 
for energy-related purposes or other authorized marine-related 
purposes, facilities currently or previously used for activities 
authorized under the OCSLA.
    Subsection 8(p) of the OCSLA (42 U.S.C. 1337(p)) requires that the 
Secretary, in consultation with other relevant agencies, develop and 
issue any necessary regulations to implement its new authority. The 
Secretary delegated this authority to the Director, MMS.
    Public Comments: Interested parties are requested to send, within 
30 days of this Notice's publication, comments regarding any new 
information or issues that should be addressed in the EA. Comments may 
be submitted in one of the following two ways:
    1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
Alternative Energy Rulemaking EA'' and mailed (or hand carried) to the 
Branch Chief, Environmental Assessment Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170.
    2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: [email protected]. 
To obtain single copies of the Programmatic EIS published on November 
7, 2007, you may contact Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals Management 
Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You may also 
view the Programmatic EIS on the MMS Web site at: ocsenergy.anl.gov.

    Dated: February 21, 2008.
Renee Orr,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
 [FR Doc. E8-3625 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P