[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51295-51296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20237]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Eastern Plains Transmission Project (EPTP), Eastern Colorado and 
Western Kansas

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power 
Administration (Western) is canceling the preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal by Western to 
participate with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, 
Incorporated (Tri-State), in the construction of the Eastern Plains 
Transmission Project (EPTP). Western would have obtained 275 megawatts 
of capacity rights on the proposed transmission lines by participating 
in the EPTP. The EIS would have addressed the construction, operation, 
and maintenance of approximately 1,000 miles of high-voltage 
transmission lines and ancillary facilities, which included 
substations, fiber optic installation, access roads, and construction 
staging areas. Western issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for 
the EPTP in the Federal Register on August 2, 2006 (71 FR 43733), and 
conducted 10 public scoping meetings throughout the project area from 
August 28 through September 14, 2006. Additional public meetings were 
held in February 2007 (72 FR 2507), and in June 2007 (72 FR 30792). 
Western is canceling the preparation of the EIS due to anticipated 
changes in the EPTP scope. If Western decides to participate in the re-
defined EPTP, a National Environmental Policy Act review will

[[Page 51296]]

be initiated at that time. Tri-State may continue with development of 
the EPTP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Hartman, Environmental 
Manager, Western Area Power Administration, Rocky Mountain Customer 
Service Region, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539, Telephone: 970-461-
7450, Fax: 970-461-7213; or e-mail [email protected].

    Dated: August 22, 2008.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Adminstrator.
[FR Doc. E8-20237 Filed 8-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P