[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65830-65831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26388]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Incorporated: Notice of Intent To 
Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment (EA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities 
Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the 
Agency, intends to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR 1794 in connection 
with potential impacts related to projects proposed by PowerSouth 
Energy Cooperative, Inc. (PowerSouth) of Andalusia, Alabama. The 
proposal consists of the construction of a new 360-megawatt peaking-
load gas-fired generation facility at the existing McIntosh Power 
Plant. PowerSouth is requesting USDA Rural Development to provide 
financial assistance for the proposed action.

DATES: Rural Development will conduct a scoping meeting in an open 
house format in order to provide information and solicit comments for 
the preparation of an EA. The meeting will be held on November 20, 
2008, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the McIntosh Elementary School 
in McIntosh, Alabama. Written questions and comments must be received 
no later than December 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact: 
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural 
Development Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or 
e-mail [email protected]. The McIntosh Elementary School 
is located at 8945 Highway 43 N.Highway 43 North, Highway 43 Northon 
the west side of Highway 43 near the Ciba Plant entrance, McIntosh, 
Alabama, telephone (251) 944-2481. An Alternatives Report prepared by 
PowerSouth will be available at the public scoping meeting, at the 
Agency's address provided in this notice, at the Agency's Web site: 
http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm, at PowerSouth Energy 
Cooperative, Inc., 2027 East Three Notch Street, Andalusia, Alabama 
36420, and at the:

McIntosh Branch Library, 83 Olin Road, McIntosh, AL 36553, Phone: 251-
944-2047.
Washington Public Library, 14102 St. Stephens Avenue, Chatom, AL 36515. 
Phone: 251-847-2097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Inc. proposes 
to construct a new 360-megawatt peaking-load gas-fired generation 
facility at the existing McIntosh Power Plant in Washington County, 
Alabama with an in-service date of late 2010.
    Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
project. Representatives from the Agency and PowerSouth Energy 
Cooperative, Inc. will be available at the scoping meeting to discuss 
the environmental review process, describe the proposal, discuss the 
scope of environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and 
accept comments. As part of its broad environmental review process, the 
Agency must take into account the effect of the proposal on historic 
properties in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of 
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR Part 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3), the Agency is using its procedures for public involvement 
under NEPA to meet is responsibilities to solicit and consider the 
views of the public during Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments 
submitted in response to scoping will inform Agency decision making in 
Section 106 review. Any

[[Page 65831]]

party wishing to participate more directly with the Agency as a 
``consulting party'' in Section 106 review may submit a written request 
to do so to the Agency contact at the above address.
    From information provided in the Alternatives Report, input that 
may be provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the 
public, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Inc. will prepare an 
environmental analysis to be submitted to the Agency for review. The 
Agency will review the environmental analysis to determine the 
significance of the impacts of the proposal and if acceptable will 
adopt it as the environmental assessment (EA) of the proposal. The 
Agency's EA would be available for review and comment for 30 days, with 
a notice of availability published in area newspapers and the Federal 
Register. Should the Agency determine that the preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary, it will prepare a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Public notification of a 
FONSI would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers with 
circulation in the proposal area.
    Any final action by Rural Development related to the proposed 
project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with 
environmental review requirements as prescribed by the Agency's 
environmental policies and procedures (7 CFR 1794).

    Dated: October 30, 2008.
Ben Shuman,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural 
Development/Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-26388 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
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