[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76024-76025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29602]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Wind Hydropower Integration Feasibility Study

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of a Draft Wind Hydropower Feasibility Study Report.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is publishing 
this notice to inform interested parties of the Draft Feasibility Study 
Report for the Wind Hydropower Integration Feasibility Study (WHFS). 
The WHFS involved a study on the integration of wind energy generated 
by Indian tribes

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and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri 
River to supply power to Western. This study applies only to Western's 
Upper Great Plains Region (UGPR).

DATES: An entity interested in commenting on the Draft WHFS report must 
submit written comments to Western's Upper Great Plains Office at the 
address below. Western must receive written and/or electronic comments 
by 4 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, on February 13, 2009. Western 
reserves the right to not consider any comments received after the 
prescribed date and time.
    Western will hold a public meeting on the Draft Feasibility Study 
Report associated with the WHFS. The public meeting date is: January 
13, at 1 p.m., Mountain Standard Time. The public meeting location is 
the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 2111 N. LaCrosse Street, Rapid City, 
SD.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Robert J. Harris, Regional 
Manager, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 
2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, or e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael A. Radecki, Energy 
Services Specialist, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, 
telephone (406) 247-7442, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 
109-58 amended Title XXVI of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to, inter 
alia, add a new Section 2606 (25 U.S.C. 3506). Section 2606 requires 
that the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of the 
Army and the Secretary [of the Interior], shall conduct a study of the 
cost and feasibility of developing a demonstration project that uses 
wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the 
Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River to supply firming power 
to the Western Area Power Administration.
    25 U.S.C. 3506(a) also directed the formation of a study team to 
include an independent tribal engineer and a Western customer 
representative. In March 2007, through written correspondence, Western 
requested nominations for an independent tribal engineer from each of 
the 25 Indian tribes in the UGPR. Three Indian tribes and one tribal 
organization responded and served as WHFS study team members. Western 
solicited non-tribal customer representation through the Mid-West 
Electric Consumers Association, which represents the majority of 
Western's customers in the UGPR. Three UGPR customers served as 
customer representative project team members.
    Western requested public comment on the draft WHFS work plan 
through notice published in the Federal Register / Vol. 72 No. 181, pg. 
53560-53561, on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Additionally, a public 
meeting was held in Bismarck, North Dakota, on September 27, 2007. The 
final WHFS work plan was issued on November 5, 2007.

Objectives

    Section 2606 (25 U.S.C. 3505 (c)), required that a report 
describing the results of the study be prepared and include an analysis 
and comparison of the potential energy cost or benefits to the 
customers of the Western Area Power Administration through the use of 
combined wind and hydropower; an economic and engineering evaluation of 
whether a combined wind and hydropower system can reduce reservoir 
fluctuation, enhance efficient and reliable energy production, and 
provide Missouri River management flexibility; if found feasible, 
recommendations for a demonstration project to be carried out by the 
Western Area Power Administration, in partnership with an Indian tribal 
government or tribal energy resource development organization, and 
Western Area Power Administration customers to demonstrate the 
feasibility and potential of using wind energy produced on Indian land 
to supply firming energy to the Western Area Power Administration; and 
an identification of the economic and environmental costs of, or 
benefits to be realized through, a Federal-tribal-customer partnership; 
and the manner in which a Federal-tribal-customer partnership could 
contribute to the energy security of the United States.

WHFS Draft Report

    Western seeks public comment on the Draft WHFS report.
    The Draft WHFS report has been structured to address the 
requirements of section 2606, as well as incorporate and make best use 
of previous wind integration and transmission studies. In particular, 
the study has incorporated the results of the Dakota Wind Transmission 
study, October 2005, to the extent appropriate. The WHFS report also 
documents efforts undertaken to fulfill the objectives identified in 
the WHFS work plan.

Availability of Information

    The Draft WHFS report is available for inspection and copying at 
the UGPR office located at 2900 4th Ave. North, Billings, Montana. 
Comments and responses to comments on the Draft WHFS report will be 
available for inspection and copying at this location after the comment 
period closes. The Draft WHFS report and future WHFS documents are/will 
be available for viewing at http://www.wapa.gov/ugp/PowerMarketing/WindHydro/Default.htm.

WHFS Report Procedure Requirements

Environmental Compliance

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE 
NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), Western 
has determined the WHFS is encompassed within a class of action listed 
in Appendix A to Subpart D (10 CFR 1021.410) which lists actions not 
normally requiring the preparation of either an Environmental Impact 
Statement or an Environmental Assessment. Specifically, the WHFS action 
met the categorical exclusion listed under A9 of Appendix A to Subpart 
D of part 1021 ``Information gathering/data analysis/document 
preparation/dissemination,'' which specifically includes feasibility 
studies.

    Dated: December 3, 2008.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E8-29602 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P