[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29465-29466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14563]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold 
Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold public scoping meetings and prepare 
two Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential impacts related 
to projects proposed by Oglethorpe Power Corporation (Oglethorpe) of 
Tucker, Georgia. The proposal consists of the construction of a 100-MW 
biomass power plant in Appling County near Baxley, Georgia. Oglethorpe 
is requesting RUS to provide financial assistance for the proposed 
action.

DATES: RUS will conduct a public scoping meeting in an open house 
format in order to provide information and solicit comments for the 
preparation of the EIS. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, 
July 8, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at (Courthouse Annex at 69 Tippins 
Street, Baxley, Georgia 31513; telephone (912) 367-8100) in Baxley, 
Georgia. All written questions and comments must be received by RUS by 
July 22, 2009.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact 
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural 
Development Utilities Programs, at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 
1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or e-mail 
[email protected].
    An Alternatives Report (AR) prepared by Oglethorpe 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/eis.htm, at Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 2100 East 
Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia, and at the following locations:

Appling County Public Library, 244 E. Parker Street, Baxley, GA 31513, 
Phone: (912) 367-8103.
Warren County Public Library, 10 Warren Street, Warrenton, GA 30828, 
Phone: (706) 465-2656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Oglethorpe proposes to construct a new 100-
MW biomass power plant in Appling County near Baxley, Georgia. The 
proposal is to meet, in part, the future demand of Oglethorpe's Members 
to provide a reliable, long-term supply of renewable and sustainable 
energy. Oglethorpe is seeking financing from RUS for its investment. 
The proposal is classified in 7 CFR 1794.25 as requiring an EIS.
    Prior to making a financial decision about whether to provide 
financial assistance for a proposal, RUS is required to conduct an 
environmental review under the NEPA in accordance with the Agency 
policies and procedures codified in 7 CFR part 1794. These regulations 
require the Agency to consider engineering alternatives including no 
action, load management, conservation measures, and reactive power 
supply.
    Government agencies, private organizations, and the public, are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
projects. Representatives from the Agency and Oglethorpe will be 
available at the scoping meetings to discuss the environmental review 
process, describe the proposals, 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

[[Page 29466]]

800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), the Agency is using its 
procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its 
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 
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.
    Using information from the Alternatives Report and considering 
input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the 
public, RUS and Oglethorpe, in consultation with the cooperating 
agencies, will determine the scope of the EIS. Notices announcing the 
availability of the Draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register 
and local newspapers.
    Any final action by the Agency related to the proposal will be 
subject to, contingent upon, and in compliance with environmental 
review requirements will be conducted as prescribed by the Agency's 
environmental policies and procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

    Dated: June 12, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-14563 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-15-P