[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 77963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32005]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 77963]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Oglethorpe Power Corporation; Proposed Biomass Power Plant

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 
has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its 
responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
7 CFR part 1794 related to possible financial assistance to Oglethorpe 
Power Corporation's (Oglethorpe) for the construction of a 100 megawatt 
(MW) biomass plant and related facilities (Proposal) in Warren County, 
Georgia.
    The purpose of the Proposal is to provide a reliable, long-term 
supply of renewable and sustainable energy at a reasonable cost to meet 
part of the electric energy needs of Oglethorpe's members. Oglethorpe 
may request financial assistance from the RUS for the Proposal.

DATES: Written comments on this Final EIS will be accepted 30 days 
following the publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 
notice of receipt of the Final EIS in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the Final EIS or 
for further information, contact: Stephanie Strength, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Room 2244, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or email 
[email protected].

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be viewed online at the 
following Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-OglethorpePower.html 
and at the: Warren County Public Library, 10 Warren Street Warrenton, 
Georgia 30828, Phone (706) 465-2656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Oglethorpe proposes to own, operate, and 
maintain the Proposal in Warren County, Georgia. The purpose of the 
Proposal is to provide a reliable, long-term supply of renewable and 
sustainable energy at a reasonable cost to meet part of the electric 
energy needs of Oglethorpe's members.
    Three alternatives are evaluated in detail in the Final EIS; the no 
action alternative, and the proposed action at two different locations: 
Warren County (the Proposal) and Appling County (the Alternate). 
Alternatives were evaluated in terms of cost-effectiveness, technical 
feasibility, and environmental impacts. The Final EIS evaluated and 
eliminated from detailed consideration eight alternatives for renewable 
generation, non-renewable generation alternatives, demand side 
management, three alternative sites, two alternatives for cooling, and 
two alternatives for water supply.
    The Proposal would be constructed on an approximately 343-acre site 
located three-fourths mile east of the city limit of Warrenton, 
Georgia. The tallest structure would be the stack, with a maximum 
estimated height of approximately 220 feet. The construction schedule 
of the Proposal is currently unknown.
    A Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published in the 
Federal Register at 76 FR 20624, on April 13, 2011, and in local 
newspapers. Public hearings on the Draft EIS were held in the project 
area on May 5, 2011, and public comments were accepted through May 31, 
2011.
    In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of 
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800) and as part of its broad 
environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of 
the proposal on historic properties Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS 
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. Any party wishing to participate more directly with 
RUS as a ``consulting party'' in Section 106 review may submit a 
written request to the RUS contact provided in this notice.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the mailing or 
email addresses provided in this Notice. RUS will accept comments on 
the Final EIS 30 days following the publication of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's notice of receipt of the Final EIS in 
the Federal Register. Once completed, a public notice announcing the 
availability of the Record of Decision will be published in the Federal 
Register and local newspapers. Because the Proposal may involve impacts 
to wetlands, this Notice of Availability also serves as a notice of 
potential impacts to wetlands. In accordance with Executive Order 
11990, the Final EIS includes a wetland assessment and statement of no 
practicable alternatives to proposed impacts to wetlands.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposal will be subject to, 
and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, state and 
local environmental laws and regulations, and completion of the 
environmental review requirements as promulgated in RUS' Environmental 
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

Nivin Elgohary,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32005 Filed 12-14-11; 8:45 am]
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