[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4989-4990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2203]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Turning Point Solar LLC: Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment for 
Public Review.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has prepared an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and RUS's Environmental and 
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794) in relation to possible 
financial assistance for a proposal by Turning Point Solar LCC (TPS). 
The proposal consists of constructing a 49.9 megawatt (MW) ground-
mounted solar photovoltaic generating facility in Noble County, Ohio. 
Turning Point Solar LLC is requesting that RUS provide a loan or loan 
guarantee for the proposal. RUS is considering funding this proposal, 
thereby making it an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of 
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 USC 470(f), and its 
implementing regulation, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR 
part 800).

DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received on or before 
March 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the EA may be viewed at the following RUS Web 
site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-ea.htm, and at the following 
repository: Caldwell Public Library, 517 Spruce Street, Caldwell, Ohio 
43724-0230; Telephone: (740) 732-4506 for operating hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the EA, to comment 
on the EA, or for further information, contact: Ms. Lauren McGee, 
Environmental Scientist, USDA/RUS, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 
2244-S, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, Telephone: (202) 720-
1482, fax: (202) 690-0649, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Turning Point Solar LLC proposes to 
construct a 49.9 MW solar generating facility in Brookfield Township, 
Noble County, Ohio. The proposal involves the installation of high-
efficiency monocrystalline photovoltaic panels mounted on fixed solar 
racking equipment and the construction of access roads, a powerhouse, 
transmission improvements, and other supporting facilities. The 
preferred site is located eight miles northwest of Caldwell, Ohio, on 
approximately 771 acres of reclaimed strip-mined land owned by Columbus 
Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company, collectively American 
Electric Power Ohio (AEP Ohio). The land was mined by the Central Ohio 
Coal Company between 1969 and 1991, after which time it was reclaimed. 
The proposed generating facility would interconnect to AEP Ohio's South 
Cumberland 69kV substation, subject to completion of the Pennsylvania-
New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) Generation Interconnection application 
process.
    As part of its environmental review process, RUS 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), 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. 
RUS has determined that no historic properties listed in or eligible 
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) will be 
affected by the proposal.
    Alternatives considered by RUS and TPS include (a) no action, (b) 
project alternatives, and (c) project alternative sites. An 
environmental report that describes the proposal in detail and 
discusses its anticipated environmental impacts has been prepared by 
URS Corporation. RUS has reviewed and accepted the document as its EA 
of the proposal. The EA is available for public review at the addresses 
provided in this Notice. Questions and comments should be sent to RUS 
at the mailing or email addresses provided in this Notice. RUS should 
receive comments on the EA in writing by March 2, 2012 to ensure that 
they are considered in its environmental impact determination.
    Should RUS, based on the EA of the proposal, determine that the 
impacts of the construction and operation of the proposal would not 
have a significant environmental impact, it will prepare a

[[Page 4990]]

Finding of No Significant Impact. Public notification of a Finding of 
No Significant Impact would be published in newspapers with circulation 
in the proposal area. 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 prescribed in 
RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

    Dated: January 25, 2012.
Nivin Elgohary,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, USDA, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2203 Filed 1-31-12; 8:45 am]
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