[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29625-29626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12069]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2558-029]


Central Vermont Public Service Corporation; Notice of Application 
Ready for Environmental Analysis, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and 
Protests, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Terms and 
Conditions, and Prescriptions

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
    a. Type of Application: New Major License.
    b. Project No.: 2558-029.
    c. Date filed: March 31, 2010, and amended on August 1, 2011.
    d. Applicant: Central Vermont Public Service Corporation.
    e. Name of Project: Otter Creek Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: The existing project is located on Otter Creek in 
Addison and Rutland counties, Vermont. The project does not occupy 
federal lands.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Mike Scarzello, Generation Asset Manager, 
Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, 77 Grove Street, Rutland, 
VT 05701; Telephone: (802) 747-5207.
    i. FERC Contact: Aaron Liberty, (202) 502-6862, 
[email protected].
    j. Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests, comments, 
terms and conditions, recommendations, and prescriptions: 60 days from 
the issuance date of this notice; reply comments are due 105 days from 
the issuance date of this notice.
    All documents may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web 
site (http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ferconline.asp) under the 
``eFiling'' link. For a simpler method of submitting text only 
comments, click on ``Quick Comment.'' For assistance, please contact 
FERC Online Support at [email protected]; call toll-free at 
(866) 208-3676; or, for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. Although the 
Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be 
paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and eight copies to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing 
documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each 
person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an 
intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to 
the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a 
particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document 
on that resource agency.
    You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    k. This application has been accepted for filing and is now ready 
for environmental analysis.
    l. Project Description: The existing Otter Creek Project consists 
of three developments with a combined installed capacity of 18.279 
megawatts (MW). The project produces an average annual generation of 
67,258 megawatt-hours. The energy from the project will be used to 
serve Central Vermont's retail customers.
    The Proctor development, located at river mile 64.2, consists of 
the following facilities: (1) An existing 13-foot-high, 128-foot-long 
dam with a 3-foot-high inflatable flashboard system; (2) an existing 
95-acre reservoir with a storage capacity of 275 acre-feet at a normal 
maximum water surface elevation of 469.5 feet above mean sea level 
(msl); (3) a gated-forebay intake structure approximately 14 feet deep 
by 115 feet long with a maximum width of 48 feet; (4) two intakes with 
two penstocks: a 9-foot-diameter, 460-foot-long, riveted steel penstock 
that decreases to 8 feet in diameter, and a 7-foot-diameter, 500-foot-
long, spiral welded steel penstock; (5) an original concrete and brick 
masonry powerhouse measuring 100 by 33 feet containing four vertical 
shaft turbines: three 750-kilowatt (kW) units and one 1,680-kW unit 
with a combined maximum hydraulic capacity of 565 cubic feet per second 
(cfs); (6) an additional steel structure measuring 28 by 48 feet 
attached to the original powerhouse containing one 3,000-kW vertical 
shaft unit with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 325 cfs; (7) generator 
leads; (8) two banks of 0.48/4.16-kilovolt (kV) single-phase 
transformers; (9) a 0.48/43.8-kV three winding transformer; and (10) 
appurtenant facilities.
    The Beldens development, located at river mile 23, consists of the 
following facilities: (1) Two existing concrete dams on either side of 
a ledge/bedrock island with 2.5-foot-high wooden flashboards: a 15-
foot-high, 56-foot-long dam (west) and a 24-foot-high, 57-foot-long dam 
(east); (2) an existing 22-acre reservoir with a storage capacity of 
253 acre-feet at a normal maximum water surface elevation of 282.52 
feet msl; (3) two intakes equipped with trashracks: a 79-foot-long 
intake and a 35-foot-long intake with a 95-foot-long sluiceway; (4) a 
12-foot-diameter, 30-foot-long steel penstock that bifurcates into two 
10-foot-diameter sections, each leading to an original powerhouse; (5) 
a 12-foot-diameter, 45-foot-long concrete penstock that leads to a 
newer powerhouse; (6) an original concrete and masonry powerhouse 
measuring 40 by 44 feet containing a 800-kW vertical shaft unit and 
949-kW vertical shaft unit with combined maximum hydraulic capacity of 
650 cfs; (7) a second, newer concrete powerhouse measuring 40 by 75 
feet containing a 4,100-kW vertical shaft unit with a maximum hydraulic 
capacity of 1,350 cfs; (8) generator leads; (9) a 2.4/46-kV step-up 
transformer bank; and (10) appurtenant facilities.
    The Huntington Falls development, located at river mile 21, 
consists of: (1) An existing 31-foot-high, 187-foot-long concrete dam 
with a 2.5-foot-high inflatable flashboard system; (2) an existing 23-
acre reservoir with a storage capacity of 234 acre-feet at a normal 
maximum water surface elevation of 217.8 feet msl; (3) two intakes 
equipped with trashracks: a 40-foot-long intake and a 26-foot-long 
intake; (4) three penstocks: two 10-foot-diameter, 30-foot-long steel 
penstocks leading to an original powerhouse, and a 12-foot-diameter, 
75-foot-long concrete penstock leading to a newer powerhouse; (5) an 
original brick masonry powerhouse measuring 42 by 60 feet containing a 
600-kW vertical shaft unit and a 800-kW vertical shaft unit with a 
combined maximum hydraulic capacity of 660 cfs; (6) a second, newer 
powerhouse measuring 40 by 75 feet containing a 4,100-kW vertical shaft 
unit with a maximum

[[Page 29626]]

hydraulic capacity of 1,350 cfs; (7) generator leads; (8) a 2.4/46-kV 
step-up transformer bank; and (9) appurtenant facilities.
    Currently, the Proctor development operates in a modified run-of-
river mode, with infrequent diversions at the direction of the 
Independent System Operator--New England, while the Beldens and 
Huntington Falls developments operate in a run-of-river mode. The 
Proctor development currently provides a continuous downstream minimum 
flow of 100 cfs or inflow to the development, whichever is less, with 
minimum flows from April through mid-June equal to at least 50 percent 
of project inflows. A bypassed reach minimum flow of 5 cfs is currently 
released at the Beldens development through an opening in the 
flashboards along the west dam. A bypassed reach minimum flow of 15 cfs 
is currently released at the Huntington Falls development via a minimum 
flow gate at the right abutment of the dam.
    Central Vermont proposes several physical changes to existing 
project facilities at the Proctor and Huntington Falls developments. At 
the Proctor development, Central Vermont proposes to: (1) Realign the 
intake headworks, such that the existing structure and components 
(sluice gate, trashracks, and/or headgates) will be modified with the 
entrance widened and deepened to reduce significant head losses through 
the intake structure; (2) install a new runner at Unit 1; replace Units 
2-4 with new turbines/generators; and install new electrical 
switchgear, breakers, controls, and relays, resulting in an increase in 
nameplate capacity from 6,930 kW to a preliminary estimated design of 
9,402 kW, and an increase in the existing hydraulic capacity from 890 
cfs to approximately 1,158 cfs; and (3) install a new trashrack with 2-
inch clear bar spacing, oriented at 42.5 degrees to river flow.
    At the Huntington Falls development, Central Vermont proposes to: 
(1) Upgrade Units 1 and 2, resulting in an increase in nameplate 
capacity from 5,500 kW to a preliminary estimated design of 6,344 kW, 
and an increase in the existing hydraulic capacity from 2,010 cfs to 
approximately 2,144 cfs; (2) install new switchgear, breakers, control, 
and relays; and (3) install a new trashrack for the Unit 3 intake that 
would have 3-inch clear bar spacing and be oriented at a 90 degree 
angle to river flow.
    Central Vermont proposes operational changes to existing project 
operations at the Proctor development. Central Vermont proposes to 
eliminate the existing 4-foot drawdown of the reservoir surface, with 
the exception of infrequent emergency operations and maintenance, and 
to implement a cycling operation that would utilize a 1.5-foot 
drawdown/refill cycle between June 16 and March 31, provided that the 
existing downstream minimum flow requirement of 100 cfs is maintained 
during refill. Central Vermont also proposes to refrain from conducting 
reservoir drawdowns during the period of April 1 to June 15, when 
Proctor would be operated in a run-of-river mode. In addition, peaking 
constraints would be utilized under normal operations of no greater 
than a 4.5:1 ratio between maximum and minimum flow in a 24-hour 
period.
    Central Vermont is also proposing to alter the existing bypassed 
reach minimum flows at the Proctor and Beldens developments. At the 
Proctor development, Central Vermont is proposing to provide a 
continuous bypassed reach minimum flow of 54 cfs, and to provide the 
remainder of the existing 100-cfs minimum tailrace flow through the 
powerhouse. At the Beldens development, Central Vermont is proposing to 
provide a 10-cfs minimum flow in both the east and west channels.
    Central Vermont is also proposing the following environmental 
measures: (1) Improve and enhance the existing take-out for the canoe 
portage around the Beldens dam; and (2) formalize and enhance the 
tailwater access site at the Proctor development.
    m. A copy of the application is available for review at the 
Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the 
Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the 
docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact 
FERC Online Support. A copy is also available for inspection and 
reproduction at the address in Item h above.
    Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    n. Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene 
in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 
18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to 
take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments 
filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with 
the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any 
comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or 
before the specified comment date for the particular application.
    All filings must: (1) Bear in all capital letters the title 
``PROTEST,'' or ``MOTION TO INTERVENE,'' or ``COMMENTS,'' ``REPLY 
COMMENTS,'' RECOMMENDATIONS,'' ``TERMS AND CONDITIONS,'' or 
``PRESCRIPTIONS;'' (2) set forth in the heading the name of the 
applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing 
responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the 
person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise comply with the 
requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, 
recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must set forth 
their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 
18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly 
from the applicant. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must 
be served upon the representative of the applicant. A copy of all other 
filings must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed 
in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in 
accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010.
    o. A license applicant must file, no later than 60 days following 
the date of issuance of this notice: (1) A copy of the water quality 
certification; (2) a copy of the request for certification, including 
proof of the date on which the certifying agency received the request; 
or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality certification.

    Dated: May 14, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-12069 Filed 5-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P