[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26216-26217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10943]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold 
a Public Workshop and Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold a public workshop and prepare an 
Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold a public 
scoping workshop and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
connection with possible impacts related to the construction and 
operation of a new gas-fired combustion turbine generation facility. 
The project, Hill County Generation Facility, is proposed by Brazos 
Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Brazos), of Waco, Texas. RUS may 
provide financial assistance for the project. The public scoping 
workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. until 
7:00 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Presbyterian Church at 106 
N. Lamar, Itasca, TX 76055.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 
1571, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571, 
Telephone: (202) 720-1953 or email: [email protected]; or Dave 
McDaniel, Brazos Electric Power, 7616 Bagby Avenue, Waco, Texas 76712, 
Telephone: (254) 750-6324 or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brazos is proposing to construct a new gas-
fired combustion turbine generation facility and is evaluating a 
potential site located in Hill County, Texas. The 40 acre site is 
located in the northeast corner of Hill County approximately 8 miles 
east of Itasca, Texas on FM 66 just west of the Hill County line. 
Associated facilities include a 4.5 mile gas pipeline and new switching 
facilities to connect the generation plant to existing transmission 
lines crossing the site.
    Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted in writing 
at the public scoping workshop or in writing no later than June 21, 
2015, to RUS at the address provided above.
    An Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared for the proposed 
project. Based on a review of the EA and other relevant information, 
RUS will determine if the preparation of an Environmental Impact 
Statement is necessary. Should RUS determine that the preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary, it

[[Page 26217]]

will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project 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 procedures as prescribed by RUS' Environmental 
Policies and Procedures.

Richard Fristik,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10943 Filed 5-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-15-P