[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 5888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01731]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2452-236]


Consumers Energy Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment

    On September 2, 2022, and supplemented on November 8, 2022, March 
17, 2023, and August 8, 2023, Consumers Energy Company (licensee), 
licensee for the Hardy Hydroelectric Project No. 2452 (project) filed 
an application for a non-capacity license amendment. The project is 
located on the Muskegon River in Newago and Mecosta counties, Michigan 
and does not occupy federal lands.
    In collaboration with the Commission's Division of Dam Safety and 
Inspections, the licensee proposes to construct several modifications 
to the auxiliary spillway to increase its capacity and repair and 
upgrade the spillway discharge channel to improve stability and safety. 
In addition to the auxiliary spillway modifications, the licensee 
proposes to upgrade the dam crest to improve transportation 
infrastructure by replacing and widening the road on the dam crest, 
which would also require replacement of the access bridge to the intake 
tower and replacement of the existing splash wall. A Notice of 
Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions to 
Intervene, and Protest was issued on October 12, 2022. No comments were 
received.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed action. The planned 
schedule for the completion of the EA is March 2024.\1\ Revisions to 
the schedule may be made as appropriate. The EA will be issued and made 
available for review by all interested parties. All comments filed on 
the EA will be reviewed by staff and considered in the Commission's 
final decision on the proceeding.
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(B) requires lead federal agencies to 
complete EAs within 1 year of the agency's decision to prepare an 
EA.
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    With this notice, the Commission is inviting federal, state, local, 
and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues affected by the proposal to cooperate 
in the preparation of the EA planned to be issued March 2024. Agencies 
wishing to cooperate, or further discuss the benefits, 
responsibilities, and obligations of the cooperating agency role, 
should contact staff listed at the bottom of this notice by February 
13, 2024. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that 
agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental 
document cannot also intervene. See 94 FERC ] 61,076 (2001).
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others to access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to David 
Rudisail at 202-502-6376 or [email protected].

    Dated: January 23, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01731 Filed 1-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P