[Federal Register: July 17, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 137)]
[Notices]
[Page 37225-37226]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy01-66]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Notice of Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Preparing a
License Application
July 11, 2001.
Take notice that the following request to use alternative
procedures to prepare a license application has been filed with the
Commission and is available for public inspection. This filing may also
be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``RIMS'' link,
select ``Docket#'' and follow the instructions (call 202-208-2222 for
assistance).
a. Type of Application: Request to use alternative procedures to
prepare a new license application.
b. Project No.: 2586.
c. Date filed: May 23, 2001.
d. Applicant: Alabama Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC).
e. Name of Project: Conecuh River Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: On the Conecuh River near the towns of Gantt and River
Falls, in Covington County, Alabama.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Mike Noel, Environmental Engineer, Alabama
Electric Cooperative, Inc., Post Office Box 550, Anadalusia, AL 36420,
(334) 427-3248.
i. FERC Contact: Ron McKitrick, (770) 452-3778; e-mail
ronald.mckitrick@ferc.fed.us.
j. Deadline for Comments: 30 days from the date of this notice.
All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with:
David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Copies of this filing are on
file with the Commission and are available for public inspection.
Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via
the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission's web site under the ``e-Filing'' link.
k. The Conecuh River Project consists of two developments: The
existing Point ``A'' development consists of a 2,800-foot-long earthen
dam, 700-acre
[[Page 37226]]
reservoir, three generating units with an installed capacity of 5,200
kW, and a 0.39-mile-long transmission line. The existing Gantt
Development consists of a 1,562-foot-long earthen dam, a 2,767-acre
reservoir, and two generating units with an installed capacity of 3,050
Kw.
l. Alabama Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC) has demonstrated that
it has made an effort to contact all federal and state resources
agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and others affected by
the project. AEC has also demonstrated that a consensus exists that the
use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. AEC has
submitted a communications protocol that is supported by the
stakeholders.
The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on
AEC's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section
4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations. Additional notices seeking
comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and protests,
and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a later date.
AEC will complete and file a preliminary Environmental Assessment, in
lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from the
traditional process, in which an applicant consults with agencies,
Indian tribes, NGOs, and other parties during preparation of the
license application and before filing the application, but the
Commission staff performs the environmental review after the
application is filed. The alternative procedures are intended to
simplify and expedite the licensing process by combining the pre-filing
consultation and environmental review processes into a single process,
to facilitate greater participation, and to improve communication and
cooperation among the participants.
AEC has had preliminary discussion with federal and state resources
agencies, NGOs, county and local governments, homeowners, and members
of the public regarding the Conecuh River Project. AEC intends to file
6-month progress reports during the alternative procedures process that
leads to the filing of a license application by April 30, 2003.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17809 Filed 7-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P