[Federal Register: December 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 250)]
[Notices]               
[Page 73539]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30de99-83]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 67; 120; 2085; 2175]

 
Southern California Edison; Notice of Southern California 
Edison's Request to use Alternative Procedures in Filing License 
Applications

December 23, 1999.
    On December 10, 1999, the existing licensee, Southern California 
Edison (SCE) filed a request to use the Commission's alternative 
procedures in submitting applications to relicense four existing 
hydroelectric projects--Big Creek No. 2A, 8, and Eastwood (FERC No. 
67); Big Creek No. 3 (FERC No. 120); Mammoth Pool (FERC No. 2085); and 
Big Creek No. 1 and 2 (FERC No. 2175). The projects are located in the 
San Joaquin River Basin of California, and have a combined capacity of 
about 871.6 megawatts. This notice invites comments on SCE's request, 
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.
    The alternative procedure being requested here would combine the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing the applicants to file an applicant-prepared Environmental 
Assessment in lieu of Exhibit E of the license applications. This 
differs from the traditional process, in which the applicant consults 
with agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the 
application for the license and before filing it, but the Commission 
staff performs all of the environmental review after the application is 
filed. the alternative procedures are intended to reduce redundancies 
in the licensing process by combining the prefiling consultation and 
environmental review processes into a single process, to facilitate 
greater participation, and to improve communication and cooperation 
among the participants. The alternative procedures can be tailored to 
the particular project under consideration.

Alternative Procedures and the Big Creek Projects

    In this instance, SCE is proposing a consolidated relicensing of 
our projects within what is known as the Big Creek System. An 
applicant-prepared environmental assessment would be filed on all four 
projects with their applications. SCE also intends on negotiating an 
agreement on the relicensing of the projects by December, 2004. The 
application on the Mammoth Pool project is due to be filed in 2005, 
while the other three applications are due in 2007.

Comments

    SCE has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact resource 
agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and 
others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus likely exists 
that the use of the alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. 
SCE has also submitted a communications protocol that was developed in 
consultation with interested entities.
    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any additional comments on the licensee's 
proposal to use the alternative procedures. The licensee's request may 
be viewed on the web at http://rimsweb1.ferc.fed.us/rims/. Call 202-
208-2222 for assistance.

Filing Requirements

    Any comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as 
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the 
Alternative Procedure,'' and include the project names and numbers: Big 
Creek No. 2A, 8, and Eastwood (FERC No. 67); Big Creek No. 3 (FERC No. 
120); Mammoth Pool (FERC No. 2085); and Big Creek No. 1 and 2 (FERC No. 
2175). For further information, please contact Vince Yearick at (202) 
219-3073 or e-mail at vince.yearick@ferc.fed.us.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-33868 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M