[Federal Register: August 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 150)]
[Notices]
[Page 44275]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04au06-54]
[[Page 44275]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for the FutureGen Project
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings and opportunity for comment.
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SUMMARY: On Friday, July 28, 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the proposed action of providing up to $700 million of Federal
funding for the FutureGen Project (71 FR 42840). The FutureGen Project
would comprise the planning, design, construction and operation by a
private sector organization of a coal-fired electric power and hydrogen
gas production plant integrated with carbon dioxide capture and
geologic sequestration of the captured gas. DOE's National Energy
Technology Laboratory (NETL) is hosting public scoping meetings near
each of the four proposed FutureGen Project sites. Dates, locations,
and information about the public scoping meetings are contained under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below.
DATES: DOE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the
EIS from all interested parties. Comments must be received by September
13, 2006, to ensure consideration. Late comments will be considered to
the extent practicable. DOE also invites members of the public to
participate in public scoping meetings (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION)
to learn more about the proposed FutureGen Project and provide oral
comments on the alternatives and environmental issues to be considered.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed scope of the EIS and requests for
copies of the Draft EIS may be submitted by fax (304-285-4403), e-mail
FutureGen.EIS@netl.doe.gov), or a letter addressed to the NEPA
Document Manager for the FutureGen Project: Mr. Mark L. McKoy, National
Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 880,
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880, Attn: FutureGen Project EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments or requests to participate in
the public scoping process also can be submitted by contacting Mr. Mark
L. McKoy directly at telephone 304-285-4426; toll free number 1-800-
432-8330 (extension 4426); fax 304-285-4403; or e-mail
FutureGen.EIS@netl.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NETL is hosting four public scoping meetings
to present an overview of the proposed project and to provide the
public with an opportunity to comment and ask questions. An informal
session of the public scoping meetings will begin at approximately 4
p.m., followed by a formal session beginning at approximately 7 p.m.
Members of the public who wish to speak at a public scoping meeting
should contact Mr. Mark L. McKoy, either by phone, fax, e-mail, or in
writing (see ADDRESSES in this Notice). Those who do not arrange in
advance to speak may register at a meeting (preferably at the beginning
of the meeting) and may speak after previously scheduled speakers.
Speakers will be given approximately five minutes to present their
comments. Those speakers who want more than five minutes should
indicate the length of time desired in their request. Depending on the
number of speakers, DOE may need to limit all speakers to five minutes
initially and provide second opportunities as time permits. Speakers
may also provide written materials to supplement their presentations.
Oral and written comments will be given equal consideration. State and
local elected officials and tribal leaders may be given priority in the
order of those making oral comments.
DOE will begin each meeting with an overview of the proposed
FutureGen Project. The meeting will not be conducted as an evidentiary
hearing, and speakers will not be cross-examined. However, speakers may
be asked questions to help ensure that DOE fully understands the
comments or suggestions. A presiding officer will establish the order
of speakers and provide any additional procedures necessary to conduct
the meeting.
Meeting Schedule
Texas--Jewett
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2006.
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: City of Fairfield's Green Barn (Fairgrounds Exhibits Bldg.)
839 E. Commerce, Fairfield, Texas 75840. This site is 2.5 miles East of
I-45 on Hwy 84 (aka Commerce Street).
Texas--Odessa
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006.
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: The CEED (Center for Energy and Economic Diversification)
Building is located at 1400 North FM 1788 in Midland, Texas 79707.
Illinois--Tuscola
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2006.
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. Central Avenue, Tuscola,
IL 61953. (From Interstate 57, take exit 212 to U.S. Highway 36. The
Tuscola Community Building is at the intersection of North Central
Avenue and South Main Street.)
Illinois--Mattoon
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2006.
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Riddle Elementary School, 4201 Western Avenue, Mattoon, IL.
(Located at the corner of Western Avenue and 43rd Street (CR 300E).)
All meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Any
individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a
sign language interpreter, or a translator, please contact Mr. Mark
McKoy, U.S. DOE-NETL, toll free (800) 432-8330 ext. 4426, fax (304)
285-4403, or via e-mail at FutureGen.EIS@netl.doe.gov at least 48 hours
in advance of the meeting so that arrangements can be made.
Additional information about FutureGen can be found at these Web
sites: http://www.doe.gov; http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/futuregen/; http://www.futuregenalliance.org.
Dated: August 1, 2006.
Mark J. Matarrese,
Director, Office of Environment, Security, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. E6-12742 Filed 8-3-06; 8:45 am]
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