[Federal Register: November 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 221)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63833-63834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no98-27]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

 
Associated Electric Cooperative; Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a finding of no significant impact with respect to its action 
related to the construction of a 200 megawatt simple cycle combustion 
turbine electric generation plant in Northwest Missouri by Associated 
Electric Cooperative (Associated). The finding of no significant impact 
is the conclusion of an environmental assessment prepared by RUS. The 
environmental assessment is based on a environmental analysis submitted 
to RUS by Associated. RUS conducted an independent evaluation of the 
environmental analysis and concurs with its scope and content. The 
environmental analysis has been incorporated by reference in the 
environmental assessment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Stop 1571, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-
0468, E-mail bquigel@rus.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The preferred site for the plant is located 
in south-central Nodaway County, Missouri, approximately 5.5 miles 
southeast of Maryville and \1/2\ mile southwest of the intersection of 
Highways N and F. The proposed project involves two 100-megawatt 
(nominal), simple-cycle combustion turbine generators. Simple-cycle 
units are typically used for peak power generation and operate only a 
few hundred to a few thousand hours per year. The combustion turbines 
for the proposed plant would be Westinghouse 501D5 simple-cycle/dry 
low-nitrogen oxides combustors. Initially, fuel for the combustion 
turbines would be natural gas only. Each main generating unit would be 
approximately 40 feet wide and 140 feet long. The exhaust stack

[[Page 63834]]

would be 50 feet high. Together the combustion turbines would occupy 
less than six acres of a site located in Nodaway County in northwest 
Missouri. A maintenance building approximately 90 by 45-foot, a small 
control building, and a water storage container would also be located 
on the site next to the combustion turbines. A 150-foot high microwave 
tower would be located on the site, enabling control of the plant from 
a remote location. The plant would be connected to one of Associated's 
161-kilovolt transmission lines. Natural gas would be supplied from 
either a 24-or 30-inch diameter gas line which passes northeast to 
southwest through northwestern Missouri. It is estimated that 
approximately 200 feet of two, 10 inch gas transmission lines will need 
to be constructed outside the proposed plant boundary to connect the 
plant to the existing gas line in the area.
    Alternatives considered to constructing the project as proposed 
included no action, load management, power purchases, renewable energy, 
combined cycle combustion turbine technology, and an alternative site 
location.
    Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact along with the environmental analysis are available 
for review at, or can be obtained from, RUS at the address provided 
herein or from Jerry Bindel, Associated Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 
754, Springfield, Missouri, 65801-0754 telephone (417) 885-9272. Mr. 
Bindel's E-mail address is jbindel@aeci.org. These documents are also 
available at Maryville Public Library, 5th and Main Street, Maryville, 
Missouri. Interested parties wishing to comment on the adequacy of the 
environmental assessment should do so within 30 days of the publication 
of this notice. RUS will take no action that would approve clearing or 
construction activities related to the proposed combined cycle power 
plant prior to the expiration of the 30-day comment period.

    Dated: November 10, 1998.
Blaine D. Stockton, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Program.
[FR Doc. 98-30669 Filed 11-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P