[Federal Register: December 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 239)]
[Notices]               
[Page 68758-68759]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de98-50]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2852-000-NY]

 
New York State Electronic & Gas Corporation; Notice of New York 
Electric & Gas Corporation's Request To Use Alternative Procedures in 
Filing a License Application

December 8, 1998.
    On November 27, 1998, the existing licensee, New York State 
Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG), filed a request to use alternative 
procedures for submitting an application for non-power license for the 
existing Keuka Hydroelectric Project No. 2852. The project is located 
on Keuka Lake, Waneta Lake, Lamoka Lake, and Mud Creek, in Steuben and 
Schuyler Counties, New York.
    The project consists of: (1) The 183-foot-long and 13-foot-high 
Bradford dam; (2) a 74,000-acre-foot reservoir comprising Waneta and 
Lamoka Lakes; (3) a 9,288-foot-long canal; (4) a 3,600-foot-long 
penstock; (5) an 835-foot-long penstock; (6) a powerhouse with a single 
2,000-kw generating unit; and (7) appurtenant facilities. NYSEG has 
demonstrating that it has made an effort to contact all resource 
agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and 
others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus exists that the 
use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case.
    NYSEG has submitted a communications protocol that is supported by 
most interested entities.
    The purpose of this notice is to invited any additional comments on 
NYSEG's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section 
4.34(i) of the Communication's regulations.\1\ Additional notices 
seeking comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and 
protests, and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a 
later date.
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    \1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the licensing of 
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedures being requested here combine the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This process 
differs from the traditional way the applicant prepares a license 
application because the prefiling consultation with agencies, Indian 
tribes, and NGOs is done concurrently with the environmental review 
process

[[Page 68759]]

rather than waiting for the Commission staff to conduct its 
environmental review of the application after it is filed with the 
Commission. The alternative procedures are intended to simplify and 
expedite 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.

Applicant Prepared EA Process and Keuka Project Schedule

    NYSEG has distributed an Information Package for the proposed 
project to state and federal resource agencies, and NGOs. NYSEG has met 
with the participants on September 19, 1998, October 20, 1998, and 
November 20, 1998 to discuss the alternative licensing process and 
potential issues by the participants. NYSEG has submitted a proposed 
schedule for the alternative licensing process that leads to the filing 
of a non-power license application by February 2001.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on NYSEG's proposal to use the 
alternative procedures to file an application for the Keuka 
Hydroelectric Project.

Filing Requirements

    The 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 Procedures,'' and include the project name and number 
(Keuka Hydroelectric Project No. 2852).
    For further information on this process, please contact William 
Guey-Lee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2908 or 
E-mail at william.gueylee@fer.fed.us.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-33021 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M