Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, 59029-59030 [05-20309]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / Notices ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393), the Caribou-Targhee National Forests’ Eastern Idaho Resource Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, November 30, 2005 in Idaho Falls for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public. DATES: The business meeting will be held on November 30, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting location is the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Headquarters Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Timchak, Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor and Designated Federal Officer, at (208) 524–7500. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The business meeting on November 30, 2005, begins at 10 a.m., at the CaribouTarghee National Forest Headquarters Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Agenda topics will include looking at funding for this upcoming year, briefed on project status from last year’s approved projects, and welcoming the new Forest Supervisor/ Designated Federal Officer. Dated: October 3, 2005. Lawrence A. Timchak, Caribou-Targhee Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–20320 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of intent to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECI), with headquarters in Tampa, Florida. The proposal consists of the construction of a nominal 750 megawatt coal-based electrical generating unit at VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:40 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 208001 the Seminole Generating Station (SGS). The Station is located in Putnam County, Florida, about six miles north of Palatka. SGS Unit 3 will be constructed near the existing SGS Units 1 and 2. The new unit can be readily accommodated on the existing site. The financing and construction of the SGS Unit 1 and 2 was evaluated in a previous EIS. SECI is requesting RUS provide financing for the proposed project. DATES: RUS will conduct a public scoping meeting in an open-house format, seeking the input of the public and other interested parties, on October 20, 2005, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Campbell Center at Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka, Florida 32177, 386–329–3721. A scoping document for the preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement will be available for review at the public scoping meeting. The document also is available for public review at RUS at the address provided in this notice, at Seminole Electric Cooperative, 16313 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33618, at Seminole Generating Station, 890 North Highway 17, Palatka, Florida 32177, and at, Putnam County Library System: Headquarters Palatka Library, 601 College Road, Palatka, Florida 32177– 3873. Crescent City Public Library Branch, 610 N. Summit, Crescent City, Florida 32212–2148. Bostwick Community Library Branch, 125 Tillman Street, P.O. Box 489, Bostwick, Florida 32007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone: (202) 720–0468 or e-mail: stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov, or James Frauen, Manager of Environmental Affairs, Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 272000, Tampa, Florida 33688–2000 or e-mail: jfrauen@seminole-electric.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SECI proposes to construct and operate a nominal 750-megawatt coal-based electric generating facility (Unit 3) at its existing Seminole Generating Station, located in Putnam County, Florida, about six miles north of Palatka on U.S. Highway 17. SECI intends to license the construction and operation of SGS Unit 3 in conjunction with the continued operation of the existing Units 1 and 2. Unit 1 began commercial operation in January 1984 and Unit 2 began PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59029 commercial operation in January 1985. Unit 3, a high efficiency, advanced technology coal unit with state of the art emission controls, will be constructed near Units 1 and 2. Unit 3 proposes to start commercial operation by May 1, 2012. It has been determined that a third unit can be readily accommodated on the existing plant site. Fuel (coal and petroleum coke) for all three units will continue to be delivered to the site by rail. The Unit 3 project is estimated to cost $1.2 billion, which includes approximately $440 million for environmental controls. In addition, Seminole will also invest more than $200 million for advanced air emissions controls on Units 1 and 2 to remove additional amounts of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury. A new zero discharge system will be installed to reuse and evaporate process wastewater from all three units resulting in further improvement of the quality of the Station’s water discharge to the St. Johns River. Alternatives considered include no action, purchased power, renewable energy sources, distributed generation, and alternative site locations. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted (orally or in writing) at the public scoping meetings or in writing for receipt no later than November 21, 2005, to RUS at the address provided in this notice. As mentioned previously, the financing and construction of the existing SGS Units 1 and 2 were evaluated in a previous EIS prepared by the Rural Electrification Administration. The final EIS and Record of Decision for the Seminole Plant Unit 1 and 2 and Associated Transmission Facilities were published in 1979. This EIS evaluated the environmental effects of the construction of two 600 MW coal-fired electric generating units and associated 230 kV transmission facilities. This EIS will be supplemented to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed action. RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of a Draft Supplemental EIS. The Draft Supplemental EIS will be available for review and comment for 45 days. A Final Supplemental EIS will then be prepared that considers all comments received. The Final Supplemental EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. Following the 30-day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Public notices announcing the availability of the Draft and Final Supplemental EIS and the ROD will be E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1 59030 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / Notices published in the Federal Register and in the Palatka Daily News. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). Dated: October 4, 2005. Glendon D. Deal, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/Utilities Programs. [FR Doc. 05–20309 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P No factual analyses, conclusions or findings should be considered final. Only after the Board has considered a final staff presentation and approved the staff report next year will there be an approved final record of this incident. The meeting will be open to the public. Please notify CSB if a translator or interpreter is needed, at least 5 business days prior to the public meeting. For more information, please contact the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board at (202) 261–7600, or visit our Web site at: https:// www.csb.gov. Christopher W. Warner, General Counsel. [FR Doc. 05–20443 Filed 10–6–05; 2:28 pm] BILLING CODE 6350–01–P CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sunshine Act Meeting In connection with its investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire which occurred at BP’s Texas City refinery on March 23, 2005, the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announces that it will convene a community meeting starting at 6 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 27, 2005, at the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center, 2010 5th Avenue North, Texas City, Texas 77590. At the meeting CSB staff will present to the Board the preliminary results of their investigation into this incident. There will be a public comment period after the investigators’ presentation. At approximately 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23rd, a series of explosions occurred at the BP Texas City refinery during the restarting of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit. Fifteen workers were killed and about 170 others were injured. Many of the victims were in or around work trailers located near a blowdown drum and stack that were open to the atmosphere. The explosions occurred when a distillation tower flooded with hydrocarbons and was over pressurized, resulting in a release of flammable hydrocarbons from the blowdown stack. After the staff presentation, the Board will allow a time for public comment. Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the Board will consider whether the preliminary facts presented necessitate any recommendations prior to the final completion of the Board’s investigative report. All staff presentations are preliminary and are intended solely to allow the Board to consider in a public forum the issues and factors involved in this case. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:40 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 208001 OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395–3897. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, FAX number (202) 395–7285, or David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov. Dated: October 5, 2005. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 05–20339 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request BILLING CODE 3510–22–P The Department of Commerce has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Title: Coastal Zone Management Program Administration. Form Number(s): None. OMB Approval Number: 0648–0119. Type of Request: Regular submission. Burden Hours: 17,974. Number of Respondents: 35. Average Hours Per Response: 35. Needs and Uses: Coastal zone management grants provide funds to states and territories to implement federally-approved coastal zone management plans; revise assessment documents and multi-year strategies; submit requests to approve amendments or program changes; submit section 306A documentation on their approved coastal zone management plans; and submit coastal management performance measurement data. The funds are also provided to states and territories to develop their coastal management documents. The information submitted is used to determine if activities achieve national coastal management and enhancement objectives and if states and territories are adhering to their approved plans. Affected Public: State, local or tribal government. Frequency: Annually, semi-annually and on occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Membership of the Office of the Secretary Performance Review Board Department of Commerce. Notice of membership on the Office of the Secretary Performance Review Board. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), DOC announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of the Office of the Secretary (OS) Performance Review Board (PRB). The OS/PRB is responsible for reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES) members. The appointment of these members to the OS/PRB will be for a period of 24 months. DATES: The effective date of service of appointees to the Office of the Secretary Performance Review Board is upon publication of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary King, Director, Office of Executive Resources, Office of Human Resources Management, Office of the Director, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482–3321. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The names, position titles, and type of appointment of the members of the OS/ PRB are set forth below by organization: Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary, 2005–2007, Performance Review Board Membership Office of the Secretary Fred L. Schwien, Director, Executive Secretariat; David S. Bohigian, Deputy E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59029-59030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20309]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To Hold 
Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold a public 
scoping meeting and prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) in connection with possible impacts related to a 
project proposed by Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECI), with 
headquarters in Tampa, Florida. The proposal consists of the 
construction of a nominal 750 megawatt coal-based electrical generating 
unit at the Seminole Generating Station (SGS). The Station is located 
in Putnam County, Florida, about six miles north of Palatka. SGS Unit 3 
will be constructed near the existing SGS Units 1 and 2. The new unit 
can be readily accommodated on the existing site. The financing and 
construction of the SGS Unit 1 and 2 was evaluated in a previous EIS. 
SECI is requesting RUS provide financing for the proposed project.

DATES: RUS will conduct a public scoping meeting in an open-house 
format, seeking the input of the public and other interested parties, 
on October 20, 2005, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Campbell Center at Ravine 
Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka, Florida 32177, 386-329-
3721.
    A scoping document for the preparation of a supplemental 
environmental impact statement will be available for review at the 
public scoping meeting. The document also is available for public 
review at RUS at the address provided in this notice, at Seminole 
Electric Cooperative, 16313 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 
33618, at Seminole Generating Station, 890 North Highway 17, Palatka, 
Florida 32177, and at,
Putnam County Library System: Headquarters Palatka Library, 601 College 
Road, Palatka, Florida 32177-3873.
Crescent City Public Library Branch, 610 N. Summit, Crescent City, 
Florida 32212-2148.
Bostwick Community Library Branch, 125 Tillman Street, P.O. Box 489, 
Bostwick, Florida 32007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Strength, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities Programs, 
Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-0468 or e-
mail: stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov, or James Frauen, Manager of 
Environmental Affairs, Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 
272000, Tampa, Florida 33688-2000 or e-mail: jfrauen@seminole-
electric.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SECI proposes to construct and operate a 
nominal 750-megawatt coal-based electric generating facility (Unit 3) 
at its existing Seminole Generating Station, located in Putnam County, 
Florida, about six miles north of Palatka on U.S. Highway 17. SECI 
intends to license the construction and operation of SGS Unit 3 in 
conjunction with the continued operation of the existing Units 1 and 2. 
Unit 1 began commercial operation in January 1984 and Unit 2 began 
commercial operation in January 1985. Unit 3, a high efficiency, 
advanced technology coal unit with state of the art emission controls, 
will be constructed near Units 1 and 2. Unit 3 proposes to start 
commercial operation by May 1, 2012. It has been determined that a 
third unit can be readily accommodated on the existing plant site. Fuel 
(coal and petroleum coke) for all three units will continue to be 
delivered to the site by rail.
    The Unit 3 project is estimated to cost $1.2 billion, which 
includes approximately $440 million for environmental controls. In 
addition, Seminole will also invest more than $200 million for advanced 
air emissions controls on Units 1 and 2 to remove additional amounts of 
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury. A new zero discharge 
system will be installed to reuse and evaporate process wastewater from 
all three units resulting in further improvement of the quality of the 
Station's water discharge to the St. Johns River.
    Alternatives considered include no action, purchased power, 
renewable energy sources, distributed generation, and alternative site 
locations. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted 
(orally or in writing) at the public scoping meetings or in writing for 
receipt no later than November 21, 2005, to RUS at the address provided 
in this notice.
    As mentioned previously, the financing and construction of the 
existing SGS Units 1 and 2 were evaluated in a previous EIS prepared by 
the Rural Electrification Administration. The final EIS and Record of 
Decision for the Seminole Plant Unit 1 and 2 and Associated 
Transmission Facilities were published in 1979. This EIS evaluated the 
environmental effects of the construction of two 600 MW coal-fired 
electric generating units and associated 230 kV transmission 
facilities. This EIS will be supplemented to evaluate the environmental 
effects of the proposed action.
    RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public in the preparation of a Draft 
Supplemental EIS. The Draft Supplemental EIS will be available for 
review and comment for 45 days. A Final Supplemental EIS will then be 
prepared that considers all comments received. The Final Supplemental 
EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. Following the 
30-day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). 
Public notices announcing the availability of the Draft and Final 
Supplemental EIS and the ROD will be

[[Page 59030]]

published in the Federal Register and in the Palatka Daily News.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

    Dated: October 4, 2005.
Glendon D. Deal,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/
Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-20309 Filed 10-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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