Application for Presidential Permit; Generadora del Desierto SA de C.V., 13970-13971 [E6-3991]

Download as PDF wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES 13970 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 53 / Monday, March 20, 2006 / Notices These advances in technology are the driving factor for this expansion. Alternative I was chosen because it best meets the Army’s need for additional training land. There are impacts to many natural resources expected as part of the proposed action. Mitigation has been proposed to offset the impacts identified in the SFEIS. Even taking into account this mitigation, however, there will still be significant impacts to threatened and endangered species, loss of vegetation cover, loss and disruption of soil surfaces, and loss of wilderness characteristics to adjacent wideness areas. The decision also restates the army’s continuing commitment to environmental stewardship by implementing mitigation and monitoring measurers to offset potential reverse environmental impacts associated with the preferred alternative, as identified in the SFEIS and the ROD. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Army’s ROD may be made to: Ms.Jennifer Barry, NTC Land Expansion Program, ATTN: AFZJ–ST, Strategic Planning Division, P.O. 105004, Fort Irwin, California, 93210, or by calling (760) 380-6174, or by sending an e-mail to Jennifer.Barry@Irwin.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Ms. Jennifer Barry, or Mrs. Nicole Lileikis, AFZJ–SP Strategic Planning Division, P.O. 10309, Fort Irwin, CA 92311. Interested parties may also call (760) 380–6174. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project involves acquisition of approximately 127,000 new acres on the east and southwest sides of the existing NTC and the return to training use of approximately 23,000 acres in the south that are currently restricted from military training. Implementation of the Preferred Alternative as outlined in the SFEIS will occur in a phased approach. Training will occur in the Eastgate parcel first, followed by the UTM 90 (the southern edge of Fort Irwin), and the last area on which training will begin will be the western area. The Preferred alternative best meets the purpose and need for training at Fort Irwin and is crucial to achieving a trained military to provide for the current and future national security of the country. The selected alternative has significant impacts, which are described in the SFEIS. Among these are impacts to the Desert Tortoise. The action also includes mitigation measures that will support conservation and management of the tortoise. The SFEIS discusses a Biological Opinion issued by the U.S. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:35 Mar 17, 2006 Jkt 208001 Fish and Wildlife Service on the effects of the proposed action on both the Desert Tortoise and another threatened or endangered species, the Lane Mountain Milk Vetch. The SFEIS also includes a Supplemental Biological Assessment prepared by the Army that addresses the crucial habitat of the Desert Tortoise. Copies of the SFEIS ROD can be found at the following libraries for public reading: Library of Congress; Riverside Main Library; San Diego County Library; San Bernardino County Libraries at the following locations— Hesperia, San Bernardino, Apple Valley, Trona, Barstow, Big Bear, Lucerne Valley, Victorville, Wrightwood, and Yucca Valley. The Record of Decision is also posted at the land Expansion Web site https:// www.fortirwinlandexpansion.com. Dated: March 14, 2006. Addison D. Davis, IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health), OASA(I&E). [FR Doc. 06–2625 Filed 3–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Meeting of the Board of Advisors (BOA) to The President, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Department of the Navy, DOD. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The purpose of the meeting is to elicit the advice of the board on the Naval Service’s Postgraduate Education Program and the collaborative exchange and partnership between NPS and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The board examines the effectiveness with which the NPS is accomplishing its mission. To this end, the board will inquire into the curricula; instruction; physical equipment; administration; state of morale of the student body, faculty, and staff; fiscal affairs; and any other matters relating to the operation of the NPS as the board considers pertinent. This meeting will be open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All written comments regarding the NPS BOA should be received by April 7, 2006, and be directed to President, Naval Postgraduate School (Attn: Jaye Panza), 1 University Circle, Monterey, CA 93943–5000 or by FAX 831–656–3145. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The meeting will be held at the Naval Postgraduate School, Herrmann Hall, 1 University Circle, Monterey, CA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaye Panza, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943–5000, telephone number 831–656–2514. ADDRESSES: Dated: March 9, 2006. Eric Mcdonald, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate Generals Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E6–3979 Filed 3–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. PP–304] Application for Presidential Permit; Generadora del Desierto SA de C.V. Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Generadora del Desierto SA de C.V. (GDD) has applied for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an electric transmission line across the U.S. border with Mexico. DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before April 19, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE–20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0350. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202–586– 9624 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney) 202–586–2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of facilities at the international border of the United States for the transmission of electric energy between the United States and a foreign country is prohibited in the absence of a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 10485, as amended by EO 12038. On September 23, 2005, GDD, a Mexican corporation and wholly-owned affiliate of North Branch Holding, LLC, filed an application with the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) for a Presidential permit. GDD proposes to construct a doublecircuit 500-kilovolt (500-kV) electric transmission line across the U.S.- E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 53 / Monday, March 20, 2006 / Notices Mexico international border. The proposed facilities would extend from a new electric power plant to be constructed by GDD approximately one mile south of the U.S.-Mexico border in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, cross the U.S.-Mexico international border, extend approximately 20 miles, north and connect to the existing Gila Substation owned and operated by Western Area Power Administration (Western). From the Gila Substation, the line would extend an additional four miles north and connect to the existing North Gila Substation owned and operated by Arizona Public Service Company. In a related proceeding, North Branch Resources, LLC (NBR), also a North Branch Holding, LLC affiliate, has applied to Western to connect the proposed international transmission line and the Mexico power plant to Western’s transmission system. If the interconnection request is granted by Western and the proposed project proceeds, NBR proposes that Western construct, own, operate, and maintain the new transmission facilities in the U.S. at the expense of NBR. Western is considering this proposal and may ultimately assume those responsibilities. If that were to happen, Western would become a co-applicant for the Presidential permit. Since the restructuring of the electric industry began, resulting in the introduction of different types of competitive entities into the marketplace, DOE has consistently expressed its policy that cross-border trade in electric energy should be subject to the same principles of comparable open access and nondiscrimination that apply to transmission in interstate commerce. DOE has stated that policy in export authorizations granted to entities requesting authority to export over international transmission facilities. Specifically, DOE expects transmitting utilities owning border facilities to provide access across the border in accordance with the principles of comparable open access and nondiscrimination contained in the FPA and articulated in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 888 (Promoting Wholesale Competition Through Open Access Non-Discriminatory Transmission Services by Public utilities; FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,036 (1996)), as amended. In furtherance of this policy, DOE intends to condition any Presidential permit issued in this proceeding on compliance with these open access principles. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:35 Mar 17, 2006 Jkt 208001 Procedural Matters Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment, or protest at the address provided above in accordance with §§ 385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with the DOE on or before the date listed above. Additional copies of such petitions to intervene or protests also should be filed directly with: Leonard H. Singer, Esq., Couch White, LLP, 540 Broadway, P.O. Box 22222, Albany, New York, 12201 and Joseph Bojnowski, North Branch Resources, LLC, 6 North Branch Road, Newton, CN, 06470. Before a Presidential permit may be issued or amended, the DOE must determine that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. DOE also must obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense before taking final action on a Presidential permit application. In addition, DOE must consider the environmental impacts of the proposed action (i.e., granting the Presidential permit, with any conditions and limitations, or denying the permit) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). OE and Western propose to prepare a single Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the environmental impacts of the Federal actions of granting the requested Presidential permit and allowing connection of the international transmission line and Mexico power plant to the Federal transmission system. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA Implementing Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508) and DOE’s NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by accessing the program’s Home Page at https:// www.fe.doe.gov/programs/ electricityregulation/. Upon reaching the Home page, select ‘‘Pending Proceedings.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13971 Issued in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2006. Anthony J. Como, Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E6–3991 Filed 3–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8046–3] Notice of Charter Renewal for the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Charter for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) will be renewed for an additional two-year period, as a necessary committee which is in the public interest, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. Section 9(c). The purpose of EFAB is to provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of EPA on issues associated with environmental financing. It is determined that EFAB is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Agency by law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries may be directed to Vanessa Bowie, Environmental Finance Program, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460 (Mailcode 2731R), Telephone (202) 564–5186, or bowie.vanessa@epa.gov. Dated: January 30, 2006. Joseph Dillon, Director, Office of Enterprise, Technology and Innovation. [FR Doc. E6–4002 Filed 3–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8046–4] Notice of Proposed Administrative Settlement Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice, request for public comment. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 53 (Monday, March 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13970-13971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3991]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. PP-304]


Application for Presidential Permit; Generadora del Desierto SA 
de C.V.

AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Application.

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

SUMMARY: Generadora del Desierto SA de C.V. (GDD) has applied for a 
Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an 
electric transmission line across the U.S. border with Mexico.

DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted 
on or before April 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy 
Reliability (OE-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The construction, operation, maintenance, 
and connection of facilities at the international border of the United 
States for the transmission of electric energy between the United 
States and a foreign country is prohibited in the absence of a 
Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 10485, as 
amended by EO 12038.
    On September 23, 2005, GDD, a Mexican corporation and wholly-owned 
affiliate of North Branch Holding, LLC, filed an application with the 
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) of the 
Department of Energy (DOE) for a Presidential permit. GDD proposes to 
construct a double-circuit 500-kilovolt (500-kV) electric transmission 
line across the U.S.-

[[Page 13971]]

Mexico international border. The proposed facilities would extend from 
a new electric power plant to be constructed by GDD approximately one 
mile south of the U.S.-Mexico border in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, 
Mexico, cross the U.S.-Mexico international border, extend 
approximately 20 miles, north and connect to the existing Gila 
Substation owned and operated by Western Area Power Administration 
(Western). From the Gila Substation, the line would extend an 
additional four miles north and connect to the existing North Gila 
Substation owned and operated by Arizona Public Service Company.
    In a related proceeding, North Branch Resources, LLC (NBR), also a 
North Branch Holding, LLC affiliate, has applied to Western to connect 
the proposed international transmission line and the Mexico power plant 
to Western's transmission system. If the interconnection request is 
granted by Western and the proposed project proceeds, NBR proposes that 
Western construct, own, operate, and maintain the new transmission 
facilities in the U.S. at the expense of NBR. Western is considering 
this proposal and may ultimately assume those responsibilities. If that 
were to happen, Western would become a co-applicant for the 
Presidential permit.
    Since the restructuring of the electric industry began, resulting 
in the introduction of different types of competitive entities into the 
marketplace, DOE has consistently expressed its policy that cross-
border trade in electric energy should be subject to the same 
principles of comparable open access and non-discrimination that apply 
to transmission in interstate commerce. DOE has stated that policy in 
export authorizations granted to entities requesting authority to 
export over international transmission facilities. Specifically, DOE 
expects transmitting utilities owning border facilities to provide 
access across the border in accordance with the principles of 
comparable open access and non-discrimination contained in the FPA and 
articulated in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 
888 (Promoting Wholesale Competition Through Open Access Non-
Discriminatory Transmission Services by Public utilities; FERC Stats. & 
Regs. ] 31,036 (1996)), as amended. In furtherance of this policy, DOE 
intends to condition any Presidential permit issued in this proceeding 
on compliance with these open access principles.

Procedural Matters

    Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be 
heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a 
petition to intervene, comment, or protest at the address provided 
above in accordance with Sec. Sec.  385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC's 
Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen 
copies of each petition and protest should be filed with the DOE on or 
before the date listed above.
    Additional copies of such petitions to intervene or protests also 
should be filed directly with: Leonard H. Singer, Esq., Couch White, 
LLP, 540 Broadway, P.O. Box 22222, Albany, New York, 12201 and Joseph 
Bojnowski, North Branch Resources, LLC, 6 North Branch Road, Newton, 
CN, 06470.
    Before a Presidential permit may be issued or amended, the DOE must 
determine that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the 
reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. DOE also must 
obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of 
Defense before taking final action on a Presidential permit 
application. In addition, DOE must consider the environmental impacts 
of the proposed action (i.e., granting the Presidential permit, with 
any conditions and limitations, or denying the permit) pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). OE and Western propose to 
prepare a single Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the 
environmental impacts of the Federal actions of granting the requested 
Presidential permit and allowing connection of the international 
transmission line and Mexico power plant to the Federal transmission 
system. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA Implementing Regulations 
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and DOE's NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR 
part 1021).
    Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, 
for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by 
accessing the program's Home Page at https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/
electricityregulation/. Upon reaching the Home page, select ``Pending 
Proceedings.''

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2006.
Anthony J. Como,
Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and 
Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. E6-3991 Filed 3-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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