Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Establishing Procedural Schedule for Licensing and Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments, 39066-39069 [E9-18634]
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39066
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 5, 2009 / Notices
Dated: July 30, 2009.
James H. Shelton III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and
Improvement.
[FR Doc. E9–18609 Filed 8–4–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Science; Notice of Renewal of
the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory
Committee
Pursuant to Section 14(a)(2)(A) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, App.
2, and section 102–3.65, Title 41, Code
of Federal Regulations, and following
consultation with the Committee
Management Secretariat, General
Services Administration, notice is
hereby given that the Basic Energy
Sciences Advisory Committee has been
renewed for a 2-year period.
The Committee will provide advice to
the Department of Energy’s Office of
Science on the basic energy sciences
programs. The Secretary of Energy has
determined that renewal of the Basic
Energy Sciences Advisory Committee is
essential to the conduct of the
Department’s business and in the public
interest in connection with the
performance of duties imposed by law
upon the Department of Energy. The
Committee will continue to operate in
accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. No. 92–463), the General Services
Administration Final Rule on Federal
Advisory Committee Management, and
other directives and instructions issued
in implementation of those acts.
For Further Information Contact: Ms.
Rachel Samuel at (202) 586–3279.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31,
2009.
Eric Nicoll,
Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–18680 Filed 8–4–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
[Project No. 2106–059]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company;
Notice of Application Tendered for
Filing With the Commission and
Establishing Procedural Schedule for
Licensing and Deadline for
Submission of Final Amendments
July 29, 2009.
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
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18:54 Aug 04, 2009
Jkt 217001
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection.
a. Type of Application: New Major
License.
b. Project No.: 2106–059.
c. Date Filed: July 16, 2009.
d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E).
e. Name of Project: McCloud-Pit
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The existing project is
located on the McCloud and Pit Rivers
in Shasta County, California. The
project occupies lands of the United
States, managed by the United States
Department of Agriculture—Forest
Service and the United States
Department of Interior—Bureau of Land
Management.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)–825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Randal S.
Livingston, Vice President—Power
Generation, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, P.O. Box 770000, Mail Code
N11E, San Francisco, CA 94177–0001;
Telephone (415) 973–7000.
i. FERC Contact: Emily Carter at (202)
502–6512 or emily.carter@ferc.gov.
j. This application is not ready for
environmental analysis at this time.
k. The Project Description: The
existing McCloud-Pit Project consists of
three existing developments (James B.
Black, Pit 6, and Pit 7), which
collectively include two storage
reservoirs (McCloud and Iron Canyon),
two regulating reservoirs (Pit 6 and Pit
7), one afterbay (Pit 7), two tunnels,
three powerhouses (James B. Black, Pit
6, and Pit 7), and associated equipment
and transmission facilities. The project
has an installed capacity of 368megawatts (MW), produces an average
annual generation of 1,542 gigawatthours (GWh), and occupies 3,707.6
acres of land. Approximately 1,651.4 of
these acres are federally owned, with
1,621.9 managed by the Shasta-Trinity
National Forest and 29.5 managed by
the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In
addition to the existing facilities, PG&E
is proposing to construct two generation
additions consisting of powerhouses at
the base of McCloud dam (5–8 MW) and
at the base of Pit 7 Afterbay dam (10
MW).
The project involves the transfer of
water from the McCloud River basin to
the Lower Pit River basin via a tunnel
from the McCloud reservoir to Iron
Canyon reservoir. Iron Canyon reservoir
is on Iron Canyon Creek, a tributary of
the Pit River. Water flows from Iron
Canyon reservoir via a tunnel to the
James B. Black powerhouse. Although
the project diverts water from the
McCloud River basin to the Lower Pit
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River basin, both basins drain to Shasta
Lake.
James B. Black Development
McCloud Dam and McCloud Reservoir
McCloud dam is a 241-foot-high, 630foot-long earth and rock filled dam
located on the McCloud River and
impounds McCloud reservoir. The
McCloud reservoir has a surface area of
520 acres and a maximum storage
capacity of approximately 35,234 acrefeet (af). The spillway [elevation 2,696.0
feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum
(NGVD)] is on the south side of the dam.
The reservoir has a normal maximum
water surface elevation of 2,680 feet.
The dam is equipped with three radial
gates measuring 27 feet by 24.5 feet,
discharging into a spillway that returns
spillage flows to the McCloud River
below the dam. The dam also has a 12foot diameter diversion/outlet tunnel
that runs under the dam to supply a 24inch Howell-Bunger valve for releasing
instream flows to the McCloud River, as
well as an 84-inch diameter butterfly
valve for emergency use to control
reservoir levels. Controls for the
diversion/outlet tunnel are located at
the intake within McCloud reservoir.
McCloud Tunnel
A 7.2-mile-long tunnel and a 563-footlong pipeline at Hawkins Creek crossing
hydraulically link McCloud reservoir
and Iron Canyon reservoir. An intake
tower within McCloud reservoir collects
water for the McCloud tunnel, which is
approximately 17 feet in diameter and
heads easterly to Iron Canyon reservoir.
The differential in water surface
elevations between the two reservoirs
controls the amount of water drafted
through the tunnel.
Iron Canyon Dam and Reservoir
An earth-filled dam 214 feet high and
1,130 feet long impounds Iron Canyon
reservoir. The reservoir has a maximum
storage capacity of 24,241 af with an
approximate 500-acre surface area. The
dam has a slide gate leading to a 48-inch
diameter pipe for instream flow releases
to Iron Canyon Creek. Normal maximum
water surface elevation within the
reservoir is 2,664 feet. When the water
surface of Iron Canyon reservoir is
lowered, water flows through the
McCloud tunnel from McCloud
reservoir to Iron Canyon reservoir.
Iron Canyon Tunnel and Penstock
Iron Canyon reservoir is connected to
James B. Black powerhouse via the 2.9mile long, 18-foot diameter Iron Canyon
Tunnel, an associated 1,194-foot-long,
11.5-foot diameter pipeline at the
Willow Spring Creek crossing, and a
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 5, 2009 / Notices
5,467-foot-long, 11.5-foot diameter steel
penstock. The penstock bifurcates
before James B. Black powerhouse to
deliver water flow to the two turbine
generator units. The tunnel and
penstock have a total flow capacity of
2,000 cfs.
James B. Black Powerhouse
James B. Black powerhouse is located
on the northwest bank of the Pit River,
approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the
non-Project Pit 5 powerhouse (FERC
Project No. 233). The powerhouse is a
three-level, reinforced concrete
structure containing two vertical shaft
impulse turbines rated at 104,000 hp
each. They operate at a normal
maximum gross head of 1,226 feet. Unit
1 was commissioned in 1966 and Unit
2 in 1965. Two vertical axis outdoor
generators, Unit 1 rated at 94.8
megavolt-ampere (MVA) and Unit 2
rated at 92.6 MVA, are connected to a
three phase, 86 MVA transformer bank.
Their combined maximum capacity is
172 MW. Average annual generation
within the past 25 years at the station
is 656.3 GWh.
Transmission
Transmission lines (230 kilovolt [kV])
extend approximately 0.5 mile from the
transformer bank in the switchyard
adjacent to the James B. Black
powerhouse to the switchyard adjacent
to the Pit 5 powerhouse.
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
Pit 6 Development
Pit 6 Dam and Reservoir
Pit 6 dam and reservoir are located on
the Pit River downstream of James B.
Black powerhouse. The 183-foot-high,
560-foot-long concrete gravity Pit 6 dam
has a crest elevation of 1,432 feet. The
top of the dam contains a trash rake,
motors for two 42-foot-high by 49-footlong slide gates and a control building.
The control building houses a hydraulic
system for two low-level, eight-foot
diameter outlets at the base of the dam.
The Pit 6 reservoir has a maximum
storage capacity of approximately
15,619 af and a maximum surface area
of approximately 268 acres. The normal
maximum water surface elevation
within the reservoir is 1,425 feet. The
reservoir serves as the forebay for the Pit
6 powerhouse. Two 18-foot diameter
steel penstocks with a total flow
capacity of 6,470 cfs extend 602 feet
from the dam to the turbines in the
powerhouse located at the base of the
dam.
Pit 6 Powerhouse
Pit 6 powerhouse, commissioned in
August 1965, is located along the east
bank of the Pit River at the base of Pit
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6 dam. The powerhouse is a four-level
reinforced concrete structure, three
levels of which are below grade. The
structure contains two vertical shaft,
Francis reaction turbines, rated at
53,000 hp each and operating at a
normal maximum gross head of 155 feet.
There are two outdoor vertical axis
generators, rated at 44 MVA each, with
each unit connected to a three-phase 44
MVA transformer bank that steps up
plant output to 230 kV. The maximum
generator capacity is 80 MW. Average
annual generation over the last 25 years
is 373.8 GWh.
Transmission
Transmission lines extend
approximately 3.3 miles from the
switchyard adjacent to the Pit 6
powerhouse to the Applicant’s
interconnected transmission system.
Pit 7 Development
Pit 7 Powerhouse
Pit 7 powerhouse, commissioned in
September 1965, is located along the
east bank of the Pit River at the base of
Pit 7 dam. The powerhouse consists of
a four-level, reinforced concrete
structure, three levels of which are
below grade. The powerhouse contains
two vertical-shaft reaction turbines that
are rated at 70,000 hp each and operate
at a normal maximum gross head of 205
feet. Two vertical axis generators are
rated at 52.2 (Unit 2) and 62.1 MVA
(Unit 1), respectively. Their maximum
combined capacity is 112 MW. Each
unit is connected to a three-phase, 58
MVA transformer bank that steps up
plant output to 230 kV. The average
Fmt 4703
Transmission
Transmission lines extend
approximately 3.5 miles from the
switchyard adjacent to the Pit 7
powerhouse to the Applicant’s
interconnected transmission system.
Pit 7 Afterbay
Pit 7 afterbay has a surface area of
approximately 69 acres at a normal
‘‘maximum’’ water surface elevation of
1,067 feet (maximum water surface of
Shasta Lake). The afterbay dam is a 30foot-high, steel-reinforced, rock-fill
structure, including a variable width
concrete gravity weir section. Pit 7
afterbay serves to attenuate changes in
the water flow from Pit 7 dam and
powerhouse before entering Shasta
Lake.
McCloud Development
Pit 7 dam and reservoir are located on
the Pit River downstream of Pit 6
powerhouse. The Pit 7 dam is a 228foot-high and 770-foot-long concrete
gravity dam. The top of the dam
contains a trash rake, motors for two 49foot by 42-foot slide gates at the crest of
the dam, and a control building. The
control building houses hydraulic
controls for two eight-foot in diameter,
low-level outlets at the base of the dam.
The Pit 7 reservoir has a maximum
storage capacity of 34,611 af and a
surface area of approximately 471 acres
at a normal maximum water surface
elevation of 1,270 feet. As with Pit 6, the
Pit 7 reservoir serves at the forebay for
the Pit 7 powerhouse. Two penstocks,
15 feet in diameter, extend 572 feet from
the dam to the turbines in the
powerhouse, located at the base of the
dam. Total flow capacity within the
penstocks is 7,440 cfs.
Frm 00028
annual generation over the last 25 years
is 512 GWh.
Proposed Facilities
Pit 7 Dam and Reservoir
PO 00000
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PG&E proposes to construct a
powerhouse located at the base of
McCloud dam. Generation output from
the proposed powerhouse would be
connected to a new transmission line
that would be routed from the proposed
powerhouse to connect to an existing
Pacific Power and Light (PP&L)
Substation located approximately 14
miles to the north, in the town of
McCloud, California. McCloud
Development would use water stored in
McCloud Reservoir and released into
the Lower McCloud River to meet
instream flow requirements and no new
impoundments are proposed. With a
flow range of 150 cfs to 400 cfs, the
turbine and generator set would have an
installed capacity of about 5 to 8 MW.
The proposed McCloud Development
would have an average range of annual
energy production of 30 to 40 GWh and
average monthly generation would be
approximately 2.5 to 3.3 GWh. PG&E
proposes to base the final size of the
unit, powerhouse hydraulic capacity,
and average annual energy production
on instream flow requirements included
in the new project license.
The proposed powerhouse would be
positioned to the south of the current
outlet works control building and would
be a reinforced concrete-and-block
masonry structure designed to enclose
and protect the electro-mechanical
generation equipment, withstand area
snow loads, and prevent possible
vandalism. It would be accessed via the
existing project road that connects to
Forest Road 38N11. The powerhouse
would be equipped with a single
vertical-axis Francis turbine. The
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 5, 2009 / Notices
turbine, which would have a discharge
diameter of approximately 54 inches,
would operate at about 450 revolutions
per minute. The direct-coupled
synchronous generator rating would
range from 5,600 to 7,500 kW.
The proposed transmission line route
from the powerhouse would follow
Forest Road 38N11 and then county
roads to the existing PP&L Substation
approximately 14 miles north in the
town of McCloud.
Pit 7 Afterbay Development
PG&E proposes to construct at Pit 7
Afterbay Development, including a
powerhouse located on the west side of
Pit 7 Afterbay dam at the regulating
weir. Generation output from the
proposed powerhouse would be
connected to a new transmission line
that would be routed from the
powerhouse to connect to the
switchyard located approximately 1.6
miles to the east at Pit 7 powerhouse.
The proposed facilities would have no
meaningful storage and would operate
in a run-of-the-river mode. The available
flows for energy production would be
dictated by the operation of the
upstream Pit 7 powerhouse.
The proposed Pit 7 Afterbay
powerhouse would use water released
upstream from Pit 7 powerhouse and
dam and no new impoundments are
proposed. The proposed powerhouse
would be configured for two horizontalaxis synchronous generating units, each
rated at 5,500 kW and housed in an
approximately 30-foot-wide × 110-footlong intake approach bay. Each of the
generating bays would have a design
flow of 2,500 cfs. The upstream entrance
to each intake bay would include a
trashrack to stop large debris from
entering the unit. Two radial gates
approximately 26-foot-wide by 52-foothigh would be constructed upstream of
the unit to regulate flow and for
dewatering the turbine pit. A roller gate
would be constructed at the
downstream end of each bay or the
tailrace to prevent backwatering during
maintenance. A combination of ramps,
walkways, and ladders would be used
in each bay to allow for maintenance
access and support the gate operator
mechanism. A 20-foot-wide bypass flow
bay, which would house a radial gate
and operator, would be built in the first
phase of construction. The bypass flow
bay would be used to pass river flows
during the second phase of construction
and during times of non-generation. The
bypass flow bay also would require a
walkway to allow maintenance and
operation access and support the gate
operator mechanism. A new access road
would be constructed to access the
powerhouse for construction, operation,
and maintenance. The access road
would extend between Fenders Ferry
Road and the afterbay, just west of
Fenders Ferry Bridge. Based on a flow
range of 2,500 cfs to 5,000 cfs, the 2-unit
powerhouse would accommodate
turbine and generator sets capable of an
installed capacity of about 5 MW each
for a total of 10 MW. The average
monthly generation from this proposed
powerhouse would be approximately
4.2 GWh.
The proposed powerhouse substation
would be fenced and located on the
ground near the control house, but
above the maximum anticipated flood
and tailwater levels. Substation
equipment would include a step-up
substation to transform energy for the
transmission line. Powerhouse controls
and switchgear would be installed in a
separate building located on the right
bank of the river, positioned above the
maximum anticipated water level and
inside the substation fence. The
building would house the required
equipment for control and protection of
the generation units and would be
equipped with electric heating and
cooling. The transmission line would be
a 1.6-mile-long, 34.5-kV, wooden-pole
line connecting the proposed
powerhouse to a new 34.5- to 230-kV
transformer, positioned at or near the
existing 230-kV Pit 7 switchyard. A new
230-kV circuit breaker and disconnect
switch would be connected by a short
span to the main bus of the existing Pit
7 switchyard.
l. Locations of the Application: A
copy of the application is available for
review at the Commission in the Public
Reference Room or may be viewed on
the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number, excluding the
last three digits, into the docket number
field to access the document. For
assistance, contact FERC Online
Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or tollfree at 1–866–208–3676, or for TTY,
(202) 502–8659. A copy is also available
for inspection and reproduction at the
address in item (h) above.
m. You may also register online at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, contact FERC Online
Support.
n. Procedural Schedule:
The application will be processed
according to the following Hydro
Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the
schedule may be made as appropriate.
Milestone
Target date
Tendering Notice ........................................................................................................................................................................
Notice of Acceptance/Notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis (when FERC approved studies are complete) ................
Filing of recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and fishway prescriptions ........................................................
Commission issues Draft EA or EIS ...........................................................................................................................................
Comments on Draft EA or EIS ...................................................................................................................................................
July 29, 2009.
October 30, 2009.
December 29, 2009.
August 11, 2010.
September 10,
2010.
November 9, 2010.
February 7, 2011.
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
Modified Terms and Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................
Commission Issues Final EA or EIS ..........................................................................................................................................
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 5, 2009 / Notices
o. Final amendments to the
application must be filed with the
Commission no later than 30 days from
the issuance date of the notice of ready
for environmental analysis.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–18634 Filed 8–4–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 13448–000]
McGinnis, Inc.; Notice of Preliminary
Permit Application Accepted for Filing
and Soliciting Comments, Motions To
Intervene, and Competing Applications
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
July 29, 2009.
On April 29, 2009, McGinnis, Inc.
filed an application for a preliminary
permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the
Federal Power Act, proposing to study
the feasibility of the Marmet
Hydrokinetic Project, to be located on
the Kanawha River, in Kanawha County,
West Virginia.
The sole purpose of a preliminary
permit, if issued, is to grant the permit
holder priority to file a license
application during the permit term. A
preliminary permit does not authorize
the permit holder to perform any land
disturbing activities or otherwise enter
upon lands or waters owned by others
without the owners’ express permission.
The proposed Meldahl Hydrokinetic
Project consists of: (1) 10 proposed 35
kilowatt turbine-generator units having
a total installed capacity of 0.35
megawatts; (2) a 300-feet-long, 13.2
kilovolt transmission line; and (3)
appurtenant facilities. The proposed
Winfield Hydrokinetic Project would
have an average annual generation of
1.533 gigawatt-hours.
Applicant Contact: Bruce D.
McGinnis, Sr., CEO, McGinnis, Inc., 502
Second Street Ext., South Point, OH
45680; phone: (740) 377–4391.
FERC Contact: Kim Carter, 202–502–
6486.
Deadline for filing comments, motions
to intervene, competing applications
(without notices of intent), or notices of
intent to file competing applications: 60
days from the issuance of this notice.
Comments, motions to intervene,
notices of intent, and competing
applications may be filed electronically
via the Internet. See 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions
on the Commission’s Web site under the
‘‘e-Filing’’ link. If unable to be filed
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:54 Aug 04, 2009
Jkt 217001
electronically, documents may be paperfiled. To paper-file, an original and eight
copies should be mailed to: Kimberly D.
Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. For
more information on how to submit
these types of filings please go to the
Commission’s Web site located at
https://www.ferc.gov/filingcomments.asp.
More information about this project,
including a copy of the application, can
be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’
link of Commission’s Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number
(P–13448) in the docket number field to
access the document. For assistance,
call toll-free 1–866–208–3372.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–18635 Filed 8–4–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 13446–000]
McGinnis, Inc.; Notice of Preliminary
Permit Application Accepted for Filing
and Soliciting Comments, Motions To
Intervene, and Competing Applications
July 29, 2009.
On April 29, 2009, McGinnis, Inc.
filed an application for a preliminary
permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the
Federal Power Act, proposing to study
the feasibility of the Meldahl
Hydrokinetic Project, to be located on
the Ohio River, in Clermont County,
Ohio and Bracken County, Kentucky.
The sole purpose of a preliminary
permit, if issued, is to grant the permit
holder priority to file a license
application during the permit term. A
preliminary permit does not authorize
the permit holder to perform any land
disturbing activities or otherwise enter
upon lands or waters owned by others
without the owners’ express permission.
The proposed Meldahl Hydrokinetic
Project consists of: (1) 10 proposed 35
kilowatt turbine-generator units having
a total installed capacity of 0.35
megawatts; (2) a 2,000-feet-long, 13.2
kilovolt transmission line; and (3)
appurtenant facilities. The proposed
Winfield Hydrokinetic Project would
have an average annual generation of
1.533 gigawatt-hours.
Applicant Contact: Bruce D.
McGinnis, Sr., CEO, McGinnis, Inc., 502
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
39069
Second Street Ext., South Point, OH
45680; phone: (740) 377–4391.
FERC Contact: Kim Carter, 202–502–
6486.
Deadline for filing comments, motions
to intervene, competing applications
(without notices of intent), or notices of
intent to file competing applications: 60
days from the issuance of this notice.
Comments, motions to intervene,
notices of intent, and competing
applications may be filed electronically
via the Internet. See 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions
on the Commission’s Web site under the
‘‘e-Filing’’ link. If unable to be filed
electronically, documents may be paperfiled. To paper-file, an original and eight
copies should be mailed to: Kimberly D.
Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. For
more information on how to submit
these types of filings please go to the
Commission’s Web site located at
https://www.ferc.gov/filingcomments.asp.
More information about this project,
including a copy of the application, can
be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’
link of Commission’s Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number
(P–13446) in the docket number field to
access the document. For assistance,
call toll-free 1–866–208–3372.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–18636 Filed 8–4–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 13443–000]
McGinnis, Inc.; Notice of Preliminary
Permit Application Accepted for Filing
and Soliciting Comments, Motions To
Intervene, and Competing Applications
July 29, 2009.
On April 29, 2009, McGinnis, Inc.
filed an application for a preliminary
permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the
Federal Power Act, proposing to study
the feasibility of the Winfield
Hydrokinetic Project, to be located on
the Kanawha River, in Putnam County,
West Virginia.
The sole purpose of a preliminary
permit, if issued, is to grant the permit
holder priority to file a license
application during the permit term. A
preliminary permit does not authorize
the permit holder to perform any land
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05AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39066-39069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18634]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2106-059]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Tendered
for Filing With the Commission and Establishing Procedural Schedule for
Licensing and Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments
July 29, 2009.
Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
a. Type of Application: New Major License.
b. Project No.: 2106-059.
c. Date Filed: July 16, 2009.
d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
e. Name of Project: McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The existing project is located on the McCloud and Pit
Rivers in Shasta County, California. The project occupies lands of the
United States, managed by the United States Department of Agriculture--
Forest Service and the United States Department of Interior--Bureau of
Land Management.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Randal S. Livingston, Vice President--Power
Generation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, P.O. Box 770000, Mail
Code N11E, San Francisco, CA 94177-0001; Telephone (415) 973-7000.
i. FERC Contact: Emily Carter at (202) 502-6512 or
emily.carter@ferc.gov.
j. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this
time.
k. The Project Description: The existing McCloud-Pit Project
consists of three existing developments (James B. Black, Pit 6, and Pit
7), which collectively include two storage reservoirs (McCloud and Iron
Canyon), two regulating reservoirs (Pit 6 and Pit 7), one afterbay (Pit
7), two tunnels, three powerhouses (James B. Black, Pit 6, and Pit 7),
and associated equipment and transmission facilities. The project has
an installed capacity of 368-megawatts (MW), produces an average annual
generation of 1,542 gigawatt-hours (GWh), and occupies 3,707.6 acres of
land. Approximately 1,651.4 of these acres are federally owned, with
1,621.9 managed by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and 29.5 managed
by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In addition to the existing
facilities, PG&E is proposing to construct two generation additions
consisting of powerhouses at the base of McCloud dam (5-8 MW) and at
the base of Pit 7 Afterbay dam (10 MW).
The project involves the transfer of water from the McCloud River
basin to the Lower Pit River basin via a tunnel from the McCloud
reservoir to Iron Canyon reservoir. Iron Canyon reservoir is on Iron
Canyon Creek, a tributary of the Pit River. Water flows from Iron
Canyon reservoir via a tunnel to the James B. Black powerhouse.
Although the project diverts water from the McCloud River basin to the
Lower Pit River basin, both basins drain to Shasta Lake.
James B. Black Development
McCloud Dam and McCloud Reservoir
McCloud dam is a 241-foot-high, 630-foot-long earth and rock filled
dam located on the McCloud River and impounds McCloud reservoir. The
McCloud reservoir has a surface area of 520 acres and a maximum storage
capacity of approximately 35,234 acre-feet (af). The spillway
[elevation 2,696.0 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD)] is on
the south side of the dam. The reservoir has a normal maximum water
surface elevation of 2,680 feet. The dam is equipped with three radial
gates measuring 27 feet by 24.5 feet, discharging into a spillway that
returns spillage flows to the McCloud River below the dam. The dam also
has a 12-foot diameter diversion/outlet tunnel that runs under the dam
to supply a 24-inch Howell-Bunger valve for releasing instream flows to
the McCloud River, as well as an 84-inch diameter butterfly valve for
emergency use to control reservoir levels. Controls for the diversion/
outlet tunnel are located at the intake within McCloud reservoir.
McCloud Tunnel
A 7.2-mile-long tunnel and a 563-foot-long pipeline at Hawkins
Creek crossing hydraulically link McCloud reservoir and Iron Canyon
reservoir. An intake tower within McCloud reservoir collects water for
the McCloud tunnel, which is approximately 17 feet in diameter and
heads easterly to Iron Canyon reservoir. The differential in water
surface elevations between the two reservoirs controls the amount of
water drafted through the tunnel.
Iron Canyon Dam and Reservoir
An earth-filled dam 214 feet high and 1,130 feet long impounds Iron
Canyon reservoir. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of
24,241 af with an approximate 500-acre surface area. The dam has a
slide gate leading to a 48-inch diameter pipe for instream flow
releases to Iron Canyon Creek. Normal maximum water surface elevation
within the reservoir is 2,664 feet. When the water surface of Iron
Canyon reservoir is lowered, water flows through the McCloud tunnel
from McCloud reservoir to Iron Canyon reservoir.
Iron Canyon Tunnel and Penstock
Iron Canyon reservoir is connected to James B. Black powerhouse via
the 2.9-mile long, 18-foot diameter Iron Canyon Tunnel, an associated
1,194-foot-long, 11.5-foot diameter pipeline at the Willow Spring Creek
crossing, and a
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5,467-foot-long, 11.5-foot diameter steel penstock. The penstock
bifurcates before James B. Black powerhouse to deliver water flow to
the two turbine generator units. The tunnel and penstock have a total
flow capacity of 2,000 cfs.
James B. Black Powerhouse
James B. Black powerhouse is located on the northwest bank of the
Pit River, approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the non-Project Pit 5
powerhouse (FERC Project No. 233). The powerhouse is a three-level,
reinforced concrete structure containing two vertical shaft impulse
turbines rated at 104,000 hp each. They operate at a normal maximum
gross head of 1,226 feet. Unit 1 was commissioned in 1966 and Unit 2 in
1965. Two vertical axis outdoor generators, Unit 1 rated at 94.8
megavolt-ampere (MVA) and Unit 2 rated at 92.6 MVA, are connected to a
three phase, 86 MVA transformer bank. Their combined maximum capacity
is 172 MW. Average annual generation within the past 25 years at the
station is 656.3 GWh.
Transmission
Transmission lines (230 kilovolt [kV]) extend approximately 0.5
mile from the transformer bank in the switchyard adjacent to the James
B. Black powerhouse to the switchyard adjacent to the Pit 5 powerhouse.
Pit 6 Development
Pit 6 Dam and Reservoir
Pit 6 dam and reservoir are located on the Pit River downstream of
James B. Black powerhouse. The 183-foot-high, 560-foot-long concrete
gravity Pit 6 dam has a crest elevation of 1,432 feet. The top of the
dam contains a trash rake, motors for two 42-foot-high by 49-foot-long
slide gates and a control building. The control building houses a
hydraulic system for two low-level, eight-foot diameter outlets at the
base of the dam. The Pit 6 reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of
approximately 15,619 af and a maximum surface area of approximately 268
acres. The normal maximum water surface elevation within the reservoir
is 1,425 feet. The reservoir serves as the forebay for the Pit 6
powerhouse. Two 18-foot diameter steel penstocks with a total flow
capacity of 6,470 cfs extend 602 feet from the dam to the turbines in
the powerhouse located at the base of the dam.
Pit 6 Powerhouse
Pit 6 powerhouse, commissioned in August 1965, is located along the
east bank of the Pit River at the base of Pit 6 dam. The powerhouse is
a four-level reinforced concrete structure, three levels of which are
below grade. The structure contains two vertical shaft, Francis
reaction turbines, rated at 53,000 hp each and operating at a normal
maximum gross head of 155 feet. There are two outdoor vertical axis
generators, rated at 44 MVA each, with each unit connected to a three-
phase 44 MVA transformer bank that steps up plant output to 230 kV. The
maximum generator capacity is 80 MW. Average annual generation over the
last 25 years is 373.8 GWh.
Transmission
Transmission lines extend approximately 3.3 miles from the
switchyard adjacent to the Pit 6 powerhouse to the Applicant's
interconnected transmission system.
Pit 7 Development
Pit 7 Dam and Reservoir
Pit 7 dam and reservoir are located on the Pit River downstream of
Pit 6 powerhouse. The Pit 7 dam is a 228-foot-high and 770-foot-long
concrete gravity dam. The top of the dam contains a trash rake, motors
for two 49-foot by 42-foot slide gates at the crest of the dam, and a
control building. The control building houses hydraulic controls for
two eight-foot in diameter, low-level outlets at the base of the dam.
The Pit 7 reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 34,611 af and a
surface area of approximately 471 acres at a normal maximum water
surface elevation of 1,270 feet. As with Pit 6, the Pit 7 reservoir
serves at the forebay for the Pit 7 powerhouse. Two penstocks, 15 feet
in diameter, extend 572 feet from the dam to the turbines in the
powerhouse, located at the base of the dam. Total flow capacity within
the penstocks is 7,440 cfs.
Pit 7 Powerhouse
Pit 7 powerhouse, commissioned in September 1965, is located along
the east bank of the Pit River at the base of Pit 7 dam. The powerhouse
consists of a four-level, reinforced concrete structure, three levels
of which are below grade. The powerhouse contains two vertical-shaft
reaction turbines that are rated at 70,000 hp each and operate at a
normal maximum gross head of 205 feet. Two vertical axis generators are
rated at 52.2 (Unit 2) and 62.1 MVA (Unit 1), respectively. Their
maximum combined capacity is 112 MW. Each unit is connected to a three-
phase, 58 MVA transformer bank that steps up plant output to 230 kV.
The average annual generation over the last 25 years is 512 GWh.
Transmission
Transmission lines extend approximately 3.5 miles from the
switchyard adjacent to the Pit 7 powerhouse to the Applicant's
interconnected transmission system.
Pit 7 Afterbay
Pit 7 afterbay has a surface area of approximately 69 acres at a
normal ``maximum'' water surface elevation of 1,067 feet (maximum water
surface of Shasta Lake). The afterbay dam is a 30-foot-high, steel-
reinforced, rock-fill structure, including a variable width concrete
gravity weir section. Pit 7 afterbay serves to attenuate changes in the
water flow from Pit 7 dam and powerhouse before entering Shasta Lake.
Proposed Facilities
McCloud Development
PG&E proposes to construct a powerhouse located at the base of
McCloud dam. Generation output from the proposed powerhouse would be
connected to a new transmission line that would be routed from the
proposed powerhouse to connect to an existing Pacific Power and Light
(PP&L) Substation located approximately 14 miles to the north, in the
town of McCloud, California. McCloud Development would use water stored
in McCloud Reservoir and released into the Lower McCloud River to meet
instream flow requirements and no new impoundments are proposed. With a
flow range of 150 cfs to 400 cfs, the turbine and generator set would
have an installed capacity of about 5 to 8 MW. The proposed McCloud
Development would have an average range of annual energy production of
30 to 40 GWh and average monthly generation would be approximately 2.5
to 3.3 GWh. PG&E proposes to base the final size of the unit,
powerhouse hydraulic capacity, and average annual energy production on
instream flow requirements included in the new project license.
The proposed powerhouse would be positioned to the south of the
current outlet works control building and would be a reinforced
concrete-and-block masonry structure designed to enclose and protect
the electro-mechanical generation equipment, withstand area snow loads,
and prevent possible vandalism. It would be accessed via the existing
project road that connects to Forest Road 38N11. The powerhouse would
be equipped with a single vertical-axis Francis turbine. The
[[Page 39068]]
turbine, which would have a discharge diameter of approximately 54
inches, would operate at about 450 revolutions per minute. The direct-
coupled synchronous generator rating would range from 5,600 to 7,500
kW.
The proposed transmission line route from the powerhouse would
follow Forest Road 38N11 and then county roads to the existing PP&L
Substation approximately 14 miles north in the town of McCloud.
Pit 7 Afterbay Development
PG&E proposes to construct at Pit 7 Afterbay Development, including
a powerhouse located on the west side of Pit 7 Afterbay dam at the
regulating weir. Generation output from the proposed powerhouse would
be connected to a new transmission line that would be routed from the
powerhouse to connect to the switchyard located approximately 1.6 miles
to the east at Pit 7 powerhouse. The proposed facilities would have no
meaningful storage and would operate in a run-of-the-river mode. The
available flows for energy production would be dictated by the
operation of the upstream Pit 7 powerhouse.
The proposed Pit 7 Afterbay powerhouse would use water released
upstream from Pit 7 powerhouse and dam and no new impoundments are
proposed. The proposed powerhouse would be configured for two
horizontal-axis synchronous generating units, each rated at 5,500 kW
and housed in an approximately 30-foot-wide x 110-foot-long intake
approach bay. Each of the generating bays would have a design flow of
2,500 cfs. The upstream entrance to each intake bay would include a
trashrack to stop large debris from entering the unit. Two radial gates
approximately 26-foot-wide by 52-foot-high would be constructed
upstream of the unit to regulate flow and for dewatering the turbine
pit. A roller gate would be constructed at the downstream end of each
bay or the tailrace to prevent backwatering during maintenance. A
combination of ramps, walkways, and ladders would be used in each bay
to allow for maintenance access and support the gate operator
mechanism. A 20-foot-wide bypass flow bay, which would house a radial
gate and operator, would be built in the first phase of construction.
The bypass flow bay would be used to pass river flows during the second
phase of construction and during times of non-generation. The bypass
flow bay also would require a walkway to allow maintenance and
operation access and support the gate operator mechanism. A new access
road would be constructed to access the powerhouse for construction,
operation, and maintenance. The access road would extend between
Fenders Ferry Road and the afterbay, just west of Fenders Ferry Bridge.
Based on a flow range of 2,500 cfs to 5,000 cfs, the 2-unit powerhouse
would accommodate turbine and generator sets capable of an installed
capacity of about 5 MW each for a total of 10 MW. The average monthly
generation from this proposed powerhouse would be approximately 4.2
GWh.
The proposed powerhouse substation would be fenced and located on
the ground near the control house, but above the maximum anticipated
flood and tailwater levels. Substation equipment would include a step-
up substation to transform energy for the transmission line. Powerhouse
controls and switchgear would be installed in a separate building
located on the right bank of the river, positioned above the maximum
anticipated water level and inside the substation fence. The building
would house the required equipment for control and protection of the
generation units and would be equipped with electric heating and
cooling. The transmission line would be a 1.6-mile-long, 34.5-kV,
wooden-pole line connecting the proposed powerhouse to a new 34.5- to
230-kV transformer, positioned at or near the existing 230-kV Pit 7
switchyard. A new 230-kV circuit breaker and disconnect switch would be
connected by a short span to the main bus of the existing Pit 7
switchyard.
l. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is
available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or
may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using
the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last
three digits, into the docket number field to access the document. For
assistance, contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov
or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659. A copy is
also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item
(h) above.
m. You may also register online at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via e-mail of new filings and
issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance,
contact FERC Online Support.
n. Procedural Schedule:
The application will be processed according to the following Hydro
Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as
appropriate.
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Milestone Target date
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Tendering Notice..................... July 29, 2009.
Notice of Acceptance/Notice of Ready October 30, 2009.
for Environmental Analysis (when
FERC approved studies are complete).
Filing of recommendations, December 29, 2009.
preliminary terms and conditions,
and fishway prescriptions.
Commission issues Draft EA or EIS.... August 11, 2010.
Comments on Draft EA or EIS.......... September 10, 2010.
Modified Terms and Conditions........ November 9, 2010.
Commission Issues Final EA or EIS.... February 7, 2011.
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[[Page 39069]]
o. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the
Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of the notice
of ready for environmental analysis.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-18634 Filed 8-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
