Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Federal Loan Guarantee To Support Construction and Start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, IL, 52228-52230 [E9-24422]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 52228 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices the proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria would be limited to paperwork burden related to preparing an application and that the benefits of implementing these proposals would outweigh any costs incurred by applicants. Participation in this program is voluntary. For this reason, the proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria would impose no burden on small entities in general. Eligible applicants would determine whether to apply for funds, and have the opportunity to weigh the requirements for preparing applications, and any associated costs, against the likelihood of receiving funding and the requirements for implementing projects under the program. Eligible applicants most likely would apply only if they determine that the likely benefits exceed the costs of preparing an application. The likely benefits include the potential receipt of a grant as well as other benefits that may accrue to an entity through its development of an application, such as the use of that application to spur educational reforms and improvements without additional Federal funding. The U.S. Small Business Administration Size Standards defines as ‘‘small entities’’ for-profit or nonprofit institutions with total annual revenue below $7,000,000 or, if they are institutions controlled by small governmental jurisdictions (that are comprised of cities, counties, towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special districts), with a population of less than 50,000. The Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics reported that of 203,635 nonprofit organizations that had an educational mission and reported revenue to the IRS by July 2009, 200,342 (or about 98 percent) had revenues of less than $5 million. In addition, there are 12,484 LEAs in the country that meet the definition of small entity. However, the Secretary believes that only a small number of these entities would be interested in applying for funds under this program, thus reducing the likelihood that the proposals contained in this notice would have a significant economic impact on small entities. In addition, the Secretary believes that the proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria discussed in this notice do not impose any additional burden on small entities applying for a grant than they would face in the absence of the proposed action. That is, the length of the applications those entities would submit in the absence of the regulatory VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:05 Oct 08, 2009 Jkt 220001 action and the time needed to prepare an application would likely be the same. Further, the proposed action may help small entities determine whether they have the interest, need, or capacity to implement activities under the program and, thus, prevent small entities that do not have such an interest, need, and capacity from absorbing the burden of applying. This proposed regulatory action would not have a significant economic impact on small entities once they receive a grant because they would be able to meet the costs of compliance using the funds provided under this program and with any matching funds provided by private-sector partners. The Secretary invites comments from small nonprofit organizations and small LEAs as to whether they believe this proposed regulatory action would have a significant economic impact on them and, if so, requests evidence to support that belief. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. This document provides early notification of our specific plans and actions for this program. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/ fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ index.html. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: October 6, 2009. Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education. [FR Doc. E9–24387 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Federal Loan Guarantee To Support Construction and Start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, IL AGENCY: Department of Energy, Loan Guarantee Program. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement and conduct a public scoping meeting. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations, and the DOE NEPA implementing procedures to assess the potential environmental impacts for its proposed action of issuing a Federal loan guarantee to Christian County Generation, L.L.C. (CCG) (DOE/EIS– 0430). CCG submitted an application to DOE under the Federal loan guarantee program pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) to support construction and start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, Illinois (‘‘the Facility’’).1 CCG is a limited liability company that is currently owned by Tenaska Taylorville, LLC, an affiliate of Tenaska, Inc., an Omaha, Nebraska-based power development company, and by MDL Holding Company, L.L.C. of Louisville, Kentucky. CCG proposes to develop the Facility on an 886-acre parcel of land. As proposed, the approximately 730 megawatt (gross) electric generation Facility would utilize integrated gasification combined-cycle technology to produce electricity from Illinois bituminous coal. Synthesis gas processing would also allow the separation and capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the manufacture of pipeline-quality Substitute Natural Gas (‘‘SNG’’ or ‘‘methane’’). SNG would be used in a power block with two combustion turbines and one steam turbine. The Facility would be designed 1 The amount requested for the loan guarantee is not being disclosed at this time because it is business sensitive. Moreover, should DOE approve a loan guarantee, the amount may differ from the original request. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices such that surplus SNG can be transported offsite to an interstate pipeline for sale. The Facility would capture at least 50 percent of the CO2 and over 99 percent of the sulfur compounds that would otherwise be emitted. The CO2 stream would be compressed and delivered at the fenceline to another party for pipeline transport to enhanced oil recovery operations and geologic storage. CCG is also studying the feasibility of geologic storage of CO2 in the vicinity of the site. The EIS will evaluate the potential impacts of the issuance of a DOE Loan Guarantee for CCG’s proposed project and the range of reasonable alternatives. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to inform the public about DOE’s proposed action; invite public participation in the EIS process; announce plans for a public scoping meeting; and solicit public comments for consideration in establishing the scope and content of the EIS. DOE invites those agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise to be cooperating agencies. DATES: To ensure that all of the issues related to this proposal are addressed, DOE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the EIS from all interested parties. Comments must be postmarked or emailed by November 9, 2009 to ensure consideration. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to receiving written comments (see ADDRESSES below), DOE will conduct a public scoping meeting in the vicinity of the proposed Facility at which government agencies, private-sector organizations, and the general public are invited to provide comments or suggestions with regard to the alternatives and potential impacts to be considered in the EIS. The date, time, and location of the public scoping meeting will be announced in local news media and on the DOE Loan Guarantee Program’s ‘‘NEPA Public Involvement’’ Web site (https:// www.lgprogram.energy.gov/NEPA– 2.html) at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. ADDRESSES: Public comments can be submitted electronically or by U.S. Mail. Written comments on the proposed EIS scope should be addressed to: Ms. Angela Colamaria, Loan Guarantee Program Office (CF–1.3), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Please submit one signed original paper copy. Electronic submission of comments is encouraged due to processing time required for regular mail. Comments can VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:05 Oct 08, 2009 Jkt 220001 be submitted electronically by sending an email to: TEC-EIS@hq.doe.gov. All electronic and written comments should reference Project No. DOE/EIS–0430. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain additional information about this EIS, the public scoping meeting, or to receive a copy of the draft EIS when it is issued, contact Angela Colamaria by telephone: 202–287–5387; toll-free number: 800–832–0885 ext. 75387; or electronic mail: Angela.Colamaria@hq.doe.gov. For general information on the DOE NEPA process, please contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC–20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone: 202– 586–4600; facsimile: 202–586–7031; electronic mail: askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; or leave a toll-free message at 800–472– 2756. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background EPAct 2005 established a Federal loan guarantee program for eligible energy projects that employ innovative technologies. Title XVII of EPAct 2005 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for a variety of types of projects, including those that ‘‘avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to commercial technologies in service in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued.’’ A principal goal of the loan guarantee program is to encourage commercial use in the United States of new or significantly improved energy-related technologies. DOE believes that accelerated commercial use of these new or improved technologies will help to sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy supply. Purpose and Need for Agency Action CCG submitted a Part I application to DOE for a loan guarantee on December 19, 2008, and submitted a Part II application on March 23, 2009. The purpose and need for agency action is to comply with DOE’s mandate under Title XVII of EPAct 2005 by selecting eligible projects that meet the goals of the Act. DOE is using the NEPA process to assist in determining whether to issue a loan guarantee to CCG to support the proposed project. Proposed Action DOE’s proposed action is to issue a loan guarantee to CCG to support the PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52229 construction and start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, Illinois. The site of the proposed Facility consists of an 886-acre parcel of land located in Taylorville, Illinois. Of the 886 acres, CCG currently owns or controls via option agreements 713 acres, and is attempting to option approximately 173 additional, contiguous acres. The site and additional acreage to be acquired is bounded by County Road E1700N on the north, State Road 48 (and the Norfolk Southern Railroad) on the east, farmland on the south, and County Road N1400E on the west. As proposed, the Facility would manufacture pipeline quality SNG from Illinois bituminous coal and produce electricity utilizing integrated gasification combined-cycle technology. The Facility is expected to use 7,500 tons of coal per day (2.5 million tons of coal annually). The primary water supply would be municipal treated effluent from a local sanitary district. The Facility is expected to contribute 2 billion kilowatt-hours per year to the electric grid system. SNG would be used to fuel a power block with two combustion turbines and one steam turbine. The amount of SNG produced may exceed the requirements of the power block under certain operating conditions. The Facility would be designed such that surplus SNG can be transported offsite to an interstate pipeline for sale. The Facility would capture at least 50 percent of the CO2 and over 99 percent of the sulfur compounds that would otherwise be emitted. The CO2 stream would be compressed and delivered at the fenceline to another party for pipeline transport to enhanced oil recovery operations and geologic storage at a location to be determined by the offtaker. CCG is also studying the feasibility of geologic storage in the vicinity of the site using the Mt. Simon formation. Supporting infrastructure and facilities would include local access roads, rail interconnections, water supply and wastewater pipelines, CO2 pipelines, a natural gas pipeline, and a high voltage transmission line to connect the Facility to the electric grid system. Rail access to the site would be provided by construction of a rail connection to the Norfolk Southern Railroad east of the site. Coal may also be delivered by truck. Approximately 6 miles of County Road E1700N would be reconstructed and enhanced to 80,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight standards. DOE plans to analyze the impacts of construction and operation of the E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 52230 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES supporting infrastructure and facilities in the EIS. The Facility would eliminate process wastewater entirely through use of water treatment, recycling, and zero liquid discharge systems. Solid waste (slag) and sulfur, by-products from the process, would be sold as a commercial product, disposed of onsite, or transported offsite for disposal at a nonhazardous, solid waste landfill. The construction work force would peak at up to 1,500 construction workers over a 4-year period. The Facility would be operated and maintained by a staff of approximately 145 employees and contractors. Coal gasification and electric generation components of the Facility would be constructed on approximately 70 acres of the site. The site is currently used for agriculture (row crops), is surrounded by farmland, and is zoned for industrial and agricultural use. The coal gasification and electric generation components of the Facility are entirely within property that is zoned for industrial use. In addition, several hundred acres of Prime Farmland within the 886-acre parcel could be affected by the construction of the Facility. Preliminary assessments indicate that the footprint of the proposed facility would not affect any wetlands or floodplains. In the event that further analysis indicates that wetlands or floodplains would be affected, DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetland assessment in accordance with its regulations at 10 CFR part 1022 and include the assessment in the EIS. Alternatives In determining the range of reasonable alternatives to be considered in the EIS for the proposed CCG Facility, DOE identified the reasonable alternatives that would satisfy the underlying purpose and need for agency action. DOE currently plans to analyze in detail the project proposed by CCG and the no action alternative. DOE will also analyze design options available to CCG within the scope of the project (e.g., various methods for disposition of slag and sulfur and transportation of coal) and mitigation measures as appropriate. Under the no action alternative, DOE would not provide the loan guarantee for the CCG project and the project would not be constructed as part of the DOE loan guarantee program. This option would not contribute to the Federal loan guarantee program goals to make loan guarantees for energy projects that ‘‘avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and employ new or significantly improved technologies.’’ VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:05 Oct 08, 2009 Jkt 220001 Preliminary Identification of Environmental Issues The following environmental resource areas have been tentatively identified for consideration in the EIS. This list is neither intended to be all-inclusive nor a predetermined set of potential environmental impacts: • Air quality; • Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; • Energy use and production; • Water resources, including groundwater and surface waters; • Wetlands and floodplains; • Geological resources; • Ecological resources, including threatened and endangered species and species of special concern; • Cultural resources, including historic structures and properties; sites of religious and cultural significance to tribes; and archaeological resources; • Land use; • Visual resources and aesthetics; • Transportation and traffic; • Noise and vibration; • Hazardous materials and solid waste management; • Human health and safety; • Accidents and terrorism; • Socioeconomics, including impacts to community services; • Environmental justice. DOE invites comments on whether other resource areas or potential issues should be considered in the EIS. To ensure that all issues related to DOE’s proposed action are addressed, DOE seeks public input to define the scope of the EIS. The public scoping period will begin with publication of the NOI and end on November 9, 2009. Interested government agencies, privatesector organizations, and the general public are encouraged to submit comments concerning the content of the EIS, issues and impacts to be addressed in the EIS, and alternatives that should be considered. Scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the EIS should address to assist DOE in identifying significant issues. Comments must be postmarked or e-mailed by November 9, 2009 to ensure consideration. (See ADDRESSES above). Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. DOE invites those agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise to be cooperating agencies. A public scoping meeting will be held at a date, time, and location to be determined. Notice of this meeting will be provided in local news media and on the DOE Loan Guarantee Program’s Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Issued in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2009. Steve Isakowitz, Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. E9–24422 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P Public Scoping Process PO 00000 ‘‘NEPA Public Involvement’’ Web site (https://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/ NEPA–2.html) at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. Members of the public and representatives of groups and Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies are invited to attend. The meeting will include both a formal opportunity to present oral comments and an informal session during which DOE and CCG personnel will be available for discussions with attendees. Displays and other forms of information about the proposed agency action, the EIS process, and the CCG proposed Facility will also be available for review. DOE requests that anyone who wishes to present oral comments at the meeting contact Ms. Colamaria by phone or email (see ADDRESSES above). Individuals who do not make advance arrangements to speak may register at the meeting. Speakers who need more than five minutes should indicate the length of time desired in their request. DOE may need to limit speakers to five minutes initially, but will provide additional opportunities as time permits. Written comments regarding the scoping process can also be submitted to DOE officials at the scoping meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER–FRL–8598–2] Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments Availability of EPA comments prepared pursuant to the Environmental Review Process (ERP), under section 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act as amended. Requests for copies of EPA comments can be directed to the Office of Federal Activities at 202–564–7146 or https://www.epa.gov/ compliance/nepa/. An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated July 17, 2009 (74 FR 34754). Draft EISs EIS No. 20090038, ERP No. D–COE– K35045–CA, PROGRAMMATIC—Los Angeles Regional Dredge Material Management Plan, Develop a Long- E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 195 (Friday, October 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52228-52230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24422]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
a Proposed Federal Loan Guarantee To Support Construction and Start-up 
of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, IL

AGENCY: Department of Energy, Loan Guarantee Program.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
and conduct a public scoping meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations, and the DOE 
NEPA implementing procedures to assess the potential environmental 
impacts for its proposed action of issuing a Federal loan guarantee to 
Christian County Generation, L.L.C. (CCG) (DOE/EIS-0430). CCG submitted 
an application to DOE under the Federal loan guarantee program pursuant 
to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) to support construction 
and start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, Illinois 
(``the Facility'').\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The amount requested for the loan guarantee is not being 
disclosed at this time because it is business sensitive. Moreover, 
should DOE approve a loan guarantee, the amount may differ from the 
original request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CCG is a limited liability company that is currently owned by 
Tenaska Taylorville, LLC, an affiliate of Tenaska, Inc., an Omaha, 
Nebraska-based power development company, and by MDL Holding Company, 
L.L.C. of Louisville, Kentucky. CCG proposes to develop the Facility on 
an 886-acre parcel of land. As proposed, the approximately 730 megawatt 
(gross) electric generation Facility would utilize integrated 
gasification combined-cycle technology to produce electricity from 
Illinois bituminous coal. Synthesis gas processing would also allow the 
separation and capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the 
manufacture of pipeline-quality Substitute Natural Gas (``SNG'' or 
``methane''). SNG would be used in a power block with two combustion 
turbines and one steam turbine. The Facility would be designed

[[Page 52229]]

such that surplus SNG can be transported offsite to an interstate 
pipeline for sale. The Facility would capture at least 50 percent of 
the CO2 and over 99 percent of the sulfur compounds that 
would otherwise be emitted. The CO2 stream would be 
compressed and delivered at the fenceline to another party for pipeline 
transport to enhanced oil recovery operations and geologic storage. CCG 
is also studying the feasibility of geologic storage of CO2 
in the vicinity of the site.
    The EIS will evaluate the potential impacts of the issuance of a 
DOE Loan Guarantee for CCG's proposed project and the range of 
reasonable alternatives. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to 
inform the public about DOE's proposed action; invite public 
participation in the EIS process; announce plans for a public scoping 
meeting; and solicit public comments for consideration in establishing 
the scope and content of the EIS. DOE invites those agencies with 
jurisdiction by law or special expertise to be cooperating agencies.

DATES: To ensure that all of the issues related to this proposal are 
addressed, DOE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of 
the EIS from all interested parties. Comments must be postmarked or 
emailed by November 9, 2009 to ensure consideration. Late comments will 
be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to receiving 
written comments (see ADDRESSES below), DOE will conduct a public 
scoping meeting in the vicinity of the proposed Facility at which 
government agencies, private-sector organizations, and the general 
public are invited to provide comments or suggestions with regard to 
the alternatives and potential impacts to be considered in the EIS. The 
date, time, and location of the public scoping meeting will be 
announced in local news media and on the DOE Loan Guarantee Program's 
``NEPA Public Involvement'' Web site (https://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/NEPA-2.html) at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting.

ADDRESSES: Public comments can be submitted electronically or by U.S. 
Mail. Written comments on the proposed EIS scope should be addressed 
to: Ms. Angela Colamaria, Loan Guarantee Program Office (CF-1.3), U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585. Please submit one signed original paper copy. Electronic 
submission of comments is encouraged due to processing time required 
for regular mail. Comments can be submitted electronically by sending 
an email to: TEC-EIS@hq.doe.gov. All electronic and written comments 
should reference Project No. DOE/EIS-0430.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain additional information about 
this EIS, the public scoping meeting, or to receive a copy of the draft 
EIS when it is issued, contact Angela Colamaria by telephone: 202-287-
5387; toll-free number: 800-832-0885 ext. 75387; or electronic mail: 
Angela.Colamaria@hq.doe.gov. For general information on the DOE NEPA 
process, please contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of 
NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone: 202-586-
4600; facsimile: 202-586-7031; electronic mail: askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; or 
leave a toll-free message at 800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EPAct 2005 established a Federal loan guarantee program for 
eligible energy projects that employ innovative technologies. Title 
XVII of EPAct 2005 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make loan 
guarantees for a variety of types of projects, including those that 
``avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions 
of greenhouse gases; and employ new or significantly improved 
technologies as compared to commercial technologies in service in the 
United States at the time the guarantee is issued.'' A principal goal 
of the loan guarantee program is to encourage commercial use in the 
United States of new or significantly improved energy-related 
technologies. DOE believes that accelerated commercial use of these new 
or improved technologies will help to sustain economic growth, yield 
environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy 
supply.

Purpose and Need for Agency Action

    CCG submitted a Part I application to DOE for a loan guarantee on 
December 19, 2008, and submitted a Part II application on March 23, 
2009. The purpose and need for agency action is to comply with DOE's 
mandate under Title XVII of EPAct 2005 by selecting eligible projects 
that meet the goals of the Act. DOE is using the NEPA process to assist 
in determining whether to issue a loan guarantee to CCG to support the 
proposed project.

Proposed Action

    DOE's proposed action is to issue a loan guarantee to CCG to 
support the construction and start-up of the Taylorville Energy Center 
in Taylorville, Illinois.
    The site of the proposed Facility consists of an 886-acre parcel of 
land located in Taylorville, Illinois. Of the 886 acres, CCG currently 
owns or controls via option agreements 713 acres, and is attempting to 
option approximately 173 additional, contiguous acres. The site and 
additional acreage to be acquired is bounded by County Road E1700N on 
the north, State Road 48 (and the Norfolk Southern Railroad) on the 
east, farmland on the south, and County Road N1400E on the west.
    As proposed, the Facility would manufacture pipeline quality SNG 
from Illinois bituminous coal and produce electricity utilizing 
integrated gasification combined-cycle technology. The Facility is 
expected to use 7,500 tons of coal per day (2.5 million tons of coal 
annually). The primary water supply would be municipal treated effluent 
from a local sanitary district.
    The Facility is expected to contribute 2 billion kilowatt-hours per 
year to the electric grid system. SNG would be used to fuel a power 
block with two combustion turbines and one steam turbine. The amount of 
SNG produced may exceed the requirements of the power block under 
certain operating conditions. The Facility would be designed such that 
surplus SNG can be transported offsite to an interstate pipeline for 
sale.
    The Facility would capture at least 50 percent of the 
CO2 and over 99 percent of the sulfur compounds that would 
otherwise be emitted. The CO2 stream would be compressed and 
delivered at the fenceline to another party for pipeline transport to 
enhanced oil recovery operations and geologic storage at a location to 
be determined by the off-taker. CCG is also studying the feasibility of 
geologic storage in the vicinity of the site using the Mt. Simon 
formation.
    Supporting infrastructure and facilities would include local access 
roads, rail interconnections, water supply and wastewater pipelines, 
CO2 pipelines, a natural gas pipeline, and a high voltage 
transmission line to connect the Facility to the electric grid system. 
Rail access to the site would be provided by construction of a rail 
connection to the Norfolk Southern Railroad east of the site. Coal may 
also be delivered by truck. Approximately 6 miles of County Road E1700N 
would be reconstructed and enhanced to 80,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight 
standards. DOE plans to analyze the impacts of construction and 
operation of the

[[Page 52230]]

supporting infrastructure and facilities in the EIS.
    The Facility would eliminate process wastewater entirely through 
use of water treatment, recycling, and zero liquid discharge systems. 
Solid waste (slag) and sulfur, by-products from the process, would be 
sold as a commercial product, disposed of onsite, or transported 
offsite for disposal at a non-hazardous, solid waste landfill. The 
construction work force would peak at up to 1,500 construction workers 
over a 4-year period. The Facility would be operated and maintained by 
a staff of approximately 145 employees and contractors.
    Coal gasification and electric generation components of the 
Facility would be constructed on approximately 70 acres of the site. 
The site is currently used for agriculture (row crops), is surrounded 
by farmland, and is zoned for industrial and agricultural use. The coal 
gasification and electric generation components of the Facility are 
entirely within property that is zoned for industrial use. In addition, 
several hundred acres of Prime Farmland within the 886-acre parcel 
could be affected by the construction of the Facility. Preliminary 
assessments indicate that the footprint of the proposed facility would 
not affect any wetlands or floodplains. In the event that further 
analysis indicates that wetlands or floodplains would be affected, DOE 
will prepare a floodplain and wetland assessment in accordance with its 
regulations at 10 CFR part 1022 and include the assessment in the EIS.

Alternatives

    In determining the range of reasonable alternatives to be 
considered in the EIS for the proposed CCG Facility, DOE identified the 
reasonable alternatives that would satisfy the underlying purpose and 
need for agency action. DOE currently plans to analyze in detail the 
project proposed by CCG and the no action alternative. DOE will also 
analyze design options available to CCG within the scope of the project 
(e.g., various methods for disposition of slag and sulfur and 
transportation of coal) and mitigation measures as appropriate.
    Under the no action alternative, DOE would not provide the loan 
guarantee for the CCG project and the project would not be constructed 
as part of the DOE loan guarantee program. This option would not 
contribute to the Federal loan guarantee program goals to make loan 
guarantees for energy projects that ``avoid, reduce, or sequester air 
pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and employ 
new or significantly improved technologies.''

Preliminary Identification of Environmental Issues

    The following environmental resource areas have been tentatively 
identified for consideration in the EIS. This list is neither intended 
to be all-inclusive nor a predetermined set of potential environmental 
impacts:
     Air quality;
     Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change;
     Energy use and production;
     Water resources, including groundwater and surface waters;
     Wetlands and floodplains;
     Geological resources;
     Ecological resources, including threatened and endangered 
species and species of special concern;
     Cultural resources, including historic structures and 
properties; sites of religious and cultural significance to tribes; and 
archaeological resources;
     Land use;
     Visual resources and aesthetics;
     Transportation and traffic;
     Noise and vibration;
     Hazardous materials and solid waste management;
     Human health and safety;
     Accidents and terrorism;
     Socioeconomics, including impacts to community services;
     Environmental justice.
    DOE invites comments on whether other resource areas or potential 
issues should be considered in the EIS.

Public Scoping Process

    To ensure that all issues related to DOE's proposed action are 
addressed, DOE seeks public input to define the scope of the EIS. The 
public scoping period will begin with publication of the NOI and end on 
November 9, 2009. Interested government agencies, private-sector 
organizations, and the general public are encouraged to submit comments 
concerning the content of the EIS, issues and impacts to be addressed 
in the EIS, and alternatives that should be considered. Scoping 
comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the EIS 
should address to assist DOE in identifying significant issues. 
Comments must be postmarked or e-mailed by November 9, 2009 to ensure 
consideration. (See ADDRESSES above). Late comments will be considered 
to the extent practicable. DOE invites those agencies with jurisdiction 
by law or special expertise to be cooperating agencies.
    A public scoping meeting will be held at a date, time, and location 
to be determined. Notice of this meeting will be provided in local news 
media and on the DOE Loan Guarantee Program's ``NEPA Public 
Involvement'' Web site (https://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/NEPA-2.html) at 
least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. Members of the public 
and representatives of groups and Federal, State, local, and tribal 
agencies are invited to attend. The meeting will include both a formal 
opportunity to present oral comments and an informal session during 
which DOE and CCG personnel will be available for discussions with 
attendees. Displays and other forms of information about the proposed 
agency action, the EIS process, and the CCG proposed Facility will also 
be available for review. DOE requests that anyone who wishes to present 
oral comments at the meeting contact Ms. Colamaria by phone or e-mail 
(see ADDRESSES above). Individuals who do not make advance arrangements 
to speak may register at the meeting. Speakers who need more than five 
minutes should indicate the length of time desired in their request. 
DOE may need to limit speakers to five minutes initially, but will 
provide additional opportunities as time permits. Written comments 
regarding the scoping process can also be submitted to DOE officials at 
the scoping meeting.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2009.
Steve Isakowitz,
Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-24422 Filed 10-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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