Dairyland Power Cooperative: CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line Project, 2268-2269 [2012-705]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2268 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2012 / Notices competitive award programs in accordance with section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, 7 U.S.C. 7613(a). Reviews are undertaken to ensure that projects supported by NIFA are of high quality, and are consistent with the goals and requirements of the funding program. Proposals submitted to NIFA undergo a programmatic evaluation to determine worthiness of Federal support. The evaluations consist of a peer panel review and may also entail an assessment by Federal employees and electronically submitted (ad-hoc) reviews in the Peer Review System. Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the evaluations is used to support NIFA grant programs. NIFA uses the results of the proposal evaluation to determine whether a proposal should be declined or recommended for award. When NIFA has rendered a decision, copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers, and summaries of review panel deliberations, if any, are provided to the submitting Project Director. Given the highly technical nature of many of these proposals, the quality of the peer review greatly depends on the appropriate matching of the subject matter of the proposal with the technical expertise of the potential reviewer. In order to obtain this information, an electronic questionnaire is used to collect information about potential panel and ad-hoc reviewers. If the reviewer is already in our database, the questionnaire asks potential reviewers to update their basic biographical information including address, contact information, professional expertise, and their availability to review for NIFA in the future. If the reviewer is new they are prompted to complete the questionnaire. This information has been invaluable in the NIFA review process, which has been recognized by the grantee and grantor community for its quality. The applications and associated materials made available to reviewers, as well as the discussions that take place during panel review meetings are strictly confidential and are not to be disclosed to or discussed with anyone who has not been officially designated to participate in the review process. While each panelist certifies at the time of preparing a review they do not have a conflict-of-interest with a particular application and will maintain its confidentiality in the Peer Review System, a certification of their intent at the time of the panel review proceedings is collected to emphasize VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Jan 13, 2012 Jkt 226001 and reinforce confidentiality not only of applications and reviews but also panel discussions. On the Conflict-of-Interest and Confidentiality Certification Form, the panelist affirms they understand the conflict-of-interest guidelines and will not be involved in the review of the application(s) where a conflict exists. The panelist also affirms their intent to maintain the confidentiality of the panel process and not disclose to another individual any information related to the peer review or use any information for personal benefit. Estimate of Burden: NIFA estimates that anywhere from one hour to twenty hours may be required to review a proposal. It is estimated that approximately five hours are required to review an average proposal. Each proposal receives an average of four reviews, accounting for an annual burden of 20 hours. NIFA estimates it receives 4,600 competitive applications each year. The total annual burden on reviewers is 92,000 hours. NIFA estimates that the potential reviewer questionnaire takes an estimated 10 minutes to complete. The database consists of approximately 50,000 reviewers. The total annual burden of questionnaire is 8,330 hours. NIFA estimates that the potential Conflict-ofInterest and Confidentiality Certification Form takes an estimated 10 minutes to complete. The agency has approximately 1,000 panelists each year. The total annual burden of the certification form is 167 hours. The total annual burden of the component of the entire review process is 100,497 hours. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request to OMB for approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Done in Washington, DC this 9th day of January 2012. Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics. [FR Doc. 2012–629 Filed 1–13–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Dairyland Power Cooperative: CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line Project AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of intent to extend public comment period for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. ACTION: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is extending the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR 1794 related to providing financial assistance to Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) for its share in the construction of a proposed 345kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse area in Wisconsin (the proposed project). Dairyland is participating in the proposed project with a number of other utilities (Applicants). The purpose of the proposed project is to: (1) Improve community reliability of the transmission system in Rochester, Winona, La Crosse, and the surrounding areas, which include areas served by Dairyland; (2) improve the regional reliability of the transmission system; and (3) increase generation outlet capacity. SUMMARY: Written comments on this Draft EIS will be accepted 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Written comments should be sent to Stephanie A. Strength, see the Address portion of this notice. DATES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be viewed online at the following Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP– CapX2020–Hampton-RochesterLaCrosse.html and at the following repositories: ADDRESSES: Alma Public Library, 312 North Main Street Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608– 685–3823. Arcadia Public Library, 406 E Main Street Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 608–323–7505. E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1 srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2012 / Notices Campbell Library, 2219 Bainbridge Street La Crosse, WI 54603, Phone: 608–783–0052. Cannon Falls Library, 306 West Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009, Phone: 507–263–2804. Dairyland Power Cooperative, 500 Old State Highway 35, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608–685–4497. Galesville Public Library, 16787 South Main Street Galesville, WI 54630, Phone: 608–582–2552. Holmen Area Library, 103 State Street Holmen, WI 54636, Phone: 608–526– 4198. Kenyon Public Library, 709 2nd Street Kenyon, MN 55946, Phone: 507–789– 6821. Riverland Energy Cooperative, N28988 State Road 93, Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 608–323–3381. Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd Street SE., Rochester, MN 55904, Phone: 507–328–2300. Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont Street Trempealeau, WI 54661, Phone: 608–534–6197. Tri-County Electric, 31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford, MN 55971, Phone: 507–864–7783. La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608–789–7100. Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Avenue South, Onalaska, WI 54650, Phone: 608–781–9568. People’s Cooperative Services, 3935 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55903, Phone: 507–288–4004. Plainview Public Library, 345 1st Avenue Northwest, Plainview, MN 55964, Phone: 507–534–3425. Van Horn Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street Pine Island, MN 55963, Phone: 507–356–8558. Xcel Energy, 5050 Service Drive Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 507–457– 1236. Xcel Energy, 1414 West Hamilton Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701, Phone: 715–839–2621. Zumbrota Public Library, 100 West Avenue Zumbrota, MN 55992, Phone: 507–732–5211. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the Draft EIS, to comment on the Draft EIS, or for further information, contact: Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2244, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571, or email stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are participating in the EIS as VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Jan 13, 2012 Jkt 226001 cooperating agencies, with RUS as the lead Federal agency. The Draft EIS addresses the construction and operation of the Proposed project, which, in addition to the 345-kV transmission line and associated infrastructure, includes 161-kV transmission lines in the vicinity of Rochester, Minnesota; construction of two new and expansion of three substations, with a total transmission line length of approximately 150 miles. Counties through which the proposed project may pass include Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Olmsted in Minnesota, and La Crosse, Trempealeau, and Buffalo in Wisconsin. The Draft EIS also addresses rebuilding an existing Dairyland 39-mile long 161 kV line that extends from Alma to north La Crosse, Wisconsin, which may be co-located in whole or in part with the 345-kV line. Among the alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS is the No Action alternative, under which the proposed project would not be undertaken. Additional alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS include route alternatives also considered in the EISs prepared for the Proposed project by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. RUS has carefully studied public health and safety, environmental impacts, and engineering aspects of the Proposed project. RUS used input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EIS. RUS will prepare a Final EIS that considers all comments received on the Draft EIS. Following the 30-day comment period for the Final EIS, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Final EIS and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR part 800) and as part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposed project on historic properties. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during Section 106 review. Any party wishing to participate more directly with RUS as a ‘‘consulting party’’ in Section 106 review may submit a written request to the RUS contact provided in this notice. The proposed project involves unavoidable impacts to wetlands and floodplains; this Notice of Availability PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2269 also serves as a statement of no practicable alternatives to impacts on wetlands and floodplains, in accordance with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, respectively (see Draft EIS Sections 3.2 and 3.5). Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations, and completion of the environmental review requirements as promulgated in RUS’ Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). Nivin Elgohary, Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2012–705 Filed 1–13–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [Docket 3–2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 18—San Jose, CA, Application for Subzone, Tesla Motors, Inc. (Electric Passenger Vehicles), Palo Alto and Fremont, CA An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by the City of San Jose, California, grantee of FTZ 18, requesting special purpose subzone status for the electric passenger-vehicle manufacturing facilities of Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla), located in Palo Alto and Fremont, California. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on January 10, 2012. The Tesla facilities (currently employing over 1,000 workers) consist of two sites: Site 1 (25.2 acres)— corporate headquarters, research and development, and manufacturing plant, located at 3500 Deer Creek Road, Palo Alto, California; and, Site 2 (210 acres)—manufacturing plant, located at 45550 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, California. The facilities are used to manufacture electric passenger vehicles and related components, including battery packs, powertrain systems, and electronic modules (up to 200,000 units of each per year) for commercial sale. Components and materials sourced from abroad (representing 16 to 55% of the value of the finished products) include: Oils, greases, fluids, refrigerants, adhesives, sealants, anti-freeze/coolants, alcohols, plastic tubes/pipes/hoses/ E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2268-2269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-705]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Dairyland Power Cooperative: CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La 
Crosse Transmission Line Project

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to extend public comment period for a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is extending the public comment period for the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR 1794 related to providing 
financial assistance to Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) for its 
share in the construction of a proposed 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission 
line and associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the 
La Crosse area in Wisconsin (the proposed project). Dairyland is 
participating in the proposed project with a number of other utilities 
(Applicants).
    The purpose of the proposed project is to: (1) Improve community 
reliability of the transmission system in Rochester, Winona, La Crosse, 
and the surrounding areas, which include areas served by Dairyland; (2) 
improve the regional reliability of the transmission system; and (3) 
increase generation outlet capacity.

DATES: Written comments on this Draft EIS will be accepted 30 days 
following the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. 
Written comments should be sent to Stephanie A. Strength, see the 
Address portion of this notice.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be viewed online at the 
following Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-CapX2020-Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse.html and at the following repositories:

Alma Public Library, 312 North Main Street Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608-
685-3823.
Arcadia Public Library, 406 E Main Street Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 
608-323-7505.

[[Page 2269]]

Campbell Library, 2219 Bainbridge Street La Crosse, WI 54603, Phone: 
608-783-0052.
Cannon Falls Library, 306 West Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009, 
Phone: 507-263-2804.
Dairyland Power Cooperative, 500 Old State Highway 35, Alma, WI 54610, 
Phone: 608-685-4497.
Galesville Public Library, 16787 South Main Street Galesville, WI 
54630, Phone: 608-582-2552.
Holmen Area Library, 103 State Street Holmen, WI 54636, Phone: 608-526-
4198.
Kenyon Public Library, 709 2nd Street Kenyon, MN 55946, Phone: 507-789-
6821.
Riverland Energy Cooperative, N28988 State Road 93, Arcadia, WI 54612, 
Phone: 608-323-3381.
Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd Street SE., Rochester, MN 55904, 
Phone: 507-328-2300.
Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont Street Trempealeau, 
WI 54661, Phone: 608-534-6197.
Tri-County Electric, 31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford, MN 55971, Phone: 
507-864-7783.
 La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 
608-789-7100.
Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Avenue South, Onalaska, WI 54650, 
Phone: 608-781-9568.
People's Cooperative Services, 3935 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55903, 
Phone: 507-288-4004.
Plainview Public Library, 345 1st Avenue Northwest, Plainview, MN 
55964, Phone: 507-534-3425.
Van Horn Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street Pine Island, MN 55963, 
Phone: 507-356-8558.
Xcel Energy, 5050 Service Drive Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 507-457-1236.
Xcel Energy, 1414 West Hamilton Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701, Phone: 
715-839-2621.
Zumbrota Public Library, 100 West Avenue Zumbrota, MN 55992, Phone: 
507-732-5211.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the Draft EIS, to 
comment on the Draft EIS, or for further information, contact: 
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural 
Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2244, Stop 1571, 
Washington, DC 20250-1571, or email stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are participating in the EIS 
as cooperating agencies, with RUS as the lead Federal agency. The Draft 
EIS addresses the construction and operation of the Proposed project, 
which, in addition to the 345-kV transmission line and associated 
infrastructure, includes 161-kV transmission lines in the vicinity of 
Rochester, Minnesota; construction of two new and expansion of three 
substations, with a total transmission line length of approximately 150 
miles. Counties through which the proposed project may pass include 
Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Olmsted in Minnesota, and La Crosse, 
Trempealeau, and Buffalo in Wisconsin. The Draft EIS also addresses 
rebuilding an existing Dairyland 39-mile long 161 kV line that extends 
from Alma to north La Crosse, Wisconsin, which may be co-located in 
whole or in part with the 345-kV line.
    Among the alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS is the No Action 
alternative, under which the proposed project would not be undertaken. 
Additional alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS include route 
alternatives also considered in the EISs prepared for the Proposed 
project by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. RUS has carefully 
studied public health and safety, environmental impacts, and 
engineering aspects of the Proposed project.
    RUS used input provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EIS. RUS 
will prepare a Final EIS that considers all comments received on the 
Draft EIS. Following the 30-day comment period for the Final EIS, RUS 
will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the 
availability of the Final EIS and the ROD will be published in the 
Federal Register and in local newspapers.
    In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of 
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800) and as part of its broad 
environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of 
the proposed project on historic properties. Pursuant to 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under 
NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of 
the public during Section 106 review. Any party wishing to participate 
more directly with RUS as a ``consulting party'' in Section 106 review 
may submit a written request to the RUS contact provided in this 
notice.
    The proposed project involves unavoidable impacts to wetlands and 
floodplains; this Notice of Availability also serves as a statement of 
no practicable alternatives to impacts on wetlands and floodplains, in 
accordance with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, respectively (see 
Draft EIS Sections 3.2 and 3.5).
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State and local environmental laws and regulations, and completion of 
the environmental review requirements as promulgated in RUS' 
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

Nivin Elgohary,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-705 Filed 1-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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