Amended Notice of Intent To Modify the Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct Additional Public Scoping Meetings, and Notice of Floodplains and Wetlands Involvement for the Northern Pass Transmission Line Project, 54876-54879 [2013-21778]
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54876
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2013 / Notices
eligibility requirements imposed by the
HEA.
Verification by this computer
matching program effectuates the
purpose of the HEA because it provides
an efficient and comprehensive method
of verifying the accuracy of each
individual’s SSN and claim to a
citizenship status that permits that
individual to qualify for title IV, HEA
assistance.
3. Authority for Conducting the
Matching Program.
ED is authorized to participate in the
matching program under sections 484(p)
(20 U.S.C. 1091(p)); 484(g) (20 U.S.C.
1091(g)); 483(a)(12) (20 U.S.C.
1090(a)(12)); and 428B(f) (20 U.S.C.
1078–2(f)) of the HEA.
SSA is authorized to participate in the
matching program under section 1106(a)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1306(a)) and the regulations
promulgated pursuant to that section
(20 CFR part 401).
4. Categories of Records and
Individuals Covered by the Match.
The Federal Student Aid Application
File (18–11–01), which contains the
information to determine an applicant’s
eligibility for Federal student financial
assistance, and the Department of
Education (ED) PIN (Personal
Identification Number) Registration
System (18–11–12), which contains the
applicant’s information to receive an ED
PIN, will be matched against SSA’s
Master Files of Social Security Number
Holders and SSN Applications System,
SSA/OS, 60–0058, which maintains
records about each individual who has
applied for and obtained an SSN.
5. Effective Dates of the Matching
Program.
The matching program will be
effective on the latest of the following
three dates: (a) October 10, 2013; (b) 30
days after notice of the matching
program has been published in the
Federal Register, as required by 5 U.S.C.
552a(e)(12); or (c) 40 days after a report
concerning the matching program has
been transmitted, as required by 5
U.S.C. 552a(r), to OMB and the U.S.
House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, and the U.S.
Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs,
unless OMB waives 10 or fewer days of
this 40-day review period for
compelling reasons, in which case, 30
days plus whatever number of the 10
days that OMB did not waive from the
date of the transmittal of the report to
OMB and Congress.
The matching program will continue
for 18 months after the effective date
and may be extended for an additional
12 months thereafter, if the conditions
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specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(o)(2)(D) have
been met.
6. Address for Receipt of Public
Comments or Inquiries.
Individuals wishing to comment on
this matching program, or to obtain
additional information about the
program, including requesting a copy of
the computer matching agreement
between ED and SSA, should contact
Franka Dennis, Management and
Program Analyst, U.S. Department of
Education, Union Center Plaza, 830
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20202–
5454. Telephone: (202) 377–4067. If you
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) or text telephone (TTY), call
the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll
free, at 1–800–877–8339.
Accessible Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document in
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
print, audiotape, or compact disc) by
contacting the contact person listed in
the preceding paragraph.
Electronic Access to This Document:
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
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Dated: August 26, 2013.
James W. Runcie,
Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.
[FR Doc. 2013–21727 Filed 9–5–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. PP–371]
Amended Notice of Intent To Modify
the Scope of the Environmental Impact
Statement and Conduct Additional
Public Scoping Meetings, and Notice
of Floodplains and Wetlands
Involvement for the Northern Pass
Transmission Line Project
AGENCY:
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Department of Energy.
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Amended notice of intent to
modify the scope of the environmental
impact statement and conduct
additional public scoping meetings;
notice of floodplains and wetlands
involvement.
ACTION:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE or the Department)
announces its intent to modify the scope
of the Northern Pass Transmission Line
Project Environmental Impact
Statement (DOE/EIS–0463) and to
conduct additional public scoping
meetings. As described in the February
11, 2011, Notice of Intent (NOI) (76 FR
7828), in October 2010, Northern Pass
Transmission LLC (Northern Pass or the
Applicant) submitted an application to
DOE for a Presidential permit to
construct, operate, maintain, and
connect a new electric transmission line
across the U.S.-Canada border into
northern New Hampshire. As explained
in the 2011 NOI, DOE will assess the
potential environmental impacts from
the proposed Federal action of granting
a Presidential permit to Northern Pass.
On July 1, 2013, the Applicant
submitted to DOE an amended
application for a Presidential permit
that reflected proposed changes to the
route of the Northern Pass project. A
map of the proposed route and segment
maps are available on the DOE EIS Web
site established for the preparation of
the EIS at www.northernpasseis.us. A
copy of the amended Presidential
permit application can be found at the
DOE EIS Web site or at the program Web
site https://energy.gov/oe/services/
electricity-policy-coordination-andimplementation/internationalelectricity-regulatio-2 (scroll down to
PP–371) or a copy can be requested by
emailing Angela Troy at angela.troy@
hq.doe.gov. DOE now intends to revise
the scope of the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential
environmental impacts associated with
these proposed changes.
The U.S. Forest Service—White
Mountain National Forest, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE)—New
England District, and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)—Region 1 (New England) are
cooperating agencies in the preparation
of the EIS.
The EIS will provide the analysis to
support a Forest Service decision on
whether to issue a special use permit
within the White Mountain National
Forest. The responsible official for the
Forest Service is the Forest Supervisor
for the White Mountain National Forest.
Because the proposed Federal action
may involve floodplains and wetlands,
the draft EIS will include a floodplains
SUMMARY:
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and wetlands assessment as appropriate,
and the final EIS and/or Record of
Decision will include a floodplains and
wetlands statement of findings.
DATES: The public scoping period will
end on November 5, 2013. Written and
oral comments will be given equal
weight, and DOE will consider all
comments emailed, postmarked or
submitted on the Northern Pass EIS Web
site by November 5, 2013, in defining
the scope of this EIS. Comments
submitted after the close of the
comment period will be considered to
the extent practicable.
Locations, dates, and times for the
public scoping meetings are listed in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this Amended NOI.
Requests to speak at one or more
public scoping meeting(s) should be
received at the address indicated below
by September 18, 2013; requests
received by that date will be given
priority in the speaking order. However,
requests to speak also may be made at
the scoping meetings.
ADDRESSES: Requests to speak at a
public scoping meeting(s), and requests
for individuals to be added to the
document mailing list (to receive a
paper or electronic copy of the Draft
EIS) should be addressed to: Brian
Mills, Office of Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability (OE–20), U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585; by email to
Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov; or by facsimile
to 202–586–8008. For general
information on the DOE NEPA process
contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom,
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and
Compliance (GC–54), U.S. Department
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585; by email at
askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; at 202–586–4600,
or 800–472–2756; or by facsimile at
202–586–7031.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information on DOE’s proposed action,
contact Brian Mills by one of the
methods listed in ADDRESSES above, or
at 202–586–8267. For information on
the Forest Service’s role as a cooperating
agency, contact Tiffany Benna by email
at tbenna@fs.fed.us; by phone at 603–
536–6241; by facsimile at 603–536–
3685; or by mail at 71 White Mountain
Drive, Campton, NH 03223. For
information on the USACE’s role as a
cooperating agency and its permit
process, contact David M. Keddell by
email at david.m.keddell@
usace.army.mil; by phone at 978–318–
8692; or by mail at 696 Virginia Road,
Concord, MA 01742. For information on
EPA’s role as a cooperating agency,
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contact Timothy Timmermann by email
at timmermann.timothy@
epamail.epa.gov; by phone at 617–918–
1025; or by mail at 5 Post Office Square,
Suite 100 (Mail code: ORA–17–1),
Boston, MA 02109–3912.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Executive Order (E.O.) 10485, as
amended by E.O. 12038, requires that
before an electric transmission facility
may be constructed, operated,
maintained, or connected at the U.S.
international border, a Presidential
permit must be issued by DOE. E.O.
10485 provides that DOE may issue a
Presidential permit upon finding
issuance of the permit to be consistent
with the public interest and after
obtaining favorable recommendations
from the U.S. Departments of State and
Defense. In determining whether
issuance of a Presidential permit would
be consistent with the public interest,
DOE considers the potential
environmental impacts of the proposed
project pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42
U.S.C. 4321–4371 et seq., the impact of
the proposed project’ on electric
reliability (including whether the
proposed project would adversely affect
the operation of the U.S. electric power
supply system under normal and
contingency conditions), and considers
any other factors that DOE may find
relevant to the public interest. The
regulations implementing E.O. 10485
have been codified at 10 CFR 205.320–
205.329. DOE’s issuance of a
Presidential permit would not mandate
that the project be undertaken.
On October 14, 2010, the Applicant
applied to DOE for a Presidential permit
to construct, operate, maintain, and
connect a high-voltage direct current
(HVDC) transmission line across the
U.S.-Canada border. After due
consideration of the nature and extent of
the proposed project, DOE determined
that the appropriate level of NEPA
review is an EIS and, published an NOI
on February 11, 2011 (76 FR 7828). On
February 15, 2011, Northern Pass
submitted an addendum updating and
supplementing its Presidential permit
application in certain respects, such as:
The preferred border crossing location,
routing information and potential
environmental impacts. On April 12,
2011, Northern Pass submitted a letter
to DOE withdrawing support for certain
alternatives and requesting an extension
of the scoping period. On April 15,
2011, DOE issued a notice in the
Federal Register (76 FR 21338)
reopening the public scoping period for
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60 additional days, until June 14, 2011.
On June 15, 2011, DOE issued a notice
in the Federal Register reopening the
scoping period until further notice (76
FR 34969). On July 1, 2013, Northern
Pass submitted an amended Presidential
permit application to DOE, as described
below.
Applicant’s Proposal
Northern Pass’ amended application,
replaces the application that Northern
Pass submitted on October 14, 2010, and
supplemented on February 15, 2011,
and April 12, 2011. In the amended
application, Northern Pass proposes to
construct and operate a primarily
overhead HVDC electric transmission
line that would originate at an HVDC
converter station to be constructed at
´
the Des Cantons Substation in Quebec,
Canada, then would be converted from
HVDC to alternating current (AC) in
Franklin, NH, and would continue to its
southern terminus in Deerfield, NH
(collectively the ‘‘proposed Project’’).
The proposed facilities would be
capable of transmitting up to 1200
megawatts (MW) of power.
The New Hampshire portion of the
proposed Project would be a single
circuit 300 kilovolt (kV) HVDC
transmission line running
approximately 153 miles from the U.S.
border crossing with Canada near the
community of Pittsburg, NH, to a new
HVDC-to-AC transformer facility to be
constructed in Franklin, NH. From
Franklin, NH, to the Project terminus at
the Public Service Company of New
Hampshire’s existing Deerfield
Substation located in Deerfield, NH, the
proposed Project would consist of 34
miles of 345-kV AC electric
transmission line. The total length of the
proposed Project would be
approximately 187 miles.
The amended proposed route for the
proposed Project remains largely
unchanged from the application
submitted on October 14, 2010, for the
Central and Southern sections, but has
been substantially reconfigured for the
Northern section. Maps of these route
sections are available on the DOE EIS
Web site at www.northernpasseis.us.
The amended proposed route continues
to maximize the use of the existing
right-of-way (ROW) in all sections.
The majority of the Northern section
of the amended proposed route has been
moved to a less populated area on
properties that Renewable Properties,
Inc., an affiliate of Northern Pass, has
purchased, leased, or obtained an
easement on from landowners. The
amended proposed route includes the
use of additional existing ROW in the
towns of Dummer, Stark, and
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Northumberland, NH. It also includes
two underground segments: 2,300 feet
and 7.5 miles in the towns of Pittsburg/
Clarksville and Clarksville/
Stewartstown, NH, respectively.
In the Southern section, Northern
Pass previously indicated that a
deviation from the existing ROW would
be necessary if the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) requirements
could not be met to locate the proposed
transmission line in the existing ROW
around Concord Airport. In its amended
application, Northern Pass states that it
has determined that the proposed
Project can meet the necessary FAA
requirements, and the amended
proposed route reflects that the
proposed Project would follow the
existing ROW near the Concord Airport.
The amended application also notes
key developments since Northern Pass’
original application filing, including
additional information about the
potential environmental, historical, and
cultural impacts of the proposed Project,
information about the transmission
structure locations and heights along the
entire proposed route, and discussion of
certain alternatives suggested through
public comment.
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Notice of Floodplains and Wetlands
Involvement
Because the proposed Federal action
may involve floodplains and wetlands,
in accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022,
Compliance with Floodplain and
Wetland Environmental Review
Requirements, as part of the analysis of
impacts, DOE will conduct field
delineation of floodplains and wetlands
along Northern Pass’ proposed amended
route and, as applicable, any reasonable
alternatives, using state and federal
protocols and consulting Federal
Emergency Management Agency Flood
Insurance Rate Maps. The EIS will
include a floodplains and wetlands
assessment, as appropriate, and the final
EIS or record of decision will include a
floodplains statement of findings.
Previous Public Scoping
The public scoping period has
remained open for comment almost
continuously since the NOI was
published on February 11, 2011. Most
recently, on June 15, 2011, the
Department announced a reopening of
the public scoping period, in
anticipation of additional route
information being provided by Northern
Pass, and stated that the scoping period
would remain open until the
Department provided further notice of
its closing. (76 FR 34969; June 15, 2011).
To date, the Department has received
over 3,000 scoping comments.
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Commenters have expressed concerns
over a broad range of topics, including,
but not limited to, the range of
alternatives to be considered in the EIS,
potential socioeconomic impacts in the
region, potential visual impacts, the
agencies’ purpose and need, the NEPA
process, potential impacts to wildlife,
and potential impacts to tourism. DOE
held public scoping meetings from
March 14 through March 20, 2011, in
Pembroke, Franklin, Lincoln,
Whitefield, Plymouth, Colebrook, and
Haverhill, NH. DOE will consider these
comments, as well as those submitted
during the duration of the scoping
period. In addition, DOE will consider
comments submitted after the close of
the scoping period to the extent
practicable. Information on additional
public scoping meetings can be found
below in the Public Scoping Process for
the Amended Application section.
procedures, and the review of public
interest factors (33 CFR 320.4(a)(1))
leading to a Section 404 Permit
decision. The Army Corps of Engineers
General Regulatory Policies can be
found at 33 CFR Part 320.
The Forest Service is evaluating
whether to issue a special use permit to
Northern Pass to construct, operate, and
maintain a new electric transmission
line in the White Mountain National
Forest. The EIS will provide the analysis
needed to support a Forest Service
decision and will be consistent with
Forest Service NEPA regulations found
at 36 CFR Part 220. In addition, the EIS
will identify Forest Plan management
direction that would apply to this
project, and determine whether the
proposed action or any alternative
would require a site-specific Forest Plan
amendment.
Agency Purpose and Need, Proposed
Action, and Alternatives
The purpose and need for DOE’s
action is to decide whether to grant a
Presidential permit for the Northern
Pass Project. DOE’s proposed Federal
action is the granting of the Presidential
permit for the construction, operation,
maintenance, and connection of the
proposed new electric transmission line
across the U.S.-Canada border in New
Hampshire. The EIS will analyze
potential environmental impacts of the
proposed Federal action, reasonable
alternatives, and the No Action
Alternative. Under the No Action
Alternative, DOE would deny the
Northern Pass application for a
Presidential permit.
DOE invites Tribal governments and
Federal, state, and local agencies with
jurisdiction by law or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues to
be cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the EIS, pursuant to 40
CFR 1501.6. Cooperating agencies have
certain responsibilities to support the
NEPA process, as specified at 40 CFR
1501.6(b). The U.S. Forest Service—
White Mountain National Forest, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers—New England
District, and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency—Region 1 (New
England) are cooperating agencies.
Where the activity involves the
discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States, a permit
from the Army Corps of Engineers is
required pursuant to Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). Army
Corps of Engineers regulations provide
for concurrent decision making with
states, and combining insofar as
possible processes and procedures,
including public involvement
The proposed project is an activity
implementing a land management plan
that is subject to the objection process
described in 36 CFR part 218 Subparts
A and B. The public is encouraged to
provide specific written comments on
this proposal, including supporting
reasons for the responsible official to
consider. Specific written comments are
within the scope of and have a direct
relationship to the proposed action.
Transcripts of oral comments meeting
these criteria and presented at official
scoping meetings will be considered
specific written comments. Written
comments will be accepted for 60
calendar days following this publication
of the amended notice of intent in the
Federal Register. This publication is the
exclusive means for calculating the
comment period.
It is the responsibility of persons
providing comments to submit them by
the close of the scoping comment
period. Only those who submit timely
and specific written comments during a
designated opportunity for public
participation, including this scoping
period or the comment period
associated with the Draft EIS, will have
eligibility to file an objection under
§ 218.8. For objection eligibility, each
individual or representative from each
entity submitting timely and specific
written comments must either sign the
comment or verify identity upon
request. Individuals and organizations
wishing to be eligible to object must
meet the information requirements in
§ 218.25(a)(3). Names and contact
information submitted with comments
will become part of the public record
and may be released under the Freedom
of Information Act.
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USFS Objections Process
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Section 106 Review
As outlined in 36 CFR Part 800,
‘‘Protection of Historic Properties,’’ DOE
will comply with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act of
1966, as amended, (NHPA) as a
separate, but parallel, process to the
NEPA process. DOE will provide
information about its compliance with
Section 106 of the NHPA in subsequent
Federal Register notices.
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Public Scoping Process for the
Amended Application
Interested parties are invited to
participate in the scoping process, both
to help define the environmental issues
to be analyzed and to identify the range
of reasonable alternatives. Both oral and
written comments will be considered
and given equal weight, regardless of
how submitted. Written comments can
be submitted either electronically or by
paper copy; if the latter, consider using
a delivery service because materials
submitted by regular mail often arrive
damaged. (Warped and unusable CD or
DVD discs are common.) Additionally,
comments can be submitted through the
project Web site at
www.northernpasseis.us. This site will
also serve as a repository for all public
documents and the central location for
announcements. Individuals may
subscribe to the ‘‘email list’’ feature on
the project Web site in order to receive
future announcements and news
releases.
As part of the scoping process, DOE
will hold the following additional
scoping meetings:
1. Concord, NH, Grappone Conference
Center, 70 Constitution Avenue,
Monday, September 23, 2013, 6–9 p.m.;
2. Plymouth, NH, Plymouth State
University, Silver Center for the Arts,
Hanaway Theater, 17 High Street,
Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 5–8 p.m.;
3. Whitefield, NH, Mountain View
Grand Resort & Spa, Presidential Room,
101 Mountain View Road, Wednesday,
September 25, 2013, 5–8 p.m.; and
4. West Stewartstown, NH, The
Outback Pub at The Spa Restaurant, 869
Washington Street, Thursday,
September 26, 2013, 5–8 p.m.
If assistance is needed to participate
in any of the DOE scoping meetings
(e.g., qualified interpreter, computeraided real-time transcription), please
submit a request for auxiliary aids and
services to DOE by September 16, 2013
by contacting Brian Mills as described
in the ADDRESSES section above.
The scoping meetings will be
structured in two parts: First, an open
house portion for the initial 30 minutes
of each meeting that will not be
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recorded; and second, a formal
commenting session for the remainder
of each meeting, during which oral
comments will be transcribed by a
stenographer. The meetings will provide
interested parties the opportunity to
view exhibits on the proposed Project
and provide scoping comments. The
Applicant will be available to answer
questions and provide information to
attendees. Meeting attendees are not
permitted to bring in any items that may
be disruptive to the meeting, and
therefore interfere with the public’s
right to participate in the NEPA process.
Each venue reserves the right to restrict
any such unpermitted items.
Persons submitting comments during
the scoping process, whether orally or
in writing, will be added to the mailing
list to receive either paper or electronic
copies of the Draft EIS, according to
their preference. Persons who do not
wish to submit comments or suggestions
at this time, but who would like to
receive a copy of the Draft EIS for
review and comment when it is issued,
should notify Brian Mills, as provided
in the ADDRESSES section above, with
their paper-or-electronic preference.
DOE will summarize comments
received in a ‘‘Scoping Report’’ that will
be available on the project Web site.
EIS Preparation and Schedule
Following completion of the Scoping
Report, DOE will prepare the Draft EIS,
taking into consideration comments
received during the scoping period.
DOE plans to issue the Draft EIS in
2014. After DOE issues the Draft EIS, the
EPA will publish a notice of availability
(NOA) of the Draft EIS in the Federal
Register, which will begin a minimum
45-day public comment period. DOE
will announce how to comment on the
Draft EIS and will hold at least one
public hearing during the public
comment period. In preparing the Final
EIS, DOE will respond to comments
received on the Draft EIS. DOE plans to
issue the Final EIS in 2015. No sooner
than 30 days after the EPA publishes a
NOA of the Final EIS, DOE will issue its
Record of Decision.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29,
2013.
Patricia A. Hoffman,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2013–21778 Filed 9–5–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Certification Notice—225]
Notice of Filing of Self-Certification of
Coal Capability Under the Powerplant
and Industrial Fuel Use Act
Office Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of filing.
AGENCY:
On August 5, 2013, Garrison
Energy Center, LLC, an indirect, whollyowned subsidiary of Calpine
Corporation of a new combined cycle
electric powerplant, submitted a coal
capability self-certification to the
Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to
§ 201(d) of the Powerplant and
Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (FUA),
as amended, and DOE regulations in 10
CFR 501.60, 61. FUA and regulations
thereunder require DOE to publish a
notice of filing of self-certification in the
Federal Register. 42 U.S.C. 8311(d) and
10 CFR 501.61(c).
ADDRESSES: Copies of coal capability
self-certification filings are available for
public inspection, upon request, in the
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability, Mail Code OE–20, Room
8G–024, Forrestal Building, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Lawrence at (202) 586–
5260.
SUMMARY:
Title II of
FUA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 8301 et
seq.), provides that no new base load
electric powerplant may be constructed
or operated without the capability to use
coal or another alternate fuel as a
primary energy source. Pursuant to FUA
in order to meet the requirement of coal
capability, the owner or operator of such
a facility proposing to use natural gas or
petroleum as its primary energy source
shall certify to the Secretary of Energy
(Secretary) prior to construction, or
prior to operation as a base load electric
powerplant, that such powerplant has
the capability to use coal or another
alternate fuel. Such certification
establishes compliance with FUA
section 201(a) as of the date it is filed
with the Secretary. 42 U.S.C. 8311.
The following owner of a proposed
new combined cycle electric powerplant
has filed a self-certification of coalcapability with DOE pursuant to FUA
section 201(d) and in accordance with
DOE regulations in 10 CFR 501.60, 61:
Owner: Garrison Energy Center, LLC.
Capacity: 309 megawatts (MW).
Plant Location: Kent County,
Delaware.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM
06SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54876-54879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21778]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. PP-371]
Amended Notice of Intent To Modify the Scope of the Environmental
Impact Statement and Conduct Additional Public Scoping Meetings, and
Notice of Floodplains and Wetlands Involvement for the Northern Pass
Transmission Line Project
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Amended notice of intent to modify the scope of the
environmental impact statement and conduct additional public scoping
meetings; notice of floodplains and wetlands involvement.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department)
announces its intent to modify the scope of the Northern Pass
Transmission Line Project Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0463)
and to conduct additional public scoping meetings. As described in the
February 11, 2011, Notice of Intent (NOI) (76 FR 7828), in October
2010, Northern Pass Transmission LLC (Northern Pass or the Applicant)
submitted an application to DOE for a Presidential permit to construct,
operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across
the U.S.-Canada border into northern New Hampshire. As explained in the
2011 NOI, DOE will assess the potential environmental impacts from the
proposed Federal action of granting a Presidential permit to Northern
Pass. On July 1, 2013, the Applicant submitted to DOE an amended
application for a Presidential permit that reflected proposed changes
to the route of the Northern Pass project. A map of the proposed route
and segment maps are available on the DOE EIS Web site established for
the preparation of the EIS at www.northernpasseis.us. A copy of the
amended Presidential permit application can be found at the DOE EIS Web
site or at the program Web site https://energy.gov/oe/services/electricity-policy-coordination-and-implementation/international-electricity-regulatio-2 (scroll down to PP-371) or a copy can be
requested by emailing Angela Troy at angela.troy@hq.doe.gov. DOE now
intends to revise the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with these
proposed changes.
The U.S. Forest Service--White Mountain National Forest, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE)--New England District, and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Region 1 (New England) are
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.
The EIS will provide the analysis to support a Forest Service
decision on whether to issue a special use permit within the White
Mountain National Forest. The responsible official for the Forest
Service is the Forest Supervisor for the White Mountain National
Forest.
Because the proposed Federal action may involve floodplains and
wetlands, the draft EIS will include a floodplains
[[Page 54877]]
and wetlands assessment as appropriate, and the final EIS and/or Record
of Decision will include a floodplains and wetlands statement of
findings.
DATES: The public scoping period will end on November 5, 2013. Written
and oral comments will be given equal weight, and DOE will consider all
comments emailed, postmarked or submitted on the Northern Pass EIS Web
site by November 5, 2013, in defining the scope of this EIS. Comments
submitted after the close of the comment period will be considered to
the extent practicable.
Locations, dates, and times for the public scoping meetings are
listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Amended NOI.
Requests to speak at one or more public scoping meeting(s) should
be received at the address indicated below by September 18, 2013;
requests received by that date will be given priority in the speaking
order. However, requests to speak also may be made at the scoping
meetings.
ADDRESSES: Requests to speak at a public scoping meeting(s), and
requests for individuals to be added to the document mailing list (to
receive a paper or electronic copy of the Draft EIS) should be
addressed to: Brian Mills, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability (OE-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; by email to Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov;
or by facsimile to 202-586-8008. For general information on the DOE
NEPA process contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA
Policy and Compliance (GC-54), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; by email at
askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; at 202-586-4600, or 800-472-2756; or by facsimile
at 202-586-7031.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on DOE's proposed
action, contact Brian Mills by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES
above, or at 202-586-8267. For information on the Forest Service's role
as a cooperating agency, contact Tiffany Benna by email at
tbenna@fs.fed.us; by phone at 603-536-6241; by facsimile at 603-536-
3685; or by mail at 71 White Mountain Drive, Campton, NH 03223. For
information on the USACE's role as a cooperating agency and its permit
process, contact David M. Keddell by email at
david.m.keddell@usace.army.mil; by phone at 978-318-8692; or by mail at
696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742. For information on EPA's role as
a cooperating agency, contact Timothy Timmermann by email at
timmermann.timothy@epamail.epa.gov; by phone at 617-918-1025; or by
mail at 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (Mail code: ORA-17-1), Boston,
MA 02109-3912.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Executive Order (E.O.) 10485, as amended by E.O. 12038, requires
that before an electric transmission facility may be constructed,
operated, maintained, or connected at the U.S. international border, a
Presidential permit must be issued by DOE. E.O. 10485 provides that DOE
may issue a Presidential permit upon finding issuance of the permit to
be consistent with the public interest and after obtaining favorable
recommendations from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense. In
determining whether issuance of a Presidential permit would be
consistent with the public interest, DOE considers the potential
environmental impacts of the proposed project pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4371 et seq., the
impact of the proposed project' on electric reliability (including
whether the proposed project would adversely affect the operation of
the U.S. electric power supply system under normal and contingency
conditions), and considers any other factors that DOE may find relevant
to the public interest. The regulations implementing E.O. 10485 have
been codified at 10 CFR 205.320-205.329. DOE's issuance of a
Presidential permit would not mandate that the project be undertaken.
On October 14, 2010, the Applicant applied to DOE for a
Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a
high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line across the U.S.-
Canada border. After due consideration of the nature and extent of the
proposed project, DOE determined that the appropriate level of NEPA
review is an EIS and, published an NOI on February 11, 2011 (76 FR
7828). On February 15, 2011, Northern Pass submitted an addendum
updating and supplementing its Presidential permit application in
certain respects, such as: The preferred border crossing location,
routing information and potential environmental impacts. On April 12,
2011, Northern Pass submitted a letter to DOE withdrawing support for
certain alternatives and requesting an extension of the scoping period.
On April 15, 2011, DOE issued a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR
21338) reopening the public scoping period for 60 additional days,
until June 14, 2011. On June 15, 2011, DOE issued a notice in the
Federal Register reopening the scoping period until further notice (76
FR 34969). On July 1, 2013, Northern Pass submitted an amended
Presidential permit application to DOE, as described below.
Applicant's Proposal
Northern Pass' amended application, replaces the application that
Northern Pass submitted on October 14, 2010, and supplemented on
February 15, 2011, and April 12, 2011. In the amended application,
Northern Pass proposes to construct and operate a primarily overhead
HVDC electric transmission line that would originate at an HVDC
converter station to be constructed at the Des Cantons Substation in
Qu[eacute]bec, Canada, then would be converted from HVDC to alternating
current (AC) in Franklin, NH, and would continue to its southern
terminus in Deerfield, NH (collectively the ``proposed Project''). The
proposed facilities would be capable of transmitting up to 1200
megawatts (MW) of power.
The New Hampshire portion of the proposed Project would be a single
circuit 300 kilovolt (kV) HVDC transmission line running approximately
153 miles from the U.S. border crossing with Canada near the community
of Pittsburg, NH, to a new HVDC-to-AC transformer facility to be
constructed in Franklin, NH. From Franklin, NH, to the Project terminus
at the Public Service Company of New Hampshire's existing Deerfield
Substation located in Deerfield, NH, the proposed Project would consist
of 34 miles of 345-kV AC electric transmission line. The total length
of the proposed Project would be approximately 187 miles.
The amended proposed route for the proposed Project remains largely
unchanged from the application submitted on October 14, 2010, for the
Central and Southern sections, but has been substantially reconfigured
for the Northern section. Maps of these route sections are available on
the DOE EIS Web site at www.northernpasseis.us. The amended proposed
route continues to maximize the use of the existing right-of-way (ROW)
in all sections.
The majority of the Northern section of the amended proposed route
has been moved to a less populated area on properties that Renewable
Properties, Inc., an affiliate of Northern Pass, has purchased, leased,
or obtained an easement on from landowners. The amended proposed route
includes the use of additional existing ROW in the towns of Dummer,
Stark, and
[[Page 54878]]
Northumberland, NH. It also includes two underground segments: 2,300
feet and 7.5 miles in the towns of Pittsburg/Clarksville and
Clarksville/Stewartstown, NH, respectively.
In the Southern section, Northern Pass previously indicated that a
deviation from the existing ROW would be necessary if the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements could not be met to locate
the proposed transmission line in the existing ROW around Concord
Airport. In its amended application, Northern Pass states that it has
determined that the proposed Project can meet the necessary FAA
requirements, and the amended proposed route reflects that the proposed
Project would follow the existing ROW near the Concord Airport.
The amended application also notes key developments since Northern
Pass' original application filing, including additional information
about the potential environmental, historical, and cultural impacts of
the proposed Project, information about the transmission structure
locations and heights along the entire proposed route, and discussion
of certain alternatives suggested through public comment.
Notice of Floodplains and Wetlands Involvement
Because the proposed Federal action may involve floodplains and
wetlands, in accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022, Compliance with
Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements, as part of
the analysis of impacts, DOE will conduct field delineation of
floodplains and wetlands along Northern Pass' proposed amended route
and, as applicable, any reasonable alternatives, using state and
federal protocols and consulting Federal Emergency Management Agency
Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The EIS will include a floodplains and
wetlands assessment, as appropriate, and the final EIS or record of
decision will include a floodplains statement of findings.
Previous Public Scoping
The public scoping period has remained open for comment almost
continuously since the NOI was published on February 11, 2011. Most
recently, on June 15, 2011, the Department announced a reopening of the
public scoping period, in anticipation of additional route information
being provided by Northern Pass, and stated that the scoping period
would remain open until the Department provided further notice of its
closing. (76 FR 34969; June 15, 2011). To date, the Department has
received over 3,000 scoping comments. Commenters have expressed
concerns over a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to,
the range of alternatives to be considered in the EIS, potential
socioeconomic impacts in the region, potential visual impacts, the
agencies' purpose and need, the NEPA process, potential impacts to
wildlife, and potential impacts to tourism. DOE held public scoping
meetings from March 14 through March 20, 2011, in Pembroke, Franklin,
Lincoln, Whitefield, Plymouth, Colebrook, and Haverhill, NH. DOE will
consider these comments, as well as those submitted during the duration
of the scoping period. In addition, DOE will consider comments
submitted after the close of the scoping period to the extent
practicable. Information on additional public scoping meetings can be
found below in the Public Scoping Process for the Amended Application
section.
Agency Purpose and Need, Proposed Action, and Alternatives
The purpose and need for DOE's action is to decide whether to grant
a Presidential permit for the Northern Pass Project. DOE's proposed
Federal action is the granting of the Presidential permit for the
construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of the proposed
new electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border in New
Hampshire. The EIS will analyze potential environmental impacts of the
proposed Federal action, reasonable alternatives, and the No Action
Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, DOE would deny the
Northern Pass application for a Presidential permit.
DOE invites Tribal governments and Federal, state, and local
agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to be cooperating agencies in the preparation of
the EIS, pursuant to 40 CFR 1501.6. Cooperating agencies have certain
responsibilities to support the NEPA process, as specified at 40 CFR
1501.6(b). The U.S. Forest Service--White Mountain National Forest,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--New England District, and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency--Region 1 (New England) are cooperating
agencies.
Where the activity involves the discharge of dredged or fill
material into waters of the United States, a permit from the Army Corps
of Engineers is required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344). Army Corps of Engineers regulations provide for
concurrent decision making with states, and combining insofar as
possible processes and procedures, including public involvement
procedures, and the review of public interest factors (33 CFR
320.4(a)(1)) leading to a Section 404 Permit decision. The Army Corps
of Engineers General Regulatory Policies can be found at 33 CFR Part
320.
The Forest Service is evaluating whether to issue a special use
permit to Northern Pass to construct, operate, and maintain a new
electric transmission line in the White Mountain National Forest. The
EIS will provide the analysis needed to support a Forest Service
decision and will be consistent with Forest Service NEPA regulations
found at 36 CFR Part 220. In addition, the EIS will identify Forest
Plan management direction that would apply to this project, and
determine whether the proposed action or any alternative would require
a site-specific Forest Plan amendment.
USFS Objections Process
The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management
plan that is subject to the objection process described in 36 CFR part
218 Subparts A and B. The public is encouraged to provide specific
written comments on this proposal, including supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider. Specific written comments are within
the scope of and have a direct relationship to the proposed action.
Transcripts of oral comments meeting these criteria and presented at
official scoping meetings will be considered specific written comments.
Written comments will be accepted for 60 calendar days following this
publication of the amended notice of intent in the Federal Register.
This publication is the exclusive means for calculating the comment
period.
It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit
them by the close of the scoping comment period. Only those who submit
timely and specific written comments during a designated opportunity
for public participation, including this scoping period or the comment
period associated with the Draft EIS, will have eligibility to file an
objection under Sec. 218.8. For objection eligibility, each individual
or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific
written comments must either sign the comment or verify identity upon
request. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object
must meet the information requirements in Sec. 218.25(a)(3). Names and
contact information submitted with comments will become part of the
public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act.
[[Page 54879]]
Section 106 Review
As outlined in 36 CFR Part 800, ``Protection of Historic
Properties,'' DOE will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, (NHPA) as a separate, but
parallel, process to the NEPA process. DOE will provide information
about its compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA in subsequent Federal
Register notices.
Public Scoping Process for the Amended Application
Interested parties are invited to participate in the scoping
process, both to help define the environmental issues to be analyzed
and to identify the range of reasonable alternatives. Both oral and
written comments will be considered and given equal weight, regardless
of how submitted. Written comments can be submitted either
electronically or by paper copy; if the latter, consider using a
delivery service because materials submitted by regular mail often
arrive damaged. (Warped and unusable CD or DVD discs are common.)
Additionally, comments can be submitted through the project Web site at
www.northernpasseis.us. This site will also serve as a repository for
all public documents and the central location for announcements.
Individuals may subscribe to the ``email list'' feature on the project
Web site in order to receive future announcements and news releases.
As part of the scoping process, DOE will hold the following
additional scoping meetings:
1. Concord, NH, Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue,
Monday, September 23, 2013, 6-9 p.m.;
2. Plymouth, NH, Plymouth State University, Silver Center for the
Arts, Hanaway Theater, 17 High Street, Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 5-8
p.m.;
3. Whitefield, NH, Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, Presidential
Room, 101 Mountain View Road, Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 5-8 p.m.;
and
4. West Stewartstown, NH, The Outback Pub at The Spa Restaurant,
869 Washington Street, Thursday, September 26, 2013, 5-8 p.m.
If assistance is needed to participate in any of the DOE scoping
meetings (e.g., qualified interpreter, computer-aided real-time
transcription), please submit a request for auxiliary aids and services
to DOE by September 16, 2013 by contacting Brian Mills as described in
the ADDRESSES section above.
The scoping meetings will be structured in two parts: First, an
open house portion for the initial 30 minutes of each meeting that will
not be recorded; and second, a formal commenting session for the
remainder of each meeting, during which oral comments will be
transcribed by a stenographer. The meetings will provide interested
parties the opportunity to view exhibits on the proposed Project and
provide scoping comments. The Applicant will be available to answer
questions and provide information to attendees. Meeting attendees are
not permitted to bring in any items that may be disruptive to the
meeting, and therefore interfere with the public's right to participate
in the NEPA process. Each venue reserves the right to restrict any such
unpermitted items.
Persons submitting comments during the scoping process, whether
orally or in writing, will be added to the mailing list to receive
either paper or electronic copies of the Draft EIS, according to their
preference. Persons who do not wish to submit comments or suggestions
at this time, but who would like to receive a copy of the Draft EIS for
review and comment when it is issued, should notify Brian Mills, as
provided in the ADDRESSES section above, with their paper-or-electronic
preference.
DOE will summarize comments received in a ``Scoping Report'' that
will be available on the project Web site.
EIS Preparation and Schedule
Following completion of the Scoping Report, DOE will prepare the
Draft EIS, taking into consideration comments received during the
scoping period. DOE plans to issue the Draft EIS in 2014. After DOE
issues the Draft EIS, the EPA will publish a notice of availability
(NOA) of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register, which will begin a
minimum 45-day public comment period. DOE will announce how to comment
on the Draft EIS and will hold at least one public hearing during the
public comment period. In preparing the Final EIS, DOE will respond to
comments received on the Draft EIS. DOE plans to issue the Final EIS in
2015. No sooner than 30 days after the EPA publishes a NOA of the Final
EIS, DOE will issue its Record of Decision.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29, 2013.
Patricia A. Hoffman,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2013-21778 Filed 9-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
