Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Project, DOE/EIS-0554, 77093-77096 [2022-27099]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77093-77096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27099]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Project, DOE/EIS-0554

AGENCY: Loan Programs Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, 
request for comments, notice of floodplain involvement.

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SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 
Loan Programs Office (LPO), announces its intent to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the environmental 
impacts associated with providing potential financial assistance (a 
federal loan guarantee) to Grain Belt Express, LLC, for construction 
and energization of Phase 1 of the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line 
Project (Grain Belt Express Project). The Grain Belt Express Project 
consists of an approximately 530-mile-long high-voltage direct-current 
(HVDC) transmission line, with a terminus in Ford County, Kansas, and a 
terminus in Monroe County, Missouri; two HVDC converter stations; a 
1,000-foot alternating-current (AC) transmission line from the HVDC 
converter station at the terminus of the Ford County, Kansas HVDC 
transmission line to an existing substation; and an approximately 40-
mile AC transmission line from the HVDC converter station at the 
terminus of the Monroe County, Missouri HVDC transmission line to an 
existing substation and a proposed substation, both in Callaway County, 
Missouri. This notice of intent (NOI) announces the EIS scoping process 
as well as a notice of proposed floodplain action. Detailed information 
about the project can be found at www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before 
February 28, 2023.
    LPO will hold six public scoping meetings for the project, four in-
person and two virtual meetings, at the following dates and times 
(Central Time). Registration for the virtual public meetings may be 
completed at the following web links:

 Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., virtual 
meeting on Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NOQzgumNTpOAIL5UoLVIeA)
 Thursday, January 26, 2023, 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., virtual meeting 
on Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D619NGe1TGqMH0fcHx5SSA)
 Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m., 
Dodge House Hotel and Convention Center, 2408 W Wyatt Earp Blvd., Dodge 
City, KS 67801
 Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m., 
Municipal Auditorium, 201 W Rollins St., Moberly, MO 65270

[[Page 77094]]

 Thursday, February 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. 
Corinthians Hill Event Center, 464 NE 20 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530
 Thursday, February 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m., 
Fairview Golf Course, 3302 Pacific St., St. Joseph, MO 64507

    All meetings are open to the public and free to attend.

ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following 
ways:
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Enclosed in an envelope labeled 
``Grain Belt Express EIS'' and addressed to DOE LPO, c/o AECOM, 100 N 
Broadway, 20th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63102; or
     Email: [email protected] or www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Ryan, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Loan Programs Office,1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington 
DC, 20585. Telephone: 240-220-4586. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

    Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) established a 
federal loan guarantee program for certain projects that employ 
innovative technologies. EPAct authorizes the Secretary of Energy to 
make loan guarantees available for those projects. Specifically, Title 
XVII identifies the projects as 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.'' Grain Belt Express, LLC 
(Applicant), has applied for a loan guarantee pursuant to the DOE 
Renewable Energy Project and Efficient Energy Projects Solicitation 
(Solicitation Number: DE-SOL-0007154) under Title XVII, Innovative 
Energy Loan Guarantee Program, authorized by the EPAct. The primary 
goal of the program is to finance projects and facilities in the United 
States that employ innovative and renewable or efficient energy 
technologies that avoid, reduce, or sequester anthropogenic emission of 
greenhouse gases (GHGs).
    The purpose and need for agency action are to comply with DOE's 
mandate under the EPAct by selecting eligible projects that meet the 
goals of the act. The DOE LPO has determined that the Grain Belt 
Express Project, as proposed by the Applicant, is eligible pursuant to 
section 1703 of the EPAct and that it complies with DOE's mandate, as 
defined in the act. DOE is using the NEPA process to assist in 
determining whether to issue a loan guarantee to the Applicant to 
support the project.

Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The DOE, LPO, proposed action is to provide federal financial 
support (a loan guarantee) to the Applicant for construction and 
energization of the Grain Belt Express Project, as proposed by the 
Applicant. The Grain Belt Express Project is a HVDC transmission line 
that will be designed to operate at 600 kilovolts (kV), extending 
approximately 530 miles from a HVDC converter station in Ford County, 
Kansas, to another HVDC converter station in Monroe County, Missouri; 
certain facilities necessary to allow interconnection into the broader 
electric grid are also included. The route of the HVDC transmission 
line was reviewed and approved by the State of Kansas, through the 
Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), and the State of Missouri, through 
the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), which are reflected in 
the existing KCC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and 
Siting Permit and the existing MPSC Certificate of Convenience and 
Necessity for the Grain Belt Express Project.
    In Kansas, the Grain Belt Express Project includes construction and 
energization of approximately 384 miles of HVDC transmission line and 
Ford County interconnection facilities. The Ford County interconnection 
facilities will comprise:
     An approximately 2,500-megawatt (MW) HVDC converter 
station.
     An AC switchyard adjacent to the HVDC converter station.
     An approximately 1,000-foot-long 345 kV AC transmission 
line from the AC switchyard to the existing Saddle Substation that ITC 
Great Plains (a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corporation) owns adjacent 
to the switchyard.
    In Missouri, the Grain Belt Express Project includes construction 
and energization of approximately 146 miles of HVDC transmission line 
and Missouri interconnection facilities. The Missouri interconnection 
facilities will comprise:
     An approximately 2,500 MW HVDC converter station in Monroe 
County.
     An AC switchyard adjacent to the HVDC converter station.
     An approximately 40-mile-long 345 kV AC transmission line, 
constructed between the AC switchyard in Monroe County and the non-
Applicant-owned existing McCredie Substation and the proposed non-
Applicant-constructed and -owned Burns Substation in Callaway County. 
This AC transmission connection, which is referred to as the ``Tiger 
Connector'' and part of the Grain Belt Express Project, would have 
approximately 2,500 MW of capacity and deliver electricity into the 
Midcontinent Independent System Operator power market and other 
customers in the Midwest.
    Under the No Action Alternative, LPO would not provide federal 
financial support (a loan guarantee) to the Applicant for construction 
and energization of the Grain Belt Express Project, with the assumption 
that the project would not be constructed.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The draft EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential 
effects of the proposed action (i.e., the Grain Belt Express Project) 
and the No Action Alternative on the human environment that are 
reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship. 
Potential impacts on resources include, but are not limited to, impacts 
(whether beneficial or adverse; short term or long term) on air quality 
and GHG emissions; soils and paleontological resources; water 
resources, including surface and groundwater and floodplains; 
vegetation, wildlife, and special-status species; land use and 
recreation; socioeconomics and environmental justice; public health and 
safety; cultural resources and Native American traditional values; 
transportation; visual resources; and noise. Analyses for cumulative 
impacts will be conducted for those resources directly affected and 
determined to be reasonably foreseeable through the scoping process.
    The EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential effects 
of the proposed action and No Action Alternative. This will include 
direct, indirect, and cumulative effects resulting from implementation 
of the proposed action and No Action Alternatives that are determined 
to be reasonably foreseeable. LPO recognizes that other actions or 
activities may be induced by or related to the proposed action (e.g., 
development of new generation assets as developers seek to interconnect 
with the project as well as system upgrades in Missouri for system 
reliability that would be performed by other utilities). In addition, 
construction of the Grain Belt Express Project may result in the 
Applicant developing a subsequent phase to the transmission project, 
Grain Belt Express Project Phase 2, which would extend from the HVDC 
converter station in Monroe County, Missouri, to an HVDC converter 
station in Illinois before transitioning to a 345

[[Page 77095]]

kV AC transmission line that interconnects with an existing substation 
in Indiana. Additional actions that are induced by or related to the 
proposed action, and identified as reasonably foreseeable, would also 
be discussed in the EIS.
    Based on a preliminary evaluation and prior projects of a similar 
nature (i.e., transmission development), the Grain Belt Express Project 
could affect local air quality, soil stability (e.g., compaction) and 
quality, and floodplains, riparian habitat, and wetlands due to ground 
disturbance associated with construction activities. Construction and 
energization of the Grain Belt Express Project could affect wildlife 
and plant species, including individuals and the habitat of federally 
threatened, endangered, and proposed species and state-listed species. 
Species of specific concern include the whooping crane, lesser and 
greater prairie-chickens, bald eagle, northern long-eared bat, Indiana 
bat, monarch butterfly, and Kansas state-designated critical habitat 
for the eastern spotted skunk. Initial evaluations suggest that the 
Grain Belt Express Project could also affect known and previously 
unidentified archaeological and paleontological resources and historic 
properties as well as resources important to Native American tribes, 
including both natural and cultural.
    Construction and energization of the Grain Belt Express Project 
could affect local and regional economies in terms of construction-
related job creation and changes in property values, tax revenues, and 
construction and ancillary spending. The project could also create 
safety concerns for workers during construction and maintenance as well 
as local safety risks associated with electromagnetic fields, power 
surges, risk of increased lightning strikes, and line-induced fires.
    Finally, introduction of the transmission line and associated 
construction and energization could affect the viewshed throughout the 
project corridor by introducing a new element onto landscapes as well 
as increasing noise above ambient levels typically experienced.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    In addition to NEPA, other federal authorizations will be required. 
These processes, as well as consultation under section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act and section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act, as appropriate, will occur concurrently with the NEPA 
process. Other authorizations may be required pursuant to the Migratory 
Bird Treaty Act, the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, and 
the Clean Air Act. As appropriate, DOE will also conduct government-to-
government tribal consultations.

Notice of Proposed Floodplain Action

    Because the Grain Belt Express Project is expected to involve 
activities within floodplains, this NOI also serves as a notice of 
proposed floodplain action. The EIS will analyze potential impacts on 
floodplains and include a floodplain assessment. A floodplain statement 
of findings will be published following DOE regulations for compliance 
with floodplain environmental review (10 CFR part 1022).

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    Subsequent to the draft EIS completion, LPO will publish a notice 
of availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. LPO 
anticipates issuance of the NOA in September 2023. After the public 
comment period, LPO will review and respond to comments received and 
develop a final EIS. LPO anticipates the final EIS will be available to 
the public in July 2024. A record of decision will be completed no 
sooner than 30 days after the final EIS is published, in compliance 
with 40 CFR 1506.11.

Scoping Process and Comments

    This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues 
for consideration in the draft EIS. LPO will hold in-person and virtual 
public scoping meetings at the times and dates described previously 
under the DATES section. Throughout the scoping process, federal 
agencies; tribal, state, and local governments; and the general public 
have the opportunity to help LPO identify significant resources and 
issues, impact-producing factors, and potential mitigation measures to 
be analyzed in the EIS as well as an opportunity to provide additional 
information.
    Comments may be broad in nature or focused on specific areas of 
concern but should be directly relevant to the proposed action, the 
NEPA process, or expected resource impacts. The scoping process allows 
the public and interested parties to shape the EIS impact analysis, 
focusing on the areas of greatest importance and identifying areas 
requiring less attention. Comments on the proposed action will be 
accepted and considered at any time during the EIS process and may be 
directed to LPO as described under the ADDRESSES section. However, 
commenters should be aware that their comments should be timely for 
them to be fully considered (e.g., scoping comments received well after 
the close of the scoping period would be considered but would be 
received too late to be useful for scoping purposes).
    Federal agencies; tribal, state, and local governments; and other 
interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of this EIS, 
significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that 
should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see 
the ADDRESSES section.
    LPO does not consider anonymous scoping comments. Please include 
your name and address as part of your scoping comment. All scoping 
comments, including the names, addresses, and other personally 
identifiable information included in the comment, will be part of the 
administrative record.

NEPA Cooperating Agencies

    Per 40 CFR 1501.8, LPO will invite other federal agencies with 
jurisdiction by law, or those tribal, state, or local governments with 
special expertise related to the relevant environmental issues, to 
collaborate as a cooperating agency, participating agency, or 
commenting agency. Upon request, LPO will provide interested agencies 
with a written summary of expectations, including schedules, 
milestones, responsibilities, scope, and details of agency expected 
contributions. LPO, as the lead agency, does not provide financial 
assistance to cooperating agencies. Governmental agencies that are not 
designated cooperating or participating agencies will have the 
opportunity to provide information, comments, and consultation to LPO 
during the public input stages of the NEPA process.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    LPO requests data, comments, information, analysis, or suggestions 
relevant to the proposed action from the public; affected federal, 
tribal, state, and local governments, agencies and offices; the 
scientific community; industry; or any other interested party. 
Specifically, LPO requests information on the following topics:
    1. Potential effects that could occur on biological resources.
    2. Potential effects that could occur on physical resources and 
conditions, including air quality, soils, water quality, floodplains, 
wetlands, and other waters of the United States.
    3. Potential effects that could occur on socioeconomic and cultural 
resources,

[[Page 77096]]

including environmental justice and Native American tribal resources.
    4. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse 
effects.
    5. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the 
vicinity of, the proposed action and their possible impacts.
    6. Other information relevant to the proposed action and its 
impacts on the human environment.
    To promote informed decision-making, comments should be as specific 
as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to 
meaningfully and fully inform LPO of the commenter's position. Comments 
should explain why the issues raised are important to the consideration 
of potential environmental impacts affecting the quality of the human 
environment.
    The draft EIS will include a summary of all alternatives, 
information, and analyses submitted during the scoping process for 
consideration by LPO and any cooperating agencies.
    Authority: 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4321 et seq. and 40 CFR 
1501.9.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December 8, 
2022, by Todd Stribley, NEPA Compliance Officer, Loan Programs Office, 
pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That 
document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication as an official document 
of DOE. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect 
of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2022-27099 Filed 12-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P