Midwest Hydro, LLC; STS Hydropower, LLC; Notice Soliciting Scoping Comments, 48239-48241 [2023-15844]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2023 / Notices
Filed Date: 7/19/23.
Accession Number: 20230719–5224.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 7/31/23.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/
fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
Any person desiring to intervene, to
protest, or to answer a complaint in any
of the above proceedings must file in
accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206
of the Commission’s Regulations (18
CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: July 20, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–15842 Filed 7–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER23–2439–000]
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Cavalier Solar A2, LLC; Supplemental
Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate
Filing Includes Request for Blanket
Section 204 Authorization
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Cavalier
Solar A2, LLC’s application for marketbased rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:56 Jul 25, 2023
Jkt 259001
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is August 9,
2023.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
may mail similar pleadings to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426. Hand delivered submissions in
docketed proceedings should be
delivered to Health and Human
Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. At this
time, the Commission has suspended
access to the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, due to the
proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued
by the President on March 13, 2020. For
assistance, contact the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
PO 00000
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48239
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: July 20, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–15834 Filed 7–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2373–016; Project No. 2347–
064l; Project No. 2348–050; Project No.
2446–052]
Midwest Hydro, LLC; STS Hydropower,
LLC; Notice Soliciting Scoping
Comments
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric applications have been
filed with the Commission and is
available for public inspection.
a. Type of Applications: Subsequent
Minor, Subsequent Minor, Subsequent
Minor, New License.
b. Project Nos.: P–2373–016, P–2347–
064, P–2348–050, and P–2446–052.
c. Date Filed: August 30, 2022.
d. Applicants: Midwest Hydro, LLC
and STS Hydropower, LLC.
e. Names of Projects: Janesville
Hydroelectric Project, Beloit
Hydroelectric Project, Rockton
Hydroelectric Project, and Dixon
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Locations: The Janesville Project is
on the Rock River near the city of
Janesville in Rock County, Wisconsin.
The Beloit Project is located on the Rock
River near the City of Beloit in Rock
County, Wisconsin. The Rockton Project
is located on the Rock River in the City
of Rockton in Winnebago County,
Illinois. The Dixon Project is located on
the Rock River in the City of Dixon in
Lee and Ogle Counties, Illinois.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)–825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Mr. David Fox,
Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs,
Midwest Hydro, LLC c/o Eagle Creek RE
Management, LLC, 7315 Wisconsin
Avenue, Suite 1100W, Bethesda,
Maryland 2081; Phone at (240) 482–
2707 or email at David.Fox@
eaglecreekre.com.
i. FERC Contact: Laura Washington at
(202) 502–6072; or email at
laura.washington@ferc.gov.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2023 / Notices
j. Deadline for filing scoping
comments: August 19, 2023.1
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing. Please file scoping
comments using the Commission’s
eFiling system at https://
ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx.
Commenters can submit brief comments
up to 6,000 characters, without prior
registration, using the eComment system
at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/
QuickComment.aspx. You must include
your name and contact information at
the end of your comments. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@
ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or
(202) 502–8659 (TTY). In lieu of
electronic filing, you may submit a
paper copy. Submissions sent via the
U.S. Postal Service must be addressed
to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any
other carrier must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225
Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
All filings must clearly identify the
following on the first page: The
Janesville Project (P–2347–064), and/or
the Beloit Project (P–2348–050), and/or
Rockton Project (P–2373–016), and/or
the Dixon Project (P–2446–052).
The Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure require all interveners
filing documents with the Commission
to serve a copy of that document on
each person on the official service list
for the project. Further, if an intervener
files comments or documents with the
Commission relating to the merits of an
issue that may affect the responsibilities
of a particular resource agency, they
must also serve a copy of the document
on that resource agency.
k. The applications are not ready for
environmental analysis at this time.
l. Project Descriptions: The Janesville
Project consists of: (1) a 131-acre
reservoir with a gross storage capacity of
655 acre-feet at a maximum reservoir
surface elevation of 769.8 feet National
Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD
29); (2) a 65-foot-wide, 8.25-foot-deep
forebay structure located on the
upstream side of the powerhouse; (3) a
321.6-foot-long dam including three
sections from left to right looking
downstream: (i) a 207-foot-long
overflow spillway topped with 22-inch
1 The Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure provide that if a filing deadline falls on
a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or other day when the
Commission is closed for business, the filing
deadline does not end until the close of business
on the next business day. 18 CFR 385.2007(a)(2)
(2022).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:56 Jul 25, 2023
Jkt 259001
flashboards; (ii) a 38.3-foot-long gated
spillway; and (iii) a 76.3-foot-long
powerhouse integral with the dam that
contains 76.25-foot-wide by 9-foot-high
trashracks with 4.0-inch clear spacing;
(4) two vertical-shaft turbine-generating
units, each with a maximum hydraulic
capacity of 600 cubic feet per second
(cfs), and a total installed capacity of
500 kilowatts (kW); (5) a 330-foot-long
by 480-foot-wide tailrace; (6) a 55-footlong, 312.5-kilovolt (kV) transmission
line connecting the powerhouse to the
point of interconnection via a 4.1-kV/
12.4-kV step-up transformer; and (7)
appurtenant facilities. The Janesville
Project had an average annual
generation of 2,285 megawatt-hours
(MWh) for the five-year period ending
in 2021.
The Beloit Project consists of: (1) a
606.47-acre reservoir with a gross
storage capacity of 3,032 acre-feet at a
maximum reservoir surface elevation of
745.0 feet NGVD 29; (2) a 315.9-footlong dam including four sections from
left to right looking downstream: (i) a
42-foot-long non-overflow section; (ii) a
91.1-foot-long Tainter-type gate and
stoplog section; (iii) an 81.2-foot-long
needle section; and (iv) a 101.6-footlong slide gate section; (3) a 37-footlong, 34.5-foot-wide concrete
powerhouse with 32-foot-wide by 9foot-high trashracks with 5.5-inch clear
spacing; (4) one vertical-shaft turbinegenerator unit with a maximum
hydraulic capacity of 725 cfs and an
installed capacity of 480 kW; (5) a 375foot-wide by 400-foot-long tailrace; (6) a
60-foot-long, 68-kV transmission line
connecting the powerhouse to the point
of interconnection via a 4.1-kV/12.4-kV
step-up transformer; and (7)
appurtenant facilities. The Beloit Project
had an average annual generation of
3,035 MWh for the five-year period
ending in 2021.
The Rockton Project consists of: (1) a
40.67-acre reservoir with a gross storage
capacity of 207.4 acre-feet at a
maximum reservoir surface elevation of
725.48 feet NGVD 29; (2) a succession
of dam structures including, from left to
right looking downstream: (i) an 84-footlong gated headworks structure located
upstream of the power canal; (ii) a
1,000-foot-long concrete overflow dam
located about 300 feet upstream of the
headworks structure that creates a
bypassed reach (i.e., Rockton bypassed
reach); (iii) a 1,600-foot-long earthen
dike extending north from the east
abutment of the concrete overflow dam;
and (iv) a 5,000-foot-long power canal
dike; (3) a 5,000-foot-long power canal
running from the gated headworks
structure to the powerhouse; (4) an
intake structure consisting of 64-foot-
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wide by 15-foot-high trash racks with
3.5-inch clear spacing; (5) a 64.25-footlong, 33.25-foot-wide powerhouse; (6)
two vertical-shaft turbine-generator
units, each with a maximum hydraulic
capacity of 810 cfs, for a total installed
capacity of 1,100 kW; (7) a 85-foot-wide
tailrace that extends downstream for
215 feet where it meets the Rockton
bypassed reach; (8) three 4.1-kV/12.4-kV
step-up transformers; and (9)
appurtenant facilities. The project
interconnects with the electrical grid via
4.1-kV bus cables and the three step-up
transformers. The Rockton Project had
an average annual generation of 5,076
MWh for the five-year period ending in
2021
The Dixon Project consists of: (1) a
305.9-acre reservoir with a gross storage
capacity of 1,530 acre-feet at a
maximum reservoir surface elevation of
647.08 feet NGVD 29; (2) a 130-footwide by 18-foot-deep forebay located
immediately upstream of the
powerhouse; (3) a succession of dam
structures including, from left to right
looking downstream: (i) a 250-foot-long
powerhouse integral with the dam
equipped with 200-foot-wide by 15-foothigh trash racks with 5-inch clear
spacing; (ii) a 114-foot-long by 24-foothigh forebay wall set perpendicular to
the dam that ties the powerhouse and
fender wall to the dam; (iii) a 286-footlong fender wall located upstream of the
project forebay extending from the
upstream end of the fender wall to the
south riverbank; and (iv) a 610-foot-long
north overflow dam extending from the
forebay wall to the north riverbank,
topped with 16-inch flashboards; (4)
five vertical-shaft turbine-generating
units, each with a maximum hydraulic
capacity of 1,100 cfs, for a total installed
capacity of 3,200 kW; (5) a 30-foot-long,
34.5-kV transmission line conveying
project power to the point of
interconnection via two 2.3-kV
transformers; and (7) appurtenant
facilities. The Dixon Project had an
average annual generation of 14,995
MWh for the five-year period ending in
2021.
As required by their current licenses,
the Janesville, Beloit, Rockton, and
Dixon Projects all operate in a run-ofriver mode, such that outflow
approximates inflow to each project.
Janesville Project—Midwest Hydro
maintains the elevation of the Janesville
Reservoir between 769.1 feet NGVD 29
and 769.8 feet NGVD 29 under normal
operating conditions. Midwest Hydro
provides a minimum flow of 35 cfs or
inflow, whichever is less, over the
spillway by maintaining a minimum
elevation of 769.1 feet NGVD 29 in the
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2023 / Notices
Janesville Reservoir. The Janesville
Project is operated manually.
Beloit Project—Midwest Hydro
maintains the elevation of the Beloit
Reservoir between 744.4 feet NGVD 29
and 745.0 feet NGVD 29 under normal
operating conditions. There is no
minimum flow requirement at the Beloit
Project. However, when inflow to the
project is less than the turbine’s
minimum hydraulic capacity of 500 cfs,
all flow is passed downstream. The
Beloit Project is equipped with an autogate that operates based on reservoir
elevation levels.
Rockton Project—Midwest Hydro
maintains the elevation of the Rockton
Reservoir at 725.48 feet NGVD 29 under
normal operating conditions and
provides a minimum flow of 300 cfs or
inflow, whichever is less, into the
Rockton bypassed reach. The Rockton
Project is operated manually.
Dixon Project—STS Hydro maintains
a minimum one-inch veiling flow (i.e.,
no less than 50 cfs) over the Dixon
overflow dam or, when in place, the
flashboards. The Dixon Project is
operated manually or via a
programmable logic controller (PLC),
which maintains water levels in Dixon
Reservoir.
Midwest Hydro and STS Hydro
propose to continue operating the
Janesville, Beloit, Rockton, and Dixon
Projects with the following
environmental measures: (1) operate
each project in a run-of-river mode,
such that outflow at each project
approximates inflow to each project
impoundment; (2) develop an
operations monitoring plan for each
project to document compliance with
the operational requirements of any
subsequent or new license, including
reservoir elevations and minimum flow
requirements; (3) provide a 35 cfs
minimum flow or inflow, whichever is
less, over the Janesville spillway to
protect downstream aquatic resources in
the Rock River; (4) provide a 300 cfs
minimum flow or inflow, whichever is
less, over the Rockton spillway to
protect downstream aquatic resources in
the Rock River; (5) provide a 1-inch
veiling flow (i.e., no less than 50 cfs) or
inflow, whichever is less, over the
Dixon spillway or, when in place, the
flashboards to protect downstream
aquatic resources in the Rock River; (6)
develop a rapid response aquatic
invasive species monitoring plan for the
Rockton Project; (7) avoid tree removal
(greater than 3-inch diameter at breast
height from April 1 to October 15,
which is the active season for the
Indiana and northern long-eared bats),
unless the tree poses a significant
human health safety hazard, for the
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19:56 Jul 25, 2023
Jkt 259001
protection of the Indiana and northern
long-eared bats; (8) maintain existing
recreation facilities; and (9) develop and
implement a Historic Properties
Management Plan and Programmatic
Agreement to protect and mitigate
effects to historic properties.
m. Copies of the applications can be
viewed on the Commission’s website at
https://www.ferc.gov using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the project’s
docket number excluding the last three
digits in the docket number field to
access the document. At this time, the
Commission has suspended access to
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. For assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll free, (886) 208–3676 or TTY (202)
502–8659.
You may also register at https://
ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to
be notified via email of new filings and
issuances related to these or other
pending projects. For assistance, please
contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.
n. Scoping Process
Commission staff will prepare either a
multi-project environmental assessment
(EA) or an environmental impact
statement (EIS) that describes and
evaluates the probable effects, if any, of
the applicants’ proposed action and
alternatives. The EA or EIS will
consider environmental impacts and
reasonable alternatives to the proposed
action. The Commission’s scoping
process will help determine the
required level of analysis and satisfy the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) scoping requirements,
irrespective of whether the Commission
prepares an EA or an EIS. At this time,
we do not anticipate holding on-site
public or agency scoping meetings.
Instead, we are soliciting written
comments and suggestions on the
preliminary list of issues and
alternatives to be addressed in the
NEPA document, as described in
scoping document 1 (SD1), issued July
20, 2023.
Copies of SD1 outlining the subject
areas to be addressed in the NEPA
document were distributed to the
parties on the Commission’s mailing
lists and the applicants’ distribution
lists. Copies of SD1 may be viewed on
the web at https://www.ferc.gov using
the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits in
the docket number field to access the
document. For assistance, call 1–866–
208–3676 or for TTY, (202) 502–8659.
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48241
Dated: July 20, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–15844 Filed 7–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER23–2406–000]
Arica Solar, LLC; Supplemental Notice
That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing
Includes Request for Blanket Section
204 Authorization
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Arica
Solar, LLC’s application for marketbased rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is August 9,
2023.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
may mail similar pleadings to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426. Hand delivered submissions in
docketed proceedings should be
delivered to Health and Human
Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48239-48241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15844]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2373-016; Project No. 2347-064l; Project No. 2348-050;
Project No. 2446-052]
Midwest Hydro, LLC; STS Hydropower, LLC; Notice Soliciting
Scoping Comments
Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
a. Type of Applications: Subsequent Minor, Subsequent Minor,
Subsequent Minor, New License.
b. Project Nos.: P-2373-016, P-2347-064, P-2348-050, and P-2446-
052.
c. Date Filed: August 30, 2022.
d. Applicants: Midwest Hydro, LLC and STS Hydropower, LLC.
e. Names of Projects: Janesville Hydroelectric Project, Beloit
Hydroelectric Project, Rockton Hydroelectric Project, and Dixon
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Locations: The Janesville Project is on the Rock River near the
city of Janesville in Rock County, Wisconsin. The Beloit Project is
located on the Rock River near the City of Beloit in Rock County,
Wisconsin. The Rockton Project is located on the Rock River in the City
of Rockton in Winnebago County, Illinois. The Dixon Project is located
on the Rock River in the City of Dixon in Lee and Ogle Counties,
Illinois.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Mr. David Fox, Senior Director of Regulatory
Affairs, Midwest Hydro, LLC c/o Eagle Creek RE Management, LLC, 7315
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100W, Bethesda, Maryland 2081; Phone at (240)
482-2707 or email at [email protected].
i. FERC Contact: Laura Washington at (202) 502-6072; or email at
[email protected].
[[Page 48240]]
j. Deadline for filing scoping comments: August 19, 2023.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure provide
that if a filing deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or
other day when the Commission is closed for business, the filing
deadline does not end until the close of business on the next
business day. 18 CFR 385.2007(a)(2) (2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file
scoping comments using the Commission's eFiling system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx. Commenters can submit brief
comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the
eComment system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx. You
must include your name and contact information at the end of your
comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected], (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy.
Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via
any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville,
MD 20852. All filings must clearly identify the following on the first
page: The Janesville Project (P-2347-064), and/or the Beloit Project
(P-2348-050), and/or Rockton Project (P-2373-016), and/or the Dixon
Project (P-2446-052).
The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all
interveners filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of
that document on each person on the official service list for the
project. Further, if an intervener files comments or documents with the
Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the
responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve
a copy of the document on that resource agency.
k. The applications are not ready for environmental analysis at
this time.
l. Project Descriptions: The Janesville Project consists of: (1) a
131-acre reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 655 acre-feet at a
maximum reservoir surface elevation of 769.8 feet National Geodetic
Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29); (2) a 65-foot-wide, 8.25-foot-deep
forebay structure located on the upstream side of the powerhouse; (3) a
321.6-foot-long dam including three sections from left to right looking
downstream: (i) a 207-foot-long overflow spillway topped with 22-inch
flashboards; (ii) a 38.3-foot-long gated spillway; and (iii) a 76.3-
foot-long powerhouse integral with the dam that contains 76.25-foot-
wide by 9-foot-high trashracks with 4.0-inch clear spacing; (4) two
vertical-shaft turbine-generating units, each with a maximum hydraulic
capacity of 600 cubic feet per second (cfs), and a total installed
capacity of 500 kilowatts (kW); (5) a 330-foot-long by 480-foot-wide
tailrace; (6) a 55-foot-long, 312.5-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
connecting the powerhouse to the point of interconnection via a 4.1-kV/
12.4-kV step-up transformer; and (7) appurtenant facilities. The
Janesville Project had an average annual generation of 2,285 megawatt-
hours (MWh) for the five-year period ending in 2021.
The Beloit Project consists of: (1) a 606.47-acre reservoir with a
gross storage capacity of 3,032 acre-feet at a maximum reservoir
surface elevation of 745.0 feet NGVD 29; (2) a 315.9-foot-long dam
including four sections from left to right looking downstream: (i) a
42-foot-long non-overflow section; (ii) a 91.1-foot-long Tainter-type
gate and stoplog section; (iii) an 81.2-foot-long needle section; and
(iv) a 101.6-foot-long slide gate section; (3) a 37-foot-long, 34.5-
foot-wide concrete powerhouse with 32-foot-wide by 9-foot-high
trashracks with 5.5-inch clear spacing; (4) one vertical-shaft turbine-
generator unit with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 725 cfs and an
installed capacity of 480 kW; (5) a 375-foot-wide by 400-foot-long
tailrace; (6) a 60-foot-long, 68-kV transmission line connecting the
powerhouse to the point of interconnection via a 4.1-kV/12.4-kV step-up
transformer; and (7) appurtenant facilities. The Beloit Project had an
average annual generation of 3,035 MWh for the five-year period ending
in 2021.
The Rockton Project consists of: (1) a 40.67-acre reservoir with a
gross storage capacity of 207.4 acre-feet at a maximum reservoir
surface elevation of 725.48 feet NGVD 29; (2) a succession of dam
structures including, from left to right looking downstream: (i) an 84-
foot-long gated headworks structure located upstream of the power
canal; (ii) a 1,000-foot-long concrete overflow dam located about 300
feet upstream of the headworks structure that creates a bypassed reach
(i.e., Rockton bypassed reach); (iii) a 1,600-foot-long earthen dike
extending north from the east abutment of the concrete overflow dam;
and (iv) a 5,000-foot-long power canal dike; (3) a 5,000-foot-long
power canal running from the gated headworks structure to the
powerhouse; (4) an intake structure consisting of 64-foot-wide by 15-
foot-high trash racks with 3.5-inch clear spacing; (5) a 64.25-foot-
long, 33.25-foot-wide powerhouse; (6) two vertical-shaft turbine-
generator units, each with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 810 cfs, for
a total installed capacity of 1,100 kW; (7) a 85-foot-wide tailrace
that extends downstream for 215 feet where it meets the Rockton
bypassed reach; (8) three 4.1-kV/12.4-kV step-up transformers; and (9)
appurtenant facilities. The project interconnects with the electrical
grid via 4.1-kV bus cables and the three step-up transformers. The
Rockton Project had an average annual generation of 5,076 MWh for the
five-year period ending in 2021
The Dixon Project consists of: (1) a 305.9-acre reservoir with a
gross storage capacity of 1,530 acre-feet at a maximum reservoir
surface elevation of 647.08 feet NGVD 29; (2) a 130-foot-wide by 18-
foot-deep forebay located immediately upstream of the powerhouse; (3) a
succession of dam structures including, from left to right looking
downstream: (i) a 250-foot-long powerhouse integral with the dam
equipped with 200-foot-wide by 15-foot-high trash racks with 5-inch
clear spacing; (ii) a 114-foot-long by 24-foot-high forebay wall set
perpendicular to the dam that ties the powerhouse and fender wall to
the dam; (iii) a 286-foot-long fender wall located upstream of the
project forebay extending from the upstream end of the fender wall to
the south riverbank; and (iv) a 610-foot-long north overflow dam
extending from the forebay wall to the north riverbank, topped with 16-
inch flashboards; (4) five vertical-shaft turbine-generating units,
each with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 1,100 cfs, for a total
installed capacity of 3,200 kW; (5) a 30-foot-long, 34.5-kV
transmission line conveying project power to the point of
interconnection via two 2.3-kV transformers; and (7) appurtenant
facilities. The Dixon Project had an average annual generation of
14,995 MWh for the five-year period ending in 2021.
As required by their current licenses, the Janesville, Beloit,
Rockton, and Dixon Projects all operate in a run-of-river mode, such
that outflow approximates inflow to each project.
Janesville Project--Midwest Hydro maintains the elevation of the
Janesville Reservoir between 769.1 feet NGVD 29 and 769.8 feet NGVD 29
under normal operating conditions. Midwest Hydro provides a minimum
flow of 35 cfs or inflow, whichever is less, over the spillway by
maintaining a minimum elevation of 769.1 feet NGVD 29 in the
[[Page 48241]]
Janesville Reservoir. The Janesville Project is operated manually.
Beloit Project--Midwest Hydro maintains the elevation of the Beloit
Reservoir between 744.4 feet NGVD 29 and 745.0 feet NGVD 29 under
normal operating conditions. There is no minimum flow requirement at
the Beloit Project. However, when inflow to the project is less than
the turbine's minimum hydraulic capacity of 500 cfs, all flow is passed
downstream. The Beloit Project is equipped with an auto-gate that
operates based on reservoir elevation levels.
Rockton Project--Midwest Hydro maintains the elevation of the
Rockton Reservoir at 725.48 feet NGVD 29 under normal operating
conditions and provides a minimum flow of 300 cfs or inflow, whichever
is less, into the Rockton bypassed reach. The Rockton Project is
operated manually.
Dixon Project--STS Hydro maintains a minimum one-inch veiling flow
(i.e., no less than 50 cfs) over the Dixon overflow dam or, when in
place, the flashboards. The Dixon Project is operated manually or via a
programmable logic controller (PLC), which maintains water levels in
Dixon Reservoir.
Midwest Hydro and STS Hydro propose to continue operating the
Janesville, Beloit, Rockton, and Dixon Projects with the following
environmental measures: (1) operate each project in a run-of-river
mode, such that outflow at each project approximates inflow to each
project impoundment; (2) develop an operations monitoring plan for each
project to document compliance with the operational requirements of any
subsequent or new license, including reservoir elevations and minimum
flow requirements; (3) provide a 35 cfs minimum flow or inflow,
whichever is less, over the Janesville spillway to protect downstream
aquatic resources in the Rock River; (4) provide a 300 cfs minimum flow
or inflow, whichever is less, over the Rockton spillway to protect
downstream aquatic resources in the Rock River; (5) provide a 1-inch
veiling flow (i.e., no less than 50 cfs) or inflow, whichever is less,
over the Dixon spillway or, when in place, the flashboards to protect
downstream aquatic resources in the Rock River; (6) develop a rapid
response aquatic invasive species monitoring plan for the Rockton
Project; (7) avoid tree removal (greater than 3-inch diameter at breast
height from April 1 to October 15, which is the active season for the
Indiana and northern long-eared bats), unless the tree poses a
significant human health safety hazard, for the protection of the
Indiana and northern long-eared bats; (8) maintain existing recreation
facilities; and (9) develop and implement a Historic Properties
Management Plan and Programmatic Agreement to protect and mitigate
effects to historic properties.
m. Copies of the applications can be viewed on the Commission's
website at https://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the
project's docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket
number field to access the document. At this time, the Commission has
suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference Room. For
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
You may also register at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances
related to these or other pending projects. For assistance, please
contact FERC Online Support at [email protected].
n. Scoping Process
Commission staff will prepare either a multi-project environmental
assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
describes and evaluates the probable effects, if any, of the
applicants' proposed action and alternatives. The EA or EIS will
consider environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to the
proposed action. The Commission's scoping process will help determine
the required level of analysis and satisfy the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) scoping requirements, irrespective of whether the
Commission prepares an EA or an EIS. At this time, we do not anticipate
holding on-site public or agency scoping meetings. Instead, we are
soliciting written comments and suggestions on the preliminary list of
issues and alternatives to be addressed in the NEPA document, as
described in scoping document 1 (SD1), issued July 20, 2023.
Copies of SD1 outlining the subject areas to be addressed in the
NEPA document were distributed to the parties on the Commission's
mailing lists and the applicants' distribution lists. Copies of SD1 may
be viewed on the web at https://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary''
link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the
docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call 1-866-
208-3676 or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.
Dated: July 20, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-15844 Filed 7-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
