Hillsboro III Solar Project, 60529-60530 [2023-18757]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2023 / Notices
DATES section of this notice. Federal,
state, and local agencies and Native
American Tribes are also invited to
provide comments. Information about
this project is available on the TVA web
page at www.tva.gov/nepa, including a
link to an online public comment page.
Any comments received, including
names and addresses, will become part
of the administrative record and will be
available for public inspection.
After consideration of comments
received during the scoping period,
TVA will develop a scoping document
that will summarize public and agency
comments that were received and
identify the schedule for completing the
EIS process. Following analysis of the
resources and issues, TVA will prepare
a draft EIS for public review and
comment tentatively scheduled for fall
2024; the final EIS and decision is
tentatively scheduled for completion in
early 2025. In finalizing the EIS and in
making its final decision, TVA will
consider the comments that it receives
on the draft EIS.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment and
Sustainability.
[FR Doc. 2023–18756 Filed 8–31–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120–08–P
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Hillsboro III Solar Project
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the purchase of electricity generated
by the proposed Hillsboro III Solar
Project in Lawrence County, Alabama.
The EIS will assess the potential
environmental effects of constructing,
operating, and maintaining the
proposed 200-megawatt (MW)
alternating current (AC) solar facility.
The proposed 200 MW AC solar facility
would occupy approximately 1,500
acres of the 3,761-acre Project Study
Area. Public comments are invited
concerning the scope of the EIS,
alternatives being considered, and
environmental issues that should be
addressed as a part of this EIS. TVA is
also requesting data, information, and
analysis relevant to the proposed action
from the public; affected federal, state,
tribal, and local governments, agencies,
and offices; the scientific community;
industry; or any other interested party.
DATES: The public scoping period begins
with the publication of this Notice of
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:24 Aug 31, 2023
Jkt 259001
Intent in the Federal Register. To ensure
consideration, comments must be
postmarked, emailed, or submitted
online no later than October 2, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be sent to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA
Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority,
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11B,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments
may be submitted online at:
www.tva.gov/nepa, or by email to nepa@
tva.gov. Please note that TVA
encourages comments submitted
electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth Smith by email at esmith14@
tva.gov, by phone at (865) 632–3053, or
by mail at the address above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality’s
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508)
and TVA’s procedures for implementing
the NEPA (18 CFR 1318). TVA is an
agency and instrumentality of the
United States, established by an act of
Congress in 1933, to foster the social
and economic welfare of the people of
the Tennessee Valley region and to
promote the proper use and
conservation of the region’s natural
resources. One component of this
mission is the generation, transmission,
and sale of reliable and affordable
electric energy.
Background
In June 2019, TVA completed the
final 2019 Integrated Resource Plan
(IRP) and associated EIS. The IRP is a
comprehensive study of how TVA will
meet the demand for electricity in its
service territory over the next 20 years.
The 2019 IRP recommends solar
expansion and anticipates growth in all
scenarios analyzed, with most scenarios
anticipating 5,000–8,000 MW and one
anticipating up to 14,000 MW by 2038.
Customer demand for cleaner energy
prompted TVA to release a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for renewable energy
resources (2022 Carbon-Free RFP).
TVA is considering entering into a
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with
Urban Grid Solar to purchase 200 MW
AC of power generated by the proposed
Hillsboro III Solar Project, hereafter
referred to as the Project. The proposed
200 MW AC solar facility would occupy
approximately 1,500 acres of the 3,761acre Project Study Area which is located
entirely in Lawrence County, Alabama.
The project site is north of Wheeler,
Alabama along US Highway 72
Alternate between Courtland and
Hillsboro, Alabama. The project site is
mostly farmland with areas of woody
wetlands, deciduous forest, and hay/
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60529
pasture. The land surplus is to
accommodate relocating the array if any
areas need to be avoided as a result of
the NEPA review. A map showing the
project site is available at www.tva.gov/
nepa.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
In addition to a No Action
Alternative, TVA will evaluate the
action alternative of purchasing power
from the proposed Hillsboro III Solar
Project under the terms of a PPA. In
evaluating alternatives, TVA considered
other solar proposals, prior to selecting
the Hillsboro III site for further
evaluation. Part of the screening process
included a review of transmission
options, including key connection
points to TVA’s transmission system.
The Hillsboro site stood out as a viable
option for connectivity. Environmental
and cultural considerations are also
included in TVA’s screening. For the
proposed site, the solar developer plans
to consider the establishment of an
alternative footprint so that impacts to
cultural and/or biological resources
could be avoided. The EIS will also
evaluate ways to mitigate impacts that
cannot be avoided. The description and
analysis of these alternatives in the EIS
will inform decision makers, other
agencies, and the public about the
potential for environmental impacts
associated with the proposed solar
facility. TVA solicits comments on
whether there are other alternatives that
should be assessed in the EIS.
Project Purpose and Need
The Hillsboro III Solar Project that
was submitted as a result of TVA’s 2022
Carbon-Free RFP will help TVA meet
immediate needs for additional
renewable generating capacity in
response to customer demands and
fulfill the renewable energy goals
established in the 2019 IRP. To meet
these goals, public scoping is integral to
the process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that (1) issues are identified
early and properly studied, (2) issues of
little significance do not consume
substantial time and effort, and (3) the
analysis of identified issues is thorough
and balanced. This EIS will identify the
purpose and need of the project and will
contain descriptions of the existing
environmental and socioeconomic
resources within the area that could be
affected by the proposed solar facility,
including the documented historical,
cultural, and environmental resources.
Evaluation of potential environmental
impacts to these resources will include,
but not be limited to, air quality and
greenhouse gas emissions, surface
E:\FR\FM\01SEN1.SGM
01SEN1
60530
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2023 / Notices
water, groundwater, wetlands,
floodplains, vegetation, wildlife,
threatened and endangered species,
land use, natural areas and parks and
recreation, geology, soils, prime
farmland, visual resources, noise,
cultural resources, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, solid and
hazardous waste, public and
occupational health and safety, utilities,
and transportation.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of
these resources, potential impacts to
vegetation and wildlife due to the
conversion of deciduous forest of
various ages to early maintained grassdominated fields may occur. Impacts to
water resources would likely be minor
with the use of best management
practices and avoidance of siting project
components in or near streams,
wetlands, and riparian areas to the
extent feasible. Land use would be
impacted by the conversion of farmland
to industrial use and the elimination of
current farming operations. This would
also result in visual impacts. Beneficial
impacts are expected by facilitating the
development of renewable energy and
thereby increasing local job
opportunities, as well as improving
regional air quality and reducing carbon
emissions. The EIS will analyze
measures that would avoid, minimize,
or mitigate environmental effects. The
final range of issues to be addressed in
the environmental review will be
determined, in part, from scoping
comments received.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Request for Identification of Potential
Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed
Action
Public scoping is integral to the
process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that issues are identified early
and properly studied, issues of little
significance do not consume substantial
time and effort, and the analysis of those
issues is thorough and balanced. The
final range of issues to be addressed in
the environmental review will be
determined, in part, from scoping
comments received. TVA is particularly
interested in public input on other
reasonable alternatives that should be
considered in the EIS. The preliminary
identification of reasonable alternatives
and environmental issues in this notice
is not meant to be exhaustive or final.
Public Participation
The public is invited to submit
comments on the scope of this EIS no
later than the date identified in the
DATES section of this notice. Federal,
state, and local agencies and Native
American Tribes are also invited to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:24 Aug 31, 2023
Jkt 259001
Express Central project the deadline is
January 29, 2024. If the Federal law that
authorizes judicial review of a claim
provides a time period of less than 150
days for filing such a claim, then that
shorter time period still applies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Lee, Environmental Affairs
Division, Texas Department of
Transportation, 125 East 11th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701; telephone: (512)
416–2358; email: Patrick.Lee@txdot.gov.
TxDOT’s normal business hours are 8:00
a.m.–5:00 p.m. (central time), Monday
through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The I–35
Capital Express Central project will
extend from US 290E to US290W/SH 71
in Austin, Travis County, Texas. The
project will remove the existing I–35
decks, lower the roadway, and add two
non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle
managed lanes in each direction. The
project will also reconstruct east-west
Rebecca Tolene,
cross-street bridges, add shared-use
Vice President, Environment and
paths, and make additional safety and
Sustainability.
mobility improvements within the
[FR Doc. 2023–18757 Filed 8–31–23; 8:45 am]
project limits. The project is
BILLING CODE 8120–08–P
approximately 8 miles in length.
The actions by TxDOT and Federal
agencies and the laws under which such
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION actions were taken are described in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Federal Highway Administration
(FEIS), the Record of Decision (ROD)
issued on August 18, 2023, and other
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions documents in the TxDOT project file.
on the I–35 Capital Express Central
The FEIS, ROD and other documents in
Project in Texas
the TxDOT project file are available by
contacting the TxDOT Austin District
AGENCY: Texas Department of
Office at 7901 North I–35, Austin, TX
Transportation (TxDOT), Federal
78753; telephone: (512) 832–7000.
Highway Administration (FHWA),
The environmental review,
Department of Transportation.
consultation, and other actions required
ACTION: Notice of limitation on claims
by applicable Federal environmental
for judicial review of actions by TxDOT laws for the I–35 Capital Express Central
and Federal agencies.
project are being, or have been, carriedSUMMARY: This notice announces actions out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327
and a Memorandum of Understanding
taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies
dated December 9, 2019, and executed
that are final. The environmental
by FHWA and TxDOT.
review, consultation, and other actions
Notice is hereby given that TxDOT
required by applicable Federal
and Federal agencies have taken final
environmental laws for this project are
agency actions by issuing licenses,
being, or have been, carried out by
permits, and approvals for the I–35
TxDOT pursuant to an assignment
Capital Express Central project in the
agreement executed by FHWA and
State of Texas.
TxDOT. These actions grant licenses,
This notice applies to all TxDOT and
permits, and approvals for the I–35
Federal agency decisions as of the
Capital Express Central project, from US issuance date of this notice and all laws
290E to US290W/SH 71 in Travis
under which such actions were taken,
County, Texas.
including but not limited to:
DATES: By this notice, TxDOT is
1. General: National Environmental
advising the public of final agency
Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321–
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A
4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23
claim seeking judicial review of TxDOT U.S.C. 109].
and Federal agency actions on the I–35
2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401–
Capital Express Central project will be
7671(q)].
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the
barred unless the claim is filed on or
before the deadline. For the I–35 Capital Department of Transportation Act of
provide comments. Information about
this project is available on the TVA web
page at www.tva.gov/nepa, including a
link to an online public comment page.
Any comments received, including
names and addresses, will become part
of the administrative record and will be
available for public inspection. After
consideration of comments received
during the scoping period, TVA will
develop and distribute a scoping
document that will summarize public
and agency comments that were
received and identify the schedule for
completing the EIS process. Following
analysis of the issues, TVA will prepare
the draft EIS for public review and
comment; expected to be released fall of
2024. TVA anticipates the final EIS in
fall 2025. In finalizing the EIS and in
making its final decision, TVA will
consider the comments that it receives
on the draft.
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01SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60529-60530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18757]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Hillsboro III Solar Project
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the purchase of electricity
generated by the proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project in Lawrence
County, Alabama. The EIS will assess the potential environmental
effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed 200-
megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility. The proposed 200
MW AC solar facility would occupy approximately 1,500 acres of the
3,761-acre Project Study Area. Public comments are invited concerning
the scope of the EIS, alternatives being considered, and environmental
issues that should be addressed as a part of this EIS. TVA is also
requesting data, information, and analysis relevant to the proposed
action from the public; affected federal, state, tribal, and local
governments, agencies, and offices; the scientific community; industry;
or any other interested party.
DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. To ensure consideration,
comments must be postmarked, emailed, or submitted online no later than
October 2, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA
Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT
11B, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments may be submitted online at:
www.tva.gov/nepa, or by email to [email protected]. Please note that TVA
encourages comments submitted electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Smith by email at
[email protected], by phone at (865) 632-3053, or by mail at the address
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500
to 1508) and TVA's procedures for implementing the NEPA (18 CFR 1318).
TVA is an agency and instrumentality of the United States, established
by an act of Congress in 1933, to foster the social and economic
welfare of the people of the Tennessee Valley region and to promote the
proper use and conservation of the region's natural resources. One
component of this mission is the generation, transmission, and sale of
reliable and affordable electric energy.
Background
In June 2019, TVA completed the final 2019 Integrated Resource Plan
(IRP) and associated EIS. The IRP is a comprehensive study of how TVA
will meet the demand for electricity in its service territory over the
next 20 years. The 2019 IRP recommends solar expansion and anticipates
growth in all scenarios analyzed, with most scenarios anticipating
5,000-8,000 MW and one anticipating up to 14,000 MW by 2038. Customer
demand for cleaner energy prompted TVA to release a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for renewable energy resources (2022 Carbon-Free RFP).
TVA is considering entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
with Urban Grid Solar to purchase 200 MW AC of power generated by the
proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project, hereafter referred to as the
Project. The proposed 200 MW AC solar facility would occupy
approximately 1,500 acres of the 3,761-acre Project Study Area which is
located entirely in Lawrence County, Alabama. The project site is north
of Wheeler, Alabama along US Highway 72 Alternate between Courtland and
Hillsboro, Alabama. The project site is mostly farmland with areas of
woody wetlands, deciduous forest, and hay/pasture. The land surplus is
to accommodate relocating the array if any areas need to be avoided as
a result of the NEPA review. A map showing the project site is
available at www.tva.gov/nepa.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
In addition to a No Action Alternative, TVA will evaluate the
action alternative of purchasing power from the proposed Hillsboro III
Solar Project under the terms of a PPA. In evaluating alternatives, TVA
considered other solar proposals, prior to selecting the Hillsboro III
site for further evaluation. Part of the screening process included a
review of transmission options, including key connection points to
TVA's transmission system. The Hillsboro site stood out as a viable
option for connectivity. Environmental and cultural considerations are
also included in TVA's screening. For the proposed site, the solar
developer plans to consider the establishment of an alternative
footprint so that impacts to cultural and/or biological resources could
be avoided. The EIS will also evaluate ways to mitigate impacts that
cannot be avoided. The description and analysis of these alternatives
in the EIS will inform decision makers, other agencies, and the public
about the potential for environmental impacts associated with the
proposed solar facility. TVA solicits comments on whether there are
other alternatives that should be assessed in the EIS.
Project Purpose and Need
The Hillsboro III Solar Project that was submitted as a result of
TVA's 2022 Carbon-Free RFP will help TVA meet immediate needs for
additional renewable generating capacity in response to customer
demands and fulfill the renewable energy goals established in the 2019
IRP. To meet these goals, public scoping is integral to the process for
implementing NEPA and ensures that (1) issues are identified early and
properly studied, (2) issues of little significance do not consume
substantial time and effort, and (3) the analysis of identified issues
is thorough and balanced. This EIS will identify the purpose and need
of the project and will contain descriptions of the existing
environmental and socioeconomic resources within the area that could be
affected by the proposed solar facility, including the documented
historical, cultural, and environmental resources. Evaluation of
potential environmental impacts to these resources will include, but
not be limited to, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, surface
[[Page 60530]]
water, groundwater, wetlands, floodplains, vegetation, wildlife,
threatened and endangered species, land use, natural areas and parks
and recreation, geology, soils, prime farmland, visual resources,
noise, cultural resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice,
solid and hazardous waste, public and occupational health and safety,
utilities, and transportation.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, potential
impacts to vegetation and wildlife due to the conversion of deciduous
forest of various ages to early maintained grass-dominated fields may
occur. Impacts to water resources would likely be minor with the use of
best management practices and avoidance of siting project components in
or near streams, wetlands, and riparian areas to the extent feasible.
Land use would be impacted by the conversion of farmland to industrial
use and the elimination of current farming operations. This would also
result in visual impacts. Beneficial impacts are expected by
facilitating the development of renewable energy and thereby increasing
local job opportunities, as well as improving regional air quality and
reducing carbon emissions. The EIS will analyze measures that would
avoid, minimize, or mitigate environmental effects. The final range of
issues to be addressed in the environmental review will be determined,
in part, from scoping comments received.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
Public scoping is integral to the process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that issues are identified early and properly studied, issues
of little significance do not consume substantial time and effort, and
the analysis of those issues is thorough and balanced. The final range
of issues to be addressed in the environmental review will be
determined, in part, from scoping comments received. TVA is
particularly interested in public input on other reasonable
alternatives that should be considered in the EIS. The preliminary
identification of reasonable alternatives and environmental issues in
this notice is not meant to be exhaustive or final.
Public Participation
The public is invited to submit comments on the scope of this EIS
no later than the date identified in the DATES section of this notice.
Federal, state, and local agencies and Native American Tribes are also
invited to provide comments. Information about this project is
available on the TVA web page at www.tva.gov/nepa, including a link to
an online public comment page. Any comments received, including names
and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will
be available for public inspection. After consideration of comments
received during the scoping period, TVA will develop and distribute a
scoping document that will summarize public and agency comments that
were received and identify the schedule for completing the EIS process.
Following analysis of the issues, TVA will prepare the draft EIS for
public review and comment; expected to be released fall of 2024. TVA
anticipates the final EIS in fall 2025. In finalizing the EIS and in
making its final decision, TVA will consider the comments that it
receives on the draft.
Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment and Sustainability.
[FR Doc. 2023-18757 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P
