Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed North Plains Connector Project, Colstrip, Montana to Center/St. Anthony, North Dakota, 85182-85188 [2024-24879]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85182-85188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24879]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed North Plains Connector Project, Colstrip, Montana to 
Center/St. Anthony, North Dakota

AGENCY: Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, and the Federal Power Act (FPA), as amended, the Grid 
Deployment Office (GDO), Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination 
with Federal cooperating agencies--the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Miles City Field Office, Miles City, MT; the United States Forest 
Service (USFS), an agency of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Bismarck, ND; and the Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS) Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles 
City, MT--intends to prepare jointly, with the Montana Department of 
Environmental Quality (Montana DEQ), an environmental impact statement 
(EIS; DOE/EIS-0568) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of 
granting authorizations to North Plains Connector LLC for siting, 
constructing, operating, and maintaining the North Plains Connector 
Project (``the proposed Project''), an up to 525-kilovolt (kV) high-
voltage direct-current (HVDC) electrical transmission line connecting 
the Eastern and Western Interconnections (also referred to as the 
eastern and western grids). By this notice, GDO is announcing the 
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues, impacts, and possible need for mitigation.

DATES: This notice initiates the public-scoping process for the EIS. 
GDO requests that the public submit comments concerning the scope of 
the analysis, potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of 
relevant information, analyses, and studies by December 9, 2024. GDO 
will hold five scoping meetings on the following dates at the following 
locations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Date                                  Time                           Location/format
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 6, 2024.............  4-7 p.m. CT.....................  Venue Twenty5, 3796 ND Hwy. 25,
                                                                             Mandan, ND 58554.
Thursday, November 7, 2024..............  6-9 p.m. MT.....................  Astoria Event Center, 363 15 St. W,
                                                                             Dickinson, ND 58601.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024..............  4-7 p.m. MT.....................  Custer County Event Center, 42
                                                                             Garryowen Road RC, Miles City, MT
                                                                             59301.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024............  6-9 p.m. MT.....................  Colstrip City Hall, 12 Cherry
                                                                             Street, Colstrip, MT 59323.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024..............  12-3 p.m. MT....................  VIRTUAL via Webex, register here:
                                                                             https://bit.ly/NorthPlainsVirtual.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If any additional scoping meetings are scheduled, the date(s) and 
location(s) of those meetings will be announced at least 15 days in 
advance through the GDO North Plains Connector Project website: https://www.energy.gov/nepa/doeeis-0568-north-plains-connector-multiple-locations.

ADDRESSES: You can comment on the proposed Project by contacting 
Rebecca ``RJ'' Boyle, NEPA Document Manager, by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Rebecca ``RJ'' Boyle, NPC NEPA Document Manager, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585.
    Documents pertinent to this NOI may be examined online at https://www.energy.gov/nepa/doeeis-0568-north-plains-connector-multiple-locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca ``RJ'' Boyle, GDO NEPA

[[Page 85183]]

Document Manager, [email protected]; (301) 550-0364. 
Contact Ms. Boyle to have your name added to the EIS mailing list.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Project would traverse both 
private and public lands administered by various local, state, and 
Federal agencies and would require authorizations for the crossing of 
Federal lands managed by BLM, USFS, and ARS, as well as authorizations 
from Montana DEQ, North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC), and 
six counties in North Dakota.
    The proposed Project is currently expected to require a right-of-
way (ROW) authorization from the BLM for the portion of the proposed 
Project that crosses approximately ten miles (about 240 acres) of lands 
administered by the Miles City Field Office (MCFO) in Montana as well 
as a mineral materials sales contract for any Federal minerals access 
necessary for the construction of the ROW, whether those minerals occur 
in Montana or in North Dakota; a special-use permit (SUP) from USFS for 
the portion of the proposed Project that crosses approximately ten 
miles (about 250 acres) of lands administered by the Dakota Prairie 
Grasslands (DPG) in North Dakota; and an easement from the ARS for the 
portion of the proposed Project that crosses approximately eight miles 
(about 200 acres) of lands administered by the Fort Keogh Livestock and 
Range Research Laboratory in Montana. The developer of the proposed 
Project, North Plains Connector LLC (the ``Project Proponent'' or 
``North Plains''), a wholly-owned, single-purpose indirect subsidiary 
of Grid United, LLC (``Grid United''), has filed applications with the 
BLM, the USFS, and ARS proposing to construct, operate, and maintain 
the proposed Project.
    This proposed Project would also cross state-managed public lands 
in both Montana and North Dakota.\1\ North Plains has submitted an 
Application for a Certificate of Compliance under the Montana Major 
Facility Siting Act (MFSA) with the Montana DEQ. The MFSA review allows 
Montana agencies to review the Project, ensure protection of Montana's 
environmental resources, consider socioeconomic impacts, provide for 
public participation in the siting decisions, and coordinate amongst 
agencies and the various required authorizations for the Project. This 
process requires compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act 
(MEPA), which includes an environmental review. The Joint Lead Agencies 
will ensure that the EIS meets the requirements of both NEPA and MEPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ North Plains will submit a Consolidated Application for a 
Certificate of Corridor Compatibility and Transmission Facility 
Route Permit with the North Dakota Public Service Commission 
(NDPSC). The NDPSC will conduct its own review process separate from 
the coordinated Montana-Federal environmental review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Identification of Cooperating and Participating Agencies

    While GDO is the Lead Federal Agency for the EIS, GDO does not have 
the authority or responsibility to make decisions on North Plains' 
applications to BLM, USFS, and ARS. Under Federal law, BLM, USFS, and 
ARS each remain responsible for responding to authorization 
applications for lands within their respective jurisdictions. Pursuant 
to interagency agreements, and in accordance with section 216(h) of the 
FPA, GDO is the Lead Federal Agency responsible for coordinating the 
various Federal authorizations and related environmental reviews needed 
for this proposed Project. GDO and the Montana DEQ are Joint Lead 
Agencies for this Project's EIS in accordance with section 107(a)(1)(B) 
of NEPA and CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1501.7(b)). The Joint Lead Agencies 
will ensure that the EIS meets the requirements of both NEPA and MEPA. 
BLM, USFS, and ARS will participate as cooperating agencies as defined 
at 40 CFR 1501.8. On November 6, 2023, BLM, USFS, and ARS signed 
cooperating agency agreements with GDO outlining the respective roles 
and responsibilities of each agency during the proposed Project.
    In addition to the Joint Lead Agency (Montana DEQ) and the three 
cooperating agencies (BLM, USFS, and ARS) already participating in the 
Project, per 40 CFR 1501.8, GDO 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 cooperating agencies. GDO will provide cooperating 
agencies with a written summary of expectations, including schedules, 
milestones, responsibilities, scope, and details of agency expected 
contributions. Governmental agencies that are not designated 
cooperating or participating agencies will have the opportunity to 
provide information, comments, and consultation to GDO during the 
public input stages of the NEPA process.

Proposed Project Details

    The proposed Project would consist of approximately 420 total miles 
of overhead electrical transmission line connecting the eastern and 
western grids. The 420-mile route described in this section will be 
known as the Proposed Route Alternative. In addition to 420-mile route 
described, the Project proposes to include the following:
     A new 500-kilovolt (kV) extra high voltage (EHV) 
alternating current (AC) electrical transmission line in Rosebud 
County, Montana (Rosebud Transmission Line). The new line would consist 
of two separate, parallel circuits, each approximately 3 miles long 
with an associated right-of-way approximately 320 feet wide. The 
Rosebud Transmission Line would extend east from the existing Colstrip 
Substation owned by a third-party, to a new AC/direct current (DC) 
converter station in Rosebud County. The Colstrip Substation would 
serve as the interconnection point to the Western Electricity 
Coordinating Council (WECC) power system for the western grid. 
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., a utility company that serves South 
Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana, is currently upgrading this substation 
to allow for additional interconnections into the region. These 
modifications are ongoing independent of the proposed Project, but the 
proposed Project would utilize these upgrades for interconnection.
     One new AC/DC converter station in Rosebud County, Montana 
(Rosebud County Converter Station). The converter station would connect 
the eastern terminus of the Rosebud Transmission Line to the western 
terminus of the new high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical 
transmission line.
     An approximately 341-mile, up to 525-kV, HVDC transmission 
line from Montana into North Dakota with an associated 200-foot-wide 
right-of-way (HDVC Transmission Line).
    [cir] Montana: North Plains would install approximately 172 miles 
of the HVDC Transmission Line in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon counties. 
The line would extend east from the new Rosebud County Converter 
Station to the Montana-North Dakota state line in Fallon County.
    [cir] North Dakota: North Plains would install approximately 169 
miles of the HVDC Transmission Line in Golden Valley, Slope, Hettinger, 
Grant, and Morton counties. The line would extend east from the 
Montana-North Dakota border in Golden Valley County to the new AC/DC 
Converter Station in Morton County, North Dakota.

[[Page 85184]]

     One new AC/DC converter station in Morton County, North 
Dakota (Morton County Converter Station). The converter station would 
connect the eastern terminus of the new HVDC Transmission Line to the 
western terminus of two new 345-kV EHV AC electric transmission line 
segments.
     Approximately 51 miles of new 345-kV EHV AC transmission 
line located in Morton and Oliver counties, North Dakota, within an 
associated right-of-way approximately 200 feet wide (Oliver 
Transmission Line). The line would extend east and north from the 
Morton County Converter Station in Morton County to a separately 
planned Oliver County Substation in Oliver County, North Dakota. 
Minnesota Power has proposed and would develop the Oliver County 
Substation as part of the Minnesota Power HVDC Modernization Project, 
which is modernizing the existing Square Butte HVDC System between 
North Dakota and Minnesota that was built in the 1970s. The Oliver 
County Substation would serve as the interconnection point to the 
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) for the eastern grid.
     Approximately 22 miles of new 345-kV EHV AC transmission 
line near St. Anthony in Morton County, North Dakota (Morton 
Transmission Line). The line would extend east and southeast from the 
Morton County Converter Station to a new Morton County Switchyard, 
which connects or isolates lines for fault clearance and maintenance. 
The Morton County Switchyard would serve as the interconnection point 
to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) system for the eastern grid.
    The Project would also include associated facilities, including 
temporary and permanent access roads, telecommunication systems, and 
grounding components.
    The Project would require temporary workspaces during the 
construction phase to access the construction site, stage equipment and 
material, and install the various Project components. (See https://www.energy.gov/nepa/doeeis-0568-north-plains-connector-multiple-locations for a map of the proposed Project).

Purpose and Need

    While GDO is the Lead Federal Agency for the EIS, GDO does not have 
the authority or responsibility to make decisions on North Plains' 
applications to BLM, USFS, and ARS. Those Federal agencies retain their 
respective decision-making authority and responsibilities with respect 
to North Plains' applications on their respectively managed lands. 
Accordingly, each of those agencies has provided its own purpose and 
need in addition to the general purpose and need and GDO's purpose and 
need to establish the basis for their individual decisions to be made 
for this Project.

General Purpose and Need

    The Joint Lead Agencies, along with BLM, USFS, and ARS, all agree 
on the general purpose and need for North Plains' proposed transmission 
line Project, which is to enhance the reliability, capacity, and 
efficiency between the Eastern and Western Interconnections of the 
electric grid. Construction of the proposed Project aims to increase 
wholesale energy market access for generation resources; provide 
services and technology to help maintain operational flexibility of the 
grid; and provide a highly controllable electric transmission pathway 
that can quickly and efficiently shift power to meet real-time system 
needs, including mitigating weather-driven and system outage conditions 
that can otherwise affect the reliable provision of electricity. The 
new transmission line would provide a more resilient and flexible 
infrastructure, ensuring a stable supply of electricity to residential, 
commercial, and industrial consumers.
    The proposed transmission line Project seeks to address several 
needs found in the project area, including meeting and balancing 
increasing demands for electricity found in both the eastern and 
western grids, integrating diversified sources of energy, increasing 
the reliability and resilience of the electrical grid, and promoting 
regional economic development by expanding opportunities for market 
access for electricity generators throughout the region. A 2020 
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Study ``The Value of Increased 
HVDC Capacity Between Eastern and Western U.S. Grids: The 
Interconnections Seam Study'' \2\ showed that increased transfer 
capability between the eastern and western grids could result in a 35-
year benefit-to-cost ratio as high as 2.89 and net present value 
consumer savings of up to $28.8 billion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/76850.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

GDO Purpose and Need

    GDO's purpose is to fulfill its responsibilities under the FPA to 
coordinate a single environmental review that follows a standard, two-
year permitting schedule for transmission infrastructure projects that 
require Federal permitting. In fulfilling its responsibilities, GDO 
seeks to streamline the Federal permitting process for qualifying 
electric transmission projects to expand and accelerate development of 
electric transmission capacity in the United States and, in turn, 
ensure Americans have access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy; 
promote grid resilience and reliability; modernize the United States 
grid; reduce permitting delays; and promote economic growth.

BLM Purpose and Need

    BLM's purpose is to respond to North Plains' request for right-of-
way access across about ten miles of Federal lands administered by the 
Miles City Field Office, Montana, for the siting, construction, and 
operation of an up to 525-kV-rated, bi-directional HVDC transmission 
facility and associated support facilities within a 200-foot right-of-
way which would be part of a system of high voltage AC and DC 
facilities over approximately 400 miles between Colstrip, Montana and 
Oliver and Morton Counties, North Dakota. This request for a right-of-
way may include necessary access of Federal mineral materials in 
Montana and North Dakota for the construction of project-related 
infrastructure.
    The need for the action is established through BLM's responsibility 
under the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA) to respond to 
requests for rights-of-way across BLM-managed lands, as well as the 
Surfaces Resources Act of 1955 and the Act of July 31, 1947 (Disposal 
of Materials on Public Lands) for any necessary mineral material sales 
contracts.

USFS Purpose and Need

    The proposed Project would require the issuance of a special use 
permit for the crossing of about ten miles of Federal lands managed by 
the USFS on the Little Missouri National Grasslands, North Dakota. For 
this crossing, the proposed Project would entail siting, construction, 
and operation of an up to 525-kV-rated, bi-directional HVDC 
transmission facility and associated support facilities within a 200-
foot right-of-way which would be part of a system of high voltage AC 
and DC facilities over approximately 10.3 miles (3.1 miles Golden 
Valley County; 7.2 miles Slope County) on the Little Missouri National 
Grassland.
    Section 368(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs USFS to 
establish procedures for identifying and designating additional energy 
corridors on Federal lands and to expedite applications for energy 
transmission and distribution facilities within those corridors. USFS 
is mandated to

[[Page 85185]]

cooperate and coordinate with other Federal agencies to optimize siting 
of rights-of-way for energy corridors on National Forest System lands 
(30 U.S.C. 185(p); 43 U.S.C. 1763), and to endeavor to expedite 
applications for energy transmission and distribution facilities on 
National Forest System lands through coordination with other affected 
Federal agencies.

ARS Purpose and Need

    ARS's purpose is to respond to North Plains' request for an 
easement access across about eight miles of Federal land managed by ARS 
in Montana for the siting, construction, and operation of an up to 525-
kV-rated, bi-directional HVDC transmission facility and associated 
support facilities within a 200-foot right-of-way. The need for the 
action is established through 43 U.S.C. 961, Rights-of-Way for Power 
and Communications Facilities.

Alternatives

    Several alternatives have been identified for potential analysis in 
the forthcoming EIS. These alternatives include different routing 
options, as well as variations in routing and transmission technology. 
GDO welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as 
suggestions for additional alternatives. The alternatives currently 
under consideration for the proposed Project are as follows:

The No Action Alternative

    Under the No Action Alternative, the Agency permits and 
authorizations would not be granted and the agencies will assume for 
purposes of the EIS that the Project would not be constructed. The 
existing transmission infrastructure would remain unchanged, and any 
associated improvements or upgrades to address current and future 
demand, reliability, and rapid changes in generation would not be 
implemented. This alternative serves as a baseline against which the 
impacts of the other alternatives can be compared.

Proposed Route Alternative

    The Proposed Route Alternative for the proposed Project is 
currently anticipated to include an approximately 420-mile, up to 525-
kV electrical transmission line connecting the eastern and western 
grids, with an associated ROW that would generally be approximately 200 
feet wide. According to North Plains, this route attempts to best 
balance use of existing road and transmission line corridors while 
avoiding national and state parks; national historic landmarks and 
National Register of Historic Places-listed or -eligible archaeological 
sites; inventoried roadless areas; most major waterbodies; greater sage 
grouse (GRSG) \3\ habitat; visually sensitive areas; congested utility 
corridors; and urban development. The public is encouraged to provide 
other alternatives for consideration along with any information and 
analyses they have on such suggested alternatives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The GRSG is a sagebrush species that is in decline across 
its range due to habitat loss and has been recognized as threatened 
or near threatened by several national and international 
organizations Federal agencies manage protection of the species 
through several habitat designations, which protect GRSG habitat 
based on value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Alternatives

    The following discussion describes the five major route 
alternatives considered during Project planning. Subject to comments 
received during scoping, these alternatives may either be dismissed 
from further analysis or evaluated in detail in the EIS. They are 
identified as the following:

 Northern Route Alternative (Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon 
Counties, Montana)
 Central Route Alternative (Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon 
Counties, Montana)
 Southern Route Alternative (Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon 
Counties, Montana)
 Tongue River Route Alternative (Custer County, Montana)
 Eastern Route Alternative (Slope, Stark, Morton, and Oliver 
Counties, North Dakota)

    See https://www.energy.gov/nepa/doeeis-0568-north-plains-connector-multiple-locations for a detailed map of these route alternatives.

Northern Route Alternative

    This route was developed to maximize co-location with existing 
linear utilities near Interstate 94 and to minimize routing within the 
GRSG General Habitat Management Area (GHMA) in accordance with the 
BLM's MCFO Approved Resource Management Plan (ARMP).
    The Northern Route Alternative diverges from the Proposed Route 
Alternative by leaving directly north from the Colstrip Substation and 
generally running on a more northerly path through Rosebud and Custer 
Counties, Montana. From Fallon County, Montana, to the endpoints in 
North Dakota, the route is the same as that seen in the Proposed Route 
Alternative.
    The Northern Route Alternative is 8.5 miles shorter than the 
Proposed Route Alternative and crosses 2 fewer perennial waterbodies, 
and almost 40 miles less GRSG general habitat. The Northern Route 
Alternative also crosses 2.8 miles more of ARS-administered land and 
more intermittent or ephemeral waterbodies, and 0.4 mile more BLM-
administered Visual Resources Management (VRM) Class II land. Further, 
the Northern Route Alternative is within 1 mile of 59 more identified 
cultural resources sites; is within 0.5 mile of the Strawberry Hill 
Designated Recreation Area; and crosses 9 more transmission lines than 
the Proposed Route Alternative. This route's northern passage out of 
Colstrip also crosses several parcels with underlying energy 
development easements that would conflict with siting an electric 
transmission line. Finally, this alternative nears the Yellowstone 
River, contains numerous occurrences of sensitive species, including 
bats, fish, and eagles, sensitive riparian habitats, and could present 
increased Tribal and cultural concerns.

Central Route Alternative

    This route was designed to avoid the challenges associated with the 
Yellowstone River valley, congested highway corridors, and urban 
development areas near Miles City. It resembles the Northern Route 
Alternative but leaves Colstrip, Montana, in a more northeasterly 
direction. The Central Route Alternative then maintains a generally 
central alignment between the Northern Route Alternative and the 
Southern Route Alternative. The Central Route Alternative aims to 
strike a balance by incorporating stakeholder feedback associated with 
co-location of the transmission line with other infrastructure. The 
Central Route Alternative also avoids the easements north of Colstrip 
noted in the Northern Alternative.
    The Central Route Alternative crosses conservation easements to 
conserve, protect, and enhance native wildlife habitat. This 
alternative also crosses conservation easements northeast of Colstrip 
that include terms that are intended to conserve, protect, and enhance 
native wildlife habitat. This alternative also crosses Tongue River 
near 12 Mile Dam, which is a heavily used recreational area for fishing 
and camping about 0.6 mile to the north, existing residential 
development, and more irrigated cropland than the Proposed Route 
Alternative.

Southern Route Alternative

    This route intends to take advantage of the gentler topography east 
of Colstrip compared to the other routes.

[[Page 85186]]

Further, this route is not within 0.5 miles of a designated recreation 
area. This route additionally also avoids ARS-administered lands and is 
about 25 miles shorter than the Proposed Route.
    This route avoids some resources, like perennial and ephemeral 
waterbodies, but crosses others, like VRM Class II areas near the 
Tongue River, Pumpkin Creek, and east of the Powder River in Custer 
County, Montana, as well as sites of Tribal and cultural significance. 
There are also accessibility constraints east of the Powder River that 
would require engineered roadways and long access roads, which could 
increase the Project impacts during construction and operation.

Tongue River Route Alternative

    The Tongue River Route Alternative passes through the Tongue River 
Valley. The route is not within 0.25 mile of a GRSG no occupancy zone 
nor within 0.5 miles of a designated recreation area. The Tongue River 
Route is almost 30 miles shorter than the Proposed Route Alternative, 
does not cross ARS-administered lands, and avoids almost 50 miles of 
GRSG habitat. The Tongue River Route Alternative, however, crosses 5.3 
miles more VRM Class II land, is within 1.0 mile of 110 more cultural 
resource sites, crosses 2 more conservation lands/easements, and 
crosses 40 more county and local roads than the Proposed Route 
Alternative.
    Several Tribal resources and protected species along the Tongue 
River have been previously identified during surveys.

Eastern Route Alternative

    The Eastern Route Alternative was designed prior to the addition of 
the 22 miles of EHV AC Morton Transmission Line in Morton County, North 
Dakota, to the Project scope and objectives. Therefore, this route does 
not include the SPP interconnection near St. Anthony as described in 
the Proposed Route Alternative.
    The Eastern Route Alternative diverges from the Proposed Route 
Alternative in Slope County just east of the Montana-North Dakota state 
line. To achieve a route that balances all potential impacts from the 
proposed Project, the Eastern Route Alternative heads slightly 
northeast and east from the North Dakota-Montana state line before it 
heads southwest to cross the Little Missouri River and generally east 
through the North Dakota badlands.
    The primary considerations for the Eastern Route Alternative design 
were aligning with existing linear utilities, paralleling Interstate 94 
along a more direct route, adhering to the recommendation provided by 
the USFS to cross the Little Missouri River on private lands, and 
avoidance of GRSG primary range designated by the North Dakota Game and 
Fish Department.

Minor Route Variations

    During Project planning, North Plains incorporated many minor route 
variations into its Proposed Route Alternative. Minor route variations 
are different from major route alternatives in that they are usually 
shorter and are often designed to accommodate a particular landowner 
request or to avoid a site-specific environmental resource or 
engineering constraint. Although minor route variations may range from 
a few hundred feet long to several miles long, minor route variations 
typically remain within the same area as the Proposed Route. Examples 
of route variations include realigning the route from a hay field to 
pastureland on a ranch to avoid disruption to cultivation; moving a 
structure location to avoid placing it in a wetland; and adjusting the 
centerline alignment along a slope to improve constructability.

Endpoint Alternatives

    As described in the Proposed Project Details, North Plains 
determined the proposed Project would connect the existing Colstrip 
Substation in Rosebud County, Montana, to the Oliver County Substation 
approximately 6 miles southeast of Center, North Dakota, and a new 
Morton County Switchyard near St. Anthony, North Dakota. The Project 
Proponent considered another facility as a potential Western 
interconnection point: the other nearest potential endpoint in Montana, 
the existing Broadview Substation in Yellowstone County. This 
alternative facility would add about 100 miles of transmission line to 
the Project. In North Dakota, the Project Proponent determined the 
proposed Project endpoints are the most reasonable connection locations 
to existing infrastructure on the Eastern Interconnection grid without 
adding considerable length.

Converter Station Alternatives

    As described in the Proposed Project Details, North Plains proposes 
to use two converter stations near the Project endpoints. The siting of 
converter stations is constrained insofar as the stations need to be 
located near the Project endpoints and they must occur along the 
transmission line route. A converter station site that is not on the 
proposed transmission line route necessitates proposing a new 
transmission line route. North Plains is in the process of evaluating 
alternatives to its proposed converter station sites.
Summary of Expected Impacts
    Field investigations, environmental surveys, and other studies are 
being conducted for the proposed Project to evaluate anticipated 
impacts to air, noise, climate, geologic hazards, mineral and energy 
resources, paleontological resources, soils, water, vegetation, 
wildlife, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, visual 
resources, Federal projects, recreation activities, wilderness, and 
other resources. North Plains is currently conducting field surveys for 
wetlands/waterbodies, vegetation, general habitat, threatened and 
endangered and special status species, cultural and tribal resources, 
architectural history, and paleontological resources. North Plains is 
also preparing a Phase 1 bat hibernacula assessment, whooping crane 
habitat assessment, impact assessments for bald and golden eagles (to 
support Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act compliance), and GRSG (to 
support the Montana GRSG mitigation plan), migratory bird habitat 
assessment (to support the Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance plan), 
and species and habitat assessments for federally listed and proposed 
species to support compliance with section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act.
    GDO and the cooperating agencies will identify, analyze, and 
consider mitigation to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to 
resources from the proposed Project and all analyzed reasonable 
alternatives \4\ and, in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include 
appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the proposed 
route alternative or other alternatives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ ``Reasonable alternatives'' means a reasonable range of 
alternatives that are technically and economically feasible and meet 
the purpose and need for the proposed action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Potential impacts on built, human, and natural environments from 
the proposed Project will be studied during the Federal, State, and 
local environmental review processes. These review processes and 
potential impacts will be analyzed in the EIS. The public is invited to 
participate in the scoping process to identify potential alternatives 
and impacts, information, studies, and analyses relevant to the 
proposed Project and Alternatives.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The Project Proponent will need to secure permits and 
authorizations from several Federal and state agencies, which include 
but are not limited to those listed below.

[[Page 85187]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Agency                        Permit/authorization
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Land Management..............  Right-of-way grant, short-term
                                          right-of-way grant, and
                                          mineral materials sales
                                          contract.
Forest Service.........................  Special Use Permit.
Agricultural Research Service..........  Easement.
Federal Highway Administration.........  Permits to cross Federal Aid
                                          Highway.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...........  General easement, Section 10
                                          permit, and Section 404
                                          permit.
Montana Department of Environmental      Certificate of Compliance under
 Quality.                                 the Major Facility Siting Act.
North Dakota Public Service Commission.  Certificate of Corridor
                                          Compatibility and Transmission
                                          Facility Route Permit.
North Dakota County Governments (Golden  Conditional Use Permits.
 Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Morton,
 Oliver, and Slope Counties).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping period for the EIS. GDO 
will provide additional opportunities for public participation 
consistent with DOE NEPA regulations (10 CFR part 1021) and CEQ NEPA 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), including a 45-day comment period 
on the Draft EIS. Please note that, when commenting during either the 
scoping or the public comment period, your comment and personal 
information, if provided, will be retained as a part of the single, 
consolidated, public record for the project. GDO will allow for 
anonymous comments.
    GDO plans to publish the Draft EIS for public review in Fall 2025 
and the Final EIS in Fall 2026. BLM, ARS, and DEQ will release 
respective decision documents no sooner than 30 days after release of 
the Final EIS. The USFS will release its own Draft Record of Decision 
(ROD) alongside the Final EIS, and upon conclusion of the objections 
process required under USFS regulations, will release a final ROD. 
Following the issuance of each agency's individual RODs, GDO will issue 
a determination that the duration for each land-use authorization is 
commensurate with the anticipated use of the facility, per FPA Section 
216(h)(3).
    USFS would not issue a ROD concerning applicable USFS 
authorizations until after completion of the objections process in 36 
CFR part 218, subparts A and B. Objections will be accepted only from 
those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding 
the proposed Project during scoping or other designated opportunity for 
public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in 
objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific 
written comments regarding the proposed Project unless based on new 
information arising after designated opportunities, and objectors must 
make a connection between issues raised in comment in their objections. 
Objections must be filed within 45 days, after the Final EIS and draft 
ROD. The objection must include specific issues related to the proposed 
Project; if applicable, how the objector believes the decision violates 
law, regulation, or policy; and suggested remedies that would resolve 
the objection. USFS reviews objections and may engage in discussions 
with objectors to resolve issues. The Reviewing Officer (a USFS 
official) will issue a written response to the objections, which may 
include instructions to the responsible official must complete before 
signing the decision. After the objection process is complete, the 
Dakota Prairie Grasslands Forest Supervisor would issue the ROD.

Responsible Official and Nature of Decision To Be Made

    While GDO is the Lead Federal Agency for the Project EIS, GDO does 
not have authority or responsibility to make decisions on North Plains' 
applications to BLM, USFS, and ARS. Those Federal agencies retain their 
respective decision-making authorities and responsibilities with 
respect to North Plains' applications. Accordingly, each Federal 
agency's deciding officials and the scope of decisions to be made are 
listed here:
    BLM: The Field Manager of the Miles City Field Office (MCFO) is the 
Responsible Official. The Field Manager as the Responsible Official 
will decide whether to grant the ROW for the portion of the 
transmission line and associated infrastructure located on public lands 
administered by the MCFO, and if so, under what terms and conditions. 
Any necessary mineral materials sales contracts would be granted by 
either the Field Manager for the Miles City Field Office or the North 
Dakota Field Office, depending on where the mineral materials are 
located.
    USFS: The Dakota Prairie Grasslands Forest Supervisor is the 
Responsible Official. The Forest Supervisor as the Responsible Official 
will decide whether to issue a SUP for the proposed Project for the 
portion of the project Proposed on USFS-managed land.
    ARS: The Plains Area Real Estate Lease Contracting Officer is the 
Responsible Official. The Plains Area Real Estate Lease Contracting 
Officer as the Responsible Official will decide whether to grant an 
easement for the portion of the transmission line and associated 
infrastructure the proposed Project proposes to place on Federal lands 
under the control of ARS.

Additional Information

    GDO and the cooperating agencies will utilize and coordinate the 
NEPA process to help support compliance with applicable procedural 
requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including 
public involvement requirements of Section 106. GDO and the cooperating 
agencies will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with relevant Departmental policies. 
Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential 
impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. 
Federal, state, and local agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed Project, are invited to participate in the scoping process 
and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the GDO to participate 
in the development of the EIS as a cooperating agency.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 21, 
2024, by Maria D. Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant 
to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document 
evidencing this delegation of authority 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

[[Page 85188]]

Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 22, 2024.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024-24879 Filed 10-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P