Department of Energy May 27, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction and operation of the proposed Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project (Project) in South Dakota and Minnesota. The Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (RUS), will participate as a cooperating agency. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES, Applicant), on behalf of the Big Stone II Project co-owners, has applied to interconnect the proposed Project to Western's power transmission system. The EIS will address the construction and operation of the proposed Project, which includes a nominal 600 megawatt (MW) (net) coal-fired power plant and ancillary equipment and facilities in eastern South Dakota, upgrades of existing transmission lines and facilities, and up to 129 miles of new transmission lines in South Dakota and Minnesota. Western will hold a 60-day scoping period and scoping meetings near the Project area to receive input on the scope of the EIS.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking comments and information from the public to assist DOE in developing a possible advance notice of proposed rulemaking or notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the loan guarantee provisions of the ``Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act.'' The Act authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to issue Federal loan guarantees to facilitate the construction of a pipeline or liquefied natural gas project to bring natural gas from the Alaska North Slope to the continental United States.