Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.: Petersburg Municipal Power & Light,

[Federal Register: August 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 149)]

[Notices]

[Page 42354-42355]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04au99-58]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 201-000 AK]

Petersburg Municipal Power and Light; Petersburg Municipal Power and Light's Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application

July 29, 1999.

On July 7, 1999, the existing licensee, Petersburg Municipal Power and Light (Petersburg), fileda requests to use alternative procedures in submitting an application for a new license for the existing Blind Slough Hydroelectric Project No. 201. The 2.0-megawatt project is located on Crystal Creek, and Mitkof Island, about 16 miles from the City of Petersburg, Alaska. Petersburg has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact all resource agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus exists that the use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. Petersburg has also submitted a communications protocol that is supported by most interested entities.

The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on Petersburg's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section 4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations.\1\ Additional notices seeking comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and protests, and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a later date.

\1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).

The alternative procedures being requested here combine the prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment (EA) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from the traditional process, in which the applicant consults with agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the application for the license and before filing it, but the Commission staff performs the environmental review after the application is filed. The alternative procedures are intended to simplify and expedite the licensing process by combining the prefiling consultation and environmental review process into a single process, to facilitate greater participation, and to improve communication and cooperation among the participants.

[[Page 42355]]

Applicant Prepared EA Process and Blind Slough Project Schedule

Petersburg has submitted a proposed schedule for the APEA process that leads to the filing of a new license application by August, 2002. Study plans would be developed this summer, with National Environmental Policy Act scoping being conducted in the fall. Field-work would be conducted over two seasons, summer 2000 and 2001 (if needed), with a draft application and draft APEA to be issued for comment in the fall of 2001.

Comments

Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to file with the Commission, any comments on Petersburg's proposal to use the alternative procedures to file an application for the Blind Slough Hydroelectric Project.

Filing Requirements

The comments must be filedby providing an original and 8 copies as required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number (Blind Slough Hydroelectric Project No. 201).

For further information on this process, please contact Vince Yearick of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2938 or E-mail vince.yearick@ferc.fed.us. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-20007Filed8-3-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M