NextEra Energy Resources: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meeting

Citation86 FR 14302
Record Number2021-05255
Published date15 March 2021
SectionNotices
CourtRural Utilities Service
14302
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
Supporting documents and any
comments we receive on this docket
may be viewed at regulations.gov or in
our reading room, which is located in
Room 1620 of the USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal
reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
: Ms.
Claudia Ferguson, Senior Regulatory
Policy Specialist, Regulatory
Coordination and Compliance, Imports,
Regulations, and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS,
4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale,
MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–2352.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
: Under the
regulations in ‘‘Subpart L–Fruits and
Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–1 through
319.56–12, referred to below as the
regulations), the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
prohibits or restricts the importation of
fruits and vegetables into the United
States from certain parts of the world to
prevent plant pests from being
introduced into or disseminated within
the United States.
Section 319.56–4 of the regulations
provides the requirements for
authorizing the new importation of
fruits and vegetables into the United
States, as well as revising existing
requirements for the importation of
fruits and vegetables. Paragraph (c) of
that section provides that the name and
origin of all fruits and vegetables
authorized importation into the United
States, as well as the requirements for
their importation, are listed in the
APHIS Fruits and Vegetables Import
Requirements database (FAVIR) (https://
epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/). It
also provides that, if the Administrator
determines that any of the phytosanitary
measures required for the importation of
a particular fruit or vegetable are no
longer necessary to reasonably mitigate
the plant pest risk posed by the fruit or
vegetable, APHIS will publish a notice
in the Federal Register making its pest
risk analysis and determination
available for public comment.
Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta (sand pear)
fruit from the Republic of Korea is
currently listed in FAVIR as a fruit
authorized for importation into the
continental United States under an
APHIS-managed preclearance program;
non-precleared fruit is authorized for
importation only into the port of
Honolulu, HI. In addition, all sand pear
fruit produced in the Republic of Korea
for export to the United States must be
grown, processed, and shipped under a
systems approach detailed in an
operational workplan.
The Republic of Korea requested that
APHIS conduct a risk evaluation to
allow exports of non-precleared sand
pear fruit into all U.S. ports, in addition
to the exports already allowed under the
APHIS preclearance program. In
response, we reviewed the current pest
list for sand pear fruit from the Republic
of Korea and added a new quarantine
pest of concern, Resseliella yagoi, to the
existing list.
Using the updated pest list, we
drafted a commodity import evaluation
document (CIED) to identify
phytosanitary measures that could be
applied to the importation of sand pear
fruit from the Republic of Korea to
mitigate the risk posed by quarantine
pests of concern. We included in the
CIED our finding that the current
systems approach to mitigate pest risk
in precleared sand pear fruit would also
be sufficient to allow the importation of
non-precleared fruit from the Republic
of Korea into all U.S. ports. Under the
change we propose, the oversight of
production practices, fruit inspections,
and phytosanitary certification of non-
precleared sand pear fruit would be
conducted by the Republic of Korea
national plant protection organization
(NPPO) rather than by APHIS
preclearance personnel.
The following systems approach
measures would be required for all sand
pear fruit imported into the United
States from the Republic of Korea:
Sand pears must be imported as
commercial consignments only.
Sand pears must be grown in places
of production and packed in
packinghouses registered with the
Republic of Korea NPPO.
Places of production must be
inspected for symptoms of quarantine
pests and diseases. If such pests and
diseases are found, adequate mitigations
measures should be implemented.
Sand pears must be bagged when
the fruit is between 2.5 and 3.5
centimeters in diameter. All fruit must
be bagged by June 30. Bagging is
required to prevent all arthropod pests
from infesting the fruits.
Each sand pear consignment must
be labeled to allow trace back.
Each sand pear consignment must
be accompanied by a phytosanitary
certificate issued by the Republic of
Korea NPPO stating that the
consignment has been inspected and
found free of quarantine pests.
For preclearance program exports of
sand pear:
Each precleared consignment must
be accompanied by a Plant Protection
and Quarantine Form 203, which
indicates the commodity has been
inspected by APHIS at origin.
For non-preclearance exports of sand
pear:
Each non-precleared consignment is
subject to inspection at the U.S. ports-
of-entry.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 319.56–4(c)(3), we are announcing the
availability of our pest list and CIED for
public review and comment. Those
documents, as well as a description of
the economic considerations associated
with the importation of fresh sand pear
fruit from the Republic of Korea, may be
viewed on the Regulations.gov website
or in our reading room (see
ADDRESSES
above for a link to Regulations.gov and
information on the location and hours of
the reading room). You may request
paper copies of these documents by
calling or writing to the person listed
under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT
. Please refer to the subject of
the analysis you wish to review when
requesting copies.
After reviewing any comments we
receive, we will announce our decision
regarding whether to revise the
requirements for the importation of sand
pear fruit from the Republic of Korea in
a subsequent notice. If the overall
conclusions of our analysis and the
Administrator’s determination of risk
remain unchanged following our
consideration of the comments, we will
revise the requirements for the
importation of sand pear fruit from the
Republic of Korea in accordance with
this notice.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772, and
7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR
2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of
March 2021.
Mark Davidson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–05273 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket #: RUS–21–ELECTRIC–0004]
NextEra Energy Resources: Notice of
Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement and Hold Public
Scoping Meeting
AGENCY
: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
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14303
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices
ACTION
: Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement and
hold public scoping meeting.
SUMMARY
: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) announces its intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and hold a virtual public scoping
meeting in connection with possible
impacts related to the Skeleton Creek
Solar and Battery Storage Project
(Project) proposed by NextEra Energy
Resources (NextEra or Applicant). The
Project will consist of a 250-megawatt
(MW) solar array, plus 200–MW/800-
megawatt-hour (MWh) storage facility
using photovoltaic (PV) modules on
private lands in Garfield County,
Oklahoma. NextEra is seeking federal
loan financing from RUS to support
construction of the Project. RUS has
determined that a loan for the Project
would be a federal action and is,
therefore, subject to National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
review, with RUS as the lead federal
agency, for preparation of the EIS.
DATES
: Written requests to participate as
a Cooperating Agency in the preparation
of the EIS, participate as a Consulting
Party in the Section 106 consultation
process, or to provide comments for
consideration during the scoping
process for the proposed Project must be
received on or before April 19, 2021.
One virtual public scoping meeting will
be held on March 30, 2021 from 5:00
p.m. EST–9:00 p.m. EST. The public
scoping meeting will be conducted in a
virtual format with RUS and NextEra
representatives. Attendees will be able
to submit comments during the virtual
public meeting orally or via the chat
function. The public scoping meeting
will be recorded and kept as part of the
Project record. More information about
the virtual public scoping meeting can
be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/
resources/environmental-studies.
ADDRESSES
: To send comments or
request further information, send a
request to
SkeletonCreekSolarPublicComments@
usda.gov. Due to the COVID 19
epidemic, hard copies of mail will not
be accepted.
All project related information will be
posted as it becomes available on the
RUS’ website located at: https://
www.rd.usda.gov/environmentalstudy/
skeleton-creek-EIS.
As of this publication, an Alternatives
Evaluation Study/Site Selection Study
has been prepared for the Skeleton
Creek Solar and Battery Storage Project
and is currently available at RUS’s
website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/
environmentalstudy/skeleton-creek-EIS.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
: With this
notice, federal and state agencies and
federally-recognized Tribes with
jurisdiction or special expertise are
invited to be cooperating agencies. Such
agencies or Tribes may make a request
to RUS to be a cooperating agency by
contacting the RUS at the email address
provided in this notice below. On
January 7, 2021 USDA’s Chief
Environmental Review and Policy
Officer (CERPO) invited federal agencies
to cooperate in the preparation of the
EIS. The US Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) has indicated that they intend
to participate as a cooperating agency.
Designated cooperating agencies have
certain responsibilities to support the
NEPA and scoping process, as specified
at 40 CFR 1501.6(b). In addition, with
this notice RUS invites any affected
federal, state, and local agencies; Tribes;
and other interested persons to
comment on the scope, alternatives, and
significant issues to be analyzed in
depth in the EIS.
The proposed Project is considered an
undertaking subject to review under
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 United
States Code 470(f), and its implementing
regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic
Properties’’ (36 CFR 800). Any party
wishing to participate directly with RUS
as a ‘‘consulting party’’ in NHPA
Section 106 review may submit a
written request to the RUS email
address provided below. Pursuant to 36
CFR 800.3(f)(3), RUS will consider, and
provide a timely response to, any and
all requests for consulting party status.
The Project consists of a 250–MW
solar array, plus 200–MW/800–MWh
storage facility that will utilize PV
modules. The Project will be located
entirely on privately owned farmland,
rural residences, and riparian areas in a
rural area in Garfield County,
Oklahoma. The Application Area
encompasses approximately 12,250
acres. Within the Application Area,
construction will occur on an
approximately 4,500- to 6,000-acre
project area.
The Project consists of four major
components: PV solar arrays (the main
Project footprint), energy storage
facilities (batteries, racking, inverters),
linear facilities (as further described
below), and transmission
interconnection facilities (a substation/
switchyard that interconnects to the
existing OG&E 345–kV Woodring
Substation via an estimated 2- to 4-mile
gen-tie).
The Applicant entered into a power
purchase agreement with Western
Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) for
the solar and energy storage project.
WFEC’s objective is to provide safe,
adequate, and reliable power to its
members at the lowest reasonable cost.
The Project will allow the Applicant to
provide the additional generation
capacity needed by WFEC to achieve
these goals and to serve electrical needs
within the service territories of their
member cooperatives.
Among the alternatives that RUS will
address in the EIS is the No Action
alternative, under which the proposal
will not be undertaken or if RUS did not
fund the proposed Project, and any
reasonable alternatives defined as a
result of the scoping process. In the EIS,
the effects of the proposal will be
compared to the existing conditions in
the affected area of the proposal. Public
health and safety, environmental
impacts, socio-economic, and
engineering aspects of the proposal will
also be considered in the EIS.
As part of its broad environmental
review process, RUS must take into
account the effect of the proposal on
historic properties in accordance with
Section 106 of the NHPA (Section 106)
and its implementing regulation,
‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36
CFR 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures
for public involvement under NEPA to
meet its responsibilities to solicit and
consider the views of the public during
NHPA Section 106 review. Accordingly,
comments submitted in response to this
Notice will inform RUS decision-
making during NHPA Section 106
review.
RUS will use input provided by
government agencies, private
organizations, and the public in the
preparation of a Draft EIS. The Draft EIS
will be filed with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and will be available for public
comment 45 days from the date the EPA
publishes its Federal Register notice. A
Final EIS that considers all comments
received will subsequently be prepared.
The Final EIS will be available for
review and comment for 30 days.
Following the 30-day comment period,
RUS will prepare a Record of Decision
(ROD). Notices announcing the
availability of the Draft EIS, the Final
EIS, and the ROD will be published in
the Federal Register and in local
newspapers.
Any final action by RUS related to the
proposal will be subject to, and
contingent upon, compliance with all
relevant executive orders and federal,
state, and local environmental laws and
regulations in addition to the
completion of the environmental review
requirements as prescribed in RUS
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14304
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices
Environmental Policies and Procedures,
7 CFR 1970.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–05255 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the
Maryland Advisory Committee
AGENCY
: Commission on Civil Rights.
ACTION
: Announcement of meeting.
SUMMARY
: Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), that a press conference of the
Maryland Advisory Committee to the
Commission will convene by web
conference on Wednesday, April 21,
2021 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The purpose of
the web press conference to formally
release its advisory memorandum on
COVID 19 and health disparities in
Maryland.
DATES
: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at
4:00 p.m. (ET).
Public Webex Conference Registration
Link (video and audio): https://bit.ly/
2PxPwv7.
To Join By Phone Only: Dial 1–800–
360–9505; Access code: 199 730 6650.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
Evelyn Bohor at ero@usccr.gov or by
phone at 202–921–2212.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
: This
meeting is available to the public
through the WebEx link above. If joining
only via phone, callers can expect to
incur charges for calls they initiate over
wireless lines, and the Commission will
not refund any incurred charges.
Individuals who are deaf, deafblind and
hard of hearing may also follow the
proceedings by first calling the Federal
Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and
providing the Service with the call-in
number found through registering at the
web link provided above for the
meeting.
Members of the public are entitled to
make comments during the open period
at the end of the meeting. Members of
the public may also submit written
comments; the comments must be
received in the Regional Programs Unit
within 30 days following the respective
meeting. Written comments may be
emailed to Barbara Delaviez at ero@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Unit at (202) 809–
9618. Records and documents discussed
during the meeting will be available for
public viewing as they become available
at the www.facadatabase.gov. Persons
interested in the work of this advisory
committee are advised to go to the
Commission’s website, www.usccr.gov,
or to contact the Regional Programs Unit
at the above phone number or email
address.
Agenda: Wednesday, April 21, 2021;
4:00 p.m. (ET)
1. Press Conference: Advisory Memo:
COVID 19 and Health Disparities in
Maryland
2. Public Comment
3. Adjourn
Dated: March 10, 2021.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2021–05292 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the Hawai’i
Advisory Committee
AGENCY
: U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION
: Announcement of meeting.
SUMMARY
: Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) that a teleconference meeting of
the Hawai’i Advisory Committee
(Committee) to the Commission will be
held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 (Hawaiian
Time). The purpose of the meeting will
be to review a draft of their report
focused on COVID–19 and its impact on
Pacific Islander communities.
DATES
: The meeting will be held on
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 10:00
a.m.–12:00 p.m. HST.
Public Call Information:
Dial: 800–367–2403.
Conference ID: 5959993.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
: Ana
Victoria Fortes, Designated Federal
Officer (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov or by
phone at (202) 681–0857.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
: For copies
of meeting documents, email afortes@
usccr.gov. This meeting is available to
the public through the following toll-
free call-in number: 800–367–2403,
conference ID number: 5959993. Any
interested member of the public may
call this number and listen to the
meeting. Callers can expect to incur
charges for calls they initiate over
wireless lines, and the Commission will
not refund any incurred charges. Callers
will incur no charge for calls they
initiate over land-line connections to
the toll-free telephone number. Persons
with hearing impairments may also
follow the proceedings by first calling
the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–
8339 and providing the Service with the
conference call number and conference
ID number.
Members of the public are entitled to
make comments during the open period
at the end of the meeting. Members of
the public may also submit written
comments; the comments must be
received in the Regional Programs Unit
within 30 days following the meeting.
Written comments may be mailed to the
Western Regional Office, U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, 300 North
Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los
Angeles, CA 90012 or email Ana
Victoria Fortes at afortes@usccr.gov.
Records and documents discussed
during the meeting will be available for
public viewing prior to and after the
meeting at https://
www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACA
PublicViewCommitteeDetails?id=
a10t0000001gzl0AAA.
Please click on ‘‘Committee Meetings’’
tab. Records generated from this
meeting may also be inspected and
reproduced at the Regional Programs
Unit, as they become available, both
before and after the meeting. Persons
interested in the work of this Committee
are directed to the Commission’s
website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may
contact the Regional Programs Unit at
the above email or street address.
Agenda
I. Welcome
II. Review Report
III. Public Comment
IV. Adjournment
Dated: March 10, 2021.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2021–05291 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Quarterly Survey of Plant
Capacity Utilization
The Department of Commerce will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
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