Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Implementation of the FutureGen Project

1. 42840 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 145 / Friday, July 28, 2006 / Notices
U.S. Department of Education, 830 First Council on Environmental Quality communities, the environmental
Street, NE., Union Center Plaza, room (CEQ) NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts community, international stakeholders,
#41B4, Washington, DC 20202–5320. 1500–1508), and the DOE NEPA and research organizations to participate
Telephone: 202–377–3212; and as a implementing procedures (10 CFR part in the FutureGen Project through the
secondary contact, Shirley Wheeler, 1021), to assess the potential NEPA process.
Director, Collections Management, environmental impacts for the proposed Potential environmental impacts of
Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of action of providing Federal funding (up each of the four alternatives will be
Education, 830 First Street, NE., Union to $700 million) for the FutureGen analyzed in detail in the EIS.
Center Plaza, room #41F1, Washington, Project. The FutureGen Project would Reasonable power plant technologies
DC 20202–5320. Telephone: (202) 377– comprise the planning, design, and component configurations proposed
3294. If you use a telecommunications construction and operation by a private- by the Alliance will be used in the
device for the deaf (TTD), you may call sector organization of a coal-fueled evaluation. In addition, DOE will
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– electric power and hydrogen gas (H2) consider potential mitigation
800–877–8339. production plant integrated with carbon opportunities in the EIS.
Individuals with disabilities may dioxide (CO2) capture and geologic DATES: To ensure that all of the issues
obtain this document in an alternative sequestration of the captured gas. related to this proposal are addressed,
format (e.g., Braille, large print, Following an evaluation of 12 site DOE invites comments on the proposed
audiotape, or computer diskette) on proposals from seven states, DOE scope and content of the EIS from all
request to either contact person listed in identified four sites as reasonable interested parties. Comments must be
the previous paragraph. alternatives: (1) Mattoon, Illinois; (2) received by September 13, 2006, to
Tuscola, Illinois; (3) Jewett, Texas; and ensure consideration. Late comments
Electronic Access to This Document (4) Odessa, Texas. DOE has prepared will be considered to the extent
You may view this document, as well this Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform practicable. In addition to receiving
as all other documents of this interested parties of the pending EIS comments in writing and by telephone
Department published in the Federal and to invite public comments on the [See ADDRESSES below], DOE will
Register, in text or Adobe portable proposed action, including: (1) The conduct public scoping meetings in
document format (PDF) on the following proposed plans for implementing the which government agencies, private-
site: http://www.ed.gov/news/ FutureGen Project, (2) the range of sector organizations, and the general
fedregister/index.html. environmental issues and alternatives to public are invited to present oral
To use PDF you must have Adobe be analyzed, and (3) the nature of the comments or suggestions with regard to
Acrobat Reader Program, which is impact analyses to be considered in the the alternatives and impacts to be
available free at this site. If you have EIS. A general overview of the proposed considered in the EIS. Scoping meetings
questions about using PDF, call the U.S. action was published on February 16, will be held during August 2006 near
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll 2006, in an Advance Notice of Intent (71 each proposed project site, at locations
free, at 1–888–293–6498; or in the FR 8283). and on dates to be announced in a
Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. DOE has signed a Cooperative
future Federal Register notice and in
Agreement that provides financial
Note: The official version of this document local newspapers. Oral comments will
assistance to the FutureGen Industrial
is the document published in the Federal be heard during the scoping meetings
Register. Free Internet access to the official Alliance, Inc. (Alliance) for
implementing the FutureGen Project. beginning at 7 p.m. (See Public Scoping
edition of the Federal Register and the Code Process). The public will be invited to
of Federal Regulations is available on GPO The Alliance is a non-profit industrial
consortium led by the coal-fueled an informal session of the scoping
Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/
index.html. electric power industry and the coal meetings at the same locations
production industry. Along with beginning at 4 p.m. to learn more about
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a; Pub. L. 100–503; planning, designing, constructing and the proposed action. Various displays
26 U.S.C. 6103(m)(2) and (m)(4). operating the FutureGen power plant and other information about the
Dated: July 25, 2006. and the sequestration facility, the proposed action will be available, and
Theresa S. Shaw, Alliance would also monitor, measure, DOE personnel will be present at the
and verify geologic sequestration of CO2. informal session to discuss the
Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.
The FutureGen Project aims to FutureGen Project and the EIS process.
[FR Doc. E6–12131 Filed 7–27–06; 8:45 am]
establish the technical and economic ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
feasibility of co-producing electricity scope of the EIS and requests for copies
and H2 from coal while capturing and of the Draft EIS may be submitted by fax
sequestering the CO2 generated in the (304–285–4403), e-mail
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY process. FutureGen would employ (FutureGen.EIS@netl.doe.gov), or a letter
integrated gasification combined-cycle addressed to the NEPA Document
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
(IGCC) power plant technology that for Manager for the FutureGen Project: Mr.
Environmental Impact Statement for
the first time would be integrated with Mark L. McKoy, National Energy
Implementation of the FutureGen
CO2 capture and geologic sequestration. Technology Laboratory, U.S.
Project
DOE is providing technical and Department of Energy, P.O. Box 880,
AGENCY:Department of Energy. programmatic guidance to the Alliance, Morgantown, WV 26507–0880, Attn:
ACTION:Notice of Intent to Prepare an retains certain review and approval FutureGen Project EIS.
Environmental Impact Statement. rights as defined in the Cooperative Comments or requests to participate
Agreement, and oversees Alliance in the public scoping process also can
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of activities for compliance with the terms be submitted by contacting Mr. Mark L.
Energy (DOE) announces its intent to of the Cooperative Agreement. DOE is McKoy directly at telephone 304–285–
prepare an Environmental Impact responsible for NEPA compliance 4426; toll free number 1–800–432–8330
Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National activities. Both DOE and the Alliance (extension 4426); fax 304–285–4403; or
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the encourage state and local agencies, local e-mail FutureGen.EIS@netl.doe.gov.
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2. Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 145 / Friday, July 28, 2006 / Notices 42841
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To that combustion of fossil fuels leads to that support the goal of near-zero
obtain additional information about this increased concentrations of CO2 and emissions.
project, contact Mr. Mark L. McKoy by other greenhouse gases in the The FutureGen Project would proceed
the means provided above. For general atmosphere. Combined, the electricity through 2018 with design, construction,
information on the DOE NEPA process, and transportation sectors are operation, and monitoring. Performance
please contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, responsible for nearly three-fourths of and economic tests results would be
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and the country’s man-made greenhouse gas shared among all participants, industry,
Compliance (EH–42), U.S. Department emissions. Because power plants are the environmental community, and the
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, stationary sources, it is more feasible to public. DOE intends to invite
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0119. capture these emissions and sequester participation from international
Telephone: 202–586–4600. Facsimile: them than it would be to capture organizations to maximize the global
202–586–7031. Or leave a toll-free greenhouse gas emissions from mobile applicability and acceptance of
message at 1–800–472–2756. sources, such as automobiles. FutureGen’s results, helping to support
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To this end, DOE has identified a an international consensus on the role
need for a near-zero emissions, coal-to- of coal and geological sequestration in
Background energy option that would produce addressing global greenhouse gas
President Bush proposed on February electric power and H2 from coal while emissions and energy security.
27, 2003, that the United States permanently sequestering CO2 in deep
undertake a $1 billion, 10-year project to geological formations. The technical, FutureGen Project Processes
build the world’s first coal-fueled plant economic, and environmental feasibility The FutureGen Project would employ
to produce electricity and H2 with near- of producing electric power and advanced coal gasification technology
zero emissions. In response to this hydrogen from coal, when coupled with integrated with combined cycle
announcement, the DOE developed sequestration technology, must be
electricity generation, H2 production,
plans for the FutureGen Project, which proven. In the absence of proven
CO2 capture, and sequestration of the
would establish the technical and operations of a large, integrated, near-
captured gas in geologic repositories.
economic feasibility of producing zero emissions power plant, the
The gasification process would combine
electricity and H2 from coal—a low-cost contribution of coal to the nation’s
coal, oxygen (O2), and steam to produce
and abundant energy resource—while energy mix could be reduced,
a H2-rich ‘‘synthesis gas.’’ After exiting
capturing and geologically storing the particularly if environmental
the conversion reactor, the composition
CO2 generated in the process. regulations continue to tighten, thereby
DOE would implement the FutureGen of the synthesis gas would be ‘‘shifted’’
potentially increasing use of non-
Project through a Cooperative to produce additional H2. The product
domestic energy resources, and
Agreement that provides financial impacting energy security. stream would consist mostly of H2,
assistance to the FutureGen Industrial steam, and CO2. Following separation of
Proposed Action these three gas components, the H2
Alliance, Inc., a non-profit corporation
that represents a global coalition of coal DOE proposes to provide financial would be used to generate electricity in
and energy companies. Members of the assistance (up to $700 million) for the a gas turbine and/or fuel cell. Some of
Alliance would be expected to provide Alliance to implement the FutureGen the H2 could be used as a feedstock for
an estimated $250 million to help fund Project. The Alliance would plan, chemical plants or petroleum refineries
Project development. The Alliance design, construct, and operate the or as a transportation fuel. Steam from
members are: American Electric Power FutureGen Project, an advanced the process could be condensed, treated,
Company, Inc. (Columbus, Ohio); Anglo integrated coal gasification combined and recycled into the gasifier or added
American, LLC (London, UK); BHP cycle power and hydrogen gas to the plant’s cooling water circuit. CO2
Billiton Limited (Melbourne, Australia); production plant and CO2 sequestration from the process would be sequestered
China Huaneng Group (Beijing, China); facility sized nominally at 275 MW in deep underground geologic
CONSOL Energy, Inc. (Pittsburgh, (equivalent output), and appurtenant formations that would be monitored to
Pennsylvania); Foundation Coal facilities (electrical transmission line verify the permanence of CO2 storage.
Holdings, Inc. (Linthicum Heights, connector, new pipelines and Technology Alternatives
Maryland); Kennecott Energy (now: Rio compressor stations to convey CO2,
Tinto Energy America based in Gillette, injection wells, and monitoring wells). The FutureGen Project would
Wyoming); Peabody Energy Corporation The goal of this initiative would be to incorporate cutting-edge and emerging
(St. Louis, Missouri); PPL Corporation prove the technical and economic technologies ready for full-scale or sub-
(Allentown, Pennsylvania); and feasibility of a near-zero emissions, coal- scale testing in a power plant setting
Southern Company (Atlanta, Georgia). to-energy plant that could be prior to their commercial deployment.
The U.S. government would invest commercially deployed by 2020. During Identification of technology alternatives
about $700 million in the FutureGen the first phase of the FutureGen Project, is currently in progress for key
Project, with up to $80 million of that the Alliance and DOE would quantify components of the FutureGen facility,
money coming from foreign the specific emissions objectives. The involving gasification, O2 production,
governments. Several foreign FutureGen Project would co-produce H2 production, synthesis gas cleanup,
governments have recently entered into electric power and H2 in an industrial/ H2 turbines, fuel cells and fuel cell/
discussions with DOE regarding utility setting while capturing and turbine hybrids, CO2 sequestration,
possible contributions. geologically sequestering approximately advanced materials, instrumentation,
one to two million metric tons of CO2 sensors and controls, and byproduct
Purpose and Need for Agency Action per year. The FutureGen Project would utilization. Decisions on incorporation
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In pursuing the United States’ goal of be a prototype facility that would of specific technologies would be made
providing safe, affordable and clean facilitate large-scale integrated testing of by the Alliance consistent with the
energy for its citizens, coal must play an development-stage technologies and overall project goal of proving the
important role in the Nation’s energy could also provide a test platform for technical and economic feasibility of the
mix. A key obstacle, however, is the fact cutting-edge research on technologies near-zero emissions concept.
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3. 42842 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 145 / Friday, July 28, 2006 / Notices
In identifying technology alternatives, results of the screening process, and Illinois—Tuscola
the FutureGen Alliance started with a identifies the sites that the Alliance The proposed Tuscola site is a 208-
list of major components and concludes are candidates. The report is acre parcel of land located in east-
subsystems of the power plant facility available at the Web site of the central Illinois 1.5 miles west of the city
and created a matrix of potential FutureGen Alliance, http:// of Tuscola and approximately 20 miles
configurations of equipment. Following www.FutureGenAlliance.org. north of the Mattoon site. The city of
presentations by various technology DOE has reviewed the Alliance’s
Champaign is located approximately 20
vendors and with assistance from selection process for fairness and
miles to the north, and Decatur is
numerous power plant experts, the compliance with the established
located approximately 35 miles to the
matrix of potential configurations has approach, and DOE is satisfied with the
west. This Douglas County site is
been gradually reduced to three results. Furthermore, having considered
located on flat farmland near an
configurations, which will undergo all proposed site alternatives in
industrial complex, which is
more detailed cost and project risk ascertaining which ones were
reasonable, DOE has determined that immediately west of the site. To the
analysis. Ultimately, the Alliance will
the Alliance’s candidate site list is the immediate north and south the area is
identify the specific technology
preliminary list of reasonable alternative rural with a very low population
alternatives that would be most
sites for detailed analysis in the EIS. density. From this site the proposed
appropriate for the FutureGen Project.
The preliminarily identified site project would be able to connect to the
The goal of this process is to arrive at
alternatives are: power line grid via construction of a
an initial conceptual design, which also
one-mile connection to reach the 138 kV
will provide reference information to be Illinois—Mattoon line to the north, or a 14-mile
used in the EIS impact analyses.
It is expected that sequestration The proposed 240-acre Mattoon connection to reach the 345 kV line to
would be accomplished using existing power plant site is located in east- the east. The site is situated along the
state-of-the-art technologies for both central Illinois approximately one mile CSX railroad and is about three miles
transmission and injection of the CO2 northwest of the city of Mattoon and from Interstate Highway 57. Therefore,
stream. Various technologies will be approximately 150 miles south of it has access to coal delivery via rail and
considered for monitoring at the Chicago. This Coles County site is truck, and natural gas would be
injection sites. currently used as farmland, is flat, and supplied by an existing onsite pipeline.
is surrounded by a rural area of low- The site is outside the 500-year
Alternatives, Including the Proposed density population. The Rural King floodplain, and while no wetlands were
Action warehouse is located nearby. The site identified on the site, wetlands are
NEPA requires that agencies evaluate has access to coal delivery via rail and likely to occur in the proposed CO2 and
the reasonable alternatives to the truck, and natural gas can be supplied electricity transmission corridors.
proposed action in an EIS. The purpose via connection along rail right-of-way to Cooling water for the plant would be
of the agency action determines the an existing pipeline located one mile obtained from the Equistar Chemical
range of reasonable alternatives. In this from the site. Cooling water would be Company, which draws water directly
case, DOE proposes to provide financial gray water from wastewater treatment from the Kaskaskia River 1.5 miles to
assistance to the Alliance to build the facilities in Mattoon (five miles the west of the site, and would require
first ever coal-fueled plant to produce southeast of the plant site) and the construction of a new pipeline of
electricity and H2 with near-zero Charleston (13 miles east of the plant this length. An additional new pipeline
emissions. DOE believes the utility and site) and would be delivered via between 9.5 and 11.5 miles in length
coal industries should lead the project proposed new pipelines. Additional would also be required to transport CO2
since they have significant interest in water would be supplied from local to one of two potential injection fields
the success of near-zero emissions potable sources or from the Kaskaskia due south of the plant site. The primary
technology. River, which is located about five miles injection site, located 11.5 miles from
The EIS will analyze reasonable to the north. Lake Shelbyville is more the plant site, is a 10-acre parcel in a
alternative sites for the FutureGen than eight miles to the west. The site rural, agricultural area. Tuscola’s
Project. These sites have been identified would require the construction of two proposed injection target is the Mt.
through a process that started with a miles of additional transmission line to Simon sandstone, a saline-bearing
solicitation by the Alliance for reach a 138 kV substation southeast of formation expected to be between 1200
proposals. Twelve proposals were the site or 16 miles of new line to and 1800 meters (4000 and 5900 ft) deep
submitted by state and local connect to a 345 kV substation south of at the proposed injection site. The
organizations, representing sites in the site. The site is outside the 500-year primary cap rock here is the Eau Claire
seven states (Illinois, Kentucky, North floodplain, and while no wetlands were Formation, which is a laterally
Dakota, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, and identified onsite, wetlands may be persistent shale expected to be between
Wyoming). The Alliance, working present 0.75 mile downstream of the site 100 and 150 meters (330 and 500 ft)
through various technical experts, first and may also exist in the water supply thick at the Tuscola injection site.
applied qualifying criteria that pipeline corridors. CO2 injection is
eliminated four sites and then subjected proposed onsite, requiring no offsite Texas—Jewett
the remaining site proposals to scoring pipeline construction. The Mt. Simon Located north of the town of Jewett,
criteria. Along with the scoring criteria, saline-bearing sandstone, the injection in east-central Texas, 65 miles north of
best value criteria were applied in the target at Mattoon, is expected to be Bryan/College Station, and 60 miles east
final step of determining which sites are between 1800 and 2100 meters (5900 of Waco, the proposed 400-acre Jewett
reasonable from a technical, and 6900 ft) deep beneath the site. The site is also known as the ‘‘Heart of
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environmental and economic Mt. Simon is capped by the Eau Claire Brazos’’ site. The site is located at the
perspective. At the conclusion of the Formation, which is a laterally intersection of Leon, Limestone and
review of proposals, the Alliance persistent shale expected to be between Freestone counties along U.S. Highway
provided DOE with a report that 100 and 150 meters (330 and 500 ft) 79 and Farm Road 39 in an area
describes the screening process, the thick at Mattoon. characterized by very gently rolling
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4. Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 145 / Friday, July 28, 2006 / Notices 42843
reclaimed mine lands immediately pipeline network. A short new CO2 Decision Making Process
adjacent to an operating lignite mine pipeline would connect the power plant No sooner than 30 days following
and the 1800 MW Jewett power plant. site to the existing pipeline, and a new completion of the Final EIS, DOE will
It has access to coal delivery via rail and four-mile (approximately) pipeline announce in a Record of Decision (ROD)
truck, and natural gas would be would connect the existing CO2 pipeline either the no-action alternative or those
supplied by an existing onsite pipeline. to the proposed injection sites. Proposed sites, if any, that are acceptable to DOE.
Proposed groundwater wells on injection targets for this site are the If DOE selects the action alternative, the
property immediately west of the site Queen Formation and the Delaware Alliance will subsequently select a host
would supply cooling water to the plant Mountain Group, both of which are site from among those, if any, listed in
via a new pipeline. Transmission more than 1100 meters (3600 ft) deep the ROD as acceptable to DOE.
infrastructure with excess capacity beneath grazing lands and scrub lands at Following the tentative selection of a
exists on the site. This site is outside of the site. The system is capped by layers host site, the Alliance will conduct
the 500-year floodplain. There are no
of anhydrite, dolomitic anhydrite, and extensive site characterization work on
jurisdictional wetlands on the site. Lake
anhydrite-halite, which are identified as the chosen site. Information obtained
Limestone and the Navasota River are
the upper Queen and the overlying from the characterization will be
located about 3.5 miles to the west. It
Seven Rivers Formations. reviewed by the DOE and will support
would be necessary to construct 33
In addition to the site alternatives the completion of a supplement analysis
miles of new CO2 pipeline, 25 miles of
which would be built along an existing preliminarily identified in the NOI, the (see 10 CFR 1021.314) by DOE to
gas pipeline right-of-way, to transport EIS will describe different technologies determine whether the newly gained
CO2 to the storage site, which is located information would have altered in a
and strategies for implementing
on 1550 acres located northeast of the significant way the findings in the EIS.
important elements of the FutureGen
power plant site. The land use at the The supplement analysis will be used to
Project. Critical technology alternatives
sequestration site is pastures, wooded determine whether a Supplemental EIS
for various components and subsystems must be prepared.
hills and open fields. The proposed of an integrated gasification combined-
target injection formations are the Travis cycle power plant exist for the air Preliminary Identification of
Peak sandstone, and the Rodessa and separation unit (e.g., cryogenic Environmental Issues
Pettit limestones, all of which are separation versus physical membrane DOE intends to address the issues
saline-bearing formations between 1400 separation), gasifier (various commercial listed below when considering the
and 3600 meters (4600 and 11,800 ft) gasifiers with differing feed types, wall
deep. The primary seal overlying these potential impacts resulting from the
structures, and ash/slag recovery and siting, construction and operation of the
formations is the 120-meter (400 ft)
cooler systems), gas turbine (e.g., syngas FutureGen power plant, sequestration
thick Eagleford Shale.
turbine versus H2 turbine), CO2 capture field, and associated facilities. This list
Texas—Odessa system (e.g., chemical scrubbers, is neither intended to be all-inclusive
The proposed Odessa site is located pressure-swing absorption systems, nor a predetermined set of potential
on 600 acres, approximately 15 miles physical membranes), and synthesis gas impacts. DOE invites comments on
southwest of the city of Odessa in Ector as well as turbine combustion gas clean- whether this is the correct list of
County, Texas. The site is on flat land up systems (e.g., selective catalytic important issues that should be
adjacent to Interstate Highway 20. There reduction versus selective non-catalytic considered in the EIS. The
is an extensive junk yard of abandoned reduction). The Alliance will provide to environmental issues include:
oil and gas equipment along the site’s DOE a conceptual design that will be • Air quality impacts: potential for air
southern border. The proposed power analyzed in the EIS for each of the emissions during construction and
plant property is entirely above the 500- alternative sites. This conceptual design operation of the power plant and
year floodplain and contains no will encompass the power plant and appurtenant facilities to impact local
jurisdictional wetlands. Surrounding sequestration requirements and sensitive receptors, local environmental
land is or was used primarily for oil and attributes (e.g., emissions, effluents, feed conditions, and special-use areas,
gas exploration with some scattered stocks, workers) for any of the including impacts to smog and haze and
industrial plants (sulfur manufacturing, technology alternatives that may be impacts from dust and any significant
cement kiln, etc.). The site has access to selected by the Alliance in the final vapor plumes;
coal delivery via rail and truck, and designs. Mitigation will be addressed for • Noise and light impacts: potential
natural gas would be supplied by an the potential impacts of the FutureGen impacts from construction,
existing onsite pipeline. Water would be Project at each of the four sites and for transportation of materials, and facility
provided via a pipeline to be the conceptual design and technologies operations;
constructed by the City of Odessa to considered. • Traffic issues: potential impacts
transport water from the Texland Great from the construction and operation of
Plains Water Supply well located 49 DOE will also consider a no-action the facilities, including changes in local
miles to the north, which produces alternative whereby DOE would not traffic patterns, deterioration of roads,
water from the Ogallala aquifer. fund the FutureGen Project. In the traffic hazards, and traffic controls;
Alternatively, water may be purchased absence of DOE funding, it would be • Floodplains: potential impacts to
from the West Texas Water Supply unlikely that the Alliance, or industry in flood flow resulting from earthen fills,
System, located 37 miles west of the general, would soon undertake the access roads, and dikes that might be
site. Two miles of new transmission line utility-scale integration of CO2 capture needed in a floodplain;
would be needed to connect the plant to and geologic sequestration with a coal- • Wetlands: potential impacts
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either a 138 kV line or a 345 kV line. fired power plant. Absent DOE’s resulting from fill, sediment deposition,
The proposed 6,000-acre injection field investment in a utility-scale facility, the vegetation clearing and facility erection
is 58 miles south of the Odessa plant development of integrated CO2 capture that might be needed in a wetland;
site. CO2 would be transported in (and and sequestration with power plant • Visual impacts associated with
co-mingled in) an existing regional CO2 operations would occur more slowly. facility structures: views from
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5. 42844 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 145 / Friday, July 28, 2006 / Notices
neighborhoods, impacts to scenic views Proposed EIS Schedule materials to supplement their
(e.g., impacts from water vapor plumes, A tentative schedule has been presentations. Oral and written
power transmission lines, pipelines), developed for the EIS. The public comments will be given equal
internal and external perception of the scoping period will close on September consideration. State and local elected
community or locality; 13, 2006. The Draft EIS is scheduled to officials and tribal leaders may be given
• Historic and cultural resources: priority in the order of those making
be issued for public review and
potential impacts from the site oral comments.
comment in March 2007, followed by a
selection, design, construction and DOE will begin the meeting with an
45-day public comment period and
operation of the facilities; overview of the proposed FutureGen
• Water quality impacts: potential public hearings. The Final EIS is
scheduled to be issued in June 2007, Project. The meeting will not be
impacts from water utilization and conducted as an evidentiary hearing,
consumption, plus potential impacts followed by the ROD in August 2007.
and speakers will not be cross-
from wastewater discharges; Public Scoping Process examined. However, speakers may be
• Infrastructure and land use impacts: asked questions to help ensure that DOE
potential environmental and To ensure that all issues related to
this proposed action are addressed, DOE fully understands the comments or
socioeconomic impacts of project site suggestions. A presiding officer will
selection, construction, delivery of feed seeks public input to define the scope
of the EIS. The public scoping period establish the order of speakers and
materials, and distribution of products provide any additional procedures
(e.g., power transmission lines, will begin with publication of the NOI
and end on September 13, 2006. necessary to conduct the meeting.
pipelines);
• Marketability of products and Interested government agencies, private- Issued in Washington, DC, this 25th day of
market access to feedstocks; sector organizations and the general July, 2006.
• Solid wastes: pollution prevention public are encouraged to submit Andrew Lawrence,
plans and waste management strategies, comments or suggestions concerning the Acting Assistant Secretary, Environment,
including the handling of ash, slag, content of the EIS, issues and impacts Safety and Health.
water treatment sludge, and hazardous to be addressed in the EIS, and [FR Doc. E6–12118 Filed 7–27–06; 8:45 am]
materials; alternatives that should be considered. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
• Disproportionate impacts on Scoping comments should clearly
minority and low-income populations; describe specific issues or topics that
• Connected actions: potential the EIS should address to assist DOE in
development of support facilities or identifying significant issues. Written, e- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
supporting infrastructure; mailed, faxed, or telephoned comments AGENCY
• Ecological impacts: potential on-site should be received by September 13, [ER–FRL–6677–7]
and off-site impacts to vegetation, 2006 (see ADDRESSES).
terrestrial wildlife, aquatic wildlife, DOE will conduct public scoping Environmental Impact Statements and
threatened or endangered species, and meetings at locations, dates and times Regulations; Availability of EPA
ecologically sensitive habitats; specified in a future Federal Register Comments
• Geologic impacts: potential impacts notice and in notices published in local
from the sequestration of CO2 and other newspapers. These notices are Availability of EPA comments
captured gases on underground scheduled to be published within the prepared pursuant to the Environmental
resources such as potable water next two weeks and will provide the Review Process (ERP), under section
supplies, mineral resources, and fossil public with at least two weeks notice. 309 of the Clean Air Act and section
fuel resources; Generally, one scoping meeting will be 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
• Ground surface impacts from CO2 held near each proposed power plant Policy Act as amended. Requests for
sequestration: potential impacts from site. copies of EPA comments can be directed
leakage of injected CO2, potential An informal session of the public to the Office of Federal Activities at
impacts from induced flows of native scoping meetings will begin at 202–564–7167.
fluids to the ground surface or near the approximately 4 p.m., followed by a An explanation of the ratings assigned
ground surface, and the potential for formal session beginning at to draft environmental impact
induced ground heave and/or approximately 7 p.m. Members of the statements (EISs) was published in FR
microseisms; public who wish to speak at a public dated April 7, 2006 (71 FR 17845).
• Fate and stability of sequestered
scoping meeting should contact Mr. Draft EISs
CO2 and other captured gases;
• Health and safety issues associated Mark L. McKoy, either by phone, fax,
e-mail, or in writing (see ADDRESSES in EIS No. 20060093, ERP No. D–AFS–
with CO2 capture and sequestration; K61164–CA, Commercial Pack Station
• Cumulative effects that result from this Notice). Those who do not arrange
in advance to speak may register at a and Pack Stock Outfitter/Guide
the incremental impacts of the proposed
meeting (preferably at the beginning of Permit Issuance, Implementation,
project when added to other past,
the meeting) and may speak after Special-Use-Permit to Twelve Pack
present, and reasonably foreseeable
previously scheduled speakers. Station and Two Outfitter/Guides,
future projects;
• Compliance with regulatory Speakers will be given approximately Inyo National Forest, CA.
requirements and environmental five minutes to present their comments. Summary: EPA expressed
permitting; Those speakers who want more than environmental concerns about adverse
• Environmental monitoring plans five minutes should indicate the length impacts to water quality from specific
associated with the power plant and of time desired in their request. campsites, grazing, and trail use, and
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
with the CO2 sequestration site; Depending on the number of speakers, recommended implementation of
• Mitigation of identified DOE may need to limit all speakers to protective measures described in
environmental impacts; and five minutes initially and provide Alternative 3 and the inclusion of a
• Ultimate closure plans for the CO2 second opportunities as time permits. detailed monitoring and enforcement
sequestration site and reservoirs. Speakers may also provide written plan in the final EIS. Rating EC2.
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