Notice of Intent for Kemper County Miss. IGCC Project
1. Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 184 / Monday, September 22, 2008 / Notices 54569
Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are 2004; and (2) the relative effectiveness DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, October 7,
encouraged to submit responses of the law in achieving its purposes. The 2008, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
electronically by e-mail to IDEA National Assessment PLACE: U.S. Election Assistance
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or via fax Implementation Study (NAIS) will Commission, 1225 New York Ave., NW.,
to (202) 395–6974. Commenters should inform the National Assessment by Suite 150, Washington, DC 20005
include the following subject line in providing a representative, national (Metro Stop: Metro Center).
their response ‘‘Comment: [insert OMB picture of the implementation of early AGENDA: Commissioners will consider
number], [insert abbreviated collection intervention and special education and vote on Draft EAC Guidance to
name, e.g., ‘‘Upward Bound policies and practices at the state and States Regarding Material Changes to
Evaluation’’]. Persons submitting district levels with a focus on new State Plans. Commissioners will
comments electronically should not provisions included in IDEA 2004. Data consider and vote on the accreditation
submit paper copies. collection will include three surveys of of CIBER, Inc. Commissioners will
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section state administrators: (1) All State Part B consider a Draft Working Group Policy
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of administrators responsible for programs [formally known as Draft Policy for Joint
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires providing special education services to Partnership Task Force of EAC and State
that the Office of Management and school aged children with disabilities Election Officials Regarding Spending of
Budget (OMB) provide interested (6–21); (2) all State 619 coordinators HAVA Funds]. Commissioners will
Federal agencies and the public an early who oversee preschool programs for discuss revisions to the advisory
opportunity to comment on information children with disabilities ages 3–5, and; opinion process. The Commission will
collection requests. OMB may amend or (3) all State IDEA Part C coordinators consider other administrative matters.
waive the requirement for public who are responsible for early This meeting will be open to the
consultation to the extent that public intervention programs serving infants public.
participation in the approval process and toddlers. A fourth survey will PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION:
would defeat the purpose of the collect district level data from a Bryan Whitener, Telephone: (202) 566–
information collection, violate State or nationally representative sample of local 3100.
Federal law, or substantially interfere special education administrators about
with any agency’s ability to perform its preschool and school-age programs for Thomas R. Wilkey,
statutory obligations. The IC Clearance children with disabilities ages 3–21. The Election Director, U.S. Election Assistance
Official, Regulatory Information U.S. Department of Education has Commission.
Management Services, Office of commissioned Abt Associates to [FR Doc. E8–22130 Filed 9–17–08; 4:15 pm]
Management, publishes that notice conduct this study. BILLING CODE 6820–KF–P
containing proposed information Requests for copies of the information
collection requests prior to submission collection submission for OMB review
of these requests to OMB. Each may be accessed from http:// DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
proposed information collection, edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the
grouped by office, contains the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and Notice of Intent to Prepare an
following: (1) Type of review requested, by clicking on link number 3753. When Environmental Impact Statement and
e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or you access the information collection, Notice of Proposed Floodplain and
reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to Wetlands Involvement for the Kemper
the collection; (4) Description of the view. Written requests for information County IGCC Project, Kemper County,
need for, and proposed use of, the should be addressed to U.S. Department MS
information; (5) Respondents and of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, AGENCY: Department of Energy.
frequency of collection; and (6) SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
ACTION:Notice of Intent and Notice of
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping Requests may also be electronically
Proposed Floodplain and Wetlands
burden. OMB invites public comment. mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed
Involvement.
Dated: September 16, 2008.
to 202–401–0920. Please specify the
complete title of the information SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Angela C. Arrington,
collection when making your request. Energy (DOE) announces its intent to
IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Comments regarding burden and/or
Management Services, Office of Management. prepare an Environmental Impact
the collection activity requirements Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National
Institute of Education Sciences should be electronically mailed to Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
Type of Review: New Collection. ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Individuals who 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
Title: Individuals with Disabilities use a telecommunications device for the seq.), the Council on Environmental
Education Act (IDEA) 2004 National deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR Parts
Assessment Implementation Study Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 1500–1508), and the DOE NEPA
(NAIS). 800–877–8339. regulations (10 CFR Part 1021), to assess
Frequency: Other: One time. [FR Doc. E8–22041 Filed 9–19–08; 8:45 am] the potential environmental impacts
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
associated with the construction and
Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs (primary). operation of a project proposed by
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Southern Company, through its affiliate
Burden: Mississippi Power Company
Responses: 541. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION (Mississippi Power), which has been
Burden Hours: 1,021. selected by DOE for consideration for
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Abstract: The current reauthorization Sunshine Act Notice cost-shared funding under the Clean
of IDEA (2004) instructs the Department AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) program. In
of Education to carry out a National Commission. addition, the U.S. Army Corps of
Assessment of the law to measure: (1) Engineers will be a cooperating agency
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
Progress in the implementation of IDEA in the preparation of the EIS, and the
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2. 54570 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 184 / Monday, September 22, 2008 / Notices
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency present at the informal session to the CCPI program plans to advance
Region IV has expressed an interest in discuss the proposed project and the EIS selected coal technologies to
also participating in the preparation of process. commercialization.
the EIS as a cooperating agency. The ADDRESSES: Written comments on the The Energy Policy Act of 2005
proposed project would demonstrate proposed EIS scope and requests to established a Federal loan guarantee
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle participate in the public scoping program for eligible energy projects that
(IGCC) technology using lignite coal as meeting should be addressed to: Mr. employ innovative technologies. Title
a feedstock for a new electrical Richard A. Hargis, U.S. Department of XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
generating plant at a site in Kemper Energy, National Energy Technology authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
County, Mississippi. The facilities Laboratory, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, make loan guarantees for a variety of
would convert lignite coal into P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA 15236– types of projects, including projects that
synthesis gas for generating electricity 0940. Individuals who would like to ‘‘avoid, reduce, or sequester air
while minimizing sulfur dioxide, oxides orally or electronically provide pollutants or anthropogenic emissions
of nitrogen, mercury, and particulate comments should contact Mr. Hargis of greenhouse gases; and employ new or
emissions as compared to conventional directly by telephone: 412–386–6065; significantly improved technologies as
lignite-fired power plants. toll-free number: 1–888–322–7436; fax: compared to commercial technologies in
The EIS will help DOE decide 412–386–4604; or electronic mail: service in the United States at the time
whether to provide a total of $294 Richard.Hargis@netl.doe.gov. the guarantee is issued.’’ Section
million in cost-shared funding (15% or 1703(a)(1), 42 U.S.C. 16513. Mississippi
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
less of the total project cost, which is Power has submitted a pre-application
information about this project or to
currently projected to be greater than $2 to DOE and was invited to submit a
receive a copy of the draft EIS when it
billion) for the proposed project under formal application for a loan guarantee.
is issued, contact Mr. Richard A. Hargis Proposed Action: The proposed action
the CCPI program. In addition, the EIS as described above. For general
would help DOE decide, pending for DOE is to provide a total of $294
information on the DOE NEPA process, million in cost-shared funding under
receipt of an application from contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom,
Mississippi Power, whether to provide a CCPI for the proposed project. DOE has
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and already provided a portion of the total
loan guarantee pursuant to the Energy Compliance (GC–20), U.S. Department
Policy Act of 2005. Accordingly, the EIS funding ($24.4 million) to Southern
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, Company for cost-sharing for
will evaluate the potential impacts of SW., Washington, DC 20585–0103;
the proposed project, connected actions, preliminary design and project
telephone: 202–586–4600; fax: 202– definition, prior to completion of the
and reasonable alternatives. The 586–7031; or leave a toll-free message at NEPA process. In addition, DOE may
purpose of this Notice of Intent is to 1–800–472–2756. also provide a loan guarantee pursuant
inform the public about the proposed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: to section 1703 of the Energy Policy Act
project; invite public participation in Background and Need for Agency of 2005.
the EIS process; announce the plans for Action: Since the early 1970s, DOE and The proposed IGCC electricity
a public scoping meeting; solicit public its predecessor agencies have pursued generating facility would be constructed
comments for consideration in research and development programs on an undeveloped site of
establishing the scope and content of that include long-term, technically approximately 1,650 acres in Kemper
the EIS; and provide notice of proposed complex activities that support the County, Mississippi. The site is located
floodplain and wetlands involvement. development of innovative concepts for in east-central Mississippi near the town
DATES: To ensure that all of the issues a wide variety of coal technologies of Liberty, approximately 20 miles north
related to this proposal are addressed, through the proof-of-concept stage. of the city of Meridian and consists
DOE invites comments on the proposed However, the availability of a principally of uplands and some
scope and content of the EIS from all technology at the proof-of-concept stage wetlands. The uplands are mostly of
interested parties. Comments must be is not sufficient to ensure its continued managed pine timberlands, large
received by October 23, 2008, to ensure development and subsequent portions of which have been clear-cut,
consideration. Late comments will be commercialization. Before any while the wetlands are mostly mixed
considered to the extent practicable. In technology can be considered seriously hardwood forest. Significant portions of
addition to receiving comments in for commercialization, it must be the wetlands have been previously
writing and by telephone, DOE will demonstrated at a sufficient scale to altered by human influences, including
conduct a public scoping meeting in prove its reliability and to show clear-cutting and conversion to grazing
which agencies, organizations, and economically competitive performance. areas. Siltation from upland silvaculture
members of the general public are The financial risk associated with such has also previously impacted some
invited to present oral comments or large-scale demonstration is, in general, wetlands. The generally undisturbed
suggestions with regard to the range of too high for the private sector to assume wetlands on the site have a canopy of
actions, alternatives, and potential in the absence of strong incentives. red maple, yellow poplar and sweet
impacts to be considered in the EIS. The The CCPI program was established in gum. The site’s topography is
scoping meeting will be held at Kemper 2002 as a government/industry characterized by undulating sand and
County High School, 429 Philadelphia partnership to implement the clay hills, and elevations vary from 400
Road, DeKalb, Mississippi, at 7 p.m. on President’s National Energy Policy feet above sea level along an unnamed
October 14, 2008. The public is also recommendation to increase investment tributary to Chickasawhay Creek in the
invited to learn more about the in clean coal technology. The goal of the site’s southwestern corner to 500 feet
proposed project at an informal session CCPI program is to accelerate above sea level in the site’s northeastern
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at this location beginning at 5 p.m. commercial deployment of advanced corner.
Displays and other forms of information coal technologies that provide the The IGCC facilities would occupy
about the proposed agency action and United States with clean, reliable, and approximately 150 acres (or less than 10
the demonstration plant will be affordable energy. Through cooperative percent) of the site. The rest of the site
available, and DOE personnel will be agreements established with industry, would remain undeveloped, with the
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3. Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 184 / Monday, September 22, 2008 / Notices 54571
exception of new transmission lines, a draft cooling towers, synthesis gas mine area. Actual mining—the
natural gas supply pipeline, a carbon cleanup facilities, and particulate uncovering and removal of lignite—
dioxide (CO2) pipeline and site access filtration systems. The height of the would disturb approximately 275 acres
and fuel handling infrastructure. proposed main stacks would be per year for about 40 years, or a total of
The proposed facilities would approximately 325 feet above ground. about 11,000 acres. The mine would use
demonstrate IGCC technology in a new The project would also require systems draglines and a truck and shovel
power plant consisting of two lignite for coal handling and storage, as well as operation to remove the overburden,
coal gasifiers with gas cleanup systems, plant roads, administration buildings, mine the lignite coal, and reclaim the
two gas combustion turbines (CTs), two water and wastewater treatment site in accordance with a mine plan
heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), systems, and ash handling and approved by the Mississippi Department
a single steam turbine, and associated management facilities. Connected of Environmental Quality. Actual
support facilities. Onsite non-potable actions would include a natural gas mining would disturb uplands and
deep wells would provide supply pipeline, planned CO2 capture wetlands and require stream diversions.
approximately 6 million gallons per day systems and CO2 pipeline, electric The lignite coal would be transported by
of groundwater required for cooling transmission facilities, and a surface truck and/or overland conveyor.
water makeup, steam cycle makeup, and lignite mine. Following lignite removal,
other processes. The IGCC facility The overall objective of the project is approximately 275 acres per year of
would produce synthesis gas from to demonstrate the feasibility of this mined land would be restored to
lignite coal and use this gas to drive the selected IGCC technology at a size that approximate the pre-mine land contour
two CTs. Hot exhaust gas from the gas would be attractive to utilities for and re-vegetated to a land use consistent
turbines would generate steam from commercial operation. The lignite coal with a mine reclamation plan approved
water in the HRSGs to drive the steam gasifier is based on a technology that by the Mississippi Department of
turbine; all three turbines would Southern Company, KBR Inc., and DOE Environmental Quality.
generate electricity. The gas turbines have been developing since 1996 at a The second type of landscape
would be capable of operating on either research facility near Wilsonville, disturbance is the associated mining
natural gas or synthesis gas. At full Alabama. The technology is unique disturbance that would result from the
capacity, the two new lignite coal among coal gasification technologies in installation of facilities and structures
gasifiers would be expected to use about that it is cost-effective when using low- supporting the actual mining operation.
12,000 tons of lignite coal per day to rank coal, including lignite, as well as Facilities would include an entrance
produce synthesis gas. Combined, the coals with high moisture or high ash
road, office, shop, fuel farm complex,
three turbines would generate content. These coals comprise about
dragline assembly area, employee and
approximately 550 MW of electricity. half the proven U.S. and worldwide
equipment parking areas, and electrical
This combined-cycle approach of using reserves.
Project activities would include substations and transmission lines.
gas turbines and a steam turbine in
engineering and design, permitting, Support structures would include
tandem increases the amount of
equipment procurement, construction, temporary reservoirs, ponds, and
electricity that can be generated from a
startup, operations, and demonstration associated stream diversions to route
given amount of lignite coal.
The proposed project would minimize of the commercial feasibility of the rainfall and surface water flows (e.g.
sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, technology. If DOE decides to streams, drainages, and tributaries) from
mercury, and particulate emissions as implement the proposed action upon undisturbed areas away from or around
compared to conventional lignite-fired completing the EIS and issuing a Record areas where actual mining disturbance
power plants. The project would be of Decision, the approximately 3-year would occur, and storm water
expected to remove in excess of 99% of construction period would be expected sedimentation control ponds to retain
the sulfur dioxide produced in the IGCC to commence in 2010, and operation of and treat surface runoff from areas
process. The removal of nearly all of the the plant would be expected to begin in disturbed by the mining and
fuel-bound nitrogen from the synthesis 2013. Following a 4.5-year reclamation operations. As mining
gas prior to combustion in the gas demonstration period, the facility would advances, those diversions, ponds and
turbines would result in oxides of continue with commercial operations roads that would no longer be needed to
nitrogen emissions of less than 0.07 immediately afterward. support mining would either be restored
pounds per million Btu. At least 90% of Connected Actions: While the to their approximate pre-mine contour
the mercury in the lignite would be proposed project under the cooperative or retained as permanent post-mine
removed. Over 99% of the particulates agreement would consist of the gasifiers, structures with appropriate landowner
in the synthesis gas would be removed synthesis gas cleanup systems, two CT/ and regulatory agency approval.
using high-temperature, high-pressure HRSGs, a steam turbine, and supporting The outer boundary of the mining
filtration. In addition, the facility is facilities and infrastructure, the EIS will area would encompass approximately
planned for carbon capture systems also address the construction and 31,000 acres principally in Kemper
sufficient to remove approximately 25% operation of the neighboring surface County and partially in Lauderdale
of CO2. The CO2 would be piped off-site lignite coal mine, associated County. Within this area, a total of
for geologic sequestration via enhanced transmission lines (and substations), approximately 15,500 acres would be
oil recovery in Jasper County, CO2 capture systems and CO2 pipeline, disturbed and reclaimed over the life of
approximately 60 miles southwest of the and a natural gas pipeline, as connected the mine. These 15,500 acres would
project location. Ash generated by the actions. include approximately 11,000 acres for
gasifiers would be stored onsite or made The mine would be operated by North mining, approximately 4,000 acres for
available for appropriate recycling American Coal Corporation and would temporary reservoirs, ponds and stream
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alternatives. provide the primary source of fuel for diversions, and approximately 500 acres
In addition to the gasifiers and the project; the secondary source of fuel for mining support facilities. The mine
turbines, new equipment for the project would be natural gas. Mining would would produce approximately 3.8
would include stacks, onsite deep result in two types of landscape million tons of lignite per year to supply
groundwater supply wells, mechanical- disturbance during the 40-year life of the IGCC project. The mine area has
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4. 54572 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 184 / Monday, September 22, 2008 / Notices
similar topographical characteristics as Project, DOE identified the reasonable Mississippi Power’s site selection
described for the plant site area above. alternatives that would satisfy the process in the EIS, however DOE does
The proposed plant site is about 20 underlying purpose and need for agency not plan to analyze in detail the
miles north of the existing Mississippi action. Because of DOE’s limited role in alternatives sites considered by
Power transmission infrastructure in the deciding whether to provide cost-shared Mississippi Power, because DOE agrees
Meridian, Mississippi, metro area. New funding, and possibly a loan guarantee with Mississippi Power’s conclusion
transmission facilities, including for the project, DOE currently plans to that the sites are not reasonable
appropriate lines and substations, analyze in detail the project as proposed alternatives.
would be constructed to interconnect by Mississippi Power (proposed action), Floodplains and Wetlands
the plant to the existing grid and to the proposed action as modified by Involvement: Plans for siting the IGCC
provide firm transmission service for conditions (e.g., mitigation), and the no facility on the plant site are such that
the plant’s output. The new action alternative. the IGCC footprint would avoid to the
transmission lines would include In analyzing the proposed action, extent practicable wetlands and
construction of approximately 57 miles DOE will analyze implementing options floodplains impacts. Final design for the
of 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission and for the location of the plant footprint access roads from the mine to the coal
approximately nine miles of 115 kV within the site boundaries, the route of handling facilities and other ancillary
transmission. Rights-of-way (ROW) up linear facilities (transmission lines and plant facilities is not yet complete, but
to 125 feet would be required for these pipelines), options for CO2 sequestration may involve impacts to both wetlands
new transmission lines. The IGCC plant (e.g., saline aquifers), and other and floodplains. Impacts on wetlands
would also require approximately 27 reasonable alternatives that may be and floodplains would be avoided to the
miles of existing transmission lines to suggested during the public scoping extent practicable and any unavoidable
be upgraded. The new and upgraded period. impacts would be minimized and
transmission lines would be in Kemper, Under the no action alternative, DOE mitigated appropriately.
Lauderdale and Clarke Counties in would not provide continued funding Linear facilities include new and
Mississippi. An approximately 5-mile under the cooperative agreement or
upgraded transmission lines, CO2
natural gas pipeline extending due east provide a loan guarantee for the project.
pipeline, and natural gas pipeline.
from the proposed facilities and an In the absence of DOE funding,
Wetlands delineation surveys are not
approximately 60-mile CO2 pipeline Mississippi Power could reasonably
yet complete; however, it is expected
would also be built. The CO2 pipeline pursue two options. These options will
that some wetland impacts would occur.
would extend from the plant through be analyzed under the no action
Construction and operation of the linear
Lauderdale and Clarke counties and end alternative. First, the gasifiers, synthesis
facilities are not expected to impact
in Jasper County, connecting to an gas cleanup systems, CT/HRSGs and
floodplains. Wetland impacts would be
existing CO2 pipeline used for enhanced supporting infrastructure could be built
avoided to the extent practicable and
oil recovery. The ROW for these as proposed without DOE funding;
therefore, this option is essentially the any direct impacts would be minimized
underground facilities would be up to
same as the proposed action. The and mitigated appropriately.
75 feet wide for the CO2 pipeline and 50
connected actions would remain As noted above, the lignite mine
feet wide for the natural gas pipeline.
Alternatives: NEPA requires that unchanged. Second, Mississippi Power operations would disturb uplands and
agencies evaluate the reasonable could choose not to pursue the IGCC wetlands and will require stream
alternatives to the proposed action in an project. None of the connected actions diversions. Wetlands delineation
EIS. The range of reasonable alternatives would likely be built. This option surveys are not yet complete; however,
encompasses those alternatives that would not contribute to the goal of the wetlands and floodplain impacts are an
would satisfy the underlying purpose CCPI program, which is to accelerate inevitable part of surface mine
and need for agency action. The CCPI commercial deployment of advanced operations due to the acreage required
program was established to help coal technologies that provide the for the operation. Minimization and
implement the President’s National United States with clean, reliable, and mitigation of these impacts and
Energy Policy recommendation to affordable energy. Similarly, the no- reclamation of disturbed areas would
increase investment in clean coal action alternative would not contribute comply with the Mississippi
technology, thus improving the to the Federal loan guarantee program Department of Environmental Quality
reliability and affordability of domestic goals to make loan guarantees for energy approved mine plan.
energy supplies while simultaneously projects that ‘‘avoid, reduce, or DOE will prepare a floodplain and
protecting the environment. The CCPI sequester air pollutants or wetlands assessment in accordance with
program was structured to achieve anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse its regulations at 10 CFR Part 1022 and
National Energy Policy goals by gases; and employ new or significantly include the assessment in the EIS.
promoting private sector initiatives to improved technologies.’’ Preliminary Identification of
invest in demonstrations of advanced Alternatives considered by Environmental Issues: The following
coal technologies that could be widely Mississippi Power in developing the environmental issues have been
deployed commercially. Rather than proposed project will be presented in tentatively identified for analysis in the
being responsible for the siting, the EIS. An analysis of alternative sites EIS. This list, which was developed
construction, and operation of the has been prepared by Mississippi Power from preliminary internal scoping of the
projects, DOE’s role is limited to indicating that the only reasonable site proposed technology, permit
evaluating applications by project alternative is the Kemper County site applications that have been filed for the
sponsors to determine if they meet the based on location of accessible lignite proposed project, and information from
CCPI program goals. The same is true of reserves near Mississippi Power’s similar projects, is neither intended to
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DOE’s role with regard to applications service territory, proximity to be all-inclusive nor a predetermined set
under the loan guarantee program. infrastructure, topography, including of potential impacts, but is presented to
In determining the range of reasonable the location of floodplains and facilitate public comment on the
alternatives to be considered in the EIS wetlands, and available open space. planned scope of the EIS. Additions to
for the proposed Kemper County IGCC DOE will describe and consider or deletions from this list may occur as
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5. Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 184 / Monday, September 22, 2008 / Notices 54573
a result of the public scoping process. management of process chemicals and phone, fax, computer, or in writing (see
The environmental issues include: materials. ADDRESSES).
(1) Atmospheric Resources: Potential (10) Construction: Potential impacts Individuals who do not make advance
air quality impacts resulting from air associated with noise, traffic patterns, arrangements to speak may register at
emissions during construction and and construction-related emissions. the meeting and will be given the
operation of the proposed Kemper (11) Community Impacts: Potential opportunity to speak following
County IGCC Project and the connected congestion and other impacts to local previously scheduled speakers.
actions (e.g., effects of ground-level traffic patterns; socioeconomic impacts Speakers who need more than five
concentrations of criteria pollutants and on public services and infrastructure minutes should indicate the length of
trace metals including mercury, on (e.g., police protection, schools, and time desired in their request. Depending
surrounding areas, including those of utilities); noise associated with project on the number of speakers, DOE may
special concern such as Prevention of operation; and environmental justice need to limit speakers to five-minute
Significant Deterioration Class I areas). issues with respect to the surrounding presentations initially, but will provide
Potential effects of greenhouse gas community. additional opportunities as time
emissions. (12) Cultural and Archaeological permits. Speakers can also provide
(2) Water Resources: Potential effects Resources: Potential impacts to such written material to supplement their
of groundwater withdrawals and resources associated with construction presentations. Oral and written
discharges of effluents to surface waters. of the project and connected actions. comments will be given equal weight.
(13) Cumulative Effects: The DOE will begin the formal meeting
Potential water resources impacts
incremental impacts of the proposed
resulting from construction and with an overview of the proposed
project (e.g., incremental air emissions
operation of the connected actions. Kemper County IGCC Project. DOE will
affecting ambient air quality) when
(3) Infrastructure and Land Use: designate a presiding officer to chair the
added to other past, present, and
Potential effects on existing meeting. The meeting will not be
reasonably foreseeable future actions,
infrastructure and land uses resulting conducted as an evidentiary hearing,
including the connected actions. This
from the construction and operation of and speakers will not be cross-
analysis will include potential impacts
the proposed IGCC project and examined. However, speakers may be
on global climate change.
connected action facilities. For example, The level of analysis of issues asked questions to ensure that DOE fully
potential traffic effects resulting from analyzed in the EIS will be in understands their comments or
the proposed project and potential land accordance with their level of suggestions. The presiding officer will
use impacts of committing land to importance and as determined by the establish the order of speakers and
power plant or temporary land use scoping process. The most detailed provide any additional procedures
impacts of mining. analyses are tentatively expected to necessary to conduct the meeting.
(4) Solid Waste: Pollution prevention focus on potential impacts on air Issued in Washington, DC, this 17th day of
and waste management issues, resources, cultural and archaeological September 2008.
including potential solid waste impacts resources, communities (noise and James A. Slutz,
caused by the generation, treatment, traffic), water resources, wetlands, and Assistant Secretary (Acting), Office of Fossil
transport, storage, and management of ecological resources. Energy.
ash and solid wastes. Public Scoping Process: To ensure [FR Doc. E8–22100 Filed 9–19–08; 8:45 am]
(5) Visual: Potential aesthetic impacts that all issues related to this proposal BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
associated with new stacks, mechanical- are properly addressed, DOE will
draft cooling tower, two flare derricks, conduct an open process to define the
and other plant structures included in scope of the EIS. The public scoping DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
the IGCC plant and from the connected period will end on October 23, 2008.
actions. Interested agencies, organizations, and Notice of Interim Approval
(6) Floodplain: Potential impacts (e.g., the general public are encouraged to
impeding floodwaters, re-directing AGENCY: Southeastern Power
submit comments or suggestions Administration, DOE.
floodwaters, onsite property damage) of concerning the content of the EIS, issues
siting structures and infrastructure ACTION: Notice of Interim Approval for
and impacts to be addressed in the EIS,
within a floodplain. and alternatives that should be Southeastern Power Administration
(7) Wetlands: Potential effects to considered. Scoping comments should Cumberland System.
wetlands due to construction and clearly describe specific issues or topics SUMMARY: The Deputy Secretary of
operation of the power plant and the that the EIS should address in order to Energy confirmed and approved, on an
connected action facilities. assist DOE in identifying significant interim basis, Rate Schedules CBR–1–G,
(8) Ecological: Potential onsite and issues. Written, e-mailed, faxed, or CSI–1–G, CEK–1–G, CM–1–G, CC–1–H,
offsite impacts to vegetation, terrestrial telephoned comments should be CK–1–G, CTV–1–G, and Replacement-3.
wildlife, aquatic wildlife, threatened communicated by October 23, 2008 (see The rates were approved on an interim
and endangered species (other than ADDRESSES). basis through September 30, 2013. The
broadly distributed and wide ranging In addition, DOE will conduct a new rates take effect on October 1, 2008,
species such as the bald eagle and red- public scoping meeting at the Kemper and are subject to confirmation and
cockaded woodpecker, the threatened County High School, 429 Philadelphia approval on a final basis by the Federal
Price’s potato bean is the only Federally Road, DeKalb, Mississippi, at 7 PM on Energy Regulatory Commission
protected species known to occur in October 14, 2008. The public is also (‘‘FERC’’).
Kemper County), and ecologically invited to learn more about the
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
sensitive habitats due to the proposed project at an informal session DATES: Approval of the rate schedules
construction and operation of the power at this location beginning at 5 PM. DOE on an interim basis is effective October
plant and connected actions. requests that anyone who wishes to 1, 2008, through September 30, 2013.
(9) Safety and Health: Construction- speak at this public scoping meeting FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
related safety, process safety, and contact Mr. Richard A. Hargis, either by Leon Jourolmon, Assistant
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