Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Intent

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS),

pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and RUS

Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794) may prepare an

Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

for its Federal action related to a proposal by Alabama Electric

Cooperative to construct two combustion turbines at the site of their

existing McIntosh Power Plant located in McIntosh, Alabama. RUS may

provide financing assistance to Alabama Electric Cooperative for

project construction costs.

MEETING INFORMATION: RUS will conduct a scoping meeting in an open

house forum on June 27, 1996, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the McIntosh

Power Plant located on the west side of Highway 43 at mile marker 41 in

McIntosh, Alabama.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior Environmental

Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Ag.

Box 1571, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250, telephone

(202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alabama Electric Cooperative proposes to

construct two 113 megawatt (MW) combustion turbine generators adjacent

to its existing McIntosh Power Plant. This power plant is located just

west of U.S. Highway 43 near the center of Section 1, Township 3 north,

Range 1 west in Washington County, Alabama, just south of McIntosh.

Alternatives to be considered by RUS and Alabama Electric

Cooperative to Alabama Electric Cooperative constructing the generation

facility proposed include: (a) No action, (b) purchase of peaking

capacity from independent power producers, co-generators, and other

electric utilities, and (c) constructing the proposed generation

facilities at alternative site locations.

To be presented at the public scoping meeting will be an

alternative evaluation and siting-study prepared by Alabama Electric

Cooperative. The alternative evaluation and siting study is available

for public review at RUS at the address provided in this notice or at

Alabama Electric Cooperative, U. S. Highway 29 North, Andalusia,

Alabama 36420. It can also be reviewed at the libraries in McIntosh and

Chatom, Alabama.

Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are

invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed

project. Representatives from RUS and Alabama Electric Cooperative will

be available to discuss RUS's environmental review process, describe

the project and alternatives under consideration, discuss the scope of

environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and accept

oral and written comments. Written comments will be accepted for at

least 30 days after the June 27th public scoping meeting. Written

comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided in this notice.

From information provided in the alternative evaluation and siting

study, input that may be provided by government agencies, private

organizations, and the public, Alabama Electric Cooperative will

prepare an environmental analysis to be submitted to RUS for review. If

significant impacts are not evident based on a review of the

environmental analysis and other relevant information, RUS will prepare

an environmental assessment to determine if the preparation of an EIS

is warranted.

Should RUS determine that the preparation of an EIS is not

warranted, it will prepare a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

The FONSI will be made available for public review and comment for 30

days. RUS will not take its final action related to the project prior

to the expiration of the 30-day period.

Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be

subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal

environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental

procedures as prescribed by CEQ and RUS environmental policies and

procedures.

Dated: May 17, 1996.

Adam M. Golodner,

Deputy Administrator--Program Operations.

[FR Doc. 96-12998 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]

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