Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct Public Scoping Meetings for the Proposed Low Emission Boiler System (LEBS) Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and

Conduct Public Scoping Meetings for the Proposed Low Emission Boiler

System (LEBS) Project

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to prepare

an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the potential environmental

impacts of a new coal-fired proof-of-concept Low Emission Boiler System

(LEBS) for electric power generation. This EIS will support a DOE

decision on whether to provide funding of up to 50 percent of the total

cost for one or more approaches for LEBS technology development at the

proof-of-concept scale. This Notice describes the proposed EIS and

invites the public to submit comments regarding the scope of the EIS.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 3, 1997 to ensure

consideration. Late comments will be considered to the extent

practicable. Public scoping meetings will be held in Richmond, Indiana

and Elkhart, Illinois during the 45-day scoping period. The dates and

specific locations will be announced in local media at least 15 days

prior to the meetings.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi, NEPA

Compliance Officer, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, U.S.

Department of Energy, P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA 15236; telephone

412-892-6159; fax 412-892-6127; or E-mail [email protected]

Individuals who would like to participate in this process may also call

the following toll-free telephone number: 1-800-276-9851.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Those who would like to receive a copy

of the draft EIS for review when it is issued should notify Mr. Lloyd

Lorenzi at the address provided above. For general information on the

DOE NEPA process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director,

Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department of

Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585-0119;

telephone 202-586-4600; or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE announces its intent to prepare an EIS

in accordance with NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

NEPA regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and the DOE NEPA regulations

(10 CFR Part 1021). The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to

inform the public about the proposed action; announce the plans for

public scoping meetings; invite public participation in (and explain)

the scoping process that DOE will follow to comply with the

requirements of NEPA; and solicit public comments for consideration in

establishing the proposed scope and content of the EIS.

The EIS will evaluate the impacts of DOE's proposal to cost-share

LEBS technology development at the proof-of-concept scale to

demonstrate the technical, environmental, and economic viability of

LEBS technology. Research to develop LEBS technology has been performed

for DOE by three separate organizations awarded cost-shared contracts

after a competitive solicitation in 1992. The LEBS technology must meet

the following minimum performance objectives:

(1) Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions less than 0.2 (with a

target of 0.1) pounds (lbs) per million British thermal units (Btu)

of energy input;

(2) Sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions less than 0.2 (with a

target of 0.1) lbs per million Btu of energy input; and

(3) Particulate emissions less than 0.015 (with a target of

0.01) lbs per million Btu of energy input.

These performance objectives must be achievable at: electricity

costs comparable to, and preferably less than, the costs for a new

conventional electric power generating station firing coal in

compliance with current Federal emission standards (New Source

Performance Standards) for large fossil-fuel-fired steam generating

plants; and energy recovery efficiencies at least as high as the most

efficient, modern, conventional coal-fired plant meeting New Source

Performance Standards, preferably approaching 42% recovery of the

energy content of coal as electrical energy. The research performed

since 1992 has resulted in three distinct technology approaches for

developing LEBS, and each approach holds promise for meeting DOE's

objectives. The three approaches, each proposed to be tested at proof-

of-concept scale at a different site, have been offered to DOE for

cost-shared development. A preferred alternative does not exist at this

stage in the technology development program. The EIS will consider the

environmental effects of each proposed technology, of installation and

operation at the site where proof-of-concept testing is being

considered, and of the specific approaches being considered to meet the

objectives of the LEBS proof-of-concept project, as well as reasonable

alternative technologies, sites, sizes, and the no-action alternative.

Background

Currently, over one-half of the electricity needs of the United

States are met by steam-electric generating stations fired with

pulverized coal. Over the next several decades, increases in demand for

electric power and replacement of a significant amount of aging

electric generating capacity that is approaching the end of its design

service life are expected to require the construction of new electric

generating stations. As the most abundant domestic energy source, coal

continues to represent an attractive energy source for these

forthcoming generating stations, particularly through advanced

technologies that offer to improve dramatically environmental

performance and efficiency.

The LEBS is one of two components that comprise the Combustion 2000

program that DOE has undertaken pursuant to section 1301 of the Energy

Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13331). Cost-shared and federally funded,

Combustion 2000 is a long-term fossil energy research and development

program that will help advance coal-fired power generation technology

into the next century. LEBS-related research is to be performed by

private industry and involves the application of conventional (near-

term) technologies to reduce emissions of coal-fired power plants.

As an early step in the LEBS process, DOE's Pittsburgh Energy

Technology Center (PETC) reviewed evolving technologies in 1989-1990 to

evaluate the prospective opportunities for advanced technologies to

achieve the desired improvements in the environmental performance of

coal-fired power plants. The review encompassed advanced technologies

and techniques for coal combustion and for control of air emissions.

Emphasis was focused on near-term approaches with potential for

significant reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides,

and particulate matter.

For nitrogen oxide reduction, advanced combustion techniques that

provide for staged addition of coal and combustion air and control of

combustion temperature and residence time were identified as providing

[[Page 67004]]

opportunities for reducing emissions to below 0.2 lbs per million Btu

of heat input. This would be a factor of three reduction of emissions

below New Source Performance Standards for allowable nitrogen oxide

emissions from new coal-fired electric utility plants. Moreover, these

techniques would be unlikely to involve significant increases in boiler

system costs.

For sulfur oxide reduction, several techniques were identified as

capable of reducing emissions to less than 0.2 lbs per million Btu of

energy input, which would correspond to a factor of six reduction below

New Source Performance Standards for coal combustion.

For particulate matter, advancements in electrostatic precipitators

and fabric filters were identified as offering the opportunity for at

least a two-fold improvement over New Source Performance Standards,

with nearly all of the improvement associated with reducing emissions

of small-sized particles that are particularly harmful to human health.

The reduction of these particles, upon which the bulk of hazardous

elements and condensed organic matter from coal combustion are

deposited, also would produce a substantial reduction in emissions of

potentially toxic substances.

In addition to these potential improvements in air emission

control, PETC identified several other potential advancements in

combustion and energy recovery technology. Coal combustion under

slagging conditions could produce vitrified ash inherently resistant to

leaching at ash disposal sites. Advanced sulfur removal methods could

yield marketable by-products. Increases in efficiency could result from

advances in combustion technology and heat exchanger construction

materials. Also, increased heat recovery from low temperature flue gas

could be achieved by using equipment and materials capable of operating

near acid dew point temperatures and by further development of low

temperature acid-resistant heat exchangers. Electric generating costs

would be reduced as a result of these efficiency improvements, as would

pollutant emissions per unit of electric energy produced, since less

coal would need to be burned to produce a given amount of electricity.

Purpose and Need

To capture the potential benefits of these environmental,

efficiency, and cost improvements in new coal combustion technology,

the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center conducted a competitive

solicitation. DOE sought industrial involvement and support of

industry-selected approaches for integrating advanced combustion and

environmental control systems to establish a new generation of

pulverized coal-fired boiler technology. As a result, three contracts

were awarded in 1992 for research and development of advanced boiler

technology designed for minimum emissions and full integration with

high performance emission control technologies. The research conducted

thus far under these contracts has focused on assessing and testing

alternative concepts and equipment for meeting the performance

expectations established for the technology development contracts; the

three organizations performing this research under the three contracts

have identified, tested, and demonstrated the potential of three

distinct approaches for a Low Emission Boiler System that meets the

established performance objectives. To confirm the commercial potential

for Low Emission Boiler System technology to achieve these performance

objectives, longer duration testing to demonstrate performance in an

integrated system at a scale representative of a commercial system

(termed proof-of-concept scale) now needs to be performed.

Accordingly, DOE proposes to provide up to 50 percent funding of

the total cost to support one or more approaches for LEBS technology

development at the proof-of-concept scale. The EIS will evaluate the

potential impacts of the three alternative approaches offered to DOE

for LEBS proof-of-concept development, along with reasonable

alternatives. On the basis of the EIS and other pertinent information,

DOE may select one or more of the three technology approaches offered

by the industrial participants for development at the proof-of-concept

scale.

Preliminary Alternatives

Reasonable alternatives to be considered in the EIS will represent

a range of alternatives for meeting DOE's purpose and need. The

following is a preliminary list and brief description of approaches

that will be analyzed:

1. Alliance, Ohio, proof-of-concept development

This alternative would examine the impacts of an existing

integrated 10 megawatt-electric (MWe) system currently using an

advanced boiler design with staged combustion, low nitrogen oxide

burners, limestone injection with dry scrubbing for sulfur oxide

removal, and electrostatic precipitator and baghouse particulate

removal. Development would occur through minor modification and

implementation of the LEBS test program in an existing coal combustion

facility operated by Babcock & Wilcox at the Alliance Research Center.

No new construction would be required for this alternative.

2. Richmond, Indiana, proof-of-concept development

This alternative would examine the impacts of design, construction,

and operation of an integrated 50 MWe system using advanced firing with

staged combustion for in-furnace nitrogen oxide reduction, advanced dry

lime scrubbing for sulfur oxide removal, ammonia/water mixture rather

than water only as the working fluid for heat recovery, and baghouse

particulate removal. Development would occur through replacement of an

existing coal-fired boiler at Richmond Power & Light Company's

Whitewater Valley Station.

3. Elkhart, Illinois, proof-of-concept development

This alternative would examine the impacts of design, construction,

and operation of a new integrated 70 MWe system using: A slagging

combustion system with air staging and coal reburning technology to

reduce nitrogen oxides; flyash reinjection; copper oxide regenerable

desulfurization system with nitrogen oxide removal capability; advanced

low temperature heat recovery; and baghouse particulate removal.

Development would occur through construction of a new facility at the

Elkhart Mine of Turris Coal Company, Elkhart, Illinois, adjacent to

Township Road 600N.

4. Alternative Size Facilities

This alternative would examine the impacts of alternative scale

facilities for proof-of- concept testing, to provide the design and

performance data needed for scale-up to commercial operation.

5. Alternative Technologies

This alternative would examine the impacts of alternative

technology approaches for meeting the LEBS performance objectives.

6. Alternative Sites and Coal Feeds

This alternative would examine the impacts of alternative sites for

location of a LEBS proof-of-concept system and use of alternative

coals.

7. No Action Alternative

This alternative would examine the impacts of taking no action on

the industrial participants' proposals for LEBS proof-of-concept

testing. Under the no action alternative, Federal funds would not be

spent on LEBS proof-of-concept development.

This list of alternatives is subject to modification by DOE based

on consideration of suggestions from the public. In addition, the

proposals at the Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana sites are

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subject to withdrawal from consideration for proof-of-concept testing

prior to completion of the EIS.

Preliminary Identification of Environmental Issues

The following issues have been tentatively identified for analysis

in the EIS. This list is neither intended to be all inclusive nor a

predetermined set of potential impacts but is presented to facilitate

public comment on the scope of the EIS. Additions to or deletions from

this list may occur as a result of the scoping process. The issues

include:

(1) Potential air, surface water, and noise impacts produced during

facility modification or construction, and operation;

(2) Potential transportation impacts produced during facility

modification, construction, and operation;

(3) Pollution prevention and waste management practices, including

potential solid waste impacts, during facility modification,

construction, and operation;

(4) Potential socioeconomic and environmental justice impacts to

the surrounding communities as a result of implementing the proposed

action;

(5) Potential cumulative or long-term impacts from the proposed

action and other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future

actions;

(6) Potential irreversible and irretrievable commitment of

resources;

(7) Compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local

statutes and regulations; and

(8) Safety and health of workers and the public during construction

and operation of the proposed facility.

Public Scoping Process

To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposal is

addressed, DOE will conduct an open process to define the scope of the

EIS. The public scoping period will run for 45 days following

publication of this NOI. Interested agencies, organizations, and the

general public are encouraged to submit written comments or suggestions

concerning the scope of the issues to be addressed, alternatives to be

analyzed, and the range of environmental impacts to be addressed.

Scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that

the EIS should address. Comments or suggestions to assist DOE in

identifying significant issues and the scope of the EIS will be

considered in preparing the EIS and should be communicated within 45

days following publication of this NOI.

In addition to receiving comments in writing and by telephone on

the 800 number, DOE will conduct public scoping meetings. The public is

invited and encouraged to attend one or more scoping meetings which

will be scheduled in or near the following cities where construction or

operation of a new facility, or a major modification of an existing

facility, would be required: Richmond, Indiana; and Elkhart, Illinois.

Notices of the dates, times, and specific locations of the scoping

meetings will be announced in the local media at least 15 days before

the meetings.

DOE will begin each meeting with an overview of LEBS technology.

The DOE contractor involved in cost-shared development of LEBS

technology and offering to conduct proof-of-concept testing at each

site indicated above will be available to provide additional

information. Following the overview, all interested persons will be

provided opportunities to speak concerning (1) the content and scope of

the EIS, (2) issues the EIS should address, and (3) the alternatives

that should be analyzed. While the meetings will be conducted in an

informal manner to enhance opportunities for public participation, DOE

recognizes that individuals, representing themselves or other parties,

may desire to address all participants at the meeting. DOE requests

that anyone who wishes to speak at one or more of the scoping meetings

contact Mr. Lloyd Lorenzi, either by phone or in writing, at the

address or phone numbers provided in the section of this Notice

entitled ADDRESSES. A presiding officer will be designated by DOE to

chair the meeting. The meeting will not be conducted as an evidentiary

hearing, and speakers will not be cross- examined. However, speakers

may be asked to clarify their statements to ensure that DOE fully

understands the comments or suggestions. The presiding officer will

establish the order of speakers and provide any additional procedures

necessary to conduct the meeting. Speakers who wish to make

presentations longer than five minutes should indicate the length of

time desired in their response. Depending on the number of speakers, it

may be necessary to limit speakers to five minute presentations

initially, with the opportunity for additional presentation as time

permits. Speakers can also provide additional written information to

supplement their presentations. Individuals who do not make advance

arrangements to speak may request time to speak at the meetings, after

all previously scheduled speakers have been provided the opportunity to

make their presentations. Written comments will also be accepted at the

meeting.

Issued in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of December 1996.

Peter N. Brush,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and Health.

[FR Doc. 96-32197 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]

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