National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) reopens the comment period and

schedules a public hearing on its notice of proposed rulemaking to

amend its implementing procedures under the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA).

DATES: The public hearing will take place on May 6, 1996, from 1:00 pm

to 4:00 pm. The comment period is being reopened until May 10, 1996,

and comments must be received by that date to ensure consideration.

Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. Persons

interested in participating in the hearing by telephone conference must

make advance arrangements by contacting the person in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by April 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed rule should be addressed to 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. Comments may be hand-delivered to room 3E-080 at the

Forrestal Building on workdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30

p.m. Comments may also be sent by facsimile to (202) 586-7031 or by

electronic mail to the following internet address:

[email protected]. The public hearing will take place in

Washington, D.C. For information on obtaining a transcript of the

hearing, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Pulliam, Office of NEPA Policy

and Assistance, at the above address, or telephone (202) 586-4600 or

leave a message at (800) 472-2756. Persons interested in participating

in the hearing by telephone conference must make advance arrangements

by calling one of the above numbers for instructions.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of proposed rulemaking to amend

DOE's NEPA implementing procedures indicated that DOE would hold a

public meeting if there were public interest in an opportunity to

present oral comments (61 FR 6414, February 20, 1996). The written

comment period closed on April 5, 1996. DOE has received comments from

25 individuals and organizations. One commenter requested public

hearings in various locations around the Nation. None of the other

commenters indicated an interest in amplifying their written comments

through an oral presentation. In view of the lack of widespread

interest in an opportunity for public hearings at regional locations,

DOE has decided to reopen the comment period and schedule a single

public hearing in Washington, D.C.

A DOE official will be designated to preside at the hearing. The

hearing will not be a judicial or an evidentiary-type hearing, but will

be conducted in accordance with the informal rulemaking procedural

requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553, and

section 501 of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C.

7191. The length of each presentation will be limited to ten minutes,

or as determined by the presiding officer based on the number of

persons who request an opportunity to speak at the outset of the

hearing. DOE will make arrangements upon request for public

participation in the hearing by telephone conference call from various

DOE regional offices. If you wish to present comments at the hearing

via telephone, you must call one of the numbers listed above by April

29, 1996, to make arrangements for a time to speak. The presiding

officer may establish additional procedures governing the conduct of

the hearing.

A transcript of the hearing will be prepared and made available for

public inspection at the U.S. Department of Energy Freedom of

Information Reading Room, room 1E-110 Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585-0119, phone (202) 586-

6020.

Issued in Washington, D.C., April 15, 1996.

Peter Brush,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and Health.

[FR Doc. 96-9565 Filed 4-18-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P