Notice Extending the Public Scoping Period Public Service Company of New Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. PP-197]

Notice Extending the Public Scoping Period Public Service Company

of New Mexico

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

[[Page 13554]]

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the extension of the

scoping period for the environmental impact statement (EIS) that is

being prepared in connection with an application for a Presidential

permit filed by Public Service Company of New Mexico. An EIS is being

prepared because DOE has determined that the issuance of the

Presidential permit would constitute a major Federal action that may

have a significant impact upon the environment within the meaning of

the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

DATES: The scoping period on the EIS is extended until April 14, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written questions and comments should be submitted to: Mrs.

Ellen Russell, NEPA Document Manager, Office of Fossil Energy (FE-27),

U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC

20585-0350; Telephone (202) 586-9624; Facsimile: 202-287-5736; or

electronic mail at Ellen.R[email protected].

For general information on the Department's NEPA process, please

contact: Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and

Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20585; Telephone: 202-586-4600; or leave a

message at 800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Service Company of New Mexico has

applied to DOE for a Presidential permit to construct an electric

transmission line across the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposed

transmission line would originate at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating

Station Switchyard located west of Phoenix, Arizona, and extend to the

town of Santa Ana in the Mexican State of Sonora. On February 12, 1999,

DOE published a notice in the Federal Register, (64 FR 7173) announcing

its intent to prepare an EIS and to conduct public scoping meetings in

the vicinity of the proposed line. The public scoping period was to

continue until March 15, 1999. To ensure that the public has ample

opportunity to provide comments, DOE is extending until April 14, 1999,

the period during which it will receive comments for consideration in

establishing the scope and content of the EIS. DOE has separately

notified interested and affected stakeholders of the change in dates.

Comments received after April 14, 1999, will be considered to the

extent practicable. Further information on this proceeding is contained

in the previously published Notice of Intent.

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 15, 1999.

Anthony J. Como,

Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex,

Office of Fossil Energy.

[FR Doc. 99-6774 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P