[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71408-71409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33055]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Alabama Electric Cooperative; Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is issuing an environmental assessment with respect to the potential 
environmental impacts related to the construction and operation of a 
496 megawatt combined cycle electric generation plant and associated 
facilities. RUS may provide financing assistance to Alabama Electric 
Cooperative for the project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Rural Utilities Service, 
Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence 
Avenue,

[[Page 71409]]

SW, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-0468. Information 
is also available from Phillip Burgess, Alabama Electric Cooperative, 
Highway 29 North, Andalusia, Alabama 36420-0550, telephone (334) 427-
3309.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project consists of the construction of 
a 496 megawatt combined cycle electric generation plant in Covington 
County, Alabama. The preferred site for the plant is adjacent to 
Alabama Electric Cooperative's McWilliams electric generating plant 
located in Gantt, Alabama. Associated with the plant will be 
approximately 18.6 miles of 230 kilovolt transmission line from the 
proposed plant to Opp, Alabama, and approximately 60 miles of natural 
gas pipeline from the proposed plant to Flomaton, Alabama. The natural 
gas pipeline to be constructed and owned by Southeast Alabama Gas 
District, will traverse Covington, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, all 
of which are in Alabama. Alternative sites for the plant location were 
considered near Alabama Electric Cooperative's Lowman Plant at Leroy in 
Washington County, Alabama, and at a site in Damascus/Teddy area in 
Escambia County, Alabama. Three electric transmission line routes and 
three natural gas pipeline routes were considered.
    Alabama Electric Cooperative prepared an environmental report for 
RUS, which describes the project and assesses its potential 
environmental impacts. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of 
the environmental report, assisted in its completion, and accepted it 
as the agency's environmental assessment. No significant impacts are 
expected as a result of the construction and operation of the project.
    The environmental assessment can be reviewed at the Andalusia 
Public Library, South Three Notch Street, Andalusia, Alabama; the White 
Smith Memorial Library, 213 College Ave., Jackson, Alabama; the Brewton 
Public Library, 206 Jackson Street, Brewton, Alabama; the headquarters 
of Alabama Electric Cooperative at the address provided above, or the 
headquarters of RUS, at the address provided above.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided. RUS will accept questions and comments on the environmental 
assessment for at least 35 days from the date of publication of this 
notice.
    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 
review procedures as prescribed by RUS' Environmental Policies and 
Procedures, 7 CFR Part 1794.

    Dated: December 15, 1999.
Mark S. Plank,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff.
[FR Doc. 99-33055 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P