[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26280-26282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11088]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2558-029]
Vermont Marble Power Division of Omya Inc.; Notice of Application
Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions to Intervene and Protests,
Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments,
Recommendations, Preliminary Terms and Conditions, and Preliminary
Fishway Prescriptions
Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
a. Type of Application: New Major License.
b. Project No.: 2558-029.
c. Date filed: March 31, 2010.
d. Applicant: Vermont Marble Power Division of Omya Inc.
e. Name of Project: Otter Creek Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The existing project is located on Otter Creek in
Addison and Rutland counties, Vermont. The project does not affect
federal lands.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)-825(r)
h. Applicant Contact: Todd Allard, Operations Engineer, Vermont
Marble Power Division of Omya Inc., 9987 Carver Road, Suite 300,
Cincinnati, OH 45242; Telephone (513) 387-4344.
i. FERC Contact: Aaron Liberty, Telephone (202) 502-6862, and e-
mail [email protected].
j. The deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests,
comments, recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and
preliminary prescriptions is August 30, 2011, and reply comments are
due October 14, 2011.
Motions to intervene, protests, comments, recommendations,
preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary fishway prescriptions
may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
[[Page 26281]]
efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000
characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your
name and contact information at the end of your comments. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected] or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
(202) 502-8659. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic
filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an
original and seven copies to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426.
The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing
documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each
person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an
intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to
the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a
particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document
on that resource agency.
k. This application has been accepted for filing and is now ready
for environmental analysis.
l. The Otter Creek Project consists of three developments with a
combined installed capacity of 18.1 megawatts (MW). The project
produces an average annual generation of 67,258 megawatt-hours. Vermont
Marble Power uses the energy from the project to serve its retail
customers in the towns of Proctor and Pittsford, Vermont and to serve
its affiliated industrial operations within Omya Inc.
On November 23, 2010, the Commission issued an order approving
transfer of licenses and substitution of applicant which approved the
transfer of the existing license for the Otter Creek Hydroelectric
Project from Vermont Marble Power to Central Vermont Public Service
Corporation (133 FERC ] 62,171 [2010]). Ordering Paragraph (D) of the
order provides that the approval of the transfer is contingent upon,
among other things, transfer of the title of the properties under
license, transfer of all project files, and delivery of all license
instruments to Central Vermont Public Service. On April 15, 2011,
Vermont Marble Power and Central Vermont Public Service jointly
indicated that they would not be able to fulfill the requirements of
Ordering Paragraph (D) until June 30, 2011. On April 29, 2011, the
Commission issued an order granting Vermont Marble Power and Central
Vermont Public Service an extension of time until June 30, 2011 for
filing the requirements of Ordering Paragraph (D).
The Proctor development, located at river mile 64.2, consists of:
(1) An existing 13-foot-high, 128-foot-long dam with a 3-foot-high
inflatable flashboard system; (2) an existing 92-acre reservoir with a
storage capacity of 275 acre-feet at a normal maximum water surface
elevation of 469.5 feet mean sea level (M.S.L); (3) a gated-forebay
intake structure approximately 14 feet deep by 115 feet long with a
maximum width of 48 feet; (4) two intakes with two penstocks: A 9-foot-
diameter, 460-foot-long, riveted steel penstock that decreases to 8
feet diameter; and a 7-foot-diameter, 500-foot-long, spiral welded
steel penstock; (5) an original concrete and brick masonry powerhouse
measuring 100 by 33 feet containing four vertical shaft turbines: Three
750-kilowatt (kW) units and one 1,680-kW unit with a combined maximum
hydraulic capacity of 565 cubic feet per second (cfs); (6) an
additional steel structure measuring 28 by 48 feet attached to the
original powerhouse containing one 3,000-kW vertical shaft unit with a
maximum hydraulic capacity of 325 cfs; (7) generator leads; (8) a 0.48/
4.16-kilovolt (kV) single phase transformer; (9) a 0.48/46-kV step-up
transformer; (10) three winding transformer banks; and (11) appurtenant
facilities.
The Beldens development, located at river mile 23, consists of: (1)
Two existing concrete dams on either side of a ledge/bedrock island
with 2.5-foot-high wooden flashboards: A 15-foot-high, 56-foot-long dam
(west) and a 24-foot-high, 57-foot-long dam (east); (2) an existing 22-
acre reservoir with a storage capacity of 253 acre-feet at a normal
maximum water surface elevation of 282.52 feet M.S.L.; (3) two intakes
equipped with trash racks: A 79-foot-long intake and a 35-foot-long
intake with a 95-foot-long sluiceway; (4) a 12-foot-diameter, 30-foot-
long steel penstock that bifurcates into two 10-foot-diameter sections,
each leading to an original powerhouse; (5) a 12-foot-diameter, 45-
foot-long concrete penstock that leads to a newer powerhouse; (6) an
original concrete and masonry powerhouse measuring 40 by 44 feet
containing a 800-kW vertical shaft unit and 949-kW vertical shaft unit
with a combined maximum hydraulic capacity of 650 cfs; (7) a second,
newer concrete powerhouse measuring 40 by 75 feet containing a 4,100-kW
vertical shaft unit with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 1,350 cfs; (8)
generator leads; (9) a 2.4/46-kV step-up transformer bank; and (10)
appurtenant facilities.
The Huntington Falls development, located at river mile 21,
consists of: (1) An existing 31-foot-high, 187-foot-long concrete dam
with a 2.5-foot-high inflatable flashboard system; (2) an existing 23-
acre reservoir with a storage capacity of 234 acre-feet at a normal
maximum water surface elevation of 218.1 feet M.S.L; (3) two intakes
equipped with trash racks: A 40-foot-long intake and a 24-foot-long
intake; (4) three penstocks: Two 10-foot-diameter, 30-foot-long steel
penstocks leading to an original powerhouse, and a 12-foot-diameter,
75-foot-long concrete penstock leading to a newer powerhouse; (5) an
original brick masonry powerhouse measuring 42 by 60 feet containing a
600-kW vertical shaft unit and a 800-kW vertical shaft unit with a
combined maximum hydraulic capacity of 660 cfs; (6) a second, newer
powerhouse measuring 40 by 75 feet containing a 4,100-kW vertical shaft
unit with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 1,350 cfs; (7) generator
leads; (8) a 2.4/46-kV step-up transformer bank; and (9) appurtenant
facilities.
Currently, the Proctor development operates in a modified run-of-
river mode, with infrequent diversions at the direction of Independent
System Operator-New England, while the Beldens and Huntington Falls
developments operate in a run-of-river mode. The Proctor development
provides a continuous downstream minimum flow of 100 cfs or inflow to
the development, whichever is less, with minimum flows from April
through mid-June equal to at least 50 percent of project inflows. A
bypassed reach minimum flow of 5 cfs is released at the Beldens
development through an opening in the flashboards along the west dam. A
bypassed reach minimum flow of 15 cfs is released at the Huntington
Falls development via a minimum flow gate at the right abutment of the
dam.
The dams and existing project facilities described above are
currently owned by Vermont Marble Power. Vermont Marble Power does not
propose any changes to project facilities or operations. However, as
noted above, the license for the project is currently being transferred
to Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. Vermont Marble Power
proposes to implement measures to enhance recreation facilities in the
project area.
m. A copy of the application is available for review at the
Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the
Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary''
link. Enter the docket number excluding
[[Page 26282]]
the last three digits in the docket number field to access the
document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. A copy is also
available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h
above.
Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via e-mail of new filings and
issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance,
contact FERC Online Support.
n. Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene
in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure,
18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to
take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments
filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with
the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any
comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or
before the specified comment date for the particular application.
All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title
``PROTEST'', ``MOTION TO INTERVENE'', ``COMMENTS,'' ``REPLY COMMENTS,''
``RECOMMENDATIONS,'' ``PRELIMINARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS,'' or
``PRELIMINARY FISHWAY PRESCRIPTIONS;'' (2) set forth in the heading the
name of the applicant and the project number of the application to
which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone
number of the person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise
comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All
comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must
set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the
requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the
application directly from the applicant. A copy of any protest or
motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the
applicant specified in the particular application. A copy of all other
filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof
of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the
Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and
385.2010.
o. Procedural Schedule:
The application will be processed according to the following
revised Hydro Licensing Schedule. As noted in item (l) above, the
current license is being transferred to Central Vermont Public Service
Corporation. The revised schedule takes into consideration the timeline
for completing the transfer. Revisions to the schedule may be made as
appropriate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milestone Target date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Filing of recommendations, August 30, 2011.
preliminary terms and conditions,
and preliminary fishway
prescriptions.
Commission issues EA................ December 28, 2011.
Comments on EA...................... January 27, 2012.
Modified terms and conditions....... February 26, 2012.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
p. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the
Commission no later than July 31, 2011.
q. A license applicant must file no later than August 30, 2011: (1)
A copy of the water quality certification; (2) a copy of the request
for certification, including proof of the date on which the certifying
agency received the request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality
certification.
Dated: May 2, 2011.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-11088 Filed 5-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P