[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 221 (Tuesday, November 17, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 63833-63834] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-30669] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Associated Electric Cooperative; Finding of No Significant Impact AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has made a finding of no significant impact with respect to its action related to the construction of a 200 megawatt simple cycle combustion turbine electric generation plant in Northwest Missouri by Associated Electric Cooperative (Associated). The finding of no significant impact is the conclusion of an environmental assessment prepared by RUS. The environmental assessment is based on a environmental analysis submitted to RUS by Associated. RUS conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental analysis and concurs with its scope and content. The environmental analysis has been incorporated by reference in the environmental assessment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Environmental Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, RUS, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720- 0468, E-mail [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The preferred site for the plant is located in south-central Nodaway County, Missouri, approximately 5.5 miles southeast of Maryville and \1/2\ mile southwest of the intersection of Highways N and F. The proposed project involves two 100-megawatt (nominal), simple-cycle combustion turbine generators. Simple-cycle units are typically used for peak power generation and operate only a few hundred to a few thousand hours per year. The combustion turbines for the proposed plant would be Westinghouse 501D5 simple-cycle/dry low-nitrogen oxides combustors. Initially, fuel for the combustion turbines would be natural gas only. Each main generating unit would be approximately 40 feet wide and 140 feet long. The exhaust stack [[Page 63834]] would be 50 feet high. Together the combustion turbines would occupy less than six acres of a site located in Nodaway County in northwest Missouri. A maintenance building approximately 90 by 45-foot, a small control building, and a water storage container would also be located on the site next to the combustion turbines. A 150-foot high microwave tower would be located on the site, enabling control of the plant from a remote location. The plant would be connected to one of Associated's 161-kilovolt transmission lines. Natural gas would be supplied from either a 24-or 30-inch diameter gas line which passes northeast to southwest through northwestern Missouri. It is estimated that approximately 200 feet of two, 10 inch gas transmission lines will need to be constructed outside the proposed plant boundary to connect the plant to the existing gas line in the area. Alternatives considered to constructing the project as proposed included no action, load management, power purchases, renewable energy, combined cycle combustion turbine technology, and an alternative site location. Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact along with the environmental analysis are available for review at, or can be obtained from, RUS at the address provided herein or from Jerry Bindel, Associated Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 754, Springfield, Missouri, 65801-0754 telephone (417) 885-9272. Mr. Bindel's E-mail address is [email protected]. These documents are also available at Maryville Public Library, 5th and Main Street, Maryville, Missouri. Interested parties wishing to comment on the adequacy of the environmental assessment should do so within 30 days of the publication of this notice. RUS will take no action that would approve clearing or construction activities related to the proposed combined cycle power plant prior to the expiration of the 30-day comment period. Dated: November 10, 1998. Blaine D. Stockton, Jr., Assistant Administrator, Electric Program. [FR Doc. 98-30669 Filed 11-16-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P