Notice2022-27099
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Project, DOE/EIS-0554
Primary source
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Published
December 16, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Loan Programs Office (LPO), announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the environmental impacts associated with providing potential financial assistance (a federal loan guarantee) to Grain Belt Express, LLC, for construction and energization of Phase 1 of the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Project (Grain Belt Express Project). The Grain Belt Express Project consists of an approximately 530-mile-long high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission line, with a terminus in Ford County, Kansas, and a terminus in Monroe County, Missouri; two HVDC converter stations; a 1,000-foot alternating-current (AC) transmission line from the HVDC converter station at the terminus of the Ford County, Kansas HVDC transmission line to an existing substation; and an approximately 40- mile AC transmission line from the HVDC converter station at the terminus of the Monroe County, Missouri HVDC transmission line to an existing substation and a proposed substation, both in Callaway County, Missouri. This notice of intent (NOI) announces the EIS scoping process as well as a notice of proposed floodplain action. Detailed information about the project can be found at www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77093-77096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27099]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Project, DOE/EIS-0554
AGENCY: Loan Programs Office, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement,
request for comments, notice of floodplain involvement.
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SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
Loan Programs Office (LPO), announces its intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the environmental
impacts associated with providing potential financial assistance (a
federal loan guarantee) to Grain Belt Express, LLC, for construction
and energization of Phase 1 of the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line
Project (Grain Belt Express Project). The Grain Belt Express Project
consists of an approximately 530-mile-long high-voltage direct-current
(HVDC) transmission line, with a terminus in Ford County, Kansas, and a
terminus in Monroe County, Missouri; two HVDC converter stations; a
1,000-foot alternating-current (AC) transmission line from the HVDC
converter station at the terminus of the Ford County, Kansas HVDC
transmission line to an existing substation; and an approximately 40-
mile AC transmission line from the HVDC converter station at the
terminus of the Monroe County, Missouri HVDC transmission line to an
existing substation and a proposed substation, both in Callaway County,
Missouri. This notice of intent (NOI) announces the EIS scoping process
as well as a notice of proposed floodplain action. Detailed information
about the project can be found at <a href="http://www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com">www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com</a>.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before
February 28, 2023.
LPO will hold six public scoping meetings for the project, four in-
person and two virtual meetings, at the following dates and times
(Central Time). Registration for the virtual public meetings may be
completed at the following web links:
<bullet> Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., virtual
meeting on Zoom (<a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NOQzgumNTpOAIL5UoLVIeA">https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NOQzgumNTpOAIL5UoLVIeA</a>)
<bullet> Thursday, January 26, 2023, 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., virtual meeting
on Zoom (<a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D619NGe1TGqMH0fcHx5SSA">https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D619NGe1TGqMH0fcHx5SSA</a>)
<bullet> Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.,
Dodge House Hotel and Convention Center, 2408 W Wyatt Earp Blvd., Dodge
City, KS 67801
<bullet> Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.,
Municipal Auditorium, 201 W Rollins St., Moberly, MO 65270
[[Page 77094]]
<bullet> Thursday, February 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Corinthians Hill Event Center, 464 NE 20 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530
<bullet> Thursday, February 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.,
Fairview Golf Course, 3302 Pacific St., St. Joseph, MO 64507
All meetings are open to the public and free to attend.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following
ways:
<bullet> Hand Delivery/Courier: Enclosed in an envelope labeled
``Grain Belt Express EIS'' and addressed to DOE LPO, c/o AECOM, 100 N
Broadway, 20th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63102; or
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d48445e204a7f6c64634f68617948757d7f687e7e4d6c686e6260236e6260"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2a7abb1cfa590838b8ca0878e96a79a9290879191a28387818d8fcc818d8f">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="http://www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com">www.EIS-GrainBeltExpress.com</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Ryan, U.S. Department of
Energy, Loan Programs Office,1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington
DC, 20585. Telephone: 240-220-4586. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47062920222b2669153e2629072f366923282269202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afeec1c8cac3ce81fdd6cec1efc7de81cbc0ca81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) established a
federal loan guarantee program for certain projects that employ
innovative technologies. EPAct authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
make loan guarantees available for those projects. Specifically, Title
XVII identifies the projects as those that ``avoid, reduce, or
sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse
gases; and employ new or significantly improved technologies as
compared to commercial technologies in service in the United States at
the time the guarantee is issued.'' Grain Belt Express, LLC
(Applicant), has applied for a loan guarantee pursuant to the DOE
Renewable Energy Project and Efficient Energy Projects Solicitation
(Solicitation Number: DE-SOL-0007154) under Title XVII, Innovative
Energy Loan Guarantee Program, authorized by the EPAct. The primary
goal of the program is to finance projects and facilities in the United
States that employ innovative and renewable or efficient energy
technologies that avoid, reduce, or sequester anthropogenic emission of
greenhouse gases (GHGs).
The purpose and need for agency action are to comply with DOE's
mandate under the EPAct by selecting eligible projects that meet the
goals of the act. The DOE LPO has determined that the Grain Belt
Express Project, as proposed by the Applicant, is eligible pursuant to
section 1703 of the EPAct and that it complies with DOE's mandate, as
defined in the act. DOE is using the NEPA process to assist in
determining whether to issue a loan guarantee to the Applicant to
support the project.
Proposed Action and Alternatives
The DOE, LPO, proposed action is to provide federal financial
support (a loan guarantee) to the Applicant for construction and
energization of the Grain Belt Express Project, as proposed by the
Applicant. The Grain Belt Express Project is a HVDC transmission line
that will be designed to operate at 600 kilovolts (kV), extending
approximately 530 miles from a HVDC converter station in Ford County,
Kansas, to another HVDC converter station in Monroe County, Missouri;
certain facilities necessary to allow interconnection into the broader
electric grid are also included. The route of the HVDC transmission
line was reviewed and approved by the State of Kansas, through the
Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), and the State of Missouri, through
the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), which are reflected in
the existing KCC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and
Siting Permit and the existing MPSC Certificate of Convenience and
Necessity for the Grain Belt Express Project.
In Kansas, the Grain Belt Express Project includes construction and
energization of approximately 384 miles of HVDC transmission line and
Ford County interconnection facilities. The Ford County interconnection
facilities will comprise:
<bullet> An approximately 2,500-megawatt (MW) HVDC converter
station.
<bullet> An AC switchyard adjacent to the HVDC converter station.
<bullet> An approximately 1,000-foot-long 345 kV AC transmission
line from the AC switchyard to the existing Saddle Substation that ITC
Great Plains (a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corporation) owns adjacent
to the switchyard.
In Missouri, the Grain Belt Express Project includes construction
and energization of approximately 146 miles of HVDC transmission line
and Missouri interconnection facilities. The Missouri interconnection
facilities will comprise:
<bullet> An approximately 2,500 MW HVDC converter station in Monroe
County.
<bullet> An AC switchyard adjacent to the HVDC converter station.
<bullet> An approximately 40-mile-long 345 kV AC transmission line,
constructed between the AC switchyard in Monroe County and the non-
Applicant-owned existing McCredie Substation and the proposed non-
Applicant-constructed and -owned Burns Substation in Callaway County.
This AC transmission connection, which is referred to as the ``Tiger
Connector'' and part of the Grain Belt Express Project, would have
approximately 2,500 MW of capacity and deliver electricity into the
Midcontinent Independent System Operator power market and other
customers in the Midwest.
Under the No Action Alternative, LPO would not provide federal
financial support (a loan guarantee) to the Applicant for construction
and energization of the Grain Belt Express Project, with the assumption
that the project would not be constructed.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The draft EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential
effects of the proposed action (i.e., the Grain Belt Express Project)
and the No Action Alternative on the human environment that are
reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship.
Potential impacts on resources include, but are not limited to, impacts
(whether beneficial or adverse; short term or long term) on air quality
and GHG emissions; soils and paleontological resources; water
resources, including surface and groundwater and floodplains;
vegetation, wildlife, and special-status species; land use and
recreation; socioeconomics and environmental justice; public health and
safety; cultural resources and Native American traditional values;
transportation; visual resources; and noise. Analyses for cumulative
impacts will be conducted for those resources directly affected and
determined to be reasonably foreseeable through the scoping process.
The EIS will identify, describe, and analyze the potential effects
of the proposed action and No Action Alternative. This will include
direct, indirect, and cumulative effects resulting from implementation
of the proposed action and No Action Alternatives that are determined
to be reasonably foreseeable. LPO recognizes that other actions or
activities may be induced by or related to the proposed action (e.g.,
development of new generation assets as developers seek to interconnect
with the project as well as system upgrades in Missouri for system
reliability that would be performed by other utilities). In addition,
construction of the Grain Belt Express Project may result in the
Applicant developing a subsequent phase to the transmission project,
Grain Belt Express Project Phase 2, which would extend from the HVDC
converter station in Monroe County, Missouri, to an HVDC converter
station in Illinois before transitioning to a 345
[[Page 77095]]
kV AC transmission line that interconnects with an existing substation
in Indiana. Additional actions that are induced by or related to the
proposed action, and identified as reasonably foreseeable, would also
be discussed in the EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation and prior projects of a similar
nature (i.e., transmission development), the Grain Belt Express Project
could affect local air quality, soil stability (e.g., compaction) and
quality, and floodplains, riparian habitat, and wetlands due to ground
disturbance associated with construction activities. Construction and
energization of the Grain Belt Express Project could affect wildlife
and plant species, including individuals and the habitat of federally
threatened, endangered, and proposed species and state-listed species.
Species of specific concern include the whooping crane, lesser and
greater prairie-chickens, bald eagle, northern long-eared bat, Indiana
bat, monarch butterfly, and Kansas state-designated critical habitat
for the eastern spotted skunk. Initial evaluations suggest that the
Grain Belt Express Project could also affect known and previously
unidentified archaeological and paleontological resources and historic
properties as well as resources important to Native American tribes,
including both natural and cultural.
Construction and energization of the Grain Belt Express Project
could affect local and regional economies in terms of construction-
related job creation and changes in property values, tax revenues, and
construction and ancillary spending. The project could also create
safety concerns for workers during construction and maintenance as well
as local safety risks associated with electromagnetic fields, power
surges, risk of increased lightning strikes, and line-induced fires.
Finally, introduction of the transmission line and associated
construction and energization could affect the viewshed throughout the
project corridor by introducing a new element onto landscapes as well
as increasing noise above ambient levels typically experienced.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to NEPA, other federal authorizations will be required.
These processes, as well as consultation under section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act and section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act, as appropriate, will occur concurrently with the NEPA
process. Other authorizations may be required pursuant to the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act, the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, and
the Clean Air Act. As appropriate, DOE will also conduct government-to-
government tribal consultations.
Notice of Proposed Floodplain Action
Because the Grain Belt Express Project is expected to involve
activities within floodplains, this NOI also serves as a notice of
proposed floodplain action. The EIS will analyze potential impacts on
floodplains and include a floodplain assessment. A floodplain statement
of findings will be published following DOE regulations for compliance
with floodplain environmental review (10 CFR part 1022).
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
Subsequent to the draft EIS completion, LPO will publish a notice
of availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. LPO
anticipates issuance of the NOA in September 2023. After the public
comment period, LPO will review and respond to comments received and
develop a final EIS. LPO anticipates the final EIS will be available to
the public in July 2024. A record of decision will be completed no
sooner than 30 days after the final EIS is published, in compliance
with 40 CFR 1506.11.
Scoping Process and Comments
This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues
for consideration in the draft EIS. LPO will hold in-person and virtual
public scoping meetings at the times and dates described previously
under the DATES section. Throughout the scoping process, federal
agencies; tribal, state, and local governments; and the general public
have the opportunity to help LPO identify significant resources and
issues, impact-producing factors, and potential mitigation measures to
be analyzed in the EIS as well as an opportunity to provide additional
information.
Comments may be broad in nature or focused on specific areas of
concern but should be directly relevant to the proposed action, the
NEPA process, or expected resource impacts. The scoping process allows
the public and interested parties to shape the EIS impact analysis,
focusing on the areas of greatest importance and identifying areas
requiring less attention. Comments on the proposed action will be
accepted and considered at any time during the EIS process and may be
directed to LPO as described under the ADDRESSES section. However,
commenters should be aware that their comments should be timely for
them to be fully considered (e.g., scoping comments received well after
the close of the scoping period would be considered but would be
received too late to be useful for scoping purposes).
Federal agencies; tribal, state, and local governments; and other
interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of this EIS,
significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that
should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see
the ADDRESSES section.
LPO does not consider anonymous scoping comments. Please include
your name and address as part of your scoping comment. All scoping
comments, including the names, addresses, and other personally
identifiable information included in the comment, will be part of the
administrative record.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
Per 40 CFR 1501.8, LPO will invite other federal agencies with
jurisdiction by law, or those tribal, state, or local governments with
special expertise related to the relevant environmental issues, to
collaborate as a cooperating agency, participating agency, or
commenting agency. Upon request, LPO will provide interested agencies
with a written summary of expectations, including schedules,
milestones, responsibilities, scope, and details of agency expected
contributions. LPO, as the lead agency, does not provide financial
assistance to cooperating agencies. Governmental agencies that are not
designated cooperating or participating agencies will have the
opportunity to provide information, comments, and consultation to LPO
during the public input stages of the NEPA process.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
LPO requests data, comments, information, analysis, or suggestions
relevant to the proposed action from the public; affected federal,
tribal, state, and local governments, agencies and offices; the
scientific community; industry; or any other interested party.
Specifically, LPO requests information on the following topics:
1. Potential effects that could occur on biological resources.
2. Potential effects that could occur on physical resources and
conditions, including air quality, soils, water quality, floodplains,
wetlands, and other waters of the United States.
3. Potential effects that could occur on socioeconomic and cultural
resources,
[[Page 77096]]
including environmental justice and Native American tribal resources.
4. Proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse
effects.
5. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the
vicinity of, the proposed action and their possible impacts.
6. Other information relevant to the proposed action and its
impacts on the human environment.
To promote informed decision-making, comments should be as specific
as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to
meaningfully and fully inform LPO of the commenter's position. Comments
should explain why the issues raised are important to the consideration
of potential environmental impacts affecting the quality of the human
environment.
The draft EIS will include a summary of all alternatives,
information, and analyses submitted during the scoping process for
consideration by LPO and any cooperating agencies.
Authority: 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4321 et seq. and 40 CFR
1501.9.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December 8,
2022, by Todd Stribley, NEPA Compliance Officer, Loan Programs Office,
pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That
document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for publication as an official document
of DOE. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect
of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2022-27099 Filed 12-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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