Notice2023-08319
PE Hydro Generation, LLC; Notice of Scoping Meetings and Environmental Site Reviews and Soliciting Scoping Comments
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Published
April 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24403-24405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08319]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2391-053, Project No. 2425-057, Project No. 2509-051]
PE Hydro Generation, LLC; Notice of Scoping Meetings and
Environmental Site Reviews and Soliciting Scoping Comments
Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
a. Type of Applications: Subsequent Minor, New Major License,
Subsequent Minor.
b. Project Nos.: P-2391-053, P-2425-057, and P-2509-051.
c. Date Filed: January 3, 2022.
d. Applicant: PE Hydro Generation, LLC.
e. Names of Projects: Warren Hydroelectric Project, Luray and
Newport Hydroelectric Project, and Shenandoah Hydroelectric Project.
f. Locations: The Warren Project is on the Shenandoah River near
the Town of Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia. The two-development
Luray and Newport Project is located on the South Fork of the
Shenandoah River near the Towns of Luray (Luray Development) and
Newport (Newport Development) in Page County, Virginia. The Shenandoah
Project is located on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River near the
Town of Shenandoah in Page and Rockingham, Counties, Virginia. The
projects do not occupy any federal land.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Ms. Jody Smet, Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs, PE Hydro Generation, LLC, 7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1100W,
Bethesda, MD 20814; Phone at (240) 482-2700 or email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7f15101b06510c121a0b3f1a1e18131a1c0d1a1a140d1a511c1012"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="62080d061b4c110f0716220703050e07011007070910074c010d0f">[email protected]</span></a>.
i. FERC Contact: Kristine Sillett at (202) 502-6575; or email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ff948d968c8b96919ad18c9693939a8b8bbf999a8d9cd1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7ccd5ced4d3cec9c289d4cecbcbc2d3d3e7c1c2d5c489c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
j. Deadline for filing scoping comments: June 12, 2023.
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file
scoping comments using the Commission's eFiling system at <a href="https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx">https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx</a>. Commenters can submit brief
comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the
eComment system at <a href="https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx">https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx</a>.
[[Page 24404]]
You must include your name and contact information at the end of your
comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fd9dacddcd0f1f3f6f1facceaefeff0edebdff9faedfcb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="75333027363a1b191c1b10260005051a070135131007165b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy.
Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via
any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville,
MD 20852. All filings must clearly identify the following on the first
page: Warren Project No. 2391-053, and/or Luray and Newport Project No.
2425-057, and/or the Shenandoah Project No. 2509-051.
The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all
interveners 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 intervener 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. The applications are not ready for environmental analysis at
this time.
l. Project Descriptions: The Warren Project consists of: (1) a
15.3-foot-high, 527-foot-long, reinforced concrete dam; (2) a 105-acre
impoundment with a storage capacity of 900 acre-feet; (3) a 44-foot-
wide headgate structure with four 4.5-foot by 8-foot gates; (4) a 350-
foot-long headrace canal; (5) an 82-foot-long, 30-foot-wide powerhouse
containing 3 Francis turbine/generating units with a total installed
capacity of 750 kW; (6) 360-foot-long, 2.4-kilovolt (kV) project
generator lines; (7) a substation containing a 3-phase, 2.4/34.5-kV
transformer where interconnection with the grid occurs; and (8) other
appurtenances. The project creates an approximately 550-foot-long
bypassed reach of the Shenandoah River.
The Luray Development of the two-development Luray and Newport
Project, on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, consists of: (1) a
21.9-foot-high, 530-foot-long reinforced concrete dam; (2) a 126-acre
impoundment with a storage capacity of 880 acre-feet; (3) a 100-foot-
long, 27.5-foot-wide powerhouse, adjacent to the south end of the dam,
containing three Francis turbine/generating units having a total
installed capacity of 1,600 kW; (4) 35-foot-long, 2.4-kilovolt (kV)
project generator lines; (5) a substation containing a 3-phase, 2.4/
34.5-kV transformer where interconnection with the grid occurs; and (6)
other appurtenances.
The Newport Development of the Luray and Newport Project consists
of: (1) a 28.8-foot-high, 443-foot-long reinforced concrete dam; (2) a
103-acre impoundment with a storage capacity of 1,090 acre-feet; (3) a
73.5-foot-long, 21.2-foot-wide powerhouse adjacent to the north end of
the dam, with three Francis turbine/generating units with a total
installed capacity of 1,400 kW; (4) 150-foot-long, 2.4-kilovolt (kV)
project generator lines; (5) a substation containing a 3-phase, 2.4/
34.5-kV transformer where interconnection with the grid occurs; and (5)
other appurtenances.
The Shenandoah Project consists of: (1) a 15-foot-high, 495-foot-
long reinforced concrete dam; (2) a 30-acre impoundment with a storage
capacity of 190 acre feet; (3) a 91-foot-long, 38-foot-wide powerhouse
adjacent to the north end of the dam, with four generating units having
a total installed capacity of 862 kW; (4) 180-foot-long, 2.4-kilovolt
(kV) project generator lines; (5) a substation containing a 3-phase,
2.4/34.5-kV transformer where interconnection with the grid occurs; and
(6) other appurtenances.
As required by their licenses, the Warren, Luray and Newport, and
Shenandoah Projects all currently operate in run-of-river mode, or
inflow, whichever is less, at all times. Run-of-river flow allowing, PE
Hydro maintains each reservoir surface at an elevation at least 1.0
inches above the spillway crest, thus providing a 1-inch veil flow over
each dam. When flows are in excess of the flow required to maintain the
1-inch veil flow, PE Hydro typically commences generation using the
available flows. When flows exceed the combined capacity of the
projects' turbines, excess flows are passed over the spillway dam. To
enhance downstream eel passage, PE Hydro provides nightly shutdowns of
the projects' generating facilities from September 15 through December
15.
PE Hydro proposes to continue to operate the Warren, Luray and
Newport, and Shenandoah Projects with the following environmental
measures: (1) maintain run-of-river operation at the projects; (2)
continue to provide a minimum 1-inch veil flow of water over each dam,
or inflow to the project reservoirs, whichever is less; (3) develop a
downstream operations eel passage plan for each project within one year
of license issuance; (4) continue night-time shutdowns at the projects
from September 15 through December 15 to protect eels migrating
downstream until the implementation of a downstream operations eel
passage plan; (5) conduct a radio telemetry study for eels migrating
upstream at the Warren Project and Luray Development; (6) develop an
upstream eel passage plan for each project within six months of license
issuance based on the results of the radio telemetry study; (7)
continue to maintain the canoe portage trail, including the take-out
and put-in areas at the Warren Project; (8) continue to maintain the
Luray Development Tailwater Fishing Pier, including the parking area,
fishing pier, and gravel path; (9) continue to maintain the canoe
portage trail, including the take-out and put-in areas at the Newport
Development; (10) continue to maintain the canoe portage trail,
including the take-out and put-in areas at the Shenandoah Project; and
(11) continue to implement the existing Commission-approved Cultural
Resources Management Plan for the projects.
m. Copies of the applications can be viewed on the Commission's
website at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov">https://www.ferc.gov</a> using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the
project's docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket
number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC
Online Support.
You may also register at <a href="https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx">https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx</a> to be notified via email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, please
contact FERC Online Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9adcdfc8d9d5f4f6f3f4ffc9efeaeaf5e8eedafcffe8f9b4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="20666572636f4e4c494e45735550504f525460464552430e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>.
n. Scoping Process
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
Commission staff intends to prepare either an environmental assessment
(EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) (collectively referred
to as the ``NEPA document'') that describes and evaluates the probable
effects, including an assessment of the site-specific and cumulative
effects, if any, of the proposed action and alternatives. The
Commission's scoping process will help determine the required level of
analysis and satisfy the NEPA scoping requirements, irrespective of
whether the Commission issues an EA or an EIS.
Scoping Meetings
Commission staff will hold two scoping meetings for the projects to
receive input on the scope of the NEPA document. An evening meeting
will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 16, 2023, at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray,
Virginia, and will focus on receiving input from the
[[Page 24405]]
public. A daytime meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 17, 2023,
at the same location, and will focus on the concerns of resource
agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Native American
tribes. We invite all interested agencies, Indian Tribes, non-
governmental organizations, and individuals to attend one or both of
these meetings. The times and locations of these meetings are as
follows:
Evening Scoping Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Time: 7:00 p.m. (EDT).
Place: Mimslyn Inn (Blue Ridge Room).
Address: 401 W Main St., Luray, VA 22835.
Daytime Scoping Meeting
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
Place: Mimslyn Inn (Blue Ridge Room).
Address: 401 W Main St., Luray, VA 22835.
Copies of the Scoping Document (SD1) outlining the subject areas to
be addressed in the NEPA document were distributed to the parties on
the Commission's mailing list. Copies of the SD1 will be available at
the scoping meeting or may be viewed on the web at <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>
using the ``eLibrary'' link (see item m above).
Environmental Site Reviews
The applicant and Commission staff will conduct environmental site
reviews of the projects. All interested individuals, agencies, tribes,
and NGOs are invited to attend. All participants are responsible for
their own transportation to the sites and during the site visits.
Please RSVP via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d6762746e68236b627e79687f4d686c6a61686e7f6868667f68236e6260"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b313422383e753d34282f3e291b3e3a3c373e38293e3e30293e75383436">[email protected]</span></a> or notify Joyce
Foster at 804-338-5110 on or before May 9, 2023, if you plan to attend
the environmental site reviews. The times and locations of the
environmental site reviews are as follows:
Luray and Newport, and Shenandoah Hydroelectric Projects
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Time: 9:30 a.m. (EDT).
Place: Luray and Newport Hydroelectric Project: Luray Development.
Address: 650 Power Dam Road, Luray, VA 22835.
Participants will meet in the Luray Development parking lot; after
the site visit for the Luray Development, we will travel to the Newport
Development, located off U.S. Highway 340 near the intersection of U.S.
Highway Business 340 and U.S. Highway 340. After the site visit for the
Luray and Newport Project, we will travel to the Shenandoah
Hydroelectric Project, located at 575 Long Avenue, Shenandoah, VA
22849.
Warren Hydroelectric Project
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Time: 1:30 p.m. (EDT).
Place: Warren Hydroelectric Project.
Address: 106 Bennys Beach Road, Front Royal, VA 22630.
All persons attending the environmental site reviews must adhere to
the following requirements: (1) all persons must wear sturdy, closed-
toe shoes or boots; (2) persons with open-toed shoes/sandals/flip
flops/high heels, etc. will not be allowed on the environmental site
reviews; (3) persons must be 18 years or older; (4) no photography will
be allowed inside the powerhouses; (5) no weapons are allowed on-site;
(6) no alcohol/drugs are allowed on-site (or persons exhibiting the
effects thereof); and (7) no animals (except for service animals) are
allowed on the environmental site reviews.
Objectives
At the scoping meetings, Commission staff will: (1) summarize the
environmental issues tentatively identified for analysis in the NEPA
document; (2) solicit from the meeting participants all available
information, especially quantifiable data, on the resources at issue;
(3) encourage statements from experts and the public on issues that
should be analyzed in the NEPA document, including viewpoints in
opposition to, or in support of, the staff's preliminary views; (4)
determine the resource issues to be addressed in the NEPA document; and
(5) identify those issues that require a detailed analysis, as well as
those issues that do not require a detailed analysis.
Procedures
The meetings are recorded by a stenographer and become part of the
formal record of the Commission proceeding on the project. Individuals,
NGOs, Native American tribes, and agencies with environmental expertise
and concerns are encouraged to attend the meeting and to assist the
staff in defining and clarifying the issues to be addressed in the NEPA
document.
Dated: April 13, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-08319 Filed 4-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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