Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Implementation of the FutureGen Project

1. Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2006 / Notices 8283
The Executive Committee will meet in nominations for Board vacancies. This dioxide (CO2) capture and geologic
closed session on March 2, 2006, from discussion pertains solely to internal sequestration of the captured gas. DOE
5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. From 5:15 p.m. personnel rules and practices of an has prepared this Advance Notice of
to 5:45 p.m., the Committee will receive agency and will disclose information of Intent (ANOI) in accordance with DOE’s
independent government cost estimates a personal nature where disclosure NEPA regulations [(10 CFR 1021.311(b)]
from the Associate Commissioner, would constitute an unwarranted to inform interested parties of a pending
National Center for Education Statistics, invasion of personal privacy. As such, EIS and to invite early public comments
for options affecting current and the discussions are protected by on the proposed action, including: (1)
planned operations under current exemptions 2 and 6 of section 552b(c) The proposed plans for implementing
contracts due to the one percent of Title 5 U.S.C. the FutureGen Project, (2) the potential
reduction in the NAEP budget in FY The full Board will convene in open range of environmental issues and
2006. From 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. the session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. At 9 a.m., alternatives to be analyzed, and (3) the
Associate Commissioner will present the Board will receive a briefing on the nature of the impact analyses to be
additional independent cost estimates National Assessment of Adult Literacy considered in the EIS. DOE will later
for newly proposed activities under with a discussion on lessons for NAEP. issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) and
current contracts including item Board actions on policies and initiate a public scoping process during
development for the science assessment, Committee reports are scheduled to take which DOE will conduct public
bridge studies, and validity research. place between 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m., meetings and invite the public to
The discussion of independent upon which the March 4, 2006 session comment on the scope, proposed action,
government cost estimates prior to of the Board meeting will adjourn. and alternatives to be considered in the
decision making on which projects to Detailed minutes of the meeting, EIS.
approve is necessary so that NAEP including summaries of the activities of
Following President George W. Bush’s
contracts meet congressionally the closed sessions and related matters
announcement that the United States
mandated goals and adhere to Board that are informative to the public and
would sponsor a $1 billion, 10-year
policies on NAEP assessments. This part consistent with the policy of section 5
FutureGen initiative to build the world’s
of the meeting must be conducted in U.S.C. 552b(c) will be available to the
first coal-based, near-zero emissions
closed session because public disclosure public within 14 days of the meeting.
power plant that produces both
of this information would likely have an Records are kept of all Board
electricity and H2, the DOE signed, on
adverse financial effect on the NAEP proceedings and are available for public
December 2, 2005, a Cooperative
program and will provide an advantage inspection at the U.S. Department of
Agreement (DE–FC26–06NT42073) that
to potential bidders attending the Education, National Assessment
provides financial assistance to the
meeting. The discussion of this Governing Board, Suite #825, 800 North
FutureGen Industrial Alliance, Inc.
information would be likely to Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC,
(Alliance), which will undertake the
significantly impede implementation of from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern standard
planning, design, construction and
a proposed agency action if conducted time.
operation of the project facilities. The
in open session. Such matters are Dated: February 13, 2006. FutureGen initiative would establish the
protected by exemption 9(B) of section Charles E. Smith, technical and economic feasibility of co-
552b(c) of Title 5 U.S.C. Executive Director, National Assessment producing electricity and H2 from coal
On March 3, the full Board will meet Governing Board.
in open session from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 while capturing and sequestering the
[FR Doc. 06–1445 Filed 2–15–06; 8:45 am] CO2 generated in the process.
p.m. From 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. the
Board will approve the agenda, BILLING CODE 4000–01–M The Alliance is a consortium led by
introduce and administer the oath of the coal-fueled electric power industry
office to a new Board member, receive and the coal production industry.
the Executive Director’s report, and hear DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Members of the Alliance collectively
an update on the work of the National own and produce over 40 percent of the
Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an Nation’s coal and about 20 percent of its
Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Environmental Impact Statement for
From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March coal-fueled electricity. The Alliance
Implementation of the FutureGen would plan, design, construct and
3, the Board’s standing committees—the
Project operate the FutureGen power plant and
Assessment Development Committee;
the Committee on Standards, Design, AGENCY: Department of Energy. the sequestration facility. The Alliance
and Methodology; and the Reporting ACTION: Advance Notice of Intent to would also monitor, measure, and verify
and Dissemination Committee—will Prepare an Environmental Impact geologic sequestration of CO2. DOE will
meet in open session. Statement. provide technical and programmatic
From 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., the full guidance to the Alliance, retain certain
Board will discuss inclusion and SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of review and approval rights as defined in
accommodations in NAEP, followed by Energy (DOE) is announcing in advance the Cooperative Agreement, and oversee
discussion and action on the NAEP its intent to prepare an Environmental Alliance activities for compliance with
2009 Science Specifications from 1:45 Impact Statement (EIS), pursuant to the the terms of the Cooperative Agreement.
p.m. to 3 p.m. National Environmental Policy Act of DOE will be responsible for NEPA
On March 3, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), for compliance activities. Both DOE and the
p.m. the Board will hear a presentation the proposed action of providing Alliance would consider ways for state
on revisions to the NAEP 12th Grade Federal funding (up to $700 million) for and local agencies, local communities,
dsatterwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Mathematics Objectives upon which the the FutureGen Project. FutureGen the environmental community,
March 3 session of the Board meeting would comprise the planning, design, international stakeholders, and research
will conclude. construction and operation by a private- organizations to participate in the
On March 4, 2006 the Nomination sector organization of a coal-fired Project, including involvement in
Committee will meet in closed session electric power and hydrogen gas (H2) testing, monitoring and verification
from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. to discuss production plant integrated with carbon protocols for CO2 sequestration.
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2. 8284 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2006 / Notices
DATES: DOE invites Federal agencies, be sent to the Alliance in accordance need for a near-zero emissions, coal-to-
Native American Tribes, state and local with the instructions provided by the energy option that would produce
governments, other organizations and Alliance. While comments related to the electric power and H2 from coal while
members of the public to provide early NEPA process are due to DOE by March permanently sequestering CO2 in deep
assistance in environmental planning 20, 2006, comments on the draft Request geological formations. The technical,
for the FutureGen Project and to identify for Proposals are due to the Alliance by economic, and environmental feasibility
significant environmental issues and February 28, 2006. of producing electric power and H2 from
alternatives to be analyzed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: coal, when coupled with geologic
forthcoming FutureGen Project EIS. sequestration technology, must be
DOE will consider public comments and Background proven.
other relevant information relating to President Bush announced during The electricity and transportation
environmental planning for the 2003 that the United States has sectors are responsible for nearly three-
FutureGen Project. Comments in committed to proceed with a $1 billion, fourths of the country’s anthropogenic
response to this ANOI are requested by 10-year project to build the world’s first greenhouse gas emissions. The
March 20, 2006. DOE anticipates issuing coal-fueled plant to produce electricity continued use of coal entails the need
a NOI to prepare an EIS for the and H2 with near-zero emissions. In to address environmental and
FutureGen Project after DOE makes a response to this announcement, the U.S. greenhouse gas mitigation challenges. A
preliminary determination regarding the Department of Energy unveiled plans for key DOE mission is to ensure that fossil
alternative sites to be evaluated. After a FutureGen plant that would establish fuels—particularly coal—are available
the NOI is issued, DOE will conduct the technical and economic feasibility of components of the future energy mix.
public scoping meetings to assist in producing electricity and H2 from coal— An alternative source of fuel for the
defining the scope of the EIS, including a low-cost and abundant energy transportation sector, such as coal-
alternative sites and issues to be resource—while capturing and derived H2, could also reduce our
addressed. The dates and locations of geologically storing the CO2 generated dependence on fuel imports.
the scoping meetings will be announced in the process. In the absence of proven operations of
in the NOI or subsequent Federal The FutureGen Project would a large, integrated, near-zero emissions
Register notices and in local media showcase cutting-edge technologies that power plant, the contribution of coal to
before the meetings. could address environmental concerns the energy mix could be reduced if
associated with the use of coal. DOE environmental regulations continue to
ADDRESSES: Written comments or
plans to implement the FutureGen tighten. This could cause an imbalance
suggestions on the scope of the EIS
Project through a cooperative agreement in the diversity of the domestic energy
should be submitted to Mark L. McKoy,
that provides financial assistance to the portfolio, which would impact energy
NEPA Document Manager for the
FutureGen Industrial Alliance, Inc., security. Accordingly, DOE needs to
FutureGen Project, U.S. Department of
which is a non-profit corporation that promote development of such a facility
Energy, National Energy Technology to address the environmental concerns
represents a global coalition of coal and
Laboratory P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, over the use of coal, thus protecting
energy companies. Members of the
West Virginia, 26507–0880. Comments both energy diversity and security.
Alliance are expected to provide an
also may be submitted by telephone: estimated $250 million to help fund
304–285–4426, fax: 304–285–4403, Proposed Action
project development. The Alliance
electronic mail: mmckoy@netl.doe.gov, members are: American Electric Power; DOE proposes to provide financial
or toll-free telephone number: 800–432– BHP Billiton; the China Huaneng Group; assistance (up to $700 million) for the
8330 (ext. 4426). CONSOL Energy Inc.; Foundation Coal; Alliance to plan, design, construct, and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: For Kennecott Energy, a member of the Rio operate the FutureGen facility, an
information on the FutureGen Project or Tinto Group; Peabody Energy; and advanced integrated coal gasification
to receive a copy of the Draft EIS for Southern Company. The U.S. combined cycle power plant and CO2
review when it is issued, contact Mark government and foreign governments sequestration facility sized nominally at
L. McKoy as described in ADDRESSES would invest about $700 million in the 275 MW (equivalent output). The goal of
above. For general information on the project. this initiative would be to prove the
DOE NEPA process, contact: Ms. Carol The Alliance is a consortium of technical and economic feasibility of a
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA industrial companies that collectively near-zero emissions, coal-to-energy
Policy and Compliance (EH–42), U.S. own and produce over 40 percent of the option that could be deployed by 2020.
Department of Energy, 1000 Nation’s coal and about 20 percent of During the first phase of the project, the
Independence Avenue, SW., the Nation’s coal-fueled electricity. The Alliance and DOE will quantify the
Washington, DC 20585–0119, telephone: Alliance is: (a) Geographically diverse specific emissions objectives of the
202–586–4600, fax: 202–586–7031, or by including both eastern and western project. The facility would co-produce
leave a toll-free message at 800–472– domestic coal producers and coal-fueled electric power and H2 in an industrial/
2756. Additional NEPA information is electricity generators; and (b) resource utility setting while capturing and
available at the DOE NEPA Web site: diverse by including producers and geologically sequestering approximately
http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/. users of the full range of coal types. one to two million metric tons of CO2
Additional information on the per year. As discussed further below,
FutureGen Project can be found at the Purpose and Need for Agency Action the FutureGen Project would
following Web site: http:// In pursuing its goal of providing safe, incorporate both cutting-edge research
www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/ affordable and clean energy for the and demonstrations of emerging
dsatterwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
powersystems/futuregen. Information citizens of the United States, DOE has technologies ready for testing at a large
from the Alliance, including the draft determined that coal, as the Nation’s scale to achieve its goal of validating the
Request for Proposals discussed below, most abundant fossil fuel resource, must technical and economic feasibility of an
can be found at http:// play an important role in the Nation’s integrated near-zero emissions plant.
www.FutureGenAlliance.org. Comments efforts to increase its energy Establishing the technical feasibility
on the draft Request for Proposals are to independence. DOE has identified a and projected economic viability of a
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3. Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2006 / Notices 8285
near-zero emissions, coal-based system the H2 could be used as a feedstock for integrated units that increase flexibility
that integrates advanced technologies at chemical plants or petroleum refineries and enhance operability and reliability.
a large scale through the FutureGen or as a transportation fuel. Steam from
CO2 Sequestration Monitoring and
Project would contribute to DOE’s goals the process could be condensed, treated,
Verification Performance Objectives
by: and recycled into the gasifier or added
• Addressing environmental issues to the plant’s cooling water circuit. CO2 • Accurately quantify storage
and barriers to fossil fuel use, while from the process would be sequestered potential of the geologic formation(s);
maintaining the availability and in deep underground geologic • Detect and monitor surface and
affordability of fossil-fuel-derived formations that would be monitored to subsurface leakage, if it occurs
energy; verify the permanence of CO2 storage. (capability to measure CO2 slightly
• improving energy efficiency; above atmospheric concentration of 370
• developing technologies that foster Overall Project Objectives ppm), and demonstrate effectiveness of
a diverse supply of reliable, affordable, • Establish technical and economic mitigation;
and environmentally sound energy; feasibility of producing electricity and • Provide the scientific basis for
• providing scientific and H2 from coal with near-zero emissions carbon accounting and assurance of
technological information and analysis (including CO2); permanent storage;
to assist policymakers and regulators in • Verify sustained, integrated • Account for co-sequestration of CO2
their decision-making on control of operation of coal conversion system impurities; and
greenhouse gas emissions and use of with geologic sequestration of CO2; • Develop information necessary to
fossil fuels; and • Verify effectiveness, safety, and estimate costs of future CO2
• focusing on public benefits-driven permanence of geologic sequestration of management systems.
investment in high-risk, high-return CO2;
technology that private companies alone Technology Alternatives
• Establish standardized technologies
cannot undertake. and protocols for CO2 measuring, The FutureGen Project would
The FutureGen facility is intended to monitoring, and verification; incorporate both cutting-edge research
be a near-zero emissions facility that • Confirm the potential of the and demonstrations of emerging
would be the cleanest fossil-fuel-based FutureGen concept to achieve economic technologies ready for testing at a large
power system in the world. The project competitiveness with other near-zero scale to achieve its goal of validating the
would require approximately 10 years emissions approaches through advances technical and economic feasibility of an
for completion, not including post- in technology by 2020; and integrated near-zero emissions plant.
project monitoring. Performance and • Gain acceptance by the coal and The FutureGen power plant would be
economic tests results would be shared electricity industries, environmental designed to provide a capability for full-
among all participants, industry, the community, international community, scale testing of new technologies prior
environmental community, and the and public-at-large for the concept of to their commercial demonstration and
public. DOE intends to invite coal-based systems with near-zero deployment. The FutureGen facility
participation from international emissions through the successful may integrate some combination of new
organizations to maximize the global operation of FutureGen. technologies for gasification, O2
applicability and acceptance of production, H2 production, combustion
FutureGen’s results, helping to support Power Plant Performance Objectives gas cleanup, H2 turbines, fuel cells and
an international consensus on the role • Sequester CO2 at an operational rate fuel cell/turbine hybrids, CO2
of coal and geological sequestration in of approximately one to two million sequestration, advanced materials,
addressing global greenhouse gas metric tons per year; instrumentation, sensors and controls,
emissions and energy security. Broad • Produce electricity and H2 at ratios and byproduct utilization. Decisions on
engagement of stakeholders early in the (may be variable) consistent with market incorporation of specific technologies
FutureGen effort is critical to the needs (equivalent to plant capacity of would be made by the Alliance keeping
successful achievement of 275 MW electricity output); in mind the ability to achieve the
understanding and acceptance of • Sequester at least 90 percent of CO2 overall project goal of proving the
geologic sequestration as part of a near- initially with the eventual potential for technical and economic feasibility of the
zero emissions, coal-based energy up to 100 percent sequestration; near-zero emissions concept.
option. • Locate plant consistent with, inter
alia, adequate coal feedstock Alternatives, Including the Proposed
FutureGen Project Processes availability, proximity to market for Action
The FutureGen Project would employ products (especially electricity) as part Under the proposed action, DOE
advanced coal gasification technology of proving potential economic viability, would implement the FutureGen Project
integrated with combined cycle and proximity to geologic formations for to achieve the President’s goals. The EIS
electricity generation, H2 production, sequestration (e.g., deep saline will analyze the reasonable alternatives
CO2 capture and CO2 sequestration in reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, for implementing the FutureGen Project.
geologic repositories. The gasification depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs, Once a list of best qualified sites is
process would combine coal, oxygen basalt formations); delivered by the Alliance to DOE, DOE
(O2), and steam to produce a H2-rich • Achieve environmental (near-zero will consider all of the available
‘‘synthesis gas.’’ After exiting the emissions) requirements; alternatives in ascertaining which ones
conversion reactor, the composition of • Provide a design database for are reasonable. The EIS also may
the synthesis gas would be ‘‘shifted’’ to subsequent, near-zero emissions, analyze technologies and strategies for
dsatterwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
produce additional H2. The product commercial demonstrations and/or implementing important elements of the
stream would consist mostly of H2, deployments; and Project.
steam, and CO2. Following separation of • Design capability for full-flow Under the no-action alternative, DOE
these three gas components, the H2 testing of advanced technologies and would not fund the proposed Project. In
would be used to generate electricity in advanced technology modules, and the absence of DOE funding, it would be
a gas turbine and/or fuel cell. Some of design incorporation of loosely unlikely that the Alliance, or industry in
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4. 8286 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2006 / Notices
general, would soon undertake the power transmission lines, pipelines), candidate sites suitable for the
utility-scale integration of CO2 capture internal and external perception of the FutureGen facility. The process will be
and geologic sequestration with a coal- community or locality; an open competition in which States,
fired power plant. Absent DOE’s • Historic and cultural resources: tribes, private organizations and other
investment in a utility-scale facility, the potential impacts from the site interested parties can offer sites to the
development of integrated CO2 capture selection, design, construction and Alliance for consideration.
and sequestration with power plant operation of the facilities; The selection process will include the
operations could occur more slowly • Water quality impacts: potential use of both qualification criteria and
through a series of small steps, and only impacts from water utilization and scoring criteria. Qualification criteria
then in the presence of a regulatory consumption, plus potential impacts will be used to initially screen proposals
requirement. Given a regulatory from wastewater discharges; and thereby identify qualified sites
requirement for the curtailment of • Infrastructure and land use meriting further evaluation for the
greenhouse gas emissions, the no-action impacts: potential environmental and FutureGen Project. Scoring criteria will
alternative could result in higher costs socioeconomic impacts of project site be used by the Alliance to distinguish
of electricity due to the use of more selection, construction, delivery of feed among the initial set of qualified sites to
expensive, commercially available materials, and distribution of products identify the candidates (proposals and
technology and due to a reduction in (e.g., power transmission lines, sites) that merit evaluation under the
plant availability as a result of the lack pipelines); NEPA process. Categories of criteria that
of integrated test operations data and • Marketability of products and will be considered by the Alliance
experience that would have otherwise market access to feed stocks; include: Suitability of the proposed site
• Solid wastes: pollution prevention for construction of the power plant,
been available from a FutureGen-type
plans and waste management strategies, suitability of the proposed sequestration
facility.
including the handling of ash, slag, reservoir for permanently sequestering
DOE may consider other reasonable
water treatment sludge, and hazardous CO2, availability of necessary
alternatives that are suggested during
materials; infrastructure and resources (e.g.
the public scoping period. • Disproportionate impacts on railroads, roads, natural gas lines, power
Preliminary Identification of minority and low-income populations; transmission lines, and water), access,
Environmental Issues • Connected actions: potential environmental factors, and costs.
development of support facilities or Following the development of a site
DOE intends to address the issues
supporting infrastructure; selection plan and the site screening
listed below when considering the
• Ecological: potential on-site and off- criteria and subsequent to DOE approval
potential impacts resulting from the site impacts to vegetation, terrestrial
siting, construction and operation of the of these items, the Alliance is issuing a
wildlife, aquatic wildlife, threatened or draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
FutureGen power plant. This list is endangered species, and ecologically
neither intended to be all-inclusive nor two-week comment period. Following
sensitive habitats; the public comment period, the Alliance
a predetermined set of potential • Geologic impacts: potential impacts
impacts. DOE invites comments on will issue the final RFP (proposed for
from the sequestration of CO2 and other
these and any other issues that should March 2006) seeking proposals for a
captured gases on underground
be considered in the EIS. The host site. The draft RFP and other
resources such as potable water
environmental issues include: information provided by the Alliance
supplies, mineral resources, and fossil
• Air quality impacts: potential for air fuel resources;
will be available at http://
emissions during construction and • Ground surface impacts from CO2 www.FutureGenAlliance.org.
operation of the power plant and Site proponents will be required to
sequestration: potential impacts from
appurtenant facilities to impact local submit information that the Alliance
leakage of injected CO2, potential
sensitive receptors, local environmental will use to determine how, and the
impacts from induced flows of native
conditions, and special-use areas, extent to which, each of the screening
fluids to the ground surface or near the
including impacts to smog and haze and criteria would be met at each site.
ground surface, and the potential for Proponents of each site will be required
impacts from dust and any significant induced ground heave and/or
vapor plumes; to submit sufficient acceptable
microseisms; technical, environmental and economic
• Noise and light impacts: potential • Fate and stability of sequestered
impacts from construction, information. The RFP will also state
CO2 and other captured gases;
transportation of materials, and facility • Health and safety issues associated that, for those sites that will be analyzed
operations; with CO2 capture and sequestration; in the EIS, additional information may
• Traffic issues: potential impacts • Cumulative effects that result from be requested from site proponents. Such
from the construction and operation of the incremental impacts of the proposed information may require some field
the facilities, including changes in local project when added to the other past, work, but will not require drilling of
traffic patterns, deterioration of roads, present, and reasonably foreseeable exploratory wells or conducting seismic
traffic hazards, and traffic controls; future projects; surveys, because the EIS will be based
• Floodplains: potential impacts to • Compliance with regulatory on readily available information.
flood flow resulting from earthen fills, requirements and environmental The Alliance will review the
access roads, and dikes that might be permitting; proposals received to identify those
needed in a floodplain; • Environmental monitoring plans sites that are reasonable from a
• Wetlands: potential impacts associated with the power plant and technical, environmental, and economic
resulting from fill, sediment deposition, perspective. At the conclusion of the
dsatterwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
with the CO2 sequestration site; and
vegetation clearing and facility erection • Ultimate closure plans for the CO2 review of proposals, the Alliance will
that might be needed in a wetland; sequestration site and reservoirs. provide DOE with a report that
• Visual impacts associated with describes the screening process and
facility structures: views from Host Site Selection findings and identifies the sites that the
neighborhoods, impacts to scenic views The Alliance will conduct a site Alliance concludes are candidates (i.e.,
(e.g., impacts from water vapor plumes, competition to identify one or more those believed by the Alliance to be
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5. Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2006 / Notices 8287
reasonable alternatives). DOE will A Notice of Availability of the Draft • Preparation of Transmittal Letter.
review the Alliance’s selection process EIS will be published in the Federal • Possible Future Charges.
for fairness, openness and compliance Register upon completion of the Draft • Public Comment (10-minute rule).
with the established approach. EIS and will announce the locations and Public Participation: The meeting is
Based on its review of the Alliance’s dates for public hearings on the Draft open to the public. If you would like to
identification of candidate sites and EIS and the means for providing file a written statement with the
other relevant information, DOE will comments. DOE will hold public Committee, you may do so either before
then preliminarily determine the hearings at locations comparable to or after the meeting. If you would like
reasonable alternatives to be addressed those for the scoping meetings. DOE to make oral statements regarding any of
in the EIS. DOE’s NOI to prepare an EIS will consider all comments received at these items on the agenda, you should
for the FutureGen Project will identify public hearings or otherwise during contact Brenda L. May, 301–903–0536
the proposed reasonable alternative preparation of the Final EIS. or Brenda.May@science.doe.gov (e-
sites. mail). You must make your request for
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 13,
The Alliance may assist the DOE and 2006. an oral statement at least 5 business
DOE contractors in gathering additional days before the meeting. Reasonable
John Spitaleri Shaw,
information to support completion of provision will be made to include the
the EIS. However, the DOE and DOE Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety
and Health.
scheduled oral statements on the
contractors will develop the EIS. agenda. The Chairperson of the
Following the completion of the EIS and [FR Doc. E6–2222 Filed 2–15–06; 8:45 am]
Committee will conduct the meeting to
the public involvement process, the BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
facilitate the orderly conduct of
DOE will announce in a Record of business. Public comment will follow
Decision (ROD) either the no-action the 10-minute rule.
alternative or those sites, if any, that are DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting
acceptable to the DOE for the project. If will be available for public review and
Office of Science; DOE/NSF Nuclear
the action alternative is selected, the copying within 30 days at the Freedom
Science Advisory Committee
Alliance will subsequently select a host of Information Public Reading Room;
site from among those, if any, that are AGENCY: Department of Energy. Room 1E–190; Forrestal Building; 1000
listed in the ROD as being acceptable to ACTION: Notice of open meeting. Independence Avenue, SW.;
the DOE. Following the tentative Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 4
selection of a host site, the Alliance will SUMMARY: This notice announces a p.m., Monday through Friday, except
conduct extensive site characterization meeting of the DOE/NSF Nuclear Federal holidays.
work on the chosen site. Information Science Advisory Committee (NSAC).
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. Issued at Washington, DC, on February 9,
obtained from the characterization will 2006.
be reviewed by the DOE and will L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that
public notice of these meetings be Carol Matthews,
support the completion of a supplement
analysis by DOE to determine whether announced in the Federal Register. Acting Advisory Committee Management
Officer.
the newly gained information would DATES: Thursday, March 2, 2006, 10
have altered in a significant way the a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, March 3, 2006, [FR Doc. E6–2228 Filed 2–15–06; 8:45 am]
findings in the EIS. The supplement 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
analysis will be used to determine ADDRESSES: Doubletree Hotel, 1750
whether a Supplemental EIS must be Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
prepared. 20852–1699.
Future Public Involvement FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Environmental Management Site-
Brenda L. May, U.S. Department of Specific Advisory Board, Oak Ridge
This ANOI does not serve as a Energy; SC–26/Germantown Building, Reservation
substitute for the Notice of Intent that 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
will initiate the public scoping process Washington, D.C. 20585–1290; AGENCY: Department of Energy.
for the FutureGen Project EIS. Following Telephone: 301–903–0536. ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
publication of the Notice of Intent, DOE
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
will hold scoping meetings, prepare and SUMMARY: This notice announces a
Purpose of Meeting: To provide
distribute the Draft EIS for public meeting of the Environmental
advice and guidance on a continuing
review, hold public hearings to solicit Management Site-Specific Advisory
basis to the Department of Energy and
public comment on the Draft EIS, and Board (EM SSAB), Oak Ridge
the National Science Foundation on
publish a Final EIS. Not less than 30 Reservation. The Federal Advisory
scientific priorities within the field of
days after publication of the U.S. Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat.
basic nuclear science research.
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