The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed federal loan guarantee to support the construction of the Taylorville Energy Center in Illinois. This project aims to utilize coal gasification technology to produce synthetic natural gas and electricity while capturing carbon emissions. The DOE invites public comments to assess potential environmental impacts and foster engagement with stakeholders regarding this initiative.

1. 52228 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices
the proposed priorities, requirements, action and the time needed to prepare Dated: October 6, 2009.
definitions, and selection criteria would an application would likely be the same. Arne Duncan,
be limited to paperwork burden related Further, the proposed action may help Secretary of Education.
to preparing an application and that the small entities determine whether they [FR Doc. E9–24387 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am]
benefits of implementing these have the interest, need, or capacity to BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
proposals would outweigh any costs implement activities under the program
incurred by applicants. and, thus, prevent small entities that do
Participation in this program is not have such an interest, need, and DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
voluntary. For this reason, the proposed capacity from absorbing the burden of
priorities, requirements, definitions, and applying. Notice of Intent To Prepare an
selection criteria would impose no This proposed regulatory action Environmental Impact Statement for a
burden on small entities in general. would not have a significant economic Proposed Federal Loan Guarantee To
Eligible applicants would determine impact on small entities once they Support Construction and Start-up of
whether to apply for funds, and have receive a grant because they would be the Taylorville Energy Center in
the opportunity to weigh the able to meet the costs of compliance Taylorville, IL
requirements for preparing applications, using the funds provided under this AGENCY: Department of Energy, Loan
and any associated costs, against the program and with any matching funds Guarantee Program.
likelihood of receiving funding and the provided by private-sector partners.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
requirements for implementing projects The Secretary invites comments from
under the program. Eligible applicants environmental impact statement and
small nonprofit organizations and small
most likely would apply only if they conduct a public scoping meeting.
LEAs as to whether they believe this
determine that the likely benefits exceed proposed regulatory action would have SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
the costs of preparing an application. a significant economic impact on them Energy (DOE) announces its intent to
The likely benefits include the potential and, if so, requests evidence to support prepare an environmental impact
receipt of a grant as well as other that belief. statement (EIS) pursuant to the National
benefits that may accrue to an entity Intergovernmental Review: This Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
through its development of an program is subject to Executive Order amended (NEPA), the Council on
application, such as the use of that 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA
application to spur educational reforms part 79. One of the objectives of the regulations, and the DOE NEPA
and improvements without additional Executive order is to foster an implementing procedures to assess the
Federal funding. intergovernmental partnership and a potential environmental impacts for its
The U.S. Small Business strengthened federalism. The Executive proposed action of issuing a Federal
Administration Size Standards defines order relies on processes developed by loan guarantee to Christian County
as ‘‘small entities’’ for-profit or State and local governments for Generation, L.L.C. (CCG) (DOE/EIS–
nonprofit institutions with total annual coordination and review of proposed 0430). CCG submitted an application to
revenue below $7,000,000 or, if they are Federal financial assistance. DOE under the Federal loan guarantee
institutions controlled by small This document provides early program pursuant to the Energy Policy
governmental jurisdictions (that are notification of our specific plans and Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) to support
comprised of cities, counties, towns, actions for this program. construction and start-up of the
townships, villages, school districts, or Accessible Format: Individuals with Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville,
special districts), with a population of disabilities can obtain this document in Illinois (‘‘the Facility’’).1
less than 50,000. The Urban Institute’s an accessible format (e.g., braille, large CCG is a limited liability company
National Center for Charitable Statistics print, audiotape, or computer diskette) that is currently owned by Tenaska
reported that of 203,635 nonprofit on request to the program contact Taylorville, LLC, an affiliate of Tenaska,
organizations that had an educational person listed under FOR FURTHER Inc., an Omaha, Nebraska-based power
mission and reported revenue to the IRS INFORMATION CONTACT. development company, and by MDL
by July 2009, 200,342 (or about 98 Electronic Access to This Document: Holding Company, L.L.C. of Louisville,
percent) had revenues of less than $5 You can view this document, as well as Kentucky. CCG proposes to develop the
million. In addition, there are 12,484 all other documents of this Department Facility on an 886-acre parcel of land.
LEAs in the country that meet the published in the Federal Register, in As proposed, the approximately 730
definition of small entity. However, the text or Adobe Portable Document megawatt (gross) electric generation
Secretary believes that only a small Format (PDF) on the Internet at the Facility would utilize integrated
number of these entities would be following site:http://www.ed.gov/news/ gasification combined-cycle technology
interested in applying for funds under fedregister. to produce electricity from Illinois
this program, thus reducing the bituminous coal. Synthesis gas
To use PDF you must have Adobe
likelihood that the proposals contained processing would also allow the
Acrobat Reader, which is available free
in this notice would have a significant separation and capture of carbon
at this site. If you have questions about
economic impact on small entities. dioxide (CO2) and the manufacture of
using PDF, call the U.S. Government
In addition, the Secretary believes Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1– pipeline-quality Substitute Natural Gas
that the proposed priorities, (‘‘SNG’’ or ‘‘methane’’). SNG would be
cprice-sewell on DSK89S0YB1PROD with NOTICES3
888–293–6498; or in the Washington,
requirements, definitions, and selection DC, area at (202) 512–1530. used in a power block with two
criteria discussed in this notice do not combustion turbines and one steam
impose any additional burden on small Note: The official version of this document turbine. The Facility would be designed
is the document published in the Federal
entities applying for a grant than they Register. Free Internet access to the official 1 The amount requested for the loan guarantee is
would face in the absence of the edition of the Federal Register and the Code not being disclosed at this time because it is
proposed action. That is, the length of of Federal Regulations is available on GPO business sensitive. Moreover, should DOE approve
the applications those entities would Access at:http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ a loan guarantee, the amount may differ from the
submit in the absence of the regulatory index.html. original request.
VerDate Nov<24>2008 10:12 Dec 03, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:ERIC09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

2. Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices 52229
such that surplus SNG can be be submitted electronically by sending construction and start-up of the
transported offsite to an interstate an email to: TEC-EIS@hq.doe.gov. All Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville,
pipeline for sale. The Facility would electronic and written comments should Illinois.
capture at least 50 percent of the CO2 reference Project No. DOE/EIS–0430. The site of the proposed Facility
and over 99 percent of the sulfur FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To consists of an 886-acre parcel of land
compounds that would otherwise be obtain additional information about this located in Taylorville, Illinois. Of the
emitted. The CO2 stream would be EIS, the public scoping meeting, or to 886 acres, CCG currently owns or
compressed and delivered at the receive a copy of the draft EIS when it controls via option agreements 713
fenceline to another party for pipeline is issued, contact Angela Colamaria by acres, and is attempting to option
transport to enhanced oil recovery telephone: 202–287–5387; toll-free approximately 173 additional,
operations and geologic storage. CCG is number: 800–832–0885 ext. 75387; or contiguous acres. The site and
also studying the feasibility of geologic electronic mail: additional acreage to be acquired is
storage of CO2 in the vicinity of the site. Angela.Colamaria@hq.doe.gov. For bounded by County Road E1700N on
The EIS will evaluate the potential general information on the DOE NEPA the north, State Road 48 (and the
impacts of the issuance of a DOE Loan process, please contact: Ms. Carol M. Norfolk Southern Railroad) on the east,
Guarantee for CCG’s proposed project Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA farmland on the south, and County Road
and the range of reasonable alternatives. Policy and Compliance (GC–20), U.S. N1400E on the west.
The purpose of this Notice of Intent is Department of Energy, 1000 As proposed, the Facility would
to inform the public about DOE’s Independence Avenue, SW., manufacture pipeline quality SNG from
proposed action; invite public Washington, DC 20585; telephone: 202– Illinois bituminous coal and produce
participation in the EIS process; 586–4600; facsimile: 202–586–7031; electricity utilizing integrated
announce plans for a public scoping electronic mail: askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; gasification combined-cycle technology.
meeting; and solicit public comments or leave a toll-free message at 800–472– The Facility is expected to use 7,500
for consideration in establishing the 2756. tons of coal per day (2.5 million tons of
scope and content of the EIS. DOE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
coal annually). The primary water
invites those agencies with jurisdiction supply would be municipal treated
by law or special expertise to be Background effluent from a local sanitary district.
cooperating agencies. EPAct 2005 established a Federal loan The Facility is expected to contribute
guarantee program for eligible energy 2 billion kilowatt-hours per year to the
DATES: To ensure that all of the issues
projects that employ innovative electric grid system. SNG would be used
related to this proposal are addressed, to fuel a power block with two
DOE invites comments on the proposed technologies. Title XVII of EPAct 2005
authorizes the Secretary of Energy to combustion turbines and one steam
scope and content of the EIS from all turbine. The amount of SNG produced
interested parties. Comments must be make loan guarantees for a variety of
types of projects, including those that may exceed the requirements of the
postmarked or emailed by November 9, power block under certain operating
2009 to ensure consideration. Late ‘‘avoid, reduce, or sequester air
pollutants or anthropogenic emissions conditions. The Facility would be
comments will be considered to the designed such that surplus SNG can be
extent practicable. In addition to of greenhouse gases; and employ new or
significantly improved technologies as transported offsite to an interstate
receiving written comments (see pipeline for sale.
ADDRESSES below), DOE will conduct a compared to commercial technologies in
service in the United States at the time The Facility would capture at least 50
public scoping meeting in the vicinity of percent of the CO2 and over 99 percent
the proposed Facility at which the guarantee is issued.’’ A principal
goal of the loan guarantee program is to of the sulfur compounds that would
government agencies, private-sector otherwise be emitted. The CO2 stream
organizations, and the general public are encourage commercial use in the United
States of new or significantly improved would be compressed and delivered at
invited to provide comments or the fenceline to another party for
suggestions with regard to the energy-related technologies. DOE
believes that accelerated commercial pipeline transport to enhanced oil
alternatives and potential impacts to be recovery operations and geologic storage
considered in the EIS. The date, time, use of these new or improved
technologies will help to sustain at a location to be determined by the off-
and location of the public scoping taker. CCG is also studying the
meeting will be announced in local economic growth, yield environmental
benefits, and produce a more stable and feasibility of geologic storage in the
news media and on the DOE Loan vicinity of the site using the Mt. Simon
secure energy supply.
Guarantee Program’s ‘‘NEPA Public formation.
Involvement’’ Web site (http:// Purpose and Need for Agency Action Supporting infrastructure and
www.lgprogram.energy.gov/NEPA- CCG submitted a Part I application to facilities would include local access
2.html) at least 15 days prior to the date DOE for a loan guarantee on December roads, rail interconnections, water
of the meeting. 19, 2008, and submitted a Part II supply and wastewater pipelines, CO2
ADDRESSES: Public comments can be application on March 23, 2009. The pipelines, a natural gas pipeline, and a
submitted electronically or by U.S. Mail. purpose and need for agency action is high voltage transmission line to
Written comments on the proposed EIS to comply with DOE’s mandate under connect the Facility to the electric grid
scope should be addressed to: Ms. Title XVII of EPAct 2005 by selecting system. Rail access to the site would be
Angela Colamaria, Loan Guarantee provided by construction of a rail
cprice-sewell on DSK89S0YB1PROD with NOTICES3
eligible projects that meet the goals of
Program Office (CF–1.3), U.S. the Act. DOE is using the NEPA process connection to the Norfolk Southern
Department of Energy, 1000 to assist in determining whether to issue Railroad east of the site. Coal may also
Independence Avenue, SW., a loan guarantee to CCG to support the be delivered by truck. Approximately 6
Washington, DC 20585. Please submit proposed project. miles of County Road E1700N would be
one signed original paper copy. reconstructed and enhanced to 80,000
Electronic submission of comments is Proposed Action lbs. gross vehicle weight standards. DOE
encouraged due to processing time DOE’s proposed action is to issue a plans to analyze the impacts of
required for regular mail. Comments can loan guarantee to CCG to support the construction and operation of the
VerDate Nov<24>2008 10:12 Dec 03, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:ERIC09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

3. 52230 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices
supporting infrastructure and facilities Preliminary Identification of ‘‘NEPA Public Involvement’’ Web site
in the EIS. Environmental Issues (http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/
The Facility would eliminate process NEPA-2.html) at least 15 days prior to
The following environmental resource
wastewater entirely through use of the date of the meeting. Members of the
areas have been tentatively identified
water treatment, recycling, and zero public and representatives of groups
for consideration in the EIS. This list is
liquid discharge systems. Solid waste and Federal, State, local, and tribal
neither intended to be all-inclusive nor
(slag) and sulfur, by-products from the agencies are invited to attend. The
a predetermined set of potential
process, would be sold as a commercial meeting will include both a formal
environmental impacts:
product, disposed of onsite, or opportunity to present oral comments
• Air quality;
transported offsite for disposal at a non- and an informal session during which
• Greenhouse gas emissions and
hazardous, solid waste landfill. The DOE and CCG personnel will be
climate change;
construction work force would peak at available for discussions with attendees.
• Energy use and production;
up to 1,500 construction workers over a Displays and other forms of information
• Water resources, including
4-year period. The Facility would be about the proposed agency action, the
operated and maintained by a staff of groundwater and surface waters;
• Wetlands and floodplains; EIS process, and the CCG proposed
approximately 145 employees and Facility will also be available for review.
contractors. • Geological resources;
• Ecological resources, including DOE requests that anyone who wishes
Coal gasification and electric to present oral comments at the meeting
generation components of the Facility threatened and endangered species and
species of special concern; contact Ms. Colamaria by phone or e-
would be constructed on approximately mail (see ADDRESSES above). Individuals
70 acres of the site. The site is currently • Cultural resources, including
historic structures and properties; sites who do not make advance arrangements
used for agriculture (row crops), is to speak may register at the meeting.
surrounded by farmland, and is zoned of religious and cultural significance to
tribes; and archaeological resources; Speakers who need more than five
for industrial and agricultural use. The minutes should indicate the length of
coal gasification and electric generation • Land use;
• Visual resources and aesthetics; time desired in their request. DOE may
components of the Facility are entirely need to limit speakers to five minutes
within property that is zoned for • Transportation and traffic;
• Noise and vibration; initially, but will provide additional
industrial use. In addition, several opportunities as time permits. Written
hundred acres of Prime Farmland • Hazardous materials and solid
waste management; comments regarding the scoping process
within the 886-acre parcel could be can also be submitted to DOE officials
affected by the construction of the • Human health and safety;
• Accidents and terrorism; at the scoping meeting.
Facility. Preliminary assessments
indicate that the footprint of the • Socioeconomics, including impacts Issued in Washington, DC, on October 6,
proposed facility would not affect any to community services; 2009.
wetlands or floodplains. In the event • Environmental justice. Steve Isakowitz,
that further analysis indicates that DOE invites comments on whether Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief
wetlands or floodplains would be other resource areas or potential issues Financial Officer.
affected, DOE will prepare a floodplain should be considered in the EIS. [FR Doc. E9–24422 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am]
and wetland assessment in accordance Public Scoping Process BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
with its regulations at 10 CFR part 1022
and include the assessment in the EIS. To ensure that all issues related to
DOE’s proposed action are addressed, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Alternatives DOE seeks public input to define the AGENCY
In determining the range of reasonable scope of the EIS. The public scoping
alternatives to be considered in the EIS period will begin with publication of [ER–FRL–8598–2]
for the proposed CCG Facility, DOE the NOI and end on November 9, 2009.
Interested government agencies, private- Environmental Impact Statements and
identified the reasonable alternatives
sector organizations, and the general Regulations; Availability of EPA
that would satisfy the underlying
public are encouraged to submit Comments
purpose and need for agency action.
DOE currently plans to analyze in detail comments concerning the content of the Availability of EPA comments
the project proposed by CCG and the no EIS, issues and impacts to be addressed prepared pursuant to the Environmental
action alternative. DOE will also analyze in the EIS, and alternatives that should Review Process (ERP), under section
design options available to CCG within be considered. Scoping comments 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section
the scope of the project (e.g., various should clearly describe specific issues 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
methods for disposition of slag and or topics that the EIS should address to Policy Act as amended. Requests for
sulfur and transportation of coal) and assist DOE in identifying significant copies of EPA comments can be directed
mitigation measures as appropriate. issues. Comments must be postmarked to the Office of Federal Activities at
Under the no action alternative, DOE or e-mailed by November 9, 2009 to 202–564–7146 or http://www.epa.gov/
would not provide the loan guarantee ensure consideration. (See ADDRESSES compliance/nepa/.
for the CCG project and the project above). Late comments will be An explanation of the ratings assigned
would not be constructed as part of the considered to the extent practicable. to draft environmental impact
cprice-sewell on DSK89S0YB1PROD with NOTICES3
DOE loan guarantee program. This DOE invites those agencies with statements (EISs) was published in FR
option would not contribute to the jurisdiction by law or special expertise dated July 17, 2009 (74 FR 34754).
Federal loan guarantee program goals to to be cooperating agencies.
Draft EISs
make loan guarantees for energy projects A public scoping meeting will be held
that ‘‘avoid, reduce, or sequester air at a date, time, and location to be EIS No. 20090038, ERP No. D–COE–
pollutants or anthropogenic emissions determined. Notice of this meeting will K35045–CA, PROGRAMMATIC—Los
of greenhouse gases; and employ new or be provided in local news media and on Angeles Regional Dredge Material
significantly improved technologies.’’ the DOE Loan Guarantee Program’s Management Plan, Develop a Long-
VerDate Nov<24>2008 10:12 Dec 03, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:ERIC09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1