```

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94723-94724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27969]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2628-066]

Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
R.L. Harris Hydroelectric Project, Alabama Power Company, and Public 
Meetings Soliciting Comments

November 21, 2024.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
\1\ and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) 
regulations, 18 CFR part 380, the Office of Energy Projects has 
reviewed the application for relicense for the R.L. Harris 
Hydroelectric Project (Harris Project) (FERC No. 2628) and has prepared 
a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. The 
project is located on the Tallapoosa River near the City of Lineville 
in Randolph, Clay, and Cleburne Counties, Alabama. The Harris Project 
also includes land within the James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife 
Management Area located approximately 110 miles north of Harris Lake in 
Jackson County, Alabama.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, amended (Pub. L. 
91-190. 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, as amended by Pub. L. 94-52, July 3, 
1975, Pub. L. 94-83, August 9, 1975, Pub. L. 97-258, 4(b), September 
13, 1982, Pub. L. 118-5, June 3, 2023). On May 20, 2024, CEQ issued 
updated regulations that went into effect for new NEPA processes 
begun after July 1, 2024. 40 CFR 1506.12 (2024). This action is 
subject to CEQ's previous regulations; thus, citations throughout 
this document will refer to the 2023 regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The draft EIS contains staff's analysis of the applicant's proposal 
and the alternatives for relicensing the Harris Project. The draft EIS 
documents the views of governmental agencies, non-governmental 
organizations, affected Native-American tribes, the public, the license 
applicant, and Commission staff.
    The Commission provides all interested persons with an opportunity 
to view and/or print the draft EIS via the internet through the 
Commission's Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov/), using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the 
docket number field, to access the document. For assistance, contact 
FERC Online Support at [email protected], or toll-free at 
(866) 208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.
    You may also register online at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595, or [email protected].
    All comments must be filed by January 20, 2025.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file 
comments using the Commission's eFiling system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eFiling.aspx. Commenters can submit brief comments 
up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment 
system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected], (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: 
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent 
via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, 
Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include 
docket number P-2628-066.
    Anyone may intervene in this proceeding based on this draft EIS (18 
CFR 380.10). You must file your request to intervene as specified 
above.\2\ You do not need intervenor status to have your comments 
considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Interventions may also be filed electronically via the 
internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing 
comments electronically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you are 
invited to attend a public meeting that will be held to receive 
comments on the draft EIS. Commission staff will hold two public 
meetings for the purpose of receiving comments on the draft EIS. All 
interested individuals and entities will be invited to attend one or 
both of the public meetings. The dates and times of the public meetings 
are listed below.

Evening Meeting

    Date: Monday, December 16, 2024.
    Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time.
    Location: Wedowee Marine South, 9681 Highway 48, Lineville, Alabama 
36266.

Daytime Meeting

    Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
    Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time.
    Location: Wedowee Marine South, 9681 Highway 48, Lineville, Alabama 
36266.
    Commission staff will moderate the meetings. The meetings will 
begin promptly at their respective start times listed above. At the 
start of each meeting, Commission staff will provide a brief overview 
of the meeting format and objectives. Individual oral comments will be 
taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter (with Commission 
staff present). This format is designed to receive the maximum number 
of oral comments in a convenient way during the timeframe

[[Page 94724]]

allotted. If you wish to speak, Commission staff will hand out numbers 
in the order of your arrival. If all individuals who wish to provide 
comments have had an opportunity to do so, Commission staff may 
conclude the meeting a half hour earlier than the scheduled time.
    Comments will be recorded by the court reporter and become part of 
the public record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly 
available on FERC's eLibrary system. If a significant number of people 
are interested in providing oral comments in the one-on-one settings, a 
time limit may be implemented for each commentor.
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in writing or 
provided orally at a public meeting. Interested parties who choose not 
to speak or who are unable to attend the draft EIS meetings may provide 
written comments and information to the Commission as described above.
    For further information, contact Sarah Salazar at (202) 502-6863, 
or [email protected].

    Dated: November 21, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-27969 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
```