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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 29 (Friday, February 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7828-7831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3147]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. PP-371]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Conduct Public Scoping Meetings, and Notice of Floodplains and Wetlands 
Involvement; Northern Pass Transmission LLC

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Conduct Public Scoping Meetings; Notice of Floodplains and 
Wetlands Involvement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intention to 
prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969 to assess the potential environmental impacts from its proposed 
Federal action of granting a Presidential permit to Northern Pass 
Transmission LLC (Northern Pass or Applicant) to construct, operate, 
maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S.-
Canada border in northern New Hampshire (NH). The EIS, Northern Pass 
Transmission Line Project Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-
0463), will address potential environmental impacts from the proposed 
action and the range of reasonable alternatives. The U.S. Forest 
Service, White Mountain National Forest, and the Army Corps of 
Engineers, New England District, are cooperating agencies.
    The EIS will provide the analysis to support a Forest Service 
decision on

[[Page 7829]]

whether to issue a special use permit within the White Mountain 
National Forest. The Responsible Official for the Forest Service 
decision is the Forest Supervisor for the White Mountain National 
Forest.
    The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to inform the public 
about the proposed action, announce plans to conduct public scoping 
meetings in the vicinity of the proposed transmission line, and solicit 
public comments for consideration in establishing the scope of the EIS. 
Because the proposed project may involve actions in floodplains and 
wetlands, the draft EIS will include a floodplain and wetland 
assessment as appropriate, and the final EIS or Record of Decision will 
include a floodplain statement of findings.

DATES: The public scoping period starts with the publication of this 
Notice in the Federal Register and will continue until April 12, 2011. 
Written and oral comments will be given equal weight, and DOE will 
consider all comments e-mailed or postmarked by April 12, 2011 in 
defining the scope of this EIS. Comments e-mailed or postmarked after 
the close of the comment period will be considered to the extent 
practicable.
    Locations, dates, and start and end times for the public scoping 
meetings are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
NOI.
    Requests to speak at one or more public scoping meeting(s) should 
be received at the address indicated below by March 11, 2011; requests 
received by that date will be given priority in the speaking order. 
However, requests to speak also may be made at the scoping meetings.

ADDRESSES: Requests to speak at a public scoping meeting, comments on 
the scope of the EIS, and requests to be added to the document mailing 
list should be addressed to: Brian Mills, Office of Electricity 
Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; by electronic mail 
to Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov; or by facsimile to 202-586-8008. For general 
information on the DOE NEPA process contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-54), U.S. Department 
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; by 
electronic mail at askNEPA@hq.doe.gov; or by facsimile at 202-586-7031.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on DOE's proposed 
action, contact Brian Mills by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES 
above, or at 202-586-8267. For general information on the DOE NEPA 
process, contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom by one of the methods listed in 
ADDRESSES above, or at 202-586-4600, or 800-472-2756. For information 
on the Forest Service role as a cooperating agency, contact Tiffany 
Benna by electronic mail at tbenna@fs.fed.us; by phone at 603-536-6241; 
by facsimile at 603-536-3685; or by mail at 71 White Mountain Drive, 
Campton, NH 03223. For information on the Army Corps of Engineers 
permit process, contact Erika Mark at 978-318-8250; by electronic mail 
at Erika.L.Mark@usace.army.mil; or by mail at 696 Virginia Road, 
Concord, MA 01742.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order (E.O.) 10485, as amended by 
E.O. 12038, requires that a Presidential permit be issued by DOE before 
electric transmission facilities may be constructed, operated, 
maintained, or connected at the U.S. international border. E.O. 10485 
provides that a Presidential permit may be issued after a finding that 
the proposed project is consistent with the public interest and after 
favorable recommendations from the U.S. Departments of State and 
Defense. In determining consistency with the public interest, DOE 
considers the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project 
under NEPA, determines the project's impact on electric reliability 
(including whether the proposed project would adversely affect the 
operation of the U.S. electric power supply system under normal and 
contingency conditions), and considers any other factors that DOE may 
find relevant to the public interest. The regulations implementing E.O. 
10485 have been codified at 10 CFR 205.320-205.329. DOE's issuance of a 
Presidential permit indicates that there is no Federal objection to the 
project, but does not mandate that the project be undertaken.
    On October 14, 2010, Northern Pass applied to DOE pursuant to E.O. 
10485, for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and 
connect a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line across 
the U.S.-Canada border. The proposed HVDC transmission line would be 
capable of transmitting up to 1,200 megawatts (MW) of power in either 
direction, i.e., Canada to the U.S. and U.S. to Canada. The northern 
HVDC converter terminal is proposed to be constructed at the Des 
Cantons Substation in Qu[eacute]bec, Canada, and would be connected to 
an HVDC line that would run southward in Qu[eacute]bec for 
approximately 45 miles where it would cross the U.S.-Canada border into 
New Hampshire. The line would extend south from the international 
border approximately 140 miles to an HVDC converter terminal that would 
be constructed in the city of Franklin, NH. The terminal would convert 
the direct current to alternating current (AC) and allow the HVDC line 
to connect to a new approximately 40-mile AC line that Northern Pass 
proposes to construct between the Franklin converter station and the 
existing Deerfield Substation in the town of Deerfield, NH.
    For the portion of the Project from the U.S.-Canada border to 
Franklin, NH, Northern Pass proposes to construct a single circuit 
300-kV HVDC above-ground transmission line mounted on 
structures ranging from approximately 90 feet to 135 feet tall. For the 
AC portion of the Project from Franklin to Deerfield, NH, Northern Pass 
proposes to construct a single circuit 345-kV AC above-ground 
transmission line mounted on structures ranging from approximately 80 
feet to 135 feet tall.
    After due consideration of the nature and extent of the proposed 
project, including evaluation of the ``Information Regarding Potential 
Environmental Impacts'' section of the Presidential permit application, 
DOE has determined that the appropriate level of NEPA review for this 
project is an EIS. DOE's proposed action is the granting of the 
Presidential permit for a transmission line to cross the international 
border. It is anticipated that the transmission line project could 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
    Notice of Floodplain and Wetland Involvement: Because the proposed 
project may involve actions in floodplains and wetlands, in accordance 
with 10 CFR part 1022, Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland 
Environmental Review Requirements, as part of the analysis of impacts 
DOE will conduct field delineation of floodplains and wetlands along 
the preferred route and alternatives, using State and Federal protocols 
and consulting Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate 
Maps. The EIS will include a floodplain and wetland assessment as 
appropriate, and the final EIS or record of decision will include a 
floodplain statement of findings.
    The Forest Service proposed action is the issuance of a special use 
permit to Northern Pass to construct, operate, and maintain a new 
electric transmission line in the White Mountain National Forest. The 
EIS will identify any restrictions necessary to ensure the project is 
consistent with applicable Forest Plan.
    Where the activity involves the discharge of dredged or fill 
material into

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waters of the United States, a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers 
is required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 
1344). Army Corps of Engineers regulations provide for concurrent 
decision making with States, and combining insofar as possible process 
and procedures, including public involvement procedures, leading to a 
permit decision. The Army Corps of Engineers General Regulatory 
Policies can be found at 33 CFR part 320.
    DOE invites Tribal governments and Federal, State, and local 
agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues to be cooperating agencies with respect to the 
EIS, as defined at 40 CFR part 1501.6. Cooperating agencies have 
certain responsibilities to support the NEPA process, as specified at 
40 CFR part 1501.6(b). The Forest Service, White Mountain National 
Forest, and the Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, are 
cooperating agencies.
    Northern Pass describes its preferred route for the Project in 
terms of three sections, the north, central and south section.
    The north section would begin in NH at the U.S.-Canada border and 
run in a generally southerly direction through the town of Colebrook, 
to the Lost Nation Substation located in the vicinity of the town of 
Northumberland; it would require a new right-of-way (ROW). South of 
Lost Nation Substation, the line would utilize an existing ROW through 
the towns of Northumberland, Lancaster, and Whitefield to a point east 
of the town of Littleton and west of the town of Bethlehem.
    The central section would run south from that point utilizing an 
existing ROW through the town of Sugar Hill and cross the White 
Mountain National Forest between the towns of Easton and North 
Woodstock. The line would cross the Appalachian Trail in the White 
Mountain National Forest utilizing an existing ROW. The line would 
continue south utilizing an existing ROW through the town of Thornton 
to the city of Franklin, where the southern converter terminal would be 
located.
    The south section of the line would run southeast from the Franklin 
converter terminal to the Deerfield substation utilizing an existing 
ROW except near the city of Concord, where the line would run east of 
the city of Concord and require a new ROW for approximately 8 miles 
before returning to the existing ROW in the town of Pembroke, then 
utilizing this existing ROW to the Deerfield substation.
    Northern Pass has identified several segment options to its 
preferred route. These segment options occur in the north, central and 
south sections of the proposed transmission line.

North Section Segment Options

    Three optional segments have been identified for the north section. 
The first is 0.5 miles longer than the preferred route and is located 
east of the preferred route primarily near the town of Stratford. This 
segment option is approximately 10.2 miles long and deviates to the 
east around several mountains to limit its visibility from the 
Connecticut River Scenic Byway. This route would cross part of the 
Bunnell Working Forest, a protected conservation area.
    The second segment option for the north section is approximately 
8.6 miles long (1 mile longer than the preferred route). It would 
bypass the Cape Horn State Forest to the west and traverse the towns of 
Northumberland and Lancaster. This option would require a new ROW, 
would be more visible from the Connecticut River Scenic Byway, and 
would traverse the Potter Farm, a privately-owned conservation area.
    The third segment option for the north section is approximately 
21.1 miles long (1.8 miles longer than the preferred route) and would 
bypass the community of Whitefield, as well as an historic site and 
some conservation lands. This route would require a new ROW over the 
entire 21.1 mile length and be more visible from, and cross, the 
Connecticut River Scenic Byway.

Central Section Segment Options

    Two segment options have been identified in the central section. 
The first winds around the White Mountain National Forest and is 
approximately 53 miles long. It is 13.3 miles longer than the preferred 
route, and it would require a new ROW. This route would cross the 
Appalachian Trail at a location that does not currently contain a 
transmission line crossing.
    The second alternative segment in the central section leaves the 
existing ROW just north of Webster Lake and goes around the west side 
of the lake for 5.3 miles on a new ROW before rejoining the existing 
ROW south of the Webster Substation. This alternative is 0.1 mile 
longer than the preferred route and would be visible to residents 
around Webster Lake.

South Section Segment Options

    Three segment options have been identified in the south section. 
The first segment option would leave the existing ROW north of Oak Hill 
Substation and require 5.2 miles of new ROW. This route is 0.5 mile 
shorter than the preferred route.
    The second segment option in the south section would leave the 
existing ROW north of Oak Hill Substation and run in an easterly 
direction on 18.6 miles of new ROW until it connects to an existing 
distribution line ROW which would require expansion to transmission 
line ROW standards for approximately 9.7 miles. This route is 1.7 miles 
longer than the preferred route.
    The third segment option in the south section would utilize the 
existing ROW for approximately 7.7 miles in the City of Concord and the 
Town of Pembroke, NH. It would require Federal Aviation Administration 
authorization for the location of the new transmission structures in 
the vicinity of Concord Municipal Airport.
    The Northern Pass Presidential permit application, including 
associated maps and drawings, can be viewed or downloaded in its 
entirety from the project EIS Web site at http://www.northernpasseis.us. Also available at these same locations is the 
November 16, 2010, Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Application 
(75 FR 69990).

Agency Purpose and Need and Alternatives

    The purpose and need for DOE's action is to decide whether to grant 
Northern Pass the subject Presidential permit.
    Under the Action alternative, DOE would grant the Northern Pass 
application for a Presidential Permit for the proposed international 
electric transmission line.
    Under the No Action alternative, DOE would deny the Northern Pass 
application for a Presidential Permit for the proposed international 
electric transmission line.

Identification of Environmental Issues

    The EIS will evaluate potential environmental, social, cultural, 
and economic impacts in the U.S. from the construction and operation of 
the proposed new electric transmission line facilities. This notice is 
intended to inform agencies and the public of the proposed project, and 
to solicit comments and suggestions for consideration in the 
preparation of the EIS.
    DOE intends to analyze impacts across a number of resource areas, 
including:
     Air quality (including climate change and greenhouse gas 
emissions).
     Water resources and drainage.
     Geography, geology, and soils.

[[Page 7831]]

     Land use.
     Threatened and endangered species, special status species, 
and related sensitive resources.
     Airspace utilization.
     Public health and safety.
     Noise.
     Natural hazards.
     Hazardous materials.
     Accidents and intentional destructive acts.
     Cultural and historical resources.
     Recreational resources.
     Visual resources.
     Socioeconomic impacts, community services and 
infrastructure.
     Environmental justice considerations (disproportionately 
high and adverse impacts to minority and low income populations).
     Cumulative impacts (past, present, and reasonably 
foreseeable future actions).
     Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources.
    This list is not intended to be all inclusive or to imply any 
predetermination of impacts. DOE invites interested parties to suggest 
specific issues within these general categories, or other issues not 
included above, to be considered in the EIS.

Scoping Process

    Interested parties are invited to participate in the scoping 
process, both to help define the environmental issues to be analyzed 
and to identify the range of reasonable alternatives. Both oral and 
written comments will be considered and given equal weight by DOE, 
regardless of how submitted. Written comments can be submitted either 
electronically or by paper copy; if the latter, consider using a 
delivery service because materials submitted by regular mail are 
subject to security screening, which both causes extended delay and 
potential damage to the contents. (Warped and unusable CD or DVD discs 
are common.) Additionally, comments can be submitted through the 
project Web site established for preparation of the EIS, at http://www.northernpasseis.us. This site will also serve as a repository for 
all public documents and the central location for announcements. 
Individuals may subscribe to the ``mail list'' feature on the project 
Web site in order to receive future announcements and news releases.
    Public scoping meetings will be held at the locations, dates, and 
times as indicated below:
    1. Pembroke NH, Pembroke Academy cafeteria, 209 Academy Road, 
Monday, March 14, 6-9 p.m.;
    2. Franklin NH, Franklin Opera House, 316 Central street, Tuesday, 
March 15, 6-9 p.m.;
    3. Lincoln NH, The Mountain Club on Loon, Hancock Room, 90 Loon 
Mountain Road, Wednesday, March 16, 6-9 p.m.;
    4. Whitefield NH, Mountain View Grand Hotel and Resort, 
Presidential Room, 101 Mountain View Road, Thursday, March 17, 6-9 
p.m.; and
    5. Colebrook NH, Colebrook Elementary School, 27 Dumont Street, 
Saturday, March 19, 1-4 p.m.
    The scoping meetings will be structured in two parts: first, an 
informal discussion ``workshop'' period that will not be recorded; and 
second, a formal commenting session, which will be transcribed by a 
court stenographer. The meetings will provide interested parties the 
opportunity to view proposed project exhibits and make comments. The 
Applicant, DOE, and any cooperating agency representatives will be 
available to answer questions and provide additional information to 
attendees to the extent that additional information is available at 
this early stage of the proceedings.
    Persons submitting comments during the scoping process, whether 
orally or in writing, will receive either paper or electronic copies of 
the Draft EIS, according to their preference. Persons who do not wish 
to submit comments or suggestions at this time but who would like to 
receive a copy of the document for review and comment when it is issued 
should notify Brian Mills, as provided above, with their paper-or-
electronic preference.
    DOE will summarize all comments received in a ``Scoping Report'' 
that will be available on the project Web site and distributed either 
electronically to all parties of record for whom we have an e-mail 
address, or by mailing paper copies upon request.

EIS Preparation and Schedule

    Following completion of the Scoping Report, DOE will prepare the 
Draft EIS, taking into consideration comments received during the 
scoping period.
    DOE plans to issue the draft EIS by the end of November 2011. After 
DOE issues the draft EIS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) will publish a notice of availability (NOA) of the draft EIS in 
the Federal Register, which will begin a minimum 45-day public comment 
period. DOE will announce how to comment on the draft EIS and will hold 
public hearings during the public comment period, but no sooner than 15 
days after the notice of availability is published. In preparing the 
final EIS, DOE will respond to comments received on the draft EIS.
    DOE plans to issue the final EIS by April 2012. No sooner than 30 
days after the EPA publishes a NOA of the final EIS, DOE will issue its 
Record of Decision regarding its action considered in the EIS.

    Dated: Issued in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2011.
Patricia A. Hoffman,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy 
Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2011-3147 Filed 2-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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