NEPA PLANNING PROCESS
General
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) is commonly referred to as NEPA. The law is the “basic national charter for protection of the environment” and it contains provisions to ensure that federal agencies carry out the policies of NEPA in accordance with its letter and spirit.
NEPA also required the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which issued regulations that federal agencies must follow to implement NEPA. These regulations instruct federal agencies on what they must do to comply with the process and procedures outlined in the NEPA. One of the basic tenets of these regulations is that comprehensive information is made available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and before actions are taken. This comprehensive information must be of high quality and contain accurate scientific analysis.
There are two forms in which this information can be documented: an Environmental Assessment (EA) or a more in-depth document entitled an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Both of these documents must identify and evaluate the issues that are truly significant to the action in question. Essential to the NEPA process are expert agency comments and public input. The NEPA process is intended to help federal agencies (in this case the USACE) make decisions that are based on an understanding of the environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore and enhance the environment.
The Corps has determined that it will prepare an EIS for this project. The EIS will be prepared in two stages, a Draft EIS and a Final EIS. Both of these documents will be circulated for public comment. Ultimately, when the Corps is prepared to make a final decision on the application, they will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) in conjunction with an action on the pending permit application.
The input we receive from the public is vital to the successful completion of this EIS, and the public is encouraged to participate in this process. More information regarding public involvement can be found on the Public Involvement Page.
Alternatives Analysis
The alternatives analysis is a vital part of the EIS. The Corps must evaluate reasonable alternatives to the project as proposed by Santee Cooper that will avoid or minimize effects on the quality of the human environment. “Reasonable” alternatives are those that are practical or feasible from the technical and economic standpoint and using common sense, rather than simply desirable from the standpoint of the applicant (40 CFR 230).
When determining which alternatives to the applicant’s proposal should be rigorously explored and objectively evaluated in the EIS, the Corps will assess at least the following:
The “No Action” alternative means that the proposed activity would not take place. This alternative is used to compare the effects of the proposed project to what would occur if the proposed project were not constructed. Keep in mind that the effects from the proposed project will not be compared to conditions that exist today; the effects will be compared to the projected future conditions.
It should be noted that the analysis of alternatives is based on the permit application that has been submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers, indicating the proposed facility would generate 1,320 MW.
The Project Team is currently completing a high level review of several fuel source alternatives. The fuel source alternatives will be evaluated to determine whether they could serve as a sole source or a combined source (utilization of two or more fuel types) of fuel for the proposed generating station. The fuel sources that have now been evaluated as sole sources consists of the following:
-
Renewable Sources
-
Fossil Fuel
-
Natural Gas
-
Fuel Oil
-
Coal
-
Other
A discussion of the fuel sources evaluated to date is contained in a PowerPoint presentation. This presentation provides a summary of issues considered and indicates whether the alternative was eliminated from further study, eliminated from further study as a sole source, or will be studied further. It should be noted that the information contained in this presentation is preliminary in nature and is subject to change as this project progresses.
Click here to view PowerPoint Presentation