NOI - Abengoa Biorefinery

Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices 50001

information collection documents from postmarked by October 9, 2008, in ‘‘the goals of the biofuels and
the General Services Administration, defining the scope of this EIS. bioproducts programs shall be to
FAR Secretariat (VPR), Room 4041, 1800 Comments received or postmarked after develop, in partnership with industry
F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405, that date will be considered to the and institutes of higher education—
telephone (202) 501–4755. Please cite extent practicable. A public scoping (1) Advanced biochemical and
OMB Control No. 9000–0144, Payment meeting will be held in Memorial Hall thermochemical conversion
by Electronic Funds Transfer, in all at the Stevens County Courthouse, technologies capable of making fuels
correspondence. Hugoton, Kansas, on September 10, from lignocellulosic feedstocks that are
Dated: August 15, 2008. 2008 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Written and price-competitive with gasoline or
oral comments will be given equal diesel in either internal combustion
Al Matera,
weight. engines or fuel cell-powered vehicles;
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy. (2) Advanced biotechnology processes
[FR Doc. E8–19669 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
scope of the EIS should be directed to capable of making biofuels and
BILLING CODE 6820–EP–S
Kristin Kerwin at the U.S. Department bioproducts with emphasis on
of Energy Golden Field Office, 1617 development of biorefinery technologies
Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado using enzyme-based processing systems;
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (3) Advanced biotechnology processes
80401. You may also contact Ms.
capable of increasing energy production
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Kerwin by telephone at 303–275–4968,
from lignocellulosic feedstocks, with
Environmental Impact Statement and fascimilie at 303–275–4790, or e-mail:
emphasis on reducing the dependence
Notice of Wetlands Involvement for the kristin.kerwin@go.doe.gov. Envelopes
of industry on fossil fuels in
Abengoa Biorefinery Project Near and the subject line of e-mails should be
manufacturing facilities; and
Hugoton, KS (DOE/EIS 0407) labeled ‘‘Abengoa EIS Scoping
(4) Other advanced processes that will
Comments.’’
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and The public scoping meeting will be enable the development of cost-effective
Renewable Energy, Department of held on September 10, 2008 from 6 p.m. bioproducts, including biofuels.’’
Section 932(d) provides that ‘‘the
Energy (DOE). to 8 p.m. at the following location:
Secretary shall carry out a program to
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Memorial Hall, Stevens County
demonstrate the commercial application
environmental impact statement, Courthouse, 200 East 6th St., Hugoton,
of integrated biorefineries. The
conduct a public scoping meeting, and Kansas 67951–2606.
Secretary shall ensure geographical
opportunity for public comment; Notice FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
distribution of biorefinery
of Wetlands Involvement. information on the proposed project, demonstration under this subsection.
information on how to comment, or to The Secretary shall not provide more
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of receive a copy of the draft EIS when it
Energy (DOE) announces its intent to than $100,000,000 under this subsection
is issued, contact Kristin Kerwin by any for any single biorefinery
prepare an Environmental Impact of the means described in the
Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National demonstration. In making awards under
ADDRESSES section above.
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 this subsection, the Secretary shall
For further information on the DOE
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the encourage—
Office of Energy Efficiency and (A) The demonstration of a wide
Council on Environmental Quality Renewable Energy Integrated
NEPA regulations (40 Code of Federal variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks;
Biorefinery Program, contact Jacques (B) The commercial application of
Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500–1508), Beaudry-Losique, Biomass Program biomass technologies for a variety of
and the DOE NEPA regulations (10 CFR Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, uses, including—
Part 1021) to assess the potential 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., EE– i. Liquid transportation fuels;
environmental impacts of a project 2E, 5H–021, Washington, DC 20585, ii. High-value biobased chemicals;
proposed by Abengoa Bioenergy telephone: 202–586–5188, facsimile: iii. Substitutes for petroleum-based
Biomass of Kansas, LLC (ABBK), to 202–586–1640, e-mail: feedstocks and products; and
construct and operate a biomass-to- eere_biomass@ee.doe.gov. iv. Energy in the form of electricity or
ethanol and energy facility near For general information on the DOE useful heat; and
Hugoton, Kansas (hereinafter termed NEPA process, please contact: Carol M. (C) The demonstration of the
‘‘Abengoa Biorefinery Project’’ or the Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA collection of treatment of a variety of
‘‘Project’’). DOE’s proposed action is to Policy and Compliance (GC–20), U.S. biomass feedstocks.’’
provide cost-share Federal funding to Department of Energy, 1000 Section 932(d) further directs the
ABBK to construct and operate the Independence Avenue, SW., Secretary to solicit proposals for
Project. DOE is issuing this Notice of Washington, DC 20585–0103; e-mail: demonstration of advanced biorefineries
Intent to inform the public about the AskNEPA@hq.doe.gov; telephone: 202– and to select only proposals that
proposed action; announce plans to 586–4600; leave a message at 1–800– demonstrate economic viability without
conduct a public scoping meeting; 472–2756; or facsimile: 202–586–7031. Federal subsidy after initial
invite public participation in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: construction costs are paid and for
scoping process; and solicit public Background and Need for Agency projects that are replicable.
comments for consideration in Action: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 In implementing section 932, DOE’s
establishing the scope of the EIS, (EPAct 2005), Section 932, directs the goal is to demonstrate that commercial-
including the range of reasonable Secretary of Energy to conduct a scale integrated biorefineries that use a
alternatives and the potential program of research, development, wide variety of lignocellulosic
ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES

environmental impacts to be analyzed. demonstration, and commercial feedstocks (biomass), can operate
DATES: The public scoping period begins application for bioenergy, including, profitably once constructed, and can be
on August 25, 2008, and will continue integrated biorefineries that may replicated. Lignocellulosic feedstock
through October 9, 2008. DOE will produce biopower, biofuels, and includes energy crops, corn fiber, wood
consider all comments received or bioproducts. Section 932 provides that wastes, agricultural wastes such as corn

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50002 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices

stover, and certain municipal solid feedstocks (sorghum or corn) along with includes the combined facility footprint
wastes. DOE notes that, while the distillers grains with solubles, which is of about 385 acres and a buffer area
refining process for ethanol from a product. While the traditional grain- between the proposed biorefinery and
biomass is more complex than the to-ethanol facility would be constructed the City of Hugoton to the east. Hugoton
refining process for ethanol derived and operated with private funds, DOE has a population of about 3,700 and is
from grain, cellulosic ethanol can yield plans to analyze the traditional grain-to- located in Stevens County in southwest
a greater net energy benefit and result in ethanol facility as a connected action in KS. Land use in the area is primarily
lower greenhouse gas emissions. the EIS. agricultural in nature with cropland
Accordingly, DOE issued a funding Proposed Action: DOE is proposing to being the dominant use and grassland
opportunity announcement for the provide approximately $61 million in being the secondary use. The area has
construction and operation of Federal funding to ABBK for the diverse biomass feedstocks, numerous
commercial-scale integrated construction and operation of a large cattle feedlots, and a variety of
biorefineries intended to demonstrate commercial-scale biomass-to-ethanol grains grown locally.
the use of a wide variety of cellulosic and energy facility near Hugoton, KS. The project site itself currently
feedstocks. On February 28, 2007, DOE The total estimated cost (beyond the consists of row-cropped agricultural
announced the selection of six initial award) for construction and land and is adjoined by grain elevators,
biorefinery projects for negotiation of operation of the biomass-to-ethanol an asphalt plant, industrial park, and
financial assistance awards. In that portion of the project is approximately airport to the south; golf course and
announcement, DOE proposes to invest $190.5 million. agricultural land to the west; two
up to $385 million in the six projects The biomass-to-ethanol facility would residences to the northwest; and
over the next four years. process 400 dry metric tons per day of agricultural cropland to the north.
Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of biomass to produce approximately 12 About 65 % of the site would qualify as
Kansas, LLC (ABBK) of Chesterfield, million gallons per year (MGPY) of prime farmland if it were irrigated. The
Missouri, was one of the six applicants denatured ethanol. The biomass-to- proposed biorefinery site and additional
competitively selected for negotiation of ethanol facility would utilize an buffer area to the east are currently
award under DOE’s funding opportunity enzymatic hydrolysis process for zoned Agricultural, but the biorefinery
announcement. Abengoa proposed an converting biomass feedstocks to location is proposed for a change to
innovative approach to biorefinery ethanol and co-products, and a Heavy Industrial zoning.
operations that involves production of a gasification technology to convert Infrastructure required to operate the
biofuel and of energy in the form of biomass to synthesis gas. Biomass proposed biorefinery would include the
steam that can be used to meet energy feedstock would be supplied from waste following:
needs and displace fossil fuels such as products from the production of crops • Water, which would be supplied
coal and natural gas. In addition, siting produced within a 30 mile radius of the from wells on-site and near the project
the facility in Kansas would qualify facility, and may include sorghum site utilizing water rights acquired from
Abengoa for state tax credits for stubble, corn stover, switchgrass, and local owners;
biofuels, which would make the other opportunity feedstocks that are • Electricity, which would be brought
biorefinery a more viable commercial available in the area. to the project site by Pioneer Electric
operation. The traditional grain-to-ethanol from an existing substation located a
DOE granted an initial award to ABBK process would use 32 million bushels of few miles to the north of the project site;
to advance the conceptual design; to grain (sorghum and corn) to produce • Natural gas, which would be
initiate the permitting process; and to approximately 88 MGPY of denatured brought through a lateral connection to
support an environmental review under ethanol annually, two-thirds of which one of the nearby interstate pipelines or
NEPA for ABBK’s proposed biomass-to- (i.e. that derived from sorghum) would through the local distribution company;
ethanol-and-energy facility near qualify as Advanced Biofuels under • Wastewater treatment—wastewater
Hugoton, KS. DOE requires that ABBK Section 207 of the Energy Independence would be treated on-site, non-contact
fulfill these design, permitting, and and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) (Per cooling water will be used for irrigation;
environmental review obligations prior EISA, Advanced Biofuels includes all • Railroad service would be provided
to deciding whether to cofund the biofuels except corn-based ethanol). by the Cimarron Valley Short Line
construction and operation phase of the Solids from the process will be which runs adjacent to the project site;
project. The total anticipated cost of this converted to animal feed, resulting in and
initial work is $37.5 million of which the production of up to 781,800 tons per • Road access would be via a truck
DOE is funding 40% ($15 million) and year wet distillers grain with solubles bypass route that the City of Hugoton
ABBK is providing 60% ($22.5 million). (WDGS). The facility will have the intends to construct prior to the
As described below, DOE is now capability to dry up to 50 percent of the completion of the project.
proposing to negotiate a second WDGS, producing a maximum of During construction, truck traffic to
financial assistance agreement for 152,000 tons per year of dried distiller’s the site would be expected to average
approximately $61 million for the grains with solubles (DDGS). The about 30 shipments a day. During
construction and operation of the difference between the two sources of operations, truck traffic would be
biomass to ethanol facility, whose animal feed is moisture; DDGS contains expected to increase to about 470
anticipated total cost is approximately approximately 10 percent moisture shipments a day. Most of the grain and
$190.5 million. while WDGS contains approximately 65 biomass would be obtained from
ABBK is also planning to construct percent moisture. growers located near the proposed
and operate a traditional grain-to- The overall integrated biorefinery, facility, but about 8 million tons of grain
ethanol production facility at the same comprising both the proposed biomass- would be shipped to the facility from

site that would integrate the biomass-to- to-ethanol facility and the grain-to- non-local sources each year.
ethanol facility into the overall facility. ethanol facility, would be capable of Alternatives: NEPA requires that
This grain-to-ethanol facility would use producing about 100 MGPY of agencies evaluate reasonable
a traditional starch conversion process denatured ethanol and would be located alternatives to the proposed action in an
to produce ethanol from grain on approximately 800 acres, which EIS. To implement the requirements of


Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices 50003

EPAct 2005, Section 932(d), in a 6. Cultural Resources: Including statements will not be cross-examined
separate, earlier proceeding DOE potential effects on historic and by other speakers. However, DOE
conducted a competitive solicitation. archaeological resources and Native representatives may ask speakers
DOE received 24 applications in the American tribal resources. questions to help ensure that DOE fully
response to the solicitation. Of these, 7. Ecological Resources: Terrestrial understands their comments or
nine did not comply with statutory and aquatic plants and animals suggestions. To request time to speak at
requirements for eligibility under including state and Federally listed the meeting, please contact Kristin
Section 932. DOE reviewed the threatened and endangered species and Kerwin via telephone, mail, fax or e-
remaining 15 applications on their other protected resources. mail as listed in the ADDRESSES section
merits and, having considered the 8. Health and safety impacts: of this Notice. Persons may also sign up
objectives set forth in Section 932, Including construction-related safety to speak before the meeting at the
selected six proposals, including and process-related safety associated reception desk at the entrance to the
ABBK’s proposal for appropriate NEPA with handling and management of meeting and will be provided
review. DOE selected ABBK’s proposal process chemicals. opportunities to speak after previously
for negotiation of a funding agreement 9. Noise: Potential impacts resulting
scheduled speakers have spoken, as
in part because of its particular scale, from construction and operation of the
time allows. To ensure that everyone
location, and technology. proposed plant and from transportation
who wishes to speak has a chance to do
DOE will consider reasonable only of feedstocks, process materials, and
so, five minutes will be allotted to each
alternatives to the proposed action that plant byproducts.
10. Socioeconomic impacts: Potential speaker. Depending on the number of
meet its purpose and need. Accordinly, persons requesting to speak, DOE may
DOE proposes to analyze the following socioeconomic impacts of plant
construction and operation, including allow longer times for representatives of
alternatives in detail in the EIS: (1) To
effects on public services and organizations. Persons wishing to speak
provide federal funding for the Abengoa
infrastructure resulting from the influx on behalf of an organization should
Biorefinery Project as proposed by
of construction personnel and plant identify that organization when they
ABBK (the Proposed Action); (2) to
provide federal funding for the Abengoa operating staff, and environmental sign up to speak.
Biorefinery Project contingent on justice issues. A complete transcript of the public
implementation of environmental 11. Aesthetic and scenic resources: scoping meeting will be retained by
mitigation measures, which would be Potential visual effects associated with DOE and made available to the public
determined based on the environmental plant structures and operations. for review via the Golden Field Office
impact analysis in the EIS; and (3) to not 12. Cumulative impacts that result Online Public Reading Room at: http://
provide federal funding for the from the incremental impacts of the www.eere.energy.gov/golden/
proposed project (the No Action proposed plant when added to the other Reading_Room.aspx and during
alternative). past, present, and reasonably business hours at the Department of
Preliminary Identification of foreseeable future activities within the Energy, Freedom of Information Reading
Environmental Issues: The purpose of regions of influence. This may include Room, Forrestal Building, Room 1E–90,
this Notice is to solicit comments and potential impacts resulting from 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
suggestions for consideration in the widespread replication of this type of Washington, DC 20585–0001.
preparation of the EIS. As background technology. Additional copies of the public scoping
for public comment, this Notice 13. Global Climate Change: Potential meeting transcripts will be made
contains a list of potential greenhouse gas emissions and impacts available during business hours at the
environmental issues that DOE has on global climate change that may result following location: Stevens County
tentatively identified for analysis. This from this project. Library, 500 S. Monroe Street, Hugoton,
list identifies resource areas that may be Public Scoping Process: Interested Kansas 67951.
affected by construction and operation agencies, organizations, Native
American tribes, and members of the Draft EIS Schedule and Availability:
of the proposed Project and that DOE The draft EIS is scheduled to be issued
plans to analyze in the EIS. This list is public are encouraged to submit
comments or suggestions concerning the in late 2008. The availability of the draft
not intended to be all-inclusive or to EIS will be announced in the Federal
imply any predetermination of impacts. content of the EIS, including the range
of reasonable alternatives and the Register and local media. The draft EIS
DOE welcomes comments on this list will be made available for public
and other suggestions on the scope of potential environmental impacts to be
analyzed. DOE invites oral comments inspection at the location listed above
the EIS. and on the Internet. Comments on the
1. Water Resources: Potential impacts and suggestions at the public scoping
meeting. The public scoping period will Draft EIS will be considered in
on surface and groundwater resources
be open until October 9, 2008. preparing the Final EIS.
and water quality, including effects of
water usage, wastewater management, Written comments should be sent to Interested parties who do not wish to
storm water management. Kristin Kerwin as described in the submit comments at this time, but who
2. Potential impacts on apparent ADDRESSES section of this Notice. The would like to receive a copy of the draft
isolated wetlands at the project site. public scoping meeting will be held at EIS should contact Kristin Kerwin as
3. Utility and transportation the location, date, and time listed in the provided in the ADDRESSES section of
infrastructure requirements for delivery DATES and ADDRESSES sections of this this notice.
of feedstocks and process chemicals to notice. This meeting will be informal. A
Issued in Washington, DC, on this 19th day
the facility and distribution of products presiding officer designated by DOE will
of August, 2008.
from the facility to the marketplace. establish procedures governing the

conduct of the meeting and an overview Alexander A. Karsner,
4. Land Use: Changes in land use,
including the proposed site and the of the proposed Project will be Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
geographical area that will provide provided. The meeting will not be Renewable Energy.
feedstock to the proposed facility. conducted as an evidentiary hearing, [FR Doc. E8–19633 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am]
5. Local and Regional Air Quality. and those who choose to make BILLING CODE 6450–01–P


NOI - Abengoa Biorefinery

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NOI - Abengoa Biorefinery