Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; NRG Energy, Inc.

Resumen

NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) has applied to the Department of Energy (DOE) for a Presidential permit to construct a 500,000-volt transmission line originating at the switchyard of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station near Phoenix, Arizona, and extending approximately 177 miles to the southwest, where it would cross the United States (U.S.) border with Mexico in the vicinity of Calexico, California. From the border, NRG would extend the line approximately 2.5 miles into Mexico. DOE has determined that the issuance of the permit would constitute a major Federal action that may have significant impact upon the environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). For this reason, DOE intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to address reasonably foreseeable impacts from the proposed action and reasonable alternatives. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to inform the public about the proposed action, announce the plans for three public scoping meetings in the vicinity of the proposed transmission line, invite public participation in the scoping process, and solicit public comments for consideration in establishing the scope and co