Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Minnesota Agri-Power Plant and Associated Facilities

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In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and Minnesota Statutes, Ch 116D, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board [MEQB, a Minnesota State agency] announce their intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding a proposal by the Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers (MnVAP) to construct and operate a 75-103 megawatt biomass fueled gasifier and electric generating facility, known as the Minnesota Agri-Power Plant (MAPP), and associated transmission lines and alfalfa processing facilities. The plant would be fueled with alfalfa stems grown and processed primarily in Minnesota and South Dakota. Two sites (preferred and alternative) for the power plant have been proposed by MnVAP near Granite Falls, Minnesota. Depending upon the site selected for the power plant, 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines would run between two and six miles to an existing substation owned by Northern States Power Company in Granite Falls. Alfalfa processing facilities for separating the alfalfa leaves from stems would be located throughout the growing region when the locations of growers are established. DOE propos