Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
NPDES Permits & Stormwater
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
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Kyrene Expansion Project
Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) Environmental Assessment for the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District Kyrene Expansion Project in Temple, Arizona
To all interested government agencies, public groups, and individuals:
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has completed an environmental review of the impacts of the following action:
Issuance of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to:
Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRP)
for the Kyrene Expansion Project.
Based on analyses presented in the Environmental Assessment for the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRP) Kyrene Expansion Project (Environmental Assessment), USEPA is proposing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for this project. The Proposed Action consists of the construction and operation of the Kyrene Expansion Project (KEP), which would expand the energy-producing capacity of SRP’s existing Kyrene Generating Station in Tempe, Arizona. The proposed facility would consist of one natural gas-fired combined cycle system (stationary combustion turbine, stationary steam turbine, and heat recovery steam generator); one diesel-fired emergency fire water pump; one mechanical draft cooling tower; and associated water supply, water discharge and natural gas pipelines. The proposed plant expansion facilities would produce 250 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The existing Kyrene Generating Station operations would be scaled back once the KEP was operational. The proposed expansion would be located entirely within the 160-acre parcel that includes the existing Kyrene Generating Station and other facilities owned by SRP.
SRP is in the process of applying for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the USEPA. The permit would allow the discharge of cooling tower blowdown and various low volume discharges back to the Salt River and/or the Gila Drain, and the management and discharges of site storm water runoff. The USEPA has determined that the proposed facility would be a “new Source” as defined under the Clean Water Act. Section 511 of the Clean Water Act states that the provisions of NEPA apply to issuance of New Source NPDES permits.
Under NEPA regulations found at 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 6.600 through 6.607, the USEPA must evaluate the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that would be associated with the construction and operation of the proposed facility. The Environmental Assessment was prepared to determine whether or not significant impacts are anticipated from the Proposed Action and to identify alternatives that may avoid or mitigate potential adverse impacts.
In accordance with the guidelines for determining the significance of proposed Federal actions (40 CFR 1508.27), the USEPA has concluded that the Proposed Action will not result in significant effects on the environment. The project will not significantly affect soils and geology, air quality, water quality or quantity, vegetation, wildlife, threatened or endangered species, noise, light and glare, natural resources, population, housing, transportation/circulation, public service, energy, land use plans or policies, and human health. The project also conforms with all applicable Federal statutes and executive orders.
We have considered the information in the Environmental Assessment and have determined that the Proposed Action will not significantly impact the environment and that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required.
| ________________________________ Laura Yoshii Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
____________ Date |