Energy Resiliency Projects at Joint Base Langley-Eustis

The United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with energy resiliency projects to improve the quality, reduce the cost, and increase the speed and scale of the base's energy infrastructure investments to meet the Department of Defense's energy conservation and management goals at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Eustis (JBLE-Eustis), Virginia. The purpose of the proposed action is to increase energy resiliency at JBLE-Eustis by incorporating alternative energy resources in compliance with federal mandates, National Defense Authorization Acts, and associated regulations and planning documents. The need for the proposed action is to protect critical infrastructure from power disruptions during natural or manmade disasters, as well as maintaining diversity in power sources. The DAF has identified three (3) microgrid alternatives to meet the purpose and need of the proposed action. The proposed action may be subject to Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Managements, requirements and objectives because the proposed action or alternatives may occur within a floodplain. The DAF requests advance public comment to determine if there are public concerns regarding the project's potential impacts on floodplains. The DAF would also like to solicit public input or comments on potential project alternatives. The proposed project will be analyzed in the forthcoming EA, and the public will have the opportunity to comment on the Draft EA when it is released.