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new hampshire site evaLuation committee
docket no. 2008 —
appLication of granite reLiabLe power, LLc
for certificate of site and faciLity
granite reliable power windparkcoos county, new hampshire
juLy 2008
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication APPLICATIONgranite reLiabLe power LLc certificate of site and faciLity
granite reLiabLe power
G r a n i t e r e l i a B l e P o W e r , l lC
W i n d P a r K
List of acronyms .........................................................................................6EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ 9
List of appendices .......................................................................................19
List of figures ...................................................................................... 22
List of tabLes ...................................................................................... 24
APPLICATION INFORMATION ............................................................................. 25
(a) SIgNATURE OF APPLICANT .................................................................. 26
(b) APPLICANT INFORMATION .................................................................. 27
(1) Name of applicant ................................................................................... 27
(2) The applicant’s mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses ......................................................................... 27
(3) The names and addresses of the applicant’s parent company, association or corporation if the applicant is a subsidiary ......................... 27
(4) If applicant is a corporation, ............................................................... 27
a. The state of incorporation ........................................................ 27
b. The corporation’s principal place of business .............................. 28
c. The names and addresses of its principal directors, officers and stockholders ......................................................... 28
(5) If the applicant is an association, the names and residences of the members of the association ........................................................ 28
(6) Whether applicant is the owner, lessee of the site or facility or has some legal or business relationship to it........................................ 28
(7) A statement of assets and liabilities of the applicant ................................. 29
(c) SITE INFORMATION ............................................................................. 30
(1) Location and address of site of proposed faciLity .................. 30
(2) site acreage (attach property map and Locate site by scaLe on u.s. geoLogicaL survey or gis map) ....................... 33
(3) the Location of residences, industriaL buiLdings, and other structures and improvements within or adjacent to the site .... 33
(4) identification of wetLands and surface waters of the state within or adjacent to the site ............................... 34
(5) identification of naturaL and other resources within or adjacent to the site. .................................................. 35
(6) information reLated to whether the proposed site and faciLity wiLL unduLy interfere with the orderLy deveLopment of the region having given due consideration to the views of municipaL governing boards . ............................................. 36
(d) OThER REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS .................................. 40
(1) identification of aLL other federaL or state government
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication tabLe ofCONTENTS
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agencies having jurisdiction, under state or federaL Law, to reguLate any aspect of the construction or operation of the proposed faciLity ............................................................. 40
(2) documentation that demonstrates compLiance with the appLication requirements of such agencies ...................... 40
(3) a copy of the compLeted appLication form for each agency .. 41
(4) identification of any requests for waivers from the information requirements of any state agency or department whether represented on the committee or not ....................... 41
(e) ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION ................................................... 41
(f) RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION ................................. 41
(1) make, modeL and manufacturer of the unit ..............................41
(2) capacity in megawatts, as designed and as intended for operation ..............................................................43
(3) type of unit incLuding ................................................................43
a. Fuel utilized .............................................................................43
b. Method of cooling condenser discharge ......................................43
c. whether the unit is proposed to serve base, intermediate or peaking loads .....................................................................43
d. Unit efficiency......................................................................... 43
e. Impact on system stability and reliability ................................... 43
(4) any associated new substations and transmission Lines ...... 44
(5) construction scheduLe, incLuding start date and scheduLed compLetion date................................................ 44
a. Access roads .......................................................................... 46
b. Substation, interconnection switching station, laydown yard and maintenance building ................................................ 47
c. Turbine Installation ................................................................. 47
d. Collection System Installation ................................................... 49
e. heavy/ Oversize trucking loads ............................................... 49
(6) project decommissioning ...............................................................49
(g) ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION LINE INFORMATION......................... 50
(1) Location shown on u.s. geoLogicaL survey map .................... 50
(2) corridor width .......................................................................... 50
a. New route ............................................................................. 51
b. widening along existing route ................................................. 51
(3) Length of Line ............................................................................ 51
(4) distance aLong new route ....................................................... 51
(5) distance aLong existing route.................................................. 51
(6) voLtage (design rating) ............................................................. 51
(7) any associated new generating unit or units .........................51
(8) Type of construction(describedindetail) ................................. 52
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granite reLiabLe power
(9) eLectricaL interconnection Line construction scheduLe ....... 52
a. Anticipated Start date ............................................................. 52
b. Scheduled Completion date ...................................................... 52
(10) impact on system stabiLity and reLiabiLity .................................. 52
(h) AddITIONAL INFORMATION ................................................................ 53
(1) a description in detaiL of each major part of the proposed faciLity .................................................................. 53
(2) identification of the appLicant’s preferred Location and any other options for the site of each major part of the proposed faciLity ............................................................. 55
a. Project alternatives evaluated .................................................. 58
(3) a description in detaiL of the impact of each major part of the proposed faciLity on the environment for each site proposed ................................................................62
(4) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s proposaLs for studying and soLving environmentaL probLems ...................... 62
(5) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s financiaL, technicaL and manageriaL capabiLity for construction and operation of the proposed faciLity ............................................62
(6) a statement of assets and LiabiLities of the appLicant ................65
(7) documentation that written notification of the proposed project, incLuding appropriate copies of the appLication, has been given to the appropriate governing body of each community in which the faciLity is proposed to be Located.......65
(i) INFORMATION REgARdINg ThE EFFECTS ON PLAN FOR MITIgATION OF EFFECTS FOR AESThETICS, hISTORIC SITES, AIR qUALITY, wATER qUALITY, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ANd PUbLIC hEALTh ANd SAFETY ........................................................65
(1) aesthetics ....................................................................................65
a. Visual Impact ..........................................................................65
b. Shadow Flicker ........................................................................69
c. wind turbine safety lighting ......................................................71
(2) historic sites ...............................................................................72
(3) air quaLity and cLimate change .................................................73
(4) water quaLity ..............................................................................75
(5) naturaL environment .................................................................78
a. Plant Life ................................................................................78
i. TreeClearing ...................................................................80
b. wildlife ..................................................................................81
i. Birds ...............................................................................82
ii. Bats .................................................................................85
iii. Otherwildlife ...................................................................86
(6) pubLic heaLth and safety .............................................................87
a. Ice shedding ............................................................................87
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication tabLe ofCONTENTS
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b. Lightning strikes ......................................................................88
c. Tower collapse/blade throw ......................................................88
d. Stray voltage ..........................................................................89
e. Fire 142 ..................................................................................89
f. Aviation safety risks (airspaceissues) ........................................89
g. Noise .....................................................................................90
(j) EFFECTS ON ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION; ESTIMATE OF IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION ANd OPERATION OF ThE FACILITY ....................................................................................91
(1) LocaL Land use ............................................................................91
a. Commercial timber production ..................................................91
b. Outdoor recreation ..................................................................92
i. Motorizedtrailsystems:snowmobileandall-terrain vehicle .............................................................................93
ii. Non-motorizedtrailsystems:hiking,cross-countryskiingandsnowshoeing ....................................................93
iii. Otherrecreationaluses .....................................................95
(2) LocaL economy ...........................................................................96
a. Economic effects of the project ...................................................97
b. Property values ...................................................................... 98
c. Tourism ................................................................................. 98
(3) LocaL empLoyment ...................................................................... 99
(k) CONSISTENCY wITh STATE ENERgY POLICY .......................................100
(l) PREFILEd TESTIMONY ANd PROPOSEd EXhIbIT LIST ...........................103
(1) prefiLed testimony .......................................................................103
a.prefiLed testimonyofCharlesReadlingandPipDecker
b.prefiLed testimony ofChristopherLowe
c. prefiLed testimonyofDanielMandli
d.prefiLed testimonyofPhillipBeaulieu
e.prefiLed testimonyofRaymondLobdell
f. prefiLed testimonyofStevenPelletierandAdamGravel
g.prefiLed testimonyofJeanVissering
h.prefiLed testimonyofHopeLuhman
i. prefiLedtestimonyofDavidHessler
j. prefiLedtestimonyofMatthewBorkowski
(2) proposed exhibit List ....................................................... appendix 34
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication tabLe ofCONTENTS
granite reLiabLe power
a/s: aktieselskab (danish name for a stock-based corporation)ac: alternating currentape: area of potential effectatv: all-terrain vehicleawea: american wind energy associationaws: aws true wind
bmp: best management practices
c: celsiuscgp epa’s national pollution discharge elimination system construction
general permitcm: centimeterco2: carbon dioxidecoe: u.s. army corps of engineerscu m: cubic meter
dba: decibels a-weighteddes: department of environmental servicesdhr: division of historical resourcesdod: u.s. department of defensedsm: demand side management
f: fahrenheitfaa: federal aviation administrationferc: federal energy regulatory commissionft: foot
gis: geographic information systemgps: global positioning systemgrp: granite reliable power, LLc
hb: house bill
iea: international energy agencyiec: international electrotechnical commissionipcc: intergovernmental panel on climate changeiso: independent system operatorjedi: jobs and economic development impact
kg: kilogram
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofACRONYMS
granite reLiabLe power �
km: kilometerkv: kilovoltkw: kilowattkwh: kilowatt-hour
lbs: poundsLidar: Laser imaging detection and rangingLLc: Limited Liability company
m: metermi: milemm: millimetermph: miles per hourm/s: meters per secondmw: megawattmwh: megawatt-hour
naip: national agricultural imagery programncc: north country council, inc.ne-iso: the new england independent system operatornep: noble environmental power, inc.nh des: new hampshire department of environmental servicesnhdhr: new hampshire division of historical resourcesnh dot: new hampshire department of transportationnhfg: new hampshire fish and game departmentnhnhb: new hampshire natural heritage bureaunh oep: new hampshire office of energy and planningnh puc: new hampshire public utilities commissionnhrhp: new hampshire register of historic placesnh sec: new hampshire site evaluation committeenox: nitrogen oxidesnpdes: national pollutant discharge elimination systemnreL: national renewable energy Laboratorynrhp: national register of historic places
o&m: operations and maintenanceoep: office of energy and planningosha: occupational safety and health administration
piLot: payment in lieu of taxespLLc: partners of Limited Liability company
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationList ofACRONYMS
granite reLiabLe power�
psnh: public service company of new hampshireptc: production tax creditrec: renewable energy creditsrepp: renewable energy policy projectggi: regional greenhouse gas initiative
row: right of wayrpm: revolutions per minuterps: renewable portfolio standardsrv: recreational vehiclersa: revised statutes annotated
sb: senate billscada supervisory control and data acquisition sec: site evaluation committeeso2: sulfur dioxidesodar: sonic detection and rangingspnhf: society for the protection of new hampshire forestsswppp: storm water pollution protection plan
tka: thomas kokx associates
un: united nationsusda: u.s. department of agricultureusepa: u.s. environmental protection agencyusgs: u.s. geological surveyuwig: utility wind integration group
vera: vermont environmental research associates, inc.
who: world health organizationwmnf: white mountain national forest
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofACRONYMS
granite reLiabLe power �
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GraniteReliablePower,LLC(“GRP”orthe“Applicant”)submitsthisApplicationtotheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommittee(“SEC”orthe“Committee”)andrequestsaCertificateofSiteandFacilitytoconstructandoperatetheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,inonetownandfourunincorporatedplacesinthecentralportionofCoosCounty,NewHampshire.ThisExecutiveSummarysummarizesthecontentsoftheApplicationandthepurposeforproposingthisWindpark.
APPLICANT INFORMATION/ FINANCIAL, TEChNICAL & MANAgERIAL CAPAbILITYGraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompanyandisregisteredwiththeNewHampshireSecretaryofStatetodobusinessinNewHampshire.GRPproposestodeveloptheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark(the“Project”)incentralCoosCountyinnorthernNewHampshire.Windturbinesand/orelectricalinterconnectionfacilitieswillbelocatedintheunincorporatedplacesofMillsfield,ErvingsLocation,DixvilleandOdell,andinthetownofDummer.GRPismajority-ownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC(“NEP”or“Noble”),aDelawareCorporationbasedinEssex,Connecticut,aleadingwindpowerdevelopmentcompanyintheUnitedStateswithover150employeesthroughouttheU.S.andover1,000megawattsofwindgenerationthatareinthelaterstagesofdevelopmentorconstruction,orareinoperation.NEPalsohasprojectsinvariousstagesofdevelopmentinNewEngland.Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveknowledgeofeveryaspectofthedevelopment,financing,constructionandoperationofwindparks,aswellasmanyyearsofexperienceintraditionalindependentelectricitygeneration.Noblehasafully-integrated,cross-functionalorganizationalstructurethatenablesthecompanytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperateeachoftheprojects,includingGRP,withalong-termownershipperspective.
SITE INFORMATIONTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisproposedtobebuiltonprivatelandinanuplandregionofcentralCoosCounty.Thewindturbineswillbelocatedonthreetractsofcom-mercialtimberland,thePhillipsBrook,theBayrootland,andasmallerportionofprivatelyownedlandonDixvillePeak,asshowninFigure3.
TheProjectincludestheconstructionofapproximately12miles(19.3km)ofnewaccessroadandupgradingofabout19miles(30.6km)ofexistingprivateloggingroads.A34.5kVelectricalcollectionlinewillgatherthepowerfromthewindturbinesanddeliverittoasubstationtobebuiltapproximately1.5miles(2.4km)southoftheWindturbinestrings.A115kVelectri-calinterconnectionlinewillbeconstructedtodeliverthepowerfromthesubstationtotheinterconnectionswitchingstationlocatedadjacenttotheexisting115kVelectrictransmis-sionlineownedbyPublicServiceCompanyofNewHampshire(“PSNH”).Thiselectricalinterconnectionlinewillspanapproximately5.8miles(9.3km)alongtheexistingDummerPondRoad.AmaintenancebuildingandlaydownyardwillbeconstructedinthevicinityofthesubstationtoaccommodateconstructionandoperationoftheProject.
RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION Thefacilitylayoutincorporatesenvironmentalandmeteorologicalstudiesconductedontheproperty.TheProjectwillbepoweredby33windturbineswithanameplatecapacityof3.0megawatts(MW)each,foratotalinstalledcapacityof99MW.TheProjectisestimatedto
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication executiveSUMMARY
granite reLiabLe power �
produceapproximately300,000MWHperyear,orenoughpowertoserve40,000householdswithcleanrenewableenergy.Thewindturbinestobeusedarethe“V90”seriesmanufacturedbyVestasWindSystemsA/S.
CONSTRUCTION SChEdULETheproposedconstructionstartdateisinmid2009,assumingCommitteeapprovalandweatherconditionspermitting.Turbineandcomponentdeliveryshouldbegininmidsum-merandcontinuewellintothefallmonths.TheProjectisexpectedtobecompletedandinserviceinSummer2010.
ConstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,includingallancillaryfacilities,isanticipatedtotakeplacein2009and2010straddlingthewintermonthsof2009.Precur-sorstoconstructionactivitiesincludetheacquisitionofallstateandfederalapprovalsfortheconstructionoftheProjectandrelatedtransportation.
SITE LOCATION ANd ALTERNATIVESAnextensivewindsiteprospectingandscreeningprocesswasconductedtodeterminetheloca-tionfortheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark.First,onaregionallevel,usingmostlypubliclyavailablewindresourcemappingtechnologies,knowledgeofexistingelectricalinfrastructure,andobtainingbackgroundonvariousenvironmentalattributes,themostpromisinggeographi-callocationswereselected.Second,sitespecificscreeningwasconductedtobetterassesswindcharacteristics,communitysupportforaWindparkandpotentialecologicalissues.
ThepresentdesignminimizestheimpactstoecologicalresourceswhileachievingtheProject’sgoalofproviding99MWofcleanrenewableenergythroughtheharnessingofwind.FurtherexplanationofhowthefinaldesignfortheWindparkcametobeisfoundinSection(h)(2).
POTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ANd MITIgATION PLANSaesthetics & visuaL impactsNoenvironmental,health,orsafetyimpactsareexpectedtooccurduetothevisualimpactsoftheProject,buttheprospectofseeingwindturbinesinapreviouslyundevelopedareaisofconcerntosomepeople.However,visibilitybyitselfdoesnotnecessarilymeantherewillbeunreasonablyadverseeffectsonthesiteorsurroundinglandscape.ThevisualassessmentoftheProjectevaluatedviewsfromfederal,stateandlocalroads,recreationareas,villagecentersandhistoricsitesandconcludedthatthevisualimpactswouldnotrisetothelevelofunreasonablyadverseandthatthevisibilityoftheProjectisrelativelylow.TheProjectwasnotfoundtoobstructviewsfromanyhighscalevaluesites.
shadow fLicker: Aseparateanalysiswasundertakenforanotherpotentialvisualimpactknownasshadowflicker.Shadowflickeristheperiodicchangeinlightintensityorshadowscreatedbytherotatingbladesofthewindturbines.Theanalysiscalculatedthepotentialforthisoccurrencefromeachturbineforeverysunpositionforeveryminuteoftheyear.
DuetotheremotenatureoftheProject,evenwhenexcludingallinterferencefromvegetation,noresidencesorbusinessesareexpectedtoexperienceshadowflickeratanytimeoftheyear.
turbine safety Lighting: TheturbineswillrequiresafetylightingasdeterminedbytheFederalAviationAdministration(“FAA”).
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationexecutiveSUMMARY
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cuLturaL and historic resources APhaseIAarcheologicalsurveywasconductedtoidentifyandassessareasofarcheologicalsensitivitywithin3miles(4.8km)oftheProjectsite.Basedonthepreliminaryresultsofthissurvey,andinconsultationwiththeNewHampshireDivisionofHistoricalResources(“NHDHR”),aPhaseIBarcheologicalsurveyhasbeenrecommendedandwillprovidethebasisfordeterminingtheneedforfurtherwork.
Basedontheworkconductedtodate,theProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonanyknownhistoricresources.NohistoricstructureswillbephysicallyimpactedandatpresentitappearsunlikelythattheProjectwoulddemonstrablydiminishanyaspectsofasettingthatmightcontributetothesignificanceofsuchhistoricproperties.
ItisanticipatedthattheProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonsignificantarcheologicalresourcesduelargelytotheremotenessoftheProjectsite.Inon-goingconsultationwiththeNHDHR,effectsonarcheologicalresourceswillbecharacterizedandevaluated.
air quaLity and cLimate changeGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,initslong-termoperation,willproducenoairemissions;itwillnothaveadverseimpactsonlocalairquality.Moreover,asasourceofclean,renewableenergytheProjectwillpositivelycontributetoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingfossilunitgenerationontheISONewEnglandGrid.UsingthemarginalemissionratesdevelopedbyISO-NEinJuly,2007,theProjectisestimatedtooffsetover332,000,000poundsofcarbondioxideemissionsannually.Theseoffsetswillimprovelocalandregionalairqualityandhelpmitigatetheworldwideimpactsofglobalwarmingandclimatechange.
water quaLityTheProjectwillgeneratepowerwithoutanywaterintakeordischargethatrequiresstudy,mitigationorpermitting.TheProjectwillavoidallenvironmentalproblemsassociatedwiththeintakeanddischargeofcoolingwater(whichistypicallyrequiredforothertypesofelectricgeneratingfacilities).
DuetothealterationofterrainrequiredfortheconstructionofaccessroadsandotherProj-ectfacilities,theProjectwillhavetemporaryimpactsrelatedtostormwater,soilerosionandsedimentcontrol.TheseissueshavebeenaddressedinthedetailedplansandmitigationmeasuresassubmittedintheStandardDredge&FillPermitApplicationandSiteSpecificApplicationsubmittedaspartofthisApplication.CivilengineeringdesignoftheProjectwasbasedonextensiveon-siteinvestigationsofwetlandsandothersurfacewaters,soils,naturalcommunitiesandwildlife,researchwithenvironmentalagencies,andbestpracticesusedinconstructingsimilarroadsandfacilities.
Withminimalimpacttowetlandsandothersurfacewaterbodies,nowaterintakeorpollu-tiondischarge,anddetailedsoilerosionandsedimentcontrolmeasuresinplacetomitigatestormwaterdischarge,theProject’simpactonwaterqualityisexpectedtobeveryminimal.
Plant lifeTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkworkedincollaborationwiththeNewHampshireNaturalHeritageBureautodocumentspecificfindingsandassesspotentialimpactstoplantlife.Basedonstudiescompletedtodate,noimpacttorareorexemplaryplantspeciesisan-ticipatedasaresultofthisProject.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication executiveSUMMARY
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tree cLearingTheProjectissitedonprivately-ownedlandandmaintainedbyforestmanagementcompaniesthatallowvariousdegreesofpublicaccess.Asaresultoflongstanding,pre-existingforestryactivities,anetworkofloggingroadsandskidtrailshasbeendevelopedovertheyears.
Intermsofforesttypes,higherelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbalsamea)andredspruce(Picearubens)forestsandaremainlyundisturbedbycom-mercialforestrypractices.However,thesurroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveexperiencedlargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenlyagedforestcommunityconsist-ingprimarilyofyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),balsamfir,redspruce,andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum),speciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests.Treeclearingactivitieswillutilize“BestManagementPracticesforForestry:ProtectingNewHampshire’sWaterQuality”duringclearingactivities
WildlifeTheongoingforestryactivitiesattheproposedProjectsitehaveresultedinapatchworkmosaicofunevenlyagedforeststandsresultinginadiversityofhabitatsthatareutilizedbyavarietyofwildlifespecies.Somespeciesarepresentintheareaasresidentindividualsorpopulationswhileothersusetheareaduringmigrationoraspecificportionoftheirlifecycle.NotallspeciespresentwillbeaffectedbytheProject.
Wildlifesurveyswereconductedtoaddressconcernsforstate-listedthreatenedandendan-geredwildlifespecies.ThesesurveysweredesignedincoordinationwiththeNewHampshireFishandGameDepartment(“NHFGD”)andincludeinformationaboutmammals,birds,bats,wetlandsandvernalpools.
Specificfindingsofthewildlifesurveysaresummarizedbelowalongwithproposedmitiga-tionmeasureswhenappropriate.
Birdsmigrating birds: TheProjecthasthepotentialtohavedirectandindirectimpactstobirdsthatareeitherresidentatormigratingthroughtheProjectsite.Directimpactsarefatalitiescausedbycollisionwithwindturbinesandpotentialindirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,disruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,andlightingofsomewindturbines.
ConsultationswithNHFGDandUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(”USFWS”)wereheldinordertoidentifystateorfederally-listedspeciesthatmaybeofconcern.State-listedspeciesincludetheperegrinefalcon(state-listedendangered),andthree-toedwoodpecker(state-listedthreatened)andBicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli)andtheRustyblackbird(Euphaguscarolinus)(state-listedspeciesofspecialconcern).Nofederally-listedthreatenedorendangeredbirdswereidentifiedaslikelytobreedwithinthesurveyedarea.
Toassesstherelativeabundanceandpresenceofmigratingandnestingspecies,radarnoc-turnalmigrationandbreedingbirdstudieswereconducted.Duringthethreeconsecutiveseasonsofradarsurveys,relativeflightheightanddirectionofmigratingbirdswereassessedstartinginthefallof2006.Theresultsofthesestudieswereconsistentwitheachother.Inallthreestudiesthemeanflightheightwasover1089feet(332meters)withlessthan15percentofthetargetsflyingbelowthemaximumheightoftheturbines.Theresultssuggestthatthemigrationisoccurringona“broadfront”basiswhereareasofconcentratednighttime
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationexecutiveSUMMARY
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migrationactivityarenotlikelytooccur.Thisimpliesthattheriskofcollisionwiththewindturbinesisminimal.ThereforetheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonmigratingbirdsspecies.
nesting birds: TheNewHampshireAudubonSocietyconductedabreedingbirdsurveyinthespringof2007forGRP.Whilethestudyconfirmednoobservationsofstate-listedthreatenedorendangeredspecies,itdidresultinunconfirmeddetectionsofthestate-threat-enedthree-toedwoodpeckeralongtheMt.Kelseyridgeline.Thestudyalsodocumentedthepresenceoftwostate-listedspeciesofspecialconcern.Bicknell’sthrushandRustyblackbirdwerefoundinthehigherelevationspruce/firforestsonMt.Kelsey,FishbrookRidge,andWhitcombMountain.
Measurestoreduceandmitigateimpactstothesebirdspecieswereconsideredthroughcarefulsitedesignintheinitialstagesofdevelopment.Withthisimpact-reducingdesignandtheimplementationofthemitigationmeasures,theProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonbreedingbirdpopulations.
raptors: ToaddresspotentialconcernsforraptorsintheProjectsite,afall2007raptormigrationstudywasconducted.Theresultsofthisstudydocumentedverylowpassageratescomparedtootherestablishedhawkwatchsitesintheregion.However,threestate-listedspeciesofconcernwereobservedflyingovertheProjectsiteduringtheraptorsurvey.TheseincludetheCooper’shawk(Accipitercooperii),Osprey(Pandionhaliaetus),andRed-shoul-deredHawk(Buteolineatus).Althoughthesespeciesweredetectedduringthesurvey,risktothesespeciesisexpectedtobelow.Thestate-listedendangeredPeregrineFalconwasnotobservedduringanyoftheon-siteraptormigrationsurveysduringthefall2007,thereforeimpacttothisspeciesisnotanticipated.
Additionally,modernwindprojectsconsistofwider-spacedturbines,tallertubulartowers(tolimitperchingornesting),andbladesthatspinslowlyenoughtobevisiblebymigratingraptorsevenathighwindspeeds1.
BecauseNewHampshireliesatthenorthernrangeofmanyspecies’breedinggrounds,therearefewerbirdspassingthroughNewHampshirecomparedtoothermoresouthernlocationsintheNorthAmericanhawkflyways.
Nounreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedtoanyavianpopulations.
bats: Thepotentialofbatmortalityisofconcernwithrespecttowindenergyprojects,par-ticularlybecauseofthecumulativeeffects.Becausebatsareknowntohavearelativelyslowreproductiverate,therewouldbelongrecoveryperiodsifsignificantlevelsofcumulativeimpactsweretooccur.However,northernNewHampshireisatthenorthernendoftherangeofmostbatspeciesinthenortheastandthushasfewerbatspeciesandlowerpopulations.
BatsspeciesofconcerninNewHampshireare“tree-roosting”batsthatmigrateorhaveshowntobeimpactedbyothermodernwindfacilities.Inthisstateonlyonebatspeciesislistedasendangered:thesmall-footedbat(Myotisleibii)fromthegenusMyotis.State-listedspeciesofspecialconcernincludeEasternpipistrelle(pipistrellussubflavus),Easternredbat(Lasiurusborealis),Hoarybat(Lasiuruscinerus),andsilver-hairedbat(Lasionycterisnoctivagans).Afederally-endangeredspecies,theIndianabat(Myotissodalis),couldalsooccurintheProjectsite,howevertheUSFWSconsidersitunlikely.TheProjecthasconductedthreefullseasons
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication executiveSUMMARY
1 johnson, erickson, strickland, et al. “collision mortality of Local and migrant birds at a Large-scale wind-power development on buffalo ridge, minnesota.” wildlife society bulletin, vol. 30, no. 3 (autumn, 2002), pp. 879-887.
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ofacousticbatdetectorsurveysinasingleyeartodocumentbatactivityatthesiteandtimingofactivitythroughouttheyear.
BatactivitydocumentedwithintheProjectsitewasfoundtobelowandthespeciesdetectedduringthesurveysarecommontothispartofNewHampshire.ThenorthernlatitudeofGraniteReliablePowerWindparkandthehabitatpresentfurthersuggestthepresenceofIndianabatstobehighlyunlikely.ForthesereasonsnounreasonableadverseimpactstobatpopulationsareexpectedtoresultfromtheGraniteReliableWindpark.
other wiLdLife: GraniteReliablePowerwildlifeexperts,inconsultationwiththeNHFGD,deemedthatfishandamphibianswerenotlikelytobeadverselyimpacted.Twomammals,pinemartenandCanadalynx,however,wereofconcern.PinemartenislistedasendangeredinNewHampshireandCanadalynxisfederally-listedasthreatenedandstate-listedasendangered.Awintertrackingsurveywasconductedin2007,aswereareasearchesbyvehicleandsnowmobiles,todocumentthespeciespresent.PinemartenpresencewasfoundinthehigherelevationsoftheProjectarea.Nocanadalynxpresencewasevident.Thepotentialindirectimpacttothesespecieswouldmostlikelybeduetohabitatlossandareaavoidance.Because,thetotallossofwildlifehabitatresultingfromtheProjectwillberelativelylow(i.e.)approximately203acresandnounreasonableadverseimpactisexpected.Inaddition,possibleindirectimpactstothesespecieswillbeminimizedbycarefulsitedesignandmitiga-tion.Overall,unreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedtooccurtowildlifepopulationsasaresultoftheconstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark.
PUbLIC hEALTh ANd SAFETYIngeneral,modernwindturbinesareextremelysafe,andhavepublichealthbenefitsduetotheirpositiveenvironmentalattributes.However,issueshavebeenraisedaboutpotentialsafetyimpactssuchasiceshedding,riskfromlightningstrikes,towercollapse,orbladethrow,strayvoltage,fire,andrisktoairnavigation.
InnorthernclimatessuchasNewHampshire,thepotentialforicesheddingfromwindturbinebladesneedstobeconsideredinconnectionwithpublicsafetyissues.OperationalprocedureswillbedevelopedbecausetheProjectisentirelyonprivateland.Whereaccessgiventothegeneralpublicwillbecontrolled,theriskstothegeneralpublicfromicesheddingwillbeveryminimal.Whereexistingrecreationaltrailscomewithin1000ft(305m)ofawindturbine,reflectivesignagewillbeinstalledattrailheadsandtrailjunctures,andfrequentlyontrailsidetowarnrecreationalusersofthepotentialdanger.
Thewindturbineswillbeequippedwithastate-of-the-art“totallightningprotection”sys-temthatconductsthelightningfrombothsidesofthebladetipdowntothehub,thenacelle,towerandintothegroundingsystem.Ifanelectricalproblemisdetected,thewindturbinewillshutdownautomatically,orataminimum,beinspectedtoassurethatdamagehasnotoccurred.Thewindturbinesandassociatedelectricalsystemswillnotpresentanylightninghazardstothegeneralpublic.
Technologicalimprovementsandmandatorysafetystandardsduringturbinedesign,manu-facturing,andinstallationhavelargelyreducedoccurrencesofcatastrophicfailuressuchastowercollapseorbladethrow.State-of-the-artbrakingsystems,pitchcontrols,sensorsandspeedcontrolsonwindturbineshavegreatlyreducedtheriskofsuchoccurrences.Sitingthewindturbinesasafedistanceawayfrompublicareas,asGraniteReliablePowerhasdone,
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drasticallyreducespublicsafetyconcerns.
Strayvoltagecanoccurinelectricalequipmentfromadamagedorpoorlyconnectedwiringsystem,corrosiononeitherendofthewires,orweak/damagedwireinsulationmaterials,andcanpresentdangerofelectrocutiontopersonsincloseproximitytothesedefects.Theelectri-calsystemandallcomponentsofthegenerationsideoftheProjectwillbeelectricallyisolatedfromanyoffsiteretailelectricsystemandinstalledinaccordancewithrecognizedelectricalcodesandinsulatingandgroundingpractices.Theseprocedures,togetherwithmeasurestorestrictpublicaccess,effectivelyeliminatestrayvoltageasapublicsafetyconcern.
Emergency/firesituationsatawindturbinesiteorsubstationthatarebeyondthecapabilitiesofthelocalserviceproviderswillbetheresponsibilityoftheProjectowner/operator.Fireoremergencyincidentswouldgenerallynotexposelocalemergencyserviceprovidersorthegeneralpublictoanypublichealthorsafetyrisksbeyondthosenormallyassociatedwithsuchincidents.Whilefiresassociatedwithwindturbinesareextremelyrare,theremotenessoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,togetherwiththedevelopmentofaFireProtectionandEmergencyResponsePlan,minimizesriskstothegeneralpublic.
TheFAAhasestablishedquantitativeparameterstodetermineifastructureisgoingtobeahazardtoairnavigationandthereforewillrequiremitigation.GraniteReliablePowerhasconcludedinconsultationwiththeFAAthattheProjectwillnotposeahazardtoairnaviga-tionifthewindturbinesarelitinaccordancewithFAAregulations.TheProjectwillcomplywithallFAAminimumrequirements.
noiseWindturbinesaremechanicaldevicesthatemitsoundswhenoperating.Thereareessentiallythreesourcesofsound:1)therotorbladesmovingthroughtheair(aswishingaerodynamicsound);2)thegearboxortransmission;and3)theyawdrive,adevicethatallowsthenacelletorotateonthetower.Inthiscase,becauseoftheunusuallylargebufferdistancesbetweentheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkturbinesandthenearestresidences,nolong-termimpactsareexpectedfromProjectoperatingnoise.Thenearestresidencewillbeover2.9miles(4.7km)fromanyofthewindturbinesandmostotherresidenceswillbeconsiderablyfarther.AtsuchdistancesProjectnoiseislikelytobewellbelowthebackgroundlevelandthereforeinconsequential.
Themaximumconstructionsoundlevelsareestimatedtobelessthan22dBAatanyper-manentresidenceseeHesslerAssociatesstudyfoundatAppendix28.Suchanextremelylowsoundlevelisfarbelowthenormalbackgroundsoundlevel,evenduringcalmandquietconditions,andthereforehighlyunlikelytobeaudible.ThisreportincludesafieldsurveyofexistingsoundlevelswithintheProjectregion,alongwithacomputermodelofpredictedsoundlevelsfromtheVestasV90windturbines.ThereportsupportstheconclusionthattheProjectwillnothaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonhealthortheenvironmentastheresultofnoiseproduced.
EFFECTS ON ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgIONTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisconsistentwithandconformstothe“orderlydevel-opmentoftheregion”,inthatitwillhelpsupplyanewsourceofneededelectricitygeneratedwithaclean,renewablesourceofenergy(wind),andprovideforeconomicgrowth,whilerespectingtheenvironmentalvaluesofthenorthernNewHampshireregion.Plansfor
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GraniteReliablePowerWindparkhavebeendiscussedwithallofthedirectlyaffectedandneighboringcommunitiesinCoosCounty.TheProjectwillprovidesubstantialeconomicbenefitstotheregionintheformofemploymentopportunitiesandtaxrevenues,includingbutnotlimitedtoanannualpaymentof$495,000toCoosCountythroughaPaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILOT)agreement.
CommerCial timBer ProduCtion TheProjectisproposedonover80,000acresofprivatelandactivelyusedforcommercialtimberproduction.Over140miles(225km)ofexistingprivateloggingroadshavebeenconstructedoverthepastcenturytosupporttimberharvesting.
Windpowerdevelopmentiscompatiblewithforestry-basedactivities.Accessroadsbuiltorinplaceforoneusecanbeusedfortheother.Windturbinesoccupyarelativelysmallamountoftheforest,whileprovidingasubstantialadditionalsourceofrevenuefortheprop-ertyowners,thusimprovingtheeconomicattractivenessofcontinuingcommercialforestrymanagement.
Onceinoperation,theProjectisexpectedtohavelittleornonegativeimpactoncontinueduseofthislandforcommercialtimberproduction,andcouldenhanceitscontinueduseforthispurpose.Assuch,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisnotexpectedtohaveunreasonableadverseimpactsontheuseoftheprivatelandsonwhichitisproposed.
outdoor recreation ThelargetractsofremoteprivatelandonwhichtheProjectislocated,togetherwithneigh-boringpublicandprivateland,supportmanytypesofoutdoorrecreation.Examplesincludegolfing,hiking,crosscountryskiing,snowmobiling,ATVing,hunting,fishingandoutdooractivities.Severalstaterecognizedsnowmobiletrails(#28,110,and134)passthroughorneartheProject.SomeexistingloggingroadsarepermittedtrailsforATVuseinthesummer.ManytrailsareusedandmaintainedbyfiveorsixestablishedsnowmobileorATVclubs.TheCOHOShikingtrailcrossesDixvillePeak,sharingthetrailwithATVandsnowmobiles.ThisDixvillePeaktrailwillbetheclosesttothewindturbines.
TheProject’simpactontheserecreationaluseswillbealmostentirelyrelatedtointermittentviewsoftheProjectfromvariousopenareasonthesetrails.ThispotentialforvisualimpactwasexaminedbyanindependentvisualconsultantwhodeterminedthattheProjectwillnothaveanunreasonableadverseimpactontheaestheticsoftheregion,includingrecreationaluses.PotentialsafetyissuesforwintertimeusersinclosevicinitytoDixvillePeakturbineswillbeaddressedwithcautionarysigns,andothercontrolledaccessmeasures.
economic impactsTheforestryandtourism/recreationalindustriesarethetwomainsourcesofeconomicactiv-ityinCoosCounty,withforestryactivitiespredominatingintheProjectarea,andtourisminthesouthernportionoftheCounty.TheCountycontinuesinastateoftransitionfollow-ingtheclosureofseveralpapermillsthatpreviouslyhavebeenimportantemployersintheregion.Thenegativeeconomicimpactsfromthelossofthesepapermillsareexpectedtobefeltthroughouttheregion’seconomyintothenextdecade.
ThedevelopmentoftheCounty’srenewableenergyresourceswillbringmuchneededeconomicactivitytotheCounty,andhelpsupporttimberharvestingusesorotherwisehelpfilltheeco-
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nomicvoidleftbythedeclineofthelocalpaperindustry.TheGraniteReliablePowerWind-parkwillbeanimportantfirstpartofthedevelopmentoftheregion’swindpowerresource.At99megawattsinsize,thecostoftheProjectwillbeapproximately$275million.Alargeportionofthis,approximately$19.4milliondollars,willbeinfusedintothelocaleconomyforthepurchaseoflocalgoodsandservicesduringconstructionactivities.Clearing,earthwork,projectmanagement,civilengineering,construction,craneservices,electricalservices,sandandgravel,andconcreteservicesareexamplesoftheseProject-relatedeconomicbenefits.
Inadditiontotheinfluxofconstructiondollarsintothelocaleconomy,theProjectwillhavesubstantiallong-termeconomicbenefits,including:
• DirectandindirectemploymentrelatedtotheoperationoftheWindpark.
• IncreasedcommerceintheregionfromthepurchaseofservicesfortheProjectandspendingbytheProject’semployees.
• AnincreasedannualflowofrevenueintotheCountyasaresultofthePaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILOT)agreementwiththeWindpark,changeofusetaxandtimbertax.
• Improvedsustainabilityoftheexistingforestryindustryandrelatedeconomicbenefitsthroughadditionalrevenuestolandowners.
• Increasedeconomicdiversificationofrevenuesources.
ToestimatethedirectandindirecteconomiceffectsoftheProjectonthelocaleconomy,a“JobsandEconomicDevelopmentImpact”(JEDI)computermodelwasused,withcertainemploymentestimatesandotherproject-specificeconomicinputs.Theresultsofthemodelindicatethatwiththecreationofsixskilledoperators,management,andadministrativepersonnel,anadditional19moreindirectandinducedjobswillbecreatedcounty-wide(withatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$800,000).Localeconomicbenefitsduringplantoperationsareestimatedtobe$2.2millionannually,includingpayrolls,supplies,materials,paymentsinlieuofpropertytaxes,andWindparkleasepayments.Totaleconomicbenefitsaccruingtothelocaleconomy,baseduponregionalmultipliersappliedtodirectProjectex-pendituresinoriginalcapitalinvestmentandongoingoperationalexpense,areestimatedtobe$63.4millionover20years.
Inadditiontotheselocalandregionalimpacts,theProjectwillhaveabeneficialeffectatthestatelevelaswellbycontributingtovarioustaxesincluding:thestatewideutilitypropertytax,thebusinessenterprisetax,andthebusinessprofitstax.
TheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanadverseimpactontheregion’sorstate’seconomyorpropertyvalues,norisitexpectedtohaveanadverseeffectontourismanditscontributiontothelocaleconomy.Infact,GRPbelievesthattheoveralleffectwillbeextremelypositive
loCal outreaCh aCtivitiesconsideration of the views of municipal governing boardsRepresentativesoftheProjecthavemetwithmanytownleaders,planners,residents,areabusinesses,andcivicorganizationsfromallthesurroundingtownsandbeyond.GraniteReliablePowerviewsthedevelopmentofthisProjectasacollaborativeeffortinwhichlocalinvolvementandsupportareimperative.ThesuccessoftheseeffortsisbestmeasuredbythestrongsupportthisProjectenjoysfromofficialsatthelocal,county,andstatelevels.
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CONSISTENCY wITh STATE ENERgY POLICYRSA378:37statesthatitistheenergypolicyofthisstate“tomeettheenergyneedsofthecitizensandbusinessesofthestateatthelowestreasonablecostwhileprovidingforthereli-abilityanddiversityofenergysources;theprotectionofthesafetyandhealthofthecitizens,thephysicalenvironmentofthestate,andthefuturesuppliesofnonrenewableresources;andconsiderationofthefinancialstabilityofthestate’sutilities.”ThisProject,byprovidingclean,renewableelectricity,willhelptomeettheenergyneedsofcitizensandbusinessesofthestate.TheadditionalpowerprovidedbythisProjectwillbeusedtomeetcurrentandfutureelectricitydemandsvianon-pollutinggeneration.Addingacostefficientsourceofelec-tricitytotheregionwillhelptomaintainorlowerpricesforallcustomers,sincewindpowerwillhelptopromotefueldiversityandasupplyshiftawayfromNewEngland’shistoricalrelianceonnaturalgas.Byproducingelectricityfromasourcethatdoesnotcontributetogreenhousegases,theProjectwillhelppreservethephysicalenvironmentofthestatefromfurtherdegradationcausedbycertainairemissions.Finally,byaddingarenewablesourceofelectricity,thisProjectwillhelpNewHampshireutilitiesmeettheirrequirementsunderthenewRenewablePortfolioStandardlaw,RSA362-F,passedbytheNewHampshireLegislaturein2007andtherebymaintaintheirfinancialstability.
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appendix 1: financial statements for granite reliable power, LLc. information redacted – confidential treatment requested
appendix 2: standard dredge and fill permit application
appendix 3: site specific terrain alteration permit
appendix 4: 401 water quality certification request
appendix 5: regionaL pLanning documents
5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county. office of the county commissioners. october 17, 1989.
5b: “millsfield and erving’s Location: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.
5c: “dixville and dix grant: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.
5d: “odell: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.
5e: Zoning ordinances: coos county unincorporated places. coos county planning board. april 20, 1991.
5f: town of dummer master plan. dummer planning board. april, 2000.
5g: Zoning ordinance: town of dummer, new hampshire. march 9, 1999.
appendix 6: new hampshire department of transportation application for driveway permit.
appendix 7: v90- 3.0 mw: an efficient way to move power. vestas americas. july 1, 2006.
appendix 8: system impact study for granite reliable power.
appendix 9: “utility wind integration: state of the art”. summary document, utility wind integration group. may, 2006.
appendix 10: 2005 new england marginal emissions rate analysis. systems planning department, iso new england, inc. july, 2007.
appendix 11: Granite Reliable Power Windpark Visual Impacts Report. jean vissering Landscape architecture and thomas kokx associates (tka). december, 2007.
appendix 12: new hampshire division of historical resources
12a: new hampshire division of historical resources project area form, granite reliable power windpark. april, 2008.
12b: phase ia archeological survey, granite reliable power, LLc proposed windpark. april, 2008.
appendix 13: the u.s. electric power sector and climate change mitigation.
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pew center on global climate change. june, 2005.
appendix 14: intergovernmental panel on climate change presentation to united nations, september 24, 2007:
14a: “introductory speech.” dr. rajendra pachauri. united nations headquarters, new york. september 24, 2007.
14b: “the ipcc fourth assessment working group reports: key findings”. presentation, united nations headquarters, new york. september 24, 2007.
appendix 15: reconnaissance-Level rare plant survey at the proposed windpark, coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october 12, 2007.
appendix 16: natural community characterization, granite reliable power’s proposed wind power project in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). may, 2008.
appendix 17: rare plant survey at the proposed windpark, coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). spring 2008.
appendix 18: reconnaissance-Level wetland and vernal pool survey proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). august 17, 2007.
appendix 19: fall 2006 radar surveys of nighttime migration activity at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. woodlot alternatives (now known as stantec consulting. october, 2007.
appendix 20: spring 2007 radar, visual, and acoustic survey of bird and bat migration at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october, 2007.
appendix 21: fall 2007 radar, visual, and acoustic survey of bird and bat migration at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). january, 2008.
appendix 22: coordinated survey results for proposed granite reliable power and north country wind projects in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). january, 2008.
appendix 23: breeding bird study for proposed granite reliable windpark, coos county, new hampshire. new hampshire audubon. october, 2007.
appendix 24: breeding bird study for proposed granite reliable windpark, coos county, new hampshire, dixville peak supplement. new hampshire audubon. april 22, 2008.
appendix 25: 2007 winter track survey at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october, 2007.
appendix 26: risk analysis of ice throw from wind turbines. seifert, westerhellweg, et al. april, 2003
appendix 27: advisory circular: obstruction marking and Lighting. u.s. department of transportation, federal aviation administration. february 1, 2007.
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appendix 28: environmental sound survey and noise impacts assessment. hessler associates, inc. november 26, 2007.
appendix 29: facts about wind energy and noise. american wind energy association. no date.
appendix 30: studies on wind turbines and property values:
30a: the effect of wind development on Local property values. renewable energy policy project. may, 2003.
30b: impacts of windmill visibility on property values in madison county, new york. hoen, ben. april 30, 2006.
appendix 31: “executive summary.” new hampshire energy plan. governor’s office of energy and community services. november, 2002.
appendix 32: new hampshire clean power strategy. new hampshire department of environmental services. january, 2001.
appendix 33: new hampshire policy documents encouraging the use of renewable energy:
33a: “fact sheet ard-23: global climate change and its impact on new hampshire.” nh department of environmental services. 2005.
33b: “information on regional greenhouse gas initiative (rggi).” nh department of environmental services. october, 2007.
33c: “energy programs: the climate change challenge.” nh department of environmental services. december 2005.
33d: “overview of house bill 284.” nh department of environmental services. november 2007.
33e: “energy programs: nh greenhouse gas registry.” nh department of environmental services. december 2005.
33f: “about us.” new hampshire office of energy planning. no date.
appendix 34: proposed exhibit List
appendix 35: reserved for documentation indicating that copies of the application have been provided to the town of dummer and the coos county commissioners
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figure 1: map of regional geographic features in the vicinity of the granite reliable
power windpark.
figure 2: aerial view of the ridgeline in north central new hampshire on which the granite reliable power windpark is proposed. view is looking south.
figure 3: project site map illustrates the location of major project components, the private road network, and the physiographical features in the vicinity.
figure 4: dummer pond road’s (private) junction with nh route 16. view is looking north from along route 16.
figure 5: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the northern region of the project site to show the proximity of existing structures to the dixville peak turbine string.
figure 6: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the southern regions of the project site to show the proximity of existing structures to the maintenance building, electrical interconnection line and interconnecting switching station.
figure 7: components and dimensions of the vestas v90 3.0 mw wind turbine.
figure 8: major tasks in the construction schedule for 2009.
figure 9: newly constructed, upgraded and existing access roads to be used in the construction of the project.
figure 10: typical access road, cross-section.
figure 11: typical spread footing design.
figure 12: usgs map illustrating the new electrical interconnection facilities required for the granite reliable power windpark, from the substation to the interconnection switching station.
figure 13: typical 115 kv tangent structure
figure 14: typical 115 kv angle structure
figure 15: photograph of the area along dummer pond road planned for the new substation, maintenance building, and laydown yard. view is looking west.
figure 16: photograph of a typical maintenance building similar to that which is proposed for the granite reliable power windpark (photo is of similar facility in western new york)
figure 17: elevation and plan views of the typical size and layout of the major structures equipment in a 34.5 kv – 115 kv substation as proposed for granite reliable power windpark.
figure 18: typical interconnecting switching station design
figure 19: map of viewpoint locations for photographic simulations of the granite reliable power windpark
figure 20: viewpoint #3 of project site looking easterly from the intersection of fish hatchery road and route 26 in colebrook.
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figure 21: photograph from north percy peak (viewpoint #28) looking east includes several of the peaks within the nash stream forest, the project ridgelines (in the right in the distance) and the mountain ridges to the north of dixville notch
figure 22: viewpoint #16 visual simulation of the project from the intersection of signal mountain road and route 26 looking west
figure 23: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) not considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.
figure 24: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.
figure 25: photograph of existing timber harvesting activities on mt. kelsey.
figure 26: existing haul road used for logging
figure 27: recreational uses in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark
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tabLe a: breakdown of earth alteration area by project component.
tabLe b: planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places.
tabLe c: viewpoints: describes characteristics of the five viewpoints which were selected as simulation points.
tabLe d: calculated new england marginal emissions rates and estimated annual offset.
tabLe e: total acres of impact to natural communities above 2700 ft at grp’s proposed windpark.
tabLe f: comparison of three seasons of nocturnal radar surveys- granite reliable wind project.
tabLe g: raptor mortality found during post-construction mortality surveys at wind farms in the u.s.
tabLe h: results of the jedi model for granite reliable power project.
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appLication of granite reLiabLe power, LLc
based on n.h admin. rule site 301
requirements for applications for certificates and
rsa 162-h:7 application for certificate
GraniteReliablePower,LLC(hereinafter“GRP”or“theApplicant”)respectfullysubmits
thisApplicationtotheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommittee(“NHSEC”,“SEC”or
“Committee”)andrequeststhattheCommitteeissueaCertificateofSiteandFacilityto
constructandoperatetheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkinthecentralportionofCoos
CountyinnorthernNewHampshire.TheWindparkwillinclude33windturbinesandas-
sociatedelectricalinterconnectionfacilitieswithatotalnameplatecapacityof99megawatts
locatedintheunincorporatedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,MillsfieldandOdell,and
theincorporatedtownofDummer.
ForthepurposesofthisApplication,theApplicanthasgenerallyorganizedtheinformationin
thisApplicationaccordingtotheCommittee’srulesadoptedonJune16,2008(inparticular
Site301.02,FormatofApplication).
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(a) SIgNATURE OF APPLICANTA SIgNATUREof appLicant
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new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication
(b) APPLICANT INFORMATION
(1) Name of applicant
GraniteReliablePower,LLC
(2) The applicant’s mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses
Granite Reliable Power, LLC
8RailroadAvenue
Essex,CT06426
Telephone: 860-581-5010
Fax: 860-767-7041
Email: info@noblepower.com
(3) The names and addresses of the applicant’s parent company, association or corporation if the applicant is a subsidiary
GraniteReliablePower,LLCismajority-ownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC(“NEP”),aprivatelyheldDelawareCorporationwhichmarketsrenewableenergyanddevelops,owns,constructsandoperateswindpowerprojects.
NobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC
8RailroadAvenue
EssexCT06426
Telephone: 860-581-5010
Fax: 860-767-7041
Email: info@noblepower.com
Website: www.noblepower.com
(4) If applicant is a corporation,
a. the state of incorporation
GraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompany,registeredtodobusinessinNewHampshirewiththeNewHampshireSecretaryofState.
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b. the corporation’s principal place of business
GraniteReliablePower,LLC’sprincipalplaceofbusinessisinEssex,Connecticut.GRPalsohasanofficeinLancaster,NewHampshire.
c. The names and addresses of its principal directors, officers and stockholders
Address 8RailroadAve.,SecondFloor
Essex,CT06426
President WalterHoward
Vice Presidents CharlesHinckley
JohnQuirke
ElizabethGrisaru
ChristopherLowe
ThomasSwank
DanielJ.Mandli
JeffWood
NeilDyment
Treasurer ChristopherLowe
Secretary ElizabethGrisaru
(5) If the applicant is an association, the names and residences of the members of the association
Notapplicable.GraniteReliablePower,LLCisnotanassociation.
(6) Whether applicant is the owner, lessee of the site or facility or has some legal or business relationship to it
Theapplicant,GraniteReliablePower,LLC,istheowneranddeveloperoftheProject;ithasleaseagreementswiththelandownersandwillbetheoperatoroftheProject.
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(7) A statement of assets and liabilities of the applicant
ApplicantGraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompanyformedfortheownership,development,andeventualoperationoftheProject.FinancialStatementsforGraniteReliablePowerareincludedasAppendix1.
AredactedcopyoftheApplicant’sFinancialStatementsisincludedasAppendix1.AnunredactedcopyofthisAppendixwillbefiledwithaMotionforProtectiveOrder.
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(c) SITE INFORMATION
(1) Location and address of site of proposed faciLityTheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark(“Windpark”or“Project”)isproposedtobeinstalledonprivatelandinthecentralpor-tionofCoosCountyinnorthernNewHampshire.Projectcomponents,in-cludingwindturbines,accessroads,andelectricalinterconnectionfacili-ties,willbelocatedintheunincor-poratedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,Millsfield,andOdell,andthetownofDummer.TheWindparkisprimarilyalinearprojectwithwindturbinestobeinstalledalongthenorth-southorientedridgesintheregion;ageographicgroupofthewindturbinesisreferredtoasa“windturbinestring”.Geographi-cally,thenorthernmostpointoftheProject,theproposedwindturbinestringonDixvillePeak,islocatedap-proximately1.6miles(2.5km)southofNHRoute26wherethehighwaypassesnorthwestfromErrolthoughtheDixvilleNotchtoNHRoute3inColebrook.
ToelectricallyconnectalloftheProject’swindturbinestothegrid,asubstationwillbeconstructedalongDummerPondRoad,tothesouthofthewindturbinestrings.AnewinterconnectingpowerlinewillbebuilttodelivertheelectricityfromthesubstationtoanexistingelectrictransmissionlineownedbyPublicServiceCompanyofNewHampshire(“PSNH”).AnewmaintenancebuildingandlaydownareawillbeconstructedinthevicinityofthesubstationaspartoftheWindpark.
Initslongestdimension,theProjectcomponentswillspanapproximately14.5miles(24.1km)fromthenorthernmostwindturbinestringtotheexistingtransmissionlinelocatedinthesouth.
TheprojectsiteislocatedinCoosCounty,NewHampshire,regionallyillustratedinFigure1.ThenorthernextentoftheProjectsiteislocatedintheupperreachesofDixvillePeak(eleva-tion3482feet(1061m)).ExtendingsouthfromDixvillePeak,thewindturbinestringswillbelocatedonthenamedsummitsofMountKelsey(elevation3468feet.(1057m)),Owlhead
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Csite INFORMATION
Figure 1:
map of regional geographic features in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark.
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Errol
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Jefferson
Whitefield
Gorham
Bethlehem
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MilanStark
Berlin
Stratford
Odell
Carroll
Dixville
Success
Columbia
Clarksville
Dummer
Millsfield
Randolph
Shelburne
Cambridge
Dalton
Beans Purchase
Stewartstown
Kilkenny
SecondCollege
Low & Burbanks
Wentworths Location
Northumberland
Dixs Grant
Atkinson & Gilmanton
Thompson& Meserve
GreensGrant
MartinsLocation
ErvingsLocation
BERLINLANCASTER
GORHAM
WHITEFIELD
LITTLETON
GROVETON
COLEBROOK
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Umbagog Lake
Moore Reservoir
Lake Francis
First Connecticut Lake
Granite Reliable Power Windpark Project Location in Coos County, New Hampshire
V E R M O N TV E R M O N T
M A I N EM A I N E
LegendWind turbine site
! ! Collection & interconnection lines
Windpark roads
! ! Existing transmission line
Populated place
Railroad
New Hampshire state land
National Forest land
0 5 102.5Miles
0 9 184.5Kilometers .
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 2-1
CA
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DA
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NA
DA
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.comMay 2008
Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT.All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.
Littleton
Mountain(elevation2867feet(874m)),andanunnamedridge,commonlyreferredtoasFishbrookRidge(thisisalocalnamethatdoesnotappearonmostmaps)thatterminatestothenorthofDummerPondatelevationsofapproximately2582feet(787m).AnaerialphotoofthisrangeofmountainsisprovidedasFigure2.
Tothewestoftheridgesonwhichthewindturbinestringstobesitedlieuninhabitedmountainslopesandvalleylandsstretchingroughly2to3miles(3.3–5.0km).Theseslopesconsistofprivatecommercialforests,locallyknownasthePhillipsBrookTract(approximately24,000acres).FurtherwestofthePhillipsBrookvalley,alongthetract’swesternpropertyboundary,theterrainrisesuptothehigherpeaksoftheNashStreamStateForestwhereMuiseMountain(elev.3596feet(1096m))andWhitcombMountain(elev.3317feet(1011m))arethenearestpeakstothewindturbinestrings.Tothesouthwest,straddlingthepropertyborderofthePhillipsBrookTractandtheNashStreamStateForestareTrioPondsandLongMountain(elev.3652feet(1113m)).TothesouthoftheProjectsite,nearthesouthwesternsectionofDummer,PhillipsBrookemptiesintotheUpper
AmmonoosucRiverwhichflowswestthroughtheWhiteMountains.Furthersouth,thenorthernflanksoftheKilkennyMountainsandpartsoftheWhiteMountainNationalFor-estriseabovetheAmmonoosucRivervalley.TotheeastoftheProjectarethelowerslopesandhillsassociatedwiththemajorityofthecommercialtimberlandsofBayroot,LLCintheunincorporatedplaceofMillsfieldandthetownofDummer.Mt.PatienceandSignalMountainaretwonamedsummitsseveralmilestotheeastofthenorthernportionsoftheProjectsitewithgenerallylowerelevations(elev.2720feet(829m)and2697feet(822m),respectively)thanthoseofthewindturbinestringridgelines.DummerPondandCowMountain(elev.2277feet(694m))aretotheeastofthesouthernportionsoftheProject.ThesefeaturesareshowninFigure3,amapofthemainProjectcomponentsinrelationtonearbygeographicfeatures.
ThemajorityoftheProjectcomponentswillbelocatedontwoprivately-ownedlandtracts.GraniteReliablePowerhasenteredintolong-termleaseagreementswiththelandown-ers.ThetwoparcelsareoftenreferredtoasthePhillipsBrookTract(23,768acres)andtheBayrootParcel(59,776acres).ThesetwopropertiesshareacommonboundarythatroughlyformstheridgelinesouthofDixvillePeakalongwhichthewindturbinestringswillbelocated.Thisridgelinealsoformsadividebetweentwowatersheds;tothewestthePhillipsBrookanditstributariesdrainintotheUpperAmmonoosucRiverasitflowswesttomeettheConnecticutRiverinGroveton.TheBayrootParceldrainslargelytothe
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationCsite INFORMATION
Figure 2:aerial view of the ridgeline in north central new hampshire on which the granite reliable power windpark is proposed. view is looking south.
granite reLiabLe power31
eastthroughseveraltributariesthatjointheAndroscogginRiverasitflowssouthandeastthroughGorham.Thesetractsofland,alongwithothermajorphysiologicalfeaturesinthevicinityoftheProject,areillustratedinFigure3.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Csite INFORMATION
Figure 3: project site map illustrates the location of major project components, the private road network, and the physiographical features in the vicinity.
see enLarged maps in back of appLication
granite reLiabLe power 32
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O d e l lO d e l l
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Paris
Crystal
Long Mtn
Cow Mtn.
Fishbrook
Sugarloaf
Deer Mtn.
Rice Mtn.
Akers Pond
Table Rock
Trio Ponds
Mt. Kelsey
Muise Mtn.
Veezey Hill
Cilley Hill
Owlhead Mtn
Signal Mtn.
Dummer Hill
Carlton Hill
Dummer Ponds
Mt. Patience
Marshall Hill
Blue Mountain
Dixville Peak
Whitcomb Mtn.
Christine Lake
Lake GlorietteDixville Notch
Millsfield Pond
Sanguinary Mtn.
Abeniki Mountain
South Percy Peak
North Percy Peak
Balsams Ski Area
Baldhead Mountain
Pontook Reservoir
Panorama Golf Club
Phillips Pond
Androscoggin Wayside Park
Dixville NotchState Park
Balsams Grand Resort
Ph
illips
Bro
ok
Nash
Strea
m
Mohawk River
Androscoggin
River
Upper Am
mon
oosuc River
Swift D
iamond River
Geographic Features Near the Granite Reliable Power Windpark
Wind turbine site
’ Substation or switchyard
! ! Electric collection line
! ! Electric interconnection line
Access road
Existing gates
Existing transmission line
Local roads
Private roads
Railroad
Bayroot Parcel
Phillips Brook Tract
New Hampshire state land
US Forest Service land
0 1 2 3 40.5Miles
0 1 2 3 40.5Kilometers
Phillips BrookTract
Bayroot Parcel
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
White Mountain National Forest
Nash Stream State Forest
SubstationMaintenance Building
Laydown Yard
Interconnection Switching Station
Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT,All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.
June 2008.
FishbrookWind Turbines
Dixville PeakWind Turbines
Mt. KelseyWind Turbines
OwlheadWind Turbines
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 2-3
PrincipalaccesstotheProjectsitewillbeinthetownofDummerattheintersectionofNHRoute16andDummerPondRoad,aprivateroadoffthenorthsideofRoute16,approximately1.25miles(2.0km)northoftheintersectionofstateRoute110AandRoute16inDummer,NH(seeFigure4).AccesstothispointalongNHRoute16isviastateandtownpublicroads.FromtheintersectionofRoute16andDummerPondRoad,accesstotheProjectsiteisthroughanextensivenet-workofprivateall-seasonroadswithinthePhillipsBrookandBayrootproperties.
(2) site acreage - shown on figure 3ThelocationsofthemajorcomponentsoftheProjectareshowninFigure3andaremorefullydescribedinSection(h)(1).Intotal,theinstallationofallProjectcomponentswithintheProjectsitewillrequirethealterationof203acresofland.ThebreakdownofthislandalterationbyProjectcomponentisprovidedinTableA.
Table A:breakdown of earth alteration area by project component
Disturbance Description Disturbance Area (acres) Towns / Unincorporated Places Involved
dummer pond road upgrades 21.12 dummer, millsfield, odell, erving’s Location
dixville road upgrades 10.41 millsfield, dixville
owl head spur upgrades 0.75 millsfield
fishbrook spur upgrades 8.11 millsfield
phillips brook/dixville connector road construction 8.65 erving’s Location, millsfield
fishbrook turbine string construction 46.34 millsfield
owl head / kelsey turbine string construction 55.75 millsfield
dixville turbine string construction 26.96 dixville
switching station construction 3.29 dummer
substation / staging area construction 13.21 dummer
kelsey staging / storage area 2.55 millsfield
dixville staging / storage area 2.58 dixville, millsfield
fishbrook cross-country power Line 3.15 millsfield
total disturbance 202.87 (8,837,017ft 2)
(3) the Location of residences, industriaL buiLdings, and other structures and improvements within or adjacent to the siteThelocationsofresidences,buildings,andotherstructuresinthevicinityoftheProjectsiteareshownontheaerialphotographsforthenorthernandsouthernportionsoftheProjectandaredescribedbelow.
new hampshire site evaLuation
committee permit appLication
Csite INFORMATION
Figure 4: dummer pond road’s (private) junction with nh route 16. view is looking north from along route 16.
granite reLiabLe power33
TheexistingstructurethatwillbeclosesttotheProjectistheseasonally-usedupperliftterminusoftheneighboringBalsamsWildernessSkiArealocatedapproximately0.8miles(1.3km)tothewestofDixvilleNotchonthesouthernsideofNHRoute26,asshowninFig-ure5.Theclosestyear-roundresidencetothewindturbinelocationswillbeapproximately2.9miles(4.7km)totheeastalongRoute26,asshowninFigure5.Thereisnoperma-nentresidentiallanduseontheprivatelandonwhichtheProjectwillbeconstructed.Ap-proximately2miles(3.2km)totheeastofwheretheMt.Kelseywindturbinestringsarepro-posedtobelocatedareseasonalcabinsonthesouthernshoreofMillsfieldPond.
TothesouthwestoftheProj-ecttherearetentotwelvesea-sonalcottagesorcampsalongthetownportionofParisRoadandBellHillRoadthatareatleast5miles(8.0km)fromtheproposedwindturbines.Additionally,thereisaseasonalcabinontheshoreofPhillipsPond,approximately2miles(3.2km)tothesouthwestoftheproposedlocationfortheProject.Theelectri-calinterconnectionline,connectingthesubstationtotheinterconnectingswitchingstationlocatedbesidetheexistingPSNHtransmissionline,isalsoshowninFigure6relativetoexistingstructures.Thenearestresidencesaremorethan1mile(1.6km)awayfromtheproposedinterconnectingswitchingstation.
Thewindturbineswillbefarenoughfromanyexistingstructuresthatanyphysicalimpacts(e.g.fromnoise,iceshed,shadowflicker,etc.)willbesubstantiallymitigated.Thevisualimpactswillbemitigatedduetothedensely-forestednatureoftheareaandthepresenceofinterveningterrainblockinglong-distanceviewsfrommanypopulationcenters.FurtherdiscussionsofpotentialimpactsoutsidetheimmediatevicinityoftheProjectareincludedinSection(i).
(4) identification of wetLands and surface waters of the state within or adjacent to the site WetlandshavebeendelineatedbycertifiedNewHampshirewetlandscientists.Con-
new hampshire site evaLuation
committee permit appLication
Csite INFORMATION
Figure 5: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the northern region of the project to show the proximity of existing structures to the dixville peak turbine
granite reLiabLe power 34
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Mt. Kelsey
Owlhead
Dixville Peak
B?26
Locations of Residences, Buildings, and other StructuresNearby the North Portion of Granite Reliable Power Windpark .
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 2-5
Structures
Local roads
Private roads
Wind turbine site! ! Electrical collection line
Access road
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
0 1 20.5
Miles0 1 2 3 40.5
KilometersData: Publically available datafrom NH GRANIT including Orthophotography from 2003 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC. Prepared by:
May 2008
tainedwithinthisApplicationarethecom-pletewetlanddelineationresults.Surfacewatersofthesitearedescribedindetailintheapplicationforms,designplans,andmapsprovidedinconjunctionwiththeNHDESStandardDredge&FillPermitApplication,NHDESSiteSpecificTerrainAlterationApplication,andNHDESSection401WaterQualityCertificationRequest,discussedinSection(d).ThesedocumentsareincludedasAppendices2,3,and4.
(5) identification of naturaL and other resources within or adjacent to the siteHistorically,thevastmajorityoflandinthevicinityoftheProjecthasbeenunderprivateforestmanagement.Withsignifi-canttimberresources,thelandhasbeenusedforcommercialforestrytoproducelogsforprocessingandmanufacturingofwoodproductsandtosupplypulptopapermillsinthreestates.Theregionisgenerallyruralinnature,withNHRoutes3,26,16,and110servingastheonlyhighwayslink-ingthenorthernpartofCoosCountywithsouthernpartsofthestate(seeFigure1).
TheresourcevaluesofthePhillipsBrookparcelwereevaluatedin2004–2005inconnectionwithanapplicationpreparedbytheSocietyfortheProtectionofNewHampshireForests(“SPNHF”)foralandownerwithintheProjectinconsiderationofconservationfundingundertheForestLegacyProgram.WhilespecifictoPhillipsBrook,thecharacterizationislargelyapplicabletothesurroundingareasaswell.Particularfindingsincludethefollowing:
•PhillipsBrookisatributaryoftheUpperAmmonoosucRiver,whichflowstotheConnecticutRiver.
•Theparcelprovideshabitatsforwiderangingmammalsandprovideseast-westandnorth-southtravelcorridorsforwildlife.
•Theparcelcontainsseveralremotepondswhichimprovethequalityofwildlifehabitat.
•Publicrecreationaluseisavailable,includingNHSnowmobileCorridorTrails#28,#110,and#134whichcrosstheseprivatelands.
AsdiscussedwithinthisApplication,thesesourcesofinformationaswellasstudiesconductedonthepropertyformedthebasisforturbinesitingactivitiesinanefforttominimize,ortotheextentpossibleeliminate,potentialadverseimpacts.Further
new hampshire site evaLuation
committee permit appLication
Figure �: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the southern regions of the project to show the proximity of existing structures to the proposed maintenance building, interconnection power line and interconnecting switching station.
granite reLiabLe power35
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Fishbrook
B?16
B?110B?16
B?
B?110
Locations of Residences, Buildings, and other StructuresNearby the South Portion of Granite Reliable Power Windpark .
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 2-6
Structures
Local roads
Private roads
Existing transmission line
Access road
Wind turbine site! ! Electrical collection line! ! Electrical interconnection line
’ Substation or Switching Station
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
0 1 20.5
Miles0 1 2 3 40.5
KilometersData: Publically available datafrom NH GRANIT including Orthophotography from 2003 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC. Prepared by:
June 2008
discussionofnaturalandotherresourcesatthesitearedescribedinSection(i).
(6) information reLated to whether the proposed site and faciLity wiLL unduLy interfere with the orderLy deveLopment of the region having given due consideration to the views of municipaL governing boardsTheProjecthastakenintoaccountthelocalandregionalviewsthroughoutthedevelop-mentandplanningprocessfortheWindpark.InordertoinformthepublicabouttheProjectandaddressquestions/concerns,GRPrepresentativeshavemetwithcountyplannersandagencies,residents,areabusinesses,non-governmentalagenciesandotherinterestedpartiesoverthecourseofthelasttwoyears.GRPviewsthedevelop-mentofthisProjectasacollaborativeeffortinwhichlocalandregionalcommunityinvolvementandsupportisimperative.
InformationontheProjecthasbeenandwillbepresentedtopoliticalandcommunityleadersonmultipleoccasionsinCoosCounty.Someofthesegroupsinclude:theCoosCountyCommissioners,theCoosCountyPlanningBoard,theNorthCountryCouncil,theCoosEconomicDevelopmentCorporationandCoosCountylegislators.InformationalmeetingshavealsobeenheldwiththetownsofStark,DummerandColebrook.
GRPiscommittedtobeinginvolvedinCoosCounty’scommunities.Projectrepresen-tativesparticipateinnumerousCoosCountyspecialeventsincluding:theLancasterFair,RotaryClub,Lions,PoliceAthleticLeagueandBoosterClubFundraisers.Ad-ditionally,Projectrepresentativesworkwitheducationalinstitutionsandparticipateinpanelssuchas“TheChallengesofNon-RenewableFuels”hostedbytheBalsamsGrandResortHotelduringthe“GreenExpo”.TheProjecthasalsosponsoredfundraiserstohelpprovideathleticequipmenttoregionalhighschools.
GRPemploysothermethodsofcommunicatingProjectinformationwhichincludetheGRPwebsite2,afactsheetavailableonthewebsite,andcooperationwithlocalmediasuchastheCoosCountyDemocrat,theColebrookChronicle,andTheBerlinDailySunamongotherlocalpublications.
AlthoughitbelievesthattheNewHampshiresiteevaluationlawpreemptslocalzoningrequirements,GRPismindfuloftheserequirementsandwillattempttocomplywithlocalzoningregulationsaspracticable.OperativezoningandplanningdocumentsforeachtownandunincorporatedplacearelistedinTableBbelow.
Table b:planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places
Town/Place government Type Master Plan/date Zoning Ordinance/date
dixville unincorporated county master coos county plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991
dummer incorporated master plan 2000 Zoning ordinance 2006 ervings Location unincorporated county master coos county
plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991
millsfield unincorporated county master coos county plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationCsite INFORMATION
2 http://noblepower.com
Table b:planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places
granite reLiabLe power3�
TheProjectisconsistentwiththegoalsforeconomicdevelopmentinCoosCounty,aswellastheenergygoalsarticulatedbytheNorthCountryCouncil,Inc.andassoci-atedplanningorganizations.AfurtherdiscussionoftheProject’sconsistencywithregionalplanninggoalsandwithspecificexistingtownplansfollows.AllregionalplanningdocumentsarecompiledintoAppendix5:RegionalPlanningandZoningDocuments.
Unincorporated Places Master Plan
TheMasterPlanfortheUnincorporatedPlacesinCoosCounty(1989)(“MasterPlan”)isastatementofgoalsandpoliciestoguideCountydevelopmentdecisionsintothefuture.Thisplan“doesnotsetaprecisetimetablefor,nordictatewhereelementsshallbeplacedontheland,butitdoesprovidefortheirgenerallocationbyperformancestandardswhentheyareneeded.”3
DevelopingwindpowerinCoosCounty’sUnincorporatedPlacessupportsanden-ablestheMasterPlan’sHumanResource,NaturalResourceandDevelopmentgoalsandpolicies.GraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillprovideadditionalemploymentopportunitiesthatdiversifyandcomplementexistingpositionsasiscalledforintheHumanResourcessection.TheProjectwillhelpmaintainpoliciesoutlinedintheNaturalResourcesSectionbyencouragingcompatiblelandusewithtimberlandown-erstopreserveforestresources,byoperatingemission-freetoprotectairresources,andbyprovidingasourceofrenewableenergyinaccordancewithenergyresourcepolicies.GRPissensitivetothepoliciesoutlinedintheDevelopmentsection,whichcallforcontainingdevelopmentandhassitedtheProjectappropriatelybytakingintoconsiderationexistinglanduse.
TheGRPWindparkisconsistentwiththeForestResourcesgoalto:“Conserve,protectandenhancetheforestresourceswhichareessentialtotheeconomyofthestateaswellastotheCounty.”Windpowerandforestrylandusesarecomplementary;bothusesneedroadstoreachremotelocations,andtheseroadscanbeasharedresource.Inaddition,windturbinesaremostappropriatelysitedatthewindy,higherelevationswheretimberresourcesgenerallyhavethelowestcommercialvalue.Windpower,asaco-useoftimberland,stronglysupportsandenablestheForestResourcepolicies,particularlythepolicyto:“Encouragepresentownershippatternsandmaintainprivatecontrolwhichmaintainshistoricalcharacterofexistingforestsandencouragespresentownershippatterns.”DevelopmentoftheCounty’swindpowerresourcesprovidesasubstantialadditionalsourceofincomeintheformofleasepaymentstopropertyowners.Thisadditionalsourceofincomecanencouragethepropertyownerstokeeptheparcelasonecontiguoustractofland,therebyforgoingtheneedtosubdividethepropertyforpurposesofincomeorrelatedcapitalrequirements.
TheMasterPlandoesnotspecificallyaddresswindenergyasasourceofenergyordiscusslocationsthatmightbeappropriateforwinddevelopment.However,theEnergyResourcesectiondoesarticulatethattheMasterPlansupports:“environmentallysoundandsociallybeneficialutilizationofindigenousenergyresources,”withthefollowingspecificpolicyobjectives:
• Supportenergyconservationanddiversification
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Csite INFORMATION
3 See Appendix 5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county, page 3.
granite reLiabLe power 3�
• Supportexistingstateandfederaljurisdictionoverenergydevelopmentsandrelatedlandusesinareasidentifiedasenvironmentallysensitivewherethereareoverriding,conflictingenvironmentalandotherpublicvaluesrequiringprotection
• Encouragedevelopmentofnew,smallhydropowerprojectsandreconstructionofexistinghydropowerprojectswherethesecanbeundertakeninanenvironmentallysoundmanner.4
ThecarefuldevelopmentofCoosCounty’swindenergyresourceswouldclearlysupportthisEnergyResourcegoalwhendoneinanenvironmentallysoundmanner.WindenergydevelopmentintheCountyisalsoconsistentwiththefirsttwopolicies(above),thesecondofwhichacknowledgesthepotentialfor“conflictingenvironmentalandotherpublicvalues”.TheProjectisalsoconsistentwiththeAirResourcesSectionthathasthestatedgoalto“protectandenhancethequalityofairresourcesthroughouttheCounty’sUnincorporatedPlaces”throughpoliciesthat:
• Supportstateandfederalairqualitystandards,and
• Encouragestate,federalandinternationalinitiativesdirectedatreducingemissionofairpollutants.
ThereareaspectsoftheMasterPlanwherepotentialconflictsmayexist.Forexample,theScenicResourcessectionencouragestheprotectionofscenicvaluesandencouragesgrowthtooccurinareastominimizeimpactsonthesevalues.FurtherdiscussionofvisualeffectsoftheProjectcanbefoundinSection(i)(1):Aesthetics.Similarly,theDevelopmentsectionoftheMasterPlanincludesapolicyencouragingnewdevelop-menttoremainincloseproximitytoexistingdevelopment.InNewEngland,windturbinesmustbelocatedontheridgelinestoharnessthebestavailablewindresources.Therefore,theideallocationsforwindpowergenerationtendtobedistantfromexist-ingdevelopment,andoftenaresomeofthemorevisuallyprominentareas.However,thisProjectisalsoproposedinanareawherecommercialforestrycurrentlyexists.Thus,itsdistancefromexistingpopulationcentersandheavilytraveledpublichigh-waysintheCountytendstoeffectivelymitigatetheProject’simpactsonthehumanenvironment.
Zoning Ordinance for the Unincorporated Places
TheZoningOrdinancefortheUnincorporatedPlaces,adoptedin1991,isadministeredbytheCoosCountyPlanningBoard.
Theobjectivesstatedinthezoningdocumentindirectlyreflectthepotentialforimpactsbydevelopmentssuchaswindpower.Forexample,windpowerisconsistentwiththeobjectiveto“reducepollution...”,andwiththeobjective“toencourageappropriateresidential,recreational,commercialandindustrialusesnotdetrimentaltotheproperuseorvalueoftheseplaces”.Separately,astatestatutefurtheremphasizestheimpor-tanceofzoningordinancesallowingrenewableenergysources.RSA672:1,III-aseekstoclarifyallzoningandrelatedregulationstoensurethattheseregulations:
[E]ncourageenergyefficientpatternsofdevelopment,theuseofsolarenergy,includingadequateaccesstodirectsunlightforsolarenergyuses,andtheuseofotherrenewableformsofenergy,andenergyconservation.Therefore,zoningordinancesshouldnotun-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationCsite INFORMATION
4 See Appendix 5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county, page 21.
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reasonablylimittheinstallationofsolar,wind,orotherrenewableformsofenergysystemsorthebuildingofstructuresthatfacilitatethecollectionofrenewableenergy,exceptwherenecessarytoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.5
ThelandoccupiedbytheProjectisclassifiedas“ManagementDistrict”,orareas“whichareappropriateforforestmanagementoragriculturalusesandforwhichtherearenoapprovedplansforadditionaldevelopment.”ThehigherelevationsoftheProjectwheresomeofthewindturbinesandassociatedinfrastructureareproposedareinasub-category“ProtectedDistrict”,labeledPD6SteepSlopes&HighElevations.Thisdistrictisdefinedasareasabove2,700feet(823m)inelevation,orslopesinexcessof60percentover10contiguousacres.Itspurposeasasub-managementdistrictisto“preservethenaturalequilibriumofvegetation,geology,slope,soil,andclimateinordertoreducedangertopublichealthandsafetyposedbyunstablemountainareas,toprotectwaterquality,andtopreservemountainareasfortheirscenicvaluesandrecreationalopportunities”.Primitiverecreationalusesandusebymotorizedvehicles,andtrailconstructionareexamplesofusesallowedinthissub-districtwithoutapermit.
ThewindpowerfacilitiesproposedfortheManagementDistrictaregenerallyconsis-tentwithitspurposes,especiallygiventheextenttowhichwindpowerdevelopmentisconsistentwiththeexistingtimberharvestingandrecreationalusesoftheManagementDistrict.TheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisalsoconsistentwiththepurposeofthesub-managementareaPD6andwillbedesignedandconstructedtobestman-agementpracticeengineeringstandardsinordertoaccommodatethesensitiveandfragilenatureoftheseareasandtominimizetheProject’simpactonthem.Asacleanrenewablegenerationfacility,theProjectwillbeofvaluetotheregion’senvironmentbyhelpingtooffsetordisplaceothergenerationsourcesintheregionthatproduceCO2emissionswhichareharmfultoairqualityandarebelievedtocontributetoglobalwarming.TheProjectwillpositivelyimpactCoosCountyandtheregion.Fortheabovereasons,whilenotspecificallyaddressedinthezoningdocument,GraniteReliablePowerbelieveswindpowerdevelopmentisaconsistentlanduseundertheCoosCountyUnincorporatedPlacesZoningOrdinance.
ReviewofthelandusestandardsrelativetotheaffectedSub-districtsoftheZoningOrdinanceandtheCoosMasterPlansupportstheconclusionthattheProjectaspro-posedwouldqualifyforaspecialexceptionbecause,overall,itisnotdetrimentaltotheresourcesoruseswhichtheseMunicipalLandUseRegulationsprotect.Insum-mary,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisgenerallyconsistentwiththegoalsandintentoftheCoosCountyZoningOrdinancesforUnincorporatedPlaces,asadoptedonApril20,1991.
Master Plan and Zoning for the Town of dummer
Over94%ofthetotallandareainDummerisinCurrentUse(26,900of28,490acres).TownofDummerMasterPlanof2000indicatesthatlessthanonepercentofDummerisdeveloped,withmostofthelandareabeingusedforcommercialforestryactivities.Onenotablecommercialdevelopmentinthetownisaprivately-ownedhydroelectricfacilityontheAndroscogginRiver.TheGuidingPrinciplesinthePlan’sStatementofGoalsandObjectivesdrawuponthecommunity’sdesiretoremain“primarilyaresidentialcommunityinterspersedwithafewsmallfamilyoperatedbusinesses”whileplacinga
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Csite INFORMATION
5 general provisions of rsa 672:1 under title Lxiv, planning and Zoning. see http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/Lxiv/672/672-11.htm
granite reLiabLe power 3�
highvalueoncleanenvironmentalconditions.ThePlan’sRecommendationsforFutureLandUsesectionsupportsmaintaining“free,open,orwildland”nearlakes,riversandwetlands,andencourages“diversificationofcommercial/industrialdevelopment”inviewofdecliningtimberoperations.WhilewindpowerdevelopmentisnotaddressedintheDummerMasterPlan,itisconsistentwiththePlanandwillnotincreasetheneedfortownservices.Insummary,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisgenerallyconsistentwithgoalsandobjectivesoftheDummerMasterPlan.
Regional Planning & Energy goals
TheNorthCountryCouncilInc.(“NCC”)istheregionalplanningcommissionandeconomicdevelopmentdistrictservingCoosandtwoothercounties.NCCincorporatesthegoalsoftheNewHampshireOfficeofEnergyandPlanning(“NHOEP”)inestablish-ingitslegislativeprioritiesforthecurrentyearanditsplanningguidance.NHOEP’sresponsibilitiesinclude:“exploringopportunitiestoexpandtheuseofrenewable,domesticenergyresourcessuchasbiomass,windandsolarenergy”and“ensuringthereliability,availability,andsecurityofthestate’senergysupplythroughacompre-hensivestatewideenergyplan”.6NHOEParticulatesastatepolicygoalof“increasedcommitmenttorenewableenergyresourcesandinvestments.”TheinitiativesoftheNCCandNHOEPpolicygoalsindicatetheProjectwillhaveahighlevelofconsistencywithregionalenergyplanningandpolicies.
(d) OThER REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS
(1) identification of aLL other federaL or state government agencies having jurisdiction, under state or federaL Law, to reguLate any aspect of the construction or operation of the proposed faciLity
• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,WetlandsBureau(authorityunderstateandfederallawoverwetlandsimpacts)
• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,SiteSpecificProgram(authorityunderstateandfederallawoveralterationofterrainandpollutantdischarge)
• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,WaterManagementBureau(authorityunderfederallawrelatedtoU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersindividualwetlandspermit)
• NewHampshireDepartmentofTransportation(authorityunderstatelawoverhighwaysafetyanddrivewaypermit)
• U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers
• FederalAviationAdministration
• NewHampshireDepartmentofSafety(blastingpermit)
(2) documentation that demonstrates compLiance with the appLication requirements of agencies having jurisdictionInformationsatisfyingtheapplicationrequirementsofsuchagencieshasbeenincludedwithintheagencyapplicationforms.CopiesareincludedintheAppen-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationdother REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS
6 see the new hampshire oep website :http://www.nh.gov/oep/aboutus.htm
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dicesreferencedinSection(d)(3)below.
WhiletheNewHampshireDepartmentofTransportation(“NHDOT”)willhaveauthoritytoregulateoversize/overweighttransportvehiclesassociatedwiththeProject’sconstruction,the“SpecialPermittoMoveaLoadInExcessofLegalLimit”issubmittedbythetruckingcontractoronceProjectpermitsareissuedandturbineequipmentisordered.TransportinformationrelevanttotherequirementsofNewHampshireDepartmentofTransportationhasbeenprovidedinSection(f)(5)e.Heavy/oversizetruckingloads.GRPwillalsocomplywithallrulesandpermitrequirementsforblastingthatmaybenecessaryintheconstructionanddecommissioningofthefacility.
ApplicationstoUSACOEandFAAwillbesubmittedlateSummer2008.Copieswillbeprovideduponfiling.
(3) a copy of the compLeted appLication form for each agencyPleaseseeattachedthefollowingcompletedapplicationforms:
• Appendix2:StandardDredgeandFillPermitApplication
• Appendix3:SiteSpecificTerrainAlterationApplication
• Appendix4:NHDESSection401WaterQualityCertificationRequest
• Appendix6:NHDOTApplicationforDrivewayPermit
(4) identification of any requests for waivers from the information requirements of any state agency or department whether represented on the committee or notTheApplicanthasnotrequestedsuchwaivers.
(e) ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION 7
Not applicable. GraniteReliablePowerWindparkisarenewableenergyfacilityunderRSA162-H:2,XVII,notanenergyfacilityasdefinedinRSA162-H:2,VII.
(f) RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION
(1) make, modeL and manufacturer of the unitThewindturbinesproposedfortheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkarethe“V90”seriesmanufacturedbyVestasWindSystemsA/S8.Vestasisoneoftheoldestexistingwindturbinemanufacturingcompaniesintheworld,establishedduringtheworldwideoilcrisisofthelate1970s.Inthepastthirtyyears,thecompanyhasgrownthroughincreasingsalesandthroughkeyacquisitionsofcompetitorstobecomeoneofthelargestwindturbinemanufacturingcompaniesintheworld.In2006Vestassoldover15,000MWofnameplatewindcapacity,comprising28.2%oftheworldwidemarketshare.Onacumulativebasis,Vestasisresponsibleforover74,000MWofwindcapacityinstalledworldwide9,andemployedover15,000peopleworldwideasofMay,2008.
TheV903.0MWwindturbineisaflagshipoftheVestasproductline.DetailsontheVestaswindturbinecanbefoundinAppendix7:V90-3.0MW:AnEfficientWaytoMovePower.TheV903.0MWisoneofthemosttechnologicallyadvancedwindturbines
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication dother REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS
EENERgY FACILITY information
FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
7 since granite reliable power windpark is a renewable energy facility under rsa 162-h:2, xvii, not an energy facility as defined in rsa 162-h:2,vii, this section has been omitted.
8 more information about vestas is available at www.vestas.com.
9 source: btm consult, world market update 2006, march 2007.
granite reLiabLe power 41
intheworld.Eachwindturbineiscomprisedofthreemajorcomponents:thetower,thenacelle(thehousingforthegeneratingcomponentsasdescribedmorefullybelow),andtherotorblades.
Thenacelleandrotorbladesaresupportedbyatubularsteeltower,whichiswidestatthebase,approximately16feet(4.88m)indiameter,andtaperstoapproximately9feet(2.74m)indiameterjustbelowthenacelle.Thetower’stopwillbehighenoughtopositionthecenteroftherotorblades262feet(80m)abovetheground.SeeFigure7foradiagramofwindturbinecompo-nents.Thetowerwillbepaintedaneutralwhiteoroff-whitecolor.Thefoundationdesignsaresitespecificandwillbecompletedfollowinggeo-technicalinvestigations.
Thenacelleisattachedtothetopofthetowerandhousesthemainme-chanicalcomponentsofthewindturbine,includingavariablespeedgenerator,transmission,andyawdrive(asystemenablingthenacelletorotateatopthetower).Thenacelleisapproximately13feet(4.05m)high,by12feet(11.8m)wideby32feet(9.65m)long.Therotorhubconnectstothetransmissionthroughoneendofthenacelle,andtherotoristhenconnectedtothehub.TheV90usesathree-bladedrotorinanupwindconfigurationwithanactiveyawsysteminthenacelletokeepthewindturbinefacingintothewind.Thevariablespeedgeneratorensuressteadyandstableelectricpowerproductioningustingwindconditionswhilereducinghighloadconditionsonthemaincomponents.Thevariablespeedfeaturealsoprovidesprecisecontroloverreactivepowerandgivessmoothconnectionsequencingwhenlinkingthegeneratortothegrid.
TheV903-bladedrotorhasadiameterof295feet(90.0m)andutilizespitchregula-tionwhichallowsefficientenergyproductioninawiderangeofwindandatmosphericconditionsthroughamulti-processorcontrollersystem.Pitchregulationreferstothecapabilityofindividualrotorbladestobe“pitched”orrotatedalongtheirlongitudinalaxis,allowingthemtooperatemostefficientlyoverarangeofwindspeeds.Pitchregu-lationisalsoimportantincoldclimates(whereicingconditionsoccurduringwintermonths)becausepitchingthebladeswillallowthemtoshedicebeforeitbuildsup.
Undernormaloperatingconditions,thewindturbineswillbegingeneratingpowerinwindspeedsofabout9mph(4m/s)andwillcontinuetodosountilwindspeedsreach55mph(25m/s).Atspeedsgreaterthan55mph(25m/s)thebladeswill“feather”(i.e.turnparallelwiththedirectionofthewind).
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
Figure �: components and dimensions of the vestas v90 3.0 mw wind turbine
granite reLiabLe power 42
Scale: 1:1,000
Rotor Blade
HubRotor Diameter
90 m
Hub Height80 m
Overall Turbine Height125 m
Tower
Nose ConeNacelle
(2) capacity in megawatts, as designed and as intended for operationGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillutilize33VestasV90turbines.Eachturbinehasaratednameplatecapacityof3.0megawatts,allowingforeachturbinetogener-ateuptothreeMWsofelectricity.TheProjectwillhaveatotalinstallednameplatecapacityof99MWs.
(3) type of unit incLuding
a. Fuel utilized
Notapplicable.TheProjectutilizesthewindtopowergeneratorunits.
b. Method of cooling condenser discharge
Notapplicable.
c. whether the unit is proposed to serve base, intermediate or peaking loads
TheProjectwillproducepowerfortheregionalelectricgridandtheamountofpoweroutputatanytimeisdependentonvaryingwinddynamicsatindividualwindturbinesthroughouttheWindpark.Sincewindpowerhasnofuelcostsandverylowoperatingcosts,itisconsideredtobealowcostsupplyandwilloperatecontinuouslytoserveallloadrequirements.
d. Unit efficiency
TheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark’sestimatedannualenergyproductionisex-pectedtobe300,000MWH.Thesecalculationscorrespondtoanetcapacityfactorofapproximately35percent,providingtheequivalentoftheelectricityneedsofap-proximately40,000NewHampshirehouseholds,basedontheassumptionthattheaveragehouseholdelectricaluseis750010KWHperyear.
Withnofuelutilizedinthepowergenerationprocess,theProjectwillbeextremelyenergyefficient.
e. Impact on system stability and reliability
TheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillinterconnecttoanexisting115kVtransmis-sionlineusingathree-breakerring-busswitchingstationinstalledbesidetheexistinglineinthetownofDummer.Thelineowner,PublicServiceCompanyofNewHamp-shire/NortheastUtilities,andISONewEngland(ISO-NE)enteredintoagreementsinthesummerof2007toconductthenecessaryinterconnectionstudies11.TheSystemImpactStudyisintheprocessofbeingfinalized.GRPwillprovideacopytotheCom-mitteewhenitiscompleted.Appendix8hasbeenreservedforacopyofthisstudy.Thestudyevaluatedpreliminarythermalandvoltageconditionsofthepre-projectandpost-projectsystemsunderpre-contingencyandpost-contingencyoperations.Theresultsofthethermalandvoltageanalysisindicatedthattheexistingelectricalsystemwillrequirerelativelyminorupgradestotheexisting115kVline.Mostoftheseupgradesinvolvere-saggingtheelectricallines(stretchingthemtighter)toaccommodatetheadditionalelectricalload.Withtheseupgrades,nothermal,voltage,orshortcircuitproblemswereobservedinthemodelingexercisesconductedinthesestudies.Incon-clusion,theProjectwillnothavesignificantnegativeimpacttothestability,reliability
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
10 data based on calculations for 2006 residential energy use from page 18 of the nh public utility commission’s biennial report. http://www.puc.state.nh.us/home/aboutus/bien05-07%20100307.pdf
11 the initial feasibility and system impact studies were conducted assuming the project would use general electric 1.5 mw turbines. current project designs assume the use of vestas v90 turbines as described in this application.
granite reLiabLe power 43
andoperatingcharacteristicsoftheNewEnglandbulkpowertransmissionsystem.
Ingeneral,windpowerhasbeenfoundtomaintainthereliabilityandintegrityoftheelectricsystemwithoutadverselyimpactingsystemreliabilityorincreasingoperatingcostsuptocertainthresholdlevelsoneachpowersystem.AccordingtoacomprehensiveanalysisreleasedMay22,2006andpreparedbytheUtilityWindIntegrationGroup(“UWIG”)incooperationwithEdisonElectricInstitute,AmericanPublicPowerAs-sociationandNationalRuralElectricCooperativeAssociation(groupswhichrepresentnearly100percentoftheutilitiesintheUnitedStates),therearenot“anyfundamen-taltechnicalbarriersatthepresenttimetowindpenetrationsofupto20percentofsystempeakdemand,whichisfarbeyondwherewearetoday.”12TheUWIGstudyinvestigatestheimpactofwindpowerontheoperatingcostsofthenon-windportion
ofthepowersystemandonthesystem’selectricalintegrity.Thestudyconcludesthat“theconsensusviewisthatwindpowerimpactscanbemanagedwithproperdesignandoperationofthesystem.”AsummaryofthefindingsoftheUWIGisprovidedasAppendix9:“UtilityWindIntegration:StateoftheArt.”
(4) any associated new substations and transmission LinesAnewsubstation,interconnectionswitchingstation,collectionlineandelectricalinter-connectionlinewillberequiredinordertointerconnectthewindturbinegeneratorstodeliverpowertothegrid.Thecollectionline(34.5kVAC)alongtheaccessroadswillcarryallelectricityfromallwindturbinestothesubstationthatwillbelocatedalongDummerPondRoad.Atthesubstation,the34.5kVpowerwillbetransformedto115kVandcarriedonanew115kVelectricalinterconnectionlinewhichwillrunbetweenthesubstationandinterconnectionswitchingstationandwhichwillconnectwiththeexistingPSNH115kVtransmissionline.
(5) construction scheduLe, incLuding start date and scheduLed compLetion datePre-constructionwork,suchassurveyingandstakingthelocationofProjectcomponents,willtakeplaceinthewinter/springof2009basedonthestatusoftheSECprocess.
ConstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillbeginafterallrequiredapprovalshavebeenobtained.Thestartdateforthisworkwillbeuponreceiptof
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationFRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
Figure �: major tasks in the construction schedule for 2009-2010.
12 charlie smith. “uwig issues assessment of integration of wind into utility power systems” dallas, texas, may 22, 2006. http://www.uwig.org/
granite reLiabLe power44
Task Name Duration Start Finish
GRANITE RELIABLE POWER WINDPARK 360 days Tue 5/5/09 Wed 9/15/10
Access Roads 88 days Mon 5/18/09 Tue 9/15/09
Electrical Interconnect Lines 79 days Tue 6/16/09 Thu 10/1/09
Substation 130 days Tue 9/1/09 Mon 3/1/10
Foundations 33 days Sat 8/1/09 Tue 9/15/09
Turbine Erection 56 days Sat 5/1/10 Thu 7/15/10
Electrical 306 days Wed 6/17/09 Sun 8/15/10
Overhead Collection System 56 days Wed 7/1/09 Tue 9/15/09
Underground Collection Systems 110 days Fri 5/1/09 Wed 9/30/09
5/5/09 9/15/10
5/18/09 9/15/09
6/16/09 10/1/09
9/1/09 3/1/10
8/1/09 9/15/09
5/1/10 7/15/10
6/17/09 8/15/10
7/1/09 9/15/09
5/1/09 9/30/09
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecQtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4
2009 2010
Granite Reliable Power, LLCProposal Schedule Granite Reliable Power Windpark
Date: June 25, 2008
Page 1
new hampshire site
evaLuation committee
permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
Figure �: newly constructed (shown in blue), upgraded and existing access roads (shown in red) to be used in the construction of the project
granite reLiabLe power 45
requiredapprovals.Atypi-calsequenceofconstruc-tionactivitiesisdisplayedinFigure8.
Precursorstoconstructionactivitiesincludetheacqui-sitionofallstateandfederalpermitsfortheconstructionandoperationoftheProj-ect.Constructionworkonthemaintenancebuildingandelectricalinterconnec-tioncomponentswillbeginoncethesiteisclearandero-sioncontrolmeasuresareestablished.
Roadconstructionworkwillincludeupgradingexist-inglogginghaulroadsandconstructionofnewaccessroadsuptoandalongtheridgelines.
Concreteandfoundationworkwillbecompletedatseveralwindturbinesitessimultaneously.Thetowers,nacellesandrotorbladeswillbeerecteduponcompletionofunitfounda-tionwork.Parallelworkwillinvolveinstallationofthesubstation,interconnec-tionswitchingstation,andelectricalinterconnectionlinecomponents.
Afterthewindturbinesareerectedandthephysi-caldetailsofwiringandassemblingthemechanicalsubsystemsarecompleted,thewindturbineswillbesubjecttoacarefullypre-scribedacceptancetest.The
targetcommissioningdateforallwindturbinesandelectricalfacilitiesandconnectionofthemtothegridissummerof2010.
a. Access roads
TheProjectislocatedentirelyonprivatelandsmainlyusedforcommercialtimberharvestingoperation.AwelldefinednetworkofroadstosupportthisuseexistsonthePhillipsBrookTractandBayrootParcel.Someoftheseroadswillrequireupgradestosupportconstructionneeds.TheProjectsiteaccessroadsareshowninFigure9.Sitespecificgeotechnicalinformationconsideringtheload-bearingrequirementsofconstructiontrafficandequipmentwillbeusedinthedesignofupgradesandnewroads.Upgradesofexistingroadswillincludechangesinthehorizontalandverticalgeometryandwideningthemtoaminimumoftwenty(20)feettoaccommodatetheturningradiiofthehaulrigs,upgradingexistingculvertsandinstallingnewculverts,upgradingexistingbridgecrossings,installingtemporaryandpermanenterosioncontrolmeasures,andresurfacingtheroadswithcrushedgravel.Treetrimmingorclearingwillbenecessaryinsomelocationstosupporttheseactivities.Pull-offareasmaybeestablishedasneededtosafelyaccommodatetrafficforconstructionactivitiesinconjunctionwithongoingforestryoperations.
TheDummerPondRoad,privatelyownedbyBayrootLLC,willprovidethemainaccesstotheProject.Newaccessroadswillbebuilttoaccessareasthatcurrentlydonothaveacceptableroutes.Typically,roadstotheridgelinewillbe25feet(7.6m)wide.Projectaccessroadsalongtheridgelinewillbeconstructedtoa34foot(10.4m)widthtoaccommodatecranemovement,largewindturbineequipmentdeliveriesandthesafedeliveriesofallothersupportmaterials.Allaccessroadswillbeconstructedwithinaright-of-way(“ROW”)definedasthewidthneededtoinstalltheroad(withanycutandfillneeded)plus10feet(3.0m)oneitherside.Thisadditionalareawillbeusedforerosionandsedimentcontrolmeasuresandtemporaryconstructionneeds.Thetemporarilydisturbedareawillbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetateaftertheconstructionactivitiesarecomplete.Whenco-locatedwithanaccessroad,overheadorundergroundcollectionlineswillbeinstalledwithintheconstructionROW.
Projectaccessroadswillbegravelroadsdesignedtobeartheweightoftrucktraffictransportingconcrete,gravelandwindturbinecomponentstothewindturbinesites.SeeFigure10,across-sectiondiagramofatypicalaccessroad.Theroadbasesectionswillbeconstructedusingsite-specificgeotechnicalinformationconsideringtheload-bearingrequirementsofconstructiontrafficandequipmentonsuitablenativemate-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationFRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
Figure 10: cross-section of a typical access road
granite reLiabLe power4�
rial.Geotextilefabric,oracomparableproduct,maybeusedtoseparatetheroadbasematerialtopreventfinesoilparticlesfrommigratingintothegravelbasematerialandtopreserveroadbaseintegrity.
Duringconstruction,culvertswillbeinstalledasneededtomaintainpre-existingdrainagepathstotheextentpracticable.Roadsideditcheswillbeincorporatedasdictatedbytheterraintoconveystormwaterrunoffawayfromtheroadways.Properstormwatermeasureswillbeutilizedasnecessary.
b. Substation, interconnection switching station, laydown yard and maintenance building
Thesubstationandinterconnectionswitchingstationaredesignedtostandardap-plicableutilityspecificationsthatincludegeotechnicalinformation,soilsresistivity,drainageslope,measurestomaximizesafetyandanyapplicablelocal,stateorfederalcodesorregulations.Thesiteswillbeclearedofvegetationandgraded.Topsoilwillbestockpilednearbyandsegregatedfromsub-soilsforuseinsiterestoration.Concretefoundationsforequipmentandstructuralsupportswillbepouredandundergroundconduit,cabletrenches/racewaysandgroundinggridwillbeinstalled.Above-groundconstructionwillinvolvetheinstallationoftransformers,structuralsteel,busconduc-tors,poles,cabling,insulators,switches,circuitbreakers,controls,fencing,securitycamerasandanyotherappurtenancesrequired.Finalstepsfortheseinstallationswillinvolveplacingcrushedstone,testingtheelectricalcontrolsystemsandcompletionofsiterestoration.
Themaintenancebuilding,laydownyardandstagingareawillbeconstructedbesidethesubstation.Theareawillbeclearedofvegetationandtopsoilwillbestockpiledforrestoration.Asnecessary,geotextilefabricwillbeplacedbeneaththecrushedstonetoseparatethesubsoilfromconstructionfillandprovidestabilityforthesite.Uponcompletionofconstruction,thelaydownyardandstagingareawillberestoredbyremovingthecrushedstoneandgeotextilefabric,replacingthestockpiledtopsoilandstabilizingthesiteuntilnaturalrevegetationoccurs.Themaintenancebuildingwillremainwithadrivewayandparkingareaforstaff.
c. Turbine Installation
Eachwindturbinewillbeinstalledusingasystematicprocess.First,anareaapproxi-mately200feet(61m)indiameterwillbeclearedandgradedtofacilitateinstallationoffoundations,associatedgroundingandelectricalcollectionsystemcomponents.ThisconstructionareawillincorporatethedirectivesofthesitespecificStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(“SWPPP”)andothermeasuresthatmayberequiredtoavoidimpactstonearbywetlands,othersensitiveresources,orphysicallandfeatures.Thelayoutoftheconstructionareamaybemodifiedtofurtherreduceimpactstotheseresources.Oncetheconstructionofthewindturbinesiscomplete,theconstructionareawillbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetate.
wind Turbine Foundation ConstructionSitepreparationandexcavationfortheinstallationofwindturbinefoundationswillcom-menceduringconstructionoftheroadsystem.Clearingandgrubbingwillbecompleted
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information
granite reLiabLe power 4�
andtopsoilwillbestockpiledforuseduringsiterestoration.Foundationconstructionwilloccurinseveralstagesbeginningwithexcavationusingbackhoes,excavators,dumptrucksandbulldozerstoremovematerial.Geotechnicalinformationgatheredateachwindturbinesitewillbeincorporatedintofoundationandgroundgriddesign.Theintendeddesignsforthesefoundationswillbedeterminedupongeotechnicalinvestigations.Intheeventthatblastingisrequired,GraniteReliablePowerwillfollowallapplicablestaterequirementsandindustrystandards.Individual,sitespecificblastingplanswillbepreparedtoaccommodate
allsuchrequirementsandap-plicablestandards.Excavationandfoundationconstructionwillbeconductedinamannerthatwillminimizethesizeofexcavatedareasrequiredtoinstallfoundations.Ifneces-sary,dewateringoffoundationholeswillbeconductedinac-cordancewiththeSWPPPandBestManagementPractices.
Tocompletethefoundation,generally,theexposedportionwillbecoveredwithstructural
backfillthatextendstoapproximately6feet(1.8m)outsidetheperimeterofthefoundationbase.Theremainingexposedportionofthefoundationisa16foot(4.9m)diameterpedestalthattypicallyextendsfrom6to12inches(15to30cm)abovegrade.
wind Turbine Assembly and Erection Withroadconstructioncompleteandthewindturbinefoundationscured,theerectionofwindturbinescancommence.Windturbinecomponentsgenerallyconsistofadowntowerassembly(“DTA”seeAppendix7:V90-3.0MW:AnEfficientWaytoMovePower,threetowersections,nacelle,bladehubandrotorblades.Thesecomponentswillbedeliveredtoindividualwindturbinesitesandstagedforaseriesofriggingactivitiestoassembleanderecteachwindturbine.Windturbineerectionisperformedinredundantmultiplestagesincluding:
• Settingthedowntowerassemblycabinetonthepedestalfoundationoverconduitsembeddedintheconcrete
• Placementofthetowerbasesection
• Placementofthetowermidsection,followedbyverificationofplumbandprepforgroutingunderthebasesectionring
• Afteranapproximate72hourcuretimeforthegrout,placementofthetoptowersectionandnacelleduringthesameperiodusingalargercranewithmoreliftcapacityandalongerreach
• Aseachtowersectionandnacelleareplaced,torqueofnutsandboltstoassembleeachsectiontoavendorspecifiedtorquevalue
• Withallcomponentsassembled,includingtheconnectionofallelectricalandcontrolcablingbetweenthenacelleandDTA,finalverificationofbolttorquing
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Figure 11: typical spread footing foundation design
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betweentowersectionsandanyancillaryequipment,i.e.climbingladders,etc.Lastly,afinalvendorinspectionismaderegardingcleanlinessandsecurity.
d. Collection System Installation
Undergroundcollectionlineswillgenerallybeinstalledalongtheridgelines.Under-groundcollectionlineswillalsobeinstalled,totheextentpracticable,withintheareaoftemporaryroaddisturbance.Directburialmethodsutilizingcableplow,rocksaw,and/ortrencherwillbeusedduringtheinstallationofundergroundcollectionlineswheneverpossible.Theundergroundcableswillgenerallybeburiedinatrench4feet(1.2m)indepth.
Mediumvoltageoverheadcollectionlineswillbeerectedalongthemainaccessroads,andwherevernecessarytominimizeenvironmentalimpactsinsensitiveareas.Instal-lationofoverheadlineswillrequirea50foot(15.2m)ROW.TheROWwillbeclearedofanytreesandlargewoodyvegetationtoallowforsafeandefficientinstallationofpolesandoverheadlines.Inaddition,occasional“dangertrees”outsidetheROWwillberemovedortrimmediftheyaredeemedlikelytofallontotheconductors.Whereoverheadlinesarelocatedadjacenttoexistingroadways,besteffortswillbemadetoinstallpolesfromtheedgeoftheroad.Poleswillgenerallybelocated20to25ft(6.0to8.0M)fromtheroadshoulder.
e. heavy/ Oversize trucking loads:
Thedeliveryoflargewindturbinecomponentstothesitewillinvolvetransportofoversizeandoverweightloads.TheseloadswillbesubjecttotheNHDOT’s“SpecialPermittoMoveaLoadInExcessofLegalLimit.”
NHDOTregulationsprovidethatspecialpermitapplicationsareissuedonlytothepersonorfirmwhowillactuallybehaulingtheoversizedload.Atthistime,GraniteReliablePowerhasnotselectedthehaulingcontractorsforthewindturbineequipmentandwillnotbeabletodosountilwindturbineordersaresolidifiedandtransportationlogisticsareplannedaroundthetransportationneedsofthespecificequipment.
Transportationrouteswillbeplannedtoavoidorminimizetheimpacttostateandlocalroads.TheProjectwillworkwithNHDOTandlocaltownhighwaydepartmentstosurveythetransportimpactsontherouteselectedtominimizesafetyriskstothegeneralpublic.
(6) project decommissioning GranitehasbeenworkingwiththeCoosCountyCommissionersregardingProjectdecommissioning.TheexecutedPaymentinLieuofTaxesAgreement(“PILOT”)be-tweenGraniteReliablePowerLLCandtheCoosCountyCommissionerscontainsthefollowingprovision:“GraniteReliablePoweragreestodiscusswiththeCOUNTY,andotherpartiesnecessary,aproposalforestablishingadecommissioningfundsufficienttodecommissiontheFacilityattheendofitsusefullifeandtoestablishsuchadecom-missioningfundaspartoftheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommitteeprocess.”GraniteReliablePowerwillcontinuetoworkwiththeCommissionersandthepartiestotheSiteEvaluationCommitteeproceedinginordertoestablishafundsufficienttodecommissiontheWindpark.
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(g) ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION LINE INFORMATION
(1) Location shown on u.s. geoLogicaL survey mapThelocationoftheelectricalinterconnectionlineisshownonaUSGSmap,includedasFigure12.
(2) corridor widthThecorridorfortheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbe100ft(30m)wideandlocatedalongthewestside(uphillside)ofDummerPondRoadTheentireelectricalintercon-nectionlinewillrequirevegetationclearing.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationgELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION Line information
Figure 12: usgs map illustrating the new electrical interconnection facilities required for the granite reliable power windpark, from the substation to the interconnection switching station
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Granite Reliable Power Windpark Electrical Interconnection LineLocation in Dummer, New Hampshire
Legend
’ Substation or Interconnection switching station
! ! Electric collection line
! ! Electric interconnection line
PSNH transmission line
Access road
Private road
New Hampshire state land
0 0.5 10.25Miles
0 0.8 1.60.4Kilometers
.Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 6-1
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
Existing PSNH Transmission Line
Electric
interconnectionline
Substation,Maintenance Building
and Laydown Yard
Interconnection Switching Station
Data: USGS 1:24,000, Publically available data fromNH GRANIT including state land and roads. Private roads provided by landowners. All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.
June 2008
a. New route
TheelectricalinterconnectionlinecorridorwillextendfromthenorthsideofPSNH’sexisting115kVtransmissionlineW179-2(LostNationtoPontook)inanortherlydirec-tionalongthewestsideofDummerPondRoadsome5.8miles(9.3km)toalocationidentifiedasthecollectorsubstation.TheelectricalinterconnectionlinewilltieintotheexistingW179-2linebymeansofanewPSNH115kVswitchingstationtobecon-structedonthenorthsideoftheexistingline.
b. widening along existing route
Notapplicable.
(3) Length of LineThelengthofthenewelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbe5.8miles(9.3km).
(4) distance aLong new route Theentiredistanceofthenewrouteis5.8miles(9.3km).
(5) distance aLong existing route Notapplicable.
(6) voLtage (design rating)Theelectricalinterconnectionlineisdesignedforoperationatanominalvoltageof115,000volts(115kV).
(7) any associated new generating unit or unitsTheelectricalinterconnectionlineisassociatedwiththeinstallationof33VestasV90windturbinegenerators.Thepurposeoftheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbeto
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Figure 13: typical 115 kv tangent structure
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transportpowergeneratedbytheGraniteReliablePowerWindparktotheexistinghighvoltagetransmissionnetworkownedbyPSNH.
(8) type of construction (described in detaiL)Theelectricalinterconnectionlinewillconsistofoverhead,wood,H-frametypestruc-turesthatwillrunparalleltothewestsideoftheDummerPondRoadtoprovidereadyaccessforconstructionandmaintenanceandtominimizeclearingforROWaccess.Thestructureswillbecenteredona100footwideclearedROW.Spansbetweenstruc-tureswillgenerallyrangebetween400and600ft(122-183m).Phaseconductorsareexpectedtobe477kcmilACSR.Opticalgroundingwiresandstaticwireswillprovideafiber-optictelecommunicationslink.Figures13and14illustratetypicaltangentandangledstructurestobeemployed.
(9) eLectricaL interconnection Line construction scheduLe
a. Anticipated Start date
Spring/Summer2009asindicatedinSection(f)(5):ConstructionSchedule.
b. Scheduled Completion date
Summer2010asindicatedinSection(f)(5):ConstructionSchedule.
(10) impact on system stabiLity and reLiabiLityThisisdiscussedinSection(f)(3)e:Impactonsystemstabilityandreliability.TheresultsoftheFeasibility,SystemReliabilityandImpactstudiesconductedbyISO-NEindicatethattheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanynegativeimpacttoexistingsystemstabilityandreliability.
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Figure 14: typical 115 kv angle structure
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(h) AddITIONAL INFORMATION
(1) a description in detaiL of the type and siZe of each major part of the proposed faciLityTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillinvolveconstructing33windturbinesgroupedintofourwindturbinestringsspanningapproximately6.5miles(10.5km)ofridgeline.TheProjectwillalsoincludetheconstructionofasubstationandinter-connectingswitchingstation,amaintenancebuilding,laydownyard,approximately30.4miles(48.9km)ofcollectionlineand5.8miles(9.3km)ofnew115kilovolt(kV)electricalinterconnectionlinetoserveasageneratorleadtotheexistingPSNH115kVtransmissionlinethatrunsbetweenMilanandGroveton.
TheProjectwillutilizeapproximately19miles(30.6km)ofexistingroadsandwillrequiretheconstructionof12miles(19.3km)ofnewaccessroadstoaccessthewindturbinesandotherfacilities.TheelevationoflandusedinthisProjectvariesbetweenapproximately1,200feet(366m)and3,450feet(1052m)abovemeansealevel.
ThewindturbineswillbelocatedwithintheboundariesoftheunincorporatedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,Millsfield,andOdell.TheremainingProjectcomponents,includinganewsubstation,laydownyard,maintenancebuilding,115kVelectricalinterconnectionline,andinterconnectingswitchingstationwillbelocatedalongDummerPondRoadinthetownofDummer(seealsoGeographicFeaturesNeartheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkinFigure3).
Themaintenancebuilding,Projectsubstationandlaydownyardwillbelocatedonaportionoflandtimber-harvestedfourtosixyearsago.(seeFigure15.)
Theapproximately5,000squarefoot(465squaremeter)maintenancebuildingwillbeusedtostoretoolsandassociatedmaterialsnecessaryfortheProjectvehicles,sparepartsforthewindturbinesandassociatedequipment.Communicationsequipment
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Figure 15: photograph of the area along dummer pond road planned for the new substation, maintenance building, and laydown yard. view is looking west.
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willbehousedatthislocation.Arep-resentativephotographisprovidedinFigure16.
Adjacenttothemaintenancebuildingandsubstationwillbealaydownyardfortemporarystorageoflargecompo-nents,andasmallernumberofspareparts.ThesefacilitieswillbelocatedonthewesternsideofDummerPondRoadapproximately6.2miles(10.0km)north
oftheNHRoute16-DummerPondRoadintersection(seeFigure3).
AlsolocatedonDummerPondRoadadjacenttothemaintenancebuildingandlaydownyardwillbethesubstation,anelectricalfacilitythatwilltransformcollectionlinevolt-age(34.5kV)tothevoltageoftheelectricalinterconnectionline(115kV).SeeFigure17forelevationandplanviewsofthisfacility.
TheinterconnectingswitchingstationwillbelocatedattheintersectionofDummerPondRoadandNHRoute16.Thisfacilitywillbedesignedtoconnecttheelectrical
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Figure 1�: photograph of a typical maintenance building similar to what is proposed for the granite reliable power windpark (photo is of similar facility in western new york).
Figure 1�: elevation and plan views of the typical size and layout of the major structures in a 34.5 kv- 115 kv substation as proposed for the granite reliable power windpark.
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interconnectionlinetotheexisting115kVtransmissionlineownedbyPSNH.AtypicalinterconnectingswitchingstationdesignisshowninFigure18.
(2) identification of the appLicant’s preferred Location and any other options for the site of each major part of the proposed faciLity
Preliminary screeningIn2006,Noblebeganawideareastudyofseveralpotentialprojectareaswithinmul-tipleprojectregions.ManypotentialprojectareaswereidentifiedinNewYorkandNewEngland.TheProjectsitewithinCoosCountywasoneofmanysitesevaluatedwithinNewEnglandusingthefollowingcriteria:
• avaiLabiLity of sufficient wind resources. Windturbinesmustbesitedinlocationswherethereissufficientwindflowofadequatespeedsandduration.PotentialprojectsiteswereevaluatedusingtopographicmapsandtheAWSTrueWind™map.Generally,windspeedsaveragingatleast7.5meterspersecond(16.8mph)areneededforcommercialwindenergyprojectviability.ThehigherelevationofthePhillipsBrookTractandBayrootLandwasanareaidentifiedashavinganadequatewindresourceforacommercialscalewindproject.Sitespecificwindstudieshavebeenongoingsinceearly2007toconfirmthewindresource.
• proximity to existing roads and transmission Lines. Akeyconsiderationforwindprojectsitingistheaccessibilityofanexistingutilitysystemtodeliverthepowergeneratedintotheelectricitygrid.Useofexistingtransmissionfacilitiesminimizesenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithconstructionofnewpowertransmissionfacilities,whichwouldincludeclearingROWsandotherconstructionimpacts.Thelocationofthe115kVPSNHlinelocatedtothesouthoftheturbinelocationscreatesanidealsituationforinterconnectiontothegrid.
TheProjectisaccessiblefromRoute16andhasawelldevelopedsystemofprivate
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Figure 1�: typical design and layout of interconnecting switching station, as proposed for granite reliable power.
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loggingroadsallowingaccesstothewindresources.However,someoftheexistingloggingroadswillneedtobeupgradedtomeetstandardsneededforconstructiontraffic.ImprovingtheseexistingroadsforProjectaccessminimizestheneedfortheconstructionofnewroads.
• avaiLabiLity of privateLy-owned Lands.TheProjectiscomprisedofthreeprivately-ownedparcelsofland.Themajorityofthislandiscurrentlymanagedforcommercialtimberproduction.RepresentativesofGRPmetwithandobtainedleaserightsfortheconstruction,operationandmaintenanceofawindfacilityontheseproperties.
• presence of environmentaL and Land use constraints.GRPconductedapreliminaryanalysisofthesitetodeterminetheenvironmentalandlanduseconstraintspresentatthepotentialprojectsitelocations.GRP’sanalysisrevealedthattherewasarelativelylowpotentialfordisturbanceofsensitiveecologicalresources,landandwaterresources,culturalandvisualresources,andlandownerswithintheareaofstudy.
• identification of preferred project site and turbine Locations. Throughoutthedevelopment,layoutanddesignprocesses,theGRPWindparkhasexaminedmanydifferentalternativesforProjectcomponentsaswellascomponentlayout.Theprimaryvariablesthathavebeenconsideredareturbinetechnologyandplacement,roadwidthandroaddesignparameters,electricalcollectiondesignincludingtypeofequipmentandplacement,substation,interconnectingswitchingstationandelectricalinterconnectionlayout,aswellasotherProjectcomponentplacement.GRPbelievesthattheproposedProjectrepresentsthebestavailablealternativesresultingintheleastamountofenvironmentalimpactwhilepreservingtheviabilityoftheProject.
Turbines GraniteReliablePowerhasexploredmanyalternativestothecurrentturbinetechnol-ogyandlayout.DuringtheinitialstagesofProjectdevelopmentitwasestablishedthattheProjectcouldsupporta100MWcapacityfacilityintheareabeingstudied.Initiallythiswasintendedtoconsistof67turbines,eachwithacapacityof1.5MWs,constructedonboththewesternridgesandeasternridges.Withthisthoughtinmind,theinitialenvironmentalandwindresourcestudiesbegan.Twosignificantdevelopmentsledtothecurrentturbinetechnologyandlayout.Thedetailedwindassessmentofthesiteshowedthatthewindresourcewouldsupportaturbineratedupto3.0MW.WiththeadditionoftheBayrootParcel,morelandbecameavailableforturbineplacement,allowingfortheProjecttoexamineconsolidatingtheProjectcomponentsexclusivelyontheeasternridgesofthePhillipsBrookTract.
Additionalbenefitsofthepresentdesigninclude:alargerdistanceofseparationfromtheNashStreamForest,significantreductioninlengthofroadsandcollectionline,andeliminatingtheneedtocrossthePhillipsBrookwatershedmultipletimeswithcollectionlinesandproposedaccessroads.ThefinaldesignreducestheamountofareadisturbedwhilemaintainingProjectviability.BenefitsnotdirectlyrelatedtoreducingsitedisturbanceincludereducingthevisibilityoftheProject,reducingthenumberofturbinefoundationsbyhalfasaresultofusingfewerhigherratedturbines,
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andeliminatingtheneedforthecutandfillrequiredtosupportthe34turbinesthatwillnotbebuilt.
AnothervariablerelatedtoselectedturbinetechnologyisthesiteparametersneededforconstructionandoperationoftheWindpark.Duringdiscussionswiththewindturbinemanufacturerandqualifiedpersonnelfamiliarwiththeconstructionprocessfortheselectedturbinemodel,multipleturbinesitedesignsthatwouldallowforsafeconstructionoftheProjectwereidentified.Eachturbinesiteneedstohavesomebasicfeatures,including:cranepad;turbinefoundationcleararea;areaforstagingofcom-ponents;andaclearedareaforsafemaneuveringoftheheavyliftloads,specificallytheblades.Manydifferentconfigurationsandconstructionsequenceswereexploredtoarriveatthecurrentsitedesignthatmeetstheconstructionsiterequirementswhileminimizingtheclearingareaneeded.Thebladeliftprocessisoneexample.Thisstepintheconstructionprocessthatrequiresthemostclearedarea.Typicallythebladesareattachedtothehubwhileonthegroundandthereisasinglelifttoattachallthreeblades.Foraturbinewitharotordiameterof300ftthisinvolvesaverysignificantclearing.GRPhasbeenabletoreducetheamountofclearingbyemployingasinglebladeliftprocess,which,asitsnamesuggests,meansthatasinglebladeisliftedontothehubatatime.Thisisamoretimeconsumingprocessbutminimizestheclearingareaneededateachturbinelocation.
RoadsFromthebeginningofthelayoutprocessithasbeenagoalofGRPtomaximizetheuseoftheexistingnetworkofloggingroadsandminimizeclearingneededtoconstructtheProject.Beyondutilizingexistingroads,GraniteReliablePowerhasexploredotheralternativestoreduceprimaryandsecondaryimpactswhileholdingsafetyasthepri-maryconcern.TheroaddesignparametersforGRPstartedwiththestandardroadspecifications.GRPconsultedwithspecialtyhaulingcompaniesinordertodeterminewheretheseparameterscouldbereduced.Byincorporatingchanges,suchasreduc-tionsofturningradii,GraniteReliablePowerreducedthelengthofroad,switchbacks,cutandfillandtotalareaofdisturbanceneededtosafelyaccesstheturbinesites.Inaddition,thelocationsoftheroadshavebeenmodifiedtoavoidwetlandsandothersensitiveresourcestotheextentpracticable.
Electrical collection systemVarioustypesofcollectionsystemswereconsideredtodeterminethebestdesignfortheProject.Someoftheinitialdesignsconsideredinclude:undergroundcollection,openconductoroverheadlinesandclosedconductoroverheadlines.Thefinaldesignutilizesacombinationofcollectionsystemstominimizetheoverallfootprintnecessarytoinstalltheseelectricalfacilities.
Thelocationofthecollectionlinewasmodifiedtominimizeimpacttosensitivere-sources.Duringtheinitialstagesofplanning,theProjectintendedtoroutecollectionlinesalongandbetweentheridgelinesinasstraightalineaspossibledowntoapointofinterconnectionalongParisRoad.Doingsowouldreducetheamountoflinelosses(energylostthroughinefficienciesinconductingpower)incurredbytheProject.
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Whilethisisasounddesignfromanelectricalengineeringstandpoint,theimpacttotheresourceswouldhavebeenextensive.BasedonworkconductedbytheNewHampshireAudubonSociety,GRPfocusedonwaystobothre-routethecollectionlinestofollowtheaccessroadsandutilizeareaspreviouslydisturbedprimarilyfromcommercialtimberactivities.Secondly,byengagingtheadjacentlandowner,Bayroot,thecollectionlines,substation,interconnectingswitchingstationandlaydownareaswerereroutedtorunparalleltoDummerPondRoadobviatingtheneedtoinstallsixnewmilesofelectricallinethroughforestedareas.
Substation, interconnecting switching station, electrical interconnection lineDesignofsubstationsandinterconnectingswitchingstationsaregenerallystandardandfewoptionsexisttoalterthesizeoftheareadisturbedbythesefacilities,there-foregeographicalplacementofthesefacilitiesisthemosteffectivewaytominimizeenvironmentalimpacts.Tothisend,GraniteReliablePowerbeganlookingatexistingdisturbedareasforplacementofthesubstation.Threesitesthatwereallrecentlyclearedduringloggingactivitieswereinitiallyselectedasviableforasubstation:oneneartheFishbrookRidgeturbinestring,anotherbetweentheOwlheadandMt.KelseyturbinestringsandthelastalongDummerPondRoad.Afterthesesiteswereselected,GRPexaminedtheplacementoftheelectricalinterconnectionpowerlineroutefromeachoftheselocationsinordertotieintotheexisting115kVPSNHtransmissionline.
Theinterconnectionpowerlineisa115kVlineandrequiresa100ft(30.5m)clearedROW.ByplacingtheinterconnectionpowerlinenexttotheProjectaccessroads,theProjectwasabletoreducetheamountofadditionalclearingneededbyusingtheaccessroaddisturbanceaspartoftheROW.Withthisinformation,sensitiveresourceswerethentakenintoaccountandGraniteReliablePowerdeterminedthatthesubstationlocationalongDummerPondRoadwastheleastenvironmentallyintrusiveoption,asitislocatedinarecentlyclear-cutarea.
TheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbeanH-framestructureandwillbeentirelylocatedwithinthetownofDummer.TheinterconnectingswitchingstationlocationwasdeterminedbythelocationofthePSNHtransmissionlineandtheproximitytoDummerPondRoad.
Other project facilitiesAdditionalProjectfacilitiesthatarenecessaryfortheconstructionandoperationoftheProjectincludealaydownyard,maintenancebuildingandabackuplaydownyard.Focusingonpreviouslydisturbedareas,GraniteReliablePowerdeterminedthatthemostsuitablesitefortheprimarylaydownyardandmaintenancebuildingwouldbetolocatethemnexttotheProjectsubstationinthesameclear-cutarea.Thesecondarylaydownyardwillbelocatedinanexistingclear-cutalongDummerPondRoad,southofthesubstation,laydownyardandmaintenancebuilding,andwillbeusedforthepurposesofequipmentoverflowandadditionalequipmentstaging.
a. Project alternatives evaluated
Smaller Project sizeGRPevaluatedreducingthesizeoftheProjectbyusingasmallernumberofturbines.
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However,reducingtheProject’ssizewouldreducetheenergyproductionandthere-sultingenvironmentalandeconomicbenefitsoftheProject.Asmallerprojectwouldalsobelessfinanciallyviable.
GraniteReliablePowerevaluatedaprojectwithfewerturbinesanddeterminedthatsuchaprojectwouldreducethelocalizedenvironmentalimpactsonlymarginally.ThefootprintandvisibilityoftheProjectwouldbeslightlyreduced,therebyalsoreducingtheamountofdisturbedforestland,vegetation,andwetlands.Visually,areductioninthenumberofturbinesmayprovideaminimalbenefitataparticularreceptor,butitwoulddolittletochangetheoverallimpactoftheProjectontheregionallandscape.Therewouldalsobeaminimalreductionintheneedforcollectionlinesandthevisualimpactsassociatedwiththesiteclearing.Thus,thereductionofthesizeoftheProjectwouldonlymarginallychangeitsaestheticprofile.Giventheminimalimpactstoforestland,vegetationandwetlandsoftheProjectasproposed,aswellasthemarginalchangeintheaestheticprofileoftheProject,itappearsthatasmallerprojectalternativedoesnotwarrantthelossofgeneratingcapacityandrelatedsocialandeconomicbenefits.
Project viabilityWindgeneratingprojectshavecertainfixed“infrastructure”capitalexpendituresthatareindependentofthesizeofthefacility.Forexample,thecostoftheutilityintercon-nectionandthefacilitysubstationwillnotvarysignificantlywiththesizeofthefacility.Thefinancialviabilityofaprojectdependsonitsabilitytorecoverthesefixedcapitalexpendituresbymaximizingoutput.
PricesforelectricityproducedbytheProjectarebasedonmultiplemarketfactorsin-cludingthecostsofelectricitygeneration.Asafuel-freeenergyresource,theProject’smaincostsarefixedcapitalcosts.Tobecompetitivewithotherwindprojectsandothersourcesofelectricalenergy,thecapitalandotherfixedcostsperkilowatt-hour(kWh)outputmustbereducedwhilemaximizingelectricaloutput.ReducingProjectoutputwithoutacorrespondingreductioninfixedcostswouldcreateanegativeimpactonitsoverallfinancialviabilityandwoulddiscourageinvestment.
TheProjecthasbeensizedtomaximizetheavailablewindresourcewhilebeingsensi-tivetovariousenvironmentalfactors.Asmallerprojectwouldproducefewerglobalbenefits(e.g.cleanenergy,emissionsreductionsandreductionsinfossilfuelcombus-tion),andfewerlocaleconomicbenefitstotheregionandthestate.Italsowouldbecontrarytothestate’sgoalsofincreasingtheuseofrenewablesourcesofelectricitytothesameextentastheProjectthathasbeenproposed.
No-build alternativeSelectionoftheno-buildalternativewouldprecludethedevelopmentofawindparkinanareawithfavorablewindresourcesandinfrastructuretosupportsuchaproject.InthenortheasternUnitedStates,goodwindenergyprojectsitesarelimitedandthosethatdoexistareprimarilylocatedinareasthatwillhavesimilarsocialandenvironmentalconcerns.Therefore,theselectionoftheno-buildalternativewouldforcecontinuedrelianceinthenortheastonnon-renewableenergyresources(e.g.fossilfuelsandnuclearmaterials).Energyproductionwithsuchnon-renewablesourcesresultsinaplethora
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ofseveredirectandindirectadverseenvironmentalimpacts(e.g.airemissions,waterconsumption,toxiceffluentsandthermalemissions,by-productwastes,significantinfrastructureneedsandrelatedlanduseimpacts,visualimpacts,noiseimpacts,trafficimpacts,andhealthimpacts),andsocioeconomiceffects(e.g.decreasedenergydiversityandreliability,fluctuatingandincreasedconsumercosts,anduncertaintiesregardingtheabilitytomeetincreasingenergydemands).
Furthermore,thebenefitsofaddingapproximately99MWofclean,renewableelectricenergytothepowergridwouldbelostinano-buildsituation.Electricgenerationbyfossilfuel-firedfacilitiespresentsseriousconsequencesintheformof,amongotherthings,airemissions(i.e.carbondioxide,sulfurdioxide,nitrogenoxides,particulatematter,andmercury).Thecontinuedrelianceonfossilfuel-firedgeneratorswouldnegatethereductionsinemissionsexpectedfromoperationsoftheProject.Thosereductionsareestimatedtobe525,000poundsofsulfurdioxide(aprecursorofacidrain),162,000poundsofnitrogenoxides(asmogprecursor),mercury13(adeadlypoison),and332,100,000poundsofcarbondioxide(agreenhousegas)overeachyearofoperation14.Theadverseenvironmentalandhealtheffectsofairemissionsfromcombustionoffossilfuelsarewell-documentedandincludeglobalwarming,acidrain,smog,respiratoryhealtheffects,andsignificantlong-termimpactsonwildlife.
Beyondairemissions,fossilfuel-firedfacilitieshaveothersignificantenvironmentalimpacts.Theseinclude,amongothers,massivewaterwithdrawals/consumptionforcooling(whichentrainandimpingefish),thereleaseoftoxiceffluentsresultingfromplantoperations,thermalreleases(whencoolingwatersarereturnedtothewaterbodyfromwhichtheywerewithdrawn),andvisualimpactsresultingfromthefacilities’structureandvapor/steamplume.TotheextentthatnewtechnologiesarerequiredundertheCleanWaterActtoreducewaterwithdrawals,suchtechnologieshavetheirownattendantadverseenvironmentalimpacts(e.g.,constructionandmaintenanceofmassivestructuresinwaterbodies,therebycausinglong-termhabitatdisturbance).Inanyevent,evenwithmodernpollutioncontroldevices,significantadverseimpactsremain.Thecumulativeeffectoftheoperationofmanyfossilfuelpowerplantscontinuestoposeanenvironmentalthreatthatwillonlyworsenwithcontinuedandexpandedusagenecessarytomeettheever-increasingdemandforenergy.
Beyondenvironmentalimpacts,fossilfuelpowerplantfacilitiesalsohavesignificantadversesocioeconomiceffects.Strictairemissionsregulationsandcontrolmeasures,alongwithotherenvironmentalrequirementstopermitneworre-poweredfossilfuel-firedfacilities,haveincreasedthecapitalandoperatingcostsofpowerplantswhich,inturn,resultsinhigherelectricitycoststoconsumers.
Further,theinfrastructurerequiredforefficientenergydistributionislacking,insomeinstances,whichleadstopricefluctuationsandunreliabilityofenergysupply.Forexample,naturalgasistransportedthroughanetworkofpipelinesthroughoutthecountrywhichisnotalwayscapableoftransportingtherequiredgastovariousregions.Thisresultsinsignificantpriceswingsandincreasedcoststoconsumersduetosupplyanddemandforces.Inextremeinstances,supplydisruptionsmayforceuseofdirtierfuelssuchasfueloiltobecombustedinordertomeetelectricaldemand15.Inaddition,naturalgasfacilitiessufferfrommanyofthesameadverseenvironmental
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13 the actual displacement of mercury emissions as a result of the project is difficult to quantify. individual power plants have different mercury emission rates based on the type of fuel and equipment utilized. furthermore, current regulatory conditions make it difficult to accurately estimate future mercury emissions.
14 based on marginal emissions rates calculated by the new england independent system operator. see appendix 10: 2005 new england marginal emissions rate analysis.
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impactsasdocoal-firedandoil-firedplants,particularlywithrespecttowaterwith-drawals,thermalreleases,andvisualimpacts.Thus,fossilfuel-firedfacilities,whichdependonnon-renewableresources,haveundeniableandwell-definedsignificantenvironmentalandsocialcosts.
Nuclearfacilitiesposetheirownuniquesetofdangers,includingthedisposalofra-dioactivewaste(high-levelandlow-level),impactsonthemarineenvironmentfromthermalwaterdischarge,andthepotentialdangerofacatastrophicradioactivereleaseastheresultofanaccident.
TheNationalRenewableEnergyLaboratory(“NREL”)highlightstheattributesofwind,showcasinghowfossilfuelandwindpoweraremarkedlydifferent.Accordingtotheirfindings,inthepublication“WindEnergyBenefits”,windenergyisbeneficialinthefollowingways:
1) wind energy is economically competitive
2) wind energy is a valuable crop of the future for farmers and ranchers
3) unlike most other electricity generation sources, wind turbines do not consume water
4) wind energy is an indigenous, homegrown energy source that contributes to national security
5) wind energy is inexhaustible and infinitely renewable
6) wind energy has many environmental benefits
7) wind energy reduces the risk associated with volatile fossil fuel prices
8) wind energy is the fuel of today and tomorrow
9) wind energy can be used in a variety of applications16.
Windprojectsdo,however,requireappropriatewindresources,andtheyaregenerallydistributedoveralargerlandareathanfossilfuelfacilities.Thesecharacteristicsmakeruralareasappropriateforwindprojectdevelopment.Ruralareasoftenareusedforfarmingorlogging,andwindenergyfacilitiesarewhollycompatiblewiththesetwolanduses.Theydonotrequiretheprojectsponsortoownland;instead,aneasementorleaseagreementissignedandownershipofthelandremainswiththecurrentowner.Thus,revenuesarepaidtothelandowner,whichhelpsustaineconomicvitalityintheruralarea17.Inadditiontoeasementpaymentstoprivatelandowners,theProjectisexpectedtomakesignificantPILOTandotherpaymentstolocaltaxingjurisdictions,andmakeroadimprovementsasaresultofconstructionandpost-constructionreme-diation.Theno-buildalternativewoulddeprivetheruralareaofthisdirecteconomicbenefitaswellasprecludedevelopmentofanenvironmentallybenignandbeneficialenergyproductiontechnology.
Importantly,boththeUnitedStates’andNH’senergypoliciesexplicitlyrecognizetheneedtosupplementnon-renewableenergyproductionresourceswithrenewableenergyresources.Thus,theyencouragedevelopmentofrenewablesourcesandsupportrenew-ablesourcesasavitalpartofthelocalandnationallong-termenergystrategy.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication hAddITIONAL information
15 diversity in the mix of energy sources that supply our electricity can help reduce price fluctuations for the consumer. see rsa 362-f:1.
16 us department of energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, “wind energy benefits”, april 2005. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/37602.pdf
17 us department of energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, “wind energy for rural economic development.” updated august, 2004. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33590.pdf
granite reLiabLe power �1
(3) a description in detaiL of the impact of each major part of the proposed faciLity on the environment for each site proposedAdetaileddescriptionofthepotentialenvironmental,healthandsafetyimpactsoftheProjectiscontainedinSection(i).
(4) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s proposaLs for studying and soLving environmentaL probLemsGRPhasbeencarefultoaccountfornaturalcommunitiesattheProjectsiteandanalyzepossibleeffectstheProjectmayhaveonthenaturalenvironment.Additionalstudieshavebeenperformedrelatedtobreedingbirds,bats,winteranimaltracking,rareplants,andwetlands.ThesestudiesarediscussedindetailinSection(i).
Itisimportanttorecognizethatincomparisontootherenergysourcesthatcouldbebuilttomeetdemandsforelectricity,windpower’simpactontheenvironmentandwildlifeisminimal.Thelistofenvironmentalandwildlifeimpactsfromotherenergysourcesislongandvaried,including:
• Habitatimpactsfrommining(coal,uranium),drilling(naturalgas,oil),andcompressingfuel(naturalgas).Someoftheseeffectsarelocal,whileotherscanextendoverfairlybroadareas.
• Habitatimpactsfromairandwaterpollution:acidrain,smog,mercury,drillingandwastewaterdisposal(fossilfuels).
• Habitatimpactsfromglobalwarming(fossilfuels).Significantchangesinsomespecies’rangesarealreadyoccurring,particularlyinnorthernlatitudes.
• Habitatimpactsfromthermalpollutionofwater(nuclearandfossilpowerplants).
• Habitatimpactsfromfloodingoflandandstreamflowchanges(hydropower).
• Habitatimpactsfromwastedisposal(coal).TheAmericanBirdConservancyestimatesthatmountaintopmining/valleyfilloperationsinWestVirginia,Tennessee,Kentucky,andVirginiawillleadtoamassiveandpermanentimpactonmatureforestbirdsincludingthelossoftensofthousandsofbreedingCeruleanWarblersandotherforestbirdsinthenextdecade.18
(5) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s financiaL, technicaL and manageriaL capabiLity for construction and operation of the proposed faciLityGraniteReliablePower,LLCismajorityownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC.GRPisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompany,formedforthedevelopmentof,andeventualownershipandoperationof,theProjectthatisthesubjectofthisApplication.GRPisregisteredtodobusinessinNewHampshire.AsstatedinarecentS-1filingwiththeSecuritiesandExchangeCommission,NobleEnvironmentalPowerisarapidlygrowingwindenergycompanyoperating282MWofelectricalgeneratingcapacitywithmorethan950MWofadditionalcapacitythatNobleexpectstocommenceoperationsduring2008and2009.Nobleisfocusedondeveloping,financing,constructing,own-ingandoperatingwindparksintheUnitedStates.ThroughRPSprogramsandRECmarkets,Nobleisabletomonetizetheenvironmentalattributesassociatedwiththe
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationhAddITIONAL information
18 see awea’s fact sheet “wind energy and wildlife”, http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629-threec’sfactsheet.pdf and “save the Loon with wind energy” http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/wildlife.pdf
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poweritproduces,inadditiontogeneratingrevenuefromtheactualpowerproduced.OperatinginthesederegulatedenergymarketsalsoenablesNobletoexecuteitsenergyhedgingstrategy,whichhelpsstabilizerevenueswhileallowingthecompanytobenefitfromfutureincreasesinenergyprices.
NoblewasfoundedinAugust2004andcommencedoperationsofitsfirstwindparksinMarch2008.Todate,Noblehasgrownintoafullyintegratedwindenergycompanywithover170employees,withthecapabilitytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperatewindparks.Noblewillutilizeitsunderstandingofthecommoditymarketstositewindparksinattractiveregionsandtomonetizetheoutputoftheprojectseffectively.
InadditiontoNoble’scurrentcapacityof282MW,constructionofadditionalwindparksinNewYorkandTexashasbegunandwillprovideanadditional465MWofcapacityin2008.Nobleplanstogrowcapacitysignificantlyoverthenextseveralyears.Bytheendof2012,thecompanyexpectstohaveapproximately3,850MWofcapacityasitfurtherexpandsintoattractivewindenergymarketsinMaine,Michigan,Minnesota,NewHampshire,VermontandWyoming.
Noblemaintainsstrongrelationshipswithmajorturbinesuppliers,whoitexpectswillprovidetheturbinesrequiredforthecompany’sexpandingwindparkportfolio.
Noblehasafully-integrated,cross-functionalorganizationalstructurethatenablesthecompanytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperateeachoftheprojects,includingGRP,withalong-termownershipperspective.Acommoditiesandriskmanagementteamworkscloselywiththecompany’sdevelopersandmeteorologicalteamidentify-ingregionsforoptimalprojectdevelopment.Collaborationamongthedevelopers,engineersandmanagersoneachoftheprojectsallowsfortransitionfromonestagetothenextandtoregularlyidentifyprocessandtechnicalimprovementsoverthelife-cycleofeachproject.
Noblehasadedicateddevelopmentteamofprofessionalsengagedinactivitiesincludingsiteselection,marketanalysis,landacquisition,communityrelationsandpermitting.Noblealsohassignificantexpertiseinengineering,construction,operationsandmain-tenance,withacombinedtotalof76employees.Finally,Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveprojectfinanceandcommodityhedgingexpertise,allowingthecompanytooptimizeitscapitalstructureandreducetheimpactofspotmarketenergypricevola-tility.ThisintegratedprojectmanagementstrategywillenableNobletocontinuouslyimprovethedevelopmenttiming,costandcapitalstructureandrevenueoptimizationofprojectsacrossitsportfolio.
Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveknowledgeofeveryaspectofthedevelop-ment,financing,constructionandoperationofwindparks,aswellasmanyyearsofexperienceintraditionalindependentelectricitygeneration.Thecompany’sseniormanagementhasanaverageofover15yearsofexperiencewithcomplexpowerandinfrastructureprojects,frominitialdevelopmentthroughfinancingtoongoingopera-tionsandmaintenance.
InadditiontotheLancaster,NewHampshireoffice,Noblemaintainspermanently-staffedprojectofficesinAltona,Arcade,Bliss,ChurubuscoandFredonia,NewYork;
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication hAddITIONAL information
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AustinandHitchland,Texas;Ubly,Michigan;andRutland,Vermont.Bymaintainingtheseofficesandbecominginvolvedinlocalcommunityaffairs,thecompanyworkstodevelopameaningfullocalpresence,whichhelpsthecompanynavigatelocalpermit-tingprocessesandenlistthesupportoflocalcommunitiesforitswindparks.
Noble’scorporateheadquartersarelocatedinEssex,ConnecticutandithasanOpera-tionsCenterinPlattsburgh,NewYork.
Nobleseekstomaximizeprojectefficiencyandreducecostsbytakingadvantageofitsin-housecapabilitiesindevelopment,financing,constructionandoperations.Forexample,intheconstructionphase,Noblebelievesthattheabilitytochoosebetweenusingoutsideprovidersandtakingadvantageofitsin-housecapabilitytoactasagen-eralcontractorprovidessignificantflexibilityinselectingthemostcost-effectiveandstrategicallyefficientoption.Additionally,Noblewillmaintainacentralwarehouseofspareparts,whichthecompanybelieveswillresultinsignificantbenefits,includ-ingincreasedoperationalflexibility,asNoblewillnothavetodelaymaintenanceasaresultofwaitingforanitemwithalong-leadtimetoarrive.AsNoble’sassetbasegrows,itwillachievefurthercostreductionsduetoeconomiesofscaleinmaintainingitswindparksandpurchasingcomponents.
NoblewillarrangeforthefinancingoftheProjectthroughvariouspotentialsourcesandstructurestoprovidecapitalforconstructionequipmentandoperationoftheProject.TheProjectiscurrentlyestimatedtorequireapproximately$275millionincapital,dependingonfinalequipmentcostsandconstructionpricing.
Throughtheselectionofthevariousfinancingalternativesgenerallyavailabletowindenergydevelopers,Nobleseekstomaximizetherateofreturnonprojectinvestments.Nobleintendstousetaxequityfinancingarrangementsinordertomonetizethevalueofacceleratedtaxdepreciationthatareavailabletoitasawindenergygenerator.Noblewillbeabletoenterintothesearrangementsatacostofcapitalthatreflectsthetaxequityinvestor’sabilitytoutilizethesetaxbenefits.UntilNoblehassignificanttaxableincome,thecompanyintendstocontinuefinancingitswindparkswithtaxequityfinancingstructuressolongastaxincentivesandtaxequityinvestorsremainavailable.
CopiesofrecentfinancialstatementsforGraniteReliablePowerandNobleareincludedinAppendix1,thoughtheyhavebeenredactedastheyarethesubjectofamotionforconfidentialtreatment.
Contractorswillberequiredtocarrycontractor’sinsurance,includingworker’scom-pensationinsurance,commercialgeneralliabilityinsurance,automobileinsurance,excessliabilityinsuranceandprofessionalliabilityinsurancetocoverliabilityarisingoutofanynegligentact,errororomissionresultingfromthecontractor’sengineering,design,andcommissioningservices.Thecontractorwillalsorequireanysubcontrac-torstomaintainsimilarinsurance.Contractorsarealsorequiredtocarryabuilder’sall–riskinsurancepolicycoveringtheriskofphysicallossordamagetowindturbineequipment.Duringtheoperationphase,theProjectwillcarryinsurance,includingworker’scompensationsinsurance,commercialgeneralliabilityinsurance,automobileinsurance,excessliabilityinsuranceandprofessionalliabilityinsurance.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationhAddITIONAL information
granite reLiabLe power�4
(6) a statement of assets and LiabiLities of the appLicant see section (b)(7) above and appendix 1.
(7) documentation that written notification of the proposed project, incLuding appropriate copies of the appLication, has been given to the appropriate governing body of each community in which the faciLity is proposed to be LocatedTheCoosCountyPlanningBoard(becausetheProjectislocatedintheunincorporatedplacesofMillsfield,ErvingsLocation,DixvilleandOdell,alllocatedinCoosCounty),andtheTownofDummerhavebeenprovidedwithcopiesofthisNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommitteeApplicationbyU.S.mail,returnreceiptrequested,atthesametimetheApplicationwasfiledwiththeCommittee.Accordingly,theApplicantintendstofilecopiesofthereturnreceipts(oncetheyarereturned)tosupplementthisanswerandhasreservedAppendix35forthispurpose.
(i) POTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ANd MITIgATION PLANS
(1) aesthetics
a. Visual Impact
background & potentiaL effects: WindenergyprojectsinNewEnglandaretypicallyvisibleduetothesizeofwindturbinesandtheridgelinelocations,necessi-tatedbythewindresourcecharacteristicswithinmostofNewEngland.Visibilitybyitselfdoesnotnecessarilymeantherewillbeunreasonablyadverseeffectsonthesiteorsurroundinglandscape.AstudyofvisualimpactsoftheproposedProjectshowsthatwhiletherewouldbesomevisualimpactsfromafewareas,theywouldnotbeunreasonablyadverse.
ThestudyofthevisualimpactsoftheProjectexaminedimportantviewingareaswithina10-mile(16.1km)radiusoftheProject.Foregroundviewsextendupto1/2mile(0.8km)awayandincludeareasinwhichconsiderabledetailcanbeseen.Middlegroundviewsextendupto5miles(8.0km)awayandareareasinwhichtreescanbeperceivedinveryclearconditionsbutnotdetailssuchasindividualleaves.Landformsappeardistinctandlanduseandvegetativepatternsareoftenclearlyevident.Backgroundviewsarethosebeyond5miles(8.0km)andaregenerallythoseinwhichlandformsbegintotakeonabluishcolor(actualdistanceswillvarydependingonweathercondi-tions),andoveralllandformsaremorevisuallydominantthanlanduseorvegetativepatterns.Visualimpactsbecomelesssignificantwithdistancebothbecauseobjectsappearmuchsmaller,andalsobecausetheyoccupyamuchsmallerportionofoverallviews.Beyond10miles(16.1km)away,visualimpactsarehighlyunlikelyunlessaproposedprojectisextremelylargeorlocatedonahighlysensitivesite.
study & mitigation pLans: InordertoassessthevisualimpactoftheProject,avisualstudywascompletedbyJeanVisseringLandscapeArchitectureandThomasKokxAssociates,landscapearchitectswithsignificantexperienceinthisfield.Thisvisualassessmentisbaseduponextensivefieldinventoryincludingvisitingthesignificantrecreationalandpublicuselocationswithina10mile(16km)radiusoftheProject,andinsomeinstancesupto15miles(24km).Fieldinventoryworkwasconductedduring
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
granite reLiabLe power �5
bothleaf-onandleaf-offconditions.AreasofProjectvisibilityweredocumentedwithphotographsandidentifiedonmapsusingaglobalpositioningsystem(“GPS”)unit.ThevisualassessmentusedasystematicmethodologicalapproachsimilartothatoutlinedintherecentNationalAcademyofSciencesreportEnvironmentalImpactsofWind-EnergyProjects19.Themethodologyexaminesfactorssuchasrelativescenicquality,uniquenessofscenicresources,viewersensitivitylevels,documentationofscenicresources,proximityofviews,durationofviewsandtherelativeprominenceoftheProjectwithinviews.PhotographicsimulationshavebeenpreparedillustratinghowtheProjectwouldappearfromfiveviewpointsconsideredtohavehighersensitiv-itylevelsduetoscenicquality,proximity,numberofusersorviewerexpectations.Thesimulationsillustratearangeofdistancesandgeographicareas.ThecomprehensivestudyisincludedasAppendix11:GraniteReliablePowerVisualImpactReport.AmapofthevisualassessmentareaisincludedasFigure19.
Views from Federal and State Roads
ThestudyfoundvisibilityfromRoutes3,16and110Btobeverylimited,withabriefglimpsepossibleinonelocationalongeachroad.TherewouldbenovisibilityfromRoutes110and110A.Route26wasdeterminedtohavemoreviewsoftheProject,spe-cificallybetweenErrolandSignalMountainRoadinMillsfieldandbetweenColebrookandDixvilleNotch.TheProjectwouldnotbevisibleinDixvilleNotch,norfromanyoftheroadsideparksornearbyrestareas.SeeFigure20foraviewoftheProjectsitefromtheintersectionofFishHatcheryRoadandRoute26.
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
Figure 1�: map of viewpoint locations for photographic simulations of the granite reliable power windpark.
19 environmental impacts of wind-energy projects. national research council of the national academies. the national academies press, washington d.c.: 2007.
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Viewpoints Assessed for the Granite Reliable Power Windpark
Legend
") Viewpoint with Photographic Simulation
Viewpoint
Intermittent viewpoint
1, 3, 5, 10-mile radi bands
! ! Electric collection line
! ! Electric interconnection line
’ Substation or Interconnection switching station
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NH GRANIT GIS trails
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#* Landscape features
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White Mountain National Forest
.Prepared by
Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Incwww.northeastwind.com
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Jean Vissering Landscape ArchitectureThomas Kokx Associates
June 2008
Nash Stream State Forest1 Mile
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Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT. White Mountain National Forest boundaries from WMNF. Private road data provided by landowners. All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 8-1
#*
Views from Recreation Areas and Trails
TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblefromDixvilleNotchStatePark,fromtheTableRockTrail,orfromtheimmediateenvironsoftheBalsamsGrandResortHotel.ViewsoftheDixvillePeakportionoftheProjectarepossiblefromtheSanguinaryMountainTrail,fromthesummitofMountAbenakiandfromsomeoftheResort’scrosscountryskitrails.TheDixvillePeakportionoftheProjectwillalsobevisiblefromsomeportionsofthePanoramaGolfCourseandtheColebrookCountryClub.
TherewouldbenoviewsoftheProjectfromstateparkswithinthestudyareaincludingDixvilleNotchStatePark,ColemanStatePark,andMollidgewockStatePark.MilanHillStateParkisjustoutsidethestudyarea,buttherewouldbepotentialviewsfromthefiretower.TherewouldbenoviewsfromUmbagogLakeStatePark.
ViewswouldbeextremelylimitedwithintheNashStreamForestexceptforfairlydis-tantviewsfromthesummitsofPercyPeakandSugarloafMountaininStratford,bothaccessiblebyamarkedtrail.SeeFigure21foraviewoftheProjectfromthesummitofNorthPercyPeak.
PortionsoftheProjectwouldbevisiblefromMillsfieldPond,DummerPond,andPhil-lipsPondwithinrelativelycloseproximity(approximately2.4milesawayor3.9km).MillsfieldPondhasbeenidentifiedashavingthegreatestsensitivityduetothepresenceofanumberofcampsaroundthepond,alongwiththepotentialvisibilityofthewindturbinesalongallthreeridgesfromportionsofthepond.TherewouldalsobeviewsfromAkersPondinErrolandthePontookReservoirinDummer.AttheboatlaunchnearthePontookDam,itispossibletoseeaportionoftheOwlheadandFishbrookRidgewind
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
20 proximity is measured by the distance to the closest turbine.
21 the number of turbines represents all potentially visible parts of turbines which may include only tips of blades.
22 the number of viewers is a general figure based on the relative use of a viewpoint in comparison to similar use areas in northern new hampshire.
23 scenic quality ratings are described in more detail in the report; they range from Low or degraded, moderate, high to exceptional for outstanding views with intact foregrounds.
24 documentation includes publicly adopted planning or legal documents in which the resource/area is specifically identified; other types of documentation are noted also.
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Table C:viewpoints: describes characteristics of the five viewpoints which were selected as simulation points.
VIew- LocATIon 20 ProxImITy To no. oF no. oF ScenIc DocUmenTeD noTeS
PoInT # ProjecT (mILeS) TUrbIneS 21 VIewerS 22 QUALITy 23 SIgnIFIcAnce 24
3 route 26 8.5 8 Open foreground meadows permit views fish hatchery (13.7 km) state toward Dixville Peak with other fore- road high high scenic ground mountains and hills. Foreground (colebrook) byway views in simulation location are reltively intact but mixed commercial/residential development is visible in other locations.
15 keach road 4.8 10 moderate moderate no High open meadows inthe Cilley and Marshall cilley hill (7.7 km) - high documentation Hill area contribute to scenic quality and permit (columbia) distant views to many mountains in the area. Dixville Peak is visible in many views along with Baldhead and Muise Mountains.
16 route 26 Along Route 26 between Errol and just north of signal mountain 5.3 8 state Signal Mountain Road Dixville Peak and some road (8.5 km) high high scenic of Kelsey Mountain are seen intermittently. (millsfield) byway The simulation view is one of the most scenic points with the open meadow and farmstead in the
foreground and Dixville Peak beyond.
22 millsfield 2.7 15 Low moderate no Views would include turbines along portions of (2 photos) pond (4.3 km) (up to 27 moderate - high - documentation both Dixville and Kelsey/Owlhead, with (millsfield) (from pond) someturbines on Fishbrook Ridge visible from the
Pond. Relatively developed pond with industrial forestry activities evident in surrounding hillsides.
28 north percy noted in Dixville and Kelsey/Owlhead are seen at a peak nash 9.5 20 Low high appalachian considerable distance with numerous foreground stream forest (15.3 km) mountain guide mountains blocking views to Fishbrook Ridge. (stratford) Views to the Presidential and Mahoosuc Ranges
are most dramatic
turbinestringssouthofMt.Kelsey.TherewouldbenoviewsfromtheAndroscogginRiverexceptforasmallsectionbySweatMeadowsnearitssourceonLakeUmbagog.Theseviewswouldbeover10miles(16km)awayfromtheProject.ViewstowardportionsofMtKelseyandDixvillePeakcanbeseenfromthenorthernendofLakeUmbagog,butfromthewesternedgesandsouthernportionsoftheLake,viewsareblockedbyforegroundhillsandmountains.
Althoughoutsidethestudyareaatabout11miles(17.7km)away,theProjectwouldhavelimitedvisibilityfromMonadnockMountaininVermont.
Views from Residential Areas
Viewsfromresidentialareasweredeterminedbaseduponviewsfromadjacentroads. Resi-dencesalongthewest-ernendofGolfLinksRoad,MunnRoadandtheeasternendofEastColebrookRoadwouldhave the most proxi-mateviewsoftheDix-villePeak turbinesatdistancesrangingfromabout3.2to4.6miles(5.1–7.4km).TherewouldbemoredistantviewsfromportionsofLForbesandReedRoadfrom5toover7miles(8to11km)away.InColumbiaresidentialareassouthofRoute26alongportionsofFishPond Road, Marshall
HillRoadandKeachRoadwouldseetheDixvillePeakwindturbinesatdistancesrangingfrom4.5to6miles(7.2to9.6km)away.
SomeoftheDixvillePeakandMt.KelseywindturbineswillbevisiblefromcampslocatedalongthesouthernandeasternendofMillsfieldPond.FromatleastonecamponDummerPond,theFishbrookRidge,andperhapstheOwlheadwindturbines,willbevisible.Bothoftheseviewpointsareontheleasedpremises.
IntheErrolarea,thewindturbineswillbedistantfeaturesofthelandscapefromcampsorhomesonAkersPondandalongthenortheasternshorelineofLakeUmbagog.
discussion of Viewpoints Illustrated in Photographic Simulations
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
Figure 20: viewpoint #3 of project site looking easterly from the intersection of fish hatchery road and route 26 in colebrook.
Figure 21: photograph from north percy peak (viewpoint #28) looking east includes several of the peaks within the nash stream forest, the project ridgelines (in the right in the distance) and the mountain ridges to the north of dixville notch.
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CertainlocationswereselectedforphotographicsimulationtoillustratearangeofgeographicareasandlandusesaroundtheProject.ThoselocationsaredescribedinTableC.
Photographic Simulations
PhotographicsimulationsarecreatedusingDigitalElevationModeling,whichcreatesanaccuratethree–dimensionalcomputermodeloftheterrain.Thiscomputermodelpermitstheterraintobeportrayedvisuallyasifseenthroughacameralensfromaparticularviewpoint.Byinputtingthehorizontalandverticalcoordinatesforthepointwherethephotographwastaken,thecomputercancalculatebothelevationandrelativepositionofthecameralocationinthemodel,andsimulatetheterrainvisiblethroughthecameralens.Thesimulatedimageismostrepresentativeofwhatthehumaneyeseeswhenthephotographistakenwitha“normal”lenssetting(approximately50–52mmona35mmfilmcameraorabout34mmonadigitalcamera).
Thedigitalimageisthensuperimposedonthedigitalterrainmodel.Thecomputerprogramthendigitallyrepresentsthewindturbinesonthedigitalphotoimage,reflect-ingthemeteorologicalandlightingconditionsofthetimeanddayoftheyearthatthephotographwastaken.Simulationssoproducedprovideausefulillustrationofhowaprojectwillappearfromselectedviewpoints.TheviewpointfromtheintersectionofSignalMountainRoadandRoute26isillustratedinFigure22,andasisapparentfromthesimulation,thewindturbineswillonlybebarelyvisiblefromtheselocations.
Initsconclusion,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkVisualImpactsReportobservesthattherewillbeareasadverselyaffectedbytheadditionofwindturbinesintheview.However,thestudynotesthatthesevisualimpactswouldnotrisetothelevelofun-reasonablyadverseandthatthevisibilityoftheProjectisrelativelylow.TheProjectwasnotfoundtoobstructordegradeviewsofanysitedocumentedpubliclyforitshighscenicvalues.
GraniteReliablePowerisworkingonanongoingbasistoprovidevisualimpactinforma-tiontothecommunities,throughsharingphotographicsimulationsfromlocalvantagepoints,inventoryingviewpointsfromhistoricplaces,sharingactualphotographsfromsimilarwindprojectsinoperationandprovidingtoursofwindparksinoperation.
b. Shadow Flickerbackground & potentiaL effects:Shadowflickeristheperiodicchangeinlightintensityorshadowscreatedbythemovingturbinebladeswhenback-litbythesun.Thealternationofshadowscanbebothersometonearbyresidencesandbusinesses.Problematicshadowflickeroccursprimarilyduringsunriseorsunsetwhenthesunislowintheskyandshadowsarecastatadistancefromtherotatingwindturbineblades.Thewindturbinebladesmustberotatingforshadowflickertooccur.Theintensityandfrequencyofshadowflickerdependsondistancefromthewindturbines,weatherconditionsandvisualobstructions.Atagivenlocation,maximumshadowflickerwilloccurwhentheplaneofthewindturbinerotorisorientedperpendiculartothelinebetweenthesunandtheviewer.Upclose,theeffectsofshadowflickeraremorepronounced,withmorecontrastbetweenlightanddark.Furtherawayfromthe
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
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turbines,thecontrastdecreasessincethewindturbinebladesarelessabletoblockthedirectsunlight.Cloudcoverandthepresenceoffogandotheratmosphericinterferencewillalsoreducetheeffectsofshadowflicker.
study & mitigation pLan:Inordertopredicttheeffectofshadowflickerinthevicinityofthewindturbines,acomputermodelinganalysiswasconductedusingWindProsoftware.TheoutputofthemodelingexerciseistwomapsrepresentedinFigures23and24thatshowestimatedmaximumnumberofhoursperyearshadowflickercouldoccur.Figure23excludesallpotentialobstructionsfromvegetationcover,andFigure24includesdatafrom2001digitalmodelsofvegetativecovertoincorporatethescreeningeffectoftreesinforestedareas.
ThecomputermodelingwasperformedusingparametersspecifictotheProjectandgeographiclocation,includingadigitalelevationmodelofthesurroundingterrain,windturbinecoordinates,rotordiameters,bladewidth,rotationalvelocity,andturbinehubheights.Themodel’sthresholdparametersforcalculatingshadowoccurrenceincludethebladecoveringatleast20%ofthesun,andthatthesunisatleast3degreesabovethehorizon.
UsingtheEarth’sorbitalandrotationalinformation,thepassageofthesunwasthenmod-eledoverthecourseofoneyear,withcalculationsoccurringatoneminuteintervals.
ThemodelwasrununderanAstronomicalMaximumShadowscenario,inordertodepictthemaximumrangeofshadowextentandhoursperyearthatanyareacouldpossiblybeaffectedbyshadowflickerfromtheProject.Thisscenarioexcludesexternalmeteorologicalconditionsthatwouldinrealitydecreaseshadowimpactsuchastheprobabilityofcloudcover,andthefrequencyoftimethatthewindturbineswouldberotatingwhiletherotorplaneisorientedperpendiculartothelinebetweenthewindturbineandthesun.Byrunningtheanalysisinthismode,themodelessentiallyassumesthatsunisshiningallday,everyday,andthattherotoralwayscoversthe
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
Figure 22: viewpoint #16 visual simulation of the project from the intersection of signal mountain road and route 26 looking west.
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new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
Figure 23: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) not considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.
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maximumportionofthesun.
Basedonthis“worst-case”analysis,shadowflickerwillnotcauseannoyancetolocalresidencesorbusinesses.DuetotheremotenatureoftheProject,evenwhenexcludingallinterferencefromvegetation,noresidencesorbusinessesareexpectedtoexperienceshadowflickeratanytimeoftheyear.
c. wind turbine safety lighting
DuetoFAAregulations,someofthewindturbineswillbeequippedwithobstructionwarninglightingasdiscussedinSection(i)(6)f.
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Dixville Peak
O d e l lO d e l l
E r r o lE r r o l
M i l l s f i e l dM i l l s f i e l d
D i x v i l l eD i x v i l l e
C o l u m b i aC o l u m b i a
C o l e b r o o kC o l e b r o o k
W e n t w o rW e n t w o rL o c a t i oL o c a t i o
D i x s G r a n tD i x s G r a n t
E r v i n g s E r v i n g s L o c a t i o nL o c a t i o n
SSCC
Cow Mtn.
Deer Mtn.
Rice Mtn.Table Rock
Trio Ponds
Muise Mtn.
Cilley Hill
Signal Mtn.
Dummer Ponds
Mt. Patience
shall Hill
Whitcomb Mtn.
Millsfield Pond
Sanguinary Mtn.
Abeniki Mountain
Balsams Ski Area
Baldhead Mountain
Phillips Pond Lodge
Lake Gloriette
Dixville Notch
Panorama Golf Club
BalsamsGrand Resort
Dixville Notch State Park
Shadow Flicker Analysis - Without Vegetation Shadow Flicker - No vegetation considered
0.5 - 10 Hr/yr
10 - 20 Hr/yr
20- 30 Hr/yr
30 - 50 Hr/yr
50 - 100 Hr/yr
100 - 200 Hr/yr
200 - 890 Hr/yr
Wind turbine site
’ Substation or Interconnection switching station
! ! Electric collection line
! ! Elec. interconnection line
Access roads
New Hampshire state land
0 1 20.5Miles
0 1 20.5Kilometers .
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 8-5
Prepared by
June 2008
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
Fishbrook Wind Turbines
Dixville PeakWind Turbines
Mt. KelseyWind Turbines
OwlheadWind Turbines
Nash Stream State Forest
(2) historic sitesbackground & potentiaL effects: Propertiesofculturalorhistoricalsignifi-canceareidentifiedasthoselistedand/oreligibleforlistingontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(“NRHP”)andtheNHRHP.WhiletheProjectwillnotphysicallyalteranyexistingbuildingsorstructures,itcouldimpacthistoricandculturalresources,throughvisualimpactstoplacesorstructuresofhistoricalsignificanceandthroughimpactsfromconstructionandplacementoffacilitiesneararcheologicalsites.
study & mitigation pLans: Inordertoidentifypropertiesofhistorical,architectural
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
Figure 24: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.
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O d e l lO d e l l
M i l l s f i e l dM i l l s f i e l d
D i x v i l l eD i x v i l l e
C o l u m b i aC o l u m b i a
C o l e b r o o kC o l e b r o o k
WW
D i x s G rD i x s G r
E r v i n g s E r v i n g s L o c a t i o nL o c a t i o n
Fishbrook
Mount Kelsey
Owlhead
Dixville Peak
Blueberry Swamp
Millsfield Pond
Dummer Ponds
Trio Pond
M
Sessio
Long Pond
Bog, The
Moose Pond
Little Bog Pond
Lake Gloriette
Sweat Pon
B?26
Phillip
sB
rook
Clear Stream
Mohawk River
Pond Brook
Nas
hS
trea
m
Newell Broo
k
Corser B
rook
North Inlet
We
lch
Bro
ok
Simms Stream
West Branch Clear Stream
Mill
sfie
ldPo
ndB
rook
West Branch Phillips
B
rook
East Branch Simms Stream
Eas
t Bra
nc
h Nash Stream
Pond
Brook
Rice Mtn.
TrioPonds
Mt. Kelsey
Muise Mtn.
Owlhead Mtn
Signal Mtn.
Mt. Patience
Balsams WildernessSki Area
Cow Mtn.
Dummer Ponds
DixvillePeak
Whitcomb Mtn.
Balsams Resort
Sang
Balsams Golf Club
Phillips Pond Lodge
Shadow Flicker Analysis - Vegetation Considered
1:100,000
Legend
Shadow Flicker - Vegetation considered.5 - 10 Hr/yr
10 - 20 Hr/yr
20- 30 Hr/yr
30 - 50 Hr/yr
50 - 100 Hr/yr
100 - 200 Hr/yr
200 - 890 Hr/yr
Wind turbine location
New 115kV transmission
New 35kV collection line
New 35kV underground collection
New substation
Existing private 'haul' roads
Existing secondary logging road
State of NH
0 1 20.5Miles
0 1 20.5Kilometers .
NashStre
amForest
Granite Reliable Power SEC Fig 6-6
Prepared for Prepared by
Nov2007 mstaskus
Vermont Environmental Research Associates
orculturalsignificanceandtoassesspotentialimpactstotheseplacesorsitesofarcheo-logicalsignifiance,GRPcontractedTheLouisBergerGroup,Inc.(“LouisBerger”).
ThehistoricarchitecturalsurveyidentifieshistoricpropertieseligibleforlistingontheNRHPwithintheareaofpotentialeffect(“APE”).InconsultationwithNHDHR,aradiusaroundtheProjectofthreemiles(4.8km)wasidentifiedastheAPE.LouisBergerhascompletedasitefilecheckatNewHampshireDivisionofHistoricalResources(“NHDHR”)identifyinghistoricpropertieslistedand/orpreviouslydeterminedeligibleforlistingontheNRHPandtheNHRHPwithintheAPE.ThefieldsurveywithintheAPEidentifiesanypropertiesthatareNRHP-eligible.LouisBergersubmitteditsnarrativefindingsandresultstotheNHDHRinearly2008.SeeAppendix12a.
Basedontheworkconductedtodate,theProjectisunlikelytohaveanyunreasonableadverseeffectonanyknownhistoricresources.Nohistoricstructureswillbephysi-callyimpactedandatpresentitappearsunlikelythattheProjectwoulddemonstrablydiminishanyaspectsofasettingthatmightcontributetothesignificanceofsuchhistoricproperties.
APhaseIAarcheologicalsurveywasconductedtoidentifyandassessareasofar-cheologicalsensitivitywithin3miles(4.8km)oftheProjectsite.SeeAppendix12b.Basedonthepreliminaryresultsofthissurvey,andinconsultationwithNHDHR,aPhaseIBarcheologicalsurveyhasbeenrecommendedandwillprovidethebasisfordeterminingtheneedforfurtherwork.
AlthoughitisanticipatedthattheProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonsignificantarcheologicalresources,on-goingconsultationwiththeNHDHRwillcharacterizeandevaluateanypotentialeffectsonarcheologicalresourcesandoffermitigationoravoidancestrategiesaswarranted.
(3) air quaLityBackground&PotentialEffects:GraniteReliablePowerWindpark,initslong-termoperation,willproducenoairemissions,thusitwillnothaveanadverseimpactonlocalairquality.Moreover,asasourceofclean,renewableenergy,theProjectwillpositivelycontributetoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingfossilunitgenerationonthegrid.Theseoffsetswillnotonlyimprovelocalandregionalairquality,butmayalsohelpmitigatetheimpactsofglobalwarming.25
Locally,globalwarmingthreatenstheforestcommunities,seashoresandeconomyofNewHampshire.NHDEScitesglobalwarming’seconomicimpactsontheskiing,maplesyrup,fallfoliage,coldwaterfishing,andtimberindustriesandindicatesthattheseimpactscouldbeserious.NHDESalsoreferencesthepossibleincreaseofLymediseaseandothervector-bornediseases,flooding,erosion,andincreasedharmfulalgaebloomsduetotheeffectsofglobalwarming.
GraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillsupplyenergywhichmayoffsetregionalemis-sionsthatwouldhavebeencreatedbygeneratorsthatburnfossilfuels.TheelectricityproducedbytheProjectmayoffsettheneedforelectricityproducedbythecombustionofdistillate,residual,jetfueland/ornaturalgas.TheISONewEngland2005NewEnglandMarginalEmissionRateAnalysiscalculatedtheannualaveragemarginal
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
25 information from the new hampshire department of environmental services website: http://www.des.state.nh.us/ard/climatechange/impacts.htm updated june, 2005.
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emissionratesbasedlargelyonfossilgeneration,identifiedinTableD.ThereportinitsentiretyisincludedinAppendix10:ISONewEngland2005MarginalEmissionsRateAnalysis.
Table d: calculated new england marginal emissions rates and estimated annual offset
Air Emission
ISO-NE 2005 Average Potential Emissions Offset by Marginal Emission Rate granite Reliable Power (lbs/Mwh) windpark (lbs/year) based on 300,000 Mwh/yr
so2 1.75 525,000
nox 0.54 162,000
co2 1,107 332,100,000
BasedontheISONewEngland2005averagemarginalemissionrates(TableD,col-umntwo)andtheProject’sestimatedannualnetoutputof300,000MWHperyearasdescribedinSection(f)(3)d:UnitEfficiency,theProject’spotentialemissionsoffsetinpoundsperyearhavebeencalculated(columnthreeofthetable).Thus,theProj-ectwouldcontributepositivelytoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingtheemissionsof332,100,000lbs/yearofcarbondioxide(CO2),525,000lbs/yearofsulfurdioxide(SO2)and162,000lbs/yearofnitrogenoxides(NOX).
ThePewCenteronGlobalClimateChangereleasedareport,U.S.ElectricPowerSectorandClimateChangeMitigation,incollaborationwithCarnegieMellonUniversityinJune2005(Appendix13).Thestudyconcludesthattheelectricpowersectorisresponsiblefor38percentofallU.S.carbondioxide(CO2)emissions,andisthelargestsourceofsulfurdioxide(SO2)andnitrogenoxides(NOX).
Thereportconcludesthatimmediateactionisnecessarytoslowtheeffectsofclimatechangeanddecreaseemissionsofcarbondioxideandothergreenhousegasesandthatitisalsonecessarytoembarkonapathtoalower-carbonelectricsector.OnSeptem-ber24,2007theIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(“IPCC”)reportedthattherearecurrentdirectobservationsofglobalclimatechangethatincludeincreasedglobaltemperature,highersealevelandareductionofsnowcoverintheNorthernHemisphere.TheIPCCtoldtheUnitedNationsthat“mitigationneedstostartintheshortterm,evenwhenbenefitsariseinafewdecades”.26InformationaboutthispresentationisincludedasAppendix14:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangePresentationtoUnitedNations.
study & mitigation pLan: Duringconstruction,fugitivedustwillbecontrolledasneeded.Projectoperationswillhavenoairorgreenhousegasemissionsthatrequirestudyormitigation.
TheProjectwillhavelong-termbeneficialimpactsonclimateandairqualityandhelpserveNewHampshire’sgoaltoachieve25%ofitselectricitythroughrenewablesourcesby2025.
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26 information from the ipcc website see the ipcc website http://www.ipcc.ch/index.html):
dr. pachauri’s speech is located at http://www.ipcc.ch/pachauri_240907.pdf.
the power point presentation is located at: http://www.ipcc.ch/un_nyc_24thsep2007.ppt.
both these documents are included as appendix 14: intergovernmental panel on climate change presentation to united nations.
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(4) water quaLity
water Intake or Pollution discharge
background & potentiaL effects: TheProjectdoesnotinvolveanywaterin-take.AnyactivitythatwillresultinthedisturbanceofoveroneacreoflandmustbeevaluatedforcompliancewithEPA’sNationalPollutionDischargeEliminationSystemConstructionGeneralPermit(“CGP”)ifthereisanypotentialfordischargeofstorm-waterrunofffromtheconstructionsite.AsthisProjectproposestodisturboveroneacreoflandandhasthepotentialtogeneratestormwaterrunoffthatcoulddischargetosurfacewatersorwetlands,coverageundertheCGPwillbeobtained.
study & mitigation pLan: ConsistentwiththeCGP,aStormwaterPollutionPre-ventionPlan(“SWPPP”)willbepreparedtoevaluatepotentialsourcesofpollution,provideastrategytopreventmobilizationofsoilsorotherpollutants,depictapproachestotreatstormwaterbeforeitcanbedischargedfromthesite,andspecifythatqualifiedwaterqualityspecialistsevaluatetheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedandifneeded,modifybestmanagementpracticesastheProjectmovesforward.
Stormwater, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
background & potentiaL effects:Therearetypicallytwocategoriesofpotentialimpactsthatcanoccurasaresultofanyconstructionproject:thosethatoccurdur-ingtheconstructionperiod(generallyerosionrelated)andthosethatcanoccurasaresultofthechangeintheuseoftheland.AsdescribedbelowtheProjecthasbeendesignedtominimizeitsinfluenceontheexistinghydrologyandtherebyminimizeerosiveforcesandretainfavorableconditionsforlocalizedtreatmentofstormwaterthatisgeneratedonthesite.Post-constructionrelatedimpactsaregenerallyassociatedwiththeintensityofuseandthustheverylowintensityofuseoftheproposedfeatures(travelbymaintenancepersonnel),combinedwithlowrunoffgeneration,isanticipatedtoexertlittleinfluenceonreceivingwatersandenvironmentalhealth.
study & mitigation pLan: Stormwaterrunoff,anderosionandsedimentcontrolhavebeenaddressedinthedetailedplansandmitigationmeasuressubmittedintheStandardDredge&FillPermitApplication,theSiteSpecificApplication(attachedasAppendices2and3,respectively)andtheSWPPP.TheSiteSpecificApplicationcontainsadetailedsetofProjectplansforcivilengineeringmeasurestomitigatesoilerosionfromstormwaterrelatedtothewindturbinesites,accessroadsandotherinfrastructure.Thedesignapproachfornewroadwayshasbeentominimizethegenerationofrunoffbydivertingwaterfromroadwaysurfacesatregularintervalsbeforesuchrunoffcanreacherosivevelocities.Anystormwaterthatiscollectedinstonestabilizedditcheswillbealsobedispersedthroughthefrequentculvertspacingcalledforinthedesign.Thiswillcloselymimicthenaturalhydrologiccycletotheextentpossibleandfacilitatetheuseoflessintensiveandenvironmentallyintrusivestormwatertreatmentmeasuresthanwouldberequiredwithoutsuchdesignapproach.Existingroadsthataretobewidenedwillbeimprovedbystabilizingexistingandnewportionsofsuchroadwayswithselectgravelsurfacing.Itisanticipatedthatthisworkwilllowerthegenerationofsedimentsandassociateddeliverytosurfacewatersandwetlandsoverthatwhichexiststoday.Nonetheless,somesedimententrainmentinrunofffromtheimproved
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IPOTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
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roadsisexpectedtocontinue,butatasignificantlyreducedrate.Treatmentofthisrunoffwillbeprovidedassiteconditionsallow.However,locationsforsuchtreatmentdevicesareconstrainedasmanyoftheexistingconstructedditchlinesthatlieadjacenttotheexistingroadsnowmeetthecriteriatobeconsideredwetlandsanddespitetheiropportunelocationandfunctionalityasstormwatertreatmentareas,NHDESstandardspreventtheuseofthesewetland/ditchlinesforsuchpurposes.
wetlands Impacts
Wetlandimpactsareproposedatseveralwindturbinesites,laydownareas,substationarea,switchyardarea,andalongtheexistingandproposedroadwaysthatwillbeusedtoconstructandmaintaintheproject.WetlandstobeimpactedincludePalustrineforestedwetlands,seasonalstreams,andperennialstreams.
background:Thewetlandsintheprojectareahavebeendelineatedbycertifiedwetlandscientistsandsurveyedontoprojectplans.ThewetlandsaredominatedbyPalustrineforestedwetlands,seasonalintermittentstreamsandsmallperennialstreams.Manyofthewetlandsareonsloping,basalglacialtillorbedrocklandscapeswithlowvegetativeinterspersion.Importantwetlandfunctionsandvaluesincludewildlifehabitatandsedimentretention,basedonpreliminarywetlandfunctionsandvaluesassessmentusingtheUSACENEDHighwayMethodology.Historically,thewetlandsintheprojectareahavebeenimpactedbydecadesofcommercialloggingincludingtheconstructionofhaulroads,logyards,andlogskidderoperations.
Thelocationoftheturbinesonridgelinesminimizesimpactstosignificantperennialstreams,andopenandforestedfloodplainwetlandcomplexeslocatedinthevalleys.Designandconstructiontechniqueswillbeutilizedthatwillminimizewetlandim-pactsbyimpactingwetlandspreviouslyimpactedbyloggingwheneverpossible.Thisincludesutilizingexistingloggingroadsandskiddertrails.Additionally,newaccessroadswillbelaidouttoavoidwetlandsandcrosswetlandsattheirnarrowestpointswheneverfeasible.Erosioncontrolwillbeimportantduringconstructiontominimizesedimententeringnearbywetlandsites.
study and mitigation: WetlandImpactswillbeaddressedinthedetailedplansandattachmentstobesubmittedwiththeStandardDredgeandFillapplicationtotheNHWetlandsBureau.Acomprehensiveplanforassessingwetlandimpactswillinclude:1.mappinganddelineatingwetlands;2.classifyingwetlandsandvernalpools;3.pre-paringanevaluationofwetlandfunctionsandvalues;4.assessingwetlandimpacts;5.avoidingproposedwetlandimpactswherepossible;and6.mitigatingunavoidablewetlandimpacts.
Wetlandimpactswillbeavoidedwheneverpossibleandminimizedbyreducingthewidthofaccessroadstotheminimumrequiredforsafetyandbylocatingtowersandotherstructuresoutofwetlands.Alternativelayoutsandlocationsfortowersandotherstructureshavebeeninvestigated.
Sincecompensatorymitigationwillberequiredforthisproject,amitigationplanisbeingprepared.Severalmitigationalternativeshavebeenexploredincludingwetlandrestoration,wetlandcreation,anduplandbufferprotection.Theplanincludesawet-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
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landrestorationcomponentwhichwillincludereplacementofanumberofexistingculvertsonloggingroadswithopenbottomculvertsandbridgesandrestorationofstreamchannels.Whileadditionalwetlandrestorationopportunitiesexistsuchasremovingexistingloggingyardsandloggingwetlandcrossings,theywererejectedbecausethesurroundinglandwillremainincommercialforestryuseandtheexistingyards,loggingroads,andskiddertrailswillbeneededinthefutureforon-goingforestmanagementandloggingoperations.
Themajorcomponentoftheproposedcompensatorymitigationplaninvolvesuplandbufferprojection.
Theuplandbufferprotectionareaproposedisacontiguousparceloflandinthehead-watersofthePhillipsBrookwatershedapproximately660acresinsizeandhasbeenidentifiedasanimportantsubwatershedareaoftheUpperAmmonoosucRiver.Theproposedmitigationareaislocatedinthenorthwesternportionofthesiteintheunin-corporatedtownofErvingsLocationandthetownofColumbia.Theareaisatahighelevation(upto2600feetinelevation)anditbuffersandincludesimportantwetlandcomplexesandportionsoforder1tributariesofPhillipsBrook.Additionally,theareaabutstheexisting39,000acreNashStreamForestownedbytheStateofNewHamp-shire.Aconservationeasementwillbeplacedontheentireparcel.
Theproposedmitigationplanwillsubstantiallyexceedstateandfederalminimummitigationrequirementsandmorethanadequatelycompensateforunavoidablewet-landimpacts.
Surface water quality
background & potentiaL effects: Asdescribedabovethetwocategoriesofpotentialeffectonsurfacewaterqualityarethosethatcanoccurduringconstructionandthosethatrelatetotheuseofthedevelopedland.Totalsuspendedsolidsarethepotentialpollutantofconcernthatmustbeaddressedinbothinstances.Toalesserextent,gearandtransformeroilareotherpotentialpollutantsastheyarecontainedwithintheturbinesandsubstations.Containmentmechanisms,however,areincor-poratedintothedesignofeachandtheseoilsarethereforeofmuchlowerriskintermsofreleasetotheenvironment.
ThroughtheAlterationofTerrainPermit,ConstructionGeneralPermit,and401pro-cess,thesource,mobilization,andtreatmentoftheaforementionedpollutantswillbeaddressed.
study & mitigation pLan:Variousbestmanagementpractices(“BMPs”)willbeemployedpriortoandduringconstructiontolimitthemobilizationoftotalsuspendedsolidsfromdisturbedsurfaces.BMPswillinclude:mulchberms,siltfence,rockcheckdams,slopedrains,rockstabilizationofchannels,seedingandmulching,erosioncontrolmatting,andtemporarysedimenttraps.Allhaveprovenefficacyinprojectscharacterizedbysteeperterrain,shallowdepthtogroundwaterandshortgrowingseasons.Frequentmonitoringoftheperformanceofsuchdeviceswilloccurandanypotentialvulnerabilitieswillbeaddressedinaproactivemanner.
Post-constructionrelatedimpactstowaterqualitybytotalsuspendedsolidscantypi-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
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callybeexpectedtobeminimalwiththegravelsurfacingofroadways,andgrasssta-bilizationthatwilloccuronothernon-traveledportionsoftheProject.Nonetheless,measureswillbeemployedonthenewroadstofurtherminimizethemobilizationofsolids.Forexample,diverterswillbeinstalledinthesteeperportionsoftheroadwaytoshedwaterfromtheroadwaybeforetheprecipitationcanobtainsufficientvelocityandvolumetocauseerosionofthesolidsfromtheroadwaysurface.Duringlargerstormeventstherunoffthatisgeneratedfromadjacentforestedareaswillbeconveyedinstone-linedchannelsdesignedtoretarderosiveforces.Crossculvertswillbelocatedatfrequentintervalstofurtherdispersetherunoffandavoidconcentrationofflowsatanyonedowngradientpoint.Sedimenttrapswillbelocatedatmanyculvertoutletstodissipateenergy,trapsolids,andfacilitatetheremovalofsolidsfromtheflowpathofstormwater.Lastly,forestedbufferslocateddowngradientofroadwayswillbeutilizedto“polish”thestormwatersothatfinesedimentsareretainedwithintheforestfloorlitter.Suchbufferswillalsoprovidealargeareaforthestormwatertoinfiltrateintotheforestfloorwhereitcanreplenishthegroundwatertable.
(5) naturaL environment
a. Plant Life
background & potentiaL effects: TheGRPWindparkisproposedinamoun-tainousregionofNewHampshirewithelevationsrangingfromapproximately1,000feet(304.8m)to3,400feet(1,036.3m).Therangeinelevationsand,consequently,soilswithintheProjectarearesultsinvaryingplantcommunities.Theplantcommunitiesalsovaryinageduetoindustrialforestrypractices.Overtheyears,surroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveundergonelargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenlyagedforestcommunityconsistingprimarilyofspeciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests,suchasyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum).However,highelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbal-samea)andredspruce(Picearubens).Theseareashaveexperiencedminimalforestharvestingactivity.
Windprojectsmaypotentiallyadverselyimpactplantlife,particularlyifrareorsig-nificantplantspeciesarepresent.Theseimpactsmostcommonlyresultfromthecon-structionofaccessroads,newelectricalinterconnectionandcollectionlines,andtheconstructionofanoperationandmaintenancebuilding.Plantcommunitiesareaffectedbytwotypesofwindprojectrelatedimpacts:temporaryandpermanent.Temporarilyimpactedareas,suchaslaydownandstagingareas,willbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetateafterconstruction.PermanentimpactscanoccurwithintheProjectfootprintduetoturbineandaccessroadplacementwhererevegetationwillnotoccur.
study & mitigation pLans:GRPWindpark’snaturalcommunities’experts,StantecConsulting(formerlyWoodlotAlternatives),continuedtoconductworkun-interruptedservingasprojectconsultants,includingthreesurveystodeterminethepotentialimpacttosensitiveplantspeciesandnaturalcommunities.Theseincludeaspringandsummer2007Reconnaissance-LevelRarePlantSurvey(Appendix15),aspring2008NaturalCommunityCharacterization(Appendix16),andaSpring2008RarePlantSurvey(Appendix17).
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The2007rareplantreconnaissancesurveyswereinitiatedwithareviewoftheNewHampshireNaturalHeritageBureau’s(“NHNHB”)rareplantdatabase,bytown,forinformationonrareplantspeciesthatmayoccurorhaveoccurredinthevicinityoftheProjectsite.Inadditiontothisreview,informationrequestswerealsosenttoNHNHBforspecificspecieslistingsforplantsidentifiedas“sensitivespecies”duringtheda-tabasereview.Soilmaps,aerialphotos,andbedrockgeologyfortheProjectsitewerealsoreviewedtoidentifyareasthatwouldlikelysupportsensitivespecies.Subsequenttargetedfieldsurveyswereconductedtodocumentspecificfindingsandassesspoten-tialimpactstosensitiveplantspeciespriortocommencingtheWindparkengineeringwork.ThepurposeofthesurveyswastoassistindeterminingtheProject’sconceptualdesigninordertohelpavoidandminimizeimpactstosensitiveareas.Toenhancethethoroughnessoffieldsurveys,additionalpotentialimpactlocationswereprovidedbyStantecwetlandscientistsbasedoninformationcollectedduringaspring2007wetlandandvernalpoolreconnaissancesurvey(Appendix18:Reconnaissance-LevelWetlandandVernalPoolSurveyProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).
Reconnaissance-levelrareplantfieldinvestigationswerefocusedinareasconsideredtohaveagreaterlikelihoodforthepresenceofrareplantspecies.Thereconnaissancesurveysoccurredovertwo2-dayperiodsonJune27-28,2007andAugust28-29,2007toensureproperidentificationoffloweringspecies.Throughoutthesurveyperiodsonlyonerareplantspecieswasobserved.Mountainsweetcicely(Osmorrhizaberteroi)wasobservedinonelocationonthesouthernslopeofanunnamedpeaknearBaldheadMountain(onthewesternportionofPhillipsBrookTract).Thislocationisapproxi-matelytwomilesfromthenearestridgelineproposedforwindturbinesandwasfoundonthesideslopeoftheridge.Furthermore,thislocationhassincebeenremovedfromtheProjectlayout,anditisnotanticipatedthatanimpacttothisspecieswilloccurasaresultoftheProject.AmoreintensiverareplantsurveyoftheProjectcomponents(i.e.windturbines,accessroads,andelectricalfacilities)wasconductedduringthespringof2008,oncetheProjectdesignwasfinalized.
IncoordinationwiththeNHNHB,spring2008rareplantsurveyswerealsoconductedtoprovideathoroughinvestigationofplantspecieswithintherefinedProjectlayout.Thesesurveysweremorefocusedthanthespring2007surveysandutilizedcurrentmapsoftherefinedProjectlayout,consequentlynarrowingthesearcharea.Thedesk-topanalysisthatwasconductedpriortothefieldsurveysusedthesamemethodsasthespring2007surveysdescribedabove;however,furtherconsultationwithNHNHBoccurred.TheNHNHBusedthecurrentproposedProjectlayouttoconductadetailedenvironmentalreviewforpotentialrareorsensitiveplantspeciesthatcouldpotentiallybeimpactedbytheproposedProject.Thespeciesidentifiedaspossiblyoccurring,basedonhabitatconditionswithintheProjectsiteinclude:heart-leavedtwayblade(Listeracordata),lily-leavedtwayblade(Listeraconvallarioides),northerncomandra(Geocaulonlividum),Goldie’sfern(Dryopterisgoldiana),largeyellowlady’sslipper(Cypripediumparviflorumvar.pubescens),Bebb’ssedge(Carexbebbii)andLoesel’stwayblade(Liparisloeselii).AllareasidentifiedbyNHNHBasbeingsuitablehabitatfortheabove-mentionedsensitiveplantspecieswereinvestigated.InadditiontotheareasidentifiedbyNHNHB,twonaturalcommunitytypesidentifiedduringthefirstrareplantsurvey(asemi-richmesicforestandacircumneutralhardwoodforestseep)wereinvestigatedasecondtimetoconfirmtheabsenceoftheirexistencewithinthe
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Projectfootprint.Thesenaturalcommunitytypeswerealsosearchedasecondtimebecauseofthegreaterlikelihoodforrareplantstooccurthere.NorareorsensitiveplantspecieswereobservedontheProjectsiteduringthissurvey.
Asanadditiontothetargetedrareplantsurveysandtorecognizeconcernsexpressedbyregulatoryagenciesoverimpactstohighelevation(above2700feetor823m)sprucefircommunities,GraniteReliablePowerconductedaspring2008naturalcommunitycharacterizationforallareasoftheprojectlayout(i.e.windturbines,accessroads,andelectricalfacilities).NaturalcommunitiesweremappedusinghighresolutionaerialphotographsandinformationwasgatheredusinghandheldGPSunitsduringthefieldsurvey.FieldsurveyswereconductedinMarch2008whilesnowwasstillpresent;consequently,observationsoftheherbaceouslayerwerenotpossible.Althoughsnowwaspresentduringthissurvey,thespring2007rareplantsurveyandtheJune2008rareplantsurveythatfollowedthenaturalcommunitycharacterizationallowedforconfirmationofthenaturalcommunitytypesmappedduringthissurvey.
TheProjectsiteislocatedonfourridges,allwithareasofthesummitsover2700feetinelevation.Atotalof3,747acresofavailablehighelevationhabitatexistsonthesefourridgesofwhichonly58acres,orlessthan2%,wouldbeimpactedbytheProject(TableE).
Table E: total acres of impact to natural communities above 2700’ at granite reliable power’s proposed wind park
Location Impact Area Total Acres above 2�00’ % of Land Area above 2�00’
dixville peak 25 1873 1%
mt. kelsey 29 1667 2%
owlhead mtn 3 49 6%
fish brook ridge 2 158 1%
total 58 3,747 2%
AsTableEdemonstrates,thelossofhabitatasaresultoftheProjectwouldbeminimalwithrespecttotheamountofavailablehabitatsurroundingtheProject.
i. Tree Clearing
background & potentiaL effects: ThemajorityoftheProjectissitedonpri-vately-ownedlandthatismaintainedbyforestmanagementcompaniesthatallowvariousdegreesofpublicaccess.Asaresultofforestryactivities,anetworkofloggingroadsandskidtrailsexist.Someroadsaremaintainedyear-roundtosupportongoingforestryactivities,whileothersareseasonal,whereaccessisallowedduringthenon“mudseasons”.
Higherelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbalsamea)andredspruce(Picearubens)forestsandaremainlyundisturbedfromindustrialforestrypractices.However,thesurroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveexperiencedlargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenagedforestcommunityconsistingprimarilyofyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum),speciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests.
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Atlowerelevations(below2700feet),forestharvestinghasresultedinamixofageclasseswithstandsofbothregeneratinghardwoodandsoftwoodspecies.
Thepotentialeffectsoftreeclearingbeyondthatoftheremovaloftreescanbeintheformofgroundscarification,wetlanddisturbance,anderosion.BMPsandSWPPPmeasureswillbeutilizedduringtreeclearingactivitiesassociatedwiththeProject.
study & mitigation: AlterationofterrainattheProjectwillbeaddressedinthe“SiteSpecific”permitapplicationincludedasAppendix3.AsrequiredundertheSiteSpecificpermitapplication,treeclearingwillbedocumentedinthe“NoticeofIntenttoCut”form,submittedtothetownorunincorporatedplacebeforethecommencementofwork.TheextentoftreeclearingfortheProjectwillbeminimizedbyutilizingexistingdisturbedareaswheneverpracticable.Thisincludesutilizingapproximately19miles(30.6km)ofexistingroads,locatingthecollectionlineandtheelectricalinterconnec-tionlinealongexistingroads,andutilizingrecenttimberclear-cutareasfortemporaryconstructionandpermanentoperationalfacilities.Clearingactivitiesareintendedtotakeplacewhilefrostisonthegroundinordertominimizegroundscarificationandsoildisturbance.AfterconstructionoftheProject,treesandotherplantlifewillbeal-lowedtore-growintheareasthatwereclearedforusebylargeconstructionequipmentandinconnectionwithconstructionofindividualturbines.
b. wildlife
background & potentiaL effects: Asdiscussedabove,thispartofNewHampshireisforestedandmountainouswithsubstantialcommercialforestrypracticesoccurringregularlyoverthelasthundredyears.Theongoingforestryactivitieshaveresultedinapatchworkmosaicofunevenagedforeststandsanddifferentareasofplantspeciescom-positionindifferentareasandelevations,resultinginadiversityofhabitatsthatcouldbeutilizedbyavarietyofwildlifespecies.Withinthesegeneralwildlifegroups,somespeciesarepresentintheareaasresidentindividualsorpopulationswhileothersusetheareaduringmigrationorwhiledispersingtodifferenthabitatsdependingonseasonalchanges.NotallspeciespresentwillbeaffectedbytheProject.Fish,inparticular,areunlikelytobeimpactedbecauseofthelackofpopulatedhabitatontheridgetops.
ThepotentialeffectsonwildlifefromtheconstructionandoperationoftheProjectcanbebothdirectandindirectinnature.DirectimpactsfromtheProjectrefertofatalitiesthatcouldoccurfromcollisionwiththewindturbinebladesormonopoletower(mainlybirdsandbats).Indirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,andthedis-ruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,andlightingofsometurbines,etc.DisplacementandavoidanceoftheareaandpossiblechangesinmigratorypatternsmaybecausedbythelandscapealterationsandoperationoftheProject.
WhenconsideringthepotentialeffectsoftheProjectonwildlife,itisimportanttorecognizethatincomparisontootherenergysourcesthatcouldbebuilttomeetthedemandforelectricity,windpower’simpactonwildlifeisminimal.Thelistofenvi-ronmentalandwildlifeimpactsofotherenergysourcesislongandvaried,asdiscussedinSection(h)(3).
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Study & Mitigation
Wildlifeandwindturbinescansuccessfullycoexist.However,endangeredorthreat-enedwildlifespeciesthatmayuseorresideattheProjectSiteareofconcernduetotheiralreadylowpopulations.ConsultationswiththeNewHampshireFishandGameDepartment(“NHFGD”)andtheUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(“USFWS”)identifiedseveralstateandfederally-listedendangeredorthreatenedspeciesthatareknowntooccurorhavehistoricallyoccurredwithinorinthevicinityoftheProjectsite.Inadditiontothese,NHFGDalsoidentifiedsomespeciesofstateconservationconcernthatmayoccurattheProjectsite.Theseinclude:baldeagle(Haliaeetusleuco-cephalus)(federally-threatenedandstate-endangered);Canadalynx(Lynxcanadensis)(federally-threatenedandstate-endangered);peregrinefalcon(falcoperegrinus)(state-endangered);northernharrier(Circuscyaneus)(state-endangered);pied-billedgrebe(Podilymbuspodiceps)(state-endangered);three-toedwoodpecker(Picoidestridactylus)(state-threatened);pinemarten(martesAmericana)(state-threatened);commonloon(Gaviaimmer)(state-threatened),andosprey(Pandionhaliaetus)(state-threatened).Inadditiontotheabovementionedthreatenedandendangeredspecies,severalspeciesarelistedas“conservationconcern”inNewHampshireandinclude:sprucegrouse(Dendragapuscanadensis);Bicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli);northerngoshawk(Accipitergentillis);woodturtle(Clemmysinsculpta);leopardfrog(Ranapipiens)andsmall-footedbats(Myotisleibii).
Anumberofwildlifesurveyswereconductedtoaddressconcernsforstateorfeder-ally-listedthreatenedandendangeredwildlifespecies.Thesesurveysusedstandardmethodsandequipmentforpre-constructionsurveysforwindprojectsinNewEngland.TheyweredesignedincoordinationwiththeNHFGDandincludesurveysformam-mals,birds,bats,wetlandsandvernalpools.Adescriptionofthemethodologiesandresultsofthesesurveysisprovidedingreaterdetailinthefollowingsections.
AdversewildlifeimpactsfromtheProjectwillbeminimizedusingsuchmeasuresasminimizingclearing,limitinghumanactivity,andinsomecasespost-constructionmonitoring.Moredetailedpotentialeffectsandstudyplansaredescribedinthespe-cies-specificsectionstofollow.
i. birds
background & potentiaL effects: TheProjecthasthepotentialtohavedirectandindirectimpactstobirdsthatareeitherresidentatormigratingthroughtheProjectsite.Directimpactsarefatalitiescausedbycollisionwithwindturbines,whereasindirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,disruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,lightingofsomewindturbines,etc.DisplacementandavoidanceoftheareaandpossiblechangesinmigratorypatternsmaybecausedbythelandscapealterationsandoperationoftheProject.
Inrecentyearstheexpansionofwindpowerdevelopmenthasidentifiedaneedtoevaluatepotentialeffectsofwindpowerdevelopmentonwildlifeandwildlifehabitats.Sincenocturnallymigratingsongbirdsarethemostabundantflyingvertebratesatnightduringspringandfallmigrationperiods,theyhavebeenthemostfrequentlyreported
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birdfatalitiesatcommercialwindfacilitiesintheUnitedStates.
study & mitigation: Threeseasonsofnighttimemigrationsurveyswerecon-ductedoveratwoyearperiodusingmarineradartoaddressthemagnitude,height,anddirectionofnocturnalsongbirdmigrantspassingthroughtheProjectsiteduringspringandfallmigration.Breedingbirdsurveyswerealsoconductedtoidentifythepresence/absenceofrare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandtodeterminetherelativeabundanceofspeciesthatbreedattheProjectsite.Afall2007diurnalraptormigrationsurveywasconductedtodeterminethenumber,species,andflightheightsofraptorsmigratingthroughtheProjectsite.AllofthesesurveyswereconductedtoprovideinsightintotheProject’spotentialimpactstobirds.
Rare,threatened,orendangeredbirdspeciesthatweredocumentedattheProjectsiteduringthesesurveysincludetheperegrinefalcon(state-listedendangered)andthree-toedwoodpecker(state-listedthreatened).SpeciesofconservationconcerninthestateincludeBicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli)andtheRustyblackbird(Euphaguscarolinus).Nofederally-listedthreatenedorendangeredbirdsarelikelytobreedwithinthesurveyedarea.
Toaddressmagnitude,heightanddirectionofsongbirdmigrants’flight,threeseasonsofnocturnalradarsurveyswereconductedbyStantecConsulting/WoodlotAlterna-tives.Thesesurveysinclude:
• Appendix19:Fall2006RadarSurveysofNighttimeMigrationActivityattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.
• Appendix20:Spring2007Radar,Visual,andAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationatProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.
• Appendix21:Fall2007Radar,VisualandAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.
• Appendix22:CoordinatedSurveyResultsforproposedGraniteReliablePowerandNorthCountryWindProjectsinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.
Thethreeseasonsofnocturnalradarsurveysdocumentedthepassagerate(targets/km/hour),flightheight(m),andflightdirectionofnocturnallymigratingsongbirdspassingovertheProjectridgelines.Withinthethreeseasonssurveyed,similartrendswereobservedandmigrationmetricswereconsistentbetweenseasons.SeeTableF.
Table F: comparison of three seasons of nocturnal radar surveys – granite reliable wind project
Season Passage Rate (t/km/hr) Flight height Flight % below with range (m) with range direction 125 m
fall 2006 * 469 (2 to 1098) 455 (310 to 638) 223° 1%
spring 2007 342 (2 to 870) 332 (81 to 583) 76° 14%
fall 2007 366 (54 to 1234) 343 (179 to 636) 223° 15%
* the fall 2006 survey was not conducted from the summit of owlhead mountain due to limited access during this time period. for this season the survey was conducted approximately 800’ lower in elevation, likely resulting in higher flight heights and a lower % below 125 m.
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ThemeanflightheightcombinedwiththemeanflightdirectionsuggeststhatmigrantsuseabroadfrontmigratorypathacrosstheProjectsiteandthatareasofconcentratedmigrationcorridorsarenotlikelytooccurwithinitsbounds.Theresultsofthesurveyswerealsoconsistentamongseasons,indicatingthatsimilarmigrationcharacteristicscouldbeexpectedyeartoyear.Furthermore,theconsistencyinmeanflightheightsbetweenthetwoseasonsandlocationsimpliesthatriskofcollisionwiththeproposed410feet(125m)tallwindturbinesfromnightmigratingbirdsthroughtheProjectsiteisminimal.
TheNewHampshireAudubonSocietyconductedaspring2007BreedingBirdSurvey(Appendix23:BreedingBirdSurveyforProposedGraniteReliableWindparkCoosCounty,NewHampshire)andaSpring2008BreedingBirdSurveyatDixvillePeak(Appendix24:BreedingBirdSurveyforProposedGraniteReliableWindparkCoosCounty,NewHampshire,DixvillePeakSupplement)priortothefinalProjectdesign,whichwasbasedontheconceptuallayoutofwindturbinestringsandelectriccol-lectionsystemdesign.Duringthissurveynoconfirmedobservationsofstate-listedthreatenedorendangeredspeciesweredetected.Therewereunconfirmeddetectionsofthestate-threatenedthree-toedwoodpeckeralongtheridgelineofMt.Kelsey.Theseobservationswerenotconfirmedduetothepossiblepresenceofasimilarspeciesinthearea,theblack-backedwoodpecker(Picoidesarcticus),whichutilizessimilarhabitats(highelevationspruce/firwithstandingsnags)andemitssimilarvocalizationsasthethree-toedwoodpecker.
Thebreedingbirdsurveysdiddocumentthepresenceoftwostate-listedspeciesofspecialconcern.Bicknell’sthrushandRustyblackbirdwerebothobservedwithinareasofwindturbinestrings.TheBicknell’sthrushprefersdense,stunted,spruce/firforestsneartreelineathigherelevationsandwasobservedonMt.Kelsey,FishbrookRidge,andWhitcombMountain.TheRustyblackbirdprefersspruce/firorspruce-fir-northernhardwoodforeststandsontheedgesofstreams,ponds,bogs,fens,andbeaverflowagesinNHandwasobservedintwolocationsonthesouthendofFishbrookRidgeandthenorthwesternareaofthePhillipsBrookTract.
Itispossiblethatpermanenthabitatlossandfragmentationwilloccurforbreed-ingbirds,butithasbeenminimizedandmitigatedthroughcarefulsitedesign(i.e.,avoidingwetlandsandlargeareasofmatureforest,widerspacingofwindturbinesitesburyingthecollectionsystemalongtheridgelineaccessroad,minimizingthepermanentfootprintofProjectcomponentstotheextentpracticable,andrestorationofalltemporarilydisturbedareas).
ToaddresspotentialconcernsforraptorsintheProjectSite,afall2007raptormigrationstudywasconducted(Appendix21:Fall2007Radar,Visual,andAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).Theresultsofthisstudydocumentedlowpassagerates(42individualsintotal)incomparisontootherestablishedhawkwatchsitesintheregion.Thespeciesobservedduringthesurveywerecommonmigrantsthroughthearea.Themostcommonspeciesobservedwerered-tailedhawk(Buteojamaicensis)(19individuals)andturkeyvulture(Cathartesaura)(7individuals).However,twostate-threatenedspecieswereobservedflyingovertheProjectsiteduringtheraptorsurvey.TheseincludetheCooper’shawk
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(Accipitercooperii),andOsprey(Pandionhaliaetus).Thered-shoulderedHawk(Buteolineatus),aspeciesofspecialconcerninthestate,wasalsoobservedatthesite.Althoughthesespeciesweredetectedduringthesurvey,theyappearedtobemigratingthroughthearearatherthanresidingthere.
Withtheadventofmorepost-constructionwindfatalitystudies,dataarebeginningtodemonstratethatrisktomigratingraptorsisconsideredtobelow.Newerwindparkshavemuchlowerraptordensityandwider-spacedturbines,tallertubulartowerstominimizeperchingopportunities,andbladesthatspinslowlyenoughtobevisiblebyraptorsevenathighwindspeeds.27TableGbelowprovidesdatafromseveralpostconstructionmortalitysurveysconductedintheU.S.inwhichveryfewraptormortali-tieshavebeenreported.
Table g: raptor mortality found during post construction mortality surveys at wind farms in the u.s.
Location Study Period Number of Reference and Species Fatalities
buffalo ridge, mn 1994-1995 0 osborn et al. 2000
buffalo ridge, mn 1996-1999 1 red-tailed hawk johnson et al. 2002
searsburg, vt 1997 0 kerlinger 2002
foote creek rim, wy 1998-2002 1 northern harrier, young et al. 2003 3 american kestrel, 1 short-eared owl
vansycle, or 1999 0 erickson et al. 2000
somerset county, pa 2000 0 kerlinger 2006
nine canyon, wa 2002-2003 1 american kestrel, erickson et al. 2003 1 short-eared owl
klondike, or 2002-2003 0 johnson et al. 2003
mountaineer, wv 2003 1 red-tailed hawk, kerns and kerlinger 2004 2 turkey vultures
mountaineer, wv 2004 1 sharp-shinned hawk, arnett et al. 2005 1 turkey vulture
myersdale, pa 2004 0 arnett et al. 2005
top of iowa, iowa 2004 1 red-tailed hawk koford et al. 2005
buffalo mountain, tn 2005 0 fiedler et al. 2007
maple ridge, ny 2006 1 american kestrel jain et al. 2007
BecauseNewHampshireliesatthenorthernrangeofmanyspecies’breedinggrounds,therearefewerbirdspassingthroughNewHampshirecomparedtoothermoresouthernlocationsintheNorthAmericanhawkflyways.
GRPiscontinuingitseffortstoworkwiththeNHFGDandUSFWStominimizepo-tentialadverseimpactstoavianspecies.
ii. bats
background & potentiaL effects: Windenergyprojectsalsopresentaconcernforbatspecies.ThepotentialeffectofanincreaseinmortalitytothespeciesisofconcernbecausesomewindprojectsinthecentralAppalachianstateshavedocumentedhigh
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27 johnson, erickson, strickland, et al. “collision mortality of Local and migrant birds at a Large-scale wind-power development on buffalo ridge, minnesota.” wildlife society bulletin, vol. 30, no. 3 (autumn, 2002), pp. 879-887.
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batmortalityrates.Becausebatshaveaslowerreproductiverate,populationrecoveryperiodsaresignificantlylongerthanformostbirdspecies.However,northernNewHampshireisatthenorthernendoftherangeofmostbatspeciesinthenortheast,potentiallyresultinginfewerbatspeciesandlowerregionalpopulations.
ThosebatspeciesofconcerninNewHampshirearetree-roostingbatsthatmigrateorhaveshowntobeimpactedbyothermodernwindfacilities.InNewHampshireonlyonebatspeciesislistedasendangered:thesmall-footedbat(Myotisleibii)fromthegenusMyotis.State-listedspeciesofspecialconcernincludeEasternpipistrelle(pip-istrellussubflavus),Easternredbat(Lasiurusborealis),Hoarybat(Lasiuruscinerus),andsilver-hairedbat(Lasionycterisnoctivagans).Afederally-endangeredspecies,theIndianabat(Myotissodalis),couldalsooccurinNewHampshire;however,theUSFWSconsidersitunlikelyduetothenorthernlatitudeoftheGRPWindparkandthelackofsuitablehabitatinthisregion.
GRPWindparkwildlifeexpertshaveconsultedwiththeNHFGDandtheUSFWS.WhiletheProjecthasthepotentialfordirectandindirecteffectsonbats,theseareconsideredlow.
study & mitigation:TheProjecthasconductedthreefullseasonsofacousticbatdetectorsurveystodocumentbatactivityatthesiteandtimingofactivitythroughouttheyear.BatactivitydocumentedwithintheProjectsitewasfoundtobelowthrough-outmostoftheyearandthespeciesdetectedduringthesurveysarecommontothispartofNewHampshire.Appendices19,20and21providedetailofthestudyresults.
iii. Other wildlife
background & potentiaL effects:OtherwildlifethatmaypotentiallybeaffectedbyconstructionoroperationoftheProjectincludemammals(otherthanbats),fish,reptiles,andamphibians.GRPwildlifeexperts,inconsultationwiththeNHFGD,deemedthatfishandamphibianswerenotlikelytobeadverselyimpacted.Twomammals,however,pinemartenandcanadalynxwereofconcern.PinemartenislistedasendangeredinNewHampshireandcanadalynxisfederally-listedasthreatenedandstate-listedasendangered.Thepotentialindirectimpacttothesespecieswouldmostlikelybeduetohabitatlossandavoidance.Althoughimpactscouldoccurfromvehiclecollisionsonaccessroads,existingvehicularandforestharvestingactivitiesonthepropertydonotindicatethatthisisasignificantrisk.LimitingvehicletrafficoncetheProjectisinopera-tioncouldminimizedirectmortalityfromvehiclecollisions.
Limited,temporary,adverseimpactstowildlifemayoccurduetoincidentalinjuryandmortalityfromconstructionactivityandvehicularmovement,construction-relatedsiltandsedimentationeffectsonaquaticorganisms,dredgeandfillofwetlands,streamcrossingdisturbance,habitatdisturbanceassociatedwithclearingandearthmovingactivities,anddisplacementduetoincreasednoiseandhumanactivities.
Longtermoperationalimpactscouldincludehabitatloss,fragmentation,ordisplace-ment.Atotalofapproximately203acresofwildlifehabitatwillbepermanentlylostduetotheProjectoperationalfootprint(i.e.,convertedfromtimberareastobuiltfacilities).
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study & mitigation pLan: InconsultationwithNHFGDandUSFWS,GRPcon-tractedwithStantectoconductawintertracksurveyin2007todocumentthepres-ence/absenceofpinemartenandlynxwithintheProjectsite(Appendix25:WinterTrackSurveyatProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).Surveysweredesignedtotargetthepresenceofpinemartenontheridgelines;areasearcheswerealsoconductedbyvehicleandsnowmobiletodeterminethepresenceofCanadalynx.Pinemarten’spresencewasdetectedandnoCanadalynxtrackswereobserved.
Carefulsitedesign(e.g.,utilizingexistingroads,avoidingsensitivehabitat,andmini-mizingdisturbancetotheextentpracticable)reducesimpactsrelatedtoconstructionactivity.Inaddition,constructioncontractorswillberequiredtoassurethatallworkremainswithinthedesignatedconstructionlimits.
(6) pubLic heaLth and safety
a. Ice shedding
background & potentiaL effects: InnorthernclimatessuchasNewHamp-shire,thepotentialforicesheddingfromwindturbinebladesneedstobeconsideredinconnectionwithpublicsafetyissues.Icesheddingoccurswhenbuilt-upiceonawindturbineisreleasedduetoaerodynamicandcentrifugalforcesorachangeinweather.Thefrequencyandnatureoficesheddingdependsheavilyuponweatherandwindconditionsandontheoperationandcontrolsystemofwindturbines.
GreenMountainPowerCorporation’sSearsburgWindpowerFacilityhasbeenoperatingforover10yearsinsouthwesternVermontatelevationscomparabletotheGraniteReli-ablePowerWindpark.TheSearsburgareaexperiencesheavywintericingconditionssimilartotheGRPProjectareas.IcesheddinghasnotbeenapublicsafetyproblemfortheGreenMountainPowerCorporationSearsburgWindpowerFacility.Commonsensesolutionstopotentiallydangeroussituationshavebeenimplementedbymaintenancepersonnel.Thesesolutionsincludelimitingthegeneralpublic’saccesstothesiteandoperationaladjustments.
BecausetheProjectwillbesituatedentirelyonprivateland,whereaccessbythegeneralpubliccanbecontrolled,therisktothegeneralpublicduetoicesheddingisveryminimal.FurtherdiscussionofpublicaccessconcernsisfoundinSection(j)(1):Locallanduse.
study & mitigation pLans: Severalresearchinstitutionshaveanalyzedtheriskinvolvedwithwindturbineoperationincoldclimates.Themostwidelyreferencedscientificstudyonicingis“RiskAnalysisofIceThrowfromWindTurbines”(2003)byHenrySeifertet.al.fromDeutschesWindenergie-InstituteGmbHinCuxhaven,Germany.Anotherinstitution,theInternationalEnergyAgencyWindResearchAnnexXIX,wasestablishedinordertogatherinternationalinformationonwindturbineicingandcoldweathergeneration.Compilationsofthedatacollectedontechnicalsolutionsandcoldweatheroperationalexperiencefromallaroundtheglobearecontainedinitsstudies“State-of-the-artofWindEnergyinColdClimates”(April2003)and“ExpertStudyGrouponWindEnergyProjectsinColdClimates”(2005).TheSeifertstudyisdiscussedinfurtherdetailbelowandisincludedasAppendix26.
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Allstudiesrecommend,intheinterestofpublicsafety,theuseofcautionsignstoalertthepublictodangerintheeventoficeshedding.Inaddition,thesupervisorycontrolanddataacquisition(“SCADA”)systemwillmonitorsensortemperaturesandautomati-callyshuttheturbinedownandsendanalarmtothecontrolroomifpredeterminedsetpointsareexceededasaresultoficingconditions.
Theprimarymitigationmeasuretocounteractthedangersoficesheddingistotrainmaintenancepersonnelinthepropersafetyproceduresthatreducedangertothem-selvesandothersastheyconductroutinemaintenancework.
Whiletheaccessroadscanbecontrolled,itispossiblethatthepubliccouldreachtheseroadsinthewinterviaexistingtrailsorloggingroads.Dangerspresentedtothegeneralpublicwillbelimitedtothoseareaswherepublicaccessexistsintheformofcross-countryskitrailsandsnowmobiletrailsincloseproximitytothewindturbinesasdescribedinFigure27.Signagewillbeinstalledatappropriatetrailjunctionsorheaderstowarnusersofthepotentialicesheddingriskfromwindturbines.
Trainedmaintenancetechnicianswillalsoenforceproceduresaimedatminimizingrisktothegeneralpublic,suchasmaintainingcautionsignage,andclosingandlockinggatesafterpassingthroughtokeepthepublicatadistancefromthewindturbines,particularlyinthewintertime.
b. Lightning strikes
background & potentiaL effects:Althoughwindturbinesdonotactuallyattractlightning,duetotheirheightandconductivecomponents,windturbinesandassociatedcontrolandinterconnectionequipmentaresusceptibletoeitheradirectoranindirectlightningstrike(asaremanyothertypesoftallmetalstructures).Astheindustryhasaccumulatedexperiencewiththisrareoccurrenceoverthepastdecade,ithasbeenextensivelystudiedandsubstantialprogresshasbeenmadetoreduceoreliminatedamageorinterruptionofnormaloperationresultingfromlightningstrikes.
study & mitigation pLan: TheProjectwindturbinesareequippedwithastate-of-the-art“totallightningprotection”system,adheringtotheInternationalElectro-technicalCommission(IEC)1024-1standard.Thissystemconductsthelightningfrombothsidesofthebladetipdowntotherootjointandfromtheretothenacelle,towerandearthingsystem.Therefore,bladefailureispreventedandelectricalcomponentdamageisavoided.
AbenefitoftheProjectbeingsitedinaremotelocationisthatitreducesthepotentialpublicsafetyconcernsrelatedtolightning.
c. Tower collapse/blade throw
background & potentiaL effects:Whiletowercollapse/bladethrowincidentshaveoccurred,theyarerareandareofminimaldangertoProjectpersonnel.Instancesofbladethrowandtowercollapsewerereportedmostlyduringtheearlyyearsofthewindindustry.Technologicalimprovementsandmandatorysafetystandardsduringturbinedesign,manufacturingandinstallationhavelargelyreducedsuchoccurrences.
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study & mitigation pLan: Theremotenatureofthewindturbinesiteseffectivelymitigatesmanypublicsafetyconcerns.
d. Stray voltage
background & potentiaL effects:Strayvoltageisalowlevelofelectricalcurrentthatcanoccurbetweentwopointsonagroundedelectricalsystemandisaconcernusuallyraisedbylivestockfarmers.Strayvoltagecanoccurfromadamagedorpoorlyconnectedwiringsystem,corrosiononeitherendofthewires,orweak/damagedwireinsulationmaterials.
Study&MitigationPlans:Propergroundingofwireseliminatesoccurrencesofstrayvolt-ageandthusstrayvoltageisnotconsideredtoposeanunreasonableadverseeffect.
e. Fire
background & potentiaL effects: Althoughwindturbinescontainrelativelyfewflammablecomponents,thepresenceofelectricalgeneratingequipmentandelec-tricalcables,alongwithvariousoils(lubricating,cooling,andhydraulic)doescreatethepotentialforfireaswithanyelectricgenerationfacility.This,incombinationwiththeelevatedlocationofthenacelleandtheenclosedspaceofthetowerinterior,makesresponsetoafiredifficult.
study & mitigation pLan: Whilefiresassociatedwithwindturbinesareextremelyrare,windturbinescontainbuilt-infiresafetysystemsthatminimizethechanceoffire.Fireprotectionfeaturesoftheturbineincludecomponentsinthenacellethatmonitorbearing,oilandnacelletemperatures.ThesecomponentswillbeconnectedtotheturbineSCADAsystem.TheSCADAsystemwillmonitorsensortemperaturesandautomaticallyshuttheturbinedownandsendanalarmtothecontrolroomifpredeterminedsetpointsareexceeded.Inadditiontothemonitoringsystem,eachnacelleandeachservicevehicleisequippedwithafireextinguisher.TheremotenessoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,togetherwiththedevelopmentofanappropriatefireprotectionplan,willminimizeriskstothepublic.
f. Aviation safety risks (airspace issues)
background & potentiaL effects: TheFederalAviationAdministration(“FAA”)hasoversightofanyobjectthatcouldhaveanimpactonthenavigableairspaceorcom-munications/navigationtechnologyofaviation(commercialormilitary)orDepartmentofDefense(“DOD”)operations.Ingeneral,uponreceiptoftheNoticeofProposedConstruction(FAAform7460-1)fromthedeveloper,theFAAworkingwiththeDOD,willexaminetheapplicant’sproposalandidentifyanypossibleairspaceorsafetyin-fringementscausedbytheWindpark.28TheFAAanalysiswillconsiderseveraltypesofairspaceimpacts:(1)imaginarysurfacepenetration,(2)operationalimpactsandelectromagneticinterference,and(3)obstructionwarninglightarrangement.
study & mitigation pLans: Imaginary Surface Penetration. TheFAAhasestab-lishedquantitativeparameters(distancesandangles)thatformthebasisfordetermin-ingifaproposedstructurewillposeahazardtonavigation,takeoff,orlandingwithrespecttonearbyairports.GraniteReliablePowerWindparkemployedtheservices
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS
28 the filing of faa form 7460-1 is usually done after all possible project design alterations have been made in the permitting and final engineering process. the faa analysis must consider the exact location of each turbine in its determination.
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ofAviationSystems,Inc.ofTorrance,CaliforniatoexaminetheProjectregionforanypotentialconcerns.ThenearestairportstotheProjectaretheErrolAirportandtheBerlinMunicipalAirportlocatedinthevalleyfloorstotheeastandsoutheastoftheProjectatdistancesof7.5miles(12.1km)and14.6miles(23.5km)respectivelyfromthenearestwindturbinessites.TheresultsoftheanalysisusingVestasV90windturbinesindicatedtherewouldbenoairspacesurfacepenetrationresultingfromthisProject.
GRPwillalsoapplytotheFAAforanofficialDeterminationofNoHazardforeachwindturbinelocationpriortoconstructionthatwillsupersedeotheranalysesandspecifyrecommendedlightingplansasdiscussedbelow.
operationaL impacts and eLectromagnetic impacts. Experiencehasshownthatwindturbinescanimpactperformanceofairtrafficcontrolorairdefenseradar.Thisthresholdforinterferenceisgenerally15miles(24.1km),andtherearenosuchradarinstallationsthisclosetothewindturbinesites.TheFAAisnotexpectedtoidentifyanyoperationalorelectromagneticimpactsresultingfromtheProject.
obstruction Lighting.Inordertoreduceriskstoaviation,theFAArecommendsthelightingofwindturbinesover200feet(61m)high(tothetoparchoftheblades).BecausetheWindparkwindturbinesexceedthisthreshold,theProjectwillsubmitaFormFAA7460-1NoticeofProposedConstructionasdiscussedabove,andwillreceiveaDeterminationofNoHazardpriortotheinstallationofthewindturbines.
In2005,theFAAcompleteda2-yearnationalreviewofcriteriaforlightingwindpowerprojects.TheresultantmodificationstopreviouslyredundantandexcessivelightingcriteriahavebeenincorporatedintorevisionsoftheFAAAdvisoryCircularAC70/7460-1KCHG2(2/1/07),includedasAppendix27.Ingeneral,turbinesmustbepaintedwhitefordaytimevisibility.Atnight,itisrecommendedthatasingle,mediumintensity,redlightbemountedatopthewindturbinenacelleatthebordersofthewindturbinestringandeveryhalf-milewithin.
operationaL impacts: TheProjectwillapplyforDeterminationofNoHazardtoairnavigationrulingsfromtheFAAforallwindturbinestructures,andtheFAAwillperformanaeronauticalstudytodetermine“thatthestructuredoesnotexceedobstructionstandardsandwouldnotbeahazardtoairnavigation.”AsaconditionoftheFAA’sdeterminationofnohazard,theProjectmustcomplywithFAAlightingstandards,asreferencedabove.
g. Noise
background & potentiaL effects: Windturbinesaremechanicaldevicesthatemitsoundwhenoperating.Thereareessentiallythreesourcesofsound:1)therotorbladespassingthroughtheair(aswishingaerodynamicsound);2)thegearboxortransmission;and3)theyawdriveresponsiblefororientingtheturbinetothewindatalltimes.Ofthese,theaerodynamicsoundsourceisnormallytheonlyonethatisaudibleatanysignificantdistancefromatypicalwindturbine.Whenwindturbinesareinstalledclosetoresidencesandaerodynamicnoisefromthenearestwindturbineexceedsthenaturalbackgroundsoundlevel,annoyancecansometimesresult,particu-larlywhenthisnoiseisnewandunfamiliar.
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Inthiscase,becauseoftheunusuallylargegeographicbufferdistancesbetweentheGRPWindparkandthenearestresidences,nounreasonableadverseimpactisex-pected.Thenearestyear-roundresidencewillbeover2.9miles(4.7km)fromanyofthewindturbinesandmostotherresidenceswillbeconsiderablyfarther.AtsuchdistancesProjectsoundislikelytobewellbelowthebackgroundlevelandthereforeinconsequential.
TheBalsamsWildernessSkiAreaisthecommercialrecreationallanduseclosesttotheProject.Amodelinganalysisconductedbysoundexperts,HesslerAssociates,Inc.(Appendix28:EnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessment)indicatesthatnoisefromtheProjectishighlyunlikelytoconstituteanunreasonableadverseimpact.
ConstructionactivitieswillgeneratemorenoisethanProjectoperationsbutwillbetemporaryinnatureandoccurduringdaytimeworkinghours.Becauseoftheverylargedistancesbetweenthewindturbinesitesandanyofthenearestresidences,theEnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessmentestimatesmaximumcon-structionsoundlevelsfromthesitetobelessthan22dBAatanyfull-timeresidence.Suchanextremelylowsoundlevelisfarbelowthenormalbackgroundsoundlevel,evenduringcalmandquietconditions,andthereforehighlyunlikelytobeaudible.
AlthoughpotentialforimpactfromProjectsoundonwildlifehasbeensuggested,noexistingstudiesorsurveymethods/metricshavebeenidentifiedtotheknowledgeofGraniteReliablePoweranditswildlifeconsultantexperts.
study & mitigation pLan: TheEnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessment,includedasAppendix28,documentsafieldsurveyofexistingsoundlevelsatpredeterminedlocationsalongwithacomputermodelofpredictedsoundlevelsfromtheVestasV90windturbines.
Usingconservativeassumptions,thesoundassessmentconcludesthatsoundemittedbytheProjectwillhavenounreasonableadverseimpactonthehumanenvironment.Withthepossibleexceptionofblasting,noisesfromtemporaryconstructionactivitiesareunlikelytobeaudibleatthenearestresidences.Insummary,nounreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedfromsoundsproducedbytheGRPWindpark.
AdditionalinformationonwindturbinesandnoisefromtheAmericanWindEnergyAs-sociationhasbeenattachedasAppendix29:AWEAFactsaboutEnergyandNoise.
(j) EFFECTS ON ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION; ESTIMATE OF IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION ANd OPERATION OF ThE FACILITY
(1) Local land use
a. Commercial timber production
TheProjectisproposedtobeconstructedoncommercialforestlandandonanadjacentparcelofprivateland.Thetwoprimarytractsoflandwhichmakeupthiscommercialforestcompriseover83,744acres.Thepropertiesareownedandactivelymanagedbyprofessionalforestmanagementorganizationsfor
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commercialtimberproduction.Timberactivitieshaveoccurredonthepropertiesforoveronehundredyears.Locallandscapefeaturesreflectthesemanagementpracticesthroughadiversearrayofforestcovertypesandages.Haulroadshavebeenbuiltovertimetoaccommodatethetransportationoftimberharvestingequipmenttoandfromtheareabeingharvestedandthetransportationoftheharvestedtimber.AnexampleofthepresentlanduseisprovidedinaphotographofrecenttimberharvestingactivityonMt.KelseyincludedasFigure25.
ExistingroadstructureisvisibleinthephotographincludedasFigure26.Currentlythereisestimatedtobeover140miles(225km)ofexistingroadsonthePhillipsBrookparcelalone,ofwhichapproximately19miles(30.6km)willbeusedduringtheconstructionandoperationoftheProject.
Theonlydirect lossof land forcommercialharvestingincludestheareasassociatedwiththewindturbinestrings,newaccessroads,theelectricalcollectionsystemincludingsubstation,interconnectingswitchingstationandpowerlines,andpermanentoperationandmaintenancefacilities.Theseimprovementswillresultinthepermanentconversionofapproximately203acres
ofcommercialforesttowindpoweruse;mostoftheimpactedareaislowquality,wind-blownstandsalongridgelinesandhaslittlecommercialvalue.
TheGRPWindparkwillonlyhaveaminimaleffectoncommercialforestryactivities.Inaddition,improvementstotheexistingroadnetworkandtheconstructionofnewroadsmayenhancethelandowners’accesstotheirforestland.Whileconstructionactivitiesmayalsotemporarilyaffectexistingforestryoperations,GRPwillcloselycoordinatewiththelandownersregardingequipmentmovementlogisticsandvariousconstructionactivities.
TheProjectisthuscompatiblewith,andcomplementaryto,theprevailingandplannedfuturecommercialforestryuseofthisland.Inaddition,winddevelopmentmayhelpsustainforestryusebyprovidinganothersourceofrevenuetoowners,therebyhelpingtoshoreupmarginalforestryeconomicsindownyears.
b. Outdoor recreation
RecreationalactivitiesinCoosCountyincludehiking,snowmobiling,canoeing,kayaking,boating,camping/yurtexperiences,allterrainvehicleriding,hunting,fishing,andmultiplewintersports.NearbydesignatedrecreationalfacilitiesorareasincludetheDixvilleNotchStatePark,theNashStreamForest,MollidgewockStatePark,ColemanStateParkandtheAndroscogginWaysidePark.SeveralwaterbodiesproviderecreationalopportunitiesneartheProjectincluding:theAndroscogginRiver,MillsfieldandAkersPonds,DummerPond,PontookReservoirandLakeUmbagog,whichisapproximately10miles(16km)awaystraddlingtheMaine–NewHampshireborder.TheBalsamsGrandResortHoteloffersrecre-
new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationJeffects on ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION
Figure 25: photograph of existing timber harvesting activities on mt. kelsey.
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ationalopportunities,asdoestheColebrookCountryClub.Additionally,therearenumeroussmalltrails,loggingroads,streamsandpondsusedforvariousrecreationalpurposesinthevicinityoftheProject.SpecificrecreationalactivitiesaredescribedinthefollowingsectionsandamapofrecreationaltrailsneartheGRPWindparkisincludedinFigure27.
Thelandownersoftheprivatetractsoflandoccasionallyaccommodatepublicrecreationalusesoftheirlandinaccordancewithcontemporarycorporatepoli-cies.Thesepoliciesaregenerallydesignedtopermitpublicaccesstothelandforcertainrecreationalpurposes,whileencouragingpublicsafetyandpro-tectingtheowners’abilitytocontinuecommercialtimberactivitiessafelyandefficiently.Varioustypesofsig-nagearemaintainedbytheownerstodirecttheseactivitiestoappropri-atetrails,roadsorlocations.Gatesorsimilarimpedimentsareusedtocon-trolmotorizedaccesstoremotepartsoftheproperty.Thewindturbinesarelocatedalongtheupperreachesoftheridgelines,generallydistantfrompublicuses,andwillnotsignificantlydiminishrecreationalusesontheseprivatelands.
Specificrecreationalactivitiesaredescribedinthefollowingsections.
i. Motorized trail systems: snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle
LocalsnowmobileclubsmaintainandutilizetrailsystemsinthevicinityoftheProject.Theseclubsinclude:theColebrookSkiBeesClubtothenorthwest;theUmbagogSnowmobileAssociationofErroltotheeast;theGrovetonTrailblaz-ersofStarktothesouthwest;andtheMilanAllWeatherRiderstothesoutheast.Thesegroupsmaintaininterconnectedandnumberedtrails,someofwhichareusedinthenon-wintermonthsbyall-terrainvehicle(“ATV”)ridersandhikers.TheProjectisinproximitytomultiplesnowmobiletrailsasshowninFigure27.
TheProjectwillhaveonlyalimitedimpactonsnowmobilingandall-terrainve-hicleridingintheregion.AsdiscussedinSection(i)(6)a,signswillbepostedattrailjunctionswithsnowmobiletrail#134and1000ft(304m)fromeachwindturbine,warningtrailusersthattheyareapproachingawindturbinearea.
ii. Non-motorized trail systems: hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
Thereisafairlyextensivesystemofhiking,cross-countryskiingandbikingtrailsintheDixvilleNotcharea.WithinNashStreamForesttherearehikingtrailsonNorthandSouthPercyPeaksandonSugarloafMountain.TheProjectwould
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Figure 2�: existing haul road used for logging
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notbevisibletobackcountryskiersorsnowshoersinlowerelevationswithintheForest.TheCohoshikingtrailextendsfromNotchlandinHart’sLocationinNewHampshiretotheCanadianborder(about162miles(260.7km))andconnectswith
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Figure 2�: recreational uses in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark
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O d e l lO d e l l
S t a r kS t a r k
E r r o lE r r o l
D u m m e rD u m m e r
M i l l s f i e l dM i l l s f i e l d
M i l a nM i l a n
D i x v i l l eD i x v i l l e
C o l u m b i aC o l u m b i a
S t r a t f o r dS t r a t f o r d
C o l e b r o o kC o l e b r o o k
W e n t w o r t h sW e n t w o r t h sL o c a t i o nL o c a t i o n
D i x s G r a n tD i x s G r a n t
E r v i n g s E r v i n g s L o c a t i o nL o c a t i o n
S e cS e cC o lC o l l
G rG r
Dum
mer P
ondR
d. B?16
B?26
B?110
B?110bB?110
B?16
B?26
B?110a
Paris
Crystal
Long Mtn
Cow Mtn.
Fishbrook
Sugarloaf
Deer Mtn.
Rice Mtn.
Akers Pond
Table Rock
Trio Ponds
Mt. Kelsey
Muise Mtn.
Veezey Hill
Cilley Hill
Owlhead Mtn
Signal Mtn.
Dummer Hill
Carlton Hill
Dummer Ponds
Mt. Patience
Marshall Hill
Blue Mountain
Dixville Peak
Whitcomb Mtn.
Christine Lake
Lake GlorietteDixville Notch
Millsfield Pond
Sanguinary Mtn.
Abeniki Mountain
South Percy Peak
North Percy Peak
Balsams Ski Area
Baldhead Mountain
Pontook Reservoir
Panorama Golf Club
Phillips Pond
Androscoggin Wayside Park
Dixville NotchState Park
Balsams Grand Resort
Ph
illips
Bro
ok
Nash
Strea
m
Mohawk River
Androscoggin
River
Upper Am
mon
oosuc River
Swift Diam
ond River
Approximate Location of Recreational TrailsNear the Granite Reliable Power Windpark
Recreational trails *
Wind turbine site
’ Substation or switch station! ! Electric collection line
! ! Elec. interconnection line
Access roads
Existing gates
Existing Transmission line
Railroad
Local roads
Private roads
Phillips Brook Tract
Bayroot Parcel
New Hampshire state land
US Forest Service land
0 1 2 3 40.5Miles
0 1 2 3 40.5Kilometers
Phillips BrookTract
Bayroot Parcel
Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com
White Mountain National Forest
Nash Stream State Forest
SubstationMaintenance Building
Laydown Yard
Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT, General trail data from Groveton Trailblazers, Colebrook Ski-Bees Snowmobile Club, NHATV.com,North Country ATV, The COHOS Trail, The Balsams Resort website map information. All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.
June 2008
.
FishbrookWind Turbines
Dixville PeakWind Turbines
Mt. KelseyWind Turbines
OwlheadWind Turbines
Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig. 9-3* Recreational trails includes snowmobile, ATV, hiking and snowshoe activites.
Interconnection Switching Station
trailsinQuebecextendingfromtheMeganticarea.Thistrailhasbeenrecentlydevelopedandisstillevolvinginplaces.
AlthoughtheuseoftherecreationalactivitieswithintheareawouldbeminimallyaffectedbytheProject,therewouldbesomevisualimpacts.ThesectionoftheCohosTrailoverDixvillePeakwilloverlapinsomeareaswiththeProjectbuttheoveralleffectontherecreationalexperiencewillbeminimal.ViewsarediscussedindetailinAppendix11:GraniteReliablePowerVisualImpactAssessment.Theresultsofthisreportindicatethatvisualimpactswouldnotbeunreasonablyad-verse;viewsofthewindturbinesgenerallyincludeonlyaportionoftheProject.
iii. Other recreational uses
canoeing, kayaking and boating. Boating,kayakingandcanoeingaremadepossibleintheareabypublicaccessareasand/orboatlaunchesatMillsfieldPond,atLakeUmbagog,alongtheAndroscogginRiver,andatothersmallerponds.Therearealsosmallboating,canoeingandkayakingopportunitiesinthesmalllakes,pondsandstreamsclosertotheProjectsite.TheProjectwillnotdirectlyinhibitanyofthesewater-basedrecreationalactivities,otherthanthroughlimitedvisualimpacts.VisibilityoftheProjectfromtheAndroscogginRiverisextremelylimited.TherewouldbenovisibilityfromlakesandpondswithinNashStreamForest.TheclosestviewsoftheProjectwouldbefromMillsfieldandDummerPond.PortionsoftheProjectwouldalsobevisiblefromtheeasternshoreofAkersPond,andfromthenorthernhalfofLakeUmbagogatgreaterdistances(8to15milesaway(12.9-24.1km)).
camping and yurt experience. Thereareseverallocalcampsitesintheregionincluding:theNotchViewCountryInnandRVResortinColebrook,theCedarPondCampgroundinMilan,andtheLogHavenCampgroundinMillsfield.CampingisalsoavailableattheUmbagogStatePark,theMollidgewockStateParkinErrol,theMilanHillStatePark,andtheColemanStateParkinStewartstown.TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblefromanyofthepubliccampgrounds,butviewsofDixvillePeakarelikelyfromtheNotchViewCampgroundandRVResortinColebrook.
Additionally,alocalbusiness,PhillipsBrookBackcountryRecreation,hasinstalledyurtsatcertainlocationsontheBayrootTract.Theseyurtsarerentedouttothosewishingaremote,backcountryexperience.ThenearestyurtstothewindturbinesarethoseinthevicinityofDummerPond.TheProjectdoesnotanticipateanynegativeimpactsoncampingoryurtexperiences.
hunting and fishing. TherearemanyfishingopportunitiesinthevicinityoftheProjectincludingatMillsfieldPondandinPhillipsBrook.Themultitudeofstreamsandpondsintheregionprovidesanadditionalvastfishingresourceinthearea.
TheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonhuntingandfishingopportunities.
wiLdLife and bird watching. Anotherrecreationaluseoflandintheregionisforwildlifeandbirdwatching.Route26,tothenorthoftheProject,hasbeendeemeda“NewHampshireScenicByway”.ThestretchalongRoute26isonly
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aportionofthe98mile(157km)MoosePathTrail.AlongthisroutesouthofDixvilleNotchStateParkandtheBalsamsGrandResortHotel,thereisawildlifeviewingplatformwheremotoristscanstopandobtaininformationaboutareawildlife.TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblenorwoulditinhibitbirdingorviewingwildlifefromtheplatform.TherewouldbeotheropportunitiesforviewsoftheProjectalongportionsofRoute26betweenSignalMountainRoadandErrol.ThesearedescribedintheAestheticImpactsSection(i)(1)alongwithviewsfromotherstateandtownhighways.
aLpine skiing and mountain biking. TheBalsamsGrandResortHotelofferssixteenalpineskiingtrailsinthewinterandallowstrailaccesstomountainbikersinthesummer.Thesetrailsandalldevelopmentassociatedwiththisalpineskiareaareonthenorthwest-facingslope,andfaceawayfromtheProjectsite.VerylimitedviewsoftheProjectarepossiblefromthetopofliftsonDixvillePeakbutthesearenotexpectedtointerferewiththerecreationalexperience.TheBalsamsGrandResortHotelmanagesanumberofothermountainbikingtrailsnorthofRoute26.TheremaybelimitedviewsfromsomeofthetrailstowardtheDixvillePeakturbines.ThesearedescribedintheAestheticImpactsSection(i)(1).
RecreationalusersalongDixvillePeakwillexperienceminimalimpactsontheirrecreationalactivities.OtheroutdoorrecreationalactivitiesinthevicinityoftheProjectwillnotbedisruptedoradverselyimpactedbytheProject.
Indirectrecreationaleffects,includingviewsofwindturbines,willoccurfromvantagepointsalongsometrailsandwaterbodiesintheregion,butnonewouldresultinunreasonableimpactsontherecreationalexperience.AmoredetaileddiscussionofvisualimpactsisincludedinSection(i)(1)andintheVisualAssess-ment,includedasAppendix11.TheVisualAssessmentevaluatedmanyoftherecreationalfacilitiesandlocationsintheregionincludingparks,lakes,ponds,rivers,stateforests,trailsandgolfcourses.Ateachoftheselocations,theVisualAssessmentexaminedthatplace’sdocumentedsignificance,scenicquality,viewer’sexpectations,uniquenessofthevisualresource,durationofview,proximitytotheProjectandnumberofturbinesvisible,amongothercriteria.
(2) LocaL economyTheCoosCountyregioniscurrentlyinastateofeconomicandsocialtransition.Since2000,CoosCountyhaslostabout2,000jobs.Thelocaleconomyfornearlyonehundredyearscenteredontheregion’spapermills,whichweremajorsourcesofemploymentandincomefortheCounty.In2006,boththeGrovetonPaperboardMillandFraserPaper’sBurgessPulpMillclosed,endingthepapermanufacturinglegacyinCoosCountyandinitiatinganewsetofeconomicchallenges.Economicimpactsfromtheclosuresareexpectedtobesignificantandlastpast2015.TheNewHampshireDepartmentofEmploymentSecurityreportedinMay2006:
In2006,21.4percentofCoosCounty’sgrossregionalproduct(GRP)isdirectlyorindirectlyattributabletopulpandpapermanufacturing.Pulpandpapercontributes,directlyorindirectly,$2,223.93totheaverageannualcompensation(wagesplusbenefits)ofCoosCountyworkersin2006andwasresponsiblefor4.9percentofpercapitarealdisposableincome.29
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29all data from the us census report state and county quick facts. revised 31 august 2007. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33007.html
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TheseestimatesdonotincludepotentialeconomicimpactsfromtheclosingoftheWasauPaperMillinGrovetonwhichoccuredattheendof2007.Theclosureofthismillleft303peoplewithoutwork.
TheU.S.CensusBureauestimatesthecurrentpopulationofCoosCountytobe33,019.ThegrowthrateforthecountyfromApril1,2000toJuly1,2006wascalculatedtobe-0.3%,comparedwiththe6.4%growthratefortheentirestateofNewHampshire.In2005,theCoosCountypopulationover65was18.2%,ascomparedwith12.5%fortherestofNewHampshire.The2004CoosCountymedianhouseholdincomewas$36,587,ascomparedwith$53,770forNewHampshireasawhole.The2005privatenon-farmemploymentfortheCountywas12,066jobs.33
Inthenearfuture,CoosCountyhastheopportunitytoredefineitselfasaninnovative,prosperousregionwithasignificantportionofitsincomederivingfromthecapitalinflowsassociatedwithvariousrenewableenergydevelopmentsproposedintheCountyamongothereconomicinitiatives.
TheWindparkwillnotrequiretheuseofsignificantlocalservicesduringoperation.Wateruseanddischargerequirementswillbeminimalandaccommodatedon-site.Itisanticipatedthatconstructionworkerswillbegenerallyavailableintheregion.InadditiontotheGRPWindpark,otherprojectsareundervariousstagesofdevelop-mentinCoosCounty.Skill-setsandknowledgegainedduringtheGRPProjectwillbetransferrabletosurroundingprojects.
Potentialimpactonlocalservicesisanticipatedtobeminimal,exceptfordemandforlodging,foodandsundriesfortheworkforceduringconstruction.
a. Economic effects of the Project
LocaL effects: TheProjectwillbeanimportantfirstpartofthedevelopmentoftheregion’swindpowerresource.At99megawattsinsize,thecostoftheProjectwillbeapproximately$275million,ofwhichapproximately$19.4millionwillbeinfusedintothesurroundingeconomyforthepurchaseoflocalgoodsandservicesduringconstructionactivities.
Inadditiontotheinfluxofconstructiondollarsintothelocaleconomy,theProjectwillhavesubstantiallong-termeconomicbenefits,including:
• Permanentemploymentforsixormoresitetechnicians
• IncreasedcommerceintheregionfromtheProject’spurchasesoflocalservicesaswellasgoodsandservicespurchasedbytheProject’semployees
• Anannualpaymentof$495,000dollarsmadebyGraniteReliablePowertotheCoosCountygovernmentresultingfromanagreementbetweentheCoosCountyCommissionersandGRP
• Inaddition,thetownofDummerwillreceiveadditionaltaxrevenueintheformofpropertytaxesderivedfromthehostingoftheinterconnectionpowerline
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30 all data from the us census report state and county quick facts. revised 31 august 2007. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33007.html
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• Improvedsustainabilityoftheexistingforestryindustryandrelatedeconomicbenefitsthroughadditionalrevenuestothelandowners
• Increasedeconomicdiversification
statewide effects: Inadditiontotheselocalandregionalimpacts,theProjectwillhaveabeneficialeffectatthestate,countyandlocallevelsbycontributingtovarioustaxesincluding:thestatewideutilitypropertytax(whichisusedtopayforeducationexpenses),thebusinessenterprisetax,andthebusinessprofitstax.
Onefinalaspectofeconomicimpactsthatcannotbeeffectivelyanalyzedusingecono-metricmodelsisthepotentialbenefittoenergysecurityandenergycosts.TheProjectwillsellelectricityintotheNewEnglandpowermarket.Thisintegratedelectricpowermarketisvulnerabletopricespikesasaresultoftheincreasingdemandforfossilfuelsworldwide.Withoverhalfofitsenergygenerationcomingfromfossilfuels,theNewEnglandregion,includingNewHampshire,hasexperiencedincreasesandperiodicspikesinelectricityprices.Duetoitslowoperatingcost,wind-producedelectricitymayhelpstabilizeelectricitypricesintheNewEnglandelectricitymarket.
b. Property values
Basedonnationalstudies,windparkshavebeenshowntohavenoadverseimpactonpropertyvalues.OnesuchstudywasconductedbytheRenewableEnergyPolicyProject(“REPP”)andisincludedasAppendix30a:TheEffectofWindDevelopmentonLocalPropertyValues.REPPassembledadatabaseofrealestatetransactionsadjacenttotenwindpowerprojectsintheUnitedStatesthatbecameoperationalbetween1998and2001.Analysisofrealestatetransactionsforthreeyearsbeforeandfiveyearsafterwindfarmconstructionshowednonegativeeffectonpropertyvaluesfromexistingwindfarmsinthecommunities’studies.AnalysisforpropertysalesdatainBenning-tonCounty,Vermontwithina5mileradius(8.4km)viewshedoftheSearsburgWindPowerFacilityshowedthat“monthlyaveragesalesgrewfasterintheviewshedthaninthecomparablearea,indicatingthatthereisnosignificantevidencethatthepresenceofthewindfarmshadanegativeeffectonresidentialpropertyvalues.”31
TopresentamorespecificunderstandingoftheactualeffectsofexistingwindfarmsonpropertyvaluesandtoaddresscriticismsraisedabouttheREPPStudy,amasterofsciencethesiswaspreparedbyBenHoenofBardCollegein2006toanalyzetransac-tionvaluesofhomeswithin5miles(8.4km)oftheexistingFenner(NY)WindFarmthathaveviewssignificantlyaffectedbythepresenceofthewindfarm.TheHoen-BardCollegeanalysis“failedtouncoveranystatisticallysignificantrelationshipbetweeneitherproximitytoorvisibilityofthewindfarmandthesalepriceofhomes.”32ThisstudyisincludedasAppendix30b:ImpactsofWindmillVisibilityonPropertyValuesinMadisonCounty,NewYork.
c. TourismTourismisamajorcomponentofNewHampshire’seconomy.Morespecifically,tour-isminNorthernCoosCountytendstobebasedaroundoutdoorrecreationactivities,asdescribedinSection(j)(1)b.Therearenolodges,hotels,servicestations,foodorconveniencestoresinthevicinityoftheProject.
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31 the effect of wind development on Local property values. renewable energy policy project. may , 2003. page 40.
32 impacts of windmill visibility on property values in madison county, new york. hoen, ben. april 30, 2006. page 34.
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Oneregionaltouristlocation,theBalsamsGrandResortHotel,issituatednorthoftheWindpark.AsdiscussedinSection(j)(1)b,Project-relatedimpactsattheBalsamsarenotexpectedtoadverselyaffecttheresortortherecreationalactivitiesitprovides.
TheProjecthasthepotentialtoprovidetourismbenefitstotheareaforseveralyears.Thishasbeenthecaseforthefirstutility-scalewindfacilityinNewEngland,theSearsburgsixMWfacilitybuilttenyearsagoinsouthernVermont.Thisfacilitystillreceivesoverfivehundredscheduledvisitorseachyear.33
SimilarsituationsaredocumentedinNewYorkState.BoththeFennerWindPowerProjectandMadisonWindPowerProjectarelistedasattractionsontheMadisonCountyTourismwebsite:www.madisontourism.com.InPrinceEdwardIsland,Canada,awindpowerprojectisprominentlyfeaturedasamainattractionintheNorthCaperegiononthegovernmentvisitor’sguide:http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/tou_nccd06.pdf.
(3) LocaL empLoymentInordertoquantitativelyassesstheProject’seconomicimpactontheregion,GRPperformeda“JobsandEconomicDevelopmentImpact”(“JEDI”)modelthroughtheuseofeconometricmodelstogetherwithconstructionandlong-termeconomicdata.
TheJEDImodelingsystemwasdevelopedbytheWind&HydropowerTechnologiesPro-gram,throughtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergyoffice.34 TheJEDImodelanalyzestheeconomicimpactsofconstructingandoperatingwindpowerplantsusingparametersspecifictotheProjectanditslocation.
Theeconomicimpactsofconstructionprojectsaresomewhatdifferentthantheeco-nomicimpactsofongoingoperations.Becauseoftheirrelativelyshortduration,con-structionprojectsdonotresultinthecreationofadditionalpermanentjobs;rather,theconstructionactivityandemploymentmaybesaidtosupportwagesandemploymentinthelocaleconomyasaresultoftheProject.
ConstructionoftheGRPWindparkwillresultinthedirect,indirectandinducedemploymentofapproximately180-220electricalworkers,craneoperators,equipmentoperators,carpentersandotherworkerscounty-widewithatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$5.4million.Theemploymentandincomefiguresnotedhereincludebothdirectemploymentandwages(thosepeopledirectlyemployedbyGRPanditscontractors)andtheindirectandinducedeffects.IndirecteffectsaretheemploymentandwagesoffirmssupplyinggoodsandservicestoGRPanditscontractors.Inducedeffectsoccurwhenwagespaidtothedirectandindirectemployeesarespentinthelocaleconomy.Regionaleconomicbenefitsduringconstructionareestimatedat$19.4million,including:payrolls,supplies,materials,hotelstays,mealsandeconomicmultipliereffects.
DuringplantoperationstheProjectexpectstocreatesixdirectjobs,andwillcreateanestimated19moreindirectandinducedjobscounty-widewithatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$800,000.TableHincludesasummaryofdirectandinducedjobs.Theselocaleconomicbenefitsareestimatedtobe$2.2millionannuallyandincludepayrolls,supplies,materials,PILOTandWindparkleasepayments.Totaleco-nomicbenefits,baseduponregionalmultipliersappliedtodirectProjectexpenditures
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33 the searsburg wind power facility is not open to the public. the state permit allows scheduled site visits july through mid october.
34 more information on jedi modeling is available at http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/filter_detail.asp?itemid=707
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inoriginalcapitalinvestmentandongoingoperationalexpense,areestimatedtobe$63.4millionover20years.
Table h: results of the jedi model for granite reliable power Phase direct Jobs Induced and Indirect Jobs Payroll and benefits
construction 10-130 70-100 $5,400,000
operation 6 19 $800,000
(k) Consistency with State Energy Policy
TheGRPWindparkisconsistentwithNewHampshire’sStateEnergyPolicy.RSA378:37statesthatitistheenergypolicyofthisstate“tomeettheenergyneedsofthecitizensandbusinessesofthestateatthelowestreasonablecostwhileprovidingforthereliabilityanddiversityofenergysources;theprotectionofthesafetyandhealthofthecitizens,thephysicalenvironmentofthestate,andthefuturesuppliesofnonre-newableresources;andconsiderationofthefinancialstabilityofthestate’sutilities.”ThisProject,byprovidingclean,renewableelectricity,willhelptomeettheneedsofcitizensandbusinessesofthestate.TheadditionalpowerprovidedbythisProjectwillbeusedtomeetcurrentandfutureelectricitydemandsvianon-pollutinggeneration.Ifapproved,thiswillbethesecondcommercialwindpowerfacilityinNewHampshire.ThisProjectwilltripletheamountofinstalledwindpowercapacityinNewEngland(49megawattsasofthiswriting),andaddtothediversityofelectricityresourcesinthestateandregion.Addinganothercostefficientsourceofelectricitytotheregionwillhelptomaintainorlowerpricesforallcustomers,sincewindpowerwillhelptopromotefueldiversityandasupplyshiftawayfromNewEngland’shistoricalrelianceonnaturalgas.ThisservestomitigatethepriceeffectnaturalgashasonelectricitypricingwithintheNE-ISOenergymarket.
Byproducingelectricityfromasourcethatdoesnotcontributetogreenhousegases,theProjectwillhelppreservethephysicalenvironmentofthestatefromfurtherdegradationcausedbycertainairemissions.Finally,byaddingarenewablesourceofelectricitythisProjectwillhelpNewHampshireutilitiesmeettheirrequirementsunderthenewRenewablePortfolioStandard(“RPS”)lawpassedbytheNewHampshireLegislaturein2007,Chapter26,Lawsof2007,codifiedasRSA362-F,andtherebymaintaintheirfinancialstability.Forallofthesereasons,GRP,believesthatthisProjectisconsistentwiththestateenergypolicy.ThatenergypolicyissupportedbytheNewHampshireOfficeofEnergy&Planning(“NHOEP”)(Appendix31:“ExecutiveSummary”NewHampshireEnergyPlan),andvariousstateairqualityandclimatechangeinitiativesandpolicies.35
TheNHOEPhaspromotedpoliciestosupportthedevelopmentofrenewableenergysources.NHOEPprovidesinformationresourcesonthebenefitsofrenewableenergy,renewableenergyincentivesandprogramsandhasincludedstatementsinsupportofrenewableportfoliostandardsandincreasingNewHampshire’sfueldiversityinthe2002NewHampshireEnergyPlan.
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35 can be found at: http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/stateenergyplan.htm
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Furthermore,theProjectisconsistentwiththepurposeclauseofthelawcreatingtheNHSiteEvaluationCommittee(RSA162-H:1)asfollows:
Thelegislature,accordingly,findsthatthepublicinterestrequiresthatitisessentialtomaintainabalancebetweentheenvironmentandtheneedfornewpowersources;thatelectricpowersuppliesmustbeconstructedonatimelybasis;thatinordertoavoidunduedelayinconstructionofneededfacilitiesandtoprovidefullandtimelyconsiderationofenvironmentalconsequences,allentitiesplanningtoconstructfacilitiesinthestateshouldberequiredtoprovidefullandcompletedisclosuretothepublicofsuchplans;...thatthesitingofelectricgeneratingplantsandhighvoltagetransmis-sionlinesshouldbetreatedasasignificantaspectofland-useplanninginwhichallenvironmental,economicandtechnicalissuesshouldberesolvedinanintegratedfashion,soastoassurethestateanadequateandreliablesupplyofelectricpowerinconformancewithsoundenvironmentalutilization.
In2002,NewHampshirelaidthefoundationforacleanerenvironment.Thepas-sageoftheCleanPowerAct(HouseBill284),codifiedasRSA125-O,focusedonthegrowingneedtoreducepollutionassociatedwithpowergeneration.ThegoaltoreduceemissionsfromthepowergenerationsectorwasalsoemphasizedintheNewHampshireCleanPowerStrategy(includedasAppendix32).Thesepoliciesputan-nualcapsonemissionsfrompowergenerationfacilities,includingthegreenhousegas,carbondioxide,andpollutantssuchasmercury,sulfurdioxideandnitrogenoxides.Additionally,NewHampshirehasalreadydemonstratedcommitmenttotheRegionalGreenhouseGasInitiative(“RGGI”)program.TheRGGIbillwassignedintolawbytheGovernoronJune11,2008asChapter182,Lawsof2008.FurtherinformationonNewHampshirepoliciesencouragingtheuseofrenewableenergythrough2006isincludedinAppendix33.
In2007,NewHampshirereachedanothersignificantmilestonewiththeadoptionofthestate’sRPSlaw,whichhadbeenimplementedinmostNewEnglandstatespriortothis.RSA362-FrequiresNewHampshiretoreachagoalof25%oftheelectricitysoldbyretailsuppliersinNewHampshiretocomefromrenewablesourcesby2025.Thepurposesectionofthatstatutestates:“RenewableenergygenerationtechnologiescanprovidefueldiversitytothestateandNewEnglandgenerationsupplythroughuseoflocalrenewablefuelsandresourcesthatservetodisplaceandtherebylowerregionaldependenceonfossilfuels.ItisthereforeinthepublicinteresttostimulateinvestmentinlowemissionrenewableenergygenerationtechnologiesinNewEnglandand,inparticular,NewHampshire,whetheratneworexistingfacilities.”RSA362-F:1.
TheProject,accordingtothelaw,willprovideasignificantnewsourceof“Class1”(newrenewableenergygeneratedbywind,geothermal,hydrogenderivedfrombiomassfuelsandanumberofothereligiblesources).
NewHampshirehasalsoprovidedsupportforthedevelopmentofwindpower,hydro-powerandbiomassrenewableenergyfacilitiesthroughtheadoptionandmodificationoflegislationauthorizingPaymentinLieuofTax(“PILOT”)agreements.In2006theLegislaturepassedHouseBill1758authorizingtheuseofPILOTagreementsforrenewableenergyprojectsthroughanewstatute,RSA72:74.In2007,theLegislatureamendedthenewPILOTlawbyauthorizingagreementsbetweenadeveloperanda
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willingmunicipalityforaperiodlongerthanfiveyears.
Alloftheabovestatelegislativeincentivessharesomeorallofthefollowinggoalsregardingenergyplanningandpolicy:
• Reducedependenceonforeignandimportedsourcesofenergy
• Reduceriskandvolatilityinelectricitycosts
• Reduceairpollution,includinggreenhousegasemissions(globalwarming)
• Encouragenewlocalemploymentandfosternewlocalemploymentandbusinessdevelopmentopportunities
• Improvesystemreliability
• HelpdiversifytheNE-ISO’sgenerationresources.
TheGRPWindparkwillhelptheStateofNewHampshireachievethesegoals.
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(l) PREFILEd TESTIMONY ANd LIST OF PROPOSEd EXhIbITS
(1) the appLication contains the foLLowing prefiLed testimony.
a. prefiLed testimonyofCharlesReadlingandPipDeckeraddressinganoverviewoftheProject,alternativesconsidered,impactonorderlydevelopmentofregion,consistencywithstateenergypolicy,andrelevantfactorsbearingonwhethertheobjectivesoftheSEClawwouldbeservedbythegrantingofacertificate;
b. prefiLed testimonyofChristopherLoweaddressingfinancialcapabilitytoassureconstructionandoperationoftheProjectincompliancewiththecertificate;
c. prefiLed testimonyofDanielMandliaddressingmanagerialandtechnicalcapabilitytoassureoperationincompliancewiththetermsandconditionsofthecertificate,andtheProject’seffectonairquality,publichealthandsafety(icethrow,hazardousmaterials,lightning);
d. prefiLed testimonyofPhillipBeaulieuaddressingtheProject’seffectonpublichealthandsafetyduringconstruction,andthetransportationofturbinesandcomponents;
e. prefiLed testimonyofRaymondLobdelladdressingtheProject’seffectonthenaturalenvironment(wetlands,waterquality,plantlife),andthedesignandconstructionoftheProject;
f. prefiLed testimonyofStevenPelletierandAdamGraveladdressingtheProject’seffectonthenaturalenvironment(wildlife,birdsandbats);
g. prefiLed testimonyofJeanVisseringaddressingthevisualimpact,theProject’seffectonaestheticsandtheimpactontheorderlydevelopmentoftheregion;
h. prefiLed testimonyofHopeLuhmanaddressingtheProject’seffectonhistoricsites;
i. prefiLed testimonyofDavidHessleraddressingtheProject’seffectonthepublichealthandsafety(noise);and
j. prefiLed testimonyofMatthewBorkowskiaddressingtheProject’seffectonthepublichealthandsafety(shadowflicker).
(2) a List of proposed exhibits is incLuded as appendix 34
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