thornton substation project...figure 1: proposed thornton substation project components . the need...

Thornton Substation Project April 27, 2017, Neighborhood Meeting Summary Report for the City of Thornton

Photo simulation of the Thornton Substation. View from Holly Street and East 119th Avenue

May 2017

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Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1

Project Overview ........................................................................................................... 1

Compliance with City of Thornton Permitting Requirements ................................... 4

Neighborhood Meeting Summary ................................................................................ 5

Meeting Notifications .................................................................................................... 6

Postcard Notifications ............................................................................................................ 6 Newspaper Advertisements ................................................................................................... 6 Project Website ..................................................................................................................... 6 Hotline ................................................................................................................................... 8 Email ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Facebook .............................................................................................................................. 9

Attendance and Comment Analysis .......................................................................... 10

Comment Analysis .............................................................................................................. 10 Identified Issues and Resolution .......................................................................................... 12

Tables Table 1: Compliance with City of Thornton Permitting Requirements for Neighborhood

Meeting ................................................................................................................ 4 Table 2: Website Visitation Metrics: April 7–April 28, 2017 ................................................ 6 Table 3: Website Usage Peaks ......................................................................................... 7 Table 4: City of Thornton Staff Attending the Neighborhood Meeting ...............................10 Table 5: Project Team Members at Open House .............................................................10 Table 6: Neighborhood Meeting Substation Comments ...................................................11 Table 7: Issues Raised in Written Comments at the Neighborhood Meeting ....................12

Figures Figure 1: Proposed Thornton Substation Project Components ................................................... 2 Figure 2: Thornton Substation Project Timeline .......................................................................... 3 Figure 3: Website Visits by Day ................................................................................................. 8

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Appendices Appendix A: Notification Area for Thornton Substation Project Neighborhood Meeting Appendix B: Notifications Appendix C: Scanned Comment Cards and Email Comments Appendix D: Neighborhood Meeting Materials Appendix E: Photographs from the Neighborhood Meeting

1

Introduction Since 2011, Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), a Colorado corporation doing business as Xcel Energy, has collaborated with the City of Thornton (City) and the local community to discuss the need for a new substation in Thornton. In October 2016, PSCo submitted land use permit applications to construct and operate the Thornton Electric Substation (substation) and an underground 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to the City. PSCo plans to submit an application to Adams County in May 2017 to construct and operate the two overhead-to-underground transition structures that are necessary to connect the proposed substation to the electric grid.

To satisfy permitting requirements of both jurisdictions and to provide an update about the project to the community and interested parties, PSCo hosted a neighborhood meeting on April 27, 2017, at the Carpenter Recreation Center in Thornton. This report provides a summary of the neighborhood meeting and describes how the meeting was conducted, how notifications were provided, and provides copies of materials that were available at the meeting. This report also summarizes the comments received about the project in general and components located within the City (the substation and transmission line) that were collected during the notification period and at the neighborhood meeting. Comments received regarding the transition structures have been summarized and provided in a separate report that will be provided to Adams County.

The information provided in this summary is supplemented by information provided in the following appendices:

• Appendix A: Notification Area for Thornton Substation Project Neighborhood Meeting • Appendix B: Notifications • Appendix C: Scanned Comment Cards and Email Comments • Appendix D: Neighborhood Meeting Materials • Appendix E: Photographs from the Neighborhood Meeting

Project Overview PSCo is proposing to construct and operate the Thornton Electric Substation (substation) at the southeastern corner of Holly Street and East 120th Avenue in the City. PSCo is also proposing to construct two new overhead-to-underground transition structures that are required to connect the substation via an underground 115kV transmission line to the existing Fort Lupton–Cherokee 115kV overhead transmission line (Fort Lupton-Cherokee Line).

The proposed substation is necessary to resolve existing low voltage and future low voltage issues, system capacity overloads, and inadequate back-up support that exist under peak load conditions due to high customer demand in the City, which is densely populated. Construction is proposed to start in early 2018 to support an in-service date for the substation in 2019.

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The proposed locations of the project components are shown in Figure 1. The proposed substation and underground transmission line would be located within the boundaries of the City. The proposed overhead-to-underground transition structures and the interconnection to the Fort Lupton–Cherokee Line would be located in unincorporated Adams County on a parcel owned by PSCo (parcel #0172105000020).

Figure 1: Proposed Thornton Substation Project Components

The need for a new substation was first identified in 2008, and Xcel Energy started working with the City to identify a solution in 2011 after receiving approval for the substation project by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. A timeline of the project from its inception to current date is provided in Figure 2

3

Figure 2: Thornton Substation Project Timeline

4

Compliance with City of Thornton Permitting Requirements The substation and underground transmission line are subject to City permitting requirements. PSCo submitted land use permit applications to construct and operate the substation and an underground 115kV transmission line to the City in October 2016.

The neighborhood meeting was held to satisfy land use permitting requirements per Section 18-43 of the Thornton Code of Ordinances and to provide the community with an update regarding the project. The Thornton Code contains requirements concerning the conduct of a neighborhood meeting; compliance with those requirements is summarized in Table 1.

Table 1: Compliance with City of Thornton Permitting Requirements for Neighborhood Meeting

Thornton Code of Ordinances, Development Code Requirement Compliance with Requirement

Section 18-43 (e) At least 15 days prior to the required public hearing, the applicant shall conduct a neighborhood meeting to present information to property owners and organizations in close proximity to the subject property. Proper notice of the meeting shall be mailed at least ten days prior to the scheduled neighborhood meeting

The neighborhood meeting was held on April 27, 2017, 30 days prior to the public hearing scheduled for June 27, 2017. Postcards with the meeting information and a project site map were mailed on April 7, 2017, to homeowners as well as neighborhood groups and associations.

Section 18-43 (e) Proper notice must be sent to all owners of real property lying within 1,500 feet of the boundary of the area of request. The measurement of the 1,500 feet includes streets and alleys. All recognized homeowners' associations or neighborhood associations that have provided the department with notice of their desire to receive public notices, the geographic boundaries of the area of concern to the organization, and the address to which the notice is to be sent.

Postcards with the meeting information and a project location map were mailed to property owners within 1,500 feet of the project site.

The overhead-to-underground transition structures required for interconnection to the existing Fort Lupton–Cherokee Line are subject to permitting requirements of Adams County. PSCo plans to submit land use applications to construct and operate two overhead-to-underground transition structures to Adams County in May 2017. PSCo will prepared a separate neighborhood meeting report to summarize comments that focused on the two proposed transition structures and will submit that report to Adams County.

5

Neighborhood Meeting Summary The neighborhood meeting was held jointly with Carlson Land, Inc. (Carlson)1 from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at the Carpenter Recreation Center in Thornton. The neighborhood meeting was conducted in an open house format, allowing for attendees to arrive at any time during the open house window and provided an opportunity to obtain project information based on specific areas of interest. Meeting attendees were given the opportunity to talk with project staff and city staff and to provide input on all proposed project.

The meeting was attended by approximately 40 community members and 20 project representatives including electrical transmission and substation engineers, an electric and magnetic field expert, land rights agents, and environmental planners. Display boards and materials presented at the meeting can be viewed on the project website (www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com) and have also been provided in Appendix D. Photographs of the neighborhood meeting are provided in Appendix E.

Open House Stations and Display Boards Meeting Numbers at a Glance Welcome

History of the Thornton Substation By the Numbers Community Need

Community Benefit Substation Site Selection

Site Design Architectural Wall Materials

Connecting Overhead to Underground Transmission Underground Transmission Line Construction

Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Property Values Studies

Project Permitting Requirements Aerial Sheet Maps Visual Simulations Substation video1

Postcards sent Email invitations sent Attendees Comment forms received Email comments received Facebook Impressions from Ad Posted

1,824 209

40 7 5

14,713

1 The video can be viewed at http://xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com/pages/video.aspx.

1 The lots directly to the north of the proposed Thornton Substation site are under option to be purchased by

Carlson and are proposed to be developed as retail properties. PSCo and Carlson are joint applicants on the Conceptual Site Plan application that was submitted for the proposed Thornton Substation and the retail properties. It should be noted, however, that PSCo is only pursuing development of the Thornton Substation and is not involved in the development of the retail properties.

http://www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com/

http://xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com/pages/video.aspx

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Meeting Notifications Multiple communication channels were employed to notify stakeholders and the public of the opportunity to attend the neighborhood meeting including direct-mail postcards, letters, newspaper advertisements, social media posts, email blasts, and information posted on the project website. Appendix A provides the notification area used to generate the postcard mailing list for the neighborhood meeting. Copies of notifications are provided in Appendix B. Detailed descriptions of notifications are provided below.

Postcard Notifications A total of 1,824 property owners within 1,500 feet of the proposed substation and overhead-to-underground transition structures were mailed a 6x9-inch postcard notification about the neighborhood meeting via standard first class mail on April 7, 2017. Appendix A provides a map of the notification area used to generate the mailing list for the postcard notifications. The notification area and resulting mailing list was consistent with that which is required in Section 18-43(e) of the Thornton Code and was provided to Xcel Energy by the City of Thornton Planning Department. A copy of the postcard is provided in Appendix B.

Newspaper Advertisements Advertisements for the meeting were placed in the Thornton Sentinel on April 13, 2017, and April 20, 2017. Copies of the Thornton Sentinel advertisements are provided in Appendix B.

Project Website The project website (www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com) was updated on April 7, 2017, with the neighborhood meeting information. Other notification materials listed the website as a means to obtain project information prior to the neighborhood meeting. Website visits were tracked from April 7, 2017, through April 28, 2017, to gauge response to the notifications and general interest in the project. Figure 3 shows the website visits by day during this time period. The average number of visits was 16.5 per day. Website visitation metrics are summarized in Table 2. High visitation days are identified in Table 3 and corresponded with key notification dates including the email notifications, and the date of the neighborhood meeting. A number of visits on April 7 and April 28 are attributable to project staff visiting the website to ensure links were functioning and information was accurately displayed.

Table 2: Website Visitation Metrics: April 7–April 28, 2017

Parameter Description Reported Value Sessions Total number of visits to site 363 Users Total number of unique people 217 Pageviews Total number of pages loaded 1,433 Pages/Sessions Average number of pages viewed per session 3.95 Average Visit Duration (minutes) Average visit length of all users 00:5:03 Bounce Rate (percent) Percent of single-page visits 35.54

http://www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com/

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Parameter Description Reported Value New Session (percent) Percentage of visits that were made by first-

time visitors 53.44

Table 3: Website Usage Peaks

Date Visits Pageviews Peak Usage Description April 7 32 165 Email blast sent April 7. Some visits attributable to project staff. April 11 25 96 Postcard mailed on April 7. April 14 26 127 Postcard mailed on April 7, Thornton Sentinel advertisement published April

13. April 17 18 55 Postcard mailed on April 7, Thornton Sentinel advertisement published April

13. April 24 30 78 Postcard mailed on April 7, Thornton Sentinel advertisements published

April 13 and April 20. Facebook advertisement started running on April 21. Week of neighborhood meeting.

April 28 33 200 Day after neighborhood meeting. Some visits attributable to project staff.

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Figure 3: Website Visits by Day

Hotline Xcel Energy set up a phone hotline (1-844-551-6281) that people could call and leave a message with a question about the project. The hotline was updated on April 7, 2017, with neighborhood meeting information. The hotline script is provided in Appendix B. The hotline number is provided on all materials including the website and the fact sheet. No hotline inquiries were received during the time period between April 7, 2017 and May 1, 2017.

Email Update Xcel Energy also set up a project email address, [email protected], which is provided on the website, fact sheet, and the neighborhood meeting invitation postcard. The primary function of the email address is to provide members of the public with an opportunity to obtain information and ask questions about the project. Project team members utilize the project email address to reply to questions from community members. An email update was sent to 209 individual email addresses on April 7, 2017, announcing the neighborhood meeting and providing attendance information. A copy of the email update is provided in Appendix B.

mailto:[email protected]

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Between April 7 and May 1, 2017, three emails were received regarding the substation; one email was received regarding the transition structures, and one email did not mention any facilities. The emails regarding the substation site are provided in Appendix D along with responses from project representatives.

Facebook Xcel Energy uses Facebook to connect with members of the public to provide them the opportunity to obtain information and ask questions about the project. A Facebook post advertising the neighborhood meeting garnered 14,713 impressions between April 21 and April 26, 2017. The Facebook post advertising the neighborhood meeting is shown below and is also provided in Appendix B.

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Attendance and Comment Analysis The April 27, 2017, neighborhood meeting at the Carpenter Recreation Center was attended by approximately 40 attendees, including five staff from the City (Table 4) and a representative from the Adams County Economic Development. In addition, 20 project team members attended the open house (Table 5). Reproductions of the display boards used at the neighborhood meeting are included in Appendix D.

Table 4: City of Thornton Staff Attending the Neighborhood Meeting

Name Title Cassie Free Development Engineering Manager Nate Hatleback Project Manager, Development Engineering Lori Hight Senior Planner Jason O’Shea Development Director Grant Penland Current Planning Manager

Table 5: Project Team Members at Open House

Name Organization Name Organization Susan Innis Xcel Energy Carly Rowe Tetra Tech Dominic Arnone Xcel Energy Nikki Blu Tetra Tech Brad Cozad Xcel Energy Allie Chavez Tetra Tech Preston Gibson Xcel Energy Dr. Bob Pearson Tetra Tech Cherokee Gonzales Xcel Energy JC Perkins Black and Veatch Matt Hagen Xcel Energy Wade Haerle EIS Solutions Alan Hurley Xcel Energy Chelsie Miera EIS Solutions Chad Nickell Xcel Energy Gil McNeish Spencer, Fane, Britt, and

Browne, LLP Mark Stutz Xcel Energy Julie Stencel Xcel Energy Mark Peterson Xcel Energy Lucas McConnell Xcel Energy

Comment Analysis Comments cards containing two open-ended questions were provided to attendees and on the project website. A blank comment form is provided in Appendix D. Comment cards were collected at the neighborhood meeting, and stakeholders also had the opportunity to submit written comments via the project email address or by mailing comment cards to Xcel Energy. Commenters had the opportunity to request a response from project team members. Comments received and responses to commenters are provided in Appendix C.

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For the purposes of this report, comments were tracked from April 7, 2017, through May 1, 2017. Six comment forms were received during this timeframe. Table 6 provides a summary of the comments received in support and in opposition to the substation (comments specific to the transition structures will be provided in a separate report for Adams County). Approximately 200 letters of support were delivered to the City from Empower Thornton, a grassroots nonprofit group that supports a new substation in Thornton. Scanned copies of comment cards and emailed comments, including responses from Xcel Energy, are provided in Appendix C2.

Comments received after May 1 will be summarized and provided to the City with the comment response submittal number 3 on May 24, 2017

Table 6: Neighborhood Meeting Substation Comments

Issue Category Nature of Comments Comments in support of the project • The substation is needed and should be approved and constructed. Well-planned out,

need is proven, power outages are very stressful especially for people with health problems.

• The substation is a better solution to the traffic and noise than additional commercial properties

• The architecture is gorgeous. It looks better than most of the new retail stores and strip centers being built in Thornton… I appreciate that the substation will have very minimal lighting at night.

• The substation is of interest as I feel it will impact the community in a very positive way. There is a great need for this substation.

• We need more reliable power and this substation will reduce the brownouts and blackouts. Our first big blackout was in 2012. This project should have been done a long time ago.

• Post cards promote the benefits of the substation as reducing the impact of outages, which it will NOT for the exact neighborhood that it is being installed; commenter is OK with the substation being installed here, but does not like the inaccurate (even if unintentional) information.

• Thank you for planning to meet our energy needs. The pictures we have seen look nice and we are glad it is going to be built!

Comments in opposition to the project • Skylake Ranch residents are not Xcel customers and are already burdened with infrastructure. The substation does not belong in our neighborhood.

• United Power does not need Xcel nor do any of the residents in this area, why not construct at 136th and Holly where there is open space?

• The substation will hurt property values and damage the integrity of our neighborhood. • Concerns with EMF and associated health impacts. • Concern about proposed day care center and potential EMF exposure. • Residents of Skylake Ranch do not support the Project • Why aren't you building in an area served by Xcel, such as 136th and Holly where

there is open space. Miscellaneous Comments • Please reach out to the Wright Farms Metropolitan District

• There is a better solution to traffic and noise than additional commercial properties

2 Xcel Energy only provided responses to comment forms that requested to be contacted. All other comments

were added to the comment record as provided in Appendix C.

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Identified Issues and Responses Table 7 identifies the issues raised in written comments specific to the substation that were contained in seven comment forms and three emails. Table 7 also identifies how Xcel Energy has responded to the concerns through provision of project information.

Table 7: Issues Raised in Written Comments at the Neighborhood Meeting

Issue Raised (Number of Comments mentioning this

issue) Nature of Comments Xcel Energy Response/Information Provided Aesthetics (2) • Positive reaction to the substation

appearance • Substation is gorgeous, appears to be high

end retail. Substation will have very minimal lighting at night

• Provided visual simulations of substation and architectural materials

Health and Safety (2) • Opposed to site because of EMF and health concerns

• Supportive of substation to prevent power outages for people with health problems

• Provided information regarding EMF in project materials, EMF expert attended meeting, answered questions on EMF via email

Need for the Project (4) • Supportive of meeting Thornton’s energy needs

• Substation is needed and should be approved and constructed

• Substation will reduce brownouts and blackouts

• Great need for the substation

• Provided explanation of need for the project in meeting materials, website, and email responses

Property Values (1) • Opposed to the site because of property value concerns

• Provided property value research on a board at neighborhood meeting and in email responses

Siting (8) • Why not site in Xcel Energy Service Territory (not United Power)

• Why not at 136th And Holly where there is open space

• Site will damage integrity of neighborhood • Believe there are better locations for the

site (120th and Bellaire) • Neighborhood does not support proposed

site, neighborhood already burdened with infrastructure

• Of many locations that have been considered this seems to affect least number of people.

• Better solution to traffic and noise than additional commercial properties

• Substation will not benefit United Power customers

• Provided explanation of siting process and why the site was selected in meeting materials, website, and email responses.

• Responded to question about benefits to United Power customers by providing examples of how greater reliability will have a positive impact on community facilities and businesses

Appendix A: Notification Area for Thornton Substation Project Neighborhood Meeting

SFA NS

PD

RE

POS

POS A

POS

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ACR

NOTTS LANDING

CONCORD

SKYLAKERANCH

SUNDOWN ATSKYLAKERANCH

SKYLAKE RANCHPUD

BRADLEY PETROLEUM

HOLLY POINT

RANGVIEW ATWRIGHT FARMS

SNYDALREGAL ESTATES

SKYLARK

E 117TH CT

E 119TH PL

E 117TH AVE

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E

116TH AVE

FORE

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GLEN

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GRAP

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11 9 TH

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HUDS

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KEAR

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E 115TH AVE

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GLENCOEST

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LEYD

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E 123RD WY

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«

CITY OF THORNTON, COLORADOVICINITY/ZONING MAP

E 120th Ave

Holly

St

ADAMSCOUNTY

ADAMSCOUNTY

Appendix B: Notifications

Affidavit of Mailing

Postcard Notification

Thornton Sentinel Articles

Website Screenshots

Hotline Text

Hotline Update

April 7, 2017

Hello. You’ve reached Xcel Energy. This information line is dedicated to our Thornton Substation Project.

You’re invited to a neighborhood meeting to learn more about Xcel Energy’s plans to improve service and reduce the risk of local electric power outages in Thornton. The meeting is being held jointly with Carlson Land and information about their proposed retail development north of the substation site will also be shared.

Xcel Energy has worked with the community for more than eight years on the project, and we are excited to provide you with a project update and discuss the benefits our proposed substation will bring to your community.

Our neighborhood meeting will take place from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at the Carpenter Recreation Center located at 11151 Colorado Boulevard, Thornton, CO 80233.

At the meeting, we will provide information regarding the project, gather public input and answer questions you may have.

The neighborhood meeting is part of the project’s permitting requirements in the City of Thornton and Adams County.

Please visit our project website at www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com to learn more about the project and the upcoming neighborhood meeting.

For additional information, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or leave a message. Messages left will be returned the end of the next business day.

Thank you!

Email Blast

Facebook Advertisements

tara.low

Text Box

Appendix C: Scanned Comment Cards and Email Comments

From: Xcel Thornton Substation InfoSent: Monday, April 17, 2017 9:05 AMTo:Subject: RE: We think this is great idea!

– Thanks so much for taking the time to write to us about the proposed Thornton Substation Project. We’re glad to hear you are supportive of our project! Susan Innis Xcel Energy | Responsible By Nature Manager, Siting and Land Rights 1800 Larimer St, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202 Contact us at 1-844-551-6281 and [email protected]

From: Sent: Friday, April 14, 2017 5:03 PM To: Xcel Thornton Substation Info <[email protected]> Subject: We think this is great idea! Importance: High

Thank you for planning to meet our energy needs. The pictures we have seen look nice and we are glad it is going to be built!

--

1

From: Xcel Thornton Substation Info

Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 4:54 PM

To:

Subject: RE: Question

Dear Bill – thank you for your email about the Thornton Substation, we appreciate an opportunity to answer yourquestions.

After evaluating more than 40 possible locations for the Thornton Substation, with locations as far north as 144th Avenue,Xcel Energy identified the preferred alternative site near the intersection of East 120th Avenue and Holly Street. This sitewas selected based on the following:

- Located within the Colorado Public Utilities Commission-acknowledged siting area, and meets engineering criteria forboth the short-term and long-term electricity needs of the community.- Public comments point to this site as the preference by those who have participated thus far.- Maximizes the distance between the substation and nearby residences – with a distance of nearly 250 feet between thesubstation wall and closest residences.-Accommodates the use of an underground transmission line to interconnect with the Fort Lupton-Cherokee 115kVoverhead transmission line.- This location is uniquely positioned to allow an electric substation to be compatible with the nature and character ofsurrounding land uses, such as the open space to the south.- Compatibility with applicable zoning regulations and standards.

I hope this answers your questions, please feel free to reach out to us again.

Susan InnisXcel Energy | Responsible By NatureManager, Siting and Land Rights1800 Larimer St, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202

Contact us at 1-844-551-6281 and [email protected]

From:Sent: Monday, April 10, 2017 7:19 PMTo: Xcel Thornton Substation Info <[email protected]>Subject: Question

Why are you building this site in the area that is served by United Power? United Powerdoes not need Xcel nor do any of the residents in this area.

Why aren't you building in an area served by Xcel, such as 136th and Holly where there isopen space.

1


Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 9:43 AM

To:

Subject: RE: Thornton Substation

Thank you for writing to us with your comments.

After evaluating more than 40 possible locations for the Thornton Substation, Xcel Energy identified the preferredalternative site near the intersection of East 120th Avenue and Holly Street and filed its development permit applicationswith the City of Thornton on Oct. 11, 2016. This site was selected based on the following:

- Located within the Colorado Public Utilities Commission-acknowledged siting area, and meets engineering criteria forboth the short-term and long-term electricity needs of the community.- Public comments point to this site as the preference by those who have participated thus far.- Maximizes the distance between the substation and nearby residences – with a distance of nearly 250 feet between thesubstation wall and closest residences.- Accommodates the use of an underground transmission line to interconnect with the Fort Lupton-Cherokee 115kVoverhead transmission line.- This location is uniquely positioned to allow an electric substation to be compatible with the nature and character ofsurrounding land uses, such as the open space to the south.- Compatibility with applicable zoning regulations and standards.

The landowners at the site we had considered at 120th and Bellaire declined to renew the purchase option agreement withXcel Energy last summer, therefore that site is no longer available.

The potential for electric and magnetic field (EMF) health effects has been studied extensively for decades. There issubstantial agreement among experts, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, that there are noadverse health impacts from 60 hertz (the frequency at which the electricity we use operates) EMF exposure. TheColorado Public Utilities Commission also ensures that EMFs and noise levels meet the state’s requirements. Click thefollowing link for additional information: Electric and Magnetic Field Information and click here to review project-specificEMF information.

We will be posting to our website all of the information that was presented at last night’s Neighborhood Meeting. If, afterreviewing this information, you have additional questions or wish to meet with a member of our project team, please let usknow and we’d be happy to set up a time to talk with you.



From:Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 9:00 AMTo: Xcel Thornton Substation Info <[email protected]>Subject: Thornton Substation

To whom it may concern,

2

It has come to the attention of the neighborhood that Xcel Energy is proposing to place a power substation atthe intersection of 119th and Holly Street. As a resident of Skylake Ranch I strongly reject thisproposal. Allowing this substation to go into this area will hurt our property values, damage the integrity ofour neighborhood, as well as expose the residents to possible health issues. I feel there are better places toput this power substation. I have heard that the open lot by Kohl's on 120th and Bellaire is an option. Ibelieve this would be a better suited location for a power substation.

It has been proven in studies in the United Kingdom and Australia the EMFs from substations cause cancer andtumors. The electronic field traverses the air and starts oscillating human cells at high frequency, causingthem to heat up. Thus high-power EMF can damage body cells. Studies have been done on people that livewithin 300 meters of a substation. There is some evidence that suggests an increased risk of some type ofcancer.

There is currently a proposed day care under construction on the corner of 119th and Holly. Do you want tobe responsible for exposing these children to EMFs? Would you put your children in a daycare located near asubstation? I know I wouldn't. Power substations have been known to cause leukemia in children.

Although I am unable to attend the neighborhood meeting today, April 27, 2017 I wanted to voice my opinionon this matter. I hope that my fellow neighbors will join me in protesting this proposed substation like theresidents of the Marshall Lake subdivision did.

Kind regards,

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Q1: Please list the specific project component(s) of interest to you:

Q2: Please provide your comment as it relates to the specific project component(s) of interest:

Q3: Contact Information

Name

Mailing Address

City

State

Zip Code

Email Address

Telephone

Q4: Please indicate if you would like to be added to our project email list:

Yes

Q5: Please indicate if you would like a member of the team to contact you regarding your comment:

Yes

COMPLETE COMPLETE Collector:Collector: Web Link 1 Web Link 1 (Web Link) (Web Link) Started:Started: Thursday, April 27, 2017 5:59:41 PM Thursday, April 27, 2017 5:59:41 PM Last Modified:Last Modified: Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:46:35 PM Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:46:35 PM Time Spent:Time Spent: 00:46:53 00:46:53 IP Address:IP Address: 108.171.132.189 108.171.132.189

PAGE 1: Thornton Substation Project Neighborhood Meeting - April 27, 2017

The location and architecture of the substation.

The substation is of interest as I feel it will impact the community in a very positive way. There is a great need for this substation. I feel that Xcel has put sincere thought into impacting the surrounding communities in a minimal way and bringing this type of infrastructure will help Thornton to healthily grow for many years to come.

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Respondent #2 Respondent #2

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1


Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 3:32 PM

To:

Subject: Thank you for your comment at our neighborhood meeting

Thank you for attending our neighborhood meeting and for providing a comment on the proposed Thornton Substationproject.

We’re glad to hear you are supportive of our project!




Xcel Energy


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Yes



Marketing to Skylake Ranch Phase 3 residences

I keep receiving post cards promoting the benefits of the substation as reducing the impact of outages, which it will NOT for the exact neighborhood that it is being installed. We are United Power customers. You need to concentrate on the aesthetic and traffic benefits and leave the lies out of the correspondence to this area. Personally, I'm OK with the substation being installed here, but really do not like the inaccurate (even if unintentional) information.

Respondent skipped this question







1


Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 3:37 PM

To:

Subject: Thank you for your comment at our neighborhood meeting

Thank you for attending our neighborhood meeting and for providing a comment on the proposed Thornton Substationproject. The City of Thornton requires that all landowners within 1,500 feet of the property line be notified of proposeddevelopment when land use permits are filed and a neighborhood meeting is held. Some of the landowners that receivedthe post cards are Xcel Energy customers while others, like yourself, are United Power customers. The Thorntoncommunity as a whole benefits from reliable electrical service. Once operational, the proposed Thornton Substation willbenefit area businesses and local public facilities such as grocery stores and schools in addition to residential customerslocated in Xcel Energy’s service territory that will be served by the substation.

For additional information regarding our proposed site design and architecture, please visit our project website at:http://xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com

With regard to traffic, the City required that a traffic impact study be included with our land use applications and will alsorequire a traffic control plan that will be implemented during construction.




Xcel Energy


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No



relation to my neighborhood

Please reach out to the Wright Farms Metropolitan District








Xcel Energy


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Mailing Address

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Yes


No



Reliable power! Location, architecture, lighting

We need more reliable power and this substation will reduce the brownouts and blackouts. Our first big blackout was in 2012. This project should have been done a long time ago. The architecture of this substation is gorgeous. It looks better than most of the new retail stores and strip centers being built in Thornton. If you put a parking lot in front of this substation, people would think it is high end retail. Of the many, many locations that have been considered for this substation, this seems to affect the least number of people. I appreciate that the substation will have very minimal lighting at night.








Xcel Energy


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Traffic, noise

I think this is a better solution to the traffic and noise than additional commercial properties







Appendix D: Neighborhood Meeting Materials

Boards

Presented at 36”X48"

Welcome Board

Aerial Sheet Maps

Information Sheet

Xcel Energy has identified a site to build its second electrical power substation in Thornton. The first was constructed in 1992, more than 20 years ago. The new project at East 120th Avenue and Holly Street will be designed with the community in mind:

• Underground transmission lines. All power lines entering and exiting the substation will be underground.

• Neighborhood-friendly architecture. We are working with the same award-winning architectural firm that designed the Anythink Library at Wright Farms—and the substation will borrow many of the library’s exterior materials and design features.

• Thoughtful site design. The substation is situated in a way to maximize much of the remaining land as a landscaped buffer area between the facility and the neighboring houses to the east. Other design elements include an 8-foot sidewalk to connect existing trails and nearby neighborhood parks, and professional landscaping with trees, planting beds, and manicured grassy areas.

• Improved customer service and power reliability. The new substation will greatly reduce the risk of local power outages and provide the reliable service you expect.

• Community involvement and support. Since 2014, we’ve hosted four open houses which were attended by more than 250 community members; met with numerous HOAs and businesses; mailed more than 15,000 postcards; and maintained a website, hotline and email to gather public input on design and site options. Based on the substantial feedback we’ve received, we believe the substation site at this location is a good fit for the community.

If approved, the new substation is expected to be in service by 2019 and will ensure the safe distribution of vital electric service well into the future.

Xcel Energy to Improve Service, Power the Future with New Thornton SubstationSubstation design, materials modeled after Anythink Library at Wright Farms; new facility will enhance landscape and address region’s need for reliable power

In response to resident input, the new substation has been designed by the same architects, Humphries-Poli, who created Anythink Library at Wright Farms. Xcel Energy did this purposefully so that the substation would complement and enhance the Thornton community.

Shown here are materials that will be used in the construction and aesthetics of the new substation. All elements can also be found in the external attributes of Anythink Wright Farms Library.

Colorado

Information Sheet

Representative photo simulation of the Thornton Substation at East 120th Avenue and Holly Street.

Material selections

xcelenergy.com | © 2017 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc. | 17-04-405

Why does Thornton need a new substation?Xcel Energy is committed to providing reliable electricity to its customers in the City of Thornton. Xcel Energy last built a substation in Thornton more than 20 years ago. Since then, the city has grown exponentially. Given the increased electrical demand in the area as a result of this growth, we need to add a new substation to maintain the reliability of the electrical system in Thornton.

The chart below shows a select sample of electrical outages experienced between 2011 and 2016 in the City of Thornton. The chart includes only outages that would be lessened by the new Thornton Substation. The new substation will help reduce the number of customers affected by outages and reduce the duration of outages, helping Xcel Energy continue to provide reliable service to the community.

For more information, visit xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com. Community comments are encouraged and can be submitted via phone or email at 844.551.6281 or [email protected].

Information Sheet

Colorado

50mins.

100mins.

150mins.

250mins.

200mins.

300mins.

350mins.

0mins.

40mins.

30mins.

20mins.

10mins.

City of Thornton power outages

2011

Date

Jan. 13

May 19

June 28

July 17

July 24

Sept. 12

Sept. 17

Nov. 1

Nov. 14

Dec. 13

June 23

June 23

June 23

July 5

Aug. 28

Sept. 3

Sept. 3

June 17

June 17

July 8

Jan. 24

Feb. 18

May 21

June 18

July 8

July 11

Feb. 20

Feb. 20

March 6

Aug. 13

Aug. 16

Sept. 14

Nov. 1

Jan. 6

March 15

April 10

June 23

June 24

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

36 minutes · 3,320

131 minutes · 3,127

344 minutes · 3,320

35 minutes · 4,071

48 minutes · 2,871

30 minutes · 4,361

8 minutes · 908

51 minutes · 233

24 minutes · 2,281

6 minutes · 4,467

32 minutes · 3,278

45 minutes · 4,425

35 minutes · 1,353

33 minutes · 1,349

81 minutes · 11,067

37 minutes · 2,731

36 minutes · 2,631

39 minutes · 43

29 minutes · 930

57 minutes · 4,793

40 minutes · 4,790

27 minutes · 3,134

27 minutes · 3,015

62 minutes · 3,527

49 minutes · 3,017

40 minutes · 3,542

41 minutes · 10,020

61 minutes · 4,036

31 minutes · 4,322

52 minutes · 4,909

43 minutes · 3,236

55 minutes · 4,307

48 minutes · 3,098

57 minutes · 4,047

56 minutes · 2,498

31 minutes · 4,304

13 minutes · 1,672

34 minutes · 1,597

Outage duration in minutes and number of customers affected

Xcel Energy to Improve Service, Power the Future with New Thornton Substation

Comment Form

Thornton Substation Project Neighborhood Meeting April 27, 2017 Please list the specific project component(s) of interest to you:

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Please provide your comment as it relates to the specific project component(s) of interest:

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TAPE HERE (DO NOT STAPLE)

Attn: Susan Innis 1800 Larimer St., Suite 400 Denver CO 80202

Thornton Substation Project Attn: Susan Innis

1800 Larimer St., Suite 400 Denver CO 80202

FOLD HERE

Thank you for your interest in the Thornton Substation Project. You can receive project updates by calling our hotline at 1.844.551.6281, visiting our website at www.xcelenergythorntonsubstation.com, and by electing to receive email updates below. We also encourage you to submit your questions or comments by emailing us at [email protected]. We appreciate your comment. Please send this comment form back to us or provide your comments by email to [email protected] by May 5, 2017. Thank you.

FOLD HERE

CONTACT INFORMATION Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Organization__________________________________________________________________________ Title ________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________ State________________ Zip Code _________________ Email Address_________________________________________________________________________ Telephone ____________________________________________________________________________ Please indicate if you would like to be added to our project email list: YES NO

Please indicate if you would like a member of the team to contact you regarding your comment: YES NO

Please fold this form letter style with your contact information facing inwards when mailing.

Place

Here

Visual Simulations

Existing Conditions

Simulated View

Typical transition structure model. Final structure configuration and height will be subject to final engineering.

THORNTONS U B S TAT I O N

xcelenergy.com | © 2017 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc.

Viewing Location:East 113th Avenue and Locust Street

VISUAL SIMULATION

Photo location

Proposed transition structure location

Existing 115kV Fort Lupton-Cherokee transmission line

PSCo Fee Property

PSCo Easement Boundary

E. 112th Ave.

E. 113th Ave.

Locu

st S

t.

Hol

ly S

t.

Existing Conditions

Simulated View

Typical transition structure model. Final structure configuration and height will be subject to final engineering.



Viewing Location:Trail near Locust Street

VISUAL SIMULATION

Photo location

Proposed transition structure location

Existing 115kV Fort Lupton-Cherokee transmission line

PSCo Fee Property

PSCo Easement Boundary

E. 112th Ave.

E. 113th Ave.

Locu

st S

t.

Hol

ly S

t.

Existing Conditions

Simulated View



Viewing Location:East 119th Avenue and 119th Place

Photo Location

E. 120th Ave

E. 119th Ave

Hol

ly S

t

Gas Station

Anythink Wright Farms Library

E. 119th Ave119th PL

VISUAL SIMULATION

Xcel Energy, Thornton Substation, 09/16, “Conceptual Design Subject to Change”.

Existing Conditions

Simulated View



VISUAL SIMULATION

Viewing Location:East 119th Avenue West of Holly Street

Photo Location

E. 120th Ave

E. 119th Ave

Hol

ly S

t

Gas Station



Existing Conditions

Simulated View



VISUAL SIMULATION

Viewing Location:East 120th Avenue West of Holly Street

Photo Location

E. 120th Ave

E. 119th Ave

Hol

ly S

t

Gas Station



Existing Conditions

Simulated View



VISUAL SIMULATION

Viewing Location:Holly Street and East 120th Avenue

Photo Location

E. 120th Ave

E. 119th Ave

Hol

ly S

t

Gas Station



Appendix E: Photographs from the Neighborhood Meeting

thornton substation project...figure 1: proposed thornton substation project components . the need...

Documents