Bitter Root Wind Project Public Information and Environmental Review Scoping Meeting Canby Elementary School February 27, 2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc
Bitter Root Wind Project - Purpose Meeting Purpose • Explain the Commission’s application review process • Provide information about the proposed project • Receive comments on the environmental review • Answer questions about the application review process and project 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 2
Bitter Root Wind Project - Agenda 1. Overview of Meeting and Permit Process Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 2. Project Information Flying Cow Wind, LLC 3. Environmental Review Process Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review & Analysis 4. Citizen Comments and Questions 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 3
Bitter Root Wind Project - Process Large Power Plant Certificate of Need Process 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 4
Bitter Root Wind Project - Process Large Wind Energy Conversion System Site Permitting Process 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 5
Bitter Root Wind Project – Commission Overview State Agency • 5 Commissioners, 50 staff Regulates • Permitting for power plants, pipelines, transmission lines • Local and in-state long distance telephone companies • Investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities – rates and services • Resource Planning and Reliability 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 6
Bitter Root Wind Project – Project Overview • On October 19 and November 9, 2017, Flying Cow Wind, LLC submitted applications to the Commission to construct and operate a large wind energy conversion system. • In order to construct the Bitter Root Wind Project, the applicant must be granted a certificate of need and a site permit from the Commission. • The project would be on approximately 22,888 acres in Florida, Fortier, and Norman townships in Yellow Medicine County. • The proposed project would entail construction of 37 wind turbines for a combined nameplate capacity of 152 megawatts (MW). 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 7
Bitter Root Wind Project – Who’s Here? PUC Energy Facilities Planner – manages the application review process, assists in building the official record, and informs Commissioners on impacts of decision alternatives PUC Public Advisor – helps public participate in certificate of need and site permit process Important: Commission staff is a neutral party that does not give legal advice or act as an advocate 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 8
Bitter Root Wind Project – Decision Considerations • Potential impacts of the project, proposed mitigative measures, and any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided, in the following areas: 1. Demographics, including people, homes, and businesses 2. Public services and infrastructure 3. Public health and safety, including air traffic, electromagnetic fields, and security and traffic 4. Wetlands, vegetation, wildlife, and rare or unique natural resources 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 9
Bitter Root Wind Project – Timeline Permitting Stage ESTIMATED Date Application Filed October 19, 2017 Application Accepted January 4, 2018 Public Information Meeting February 27, 2018 Comment Period Closes March 19, 2018 Preliminary Draft Site Permit Release March 23, 2018 Commission Decision on Draft Site Permit April 19, 2018 Public and Evidentiary Hearings May 10, 2018 Public Hearing Comment Period Closes May 22, 2018 Administrative Law Judge Report July 19, 2018 Commission Decision September 20, 2018 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 10
Bitter Root Wind Project – Public Comments The Commission is seeking comments on the proposed changes . • What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the environmental document and the draft site permit? • What are the possible methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project? • Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed site or the project that should be considered? • Are there any items missing or mischaracterized in the certificate of need or site permit applications? Comments accepted until March 19, 2018 Please include the Commission’s Docket Numbers (17-676 and 17-749) in all communication. 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 11
Bitter Root Wind Project – Submitting Comments Four ways to submit comments (all forms have equal weight): Online: mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment Email: bill.storm@state.mn.us U.S. Mail: William Storm, Environmental Review Manager Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul MN 55101 Phone: 651-539-1844 Important: Comments will be made available to the public via the Public Utilities Commission’s and the Department of Commerce’s websites, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Personally identifying information is not edited or deleted from submissions. 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 12
Bitter Root Wind Project – Contacts Cezar Panait, Staff Analyst Charley Bruce, Public Advisor William Storm, Environmental Review Manager Flying Cow Wind, LLC Sean Flannery, Director, Permitting, Americas 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 13
Thank You Cezar Panait Cezar.Panait@state.mn.us 651-201-2207 3/1/2018 Commission Docket CN-17-676/WS-17-749 | https://mn.gov/puc 14
RES Vision & History BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Our Vision: A future where everyone has access to affordable low carbon energy. • Affiliated with UK-based Sir Robert McAlpine Group • Built on a foundation of 1898 – Glenfinnan 1923 – Wembley 2012 – Olympic engineering & construction Viaduct, Scotland Stadium, London Stadium, London • Active in renewables since 1982 • Expertise in wind, solar, energy storage, & T&D • Utility-scale & distributed energy solutions • Over 12 GW (150+ projects) constructed around the world 250 MW Cedar 120 MW Comanche 19.8MW / 7.8MWh Jake Point Wind Project Solar Project Energy Storage Project 2018 Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. Proprietary and Confidential 15
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT More than 10,000 MW of North American Proj ect Construction Experience
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Minnesota Experience • • 200MW wind proj ect in 100MW wind proj ect Dodge and Mower Counties under development in • Completed in 2015 Rock County • • Developed and constructed S lated for construction by RES in 2020) 2018 Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. Proprietary and Confidential
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Today Bitter Root • S ite permit application Proj ect History submitted, hearing in 2016-2017 early 2018 • Proj ect boundary shifts to entirely 2015 Minnesota • Development & land 2010 acquisition • Proj ect put on continues by 2009 hold RES • Eventually sold • Minnesota site to RES 2008 permit acquired • Land acquisition begins 2018 Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. Proprietary and Confidential
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Considerations for Determining Proj ect Layout S etbacks (required by law): Environmental constraints: Accessibility: • • From roads Environmentally • Wind resource & sensitive areas existing road access • From homes • Environmentally • From nonparticipating unbuildable areas landowners (wetlands, low areas, • From environmentally etc.) sensitive areas • From airports 2018 Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. Proprietary and Confidential
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT • Up to 152 MW • 37 turbines • Four miles west of Canby • Proj ect area 22,888 acres • Anticipated completion December 2019 2018 Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. Proprietary and Confidential 20
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Environmental studies: completed • Avian/ eagle use surveys • Aviation study • Raptor/ eagle nest surveys • Telecommunication studies • Bat acoustic surveys • NTIA radio frequency clearance • Habitat mapping • Cultural resource inventory • Wetland surveys • S ound and shadow flicker studies
BITTER ROOT WIND ENERGY PROJECT Environmental studies: ongoing • Consultation with • • Transmission line Prairie protection & federal, state, & routing & studies management plan local officials
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