Upload
others
View
34
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐1
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Chapter 2 Program Description
2.1 Program Location and Program Area TheprogramareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsofeasternAlamedaCountyneartheSanJoaquinCountyline,northandsouthofI‐580andapproximately56mileseastofSanFrancisco.TheAltamontHillsareatthegeographicalinterfacebetweenthecoastalmountainsandtheCentralValley(Figure1‐1).
AsdefinedintheAlamedaandContraCostaCountygeneralplans,theAPWRAencompassesapproximately49,202acres:36,870acresinAlamedaCountyand12,332acresinContraCostaCounty.DuringearlydevelopmentoftheAPWRANCCP/HCP,anewboundaryfortheAPWRAwasdevelopedusingthe70‐meterwindspeeddataproducedbyCEC.Thepurposeofthisrevisedboundarywastocapturetheextentoftheareawithinwhichrepoweredwindturbinescouldbeconstructed.InContraCostaCounty,thelinewasdefinedtomatchtheboundaryintheCountyofContraCostageneralplan.InAlamedaCounty,theboundarywasdefinedtoencompassalloftheCounty‐designatedAPWRA,aswellasthoselandsintheAltamontHillswithameanwindspeedof12milesperhourorgreater,measured70meters(about230feet)aboveground.Becauseitisanticipatedthatrepoweredwindturbinesmaybeconstructedanywherewithinthisrevisedboundary,theNCCP/HCPboundaryinAlamedaCounty(43,358acres)isusedtodefinetheprogramareaforthisenvironmentalanalysis(Figures1‐2and1‐3).
2.2 Program Overview and Objectives
2.2.1 Overview
ThisDraftPEIRevaluatesrepoweringwindenergyprojectsintheAlamedaCountyportionoftheAPWRA.TheprogramdoesnotreflectanyformalordinanceoradoptedplanoftheCounty,butisrathertheoverarchingprocessbywhichtheCountywillreceiveandreviewCUPapplications.Accordingly,theprogramasconsideredinthisPEIRcomprisestheanticipatedapprovalbytheCountyofaseriesofnewCUPstoallownewwindfarmusesintheAPWRA,aspermittedbyboththeECAPandtheCountyZoningOrdinance.TheprogramistheresultofacombinationofformalandinformalagreementsbetweentheCounty,thewindfarmoperators,stateandfederalresourceagencies,nongovernmentalorganizations,andpropertyownerstoinitiaterepoweringactivitiesin2014inanticipationofexpirationoftheexistingCUPs.
Windfarmusesareconditionallypermittedinthe“A”(Agriculture)zonedistrict,whichencompassestheentireprogramarea.WindfarmuseshavebeenpermittedintheAPWRAsincetheearly1980swithsuchCUPs,andthetermsofthecurrentlyactiveCUPs(lastapprovedin2005forcontinuedoperationofthewindfarms,andamendedin2007)areineffectthroughSeptember2018.
EBZAistheappointedbodywiththeresponsibilityfortakingactiontoapproveordenyeachCUPapplication,basedonfindingsthattheuse(a)isrequiredbythepublicneed;(b)willbeproperlyrelatedtootherlandusesandtransportationandservicefacilitiesinthevicinity;(c)will,underits
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐2
October 2014ICF 00323.08
particularcircumstancesandconditions,havenomaterialadverseeffectonthehealthorsafetyofpersonsresidingorworkinginthevicinity,orbemateriallydetrimentaltothepublicwelfareorinjurioustopropertyorimprovementsinthevicinity;and(d)willnotbecontrarytothespecificintentclausesorperformancestandardsestablishedfortheAgriculturezonedistrict.Inaddition,becauseissuanceoftheCUPsqualifyasprojectssubjecttoCEQA,EBZAmustmakerequiredfindingsforeachCUPthatchangestotheprojectshavebeenrequiredorincorporatedintotheirdesign(i.e.,mitigationmeasures)thatwouldavoidorsubstantiallylessentheirenvironmentaleffects,alongwithotherrequiredfindingsregardingresponsibleagencies,thefeasibilityofothermitigationmeasures,oralternativestotheprojects.
TheoriginalCUPs(1980sand1990s)wereissuedtowindfarmoperatorsonspecificparcelsunderspecificowners,insomecasesallowingtwoorthreeoperatorsonasingleparcel.IndividualCUPsrenewedin2005wereissuedtooperatorsaccordingtopropertyowner,andanoperatingentity(AltamontInfrastructureCompany)waspermittedtomanageturbinesownedbydifferentoperatorsonsingleparcelsandalsotoholdsingleCUPsformultipleoperatorsonindividualparcels.
Undertheprogram,CUPswouldbeissueddirectlytowindfarmoperatorsonlyfortheiroperationsthroughouttheprogramarea—insomecases,onmultipleproperties.Accordingly,suchoperationsmaybeseparatedchronologically(i.e.,byphasesofdevelopment)orgeographically(e.g.,byphysicalboundariessuchasInterstate[I‐]580orbyinterveningproperties)andwouldwarrantissuanceofseparateCUPs.Insomecircumstances,althoughtwoormoreoperatorscouldmanageturbinesonthesameproperty,individualCUPswouldbeissuedtoonlyoneoperatoratatime.
2.2.2 Program Objectives
Thetwoprimaryobjectivesofrepoweringaretofacilitateefficientwindenergyproductionthroughrepoweringandtoavoidandminimizeimpactsonterrestrialandavianwildlifecausedbyrepoweredwindturbineconstruction,operation,andmaintenance.Specificobjectivesarelistedbelow.
AllowforappropriateandcompatiblerepoweringandoperationofwindturbinesconsistentwithexistingrepoweringtimelinerequirementssetforthintheexistingCUPs,relatedagreements,andproject‐specificpowerpurchaseagreements.
Reduceavianmortalitycausedbywindenergygenerationintheprogramareathroughrepowering.
MeettheCounty’sgoalstoprovideenvironmentallysensitive,clean‐renewablewindenergyforthetwenty‐firstcenturyasidentifiedintheECAP(Policies168–175andPrograms73–76).
HelpmeettheGovernor’sExecutiveOrderS‐14‐08inmeetingtheRenewablesPortfolioStandard(RPS)targetthatallretailsellersofelectricityserve33%oftheirloadwithrenewableenergyby2020.
Contributetostateprogresstowardairqualityimprovementandgreenhousegasemissionreductiongoals,assetforthinAssemblyBill32.
Improvehabitatqualityintheprogramareathroughremovalofroadsandexistingwindturbinesandtheirsupportinginfrastructure,resultinginloweroveralloperationalfootprint,andprovidingawiderangeofhabitatbenefitstosensitiveterrestrialandavianspecies.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐3
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AdditionalobjectivesassociatedwithspecificrepoweringprojectsarediscussedinSection2.6.TheobjectivesofthePEIRareidentifiedinChapter1,Introduction.
2.3 Wind Turbine Technology Becauseofthespecializednatureofwindenergyprojects,itisimportantforthereadertobecomefamiliarwithterminologyusedindescribingandanalyzingsuchprojects.
2.3.1 Turbine Nomenclature
Windturbinegenerator,windturbine,orturbinereferstotheentirestructurethatgenerateselectricity.Theprimarystructurecomprisestherotor,nacelle,andtoweranchoredtoaconcretefoundation.Otherturbinecomponentsincludeacontroller;transformer;brakingsystem;vibration,temperature,andfiredetectionsystems;anemometer;safetylighting;andlightningprotection.AllturbinesintheAPWRAarehorizontalaxisturbines.Ahorizontalaxisturbinehasapropeller‐typerotor,whichrotatesonahorizontalaxis.
Awindfarmisagroupingofwindturbinesandsupportinginfrastructure.Awindfarmcompriseswindturbines,acollectionsystemformovingelectricityproducedbytheturbinesontothelocalpowergrid,roadstoaccessturbines,andstagingareas.TheprimarycomponentsofawindturbineanditssupportinginfrastructurearedefinedbelowandshowninFigures2‐1and2‐2.AsummaryofexistinginfrastructureintheprogramareaisprovidedinTable2‐1.
Table 2‐1. Summary of Existing Infrastructure in the APWRA
InfrastructureorFacility Quantity
Windturbines 4,210
Meteorologicaltowers 75
Roads 236miles
Turbine Types
MostoftheturbinesnowoperatingintheAPWRAwereinstalledinthe1980sandrepresentfirst‐andsecond‐generationutility‐gradecommercialwindturbinetechnology,nowconsideredoldtechnology.Thetermsfirst‐generation,second‐generation,third‐generation,andfourth‐generationareusedtogroupwindturbinetypeswithsimilartechnologiescurrentlyinstalledortobeinstalledintheprogramarea.Inthiscontext,first‐generationwindturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledduringthe1980s.Second‐generationturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledinthe1990s.Third‐generationturbinesarethoseinstalledinpreviousrepoweringprojectsthatusesimilardesigntoturbinesproposedfortheprogram,butthatareofsmallersize(i.e.,upto1MW).Fourth‐generationturbines—thosegenerallyproposedforinstallationundertheprogram,arelarge,1.6–3MWturbines.Additionally,experimentalturbinesmaybeinstalledonalimitedbasisintheprogramarea.
Empiricalevidence(ICFJones&Stokes2009;SmallwoodandKaras2009)suggeststhatwindfarmsutilizingthird‐andfourth‐generationturbinesmayhavesignificantlylessimpactonavianspeciesthanthoseusingfirst‐andsecond‐generationtechnology(65–70%reduction)(Insignia
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐4
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Environmental2009;SmallwoodandKaras2009;Brownetal.2013).Thispotentialreductionisattributedtothemuchlargerdistancebetweenthegroundandthelowestpointoftheturbineblade,placingtherotor‐sweptareaabovethezonemostusedbyresidentbirds,includingsmallraptors.Theseturbinesalsorotatemoreslowly(intermsofrevolutionsperminute),potentiallyallowingbirdstimetomaneuverawayfromtheblades.However,becauseofthemuchlongerbladelength,thetipspeedisusuallygreaterontheseturbinesthanonfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines.Incontrast,evaluationofmortalitydatacollectedatwindfarmsaroundthecountry(includingintheAPWRA)havesuggestedthatcurrent‐generationturbinesmayleadtoanincreaseinbatmortality(Barclayetal.2007).Moreover,becauseofthescarcityofvalidcomparativedata,uncertaintyremainsregardingtheeffectsofrepoweringonavianandbatmortality.
AppendixAprovidesasummaryoftheturbinesinstalledAPWRA‐wideasofOctober2011.
First‐ and Second‐Generation
Thehubheightoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesrangesfrom18to55meters(60to180feet).Theseturbineshaveanapproximate20‐yearoperatinglife(thelengthoftimethatanindividualwindturbineisdesignedtoremaininoperation)with40‐to500‐kilowatt(kW)ratedcapacitiesand20–25%capacityfactors.
Therearetwotypesoffirst‐andsecond‐generationtowersintheAPWRA:latticeandtubular.Latticetowersaresupportedonthreeorfourfootingsandhaveanexternalaccessladderandcontrolcabinet.Tubulartowersconstituteasinglecylindricalsupport.Dependingontheturbinemodel,tubulartowersmayhouseinternalaccessladdersandelectronicequipmentsuchascontrols,electriccables,groundsupportequipment,andinterconnectionequipment;however,sometubulartowershaveexternalladdersanddowntowercabinets.
Third‐Generation
Third‐generationturbinesresemblefourth‐generationturbines:thatis,theyarelargerthanthefirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesandhavethree‐bladerotorsontubulartowers.OnlytwowindfarmsintheAPWRAhaveinstalledthird‐generationturbines:DiabloWindsrepoweringproject(DiabloWinds)(locatedintheprogramareaandoperationalsince2004)andBuenaVistarepoweringproject(BuenaVista)(locatedinContraCostaCountyandoperationalsince2006).Theseturbineshavenameplatecapacitiesof0.7–1.0MW,withhubheightsof41–68meters(134–223feet)androtordiametersof47–61meters(154–200feet).
Fourth‐Generation
Fourth‐generationwindturbinesanticipatedtobeinstalledbytheprojectapplicantshaveanapproximate25‐to30‐yearoperatinglifeanda1.6–3MWratedcapacity.Thehubheightsareapproximately80–96meters(262–315feet),therotordiametersare82.5–125meters(271–410feet),andtherotor‐sweptareasare5,356–12,259squaremeters(57,652–131,955squarefeet,orapproximately1–3acres).Thetotalturbineheightsfromthegroundtothetipofthebladeatthe12o’clockpositionare121–153meters(397–502feet).OnerepoweringprojectintheAPWRAhasbeeninstalledwiththiscategoryofturbine:theVascoWindsrepoweringproject(VascoWinds)(inContraCostaCounty,outsidetheprogramarea),whichwascompletedinMay2012.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐5
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Experimental Designs
SeveraltypesofturbineshaveproventobelessefficientorimpracticalintheAPWRA.Forexample,aDarrieuswindturbine,commonlycalledan“eggbeater,”isaverticalaxiswindturbine(VAWT),whichdoesnotneedtobeorientedintothewindtobeeffectiveandcanusewindfromalldirections.WhiletheeggbeaterdesignisgenerallymoreefficientthanothertypesofVAWTs,itsdrawbacksarethatitisnotveryreliable,islessefficientthanthemorecommonlyusedhorizontalaxiswindturbines,andismorecostlytoconstruct.Additionally,itrequiresanexternalpowersourcetostartturningandcannotbeactivatedsolelybywind.
Thoughotherexperimentaltechnologiesareindevelopment,onlyoneisthesubjectofacurrentapplicationwiththeCountyforinstallationintheAPWRA:ashroudedturbinedesignproposedbyOgin,Inc.,forinstallation—initiallyonatrialbasis—intheSandHillsWindProject.Theshroudedturbineischaracterizedbytwoconcentricshroudssurroundingtheturbinefaceandrotor:aninnerandanoutershroudwithanaerodynamicdesignintendedtoimproveenergyproductioncomparedtoconventionalturbinedesigns,aswellastoreduceavianandbatfatalities.Theseturbineswouldbeplacedon37‐meter(121‐foot)monopoletowers,withthetopoftheoutershroudat58meters(198feet).
Energy Output
Thewindturbineenergyoutputisquantifiedintermsofratedcapacity,capacityfactor,andinstalledcapacity.
Ratedcapacity.Thetheoreticalmeasureofmaximumpoweroutputofanindividualwindturbinewhenoperatingatitsratedwindspeed(e.g.,1.6MWat11meterspersecond).Alsoknownasthenameplatecapacity.
Capacityfactor.Theratioofactualenergyoutputtotheratedcapacityoveraspecifictimeperiod,usually1year.
Installedcapacity.Thesummedratedcapacityofallturbinesinstalledinagivenlocation(e.g.,theprogramarea).
Wind Energy Nomenclature
Thefollowingisalistoftermspertainingtowindturbinesandassociatedfacilities(inalphabeticalorderforeaseofreference).AsummaryofwindfarminfrastructureintheprogramareaisprovidedinTable2‐1.
Address.TheaddressisauniquesiteidentificationforeachturbineinstalledintheAPWRA.
Collectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemmoveselectricitygeneratedbywindturbinestoanelectricalsubstation.Acollectionsystemiscomposedofoverheadandundergroundlowandmediumvoltagelines(collectionlines),transformers,andasubstation(Figure2‐3).
Downtowercabinet.Thedowntowercabinethousestheequipmentthatcontrolshowthewindturbineworks(Figure2‐4).Itiseitherplacedonthepadbeneathoradjacenttothetowerorishousedwithinthetower.Downtowercabinetsforexistingturbinesareapproximately0.6–2meterstallby1meterwideby0.3meterdeep.Downtowercabinetsforcurrent‐generationturbinesinstalledduringrepoweringwillbewithinthetowers.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐6
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Powerpoles.Agenerictermforpolesthatholdoverheadlinesorotherdevicesnecessaryforthecollectionofelectricityfromwindturbines.Theseincluderiserpoles,linepoles,cornerpoles,andpoleswithpole‐toptransformers,capacitorbanks,ormeteringsets.
Foundation.Thetowerisboltedtoareinforcedconcretefoundationthatanchorsthewindturbinetotheground.Foundationtypesanddimensionsvarydependingontheturbinecapacity,towertype,soilsubstrate,andtopography.Ingeneral,foundationsfallintotwodifferenttypes:spreadfootingorpier(Figure2‐4).
Aspreadfootingfoundationisareinforcedconcretepadplacedatgroundlevel.Theweightofthefoundationanchorsthewindturbineinplace.Foralatticetower,eitherasinglepadsecuresallfootings,oreachfootinghasitsownpad.Insomecases,acombinationofaspreadfootingandpierfoundationmaybeused.
Apierfoundationisacylindricalreinforcedconcretetubeburiedunderground.Unlikeaspreadfootingfoundation,frictionhelpstoholdthewindturbineinplace,ratherthanweightalone.Foralatticetowerwithapierfoundation,eachofthefootingshasitsownfoundation.Foratubulartower,asinglepierfoundationisinstalledbeneaththetowerbase.
Guywires.Guywiresarewirecablesthatsecuremeteorologicaltowerstotheground(Figure2‐5).
Low‐voltagelines.Low‐voltagelinesareundergroundcollectionlinesoflessthan600voltsthatconnecteachwindturbinetoatransformerthatsupportsoneorseveralwindturbines.Inrepoweringprojects,allcollectionlineswillbeconstructedunderground.
Medium‐voltagelines.Medium‐voltagelinesarecollectionlinesbetween601voltsand35kilovolts(kV)thatconnectsingleormultipletransformerstoasubstationorutilityconnectionpoint.Medium‐voltagelinesmaybeburiedorcarriedonoverheadpoles.Ifthelinesareburied,atleastoneriserpoleisrequiredtolinkthelineswiththesubstation.Inrepoweringprojects,allcollectionlineswillbeconstructedundergroundwheneverpossible.Anymedium‐voltagelinesconstructedabove‐groundwillconformtoAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC)standards.
Meteorologicaltowers.Meteorologicaltowers(Figures2‐5and2‐6)areusedtomeasurewindspeedsandsometimeswinddirection.Meteorologicaltowersintheprogramareaare18.3–42.7meters(60–180feet)forfirst‐andsecond‐generationprojectsand50.3–54.9meters(165–180feet)fortheDiabloWindsrepoweringproject.Itisassumedthattheheightofmeteorologicaltowersforotherrepoweringprojectswouldbeapproximatelythehubheightofthenewturbines(80–96meters[262–315feet]).Somemeteorologicaltowersarefreestanding,whereasothersarestabilizedusingguywires.Permanentmeteorologicaltowersintheprogramareaareusuallysitedjustupwindofoneormoreturbines,approximately4.6–9.2meters(15–30feet)infrontoftheturbines.Meteorologicaltowersforrepoweringprojectsaretypicallyusedforreferenceanddonotneedtobeplacedsoclosetotheturbines.Temporarymeteorologicaltowersaretypicallyinstalledatapotentialrepoweringsitetomeasurewindspeedandestimatesiteproductioncapacity.
Nacelle.Thenacelleisthehousingforthemainshaft,gearbox,generator,brakingsystem,andvariouscontrolequipment.Itprotectstheturbinemechanicsandelectronicsfromenvironmentalexposure,comesinavarietyofshapes,andistypicallylocatedbehindtherotor.Mostcurrentwindturbinesuseanupwindturbinedesign,inwhichayawsystemismountedbetweenthenacelleandthetopofthetower.Thisfunctionstokeeptheturbinerotorpointed
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐7
October 2014ICF 00323.08
intothewind(infrontofthetower;Figure2‐7).Intheprogramarea,mostoftheold‐generationlatticetowerturbinesuseadownwinddesignwithnoyawmotor,wherethenacelleactsasawindvaneandtherotoroperatesbehindthetower.Themainshaftconnectsthebladestothegearbox.Thegearboxhousesthegearsthatconnectthelow‐speedshafttothehigh‐speedshaft.Itisherethattherotationalspeedoftherotorisincreasedtoallowelectricitytobeproducedbythegenerator.Thebrakingsystemincludesadiskbrakethatcanbeappliedmechanically,electrically,orhydraulicallytostoptherotor.
Pad.Thepadisthedisturbedarea,typicallygravelordirt,thatencompassesthefoundation,downtowercabinet,tower,andflataccessareasforservicetrucksandmobilecranework(Figure2‐8).
Permanentstagingareas.Permanentstagingareas(alsocalledlay‐downareas)arepermanentonsitestorageandworkareasadjacenttoexistingroads.Theseareasservetostoreequipmentusedforoperationandmaintenanceofexistingwindturbines(e.g.,bladesandnacelles)ortotemporarilystorepartsthathavebeenremoved.
Riserpole.Riserpolesarewoodenpolesthatconnectundergroundmedium‐voltagelinestothecentraloverheadcollectionlinesenroutetothesubstation.
Roads.Intheprogramareaandontheprivatepropertiesthatcontainthewindfarms,therearethreetypesofroads:mainroads,serviceroads,andfingerroads(Figure2‐8).Mainroadsareaccessedfrompublicpavedroadsthroughgatedentrancestothewindfarms.Ateachgatedentrance,anasphaltapronextendsapproximately6meters(20feet)tothegateonthemainroadfromthepublicpavedroad.Asidefromthisasphaltapron,themainroadsaregravel.Mainroadsarewideenoughtoaccommodatetwo‐waytraffic.Serviceroadsarenarrower,gravelroadsthatbranchofffromthemainroadsandrunthelengthofaturbinestring.Theseroadsallowforsinglevehicletravel.Fingerroadsaremostlyshortspurroadsthatbranchofffromtheserviceroadstoaccesseachwindturbinenotaccesseddirectlyfromtheserviceroad.Roadnetworksassociatedwithrepoweringprojectsmaynotcontainfingerroads.
Mainroadstypicallyconsistofa5.5‐meter‐wide(18‐foot‐wide)gravelbedwitha1.2‐meter(4‐foot)shoulderoneitherside.Serviceroadstypicallyconsistofa4.9‐meter‐wide(16‐foot‐wide)gravelbedwitha1.2‐meter(4‐foot)shoulderoneitherside.Fingerroadsaregraveledordirttracksthewidthofatruck,approximately2.4meters(8feet)wide,withnoshoulder.
Rotor.Therotoristheportionofthewindturbineactedonbythewind.Itconsistsofbladesandthehubtowhichthebladesareattached(Figure2‐7).Thehubistheconnectionpointbetweenthebladesandthemainshaft,whichishousedwithinthenacelle.Theturbineheightreferstothedistancefromthebladetipat12o’clocktotheground(Figure2‐2).Third‐andfourth‐generationturbinesincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind;thisfeatureisusedtocontrolrotorspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed,toreduceriskofavianmortality,andtoincreaseturbinespeedtoimproveefficiencyinconditionsoflightwinds.
String.Astringisoneormorewindturbinesinarow(Figure2‐8).First‐andsecond‐generationwindturbinesaretypicallygroupedinstringstomaximizetheenergygenerationwherewindcomespredominantlyfromonedirection.Third‐andfourth‐generationturbinesarenottypicallyplacedinstringsbecauseoftheirlargesize,requiredsetbacks,andconstraintsassociatedwithtopographyandpropertyboundaries.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐8
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Substation.Asubstationisthefacilitywherethevoltagelevelofthecollectionsystemissteppedup,bymeansoftransformers,tothatofthepowergrid.
Tower.Thetowerelevatesandsupportstherotorandnacelle.Towersareeitheroflatticeortubulardesign(Figure2‐1).
2.4 Operation of Existing Turbine Facilities The2005CUPs(includingthe2007CUPamendments)requiredthatthisPEIRaddressthe“continuedoperationofexistingturbinefacilities(andprogressiveremovalundertherepoweringprogram).”Existingturbinefacilitieswillcontinuetobeoperatedconsistentwiththe2005CUPs(andthe2007CUPAmendments)untilsuchtimeaseachsiteisrepoweredordecommissioned(underthe2007CUPAmendments,theSettlingPartyWindCompaniesarenotsubjecttotheremovalscheduleoriginallyimposedbythe2005CUPconditions).Thissectiondescribesallactivitiesassociatedwiththe2005CUPsthatareongoingforthelifeofeach2005CUP—operationofturbines,operationofassociatedfacilities,maintenanceofturbinefacilities,andsitereclamationasrequiredbythe2005CUPs.
2.4.1 Turbine Operation
AsofOctober2011,therewereapproximately3,490windturbinesof11differenttypesintheAPWRAacrossbothAlamedaandContraCostaCounties.Thistotalcomprisesfirst‐,second‐,andthird‐generationwindturbines(AppendixA).
Theoperationofturbinesissubjecttoseveralvariables:windconditions,maintenanceneeds,andoperationalrequirementsforseasonalshutdownanddecommissioningasdescribedinthe2005CUPs.Theminimumspeedrequiredforawindturbinetostartiscalledthecut‐inspeed.Acommandtostartuptheturbinecanbeinitiatedautomaticallybyasensorontheturbine,orthecommandcanbesentmanuallyfromacentrallocation(i.e.,windpowercompanyoffice).Forfirst‐generationturbinesintheAPWRA,theminimumcut‐inspeedis4–6meterspersecond.
Thecut‐outspeedisthemaximumspeedatwhichaturbineoperates.Windsexceedingthecut‐outspeed—oraninternalfault—shouldcauseawindturbinetoturnoff.Thecut‐outspeedoffirst‐generationwindturbinesintheAPWRAis20–25meterspersecond.Awindturbineisconsideredarunawaywhenitisinanuncontrolledstate.Anywindturbinecanbemanuallyturnedonandoffunlessitisinarunawaystate.Maintenanceisconductedonrunawaystobringthembackintoacontrolledstate,ortheturbineismonitoreduntilfailureorthebladesstopmoving(whenwindstops).
SinceapprovaloftheCUPsin2005,thewindfarmshaveoperatedunderanAvianWildlifeProtectionProgram&Schedule(AWPPS,ExhibitGoftheCUPs)thatrequiredthewindfarmstoceaseoperationsduringthepeakwintertimeavianmigrationperiods,beginningwith2‐monthshiftsofone‐halfoftheturbinesatatime.Thisscheduleincreasedtothecurrentrequirementforanarea‐wide3.5‐monthshutdownfromNovemberthroughmid‐February.TheAWPPSalsorequiredshutdownandremoval(decommissioning)orrelocationofhigh‐riskturbines,andprogressiveremovaloffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesinadvanceofanticipatedrepowering.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐9
October 2014ICF 00323.08
2.4.2 Other Turbine Facility Operations
Otherturbinefacilityoperationsincludesoperationand/oruseofpermanentandtemporarystagingandlaydownareas;useofpermanentandtemporarymeteorologicaltowers;anduseofsubstations,above‐andbelowgroundcollectionlines,powerpoles,androads.
2.4.3 Wind Turbine Removal and Relocation
Thisactivityonlyappliestofirst‐andsecond‐generationwindturbines.Reasonsforwindturbineremovalandrelocationarevaried.Somewindturbinesmaybeinlocationsidentifiedasriskareas.High‐riskareasarethoseareasidentifiedashavingdemonstratedpotentialhighavianmortalitybytheAlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee(SRC)inaseriesofreports(AlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee2007,2008a,2008b,2008c;Smallwood2008).Relocationisalsoundertakentoallowwindcompaniestomaintainorincreasethenumberofhigh‐outputsites.High‐outputsitesaresiteswithhigherwindspeedsand/orlongwinddurationwheremorewindenergycanbegenerated.Forexample,anexistingwindturbinemayberelocatedfromalow‐outputsitetoahigh‐outputsiteforusethroughtheendofthepermitterm(2018).
Thisactivitycanentaileitherpartialorfullremovalofthenacelle(includingbladesandrotor),andinstallationand/orreplacementofthenacellecomponentsonanexistingtower.Alternatively,itcanentailremovalofawindturbine(tower,nacelle,androtor)fromoneaddressanditsrelocationtoanotherwhereawindturbinehasbeenremoved.Nonewmeteorologicaltowers,newroads,orroadinfrastructureupgradesarerequiredforremovalorrelocationoffirst‐orsecond‐generationturbines.Existinglaydownareasareusedforthemainstagingarea;existingcollectionandcommunicationsystemsmaybeused.
2.4.4 Maintenance
Windcompaniesoperatingintheprogramareaconductregularmaintenanceonturbinestoensureproperoperation.Theseactivitiesaredescribedbelow.
Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance
Turbinesandotherstructuresrequireroutinescheduledandunscheduledmaintenance.Turbinemanufacturers’guidelinesdictatethatregularlyscheduledmaintenanceofwindfarmfacilitiesoccurtwiceyearly.Scheduledmaintenancetypicallyoccursaccordingtotheserequirements.Unscheduledmaintenanceisestimatedtooccurtwotimesannuallyforeachfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbine.Asingleturbinemaybeservicedasmanyasfourtimesperyear.
Routinemaintenanceactivitiesincludeturbinelubrication,partreplacement,turbinetorquechecks,makingrecordsoffailures,sweepsofturbines(e.g.,maintenanceassessments,check‐ups)thathavereachedacertainage,andothermaintenanceprocedures.Turbineaddressesareaccessedbytheexistingnetworkofmain,service,andfingerroadsintheprogramarea.Maintenancevehiclesusuallystayondesignatedroads.Offroadtravelisinfrequent,limitedtomaintenanceofpowerpoles,collectionlines,andtransformers.Ifabladeislostonafirst‐generationwindturbine,offroadtravelisoccasionallyrequiredtoretrievetheblade.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐10
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Scheduledmaintenanceoccursyear‐round,mostlyfromNovember1toMarch31duringthewinterlow‐windseason.Unscheduledmaintenanceoccursyear‐round,mostlyApril1toOctober31duringthesummerwindseason.
Collection Lines
Mostcollectionlinesforfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesareundergroundalongturbinestringroadstoaturbinestringtransformerandthentoanoverheadcollectionline;theoverheadcollectionlineconveyspowertotheprojectsubstation.Abovegroundlinesnotaccessiblebyvehicleareaccessedbyfootwhennecessary.Abovegroundcollectionlinesarevisuallyinspectedannually.Duringthisannualinspection,wildlifebootsandotheravianelectrocutionprotectiondevicesarechecked,andmissingordamageddevicesarereplaced.Somegrounddisturbancemayresultfromvehicularandfootaccess.
Infraredscansareusedannuallytoinspectoverheadcollectionlinesduringonlineproduction(i.e.,summerwindseason).Replacementofundergroundlinesoccursinfrequentlyandislimitedtothelocationwhererepairisrequired.Theundergroundcablesaretrenchedandreplaced.Thelengthoftrenchrequiredforthisactivityrangesfrom20to200feet.
OccasionallywindcompaniesarealsoresponsibleformaintainingashortsegmentoftransmissionlinebetweenaprojectapplicantsubstationandaPacificGasandElectricCompany(PG&E)substation.
Road Maintenance
Alltheroadsmaintainedbythewindcompaniesintheprogramarea—mainroadsandserviceroads—aregravel.Fingerroadsarenotregularlymaintained,buttheymaybeclearedofgrassannuallyforfireprevention.Pavementislimitedtoaconcreteapronextending75–100feetfromthepublicroadtothemainroadateachgatedentrance.
Roadmaintenancetypicallyconsistsofpatchingpotholes,placingrocks(i.e.,spotrocking),andminorregrading.Spotrockingisdonetostrengthenandprotectdrainageoutletsandinletsforculvertsandotherdrainagestructures(e.g.,ditches,berms).Gradingmaybeconductedforaslittleas6meterstoseveralkilometersatatime.
Roadmaintenanceisperformedwithagrader,adumptrucktodisperseroadbaserock,andarollertocompactit.Whenneeded,abulldozerisusedtoclearroadswhereagradercannotgainaccessorwherethenecessaryroadmaintenanceexceedsthegrader’scapability(e.g.,duetoalandslide).Ingeneral,roadsidemaintenanceactivitiesmayinvolvesoildisturbanceinastripalongtheroadwithanaveragewidthof4feetoneithersideoftheroad(i.e.,gradedshoulder).Roadsinsteepareasmayrequiremaintenanceactivitiesthatextendfartherfromtheroad—uptoamaximumof26feetinareasofslopesgreaterthan25%.Inmostcases,theroadsaremaintainedtobanktotheinsidetoreducepotentialerosionproblems.
Roadmaintenancealsoincludescleaning(manuallyandmechanically),repairing,andreplacingculvertsasneeded.Culvertsintheprogramarearangefrom1.5to6feetindiameter.Handlaborandbackhoesareusedtomaintainculverts.Culvertrepairandmaintenancemayaffectareasasfaras8metersfromtheedgeoftheroad.Newculvertsmaybeinstalledaspartofnewroadconstructionortoenhanceroaddrainageforreducingerosion.Wingedinletstructures,consisting
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐11
October 2014ICF 00323.08
ofcementorrockwingsflankingaditchorculvertinlet,mayalsoberepairedorinstalledtopreventerosionandimprovepassageofwoodydebristhroughdrainageinlets.
Repairsareconductedasneededthroughouttheyear,butgenerallyoccurbetweenAprilandOctober,afterthespringrainsandbeforethewinterwetseason.Roadmaintenanceactivitiestypicallyoccurthroughouttheentireroadsystemonceevery2years,althoughsomeportionsofthesystemrarely,ifever,requiremaintenancewhileotherportionsrequiremaintenanceoneormoretimeseachyear.
Fire Prevention
ExhibitCofthe2005CUPsdescribestheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirements.FirepreventionisrequiredaspartoftheCounty’sCUPs.Themainmechanismforfirepreventionisthemaintenanceofa30‐foot‐widefirebreakaroundbuildingsandstructures,includingturbines,riserpoles,andsubstations.Firebreaksaroundturbinesmaysurroundaturbinestringratherthanindividualturbines.Electricallinesrequirea20‐footclearanceofflammablevegetation.IntheAPWRA,vegetationmanagementisaccomplishedbyapplicationofherbicideinOctoberorNovember.Provisionofayawdamperorotherapprovedmethodtopreventtheover‐twistingofpendentcableshelpspreventturbinefires.
Existingfirebreakrequirementsarebasedonfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,whichpresentgreaterriskoffireignitionthandocurrent‐generationturbines.
2.4.5 Site Reclamation
The2005CUPsrequiredthatwindcompaniesremoveallfacilitiesandrestorepropertiestopreinstallationconditionsifwindfarmoperationscease,orifwindcompaniesfailtoimplementthetermsandconditionsofthe2005CUPs,includingrequirementstorepower,unlessanexceptionismadebytheCountyPlanningDepartment,orunlesstheresourceagencies(USFWSorCDFW)requirethatsuchfacilitiesbeleftinplace.
Ifarepoweringprojectisimplemented,sitereclamationistypicallyundertakenaftertherepoweredturbinesareinstalledandalltemporaryequipmentandinfrastructureisremovedfromthatarea.Ifarepoweringprojectisnotimplemented,sitereclamationwouldbeundertakenafterallturbineshavebeendecommissionedandremoved.Roadsthatarenolongerrequiredbecauseturbineshavebeenremovedandthatarenotwantedbylandownerswouldalsobereclaimedunlessaresourceagency(e.g.,U.S.FishandWildlifeService[USFWS],CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife[CDFW])requirethattheynotbereclaimed.Neworwidenedroadsthatwereinstalledtoaccommodateconstructionofnewturbinesmayberestoredtoanarrowerwidthafterturbineinstallationiscomplete.
Reclamationactivitiesentailreturninglandsdisturbedbyinfrastructureinstallationorremovaltopreprojectconditions.Somefacilities(e.g.,roadways,turbinefootings)maybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Ateachreclamationsite,theentiresiteiscontourgraded(ifnecessary)toconformwiththenaturalsurroundingtopographyandreseededwithanappropriateseedmixture,unlesstheresourceagenciesrequestthatcontouringnotbeundertaken.Nosoilisremovedfromthesite.Figure2‐9showsreclamationofaturbinepadsite.Exceptionstoreturningasitetopreinstallationconditionsmaybemade,uponapprovaloftheCountyPlanningDepartment,ifsuchreclamationactivitieswouldorcouldcreatewaterqualityissues(e.g.,erosion)oriftheactivitiesmayadverselyaffectspecial‐statusspecies(e.g.,burrowing
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐12
October 2014ICF 00323.08
owlburrowcomplexes,uplandhabitatforCaliforniared‐leggedfrogorCaliforniatigersalamander).Moreover,CDFWandUSFWShavesuggestedthatitmaysometimesbepreferabletoavoidregradingroadsorremovingfoundationstoavoiddisruptionofsuchhabitats.Insuchcases,theCountyPlanningDepartmentcouldchangereclamationrequirementsaccordingly.
2.5 Proposed Repowering AsmentionedinChapter1,Introduction,tworepoweringalternativeshavebeenidentifiedforanalysis:Alternative1,withamaximumcapacityof417MW;andAlternative2,withamaximumcapacityof450MW.Withtheexceptionofthenameplatecapacityandtheresultanttotalnumberofturbines(i.e.,approximately260turbinesunderAlternative1and281underAlternative2),thetwoalternativesareidenticalinthecontextofthedescriptionpresentedbelow.
Thedescriptionoftheproposedprogramaddressesthecomponentslistedbelow.
Repoweringtimeline.
Sitingconditions.
Repoweringactivities.
Operationsandmaintenance(O&M)activities.
ThisPEIRisintendedtofacilitatethepermittingofrepoweringprojectsintheprogramarea.
2.5.1 Repowering Timeline
OnceCEQAcomplianceiscompletedandnewCUPsareapproved,buildoutofrepoweredwindfarmsisexpectedtotakeplaceovera4‐yearperiod(endingonSeptember22,2018,whenall2005CUPsexpire).Thisschedulewouldallowtimeforcompletionofotherdesignandpermittingactivities(1–2years);windturbineprocurementandotherlong‐leaditems(12–18months,butoverlappingwiththelastyearofpermittingactivities);andconstruction(8–12months).Thedurationofrepoweringprojectconstructiondependsonthenumberofturbinesrepoweredandtheeaseofaccesstothesite.ConstructiontimeencompassesalltheactivitiesdescribedinSection2.5.3withtheexceptionoftemporarymeteorologicaltowerinstallation.Notallrepoweringprojectswouldbeinitiatedsimultaneously,butmostwouldbeexpectedtobeunderconstructionbytheendofyear4.
CUPswillbeissuedforaperiodof30years.Thispermittermisbasedontheexpectedoperatinglifeofcurrent‐generationturbines,landownerleases,andpowersalesagreements.Reviewperiodswilloccuratyears4,13,and23consistentwithfinalizationofreportingassociatedwithpostconstructionmonitoringconductedforthefirst3yearsofoperation,andthenfor2yearsbeginningatyears10and20ofoperation.Duringreviewperiods,theCountymayexaminethemostcurrentmortalitydataandrequireadaptivemanagementmeasuresassetforthinSection3.4,BiologicalResources.
2.5.2 Siting Conditions
Turbinesitingdependsonanumberoffactors.Perhapsthetwomostimportantfactorsarepotentialenergyproductioncapacity(basedonwindspeedanddirection)andavoidanceofhigh‐riskareasforavianspecies.Setbackrequirementsareoftendefinedforhumansafety,specifyingminimum
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐13
October 2014ICF 00323.08
distancesfromresidences,roadsandhighways,utilities,otherwindfarms,propertyboundaries,andrailroads.Potentialvisualimpacts,includingflickereffects,arealsoconsidered.Noexistingresidenceswouldbedemolishedtomakeroomfornewturbines.Countysetbackandtechnologicalrequirementsarediscussedbelow.
County Requirements
SetbackrequirementswereoriginallydevelopedforAlamedaCountywindfarmsinthe1980sand1990sinconsiderationofavarietyoffactors,suchasappropriatedistancebetweenupwindanddownwindturbinesforeffectivewindproduction,noiseeffectsonsensitivelanduses,visualimpactsresultingfromproximitytoresidencesandpossibleshadowflicker,concernswithtowercollapse,andbladethrowhazard(whereallorpartofarotorblademaybreakloosefromthenacelleandstrikeanoccupiedareaorinfrastructure).WhilethereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty,setbackshavehistoricallybeendeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.However,whilethestandardconditionsappliedinthe1980sand1990swereappropriatefortheoldergenerationturbines,theymaynotbesoforthefourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepowering.Accordingly,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofupdatedstandardstobeusedforproposedrepoweringprojects.TheseareshowninTable2‐2.
Table 2‐2. Updated Alameda County Turbine Setback Requirements
AffectedLandUseorCorridor
GeneralSetback
SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb
AdjacentparcelwithapprovedwindenergyCUPc
1.1timesrotorlength
1%TTHaddedorsubtractedper10ft.ofturbineelevation,respectively,aboveorbelowaffectedparcel
50%ofgeneralsetback
AdjacentparcelwithoutapprovedwindenergyCUP
1.25timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedparcel
1.1timesrotorlength
Adjacentdwellingunit 3timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedunit
50%ofgeneralorelevationdifferentialsetback
Publicroad(includingI‐580),trail,commercialorresidentialzoning
2.5timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedright‐of‐way
50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector
Recreationareaorproperty
1.25timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedproperty
TTH
Transmissionlined 2timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowpathofconductorlineatgroundlevel
50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐14
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AffectedLandUseorCorridor
GeneralSetback
SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb
Note: TTH=totalturbineheight:theheighttothetopoftherotorat12:00position.Setbackdistancetobemeasuredhorizontallyfromcenteroftoweratgroundlevel.
a TheGeneralSetbackbasedonTTHwillbeincreasedorreduced,respectively,basedonwhole10‐ftincrementsinthegroundelevationoftheturbineaboveorbelowanaffectedparcel,dwellingunit,roadright‐of‐way,ortransmissioncorridorconductorline.Anyportionofa10‐ftincrementingroundelevationwillbedisregarded(orroundeddowntothenearest10‐ftinterval).
bAlternativeMinimumreferstoareducedsetbackstandard,includinganyadjustmentforelevation,allowedwithanotarizedagreementoraneasementontheaffectedproperty,subjecttoapprovalofthePlanningDirector.
c NosetbackfromparcellinesisrequiredwithinthesamewindenergyCUPboundary.KnowledgeofproposedwindenergyCUPsonadjacentparcelstobebasedonbestavailableinformationatthetimeofthesubjectapplication.
d Measuredfromthecenteroftheconductorlinenearesttheturbine.
Turbine and Wind Resource Requirements
Foravarietyofreasons,repoweredwindturbineswillbeinstalledatnewaddressesindifferentlocationsthantheexistingwindturbines.Spacingrequirements,topography,andthenecessitytoavoidhigh‐risk(foravianmortality)sitesalsoguidewhererepoweredturbineswouldbesited.Detailedturbinesitingisdeterminedbywindresourceavailability,turbinetype,topography,setbackrequirements,andlocationofsensitiveresources.Newturbineswouldbespacedmorewidelyandindividuallythanunderthecurrentapproachofarrangingturbinesinstrings.Threefactorscontributetothisspatialapproach.
Current‐generationturbinesarevastlymoreefficientandproductivethanfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,necessitatingfarfewerturbinestoachievethesameinstalledcapacity.
Current‐generationturbinesrequireconsiderablespacetoavoidwindturbulenceaffectingdownwindturbines
Thenewlargerturbinesmayrequiregreaterdistancesfromtheprogramareaperimeterthanexistingturbines.
Distancesbetweenturbinesaresite/projectspecificandarestipulatedbytheturbinemanufacturer.Forexample,aturbinemanufacturermayrecommendspecificturbinespacingtoachievetheinstalledcapacity.Minimumlateralspacingbetweenturbinetowersistypicallythreetimestherotordiameter.Downwindspacingistypically8–12rotordiameters.Accordingly,repoweredturbinesareexpectedtohave141‐to277.5‐meterlateralspacingand376‐to1,110‐meterdownwindspacing.
2.5.3 Repowering Activities
Arepoweringprojecttypicallyincludesthefollowingmajorsteps.
Temporarymeteorologicaltowerinstallation.
Temporarystagingareaset‐up.
Existingwindturbineremoval.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐15
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Temporarymeteorologicaltowerremoval.
Roadinfrastructureupgrades.
Windturbineconstruction.
Finalsiteselectionandpreparation.
Batchplantconstruction.
Foundationexcavationandconstruction.
Cranepadconstruction.
Towerassembly.
Installationofturbinenacelle.
Attachmentofrotors.
Collectionsystemupgradesandinstallation.
Communicationsysteminstallation.
Permanentmeteorologicaltowerinstallation.
Reclamationoflandscape.
Eachofthesestepsisdescribedindetailinthefollowingsections.Equipmentusedforconstructionofallrepoweringactivitiesoftenincludesthoselistedbelow.
Cranes.
Lowboys/trucks/trailers.
Flatbedtrucks.
Servicetrucks(e.g.,pickuptrucks).
Backhoes.
Bulldozers.
Excavators.
Graders.
Dumptrucks.
Tracktypedozers.
Rockcrushers.
Watertrucks.
Compactors.
Loaders.
Rollers.
Drillrigs.
Trenchingcable‐layingvehicles.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐16
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Cementtrucks.
Concretetrucksandpumps.
Smallhydrauliccranes.
Heavyandintermediatecranes.
Forklifts.
Generators.
Forindividualprojects,constructionactivitieswouldtypicallybecarriedoutinthesevenphaseslistedbelow.Therewouldbesomeoverlapbetweenmostofthesephases;inotherwords,theestimateddurationsshouldnotbeconsideredtobeadditive;rather,theentireconstructionperiodfromdecommissioningthroughcleanupandrestorationisanticipatedtorequireapproximately9monthsforatypical80MWproject.Althoughthepreciseschedulesofindividualprojectsareanticipatedtovary,thedurationslistedbelowareusedtoestimateimpactsintheprogram‐levelanalyses.
Phase1—Decommissioningofexistingplant:12weeks.
Phase2—Laydownareas:12weeks.
Phase3—Roadconstruction:8weeks.
Phase4—Foundations/batchplant:16weeks.
Phase5—Turbinedeliveryandinstallation:12weeks.
Phase6—Electricaltrenching:12weeks.
Phase7—Cleanup:8weeks.
Temporary Meteorological Tower Installation
Asystemoftemporarymeteorologicaltowerswouldbeinstalledinstrategiclocationsinadvanceofrepoweredwindturbinesitingandconstruction.Thesystemofmeteorologicaltowerswouldtypicallybeinstalledforaminimumof1yeartomeasurewindspeedanddirectiontodeterminewhetherasite’spotentialproductioncapacitymakesitsuitableforwindturbineplacement.Meteorologicaltowerheightistypicallyequivalenttothehubheightofrepoweredturbines.Thetowerconsistsofa15‐to30‐centimeter‐diameterpoleonasquarepierfoundation107–152centimetersonaside.Somemeteorologicaltowersarefreestanding;othersareanchoredtothegroundwithguywires.
Meteorologicaltowersaretypicallyplacedinareaswheregradingisnotrequiredforinstallation.Becausethedatacollectionsystemissolar‐powered,wireless,orbattery‐powered,nodataorpowerconnectionsarenecessary.Installationrequiresastagingareaaccommodatingthetowersite,cranesite,andpullingsite.Installationoccursoverthecourseof1–2dayswithnoseasonalrestrictions.
Oncethemeteorologicaltowershavecollectedadequateinformation,theyareremovedandthesiteisreclaimed(seethediscussionofreclamationactivitiesbelow).
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐17
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Contractor Yards and Staging Areas
Duringconstructionofindividualrepoweringprojects,amaincontractoryardandothertemporarystagingareaswouldtypicallybeneeded.Themaincontractoryardwouldtypicallyencompass5–10acres,accommodatingonsiteconstructiontrailer(s),parkingforprojectworkers,machinerymaintenanceandservicingarea,andatake‐downandset‐upareawhereboththesalvageandscrapmaterialsofremovedturbinesandthecomponentsofrepoweredwindturbinesarebroughtandstoreduntiltheiruseordisposal.Twotofouradditionalstagingareas(5–10acres)wouldalsobenecessary,typicallysitedadjacenttoexistingroadsandnearturbinesites.Onceconstructioniscompleted,themaincontractoryardandstagingareasarefullyreclaimedorreducedinnumberorsize.Itmaybenecessarytomaintainaportionofthecontractoryardorotherstagingareastoaccommodatefuturewindturbinemaintenance.Eachspecificprojectwillhaveitsownlaydownandstagingarearequirements.
Existing Wind Turbine Removal
Theprogramassumesthatallfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbineswillberemovedfromtheprogramareaby2018.Windturbineremovalentailsremovalofthewindturbine(rotor,nacelle,andtower)anddowntowercabinet.Removalofthecollectionsystem,includingtheassociatedtransformer,isdiscussedinCollectionSystemUpgradesandInstallation.
Existingwindturbinefoundationsmaybefullyorpartiallyremoved.Trenchingandbackfillingistypicallyusedtoburyfoundations.Forexample,abackhoeisusedtodigatrencharoundeachfoundation.Thetop2–3feetofthefoundation,includingthedowntowercabinetfoundationatturbineswithpierfoundations,isbrokenupandeitherspreadintheexcavatedareaordisposedofoffsite.Theexcavatedareaisthenbackfilledtogradewiththematerialthatwasremovedduringtrenching,withtheoriginaltopsoilplacedontop.Areasofsteeperslopesmayrequiredeepercoverage.Asnotedabove,someburiedfeaturesmaybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Wherefeaturesareleftinplace,steelandelectricalconnectionswouldbeleveledandmadesafe.
Gradingwillbeavoidedwhereappropriatetominimizeandavoiddisturbanceofwildlifeburrowsthathaveadaptedtoexistinggradecuts.However,insomeinstancessuchgradecutswillbegradedouttomatchthesurroundingcontours,ifwildlifeimpactscanbeavoided.Newgradingoverexistingfoundations,equipmentpads,orfingerroadsmaybenecessaryfortheinstallationofnewaccessroadsandfoundationpadsforrepoweredturbines.
Removalofexistingwindturbinesistypicallyundertakenconcurrentlywithotherrepoweringactivitiestominimizeprojectduration.Forexample,ifarepoweringprojectinvolvestheremovalof100turbinesinseveraldistinctlocations,theprojectcouldbephasedsuchthatonceturbineremovaliscompleteinonearea,roadinfrastructureupgradescanbeinitiatedinthatareawhilewindturbinesareremovedinanother.Windturbineremovalmaybelimitedtothedrymonthsbecauseoftheweightofturbinecomponentsandtheheavyequipmentusedforturbineremoval.Allturbineremovalactivitieswillconfinedtosmall,site‐specificstagingareas.Thesestagingareaswillbereclaimedoncompletionoftherepoweringproject.
Meteorological Tower Removal
Temporarymeteorologicaltowerssetupinadvanceofindividualrepoweringprojectsaswellasexistingmeteorologicaltowersattherepoweringprojectsitewouldberemovedpriorto
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐18
October 2014ICF 00323.08
constructingthepermanentmeteorologicaltowers.Becausemeteorologicaltowerstypicallyapproximatethehubheightoftheturbinesforwhichmeteorologicaldataarecollected,theexistingmeteorologicaltowerswouldnotsufficefortheproposedrepoweredturbines.
Removalofmeteorologicaltowerstypicallyincludesseveralsteps.Theabovegroundcomponentsofthetowerareremovedbycuttingonelegandpushingthetoweroverinapredetermineddirection.Thefoundationisexcavatedbydiggingatrencharoundthefoundation(anapproximately4‐footradius).Thetop2feetofthefoundationisbrokenupandburiedinthetrench.Thefoundationmustbeburiedwithtopsoilataminimumdepthof2feet.Ifallthefoundationmaterialcannotbeburied,itisremovedfromthesite.Uponcompletionoftowerandfoundationremoval,theexcavatedareaisbackfilled.Itisanticipatedthatalltemporaryandexistingmeteorologicaltowerswillberemoved.Onceameteorologicaltowerisremoved,thesitewillbereclaimedasdescribedbelow.
Road Infrastructure Upgrades
Fourth‐generationturbinetowersandbladesaresignificantlylongerthanolderturbinecomponentsandrequirelargerandlongertrucksandcranesfortransportandinstallation.Thesevehiclesrequirewiderroadswithshallowerturnsandgradientsthancurrentlyexist.Consequently,theexistingroadinfrastructuremustbeupgradedtoaccommodateconstructionoftherepoweredturbines.Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andre‐gravelingoftheexistingroads,aswellasconstructionofnewroads.Existingculvertsmayneedtobeupgradedforexistingroadsandnewculvertsmaybeneededfornewroads.
Existing Roads
Mostroadsinternaltotheportionoftheprogramareacurrentlysupportingwindenergydevelopmentwouldbewidenedtoaccommodatelargertowersaswellaslargerequipmentnecessarytoinstallrepoweredturbines.Itislikelythatthelocationsrequiringthemostroadworkarethosewhereroadscurveastheyclimbhillstotheridgetops.Inaddition,eachoftheaccessroadentranceswouldneedtobewidenedtoprovidesufficientspacefortheminimumturningradiusofconstructioncranesandotherflatbeddeliverytrucks.
Publicroadsusedtoaccesstheprogramareamayalsorequireupgradesand/orwideningtosupporttheweightoftrucksandturbinecomponents,aswellastoallowpassageofturbinecomponents.
Culvertsaregenerallyinstalledaspartoftheroaddrainagesystemonslopes,althoughsomeareinstalledatsmallstreamcrossings.Existingculvertsmayneedtobereplacedwithlargerculvertsorreinforcedtoprovideadequatesizeandstrengthforconstructionvehicles.
New Roads
Newserviceroadswouldneedtobedevelopedfromexistingmainroadstoaccessrepoweredturbinesites—especiallythoseintheareabetweenthegeneralplan–definedAPWRAandtherevisedprogramareaboundary.Newserviceroadswouldtypicallyconsistofagravelroadbedandshoulders(includingcut‐and‐fillslopes).Exactlocationsoftheroadsarenotknownatthistime.Inaddition,newstormwaterculvertsmayneedtobeinstalledaspartofthenewroadinfrastructure.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐19
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Wind Turbine Installation
Installationofrepoweredturbineswouldoccurthroughouttheprogramarea.Arangeofturbinetypesmaybeusedduringthecourseofrepowering,althoughonlyoneortwotypesofturbinesarelikelytobeinstalledinanysinglerepoweringproject.AllareanticipatedtofallwithintheparametersdescribedinFourth‐GenerationTurbinesabove.
Installationofwindturbinesistypicallylimitedtothedrymonthsbecauseoftheweightofboththeturbinecomponentsandtheheavyequipmentnecessarytoperformthework;however,someworknotrequiringheavyequipmentcouldbeperformedatothertimes.
Foundation
Thetypeofturbinefoundationuseddependsonterrain,windspeeds,andwindturbinetype.Figure2‐4depictstwofoundationtypesthatmaybeusedintheprogramarea:aninverted“T”slabfoundationandaconcretecylinderfoundation.
AninvertedTslabfoundationisatypeofspreadfootingfoundation.Asingleconcretepadisplacedatgroundlevel.Partofthepadmaybeplacedbelowgroundleveldependingontheslope.Atthecenterofthepadisacylindricalconcreteblocktowhichthewindturbinetowerisbolted;hencethename,invertedT.Thediameterofthecylindricalconcreteblockisequivalenttothetowerbasediameter.Thesizeoftheconcretepadisdeterminedbywindturbinesizeandsite‐specificconditions(e.g.,expectedmaximumwindspeeds,soilcharacteristics).Itsweightmustbesufficienttoholdthewindturbineinplace.
Aconcretecylinderfoundationisatypeofpierfoundation.Asinglehollow,concretecylinderisplacedunderground.Anchorboltsrunthelengthofthecylindertoanembeddedringatthecylinder’sbase.Earthfillisplacedinsideandoutsidethecylinder.Thefrictionoftheearthfillagainstthehollowpierholdsthefoundationandattachedwindturbineinplace.Thediameterofthecylinderisslightlylargerthanthatofthewindturbinetowerbase.Thelengthofthecylinderisdeterminedbywindturbinesizeandsitespecificconditions.
Construction
Repoweredturbineconstructionentailsplacementofanewtower,rotor,nacelle,transformer,andfoundation.ConstructionandinstallationofrepoweredturbinesisregulatedbyexistingCountyconditionsofapproval,buildingpermitrequirements,andgradingpermitrequirements.
Acranepadareawouldbeleveledandgradedateachturbineaddress.Thecranepad—aflat,level,andcompactedarea—wouldprovidethebasefromwhichthecranewillworktoplacetheturbine.Thissitewouldalsobeusedasalaydownareaforoffloadingturbinecomponents.Thetowerfoundationwouldbeconstructedwithinthecranepadarea.Allwindturbineconstructionactivitieswouldoccurwithinthecranepadarea.AportionofthecranepadareamaybeleftinplacefollowingconstructionforfutureO&Mactivities;theremainingareawouldbereclaimed.
Dependingonthesizeandlocationoftherepoweringproject,aconcretebatchplantmaybenecessary.Aconcretebatchplantisafacilitywhereconcreteismixedforturbinefoundations.Afterconstruction,thesiteofthebatchplantwouldbereclaimed.Smallerprojectsmaynotrequirebatchplants;instead,theconcretewouldbemixedindividuallyforeachturbinewithinthecranepadareaormixedoffsiteatanexistingplant.Itisestimatedthatthreetoeightbatchplantswouldberequiredfortheoverallprogram.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐20
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Thefoundationwouldbeinstalledimmediatelyadjacenttothecranepad,withinthecranepadarea.Whilethefoundationtypeisdeterminebyterrain,windspeeds,andturbinetype,ingeneral,thefoundationisformedbyplacingconcreteinanexcavatedfootingwithreinforcedsteel.
Theturbinetowers,nacelles,andbladesaredeliveredtoeachturbinelocationintheorderofassembly,oncetheconcreteofthefoundationhasset.Onsitetowerassemblyreducestheneedtoclearadditionalstagingareas.Largecranesarebroughttoeachsitetoliftandassembletheturbinecomponents.First,thebasesectionofthetowerissecuredtothefoundation.Theremainingtowersectionsarethenconnectedtothebasesection.Thenacelleandrotoraredeliveredtotheturbinesite.Bladesareboltedtotherotorhub,liftedbyaconstructioncrane,andconnectedtothemainshaft.
Duringconstructionofoldfirst‐generationturbinesinthe1980s,whenrockwasexcavatedforthefoundationortogradeapad,itwasplacedinnearbypiles.Dependingonsitingrequirementsofrepoweredturbines,relocationofsomeoftheserockpilesmaybenecessarytofacilitateturbineplacementandconstruction.Movingrockpileswouldrequireuseofanexcavator.
Lighting
TheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)determinesproject‐specificlightingrequirements,butingeneral,FAArequiresthatasinglewarninglightcanbeusedforgroupsofturbineslessthan200feettall.Typically,turbinestallerthan200feetmustbeindividuallylit.Consequently,becausefourth‐generationturbinesaregenerallywellover200feetinheight,allrepoweredwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlighting.LightingofthewindfarmwouldbeincompliancewiththeFAAObstructionMarkingandLightingAdvisoryCircular(AC70/7460‐1K).Intensityofthelightswouldbebasedonalevelofambientlight,withilluminationlessthan2foot‐candlesbeingnormalfornighttimeandilluminationgreaterthan5foot‐candlesbeingthestandardfordaytime.Becausesomeevidencesuggeststhatlightsmaybeanattractantforbirdsduringnighttimemigration(Kerlingeretal.2010),theminimumnumberofrequiredlightswouldbeusedtominimizeattractantsforbirdsduringnighttimemigration.Throughitsreviewprocess,theFAAcouldrecommendthattowermarkingsoraviationsafetylightingbeinstalledonalloronlyaportionoftheturbinetowers.TheFAAcouldalsodeterminethattheabsenceofmarkingand/orlightingwouldnotthreatenaviation.
Collection System Upgrades and Installation
Eachnewrepoweredwindturbinemustbeconnectedtotheelectricalcollectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemmoveselectricitygeneratedbyeachturbinethroughalow‐voltagelinetoatransformer,whichbooststhevoltageandconveystheelectricitytoamedium‐voltagelinethatcarriestheelectricitytoasubstation.Thesubstationiswherethevoltagelevelofthecollectionsystemissteppeduptothatofthepowergrid.Fromthesubstation,electricityiscarriedthroughautilityinterconnectionpointontolargerutilitytransmissionlinesthatdistributeelectricitytothepowergrid.TransmissionlinesintheprogramareaaremaintainedbyPG&E.Removalofoldcollectionlinesandconstructionofnewlines(turbinetosubstation)arepartoftheprogram,butconstructionofnewtransmissionlines(substationtopowergrid)isnot.
Asrepoweringprojectsareimplemented,theabovegroundcomponentsofoldcollectionsystemswouldberemovedandnewcollectionsystemswouldbeinstalled.Eachwindprojectwouldhaveitsownelectricalcollectionsystem.Theprogram‐levelanalysisassumesthateachprojectwouldconstructitsownsubstationorupgradeanexistingone.Asdescribedbelow,someequipmentwill
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐21
October 2014ICF 00323.08
bereplacedwhilesomewillberemovedandnotreplaced.Stagingareasrequiredforcollectionsysteminstallationandareaswherecollectionsystemcomponentshavebeenremovedandnotreplacedwillbereclaimed.Eachofthecollectionsystemcomponentsisdiscussedbelow.
Collection Lines
Typicalconstructionofnewcollectionsystemsrequiresinstallationofundergroundlow‐andmedium‐voltagelines,transformers,andatleastoneoverheadpowerpole.Thereareseveraltypesofpowerpoles.Linepolesareusedtostringabovegroundcollectionlinesandonlyhaveinsulatingdevices.Cornerpoleshavejumperwires,arelocatedatturnsorbendsinthecollectionsystemalignment,andmayrequireguywires.Poleswithpole‐toptransformers,capacitorbanks,andmeteringsetsmayalsobeused.Riserpolesareusedwherecollectionlinestransitionfromundergroundtoanelevated,abovegroundconfigurationwherethelinesenterasubstation.Disconnectors,cut‐outs,switches,lightningarresters,andotherelectricaldevicesmaybemountedonriserpoles.
Low‐voltagelinesconnectanindividualturbineorgroupofturbinestothetransformerthatsupportsthem.Low‐voltagelinesrangefrom1to600volts,andalinemayrangefrom10to200feetlong.Alllow‐voltagelinesarecurrentlyunderground.Allnewlineswouldalsobeconstructedunderground.Becauseoftheirage,itisunlikelythatanyoftheexistinglow‐voltagecollectionlineswouldbeusedfortherepoweredturbines.
Medium‐voltagelinesconnecttransformerstoasubstationorutilityinterconnectionpoint.Themedium‐voltagelinesarenormallybetween601voltsand35kV.Typically,constructionandinstallationofallnewmedium‐voltagelineswouldbeundergroundwhereverpossible,exceptfortheirpointofconnectionwiththesubstationandfromthesubstationtotheinterconnectionpoint.Existingabovegroundlinesmayalsobeused;however,mostoftheexistingabovegroundmedium‐voltagelineswouldberemovedandnotreplaced.Ifinstallationofnewabovegroundcollectionlinefacilitiesisrequired,thenitwouldbecompletedincompliancewiththelatestrecommendationsoftheAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC).
Installationofundergroundlow‐andmedium‐voltagelinesisaccomplishedusingacut‐and‐coverconstructionmethod.Typically,aminimumaccesswidthof20feetisrequiredtoallowforthetrenchexcavation,butthiswidthmayvary.Thelengthoflinevarieswiththedistancetothesubstation.Thetopsoilisseparatedfromthesubsurfacesoilforlaterreplacement.Thetrenchisthenplowedusingaspecialbulldozerattachmentthatburiesthelineswhiledisturbinglessthanameter‐widestripofsoil.Oncethecollectionlinesarelaidintheditch,thetrenchispartiallybackfilledwithsubsurfacesoil.Communicationlines(discussedbelow)arethenplacedinthetrenchaswell.Thetrenchisthenbackfilledwiththeremainingsubsurfacesoil,compacted,andthencoveredwithreservedtopsoil.
Transformers and Power Poles
Transformersboostthevoltageoftheelectricityproducedbytheturbinestothevoltageofthecollectionsystem.Eachrepoweredturbinewouldhaveitsowntransformeradjacenttoorwithintheturbine.
Currently,mostmedium‐voltagelinesareabovegroundandsupportedbypowerpoles.Eachlinerequiresaright‐of‐way(typically50feetwide)and26or27woodordirect‐embeddedsteelorself‐supportingsteelpolesperlinearmile.Allexistingpoleswouldberemovedaspartofrepowering.No
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐22
October 2014ICF 00323.08
newpoleswouldbeinstalledwhereundergroundingofelectricalequipmentisfeasible.Theinstallationofoverheadpowerlinesandpoleswouldbelimitedtolocationswhereundergroundlinesareinfeasibleandimmediatelyoutsidethesubstationswhereundergroundmedium‐voltagelinestypicallycomeabovegroundtoconnecttothesubstation.
Toinstallpowerpoles,alaydownareaisrequired.Tomountthemedium‐voltagelinesonapowerpole,apullsiteandatensionsitearerequired.Polesites,pullsites,tensionsites,accessroads,andlaydownareasarecleared(i.e.,mowed)ifnecessary.Poleholesandanynecessaryanchorholesareexcavated.Wherepossible,amachineaugerisusedtoinstallpoles.Thewidthanddepthofthesettingholedependsonthesizeofthepole,soiltype,span,andwindloading.
Powerpolesareframed,devicesinstalled,andanyanchorsandguywiresareinstalledbeforethepoleisset.Anchorsandguywiresinstalledduringconstructionareleftinplace.Aftersettingthepole,conductorsarestrung.
Theremovalofexistingpowerpoles,powerlines,andcommunicationlinesentailsremovingthepolesdirectlywithanexcavatorandimmediatelyloadingthemontoatruckforremovalfromthesite.Wireiscut,coiled,andremovedfromthesiteforrecycling/scrapvalue.
Substations
Substationsuselargetransformerstoboostthevoltageleveloftheelectricalcollectionsystemtothatofthelocalpowergrid(operatedbyPG&E).Transformersaretheprincipalcomponentofasubstation,butsubstationsalsorequireswitches,meteringdevices,lightningprotection,andotherappurtenantfacilities.Alargerepoweringprojectmayrequiremultiplesubstations,ormultipleprojectsmayconnecttoasinglesubstationwhereprojectscanbeseparatelymetered.Thelocationofasubstationisdeterminedbythelocationofthepowergridinterconnectionpoint.BothPG&Eandwindcompany–operatedsubstationsarepresentintheprogramarea;however,repoweringactivitiesevaluatedinthisPEIRarelimitedtothoseactivitiesassociatedwithsubstationsownedandoperatedbytheprojectapplicants.ActivitiesassociatedwithPG&EsubstationsarenotpartoftheprogramevaluatedinthisPEIR.
Tosupporttheprogram,existingsubstationswouldbereplaced,upgraded,orexpanded.Thetypicalsubstationwouldencompassapproximately3acres,withanadditional3acrestemporarilyusedduringconstruction.Substationsitesaregraded,paved,orsurfaced(e.g.,compactedandgraveled),andtheareaisfencedandlightedforsafetyandsecurityreasons.Offroadtravelisnotnecessarybecausesubstationswouldbeaccessedbyneworexistingroads.
Communication System Installation
Eachrepoweredwindturbinemustbeconnectedtothedatacommunicationsystem.Thecommunicationsystemisusedtomonitor,andinsomecasescontrol,theoperationofwindturbines(e.g.,whetheraturbineisonorofforhowmuchpoweritisproducing)andtransmitsthesedatathroughcommunicationlinesorwirelesstechnology.Communicationsystemsmaybesettotriggeranalarmifcertainoperationalconditionsarise.Thecommunicationsystemisinstalledinthesamealignmentandatthesametimeastheelectricitycollectionsystem.Consequently,theinstallationprocessisthesameasthatdescribedforthecollectionsystem.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐23
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Permanent Meteorological Tower Installation
Asystemofupto16meteorologicaltowerswouldbeinstalledinstrategiclocationsaspartofindividualrepoweringprojectstomeasurewindspeedanddirection.Allpermanentmeteorologicaltowerswouldbefreestandingtowerswithoutguywires,approximately80meterstall.
Equipment Maintenance during Construction
Duringconstruction,refuelingandmaintenanceofequipmentandvehiclesthatareauthorizedforhighwaytravelwouldbeperformedoffsiteatanappropriatefacility.Equipmentandvehiclesthatarenothighwayauthorizedwouldbeservicedontheprojectsitebyamaintenancecrewusingaspeciallydesignedvehiclemaintenancetruck.
Reclamation Activities
Postconstruction Reclamation
AsdescribedinSection2.4.5,the2005CUPsrequirethatwindcompaniesremoveallfacilitiesandrestorepropertiestopreinstallationconditionsoncethewindfarmisdecommissioned.Forrepoweringprojects,thisrequiremententailsremovingallfirst‐andsecond‐generationwindturbinefacilityinfrastructurethatisnolongerneededfortherepoweredproject.Sitereclamationistypicallyimplementedaftertherepoweredturbinesareinstalledandalltemporaryequipmentandinfrastructureisremovedfromthatarea.
Reclamationactivitiesinvolvereturninglandsdisturbedbyinfrastructureinstallationorremovaltopreprojectconditions.Somefacilities(e.g.,roadways,turbinefootings,undergroundcollectorlines)maybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Ateachreclamationsite,theentiresiteiscontourgraded(ifnecessaryandenvironmentallybeneficial),stabilized,andreseededwithanappropriateseedmixturetomaintainslopestability.Nosoilisremovedfromthesite.Figure2‐9showsreclamationofaturbinepadsite.Exceptionstoreturningasitetopreinstallationconditionsmaybemade,withapprovaloftheCountyPlanningDepartment,ifsuchreclamationactivitieswouldorcouldcreatewaterqualityissues(e.g.,erosion)oriftheactivitiesmayadverselyaffectspecial‐statusspecies(e.g.,burrowingowlburrowcomplexes,uplandhabitatforCaliforniared‐leggedfrogorCaliforniatigersalamander).
Roadsthatarenotnecessaryafterturbineremovalandthatarenotwantedbylandownerswouldalsobereclaimedunlessaresourceagency(CDFWorUSFWS)determinesthatreclamationwouldbedetrimentaltospecial‐statusspecies.Inaddition,someroadswidenedforconstructionmaybereturnedtopreprojectwidthsandwidenedareasreclaimed.Roadreclamationmayincludecontourgradingtoconformtonaturalsurroundinggroundlevelsandbackfillingroadcutsonslopes.
Postproject Reclamation
Attheendofthe30‐yearCUPterm,itisanticipatedthattheCounty’sconditionsofapprovalwillrequirethatwindcompaniesremoveallturbine‐relatedinfrastructureandreturnthesitetopreturbineconditionsunlessanexceptionismadebythePlanningDirector.Becauseitisverydifficulttoanticipateprojectsiteconditions30yearsinadvance,projectapplicantsarerequiredtodevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanmustbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofproject
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐24
October 2014ICF 00323.08
decommissioningorat29.5yearsintothepermit,whichevercomesfirst,sothattheplanmaybeimplementedimmediatelyuponcessationofturbineoperation.
2.5.4 Operations
TurbineswouldbeoperatedinaccordancewithmanufacturerrecommendationsandavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresdescribedinSection3.4,BiologicalResources.Manufacturerrecommendationsforcut‐inspeedforrepoweredturbinesareexpectedbe3.5–4meterspersecond.Thetypicalcut‐outspeedis20–25meterspersecond.
Seasonalshutdownofindividualturbinesmayberequiredasanadaptivemanagementaction,butonlyifimpactsonavianspeciesarehigherthananticipatedintheestimatespresentedinSection3.4ofthisPEIR.Repoweredturbines,onceinstalled,wouldnotbepermanentlyshutdownordecommissionedpriortotheendofthepermittermunlesstheyfailorsustainirreversibledamageduringoperationsthatnecessitatetheirremovalforsafetyconcerns.
2.5.5 Maintenance
Facility Maintenance
Windcompaniesconductregularmaintenanceonturbinestoensureproperoperation.Theseactivitiesareconsistentwiththemaintenanceactivitiesforfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesasdescribedinSection2.4.3withonemajorexception;repoweredwindturbinesarenotremovedorrelocatedaspartofongoingmaintenance.Current‐generationturbinesaremuchlargerandrequirelargerequipment(e.g.,cranesandflatbedtrucks)toinstallorremove.Furthermore,becausethefoundationsofcurrent‐generationturbinesaremuchlargerthanthoseoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,theconstructionofnewfoundationsrequiressignificantgrounddisturbance.Thesefactorsrendermovingcurrent‐generationturbinestonewlocationsafterinitialinstallationtechnicallydifficultandfinanciallyinfeasible.
Oneotherdifferenceinmaintenancerequirementsisthatthelevelofefforttomaintainundergroundcollectionlinesislessthanthatrequiredforabovegroundlinesbecauseundergroundlinesareprotectedfromweatherandinteractionswithbirds.
Ingeneral,maintenanceactivitieswouldconsistofequipmentreplacement,collectionsystemrepair,androadmaintenanceasnecessary.Maintenance‐relatedgrounddisturbancewouldtakeplacewithinthefootprintoftheinitialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceareas.Repairandmaintenanceofaccessroadswouldtakeplacewithinthefootprintsofexistingaccessroads.Turbinesmayneedtoberepairedorreplaced(usingtheexistingtowerandfoundation)atarateofapproximatelyoneturbineevery5years.Nonewpermanenteffectsareanticipatedduringmaintenanceactivities,andtemporarilyaffectedareas,ifany,wouldberestoredfollowingdisturbance.
Fire Prevention
Windfarmswithenclosedtubulartowersandnooverheadlinesorpowerpolesposereducedfirerisk;accordingly,itisanticipatedthattheCountycouldreducefirebreakrequirementsinassociationwithrepoweringefforts.Areductioninthenumberandextentoffirebreakswouldreduceground‐disturbingactivitiesaroundrepoweredturbines.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE)wouldbeconsultedinthedevelopmentofanyamendments
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐25
October 2014ICF 00323.08
proposedbytheCounty.Specificchangesarenotproposedaspartoftheprogram,butwouldbedevelopedduringimplementationandinconsultationwithCALFIREandtheCountyFireDepartmentasconditionsofapprovaloftheCUPs.
2.6 Specific Projects PermitapplicationsfortwospecificrepoweringprojectsintheprogramareahavebeensubmittedtotheCountybyGoldenHillsWind,LLC(GoldenHills)(asubsidiaryofNextEra),whichisproposingtheGoldenHillsProject,andEDFRE(formerlyknownasenXco),whichisproposingthePattersonPassProject.TheseareindependentwindenergyrepoweringprojectsthattheCountyhaschosentoanalyzeinasingledraftPEIR.However,likethenearbySandHillrepoweringproject(whichisbeinganalyzedinaseparateCEQAprocess),theymaybeapprovedseparatelyfromeachotherandfromtheprogram.Theirapprovalisnotdependentontheapprovalofanyotherrepoweringproject,andtheapprovalofeitherwillnotcausetherepoweringofanyotherproject.TheenvironmentalimpactsoftheseprojectsareevaluatedinthisPEIRattheprojectlevel.Itisanticipatedthattheproject‐specificmitigationmeasurescontainedinthisPEIRwillbeincludedasenforceableconditionsofapprovalofanyCUPsapprovedfortheseprojects.
Eachoftheproposedprojectsisdescribedbelow.Ingeneral,proposeddevelopmentactivitieswouldbethesameasthosedescribedaboveunderProposedRepowering;theseactivitiesarenotrepeatedhere.However,additionaldiscussionisprovidedwherenecessarytoaddressspecificdesign,siting,orpotentialimpactmechanismsthatarenotdescribedabove.Whereproject‐leveldesignhasnotbeencompleted,project‐relatedmetrics(e.g.,areasofdisturbanceassociatedwithspecifictypesofactivities)arebasedontherecentlycompletedVascoWindsprojectinthenorthern(ContraCostaCounty)portionoftheAPWRA.
2.6.1 Golden Hills Wind Energy Facility Repowering Project
GoldenHillsproposestorepoweranexistingwindenergyfacilityintheprogramareatoreplaceoutdatedandinefficientwindturbineswithfewerandmoreefficientturbines.TheproposedGoldenHillsProjectwoulddecommissionandremoveexistingwindturbinesontheexistingwindenergyfacilitysite,installnewandfewerturbines,andmakeimprovementstorelatedinfrastructure.Theproposedprojectwouldcompriseupto52new1.7MWGEturbines.Theproposedprojectarea,existingandproposedturbinelayoutareshowninFigure2‐10.
Project Location and Land Ownership
TheGoldenHillsprojectareaencompassesapproximately4,528acreson38parcels.Siteaccessisfromlocalroadsthroughexistinggates.Theproposedprojectwouldimproveaccessatgatesinsideandaroundthesite.TheparcelsmakinguptheprojectareaarelistedinTable2‐3.
Table 2‐3. Golden Hills Project Parcels
Assessor’sParcelNumber Acreage
99A‐1760‐1‐3 112.9
99A‐1770‐2‐1 119.7
99A‐1770‐2‐2 38.8
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐26
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Assessor’sParcelNumber Acreage
99A‐1770‐2‐3 47.6
99A‐1770‐3 157.4
99A‐1770‐4 159.1
99A‐1770‐999‐99 3.8
99A‐1780‐1‐4 549.8
99A‐1785‐1‐14 199.4
99A‐1790‐1 156.8
99A‐1790‐2 153.1
99A‐1790‐3 319.9
99A‐1795‐1 634.7
99A‐1810‐1 252.0
99B‐5650‐1‐4a 64.7
99B‐5650‐2‐1 70.5
99B‐5650‐2‐3a 0.1
99B‐5650‐2‐4a 70.0
99B‐6400‐1‐10 51.0
99B‐6400‐1‐8 0.4
99B‐6400‐1‐9 0.7
99B‐6400‐2‐2 3.4
99B‐6400‐2‐3 0.2
99B‐6400‐2‐6 296.0
99B‐6400‐4a 33.0
99B‐6425‐2‐3 252.3
99B‐7800‐2 10.7
99B‐7800‐9 38.1
99B‐7890‐1‐3a 133.8
99B‐7890‐2‐4a 107.5
99B‐7890‐5a 8.9
99B‐7900‐1‐3 15.8
99B‐7900‐1‐4 0.1
99B‐7900‐1‐5a 253.8
99B‐7900‐1‐6 6.1
99B‐7900‐1‐7a 148.0
99B‐7900‐2a 9.9a Acreageshownisportionofparcelwithinprojectarea;remainderofparcelisoutsideprojectareaboundary
Existingoperationsaresubjecttothetermsandconditionsoftheexistingleaseagreementswiththeunderlyinglandowners.IftheCountyapprovestheproposedproject(byapprovingtheCUP),theexistingeasementsbetweenGoldenHillsandeachlandownerwouldberevisedandformalizedtoidentifythefinallocationofproposedprojectcomponents.ThecreationandmodificationoftheselandowneragreementstoaccommodatetheproposedprojectarenotsubjecttoCEQArequirements.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐27
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Project Need, Goals, and Objectives
AsrecognizedbytheCounty,theproposedprojectwouldservethepublicandmarketneedforelectricalenergy,thedocumentedandpublicpolicyneedtoproducerenewableenergy,andthewidelyheldpublicandregulatoryagencyneedtosubstantiallyreduceavianmortalityrelatedtowindturbineoperations.Thegoalsoftheapplicantreflectthoseoftheprogram:torepoweritswindfarmassetsincompliancewiththeexistingCUPsandapplicablelaws,reduceavianmortality,andmeetCountygeneralplanandstategoalsforproductionofrenewableenergy.
Theapplicant’sobjectivesfortheproposedprojectincludeimplementationofprovisionsofthe2010AgreementtoRepowerTurbinesattheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.Consistentwiththatagreement,GoldenHillsintendstoreplaceapproximately2,400turbinesbetween2010and2014,andwillshutdownallitsexistingturbinesbyNovember2015.GoldenHills’objectiveover4yearsistoreplaceitsestimated160MWofgeneratingcapacityintwophases,beginningwiththe88.4MWGoldenHillsPhase1Project,whichistheprojectaddressedinthisPEIR.GoldenHillsPhase2willbeevaluatedinaseparateCEQAdocument.The2010AgreementwasinpartintendedtosatisfyNextEra’sobligationsunderthe2007SettlementAgreement.
The2010Agreement,amongotheritems,specifiedamitigationfeeforongoingharmtofocalraptorspecies.Underthisclause,NextEraagreedtopayamitigationfeeof$10,500perMWofinstalledcapacityforeachrepoweringphase.ThesefundswouldgotosupportCEC’sPublicIntegratedEnergyResearchProgramforscientificresearchontheeffectsofwindturbinesonbirdsandbatsintheAPWRA,aswellastosupportotherentities(e.g.,theEastBayRegionalParkDistrict,theLivermoreAreaRegionalParkDistrict)engagedinconservationeffortsforbirdandbatspeciesintheAPWRAandvicinity.Becausethisagreementisinplace,thatcontributionisconsideredpartoftheproject,andisaccountedforinthediscussionofimpactsonbiologicalresourcesinSection3.4.
Existing Facilities
GoldenHillswouldremoveupto775windturbinesontheexistingwindfarmsite,includingtheassociatedtransformers,electricalequipment,andmeteorologicaltowers.Decommissioningandremovaloftheexistingturbinesandancillaryfacilitieswouldallowtheexistingwindenergyfacilitytoberepowered.
Theexistingwindturbines,ofvariousmodels,arecharacterizedbyhubheightsof18–43meters(60–140)feetandrotordiametersof18–33meters(59–108feet).Theexistingturbinefoundationsareconcretepiersorpadswithapproximately10feetofdrainrockplacedaroundeachfoundation.Theexistingundergroundcollectionsystemwouldremaininplaceandwouldnotbeexcavated.
Existingroadsandotherdisturbedareasnotneededfortheproposedproject’snewturbineswouldbedecommissioned,contourgraded(ifnecessaryandifenvironmentallybeneficial),stabilized,andreseededwithanappropriateseedmixturetomaintainslopestability.Temporaryerosioncontrolmeasureswouldbeimplementedtomaintaintopsoilandrevegetation.
Proposed Project
GoldenHillswouldinstallupto52new1.7MWturbinesandrelatedinfrastructurewithanaggregatenominalnameplatecapacityof88.4MW.Thespecificequipmentchosenfortheproposedprojectwoulddependonfinalmicrositing.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐28
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Sitingwouldbedeterminedpriortoconstructionandonthebasisofvarioussitingcriteria,suchasterrain,geotechnicalconsiderations,andtheopportunitytoavoidorminimizepotentialimpacts,includingimpactsonavianspecies.GoldenHillswoulddevelopasitingstrategytoavoidandminimizebirdandbatmortality,usingpredictivemodelstositeturbinesinareaswiththeleastpotentialforavianimpactstooccur.Thesemodels,developedbySmallwoodandNeher(2010),incorporateutilizationdata;digitalelevationmodeling;slopeattributes;techniquestoidentifysaddles,notches,andbenches;andassociationsbetweenbirdutilizationandslopeattributes.Themodelsessentiallyresultintheidentificationofareaswithpredictedhighactivitywherewindturbinesshouldnotbeplaced.
Constructionofthewindturbineswouldincorporatebestmanagementpractices(BMPs)thatarestandardpracticeandnormallyrequiredbybuildingpermitsforlargeprojects(e.g.,dustsuppression,erosioncontrolmeasures,trafficmanagement,noisecontrols,coveringorenclosureofdrymaterials,controlledhandlingofhazardousmaterials).ManyofthesepracticeswouldbemandatedasmitigationmeasuresidentifiedinthisPEIR;moreover,becauseprojectproponentsfullyanticipateimplementationofsuchpractices,manymaybeincorporateddirectlyintotheindividualprojectproposals.
Wind Turbines
GoldenHillswouldlikelyselectaturbinewithcharacteristicssimilartothoseoftheGE1.7XLemodel:a1.7MWturbinewithahubheightof80–96meters(262–315feet),arotordiameterof100–115meters(328–377feet),atotalheightupto153meters(502feet),andaminimumdistancefromgroundtorotortipat6:00positionof30meters(98feet).
Foundations
Oncetheroadshavebeenconstructedorupgraded,turbinefoundationswouldbeconstructed.Ageotechnicalreportwouldbepreparedtoidentifytheappropriateturbinefoundationdesign.Pendingcompletionofthegeotechnicalanalysis,eachfoundationisexpectedtorequireanexcavationofupto18meters(60feet)indiameter,withfoundationsconstructedofsteel‐reinforcedconcrete.Concreteforthefoundationswouldbeprovidedfromthetemporarybatchplantandtransportedusingconcretetrucks.Arectangulargravelcranepadareaapproximately20by40meters(65by130feet)wouldbedevelopedatthebaseofeachtower.
Roadway Improvements
Turbinetransportinvolvesequipmentandcranespecificationsthatdictateroadwidthandturningradii.Toallowsafepassageofthelargetransportequipmentusedinconstruction,all‐weathergravelroadswouldbebuiltwithadequatedrainageandcompactiontoaccommodatesuchvehicles.Theproposedroadconstructiondescribedbelowisdesignedtominimizedisturbance,avoidsensitiveresources,andmaximizetransportationefficiency.
Aftersensitiveareashavebeenidentifiedandmarked,initialgradingofaccessroadsandinteriorprojectroadswouldcommence.TheproposedpermanentgravelroadswouldbeconstructedtoCountystandards.Cutmaterialswillbeusedasfillonsite;nomaterialwouldbedisposedofoffsite.Generalcut‐and‐fillslopeswouldbeestablishedata2:1ratio.Thefinallocationoftheroadandthecut‐and‐fillvolumeswouldbebasedongrading,construction,andenvironmentalpermittingrequirements;topography;andsoundengineeringprinciples.Theconstruction‐relatedassumptionsforroadsaredescribedbelow.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐29
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Interior Project Roads
Theprojectwouldinvolveconstructionofabout104,000linearfeetofroadways.Interiorprojectroadswouldhavetemporaryconstructionwidthsupto52feet:amaximum40‐footwidthplustwo6‐footshoulders.Followingprojectconstruction,thepermanentaccessroadswouldbefinalized(seebelow);temporarilydisturbedshouldersandpassingareaswouldbereclaimed.Tothegreatestextentpossible,thenewroadwaysystemwouldbedesignedtolimitdisturbanceandavoidsensitiveresources.Theproposedproject’sinteriorroadsystemwouldfollowexistingroadwayalignmentswherepossible,butgradeadjustmentsasrequiredbytheturbinemanufacturerswouldbemadeinmanylocationstoaccommodatemaximumgrades.Themaximumroadgradeonaccessroadsusedduringconstructionwouldbeapproximately10%.
Temporarypassingareaswouldbeprovidedalongone‐wayroadwaysapproximatelyevery2,500feettofacilitatesafepassingoftrafficthroughthesiteinterior.Upto50%oftheturnoutareasdevelopedduringconstructionwouldbemaintainedtosupportsafepassingforsubsequentO&Mtrafficontheinteriorroadsystem.Theremainingturnoutsandturnaroundareaswouldbereclaimedandtemporaryshoulderareascouldberestored.Temporarilydisturbedareaswouldberestoredinaccordancewiththeproposedproject’sreclamationplanandwithallrelevantpermitconditions.
Drainageculverts(neworupgradeofexisting)wouldbeinstalled(orremoved)inaccordancewithCountystandards.Primarily,theseculvertswouldbeinstalledtodivertwaterawayfromareaswheredrainageswalesintersectwithroadways,thuspreventinghighstormwaterflowsfromcrossingroadsurfaces.
Postconstruction Project Road Conditions
Followingroadconstruction,allroadswillbeinspectedtodetermineifandwhereanyadditionalgradingoradditionalgravelwillbenecessarytomeetCountystandards.Additionally,finalroadshapingwillbecompletedtoensureproperwaterflowawayfromcut‐and‐fillslopesandintoditchesandculverts.Erosioncontroldevicesalsowillbeinstalledorcompleted,disturbedareasadjoiningtheroadswillberestored,andtheappropriateerosioncontroldeviceswillbeinstalled.
Followingconstruction,dependingonwhethertheywillbeneededtoprovideaccessforO&M,roadswillbeleftinplaceorrestoredinconformancewithCountystandards.Roadsleftinplacewillbeinspectedandgradedwherelowspotsandrutshaveformed.Culvertswillbeleftinplaceandroadedgeswillberestored.
Improvements at Local Access Roads
Proposedprojectingress/egresstothesitewouldbeviaNorthFlynnRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andMidwayRoad.
Totheextentpossible,existingroadswouldbeusedforproposedprojectconstructionandoperations.Theexistingroadwaysystemprimarilyconsistsofgravelaccessroadsupto16feetwide.All‐weathergravelroadswouldbebuiltwithadequatedrainageandcompactiontoaccommodateequipmenttransportvehicles.Improvementscouldrequirethewideningofroadwaysoutlinedabovetoprovideadditionalshoulderandlanewidths.Minordrainageimprovementscouldberequiredtoadjustexistingdrainageinletstogradeandprovideroadsideditches.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐30
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AllroadimprovementswouldbedesignedaccordingtoAlamedaCountydesignstandards.PreliminarydesignfortheprojectingressandegresspointswouldbeprovidedtotheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartment.Encroachmentpermits,forminorroadwayimprovementsifneeded,wouldbeneededfromtheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartmentandwouldbedesignedtomeetAlamedaCountyDesignStandards(andCaltransHighwayDesignManualStandards,asapplicable).Anencroachmentpermitforimprovementswithinthepublicright‐of‐wayfallingwithinAlamedaCountywouldbeneeded,andtheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartmentwouldconductdesignreviewoftheproposedimprovements.
Afterconstruction,thepermanentaccessroadswouldbereducedinwidthto25feetandtheremainingdisturbedareawouldbereclaimed.TemporarilydisturbedareaswouldbereclaimedasdeterminedthroughconsultationswithUSFW,CDFW,andtheCounty.Erosioncontroldeviceswouldbeinstalledorcompleted.DrainageculvertswouldbeinstalledorremovedasappropriateinaccordancewithAlamedaCountystandardstopreventhighstormwaterflowsfromcrossingroadsurfaces.
GoldenHillswouldrepair,repave,orreconstructthoseportionsofexistingCountyroadsdamagedduringconstructioninaccordancewithapplicabledesignstandardsagreeduponpriortobeginningconstruction.
Power Collection System
Collection Lines
Thepowercollectionsystemwouldconsistofmedium‐voltage,high‐density,insulatedundergroundcablesthatwouldconnecttheturbinestotheonsitesubstation.Theundergroundcollectioncablesaregenerallyburiedintrenchesadjacenttotheroadbedoftheinterioraccessroads.Communicationlineswouldbeinstalledinthesametrenches.Noexistingcollectionlineswouldbeused.
Trenchingequipmentwouldbeusedtoexcavatetrenchesinorneartheaccessroadbedtoallowinstallationoftheinsulatedundergroundcablesthatwouldconnecteachturbinetothesubstation.Thetrenchestypicallywouldbe12–24incheswideand48inchesdeep,buttheirdepthandnumberwouldbedeterminedultimatelybythesizeofthecablerequiredandthethermalconductivityofthesoilorrocksurroundingthetrench.Thelargeconductorcableswouldbeplacedwithinthetrenches,packedinsandornativematerialsdependingonthesoilproperties,andcoveredtoprotectthecablesfromdamageorpossiblecontact.Opticalfibercommunicationlinksandcommunicationlinesforturbineperformanceremote‐sensingequipmentwouldbeplacedinthesametrenchesastheconductorcables.Inlocationswheretwoormoresetsofundergroundlinesconverged,pad‐mountedswitchpanelswouldbeusedtotiethelinestogetherintooneormoresetsoflargerfeederconductors.Theaccumulatedcablesfromtheindividualarrayswouldbespaced10feetapartoneithersideoftheroadsystemin“homeruns”totheonsitesubstation.Thelocationsoftheburiedinfrastructurewouldberecordedinas‐builtprojectdiagramsthatwouldbedevelopedattheendoftheconstructionperiod.Becauseasignificantportionoftheundergroundcollectioncableswouldbeinstalledparalleltoandwithinthefootprintofareastemporarilydisturbedbyroadconstruction,installationofthecollectionsystemisonlyexpectedtoresultinminimaladditionalpermanentsurfacedisturbance.
Becauseundergroundcollectioncableswouldbeinstalledparalleltoandwithinthefootprintofareastemporarilydisturbedbyroadconstruction,installationofthecollectionsystemisnot
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐31
October 2014ICF 00323.08
expectedtoresultinpermanentsurfacedisturbance.Installationwouldresultinanestimated14.3acresoftemporarydisturbance.
Collector Substation
Themainfunctionsofacollectorsubstationaretostepupthevoltagefromthecollectionlines(34.5kV)tothetransmissionlevel(115kV)andtoprovidefaultprotection.Thebasicelementsofthesubstationfacilitiesareacontrolhouse,abankofoneortwomaintransformers,outdoorbreakers,capacitorbanks,relayingequipment,high‐voltagebuswork,steelsupportstructures,anundergroundgroundinggrid,andoverheadlightning‐suppressionconductors.Themainoutdoorelectricalequipmentandcontrolhouseareinstalledonaconcretefoundation.
Theexistingonsitesubstation(Midway)servesasthecollectorsubstationfortheexistingwindfarm.Thissubstationwouldbereplacedbyanotherinthesamegenerallocation.Thesubstationwouldconsistofagraveledfootprintareaofapproximately2acres,a12‐footchain‐linkperimeterfence,andanoutdoorlightingsystem.Thenewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare.Forthepurposesofthisanalysisitisassumedthattheselightswouldremainonfromdusktodawn.Constructionofthesubstationwouldentailatotaldisturbanceareaofupto6acres.Ofthese6acres,3acreswouldbedisturbedtemporarilyduringconstructionandwouldberestoredafterconstructioniscomplete.Theremaining3acreswouldbepermanentlydisturbed.
Anenergystorageunitencompassingapproximately1acrewouldbeconstructedwithinthe3‐acrepermanentdisturbancefootprintofthecollectorsubstationfacility.Themodulardesignwouldaccommodatelithium‐ionbatteries,eitherinabuildingorinapproximatelythirty40‐footInternationalStandardOrganization(ISO)containers.Thefacilitywouldcontainallnecessaryenergymanagementhardwareandsoftwaretomanageenergysupplyfromtheturbinestothepowergrid,aswellasafiredetectionandsuppressionsystemandairconditioning.Constructionisanticipatedtorequireapproximately4months.Batteryreplacementwouldberequiredoverthelifeoftheproject,andwastebatterieswouldberemovedfromthesiteandtransportedeithertothemanufacturerortoanapprovedbatteryreprocessorforrecyclingordisposal.
Meteorological Towers
Theproposedprojectwouldentailconstructionoffourpermanentmeteorologicaltowersdistributedthroughtheprojectareatomonitorweatherconditionsandwindspeed.Eachfreestandingtowerwouldbemountedonacircularpierorslabfoundationsurroundedbyacircularareaofgraveltoaradiusofabout15feet.
Operations and Maintenance Facilities and Other Project Elements
Operationsandmaintenancefacilitieswouldinvolveapermanentdisturbanceof2acres.Thepreciselocationofthesefacilitieshasnotyetbeenidentified.
Uptofourportabletoiletswouldbemaintainedyear‐roundonsiteandservicedbyacontractor.Nootherwater,wastewater,orsewer/septicsystemsarepresentattheexistingwindfarm,andnochangestothewater,wastewater,orsewer/septicsystemareproposedtosupporttheproposedproject.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐32
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Project Construction
TurbineswouldlikelybedeliveredtothesitefromthePortofStocktonorothernearbyportorrailtransferlocation.Towerassemblyrequirestheuseofonelargetrack‐mountedcraneandtwosmallcranes.Theturbinetowers,nacelles,androtorbladeswouldbedeliveredtoeachfoundationsiteandunloadedbycrane.Alargetrack‐mountedcranewouldbeusedtohoistthebasetowersectionverticallythenloweritoverthethreadedfoundationbolts.Thelargecranewouldthenraiseeachadditionaltowersectiontobeboltedthroughtheattachedflangestothetowersectionbelow.Thecranethenwouldraisethenacelle,rotorhub,andbladestobeinstalledatopthetower.Twosmallerwheeledcraneswouldbeusedtooffloadturbinecomponentsfromtrucksandtoassistintheprecisealignmentofthetowersections.
Schedule
Proposedprojectconstructionwouldproceedafterallconstruction‐relatedpermitsareissued.TheseactivitiesareanticipatedtoproceedaccordingtothephasesoutlinedinSection2.5.3,RepoweringActivities.Construction‐relatedbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)wouldbeimplementedduringtheNovember–Aprilwetseason.Thefinalapprovedworkhourswouldbespecifiedintheproposedproject’sCUP.Ifextendedhoursarenecessaryordesired,theappropriateapprovalswouldbesought.
Workforce
Basedondataprovidedfortypicalwindenergyprojectsofsimilarsize,approximately50workerswouldbeemployedtodecommissiontheexistingwindfarm.Onaverage,approximately200workerswouldbeemployedduringconstruction,withapeakworkforceof300.Craftworkerswouldincludemillwrights,ironworkers,electricians,equipmentoperators,carpenters,laborers,andtruckdrivers.Localconstructioncontractorsandsupplierswouldbeusedtotheextentpossible.
Construction Equipment and Ancillary Construction Facilities
ThetypesofequipmentlistedinSection2.5.3,RepoweringActivities,wouldbeusedduringthevariousstagesofdecommissioningandconstruction.Onaverage,allequipmentisassumedtooperateforapproximately10hoursperday.Theprobablefueltypeisdiesel.
Temporary Concrete Batch Plant
Dependingonweatherconditions,concretetypicallyneedstobepouredwithin90minutesofmixingwithwater.Deliverytimetoonsitepourlocationswouldlikelyexceed90minutesfromexistingconcretesuppliersintheproposedprojectvicinity.Accordingly,GoldenHillsproposestoconstructanonsitetemporaryconcretebatchplanttofacilitateconcretedeliveryfortheturbinefoundations.
Thetemporarybatchplantwouldoperateonlyduringconstruction.Thebatchplantwouldrequireastand‐alonegeneratorofapproximately250kW.Fuelforthegeneratorwouldbeobtainedfromanabovegroundstoragetank(AST)withsecondarycontainmentforspillprevention.Itisestimatedthatthebatchplantwouldconsumeupto5,400gallonsofwaterperday.Atemporary5,000‐gallonwatertankwouldbeplacedonsitetoreplenishthebatchplantwater,asneeded.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐33
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Stockpilesofsandandaggregatewouldbesituatednearthebatchplantinamannerthatwouldminimizeexposuretowind.Concretewouldbedischargedusingascrewconveyordirectlyintoanelevatedstoragesilo.TheconstructionmanagersandcrewwoulduseBMPsandstandardoperatingprocedurestokeeptheplant,storage,andstockpileareascleanandtominimizethebuildupoffinematerials.
Portable Rock Crusher
Toconstructandimproveproposedprojectroads,arockcrusherwouldberequiredtoprovideappropriatelysizedaggregateforfillandroadbase.Theportablerockcrusherwouldbeco‐locatedwiththebatchplant.InaccordancewithBMPs,therock‐crushingareawouldbesprayedbyawatertrucktosuppressdust.Thecrusherproposedforthisprojectincorporatesseveraldust‐suppressionfeatures,includingscreensandwaterspray.Dust‐controlmeasureswouldbeusedatallemissionpointsduringoperation,includingstartupandshutdownperiods,asrequired.
Equipment Maintenance
Duringconstruction,refuelingandmaintenanceofequipmentandvehiclesthatareauthorizedforhighwaytravelwouldbeperformedoffsiteatanappropriatefacility.Equipmentandvehiclesthatarenothighwayauthorizedwouldbeservicedonsitebyamaintenancecrewusingaspeciallydesignedvehiclemaintenancetruck.
Staging and Laydown Areas
Theproposedprojectincludesconstructionstagingareas(forstorageofprojectcomponentsandequipment)andadditionallaydownareasateachturbinelocation(foroffloadingandstorageofthetowercomponents).
Construction Staging Areas
Temporarystagingareaswouldbeusedduringconstruction.Itisanticipatedthatuptosixstagingareas,rangingfrom1.7to7.0acres(average3.4acres),wouldbeusedforthestorageofturbinecomponents,constructionequipment,officetrailers,andothersuppliesincludinghazardousmaterials.Thebatchplant,rockcrusher,andassociatedfuelandwatertankswouldbeco‐locatedwithinthedisturbedareafootprintofoneofthestagingareas.Trailerswouldbeplacedatthestagingareastosupportworkforceneedsandsitesecurity.Thetrailerswouldalsohouseafirstaidstation,emergencyshelter,andhandtoolstorageareafortheconstructionworkforce.Vegetationwouldbeclearedandeachconstructionstagingareawouldbegradedtobelevel.Itthenwouldbecoveredwitha4‐inchgravelsurfaceandappropriateerosioncontroldevice(e.g.,earthberm,siltfences,strawbales)wouldbeinstalledtomanagewaterrunoff.Diversionditcheswouldbeinstalled,asnecessary,topreventstormwaterfromrunningontothesitefromsurroundingareas.Followingcompletionofconstructionactivities,thecontractorwouldrestorethetemporaryconstructionstagingareas.Thegravelsurfacewouldberemovedandtheareaswouldbecontourgraded(ifnecessaryandifenvironmentallybeneficial)toconformwiththenaturaltopography,stockpiledtopsoilwouldbereplaced,andtheareawouldbestabilizedandreseededwithanappropriateseedmixture.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐34
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Laydown Areas
Alaydownareawouldbeconstructedateachnewturbinepadtoaccommodateoffloadingandstorageofthetowersections,nacelle,rotorhub,andblades,aswellassomeconstructionequipment.Eachlaydownareawouldoccupyapproximately0.5acre.Thelaydownareaswouldincludeacompacted,gravel‐surfacedcranepadwithinthe0.5‐acrearea.Thecranepadwouldbeapproximately65feetwide(adjacenttotheturbineaccessroad)toallowalargetrack‐mountedcranetoaccesstheturbinefoundations.Thelaydownareasmustbelevelornearlyleveltoallowthecranetoliftthelargeandextremelyheavyturbinecomponentssafely,andvegetationclearingand/orgradingwouldbenecessary.Thecranepadwouldbeconstructedusingstandardcut‐and‐fillroadconstructionprocedures.Thelaydownareaswouldgenerallybecircular.Theactualdimensionsoftheindividuallaydownareaswouldbebasedonsitetopographyandtheneedtominimizecutandfill.
Hazardous Materials Storage
Hazardousmaterialswouldbestoredatoneofthestagingareas(useofextremelyhazardousmaterialsisnotanticipated).Tominimizethepotentialforharmfulreleasesofhazardousmaterialsthroughspillsorcontaminatedrunoff,thesesubstanceswouldbestoredwithinsecondarycontainmentareasinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocalrequirementsandpermitconditions.Storagefacilitiesforpetroleumproductswouldbeconstructed,operated,andmaintainedinaccordancewiththeSpillPreventionControlandCountermeasures(SPCC)Planthatwouldbepreparedandimplementedfortheproposedproject(CodeofFederalRegulations[CFR],Title40,Part112).TheSPCCPlanwouldspecifyengineeringstandards(forexample,secondarycontainment);administrativestandards(forexample,trainingwithspecialemphasisonspillprevention,standardoperatingprocedures,inspections);andBMPs.
AHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan(HMBP)wouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellastheirproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposal.
Traffic and Parking
GoldenHillswouldprepareaTrafficManagementPlanfortheproposedprojecttoreducehazardsthatwouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.Onsiteconstructiontrafficwouldberestrictedtotheroadsdevelopedfortheproposedproject.Useofexistingunimprovedroadswouldberestrictedtoemergencysituations.
Preconstructiondecommissioningactivitiesanddeliveryofconstructionmaterialsandequipmentwouldrequireapproximately16,513fullyloadedinboundtripsoflargetruckstothesitefromoffsitesources,foratotalofupto33,026inboundand(empty)outboundtrucktripsassociatedwiththeproposedproject.Itisestimatedthatupto900ofthesetripswouldincludeoversizedvehiclesdeliveringwindturbinegeneratorandsubstationmaterials,heavyequipment,andotherconstruction‐relatedmaterials.Constructionoftheproposedprojectcomponents(roads,turbines,substation,andelectrical/communicationlines)wouldoccurataboutthesametime,using
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐35
October 2014ICF 00323.08
individualvehiclesformultipletasks.Basedondataprovidedfortypicalsimilarlysizedwindenergyprojects,itisanticipatedthatduringtheconstructionperiod,therewouldbeapproximately60dailyroundtripsbyvehiclestransportingconstructionpersonneltothesite.Assumingthatconstructionmaterialdeliveriesfromexternalsourceswouldoccuroverthe8‐monthconstructionperiodat20workdayspermonth,anaverageofabout81one‐waytrucktripsperday(thatis,40.5trucksgeneratingonetriptotheproposedprojectsiteandonetripfromthesite)wouldbeaddedtobackgroundtrafficvolumesonarearoadways.Inadditiontotheselargetruckloads,dumptrucks,concretetrucks,watertrucks,cranes,andotherconstructionandtradevehiclesoperatingwithintheprojectareawouldentailmorethan12,000trucktrips.
Construction‐relatedparkingwouldbelocatedinconstructionstagingareas.Carpoolingfromalocationwithin10milesofthesite,otherthantheO&Mfacility,wouldalsobeused.
Afterconstruction,O&Moftheproposedprojectwouldrequireapproximatelyeightroundtripsperdayusingpickupsorotherlight‐dutytrucks.
Water and Wastewater Needs
Waterforprojectconstructionactivitieswouldbeprovidedthroughanagreementwithmunicipalorprivatesuppliers.Temporaryonsitewatertanksandwatertruckswouldbemadeavailableforfirewatersupport,dustsuppression,andconstructionneeds.Oneormore3,500‐gallontanksorothermeansoffirewatersupportwouldbesubjecttoapprovalbyAlamedaCounty.
Duringconstruction,upto50milliongallonsofwaterwouldbeusedfordustcontrolonroadsandduringgradingandsitework,aswellasformixingwithcementandaggregatetoformconcrete.Dailywaterusewouldvary,dependingontheweatherconditionsandtimeofyear,whichaffecttheneedfordustcontrol.Hot,dry,windyconditionswouldnecessitategreateramountsofwater.Tankertruckswouldapplywatertoconstructionareaswhereneededtoaidinroadcompactionandreduceconstruction‐generateddust.
Forconstructionoffoundations,waterwouldbetransportedtothebatchplantsitewhereitwouldbeusedtomixconcrete.Aminimalamountofwaterwouldberequiredforconstructionworkerneeds(drinkingwater,sanitationfacilities).Thiswaterwouldbetruckedinordeliveredasbottleddrinkingwater.Alocalsanitationcompanywouldprovideandmaintainappropriateconstructionsanitationfacilities.Portabletoiletswouldbeplacedateachofthecraneassemblyareas,theconcretebatchplant,thesubstation,andthetrailerpadarea.Whennecessary,additionalfacilitieswouldbeplacedatspecificconstructionlocations.
AppropriateBMPtrainingwouldbeprovidedtotruckoperatorstopreventrunofffromdustsuppressionandcontrolactivities.Waterusedforcementmixingandtruckwashingwouldbemanagedinaccordancewithapplicablepermitconditions(andBMPs)andwouldnotbedischargedoffsite.
Demarcation of Sensitive Resources
Sensitiveresourcesadjacenttoandwithinconstructionareaswouldbemarkedtoensureadequateavoidance.Sensitiveareasidentifiedthroughtheenvironmentalapprovalandpermittingprocesseswouldbestakedandflagged.Priortoconstruction,anenvironmentalinspector(ifrequired),theconstructioncontractor,andanysubcontractorswouldconductawalk‐throughofareastobeaffected,orpotentiallyaffected,byconstructionactivities.Thepreconstructionwalk‐throughs
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐36
October 2014ICF 00323.08
wouldbeconductedregularlytoidentifysensitiveresourcestobeavoided,limitsofclearing,locationofdrainagefeatures,andthelayoutforsedimentationanderosioncontrolmeasures.Followingidentificationofthesefeatures,specificconstructionmeasureswouldbereviewed,andanymodificationstoconstructionmethodsorlocationswouldbeagreeduponbeforeconstructioncouldbegin.Resourceagencyrepresentativeswouldbeconsultedorincludedonthesewalk‐throughsasneeded.
Materials and Services
Approximately200,000cubicyardsofaggregatewouldbebroughtontotheproposedprojectsiteforroadwayconstruction,turbinefoundations,andtheonsitesubstations.
Inspection and Startup Testing
Priortooperation,eachcompletedturbinewouldbeinspectedandcheckedformechanical,electrical,andcontrolfunctionsinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sspecificationsbeforebeingreleasedforstartuptesting.Aseriesofstartupprocedureswouldthenbeperformedbythemanufacturer’stechnicians.Electricaltestsonthetransformers,undergroundpowerlines,andcollectorsubstationwouldbeperformedbyqualifiedengineers,electricians,andtestpersonneltoensurethatelectricalequipmentisoperatingwithintolerancesandthattheequipmenthadbeeninstalledinaccordancewithdesignspecifications.TheabovegroundpowerlinesinterconnectingtothePG&Esystemwouldbetestedandinspectedasrequired.
Cleanup and Restoration
Clearinganddisposingoftrash,debris,andscrubonthoseportionsofthesitewhereconstructionwouldoccurwouldbeperformedattheendofeachworkdaythroughallstagesofconstruction.Existingvegetationwouldbeclearedonlywherenecessary.Allexcavationsmadebyclearingwouldbebackfilledwithcompactedearthandaggregateassoonascableinfrastructureistested.Disposalofcuttingsanddebriswouldbeinanapprovedfacilitydesignedtohandlethewaste.
Beforeconstructioniscomplete,allremainingtrashanddebriswouldberemovedfromthesite.AlltemporarilydisturbedareaswouldbereturnedtotheirpreviouscontoursandanydebriswouldberemovedandproperlydisposedofoffsiteconsistentwithAlamedaCountyrestorationrequirementsanddescribedinaReclamationPlan,whichwouldbedevelopedpriortoconstructionaspartoftheconstructionplanningandpermittingprocess.Anymaterialplacedintheareasofthefoundationsorroadswouldbecompactedasrequiredforsoilstability.
Operation and Maintenance
O&MactivitiesfortheproposedprojectwouldbesimilartotheO&Mactivitiespresentlyconductedfortheexistingwindfacility.
Safety and Environmental Compliance Programs
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Aqualityassurance/qualitycontrol(QA/QC)programwouldbeimplementedtoensurethatconstructionandstartupofthefacilityarecompletedasspecified.GoldenHillswouldberesponsibleforensuringimplementationoftheQA/QCprogrampriortoconstruction.TheprogramwouldspecifyimplementingandmaintainingQA/QCprocedures,environmentalcomplianceprogramsand
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐37
October 2014ICF 00323.08
procedures,andhealthandsafetycomplianceprogramsandprocedures,andwouldintegrateGoldenHill’sactivitieswiththecontractorsduringprojectconstruction.Theengineeringprocurementandconstruction(EPC)contractorandturbinesupplierwouldberesponsibleforenforcingcompliancewiththeconstructionproceduresprogramofallofitssubcontractors.
Environmental Compliance
Orientationofconstructionstaffwouldincludeeducationonthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofprojectconstruction.Theconstructionmanagerwouldestablishproceduresforstafftoformallyreportanyissuesassociatedwiththeenvironmentalimpacts,tokeepmanagementinformed,andtofacilitaterapidresponse.
Stormwater Control
Becausetheproposedprojectwoulddisturbmorethan1acre,itwouldrequirecoverageunderthestate’sGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(Order2010‐0014‐DWQ)(ConstructionGeneralPermit).Permitcoveragewouldbeobtainedbysubmittingpermitregistrationdocuments(PRDs)totheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardthroughitsStormwaterMultipleApplicationandReportTrackingSystem(SMARTS)website.ThePRDsincludeanoticeofintent,sitemaps,astormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP),arisklevelassessment,andothermaterials.TheSWPPPwouldincludetheelementsdescribedinSectionAoftheConstructionGeneralPermitandmapsthatshowthelocationandtypeoferosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andnon‐stormwaterBMPs,whichareintendedtopreventsignificantwaterqualityimpactsonreceivingwaters.Dependingontherisklevel,theSWPPPmayalsospecifythatsamplingofpHandturbidityintherunoffleavingthesitebeconductedduringconstruction.TheSWPPPwouldalsodescribesiteinspection,monitoring,andBMPmaintenanceproceduresandschedules.
Safety Compliance
GoldenHillsanditsconstructioncontractorsandsubcontractorswouldberesponsibleforconstructionhealthandsafetyissues.Eachcontractorandsubcontractorwouldprovideahealthandsafety(H&S)coordinator,whowouldensurethatapplicablelaws,regulations,ordinances,andstandardsconcerninghealthandsafetyarefollowedandthatanyidentifieddeficienciesarecorrectedasquicklyaspossible.TheH&Scoordinatorwouldconductonsiteorientationandsafetytrainingforcontractandsubcontractemployeesandwouldreportbacktotheonsiteconstructionmanager.Uponidentificationofahealthandsafetyissue,theH&Scoordinatorwouldworkwiththeconstructionmanagerandresponsiblesubcontractorordirecthireworkerstocorrecttheviolation.
Emergency Situations
Ifseverestormsresultinadownedinterconnectionpowerline,standardO&Mprocedureswouldbeapplied.Theturbineswouldbeequippedwithinternalprotectivecontrolmechanismstosafelyshutthemdownintheeventofahigh‐voltagegridoutageoraturbinefailurerelatedtofireormechanicalproblems.Aseparatelow‐voltagedistributionservicefeedmightbeconnectedtothelow‐voltagesideofthecollectorsubstationasabackupsystemtoprovideauxiliarypowertoprojectfacilitiesincaseofoutages.Forsafety,thecollectorsubstationwouldbefenced,locked,andproperlysignedtopreventaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignagewouldbepostedaroundturbines,transformers,otherhigh‐voltagefacilities,andalongroads,asrequired.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐38
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Public Access and Security
Theproposedprojectwouldbelocatedentirelyonprivatepropertyandpublicpropertywithrestrictedpublicaccess.Onlyauthorizedaccesstotheprojectsitewouldbeallowed.Thesiteisfencedandthecollectorsubstationswouldbefencedwithanadditional12‐foot‐high,chain‐linkfencetopreventpublicandwildlifeaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignswouldbepostedinconformancewithapplicablestateandfederalregulationsaroundallturbines,transformers,andotherhigh‐voltagefacilitiesandalongaccessroads.Vegetationclearancewouldbemaintainedadjacenttoprojectingressandegresspointsandaroundthecollectorsubstations,transformers,andinterconnectionriserpoles.
Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling
TheCounty’sHazardousMaterialsProgramDivisionistheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)forallareasofAlamedaCounty.ManagementofhazardousmaterialswouldbeconductedinaccordancewithaCounty‐approvedHMBPdevelopedfortheproposedprojectpursuanttotherequirementsoftheCUPA.HazardousmaterialsusedduringO&MactivitieswouldbestoredwithintheexistingO&MbuildinginabovegroundcontainerswithappropriatespillcontainmentfeaturesasprescribedbythelocalfirecodeortheSPCCPlanfortheO&Mbuildingasstipulatedbytheappropriateregulatoryauthority.SuchmaterialswouldbesimilarintypeandamounttothosecurrentlystoredandusedforO&Mfortheexistingfacility.
Lubricantsusedintheturbinegearboxarepotentiallyhazardous.Thegearboxwouldbesealedtopreventlubricantleakage.Thegearboxlubricantwouldbesampledperiodicallyandtestedtoconfirmthatitretainsadequatelubricatingproperties.Whenthelubricantshavedegradedtothepointwheretheyarenolongeradequate,thegearboxwouldbedrained,newlubricantwouldbeadded,andtheusedlubricantswouldbedisposedofatanappropriatefacilityinaccordancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.
Transformerscontainoilforheatdissipation.Thetransformersaresealedandcontainnopolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)ormovingparts.Thetransformeroilwouldnotbesubjecttoperiodicinspectionanddoesnotneedreplacement.
O&Mvehicleswouldbeproperlymaintainedtominimizeleaksofmotoroil,hydraulicfluid,andfuel.Duringoperation,O&MvehicleswouldbeservicedandfueledattheexistingO&Mbuilding(usingmobilefueltanks)oratanoffsitelocation.Nostoragetanksarelocatedattheexistingwindfarm,andnoneareproposed.
Operation and Maintenance Activities
Maintenanceofturbinesandassociatedinfrastructureincludesawidevarietyofactivities.Routinemaintenanceinvolvesactivitiessuchascheckingtorqueontowerboltsandanchors;checkingforcracksandothersignsofstressontheturbinemainframeitselfandotherturbinecomponents;inspectingforleakageoflubricants,hydraulicfluids,andotherhazardousmaterialsandreplacingthemasnecessary;inspectingthegroundingcables,wireropesandclips,andsurgearrestors;cleaning;andrepainting.Mostroutinemaintenanceactivitiesoccurwithinandaroundthetowerandthenacelle.CleanupfromroutinemaintenanceactivitieswouldbeperformedatthetimemaintenanceisperformedbytheO&Mpersonnel.Whileperformingmostroutinemaintenanceactivities,O&Mstaffwouldtravelbypickuporotherlight‐dutytrucks.Inaddition,onroutinemaintenancesuchasrepairorreplacementofrotorsorothermajorcomponentscouldbenecessary.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐39
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Suchmaintenancewouldinvolveuseofoneormorecranesandequipmenttransportvehicles,thoughthecraneswouldnotbeaslargeasthetrack‐mountedcranesusedtoerecttheturbinetowers.
Monitoringoftheproposedproject’soperationswouldbecomputer‐based;computersinthebaseofeachturbinetowerwouldbeconnectedtotheexistingO&Mfacilitythroughfiber‐optictelecommunicationlinks.
TheO&Mworkforceisnotanticipatedtochangefromtheexistingturbinetechnicians,operationspersonnel,administrativepersonnel,andmanagementstaff.O&Mstaffwouldcontinuetomonitorturbineandsystemoperation,performroutinemaintenance,shutdownandrestartturbineswhennecessary,andprovidesecurity.AllO&MstaffwouldbetrainedregularlytoobserveBMPs.
Ultimate Decommissioning and Reclamation
Theanticipatedlifeofthewindfarmismorethan30years,asupgradingandreplacingequipmentcouldextendtheoperatinglifeindefinitelywithappropriatepermitapprovals.However,thelifeoftheproposedprojectforCEQApurposeswouldbecoterminouswiththetermoftheCUPrequiredforitsoperation
Theultimatedecommissioningandremovaloftheproposedprojectwouldbesimilartothedecommissioningandremovalofexistingwindfarmcomponentsthatwouldbeundertakenpriortoconstructionofrepoweredfacilities,exceptthatconsiderablyfewerturbineswouldberemoved.Inaddition,existingserviceroadswouldbeused.Nonewaccessroadswouldberequired,andnoroadsextantatthattimeareexpectedtorequirewidening.
Decommissioningwouldinvolveremovingtheturbines,transformers,substations,foundationsandrelatedinfrastructuretoadepthof3feetbelowgrade.Asinglelargecranewouldbeusedtodisassembletheturbines,andsmallercraneswouldliftthepartsontotruckstobehauledaway.Generally,turbines,electricalcomponents,andtowerswouldeitherberefurbishedandresoldorrecycledforscrap.Allunsalvageablematerialswouldbedisposedofatauthorizedsitesinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocallaws,regulations,ordinances,andadoptedCountypoliciesineffectatthetimeoffinaldecommissioning.Followingremovaloftheequipmentandstructures,adozerwouldbeusedtospreaddirtoverthefoundations.Roadreclamationwouldbeaccomplishedusingscrapersandgraveltrucks.SitereclamationafterdecommissioningwouldbesubjecttoaCounty‐approvedreclamationplan(CountyCodeArticle88‐3.8).Basedonsite‐specificrequirements,thereclamationplanwouldincluderegrading,spotreplacementoftopsoil,andrevegetationofdisturbedareaswithanapprovedseedmix.
2.6.2 Patterson Pass Project
Project Location and Land Ownership
ThePattersonPassWindFarmRepoweringProject(PattersonPassProject)wouldentailrepoweringoftheexisting21.8MWwindfarm,permittedunderCUPC‐8263,ENXCO,Inc./PattersonPassFarms,ownedbyPattersonPassWindFarm,LLC(PattersonPass).Theexistingwindfarmoriginallycomprised336NordankandBonus65kWturbines,ofwhich317turbinesremainoperational.ThePattersonPassProjectisdepictedinFigure2‐11.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐40
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AccesstothePattersonPassProjectwouldbethroughexistingprivategates,likelyfromPattersonPassRoad,JessRanchRoad,orboth.
Project Need, Goals, and Objectives
TheprojectobjectiveistorepowertheexistingPattersonPassWindFarmonprivatelandownedbyEDFREanddevelopa19.8MWcommerciallyviablewindenergyfacilitythatwoulddeliverrenewableenergytothePG&E/CAISOpowergridtomeetthestate’sRPSgoals.PattersonPassWind,LLCanditsparentcompanyEDFREwerepartytothe2007SettlementAgreementdescribedabove;theproposedrepoweringwouldfulfillEDFRE’sobligationsunderthatagreement.
Theproposedprojectelementsarelistedbelow.
Atotalnameplategenerationcapacityofupto19.8MW.
Removalofexistingwindturbinesandinstallationof8–12newwindturbinegenerators,towers,foundations,andpad‐mountedtransformerstomeetmilestonessetforthintheproject’spowerpurchaseagreement.
Developmentofprojectroadsandinstallationofapowercollectionsystemasnecessary.
Useofexistingelectricalpowertransmissionlinestoconveythewindenergyproducedbytheprojecttolocalandregionalenergymarkets.
Useofexistingroadsthatprovideaccessthroughoutmuchoftheprogramarea.
Useofexistingsubstationandswitchyard(withpotentialupgradesoftheexistingequipmentwithinthefootprintoftheexistingfacility).
UseoftheexistingO&Mfacilityandothersupportfacilitiesadjacenttotheprojectareathatareavailableforprojectutilizationandthatwillcontinuetoreceivepowerfromthesubstationduringtherepoweringprocess.
Existing Facilities
ThePattersonPassWindFarm,commissionedin1984,hasbeenoperationalfor27years.Itcomprisesthreeparcels,totalingapproximately952acres,whollyownedbyPattersonPass,asubsidiaryofEDFRE(Table2‐4).Thelocationoftheprojectandthedistributionoftheexistingfirst‐generationturbinesareshowninFigure2‐11.
Table 2‐4. Patterson Pass Project Parcels
Assessor’sParcelNumber ApproximateAcres
099A‐1800‐001‐00 617.8
099A‐1800‐002‐01 148.7
099B‐7985‐001‐02 185.4
Operation and Maintenance
TheexistingPattersonPassO&Mbuilding,encompassingapproximately4,600squarefeet,housesmaintenanceequipment,sparepartsinventories,collection/communicationsystemsequipment,andthewindfarmcontrolcenter.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐41
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Thewindfarmisstaffed5daysaweek,8hoursaday,withweekendmonitoring.Mostexistingwindturbinesarefittedwithcontrolsystemsattheturbinetowers;thesesystemsareincommunicationwitharemote,centralizedcontrolcenter,connectedtotheOpto‐22SCADAsystemtocollectdata.Additionally,eachturbinefunctionsasastandaloneunit.
ThewindturbinecontrolandmonitoringsystemsutilizecommunicationlinesthatgenerallyrunparallelwiththecollectionsystemlinesandconnectbacktothePattersonPassO&MbuildingthroughtheOpto‐22SCADAsystem.
Turbine Foundations
Theexistingturbinefoundationsareconcrete,singlespreadorpierfoundationssupportingtubulartowers.Eachfoundationhasafootprintofapproximately20by20feet.
Access Roads
AccesstotheprojectareaisthroughlockedgatesfromCountyandprivateroads(PattersonPassRoadandJessRanchRoad,respectively).Intheprojectarea,mainaccessroadsconnectturbinestrings,andspurroadsbranchfromthemainaccessroadstoindividualturbinesandotherfacilities.
Collection System
ElectricityiscollectedfromeachwindturbineandtransmittedtotheADCCsubstation,whereitsvoltageisincreasedforinterconnectionwithPG&E’stransmissionlines,whichtraversetheprojectarea.Thecollectionsystemincludespad‐mountedtransformers,undergroundcables,overheadcablesonapproximately100woodenpoles,assortedcircuitbreakersandswitches,electricalmetering/protectiondevices,andtheADCCsubstationitself.ExistingcollectionlinesintheprojectareaareownedbyPattersonPass.ThePattersonPassProjectconnectsdirectlywithPG&EthroughtheADCCsubstationtothe330kVAtransmissionlines.
Meteorological Towers
Approximately13meteorologicaltowers,18–80meters(60–263feet)tallarepresentonsite.Thesetowersmonitorandrecordmeteorologicaldatasuchaswindspeed,winddirection,andatmosphericpressure.Uptotwoexistingtowerswillbeutilizedasthetwopermanentmeteorologicaltowersfortheproposedproject.Allotherexistingmeteorologicaltowerswillberemovedduringdecommissioningorconstruction.
Proposed Project
Theproposedprojectcomponentsaredescribedbelow.Theproposedprojectwouldentailthreephases:decommissioningandremovaloftheexistingwindfarmfacilities,constructionoftheproposedPattersonPassProject,andoperationoftheproposedproject.AconceptuallayoutoftheproposedprojectisshowninFigure2‐11.
Decommissioning the Existing Facilities
Decommissioningtheexistingprojectwouldrequireremovalofthewindturbinenacelles,blades,towers,andotherfacilities.Somefacilities—suchastheO&Mbuilding,substation,andone80‐metermeteorologicaltowers—wouldberetainedandmaybeupgradedasnecessary.TheO&Mfacilitywouldcontinuetooperateinsupportoftherepoweringproject.Ingeneral,otherfacilitiesfromthe
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐42
October 2014ICF 00323.08
existingprojectthatcouldnotbereused—suchascollectionlines,someaccessroads,andturbinefoundations—wouldberemovedwherefeasibleandinalignmentwithresourceagency(USFWSandCDFW)recommendations.Allremovalactivitieswouldbecarriedouttominimizedisturbance.Itisanticipatedthatexistingroadsmaybeleftinplacetominimizedisturbance(withupgradesasnotedbelow).Equipmentthatcannotbesalvagedwouldbedisposedofataproperlylicensedlandfill.AlistofexistingstructuresandturbinesthatmayberemovedisshowninTable2‐5.
Table 2‐5. Structures to be Decommissioned
Component Quantity Size
Windturbines
Turbinerotorstoberemoved 324 7.5‐meterblades
Turbines/towerstobedisassembled 128 60ft
Turbines/towerstobedisassembled 196 80ft
Nordtank65 118 80ft
Bonus65 206 80ft
Turbines/towerstoberemoved 128 60ft
Turbines/towerstoberemoved 196 80ft
Turbinefoundationstobeburied 336 20by20ft
Downtowerboxremoved n/a
Downtowerboxfoundationburied n/a
ElectricalEquipment
Transformersremoved 46 500kVA
Transformerfoundationsburied 46 13.5by10ft
Electricalpoleswithequip(firesafetyclearingrequirement) 48
Riserpoles 67
ElectricalOHlinesremoved(includespoles)(miles) 3.1 21kVA
Undergroundpowerandcommunicationlines 21kVA(miles) 3.59 21kVA
Undergroundpowerandcommunicationlines480V(miles) 9.02 480Volt
MetTowers
Latticemettowers 5 60ft
Latticemettowers 1 80ft
Polemettowers 4 80ft
Polemettowers 2 120ft
Wind Turbines
Theproposedturbineswouldbethree‐blade,upwindturbinesontubulartowers(Figure2‐2).Arangeofturbinesarebeingconsideredfortheproposedproject;eachwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof2.4–3.3MW,arotordiameterof90–125meters(295–410feet),towersupto84meters(276feet),andamaximumturbineheightof146meters(480feet).Forexample,theVestasV1123.3MWturbine,witha112‐meter(367–foot)rotordiameterand84‐meter(276‐foot)hubheight,turnsat16.1rpm.Thetubularsteeltowerswouldhaveinternalladderstothenacelle,thecolorof
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐43
October 2014ICF 00323.08
towersandrotorswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray),andnacelleswouldbecompletelyenclosedtominimizeperchingopportunities.
Eachturbinewouldinvolvea0.5‐acretemporarylaydownareatoaccommodateturbinecomponentsandtheequipmentnecessaryforturbineinstallation.Followinginstallation,thelaydownareaswouldberestoredtopreprojectconditions.
TurbineplacementwouldconformtothesetbackconditionsshowninTable2‐2.Allturbineswouldbesitednolessthanthreetimesthetotalturbineheight(i.e.,fromthegroundsurfacetothetipofthebladeinthe12o’clockposition)fromanydwellingunitand2.5timesthetotalturbineheightfromanypublicroad,trail,recreationarea,commercialorresidentialzoning,unlessinformationinareportpreparedbyaqualifiedprofessionalandverifiedbytheCountydemonstratesthatalessersetbackisadequate.Innocasewouldasetbacklessthan50%oftheestablishedsetbackbeallowed.
Temporary Staging Areas
Theproposedprojectwouldlikelyrequireuptothreetemporarystagingareasencompassingatotalofupto10acres.Totheextentpossible,thelaydownareaswouldbelocatedinareaswithexistingturbinesandaccessroadstominimizedisturbanceofnaturalhabitats.PattersonPasswouldusethestagingareasforstorageofturbinecomponents,constructionequipment,jobtrailers,andthematerialsneededforprojectconstruction.AccesstothetemporarystagingareaswouldbefromeitherPattersonPassRoadorJessRanchRoad.Uponcompletionofconstruction,thetemporarystagingareaswouldberemoved.
Foundations
Thefreestandingtubulartowerswouldbemountedonsteelandconcretefoundations.Twotypesarebeingconsidered:theinvertedTspreadfootingandthetensionlesspierfooting(Figure2‐4).Foundationswouldbedesignedinconsiderationofsite‐specificconditionsandthedesignengineer’srequirements.Oncethefoundationisconstructed,theturbinetowerswouldbeanchoredtothebasewithlongsteelbolts.Theareasurroundingeachfoundationwouldberestoredbybackfilling,compacting,andburyingthefoundation.Followingbackfilling,thefoundationpedestalwouldstandapproximately1footabovethesurroundinggrade.
Roadway Improvements
Theproposedprojectwouldrequireupto7milesofprivateonsiteaccessroads(Figure2‐11).Duringconstruction,accessroadswouldbegradedandtemporarilygraveleduptoawidthof35feettoallowsufficientspacefortwolanesoftravelandtofacilitatemovementoflargeequipment(e.g.,cranes,turbinecomponents).Cutandfillnecessaryforroadconstructionwouldbebalancedonsite.Nosoilwouldbeimportedorexportedforroadconstruction.Gravelforconstructionofnewroadswouldbetruckedinfromanexistingsourceandwouldbecompactedtoformastableroadsurface.Totheextentpossible,existingaccessroadswouldbereused;howevertheexistingroadswereconstructedtoaccommodatemuchsmallerfirst‐generationturbines,andinmanycasesarenotadequatetosupportconstructionoroperationofthenewproject.
Afterconstruction,theroadedgeswouldberestoredandreseeded,whereappropriate,andthewidthoftheroadswouldbereducedto16feetforcontinueduseduringO&Mactivities.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐44
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AccesstotheprojectareawillbefromPattersonPassRoadatthesouthernportionoftheprojectareaandfromJessRanchRoadatthenortheastcorneroftheprojectarea.ImprovementstoPattersonPassRoad(straightening,widening,orimprovingtheturnintotheprojectarea)maybenecessarytofacilitatethedeliveryofturbinesandassociatedparts.TheseimprovementswouldbeundertakenwithintheexistingCountyrightofwayand/orwithintheprojectarea,whichabutsPattersonPassRoad.ImprovementstoJessRanchRoad(wideningtheexistingturn)mayalsoberequiredtofacilitatetheturnintotheprojectarea.
AnewaccessroadwouldbeconstructedfromJessRanchRoad(showningreeninFigure2‐11).Thismodifiedalignmentwouldavoidbothwetlandsandoccupiedburrowingowlhabitatandwouldbebuiltregardlessofwhichoftheadditionalthreeroadoptions(discussedbelow)isselected.
Threeroadwayoptionsarebeingconsideredtoreduceonsitegrading,ofwhichonlyonewouldbeselected.Option1(showninpurpleinFigure2‐11)wouldbeapproximately4,562feetlongandwasconsideredasthelikelyoptionintheDraftPEIR.Option1wouldresultinthemostdisturbance.Option2(showninblueinFigure2‐11)wouldbeapproximately2,719feetlongandwouldentailimprovinganexistingroadfromthenorththroughtheGoldenHillsprojectarea.(TheproponentoftheGoldenHillsProjectproposesimprovementofthisexistingaccessroadaspartoftheGoldenHillsProject,asshowninFigure2‐10oftheDraftPEIR.)ForOption2,approximately350feetofnewroadwaywouldbeconstructedtoconnecttheGoldenHillsprojectareatothePattersonPassprojectarea.Option3,approximately2,312feetlong,wouldbypassburrowingowlhabitatandwouldconsequentlyresultinfewerimpactsthanOption1.Option3wouldlikelybeselectedifaccessrightsforOption2cannotbeobtained.BothOptions2and3wouldcreatefewertemporaryandpermanentimpactsthanOption1,whichwasanalyzedanddisclosedintheDraftPEIR;accordingly,selectionofeitheroptionwouldnotresultinanynewsignificantimpacts.
Power Collection System
Electricalcollectionlinesfortheproposedprojectwouldbeundergroundfromeachturbinesitetotheexistingsubstation.Theburiedcablesystemmayincludejunctionboxesthatwouldhousecablesplicesandallowaccesstothecableforanyneededmaintenanceorrepairs.Thecablesbeburiesusinganopentrenchingmethodorwouldbeinstalledusinghorizontaldirectionaldrilling(HDD)technology.Thecableswouldbeburiedapproximately36–48inchesdeep.TheconceptuallayoutofthepowercollectionsystemisshowninFigure2‐11.Thetemporarydisturbanceareaforcableinstallationwouldbeminimizedtotheextentfeasible;itwouldtypicallybeapproximately20feetwideinmostlocations.
ThepowercollectionsystemwouldconnecttotheexistingADCCsubstation,andthenthroughtheshortexistinggen‐tieoverheadlineintotheexistingPG&Etransmissionlinesthattraversetheprojectarea.Becausetheproposedprojectwouldhaveelectricalgenerationcapacitysimilartothatoftheexistingproject,nosubstantialmodificationstothesubstation(outsidetheexistingfenceline)orPG&Etransmissionlineareanticipated.Someminorequipmentimprovementswithintheexistingsubstationfootprintmaybecompletedtoreplaceoldequipmentortobringtheequipmentuptocurrentsafetyandoperationalstandards.Allworkwouldbeconductedwithinthegraveledfootprintoftheexistingsubstation.
Operations and Maintenance Facility and Other Project Elements
Theproposedprojectwouldusetheexisting4,600‐square‐footO&Mbuilding.Operations,storage,andrepairswouldtakeplaceattheexistingfacility,whichwouldreceivepowerfromatemporary
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐45
October 2014ICF 00323.08
generatorduringthedecommissioningandconstructionphases.Uponcompletionofconstruction,theO&MfacilitywouldreceivepowerfromtheexistingpowerlinesonPattersonPassRoad.SomeexpansionoftheO&Mfacilitymaybenecessarytoaccommodateconstructionandnewsecurityrequirements.Portablerestroomswouldbeusedduringtheconstructionphase,andtheexistingO&MbuildingrestroomfacilitieswouldbeusedduringO&Mactivities.
Project Construction
PattersonPasswouldbeginconstructionoftheproposedprojectaftercertificationofaFinalEIRandreceiptofallrequiredpermits.Construction,includingdecommissioningoftheexistingfacilities,wouldlikelyoccurearlyin2015andwouldconclude6–9monthslater.Typicalconstructionstepsarelistedbelow.
Demarcationofconstructionareasandanysensitivebiological,cultural,orotherresourcesneedingprotection.
Decommissioningoftheexistingwindfarm.
Disassemblyofexistingturbines.
Removaloffoundationsasrequiredfornewroadandturbineconstruction.
Restoration.
Constructionoftemporarystagingareas.
Gradingandroadconstruction.
Turbinefoundationconstruction.
Powercollectionsystemandcommunicationlineinstallation.
Turbineinstallation.
Upgradestothesubstation(asrequired).
Erosionandsedimentcontrol.
Finalroadconstruction.
Finalcleanupandrestoration.
TheconstructionofanyexpansionnecessaryattheexistingO&Mbuildingwouldnotdependonthesequenceofconstructionfortherestoftheproject.
Theconstructioncontractorswouldpreparetheprojectarea,deliverandinstalltheprojectfacilities,overseeconstruction,andcompletefinalcleanupandrestorationoftheconstructionsites.PattersonPasswouldimplementBMPsconsistentwithstandardpracticeandwiththerequirementsofthisEIRandanystateorfederalpermitstominimizesoilerosion,sedimentationofdrainagesdownslopeoftheprojectarea,andanyotherenvironmentalimpacts.Examplesoflikelyerosioncontrolmeasuresarelistedbelow.
Useofstrawwattles,siltfences/strawbaledikes,andstrawbalestominimizeerosionandcollectsediment(toprotectwildlife,nomonofilament‐coveredsedimentcontrolmeasureswouldbeused).
Re‐seedingandrestorationofthesite.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐46
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Maintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.
Regularinspectionandmaintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.
ConstructiontrafficroutingwouldbeestablishedinaConstructionTrafficPlan,whichwouldincludeatrafficsafetyandsigningplanpreparedbyEDFREincoordinationwiththeCountyandotherrelevantagencies.Theplanwoulddefinehours,routes,andsafetyandmanagementrequirements.
Theconstructionactivitiesandtheapproximatedurationofeacharelistedbelow.
Phase1—Decommissioningofexistingplant:4weeks.
Phase2—Laydownarea:2weeks.
Phase3—Roadconstruction:16weeks.
Phase4—Foundations/electrical:12weeks.
Phase5—Turbinedeliveryandinstallation:12weeks.
Phase6—Electricaltrenching:14weeks.
Phase7—Cleanup:12weeks.
Project Decommissioning
Theproposedprojectisassumedtohaveausefullifeofapproximately25–30years,basedoncurrentturbinedesignsandexpectedservicelife.Newtechnologymaybecomeavailableforanotherrepoweringoftheproposedprojectinthefuture.Decommissioningtheproposedprojectwouldrequireremovalofthewindturbinenacelles,blades,towers,andotherfacilities.Ingeneral,otherprojectfacilitiesthatcouldnotbereused—suchascollectionlines,someaccessroads,andturbinefoundations—wouldberemoved,exceptincaseswhereremovalwouldresultinsubstantialimpactsonterrestrialspeciesorhabitats(e.g.,someturbinefoundations,roads).Anyremovaloffacilitieswouldbeundertakentominimizedisturbance.
2.7 Other Future Projects and Applications SeveralpotentialrepoweringprojectswouldbeundertakenintheAPWRA.Atthistime,thereisnotenoughspecificdetailontheseprojectstoevaluatethemataprojectlevel.Table2‐6showsthenamesofeachoftheseprojects,andthenameplatecapacityofeachproject.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐47
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Table 2‐6. Other Future Projects
ProjectName NameplateCapacity(MW)
GoldenHillsPhase2(GoldenHills)a 41
SummitWind(AWI) 95
MulqueeneyRanch(Brookfield) 80
SandHillsWind(Ogin)a 34a GoldenHillsPhase2isaproposedprojectthatwouldbeevaluatedunderasubsequentCEQAdocument.Theprojectconsistsofapproximately24GeneralElectric1.7MWturbineson80‐metertowers.TheGoldenHillsPhase2CEQAdocumentisanticipatedforreleaseshortlyafterthecompletionoftheFinalPEIR.
b SandHillsWindisa34MWprojectcurrentlybeingevaluatedunderaseparateCEQAdocument.Althougha4MWpilotprojectusinganexperimentalturbinedesigniscurrentlyindevelopment,forthepurposesoftheprogram‐levelanalysisinthisPEIR,ithasbeenassumedthattheSandHillsprojectinitsentiretywouldbeconstructedusingconventionalfourth‐generationturbines.
2.8 References Cited AlamedaCounty.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamont
PassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.
AlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee.2007.SRCSelectionofDangerousWindTurbines.P67.
———.2008a.SRCHazardousTurbineRatingList.P68.UpdatedMarch16,2008.
———.2008b.HazardousRatingScaleoftheSRC.P69.February1.Final.
———.2008c.GuidelinesforSitingWindTurbinesRecommendedforRelocationtoMinimizePotentialCollision‐RelatedMortalityofFourFocalRaptorSpeciesintheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.P70.February7.
Barclay,R.M.R.,E.F.Baerwald,andJ.C.Gruver.2007.VariationinBatandBirdFatalitiesatWindEnergyFacilities:AssessingtheEffectsofRotorSizeandTowerHeight.CanadianJournalofZoology85:381–387.
Brown,K.,K.S.Smallwood,andB.Karas.2013.VascoAvianandBatMonitoringProject2012–2013AnnualReport.Final.September.PreparedbyVentusEnvironmentalSolutions,Portland,OR.PreparedforNextEraEnergyResources,Livermore,CA.
ICFJones&Stokes.2009.AltamontPassWindResourcesArea48‐HourSearchIntervalBirdFatalityStudy.Draft.June.(ICF00904.08.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforAltamontCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency,Hayward,CA.
InsigniaEnvironmental.2009.2008/2009AnnualReportfortheBuenaVistaAvianandBatMonitoringProject.September4.Martinez,CA.PreparedforContraCostaCounty.
Kerlinger,P.,J.L.Gehring,W.P.Erickson,R.Curry,A.Jain,andJ.Guarnaccia.2010.NightMigrantFatalitiesandObstructionLightingatWindTurbinesinNorthAmerica.TheWilsonJournalofOrnithology122(4):744–754.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐48
October 2014ICF 00323.08
Smallwood,K.S.2008.AssessmentofRelocation/RemovalofAltamontPassWindTurbinesRatedasHazardousbytheAlamedaCountySRC.P103.
Smallwood,K.S.,andB.Karas.2009.AvianandBatFatalityRatesatOld‐GenerationandRepoweredWindTurbinesinCalifornia.JournalofWildlifeManagement73(7):1062–1071.
Smallwood,K.S.,andL.Neher.2010.SitingRepoweredWindTurbinestoMinimizeRaptorCollisionsattheTresVaquerosWindProject,ContraCostaCounty,California.April.Draft.PreparedfortheEastBayRegionalParkDistrict.