NPPD announces final line route, substation site for Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission Line Project
Transmission Line
PROJECTMuddy Creek 115 kV
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5
(continued on back page)
After a one-year routing and public involvement process, NPPD has selected a final line route for its Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission Line Project.
(See inside pages.) The project consists of constructing a 115,000-volt electric transmission line from a new substation, to be called Muddy Creek and located near an existing transmission line east of Broken Bow, to an existing substation near Ord. The line is estimated to be 40 miles in length. This transmission line project will address voltage and loading issues in the immediate area and meet the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Reliability Standards. Landowners adjacent or in close proximity to the final line route or substation site were notified recently via letter. Since announcing the need for the Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission Line Project about a year ago, NPPD met with stakeholders, performed field studies, reviewed maps and held three rounds of open house meetings in both Broken Bow and Ord. NPPD hosted public hearings for the project on Aug. 26 in Broken Bow and Ord. The public hearings were preceded by a one-hour open house. NPPD representatives reviewed the comments provided at the public hearing and after, as they continued to study the possible line routes. The group determined the proposed route communicated at the hearing was the best route. “I’d like to thank the landowners for their feedback during the public involvement process,” said Senior Project Manager Mike Hasenkamp. “We had excellent participation from
NPPD hosted a one-hour open house prior to each public hearing for the Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission Line Project.
landowners whether in person, by phone or via written communications. By letting us know of any future plans for their land or any special circumstances, we were able to make better, informed decisions. Our goal throughout this project was to find the most suitable line route and substation site with the least overall impact to landowners. We believe the process has resulted in identification of a good route.” Right-of-entry to begin soon Now that the final line route and substation site have been identified, property owners along the final transmission line route can expect an NPPD representative to contact them to obtain a right-of-entry agreement. The right-of-entry agreement will allow NPPD and its representatives access across property to conduct a variety of preliminary activities prior to the time easements are acquired. The right-of-entry is also an opportunity for landowners to meet project members on-site and provide input on locating structures and identifying access routes to use to design the
#*
#*
!(
")
North LoupRiver
?ã?ã
?}
?m
?ã?°
?ã
?¼?Ø?}
Initial Study Area
?¦
R 21W R 20W R 19W R 18W R 17W R 16W R 15W R 14W R 13W
T 19N
T 18N
T 17N
T 16N
T 15N
?½
Routing Corridor(White)
115kV Line Route
Existing Broken Bow Windfarm Substation
Existing OrdSubstation
Muddy Creek Substation
Site Location Canal
Canal
Middle Loup River
ARCADIATWNSHP.
ENTERPRISETWNSHP.
GERANIUMTWNSHP.
LIBERTYTWNSHP.
MICHIGANTWNSHP.
ORDTWNSHP.
VINTONTWNSHP.DOUGLAS
GROVE SOUTHTWNSHP.
GARFIELDWEST
TWNSHP.
MYRTLETWNSHP.
SPRINGCREEK
TWNSHP.
WESTERVILLENORTH TWNSHP.
BERWYNNORTH
TWNSHP.
COMSTOCKNORTH
TWNSHP.DOUGLAS
GROVE NORTHTWNSHP.
GARFIELDEAST
TWNSHP.
BROKENBOW CENTER
TWNSHP.
COMSTOCKSOUTH
TWNSHP.
SHERMAN COVALLEY CO
SHE
RM
AN
CO
CU
STE
R C
OVA
LLEY
CO
CU
STE
R C
O
Village ofWeissert
31 3136 36 3136 31
0601 01 0601 0606
36
01
36 313636 3131 31 36
0101 01 060106
01 06
36 31
0601 06 06
Berwyn
BrokenBow
Comstock
Sargent
Arcadia
Elyria
Ord
Westerville
Legend
#* Existing 115kV Substation
") Muddy Creek Substation
Final 115kV Line Route
Routing Corridor(White)Highway
Existing 115kV Transmission Line
Township
Municipal Limits
Waterway
County Boundary
Section
J
Muddy Creek to Ord115 kV Electric Transmission Line
Final Line Route and Substation Site
P.O. Box 499 Columbus, NE 68602-0499
Address Service Requested
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID COLUMBUS NE PERMIT NO. 3
The Muddy Creek-Ord 115 kV Transmission Line Newsletter is published by NPPD’s transmission project team. It is intended to provide a project overview and communicate project developments.
Contributors: Project Manager Mike Hasenkamp.Project Team: Al Beiermann, Brenda Blatchford, Ross DeBower, Larry Linder, Tom Pillen, Kevin Stachura, Ron Starzec and Dave Wolff.
Printing and artwork:Bill Haack, Dan Zastera and Scott Margheim.
Editor: Jill Novicki
Contact usEmail: [email protected] (toll-free): 888-677-3412
Mailing address: Muddy Creek-Ord 115 kV Transmission Line Project, NPPD, P.O. Box 499 Columbus, NE 68602-0499Attention Jill Novicki
Website: www.nppd.com/muddycreek-ord
A9D
33B
A4
(continued from front page)
line, as well as discussing any farming/ranching operational concerns that must be considered. Right-of-way agents will also begin landowner discussions regarding tree removal and off right-of-way access agreements where necessary. Survey work Surveyors will locate section corners, fences, utility (communication, electric, etc.) crossings, water tanks and windmills, and other items for consideration when designing the line. They will also stake locations where structures have been preliminarily spotted and complete site surveys at these locations. Engineering Engineers will view structure locations, access routes, line crossings, and other parameters as they consider line design and construction needs. The engineers value input from landowners in their effort to design the line and consider construction practices to best minimize impact to the property.
Soil borings will be performed at various points along the line route. These samples will then be used to determine foundation sizes necessary to support the structures. The borings are six inches in diameter and will be backfilled when completed.
On Friday, Oct. 23, NPPD will open a field office in Ord. The office will provide a place for landowners to visit with the Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission
Line Project right-of-way agents. The office, located at 1518 J Street, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The phone number will be 308-728-7076. Be sure to stop in on Oct. 23 for coffee and cookies and to say hello to the right-of-way agents.
The right-of-way agents for the Muddy Creek to Ord Transmission Line Project are, from Left: Susan LeCavalier, Stephen Sykes and Art Eash. Not pictured, Christine Mullaney.
NPPD to open field office in Ord