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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplication section 1r4' , ENFIELD ENERGY Application for Wind Energy Permit This application is made to the Town of Enfield, NY in compliance with Wind Energy Facilities Local Law #1 of 2009, Article III, Permits and Permitting Process. It follows point by point through the law, providing the information called for therein. Section 1A 1. Contact Information John Rancich —founder and CEO Mailing Address - P.O. Box 547 Ithaca, NY 14851 Email Address — irancich@aol.com Phone Number - 607-279-0604 2. Property Owners John Rancich Mailing Address - P.O. Box 547 Ithaca, NY 14851 Phone Number - 607-279-0604 Rich Teeter Mailing Address - 738 Black Oak Rd Newfield, NY 14867-9240 Phone Number - 607- 272-1908 Jim Reeves Estate Mailing address - 642 Black Oak Rd Newfield, NY 14867-9257 Phone Number — 607- 277-3510 Douglass Everhart Mailing Address - 283 Connecticut Hill Rd Newfield, NY 14867-9046 Phone Number — 607-272-5168 Cotton -Hanlon Inc Mailing address - P.O. Box 65 Cayuta, NY 14824 Phone Number - 607-594-4600 Betsv Allen Mailing Address — 754 Black Oak Rd Newfield, NY 14867 Phone Number - (607) 273-8369 Cliff Newhart - Mailing Address - 753 Black Oak Road Newfield, NY Phone Number - (607) 273-5969 3. Property owners within 500' of proposed site boundaries Section 3 Parcel 8.2 — Betsy Allen - 754 Slack Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 8.1—Jeffrey J. Richards - 420 Cayutaville Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 8.32 - Uadajane Z Ketcham 410 Cayutaville Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 8.7 - Kenneth F Donley -789 Black Oak Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 8.4 - Bruce E Varner - 771 Black Oak Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.2 — Cliff Newhart— 753 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.1— Gabriel Newhart —183 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.11- Kevin A Lelik - 169 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.12 - Christopher R Hern -161 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.4 - Betty L Doscher -143 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.5 - Thomas W Drake - 105 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Section 2 Parcel 1.4 — unknown —130 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.34 — Marcus Alger — 673 Black Oak Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 13.12 - Michael McArthur -192 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 13.11- Maria D Ortiz - 717 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 13.2 — unknown -172 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.1- Daniel A Everhart - 122 Griffin Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.22 - Douglass H Everhart - 283 Connecticut Hill Road, Newfield NY 14867 Parcel 1.34 - Henry R Bennett Jr. - 691 Black Oak Rd. Newfield NY 14867 Parcel 1.33 - Marcus Alger - 673 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.7 — Norman and Karen Hoffman — 641 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.23 — Michael D Shults - 637 Black Oak Road. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 3.1— Donald Wagner — 682 Black Oak Rd. — Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.27 -Michael G Amberge - 631 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.62 — unknown - 621 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 1.12 — unknown - 329 Connecticut Hill Rd Parcel 1.13 - Robert T lower Jr - 31`5 Connecticut Hill Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 2.21- Phillip R Allen if - 301 Connecticut Hill Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Section 1 Parcel 6 - Richard Teeter - 738 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 5 —Falls Brothers - 716 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 4.1- Donald D Wagner - 682 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 3.23 —Vacant -604 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 Parcel 3.8 — Jim Reeves — 642 Black Oak Rd. Newfield, NY 14867 4. Address and Tax Parcel for Turbine Location Turbine 1— Parcel 2 - Black Oak CH# -198 Road, Newfield NY Turbine 2 — Parcel 3.21- Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 3 — Parcel 1.21- Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 4 - Parcel 8.2 -- 754 Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 5 — Parcel — 2.22 - 283 Connecticut Hill Road, Newfield NY Turbine 6 — Parcel 1.23 — 637 Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 7 — Parcel 6 — 738 Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 8 — Parcel 4.2 - Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 9 — Parcel 1.21- Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 10 — Parcel 3.21- Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 11— Parcel 2.22 - 283 Connecticut Hill Road, Newfield NY Turbine 12 — Parcel 3.22 - Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 13 — Parcel 3.22 - Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 14 — Parcel 1.21- Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 15 — Parcel 6 — 738 Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 16 — Parcel 7 Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 17 — Parcel 2.22 — 283 Connecticut Hill Road, Newfield NY Turbine 18 — Parcel 3.22 — Black Oak Road, Newfield NY Turbine 19 — Parcel 3.3 - Black Oak Rear Road, Newfield NY Turbine 20 — Parcel 4.2 — Black Oak Road, Newfield NY 5. Project Description Enfield Energy is a local company dedicated to bringing renewable energy to Tompkins County, NY. We hope to employ local contractors, train local people to operate the wind farm, and will return a portion of the profits from the Black Oak Wind Farm to the Town of Enfield, helping improve local services and reduce the tax burden on residents. We will not be selling the energy out of the area, but will sell it locally for use here in our own county. Enfield Energy is a privately held corporation, developing the Black Oak Wind Farm in Enfield, NY. The Black Oak Wind Farm will be a 35-50 MW project, using 20 turbines to generate enough electricity to power all the households in Tompkins County, NY. It will also include a renewable energy education center on-site, with many alternative energy sources demonstrated, from wind to solar, biofuels, recycling and many others. The site for the Black Oak Wind Farm was chosen because it is the windiest place in the county, and because it already has a high-voltage transmission line crossing the site, making a grid tie-in feasible. In November 2006, Enfield Energy installed a meteorological tower to monitor wind conditions on the site. The tower has been taking data continuously since then, giving us a large and favorable data set to help design the wind farm for optimal energy production. In January 2009, the Town of Enfield passed a local Wind Ordinance, governing the development of any wind resources in the town. The law provides Enfield Energy the framework within which it can design the wind farm. The local law covers everything from property setbacks to noise levels, insurance, and safety. As of Spring 2009, Enfield Energy is working to secure financing for the project, choosing turbines, siting them, and plans to begin construction in 2010. 6. Maps— Sections 2 and 3 of this application contain the tax parcel map and turbine layout map, respectively. 7. Wind Turbine Generator specifications We are currently considering the GE 2.5x1 turbine as our generator. The specifications for this machine can be found in Section 5 of this application. 8. Landscaping Plan Present day landscape in the future location of the turbine sites are as follows: Fallow fields, actively farmed soil and forest landscape. Fallow fields — Several turbines will be located in abandoned farm fields, with a mix of goldenrod and woody shrubs currently growing. After construction, the disturbed areas will be seeded down with perennial grasses common to the area, such as orchard grass, brome grass, and red cover. Annual mowing will maintain these areas as open fallow fields with native vegetation. Actively Farmed Soil —After construction is complete, topsoil will be replaced right up to the base of the turbine pads, and all land except turbine footprint and access roads will be available for farming again, including plowing, grazing, and other usual farming techniques common to the area. Forest Landscape — Several turbines will be located in areas that are currently wooded. Each turbine will require a 2 -acre clearing at its base to allow for construction equipment. After construction is complete, topsoil will be replaced, and as with the fallow fields, a common local blend of perennial grasses and flowers will be seeded, including orchard grass, red clover, and others. The area will be mowed once annually, to keep down woody plants, but it is expected that native wildflowers will take over these areas, such as goldenrod, aster, dogbane, and milkweed. 9. Lighting Plan The only lighting anticipated for this project will on the tops of the turbines themselves, as required by the FAA. Modern lights have been designed that cannot be seen from the ground, only by aircraft. It is our intent to use this type of lighting to minimize the nighttime visual impact of the turbines in this rural area. The required FAA Determination of No Hazard for this wind farm project cannot be granted until the project is approved by the Town and all turbine locations are set. However, all designs will be in full compliance with FAA rules and regulations. 10. Decommissioning Plan Properly maintained wind turbines will have a minimum design life of 30 years. At the end of the project life and depending on market conditions and project viability, the wind turbines may be "re -powered" with new nacelles, towers, and/or blades. Alternatively, the wind turbines may be decommissioned. The major components of the wind turbines (the tower, the nacelle and blades) are modular items that allow for ease of construction and disassembly of the wind turbine during decommissioning or replacement. The tower is constructed of a combination of steel along with various other materials. Portions of the components within the nacelle and generators can also be salvaged for scrap value or resold to other users. During the decommissioning phase, all buildings, utility systems, infrastructure systems (i.e. wind turbines) and related facilities at the site will be dismantled safely and efficiently using appropriate procedures, then sold. Decommissioning Sequence In the event the Enfield Energy facility requires decommissioning, the following sequence for removal of the components will be used: • Remove Wind Turbines • Remove Collection Transformers • Partially Remove Wind Turbine Foundations • Remove overhead collection/transmission structures • Remove access roads (unless landowner requests they remain) After removal of all foundations to a minimum depth of approximately 4 feet, the disturbed areas will be regraded. Topsoil will be restored and seeded with approved vegetative cover. Estimated decommissioning cost per turbine - $90,000 Salvage Value of turbine -$100,000 Total net decommissioning cost per wind turbine minus salvage value — net gain $10,000 Estimated decommissioning cost for entire project $200,000 positive cash flow (no cost)(includes cost for Towers, Wind Turbine Deconstruction, Access Road Preparation, Blade Disposal, Foundation Removal, Site Restoration, Tower Dismantle and Salvage; Preparation and Transmission Line/Pole Removal) The substation is the property of NYSEG, and would not be removed in this decommissioning process. Its management is governed by the NYiSO and the Public Service Commission. The following is a summary of the total costs for the decommissioning of the Black Oak Wind Farm which helped determine the estimated cost. This estimate was developed using the salvage value per turbine. • Supported Aluminum Transmission Line Salvage of 230 pounds per 1,000 linear feet • Contractor will be allowed to stage construction to obtain the most efficient work flow possible • Contractor will be allowed to use the most appropriate, safest, and efficient methods available to them at the time of performing the work • Contractor will secure and provideanyrequired demolition permits or certificates • Salvage material buyer will provide own transportation equipment at each demolition site • Demolition contractor will load salvage materials in appropriate sizes and weights at each site to salvage material buyer's vehicle(s) • Site restoration includes roadway removal and re -grading of site, including deep tiling to remove compaction of soils at roadat tower site • Salvaged roadway material is stockpiled or delivered within a 20 mile radius of each turbine site. No disposal or recycle value is assigned to such roadway material • Overhead collector and transmission lines poles have average 250' span. All poles and aluminum clad cable is removed • Two days'of decommissioning preparation per site including oil removal are allowed prior to crane dismantling • All recycled material is processed to manageable sizes for transport from site • Substation transformers are assumed to be salvaged for metal only Note that these values are based on 2009 costs and scrap values, and do not assume any inflation costs or other mark-up fluctuations. In any case, the Applicant will pay for any costs of decommissioning that are not covered by the salvage value. Yearly reports will be prepared regarding the current year decommissioning and restoration cost funds by Enfield Energy and will be made public via the Enfield Energy website. 11. Complaint Resolution Plan Prior to construction, Enfield Energy will communicate to neighboring residents and to the Towns and permitting agencies. Enfield Energy will 'publish a 1-800 number to the community that will be accessed within 24 hours by construction or operations personnel. Complaints by community residents or others may be made through the. following channels: 1. By calling the local or 800 number (during construction). When the log is filled out Enfield Energy will seek the person making the complaint to sign the Log to ensure accuracy; 2. By writing to Enfield Energy at its local address or its principal place of business; and/or I By making the complaint in person at Enfield Energy construction or operations building. Complaint will be entered into the Log and the person making the complaint will sign the log to ensure accuracy. In the event that the Town receives complaints directly about unanticipated effects of operations of the wind facility following completion of the environmental review and securing of all permits, the Town shall notify Enfield Energy within 5 days, in writing of the details of such complaint. A log will be kept locally of the name and contact details of the complainant and the actions taken to resolve the complaint. This log will be available to the Town Board for inspection upon request. In the event of a major complaint, Enfield Energy will inform the Town Clerk and Town Supervisor within 48 hours of the mature of the complaint and planned actions to resolve the complaint. In the event that Enfield Energy receives complaints either from neighboring residents, landowners or local businesses operations, Enfield Energy will promptly work directly with the complainant and the Town, if necessary, in the manner outlined above, to investigate and resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both parties. In the event that the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, or that an agreed upon solution is not under development within 30 days of receipt of the complaint, the complainant may refer the matter to the Complaint Resolution Board, as set forth below. Enfield Energy will make every reasonable effort to resolve all complaints. Complaint Appeal Procedure In the event that Enfield Energy is unable to resolve a complaint after completion of the complaint resolution procedures described above, the complainant may appear before a Complaint Resolution Board. The Complaint Resolution Board shall not hear any complaints for which the procedures described above have not been completed without producing an agreed-upon resolution. The Complaint Resolution Boardwill consist of three members: an Enfield Energy designee, a Town Officer or Employee appointed to the position annually, and an independent third party expert. The independent third party expert member of the Complaint Resolution Board shall be mutually agreed upon by Enfield Energy and the Town appointee, individually for each matter considered by the Board. The costs of the third party expert member of the Complaint Resolution Board shall be paid for by Enfield Energy, but the member shall remain independent. The Complaint Resolution Board shall hear the complaint within no more than thirty (30) days after the appeal is made by the Complainant, and a decision of the Board shall be rendered within thirty (30) days after the close of the complaint hearing. The decision of the Complaint Resolution Board shall set forth the manner in which the complaint shall be resolved, and the reasons why such resolution is appropriate. In making such decision, the Complaint Resolution Board shall take into account the terms and conditions of the special use permit and approved site plans, and shall not require any resolution that is inconsistent with such terms. The decision of the Complaint Resolution Board shall be final and binding upon Enfield Energy and the Town. 12. Construction Information A detailed construction plan has been provided by The Delaney Group, a firm with extensive experience erecting wind farms across the US, including in New York State. Their report is included in Section 6 of this application. Their plan includes no dates, as we have no timeline yet for installation. However, they indicate all the other aspects of how the project would be built, including access roads, construction procedures, etc. Enfield Energy shall affirmatively show compliance with the standards of Article iV of this Local Law, and will provide such other information and data as reasonably required by the Town on the Enfield Energy website: www.enfieidenergv.com 13. Environmental Assessment Form A long form EAF has been completed and can be found in Section 7 of this application. Section 1C: Environmental Studies 1. Visual impact: Section 8 of this application consists of a number of image simulations of what each turbine will look like in its respective location, as well as what the project overall will look like from a number of vantage spots on public roads. We also included a 7 -mile radius map, indicating where the turbines will be visible from in the foreground, middle ground, and background of the view in a 7 mile radius from the center of the project site. 2. Bat Study: In August 2009, a bat detection device was installed on the meteorological tower on site, to help us gauge bat activity in the vicinity. The full report can be found in Section 9 of this application. In summary, normal bat species and populations were detected on site, and the only endangered bat species in New York State, the Indiana Bat, was not found during the study period. This was the expected result, as the nearest known Indiana bat populations are in the Syracuse area. 3. Wildlife Study: Documentation regarding bird and other wildlife populations are included in Section 10 of this application. Included is a ietter from Dr John Confer, Professor Emeritus of Ithaca College, indicating the absence of any known endangered bird species in the area, and the fact that the site is not a flyway for migrant birds. Also included is amap of the wind farm site from the NYS DEC, indicating absence of any protected wetlands or known endangered species of plants or animals in the project area. Lastly, we include the extensive correspondence between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the developers of the Ecogen Prattsburgh Wind Farm in Steuben County, indicating the lack of significant impact of that wind farm on any local wildlife due to a number of reasons that also apply to the Black Oak site. 4. Flicker Study: A flicker study has not been conducted for the Black Oak site. In Section 11, we include the Flicker Study performed for the aforementioned Ecogen wind farm in Steuben County, which has very similar conditions to ours. In summary, flicker can only occur when the sun is shining, and the sun is at a particularly low angle in the sky. According to the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell, the sun is shining approximately 48% of the time in this area. When cloud cover, time of day, turbine location, and viewer location are calculated in, there are on average 6 hours per year when turbines could generate a flicker effect for a viewer in a nearby house for the Ecogen project, which has more turbines and covers a larger area than the Black Oak wind farm would. We would expect even lower flicker rates on our site due to its smaller size. S. Fire Protection Plan: Wind turbine fires are rare each generator is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system inside the nacelle, with an electronic warning system to alert the wind (arra operators, as described in the turbine specifications. However, in the event of an uncontrolled fire in a WTG, there is nothing that can be done by the local fire department. We will develop a plan of action with the Enfield Fire Company, and they would be notified in the event of afire, so they can monitor it and ensure that no fire spreads to adjacent areas. But the fire would be allowed to burn itself out, and would then be the responsibility .of the wind farm operator to clean up the site, repair damages, and replace the damaged machinery. The wind farm's insurance policy would cover all this work. 6. Electromagnetic Fields: Included in Section 12 of this application is a summary document provided by the American Wind Energy Association, addressing a common concern of any new electrical installation, including wind farms, that of electromagnetic fields given off by high voltage lines. In summary, all of the new lines installed by the wind project would be. underground, which effectively eliminates the EMFs they radiate. Since an overhead high voltage line already crosses the site, no appreciable new levels of EMFs would be generated by our project that do not already exist on site.