Public Information and Environmental Review Scoping Meeting - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Blazing Star Wind Project 2 Public Information and Environmental Review Scoping Meeting Hendricks School February 20, 2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc

Blazing Star 2 Project - Purpose Meeting Purpose • Explain the Commission’s application review process • Provide information about the proposed project • Receive comments on the environmental review • Answer questions about the application review process and project 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 2

Blazing Star 2 Project – Meeting Agenda 1. Overview of Meeting and Permit Process Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 3. Environmental Review Process Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review & Analysis 2. Project Information Blazing Star Wind Project 2, LLC 4. Citizen Comments and Questions 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 3

Blazing Star 2 Project - Process Large Wind Energy Conversion System Permitting Process for the Blazing Star 2 Project 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc

Blazing Star 2 Project – Project Overview • On November 16, 2017, Blazing Star Wind Farm 2, LLC submitted an application to the Commission to construct and operate a large wind energy conversion system. • In order to construct the Blazing Star 2 Project, the applicant must be issued a site permit from the Commission. • The project would be on approximately 57,800 acres in Lincoln County. • The proposed project would entail construction of up between 57 to 100 wind turbines for a combined nameplate capacity of up to 200 megawatts (MW). 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 5

Blazing Star 2 Project – Commission Staff Role PUC Energy Facilities Planner – manages the application review process, assists in building the official record, and informs Commissioners on impacts of decision alternatives PUC Public Advisor – helps public participate in certificate of need and site permit process Important: Commission staff is a neutral party that does not give legal advice or act as an advocate 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 6

Blazing Star 2 Project – Decision Considerations • Potential impacts of the project, proposed mitigative measures, and any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided, in the following areas: 1. Demographics, including people, homes, and businesses 2. Public services and infrastructure 3. Public health and safety, including air traffic, electromagnetic fields, and security and traffic 4. Wetlands, vegetation, wildlife, and rare or unique natural resources 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 7

Blazing Star 2 Project – Timeline Permitting Stage Estimated Date Application Filed November 16, 2017 Application Accepted January 29, 2018 Public Information Meeting February 20, 2018 Comment Period Closes March 7, 2018 (Replies March 14) Preliminary Draft Site Permit Release March-April 2018 Commission Decision on Draft Site Permit April 2018 Public Hearings April – May 2018 Public Hearing Comment Period Closes May 2018 Administrative Law Judge Report June-July 2018 Commission Decision July-August 2018 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 8

Blazing Star 2 Project – Public Comments • What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the draft site permit? • What are the possible methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project? • Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed site or the project that should be considered? • Are there any items missing or mischaracterized in the site permit applications? Comments accepted until March 7, 2018 Please include the Commission’s Docket Number (17-700) in all communication. 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 9

Blazing Star 2 Project – Submitting Comments Four ways to submit comments (all forms have equal weight): Online: mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment Email: Louise.Miltich @ state.mn.us U.S. Mail: Louise Miltich, Environmental Review Manager Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul MN 55101 Phone: 651-539-1853 Important: Comments will be made available to the public via the Public Utilities Commission’s and the Department of Commerce’s websites, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Personally identifying information is not edited or deleted from submissions. 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 10

Blazing Star 2 Project – Contacts Tricia DeBleeckere, Staff Analyst Charley Bruce, Public Advisor Louise Miltich, Environmental Review Manager Blazing Star 2 Wind Farm, LLC Patrick Smith, Director of Planning, Geronimo 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 11

Thank You Tricia DeBleeckere Tricia.DeBleeckere@state.mn.us 651-201-2254 2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 12

Blazing Star 2 Project – Lincoln County, MN Louise Miltich| Environmental Review Manager Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 13

DOC-EERA Presentation Topics  The Project  Blazing Star Wind Farm 2  The State Environmental Review and Permitting Process  Public Participation  Future Opportunities to Comment  Submitting Comments  Tonight’s Procedure and Speaker Guidelines 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 14

Blazing Star Wind Farm 2 Lincoln County  Up to 200 MW Proposed  57-100 Turbines and Associated Facilities  Proposed High Voltage Transmission Line (Docket No. 17-701)  Located adjacent to Blazing Star 1  Site Permit Application  Layouts  Noise Modeling and Shadow Flicker 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 15

Application Availability • Auditor’s Office in Lincoln County • Southwest Regional Development Commission • clerks of Diamond Lake, Drammen, Ash Lake, Shaokatan, Royal, Hendricks, and Marble Townships • public library in the City of Hendricks • Albert Lea Public Library 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 16

State Environmental Review and Permitting Process Application Submitted Site Draft Public Hearing/ Permit Prelim. Draft Public Meeting/ Site Permit Comment Application Comment Period Decision Site Permit Comment Period Issued Period Accepted Contested Case Hearing 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 17

Future Public Participation Opportunities  The Scoping/Information Meeting • Tonight – February 20, 2018  Public Hearing in Local Area • Anticipated April-May, 2018 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 18

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE Wednesday, March 7, 2018 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 19

Submitting Comments Electronic U.S. Mail • eFiling Louise Miltich Visit mn.gov/puc, select eFiling Environmental Review Manager and follow the prompts Department of Commerce Docket No. 17-700 Energy Environmental Review and Analysis • Email 85 7th Place East, Suite 280 St. Paul, MN 55101-2198 Louise.miltich@state.mn.us 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 20

Topics to Address with Comments or Questions • What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the draft site permit? • What are the possible methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project? • Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed site or the project that should be considered? • Are there any items missing or mischaracterized in the Site Permit Application? 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 21

Tonight’s Procedure and Speaker Guidelines • One speaker at a time • Five (5) minutes per speaker (opportunity for more at the end if time allows) • State & spell name for court reporter • Please maintain respect for others • Focus comments Draft Site Permit issues 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 22

Thank You! Louise Miltich louise.miltich@state.mn.us 651-539-1853 651-470-1666 2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 23