Public Information and Environmental Review Scoping Meeting - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Public Information and Environmental Review Scoping Meeting - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dec 08, 2023 317 likes •556 views

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

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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

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Blazing Star 2 Project - Purpose

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 2

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
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Blazing Star 2 Project – Meeting Agenda

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 3

  • 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
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Blazing Star 2 Project - Process

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc

Large Wind Energy Conversion System Permitting Process for the Blazing Star 2 Project

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Project Overview

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 5

  • 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).

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Commission Staff Role

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 6

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

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Decision Considerations

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 7

  • 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
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Blazing Star 2 Project – Timeline

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 8

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

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Public Comments

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 9

Comments accepted until March 7, 2018

Please include the Commission’s Docket Number (17-700) in all communication.

  • 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?
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Blazing Star 2 Project – Submitting Comments

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 10

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.

Four ways to submit comments (all forms have equal weight):

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Contacts

2/23/2018 Commission Docket WS-17-700 | https://mn.gov/puc 11

Tricia DeBleeckere, Staff Analyst Louise Miltich, Environmental Review Manager Patrick Smith, Director of Planning, Geronimo Charley Bruce, Public Advisor Blazing Star 2 Wind Farm, LLC

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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

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Blazing Star 2 Project – Lincoln County, MN

Louise Miltich| Environmental Review Manager Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA)

mn.gov/commerce 2/23/2018 13

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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

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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

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Application Availability

2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 16

  • 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
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State Environmental Review and Permitting Process

2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 17

Comment Period Public Meeting/ Comment Period Public Hearing/ Comment Period Application Submitted Application Accepted

  • Prelim. Draft

Site Permit Draft Site Permit Issued Site Permit Decision Contested Case Hearing

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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

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COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 19

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Submitting Comments

Electronic

  • eFiling

Visit mn.gov/puc, select eFiling and follow the prompts Docket No. 17-700

  • Email

Louise.miltich@state.mn.us U.S. Mail

Louise Miltich Environmental Review Manager

Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis 85 7th Place East, Suite 280

  • St. Paul, MN 55101-2198

2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 20

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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

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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

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Thank You!

Louise Miltich

louise.miltich@state.mn.us 651-539-1853 651-470-1666

2/23/2018 mn.gov/commerce 23