Advisory Working Groups

Town of Dover

December 16, 2014

Agenda

Introductions Recap

– About Advisory Working Groups (AWG)– Project Overview & Update– AWG Recap

Tonight’s topics– Project Benefits (short and long term)– Design Factors

Planning for next AWG

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Tonight’s Speakers

Bob De Meyere – Cricket Valley Energy (CVE)– Project Manager – Cricket Valley Energy Center

David Klinch – Epsilon Associates, Inc. – Project environmental consultant

Nora Madonick – Arch Street Communications– Public information and outreach

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What is an Advisory Working Group (AWG)?

Informal, unofficial opportunities for the public and project experts to share information and ideas

Not required by the public process – additional outreach by Cricket Valley Energy – comments are not part of the official public record

No specialized knowledge is needed – technical information will be presented in plain language

If you are attending as a member of an organization, please share what you learn tonight with your members

Announced via website, postcards, email blast, calendar listing, posters, advertising, posting on town websites

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AWGs are self-determined.

The group:- Chose the topics for tonight’s meeting- Requested use of microphones as needed- Requested longer question/answer period

All meeting materials will be posted on the web following tonight’s meeting

Please visit cricketvalleytransmission.com for updates and to sign up for email notifications

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Recap: Project Overview

Cricket Valley Energy is a 1000 MW energy generation facility in Dover, NY

- Fully approved and permitted

- Completed State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process

- Restoration of abandoned industrial site

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Recap: New York Independent System Operator Requirement

CVE has been required by NYISO to increase transmission/transfer capacity, redundancy, and operational capacities by:- Funding and installing 14.6-mile transmission line in

existing right-of-way between CVE in Dover and Con Edison substation in Pleasant Valley

- Reconductoring 3.4-mile segment of existing line between CVE substation and the NY/CT border

- Upgrading Pleasant Valley substation (within existing footprint) security/communication infrastructure

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NOT part of any of the following transmission line projects: NY Transco Edic to Pleasant Valley; NEXTERA New Scotland to Pleasant Valley; North American Transmission; or Boundless Energy Transmission

Project Status

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AWG Recap (October meeting)

Visual Impact- The CVE team identified an option to reduce the

proposed pole height by as much as 40 ft by using H-frame poles, replacing monopoles in certain key locations, and modifying the original design of the monopoles

- Design changes have been submitted for approval to Con Edison

Underground Construction− Based on the significant environmental and other

potential impacts, the underground option failed to satisfy the project design requirements set forth by Con Edison and NYISO

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AWG Recap (October meeting)

Noise - Restrictions will be in place to limit noise-producing

construction activity to standard daylight working hours- Short intervals of work along the right-of-way over a

total schedule of 24 months Standard construction equipment, such as drill rigs, rough

terrain cranes, cable pulling rigs Helicopters (heavy lift and light duty) Trucks to deliver materials, bring workers to and from active

construction areas

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AWG Recap (October meeting)

Safety− Safety is our highest priority− CVE will address all considerations in order to meet

safety standards, including: construction, monopoles, and operations

− Clearances: vegetation and trees, if not properly maintained, can be a source of outages

− Aviation: structure heights, locations, and lighting in accordance with FAA requirements will ensure safe operation of the transmission line in Sky Acres Airport area

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Benefits (Short & Long Term)

Tonight we will cover:

Labor and workforce

Sourcing local business

Low impact design

Restoration of impacted areas

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Labor and Workforce

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Direct and indirect positive impacts to regional economy of over $1 billion over 20 years

Power Plant − Up to 750 direct construction jobs – averaging around 300 per year

for the estimated 3 year construction period (Approx. $147 million)− More than 1500 indirect, and induced jobs− 56 direct, indirect, and induced jobs supporting operations (post

construction phase)

Transmission Line− 60 to 80 direct construction jobs − Up to 80 additional Indirect and induced jobs in support of project

Sourcing Local Business

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Indirect and induced employment− Local purchases during construction

Materials and services For construction work force (meals, fuel, incidentals, lodging,

etc.)

− Local services to support construction and operation Sky Acres Airport and other sites to support construction

Tax Revenue to State, County, Towns, and School district

Low Impact Design

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Minimal footprint− Proposed transmission line will be constructed entirely

within the existing right-of-way− Existing Con Edison right-of-way is presently more

than 90% free of tree growth− For safety and reliability, some trees along the

southern edge of the right-of-way will be cleared in accordance with industry standard safety requirements (less than 8% of the total right-of-way area)

− Construction to be limited Pole locations – 4-5 per mile

Low Impact Design (continued)

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Construction measures− Protective measures such as hay bale and silt fence

barriers between the resource areas and work areas to prevent inadvertent impacts to wetlands and streams

− Highly-trained construction monitors to oversee work; including particular attention to sensitive areas to prevent any damage to wetlands and streams along the right-of-way

− Protection of threatened and endangered species habitats per DEC approval

− Physical avoidance, time of year restrictions − Use of rock anchors in most locations− Selective use of helicopters to set poles

Restoration of Impacted Areas

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Wetland restoration plan and remediation at CVE site in Dover

Transmission line – restoration of work areas

Natural buffers− Landscaping to screen the Pleasant Valley substation,

along Rt. 44− Natural tree buffer at CVE site in Dover

QUESTIONS

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Design Factors

Tonight we will cover:

Revised pole heights

Insulated cables

Ice and wind loads that can affect the line

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Revised Pole Heights

Reviewed technical requirements‒ National Electric Safety Code (NESC)‒ Con Edison‒ New York State Department of Public Service (DPS)

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Revised Pole Heights

Key Considerations‒ Con Edison phase-to-phase electrical clearance: 15

ft. minimum (displaced conductors)‒ Con Edison phase-to-ground electrical clearance: 9

ft. minimum (displaced conductors)‒ 35 foot electrical clearance to ground under

maximum operating temperature of 180ºC (356ºF)‒ EMF requirements

Distance to ground for EMF analysis: determined under winter normal temperature of 95ºC (203ºF)

For example: the span between CV-07 to CV-08 is 44 ft EMF: Electric field < 1.6kV/m at edge of right-of-way EMF: Magnetic field < 200 mG at edge of right-of-way

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Why not use insulated cables?

Technically impractical for overhead high voltage transmission lines

‒ Insulated cables would be 8 -10 inches in diameter changing the weight from 2.5 lbs/ft to 44.7 lbs/ft

‒ Would require 3 cables for each phase – 9 cables total

‒ Requires cable bridge supports, abutments and additional wires to support the cable

‒ More massive and intrusive than overhead bare cables

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What are the ice and wind loads?

Designs exceed NESC Code minimums

100-year wind loading of 25 psf wind pressure (100 mph) wind

100-year ice loading of 1” radial ice with a concurrent 8 psf (56 mph) wind

Unbalanced ½ inch ice

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QUESTIONS

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TOPICS FOR OUR NEXT ADVISORY WORKING GROUP

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