Case Study Case Study Milford Wind Corridor ProjectMilford Wind Corridor Project

Presenter: Presenter: Lucas Lucero, Washington Office Project Lucas Lucero, Washington Office Project ManagerManagerPhone:Phone: 702-515-5059 702-515-5059Email:Email: Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov

Review Project Background & MapsReview Project Background & Maps

Overview of Project TimelineOverview of Project Timeline

Construction PicturesConstruction Pictures

Lessons Learned – Tools for successLessons Learned – Tools for success

Closing SuggestionsClosing Suggestions

ProponentProponent - First Wind, LLC - First Wind, LLC BLM Field Offices BLM Field Offices – Cedar City and Fillmore– Cedar City and Fillmore Wind farm Wind farm 300 MW on BLM, state and private 300 MW on BLM, state and private

lands in southwest UT (40 square miles)lands in southwest UT (40 square miles) 159 turbines 159 turbines (40 on BLM) – Clipper model C99 (40 on BLM) – Clipper model C99

2.5 MW and GE model XLE 1.5 MW2.5 MW and GE model XLE 1.5 MW Operation/Maintenance facility, substation, Operation/Maintenance facility, substation,

buried 34.5kV electrical system, MET towers, buried 34.5kV electrical system, MET towers, access roadsaccess roads

90-mile 345kV transmission line 90-mile 345kV transmission line (steel H-(steel H-frame structures) and access roadsframe structures) and access roads

Wind development application Wind development application filed October filed October 20062006

Project kickoff Project kickoff meeting February 2007meeting February 2007 EA scopingEA scoping September/October 2007 September/October 2007 EA and Draft FONSI EA and Draft FONSI released September 2008released September 2008 FONSI and DR FONSI and DR signed October 2008signed October 2008 ROW grant and Notice to Proceed ROW grant and Notice to Proceed October October

20082008◦ separate EA prepared for geotechnical studiesseparate EA prepared for geotechnical studies

Construction start Construction start November 2008 November 2008 Phase 1 to be complete late 2009Phase 1 to be complete late 2009 Phase 2 begin late 2009 and complete early 2010Phase 2 begin late 2009 and complete early 2010

ID team on board early ID team on board early (clear (clear roles/responsibilities) and roles/responsibilities) and cost reimbursement cost reimbursement agreement and funds in placeagreement and funds in place

Solid project plan Solid project plan and supporting documents and supporting documents Early review of issues Early review of issues ((avoid/mitigate effects to avoid/mitigate effects to

sensitive resources; use utility corridorssensitive resources; use utility corridors)) Select experienced NEPA contractorSelect experienced NEPA contractor Tier to Wind Energy Development PEIS Tier to Wind Energy Development PEIS (don’t (don’t

assume an EIS is a must; incorporate BMPs)assume an EIS is a must; incorporate BMPs) Applicant build flexibility into design Applicant build flexibility into design (extra (extra

turbine locations, multiple transmission line routes) turbine locations, multiple transmission line routes) Avoid “narrow” surveys and NEPA scopeAvoid “narrow” surveys and NEPA scope

PODPOD – multiple reviews/help applicant; coordinate – multiple reviews/help applicant; coordinate with agencies; build in flexibility; capture with agencies; build in flexibility; capture modifications modifications

Must have commitment from managers Must have commitment from managers to make staff to make staff available and make projects high priority available and make projects high priority

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t wait for Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t wait for “perfect” information before moving forward “perfect” information before moving forward

Talk with experienced BLM staff Talk with experienced BLM staff Review applications and coordinate with DOD Review applications and coordinate with DOD per per

protocolprotocol Get trainingGet training◦ Managing Major ROWs Managing Major ROWs ◦ Electric Systems Short CourseElectric Systems Short Course◦ Project Management for Planners Project Management for Planners

Use tools on Washington Office ROW website Use tools on Washington Office ROW website Document lessons learned and educate peers and managersDocument lessons learned and educate peers and managers Work together Work together (common goal), (common goal), develop project plans develop project plans (lay (lay

foundation for success), foundation for success), ask questions ask questions, and , and TAKE TAKE ACTIONACTION!!