jk smith power station clark county - linkproperty known as the jk smith generating station (jk...

JK SMITH POWER STATION

CLARK COUNTY

ENERGY PROJECT SITE SUITABILITY

2009

Department of Energy Development and Independence

Energy and Environment Cabinet Commonwealth of Kentucky

FOREWORD

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has submitted this site for evaluation for potential

development as an alternative energy facility. The site was evaluated against

preliminary criteria which identifies characteristics beneficial for development of a wind,

solar, biomass, nuclear, or coal-to liquid (CTL)/coal-to-gas (CTG) facility. This site

benefits from rail and road access, sizeable flat land, and a large available workforce. It

also stands to benefit from synergies with the J.K. Smith Power Generating Station.

The adjacent proposed coal fired electrical generating facility can provide substantial

power and access transmission of excess power.

Cover photo (2006) - Proposed development site

East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) has sponsored portions of a 3,200 acre

property known as the JK Smith Generating Station (JK Smith) for evaluation as a

potential energy facility. The site is located near Trapp in Clark County, just north of the

Kentucky River. The development of an energy facility, whether for CTL/CTG, wind,

solar, or biomass, must consider basic common factors which include assets like

access to transportation, general topography, proximity to public access areas, and

available utilities.

GENERAL SITE CONSIDERATIONS

Ownership

EKPC owns the proposed site in fee. It is likely that EKPC would not sell the property,

but would offer a long term ground lease to any investor. Due to the existing

infrastructure that is being offered, this site would be a partnership between the utility

and any developer.

Aerial photograph of the site

JK Smith – Clark County Page 1

Size

EKPC has offered portions of a 3,200 acre located about 15 miles southeast of

Winchester, Kentucky. The proposed site consists of a large, partially developed

property currently used for peaking power generation to serve the EKPC cooperative

member systems power grid. At least two building sites of more than 500 acres are

available on the property. Rezoning may be required for industrial development. The

current use of the site is for power generation and related offices and maintenance

activities, with plans underway for additional clean-coal generation by 2013. However,

the majority of the site is undeveloped and used either currently, or in the recent past,

for grazing, hay and agricultural activities.

Portion of development site

Topography The site elevations range from 690 to 800’ above mean sea level (AMSL). The majority

of the elevation changes occur along the southern boundary of the site as it dips toward

the Kentucky River. The areas proposed for development are generally rolling to flat.

Some earthwork would be necessary in site development.


Floodplain and Wetlands

Floodplain and wetlands published data has been reviewed to determine if development

of the site would impact either resource. There are floodplains identified along the

Kentucky River located at the southern boundary of the site, along Bull Run that drains

into the Kentucky River from the southern portion of the site, and Howard’s Creek that

lies on the western and northern borders of the site. No floodplain area is within the

proposed and possible building sites.

United States Fish and Wildlife digital wetland data was reviewed and several

freshwater ponds were noted, but no wetlands were identified that would impact

development of the site. The site sponsor has designed a water impoundment on the

southern portion of the site within the Bull Run watershed for the proposed coal-fired

generation. If that plan were executed, regulatory interface and permitting would be

required prior to construction.

Development site


Site Hazards

Environmental databases were reviewed to determine if there is regulatory evidence

that the site or a nearby property has been impacted by environmental issues.

According to a 2006 FirstSearch Environmental Database Report, the site was not listed

on any of the environmental databases that were reviewed nor were any other sites

identified within the search radius. An environmental assessment of the site was not

conducted, merely visual observation during the site visit, but no obvious indications of

environmental issues were observed. Significantly, this site has undergone several

previous environmental reviews, including two full Environmental Impact Statements (by

the U.S. Department of Energy and the Rural Utilities Service), and three environmental

assessments.

Oil and Gas Wells

Kentucky Geologic Survey (KGS) data indicated there is a gas well within the Trapp

Field that may be located around the southeast corner of the site.

Old well on-site


Several large Texas Gas transmission pipelines were observed on site and documented

by the site sponsor. Development of the site may require relocation of portions of these

lines.

Gas bollards

Sensitive Areas

The proximity of non-attainment areas and Class I Visibility Areas to the site was

examined for potential impacts to air quality or limitations on a required air permit for a

CTL/CTG or biomass facility. The site is located 120 miles east of Mammoth Cave and

153 miles north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the two closest Class I

Visibility areas. The closest air pollution non-attainment areas are in northern Kentucky

or the Ashland-Huntington area, both greater than 50 miles distant. Based upon

distance, these sensitive areas would not likely impact air permitting.

State water data was searched to determine if designated impaired streams in the area

might affect discharge requirements for an energy facility. Surface water drainage

follows three pathways to the Kentucky River: to the southeast into Bull Run which flows

southwest into the Kentucky River, to the northwest into Cotton Creek which flows south

into Upper Howard Creek and discharges into the Kentucky River and into intermittent JK Smith – Clark County Page 5

drainage swales southwest of the site which flow directly into the Kentucky River. The

Kentucky River is designated as warm water aquatic habitat, primary contact recreation,

secondary contact recreation, and domestic water supply waters in 401 KAR 10:026.

The 2008 303(d) List of Surface Waters reports Upper Howard Creek as having some

unknown pollutants and sedimentation/siltation that are impairing warm water aquatic

habitat (partial support) in the creek. Suspected sources include rangeland grazing.

These water quality issues could affect the timing and effluent limits when obtaining a

Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (KPDES) discharge permit; however,

discharge to other non-impaired streams may be an option at this location.

Development site


Siting considerations for any energy facility include the presence of Threatened and

Endangered (T&E) species in the area, the presence of significant cultural or historical

resources in and around the project area, and proximity to public access areas and

airports. Federal and state lists of threatened and endangered species were reviewed

to determine if there is documentation of the occurrence of T&E species on the Hedges,

Kentucky topographic quadrangle map. No species were listed for this area. Because

of the use of the site as a power generating station, it is not likely that sensitive habitat

will be impacted by development of this property. Furthermore, since two full

Environmental Impact Statements (by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Rural

Utilities Service) have been conducted for the site, it is recommended that these reports

be referenced, as the report would have included an analysis of T&E species.

Preliminary research of the National Register of Historic Places identified the Brock

House, a private abandoned home located off Red River Road. The site sponsor stated

that a full survey of the property had been performed at the time it purchased the

property and that the Brock House had been demolished some years ago, prior to the

purchase. Informal consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office indicates

that significant cultural and archaeological resources were identified by surveys

completed in past years. While these resources may have been surveyed and

assessed, an effort will be needed to address any remaining sites and document the

removal of impacted areas.

Distance from public access areas and airports is critical for successful CTL/CTG or

alternative energy sites to minimize environmental impact, hazards to air traffic, and to

mitigate potential risks and costs associated with development. Several public access

areas are located around the site. Public access areas near the site include Pilot Knob

State Nature Preserve located about 7 miles northeast of the site and Fort

Boonesborough State Park which is located 10 miles west of the site. Jordan Hill

airfield is identified on available mapping, located about 7 miles to the southeast. Clark

Regional Medical Center Heliport and the Mount Sterling/Montgomery County Airport

are located greater than 10 miles from the site. The location of small airfields must be

considered in the site development in order to address safety hazards to small aviation

that may arise as a result of the processes and equipment associated with a CTL/CTG

facility; however, the distance from the site to the airfields should be an acceptable

safety margin to avoid hazards to aircraft from the processes and equipment at a

CTL/CTG facility.


Geological Assets

Siting considerations for a biomass or CTL/CTG process must take into account

available geological assets for potential sequestration. Analysis by the KGS ranked the

geologic assets for the site as below average. The KGS found that there were no

proven deep saline formations at the site, but believe there are probable formations.

Certain subsurface structures and features that may make carbon sequestration

possible were found at the site. Some shallow oil fields are located within the vicinity of

the site. The following graphic was prepared by the KGS to illustrate some of the

geologic assets at the site, which is identified as I on the map.


The proximity of faults to a site may impact the development of a biomass or CTL/CTG

facility. According to information obtained from KGS (Seismic Risk Map of Kentucky),

the site has the low risk of seismic activity. The Kentucky River Fault System is located

3.5 miles southwest of the site, and an un-named fault is located 2.3 miles southeast of

the site (KGS Petroleum Geology Map).

Utilities

The site has all basic infrastructure at the site including potable water, natural gas

access, electricity and road access for worker use. Broadband access to the Internet is

also currently available at the site.

Transportation

The access road is KY 89 which is a 2-lane paved road from Winchester suitable for

worker commuting and industrial hauling. The road beyond the site to the south

reportedly crosses a bridge with weight limitations. Kentucky’s six-year road plan, the

State’s blueprint for transportation spending, includes about $15.3 million for large-scale

safety improvements to KY 89 in anticipation of the new coal-fired power plant.

Although not a significant siting consideration for a solar or wind facility, a biomass or

CTL/CTG facility will require several transportation options due to the substantial

feedstock required for these technologies. A main CSX rail line passes along the

eastern edge of the site. A significant siding has been constructed and is large enough

to support three unit trains; however, the siding is currently not used. The load-out

would require belting to move coal to either of the possible building sites. No river

transportation will be possible as the site is not near a navigable stream.

Transmission

Any energy facility will require access to electric transmission points. The site is located

on the same property as the JK Smith peak generating plant for EKPC. The site has


high voltage lines (69 kV, 138 kV, 345 kV) at the facility and could serve as both a

source of energy to the facility and a transmission point for the sale of excess electricity

generated by the CTL/CTG facility once it is operational.

Natural gas is used as a feedstock and fuel in CTL/CTG and for some biomass facilities,

making access to a supply important. Several large gas transmission lines are on site

and would provide a means to ship synthetic gas generated by a facility.

Transmission right-of-way

Water Supply Available water supply is a critical project component for the development of a

CTL/CTG or biomass facility. Typically, a CTL/CTG or biomass facility require a

minimum of 2,500 gallons per minute (gpm) or 3.6 million gallons per day (MGD) for

process or cooling water needs. The site is located 0.5 miles north of the Kentucky

River. Local watersheds are the Upper Howard Creek and Kentucky River Watersheds.

The Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 11 listing for the Upper Howard Creek Watershed is


05100205010 and the HUC 11 listing for the Kentucky River Watershed is

05100205005. Mean annual stream flow for Kentucky River at mile point 187 is

2,160,218 gpm, or 3,109 MGD. The low-flow 7Q2 is 24,685 gpm (36 MGD) and the low-

flow 7Q10 is 4,937 gpm (7.1 MGD). The low-flow 7Q10 is the lowest mean flow during

seven consecutive days over a ten-year period. The low-flow 7Q2 is the lowest mean

flow during seven consecutive days over a two year period. The nearest USGS gaging

station is approximately 14 miles downstream at mile point 177 of the Kentucky River.

The lowest mean annual flow recorded at station 03284000 is 999,993 gpm or 1,439

MGD. The public drinking water intake for Winchester Municipal Utilities is located

approximately 14 miles downstream at mile point 177 of the Kentucky River.

Based upon flow volumes, the Kentucky River is assumed to be the appropriate water

source for CTL/CTG or biomass operations. EKPC is exempt from a water withdrawal

permit and operates a pumping station in the river. However, the Kentucky Division of

Water (DOW) commented as follows:

The central Kentucky area is home to roughly 700,000 or so people who draw

their water supply from the Kentucky River. About 70 percent of the demand is

focused in pool 9 (KAWC), the next downstream pool from the Trapp site is pool

10. Given the size of the demand placed on the river in pool 9, flow statistics can

be misleading, suggesting ample flow for purposes of a 3.60 MGD withdrawal in

pool 10. The need to maintain some beneficial flow below the Kentucky

American intake in pool 9 means we must insure that flow is maintained from

pool 10 at as high a level as practical during a low flow event. Coupled with

demands from pools upstream, an intake in pool 10 of 3.60 MGD would cause

instances where full withdrawals would need to be curtailed.

Although adequate water supply is available for a CTL/CTG or biomass facility, this

comment suggests that additional water sources will need to be utilized in conjunction


with the Kentucky River to provide enough water during low flow times. Further

evaluation of downstream uses and commitments for the Kentucky River would be

required in order to ensure the facility could withdraw adequate water supplies. As the

facility expands, the water needs will expand as well, making on-site storage and the

identification of additional water supply an important issue related to that potential

expansion.

Workforce Availability

Development of a CTL/CTG or biomass facility would require access to an adequate

supply of construction and skilled labor. In 2008, the labor market identified by the

Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet includes sixteen counties and represents a

total available workforce of over 350,000 workers. This is one of the largest labor

markets in Kentucky.

Clark County labor market


www.thinkkentucky.com

http://www.thinkkentucky.com/

Civilian Labor Force Clark County Labor Market Area

2007 Oct. 2008 2007 Oct. 2008 Civilian Labor Force 17,525 17,619 363,202 363,569

Employed 16,673 16,568 346,421 344,175 Unemployed 852 1,051 16,781 19,394

Unemployment Rate %) 4.9 6.0 4.6 5.3 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau or Labor Statistics

Other General Characteristics The proximity to military sites was reviewed in order to consider the potential impact of

an energy facility to military training routes or long range radar. Based upon information

produced by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Department of Defense Screening

Tool, the proposed site has no anticipated impact to long range radar or weather service

radar or military operations. However, further documentation and confirmation is

recommended prior to site development.

Atmospheric extremes, such as tornadoes, are capable of structurally damaging a

facility and must be considered particularly during siting for a solar or wind facility.

Based upon Federal Emergency Management Agency mapping, the site appears to

have a moderate to low risk of experiencing a tornado.

TECHNOLOGY SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS CTL/CTG

For a CTL/CTG facility, access to coal resources is important. Clark County is not

within the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields. As such, all fuel will be required to be

transported to the facility from mines several counties away. However, the presence of

a main line of the CSX railroad, running from the Eastern Coal Fields past the site, is a

benefit.


Solar

Adequate solar radiation is critical to the successful generation of solar power. A

successful site should be relatively free from land cover, and not within a mile of a

corporate city boundary. The JK Smith site has an average direct normal solar radiation

of 3.56 KWh/m2/day and an annual solar radiation for two-axis flat plates of 5.88

KWh/m2/day. Based upon this average solar radiation, too much cloud cover and haze

is present to be effective as a large, utility scale facility. The site is sizeable, with

several cleared areas with potential for solar panel placement. Solar installations in

large mass can be a visual distraction to local communities. This site is greater than a

mile from an urban community.

Solar insolation map

Wind

The most critical component for a successful wind facility is adequate and consistent

wind speed. In order to generate enough power to be a utility class facility, a mean JK Smith – Clark County Page 14

average wind speed at 60 meters of 5.6 meters per second (m/s) or greater is required.

Information obtained from AWS Truewind, indicates that the average wind speed at 60

meters for the site is 4.31 m/s. Without adequate wind speed, other factors, such as

foundational concerns, potential visual impacts, telecommunication interference,

impacts to birds and bats, as well as operational concerns such as ice shedding, noise,

blade drop and throw, and flicker are moot. Wind speed measurements to accurately

assess the available resource at any potential development site would be required prior

to final planning.

Mean wind speed – 4.31 m/s

Biomass

An adequate feedstock supply environment includes available crop residues, animal

manure, forest residues from former silviculture or clearing, primary and secondary mill

residues, urban residues (i.e., wood scraps from local business such as lumberyards),


landfill gas, domestic wastewater, or switchgrass. Information obtained from the

National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicates that the total biomass available within

Clark County is 7,536 tonnes per year. Biomass in Clark and its neighboring counties is

169,992 tonnes/year. This availability may not provide an adequate or diverse

feedstock (>500,000 tonnes/year) for a potential biomass facility, and represents some

of the lowest availability within the State. Analysis of the potential in the area to grow

feedstock specifically for a biomass facility should also be part of the planning process.

SUITABILITY

In summary, the JK Smith site is a viable site for a potential CTL/CTG facility. The site

scored a total of 1087 points, representing 91% of the total available points for a

CTL/CTG facility. The site has many beneficial attributes. It has adequate flat land and

is located close to a large population center, increasing the likelihood of an available

workforce. A facility at this site would co-locate with an on-site generating plant,

ensuring access to adequate power and transmission of excess electricity. The

Kentucky River, especially if supplemented by a large impoundment, should provide an

adequate water supply for a biomass or CTL/CTG facility. Significantly, this site has

undergone several previous environmental reviews, including two full Environmental

Impact Statements (by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Rural Utilities Service),

and three environmental assessments by RUS throughout the site’s history. Drawbacks

to this property are the lack of barge transportation and its location out of the Eastern

Kentucky Coal Fields.

The site scored a total of 942 points, representing 75% of the total available points for a

biomass facility. While a biomass facility at this location would benefit from the

attributes described above, biomass availability in Clark and its surrounding Counties

represents some of the lowest in the State. Further investigation into available

resources would be required prior to developing a facility at this location.



Due to a low average mean wind speed, this location is not a viable location for a utility

scale wind facility.

The site scored 570 points, representing 61% of the total available points for a solar

facility. Available solar radiation at the site is too low to produce a significant source of

energy for a utility solar facility alone. Sizeable, cleared areas on the property make this

site desirable for solar panel placement; however, it is recommended that a cost-benefit

analysis be conducted prior to further investigate solar facility viability at this location.

Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence http://www.energy.ky.gov/

500 Metro Street 12th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower

Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 564-7192 or (800) 282-0868

Smith Management Group www.smithmanage.com

1405 Mercer Road Lexington, KY 40511

(859) 213-8936

East Kentucky Power Cooperative PO Box 707

Winchester, KY 40392-0707 (859) 744-4812

http://www.energy.ky.gov/

jk smith power station clark county - linkproperty known as the jk smith generating station (jk...

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