wheatsborough solar public information meeting
TRANSCRIPT
Wheatsborough Solar Public Information Meeting
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• Contact information is on the bottom of the screen throughout the presentation.
Technological Assistance
Type questions here
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Wheatsborough Solar Team
Apex Clean Energy – Developer• John Arehart, Director of Development
• Carmen O’Keefe, Development Manager
• Nate Pedder, Development Manager
• Roger Hunker, Development Associate
• Drew Christensen, Public Engagement Manager
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AGENDA
• Introduction to Apex Clean Energy
• Wheatsborough Solar Project Details
• Solar Project Components and Construction Phase
• Operation and Maintenance Phase
• Ohio Power Siting Board Permitting Process
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About Apex Clean Energy
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Existing ProjectsApex Clean Energy has secured financing for over 5 GW of wind and solar projects across the United States, many of which are nowoperating or under construction. Visit apexcleanenergy.com/projects to learn more about these and our other completed facilities.
Featured ProjectPhantom Solar
The Defense Logistics Agency partnered with Apex in 2016, resulting in a 28-year renewable energy supply agreement serving Fort Hood, the largest active-duty armored post in the United States.
Cotton Plains (50 MW, Texas)
Cameron (165 MW, Texas) Kay (299 MW, Oklahoma)
Aviator (525 MW, Texas)
As of April 2017, Apex’s facilities are providing more than 50% of the electricity at Fort Hood.
“The project at Fort Hood, the Army’s first hybrid and largest
single renewable energy project to date, is an excellent example
of the extraordinary results we can achieve through
collaboration.”—Katherine Hammack,
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy,
and Environment
Project Details
Capacity 15.4 MWAC / 19.6 MWDC
Technology 62,725 Canadian Solar PV modules
ISO / RTO ERCOT
Owner Northleaf Capital and Apex Clean Energy
Construction Manager Apex Clean Energy
Asset Manager Apex Clean Energy
Industry Awards
Hoopeston (98 MW, Illinois)
Grant (152 MW, Oklahoma)
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Example Project
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Why Here?
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Why Here?The project area of interest has a number of features that make solar development appealing:
• Plentiful, open, flat ground
• Transmission line access with available capacity
• Abundant solar resource
• Landowner interest
• Apex’s history of investment in the area
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Project Timeline
Q4 2020• Complete Studies
• Public Information Meeting
• Draft OPSB Application
Q4 2020/Q1 2021 – Submit OPSB ApplicationQ1 2022 – OPSB Certificate2022 – Start of Construction2023 – Commercial Operations
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Wheatsborough Project Details
• Operational capacity: Up to 125 MW
• Location: Groton Township, Erie County, OH
• Expected COD: 2023
• Ohio Power Siting Board Case #: 20-1529-EL-BGN
• Up to 60 MW of on-site battery storage
• Project substation will be located next to the point of interconnection, minimizing the need for any additional overhead transmission lines
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ErieHuron
Sand
usky
Sene
ca
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Project Area
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Wheatsborough Solar Local Benefits
Local Economic BenefitsSolar projects, like other business developments, contribute to the economic health of the local community through local spending, property tax revenue, and job creation.
Local Revenue for Groton Township, Erie County, and area school districtsWheatsborough Solar would pay over $1 million per year to the local government, totaling millions of dollars over the 30+ year lifetime of the project.
JobsDuring construction:
• Between 100 and 200 construction jobs created directly by the project
During project operations (30+ years):
• 2-3 direct, long-term, local jobs employed for operations and maintenance of project
• Additional local subcontractors for site maintenance, including vegetative management, road repair, plowing, substation/transformer/inverter maintenance, and module cleaning when needed.
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Benefits of Solar Development
• Increased tax revenue that does not require additional services from the municipality
• No harmful pollutants or negative health impacts• Minimal sound produced• No air or water emissions• Soils rest and lie fallow during project life• Perennial plantings increase soil stability, improve
infiltration, and help promote biodiversity• Reduces emissions and impacts from traditional power
generation
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Development Studies
• Wetlands
• Threatened and
Endangered Species
• Glare Analysis
• Noise
• Visual Assessment
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• Hydrology
• Geotechnical
• Soils
• Socioeconomics
• Transportation
• Cultural Resources
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Panel Siting Considerations
• Setbacks:
• 300 feet from nonparticipating sensitive receptors
• 50 feet from nonparticipating property lines
• 50 feet from the edge of public roads
• Archaeological study findings
• Wetland areas
• Minimize tree clearing
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Solar and Wildlife
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Coordination with USFWS and ODNR occurs from Project inception through operations to identify sensitive areas or resources warranting management consideration:
•Step 1: Initial Site Assessment – Desktop review of existing information to assess potential for species or habitats of concern
•Step 2: Pre-construction Field Surveys – completed to provide information on species of concern using the site, and to identify areas or specific times of the year warranting considerations in project design
•Step 3: Post-construction – Solar projects of this kind are not known to cause impacts to wildlife.
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Preliminary Facility Layout
Portland Rd
Nor
thw
est R
d
Strecker Rd
SR 2
69
19
Turnpike
Knauss Rd
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Where Does The Power Go?To the PJM Grid
Electricity generated by Wheatsborough Solar will go onto the electrical grid by connecting to an existing power line located in
Groton Township. The power will be in the PJM electricity market.
From the grid, the power generated by the project could be used locally or sent where it is needed depending on transmission line capacity, local generation, and demand.
So who uses the power?
Project Construction Phase
• Site preparation• Pile installation• Racking installation• Panel installation and
interconnection• Restoration and re-
vegetation• Approximate 12-month
duration
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Pile Installation
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Tracking System Installation
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Panel Installation & Wiring
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Solar project Components – Modules/Panels
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Solar Project Components – Inverters
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Solar Project Components – Substation
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Operations & Maintenance – Personnel
• Approximately 2-3 full time employees
• The site will be monitored remotely for operations
• Operations and maintenance facility located on-site
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Decommissioning
• All above ground components will be removed andunderground components up to a depth of 3 feet.
• The site will be restored to its original use or howeverthe landowner wants to use it
• There will be a removal bond set in place to cover thefunding for decommissioning
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ContactWebsite: wheatsboroughsolar.comEmail: [email protected]: 419-573-0859
Type questions here
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Electric Generation
Solar farms50 MW and greater
Wind farms5 MW and greater
Fossil fuel plants 50 MW and greater
Electric Transmission
Lines and associated facilities 100 kV and greater
Natural Gas Transmission
Pipelines greater than 500 feet in length and 9 inches in diameter
Maximum operating pressure greater than 125 psi
OPSB jurisdiction
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Construction and operation are monitored by the OPSBUpdated: June 7, 2017
OPSB COMPLIANCE
REVIEW
Back to OPSB compliancereview
APPLICATION INCOMPLETE
LETTEROFCOMPLETENESS
OAC 4906-3-06
APPLICATION COMPLETEPRE- APPLICATION CONFERENCE OAC
4906-3-02(Optional)
PRE-APPLICATIONNOTIFICATION LETTER
15 days prior public informational meetingOAC 4906-3-03 (A)
APPLICANT INFORMATIONALMEETING
Informational meeting notice 7-21 days priorOAC 4906-3-03 (B)(1)
ORC 4906.06OAC 4906-2-02
CERTIFICATEAPPLICATIONSUBMISSION
LEGEND
OPSB Applicant
OFFICIAL FILINGDATE SET
HEARING DATES SET
SECONDPUBLICNOTICE
7-21 days before publichearing
OAC 4906-3-09(A)(2)
FIRST PUBLIC NOTICE
Within 15 days of acceptedapplication
OAC 4906-3-09(A)(1)
STAFF REPORT15 days beforepublic hearing
Interrogatory and discoveryDepositions Field and
site visitsMember agency analysisPreparation of staff report
ORC 4906.07(C)
OPSB INVESTIGATIONAPPLICATION
COMPLETEAND ACCEPTED
OAC 4906-3-07Near project
location
PUBLICHEARING
ORC 4906.07(A) OAC
4906-2-09
APPLICATIONFILING FEE
OAC 4906-1-04OAC 4906-3-12
ADJUDICATORY HEARING
OPSB offices
BRIEFS ANDREPLY BRIEFS
CERTIFICATEISSUED
CERTIFICATE DENIED
BOARDDECISIONORC 4906.10
OAC 4906-2-30
REHEARING/APPEAL
30 Days 60 Days
BOARDDECISION
APPLICATION FOR REHEARING ORC4903.10
OAC 4906-2-32
SUPREME COURT APPEAL
ORC 4903.13OAC 4906-2-33
Standard Application Process
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Public informational meetingDeveloper educates community about project and gathers input to consider in developing its application. OPSB representatives provide info about siting process and public participation.
Public commentsWritten comments are filed in the case where they inform the Board members and staff. Comments are accepted at any time after a case number is established.
Online:https://opsb.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/opsb/help-center/file-a-comment
Email: [email protected]
Mail:Ohio Power Siting Board180 E. Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215
How to participate
Local public hearingBoard obtains sworn statements from the public which are transcribed and become part of the official record that the Board considers before making its decision.
Held at least 15 days after staff publishes its report of investigation. Notification letters sent to property owners and local officials. Newspaper notice 7-21 before the hearing.
Adjudicatory hearingThe developer, OPSB staff, and parties to the case present testimony and evidence regarding the facility and cross examine each other. Intervention grants individuals and local governments the right to participate as a party in the adjudicatory hearing, file for rehearing, or appeal to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Held approximately 2 weeks after the local public hearing. Property owners and local officials receive letters advising them of right to intervene.
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• If a project is approved, the OPSB monitors construction and operation to ensure compliance with the certificate and any conditions.
• The developer must notify landowners prior to start of construction.
• The developer must establish a complaint resolution process to address concerns resulting from project construction and operation.
• OPSB can assist individuals who feel they are not obtaining a resolution from the developer.
Construction & operation
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Online resources
OPSB Websitewww.OPSB.ohio.gov• Case summary page• Process information• Calendar of events• www.facebook.com/OhioPSB
Docketing information system (DIS)https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/• View case documents and public comments• Case number • Subscribe for case notifications
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www.OPSB.ohio.gov
866-270-6772
The Ohio Power Siting Board180 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215
www.facebook.com/OhioPSB
OPSB staff opinions contained in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the voting Board members.
Stay in touch
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ContactWebsite: wheatsboroughsolar.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 419-573-0859
Questions?
Type questions here
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