Windfarm Siting in North Carolina

Bob LekerState Energy Program

NC DENRbob.leker@ncdenr.gov

100 kW Northwind in Boone, NC

Meet early with nearby NC Base Leadership to discuss your project

Submit project to FAA for review, early in the siting process

Contact NC DENR long before entering official permit process for informal meeting to discuss various permitting requirements

Windfarm Best Practices - NC

New DOE wind map – 110 meter height w/ areas of 35% capacity factor

Old DOE wind map – 80 meter height w/ wind speeds

NC Wind Permitting (H484) – 14 Items Reviewed3 of the 14 items concern DoD bases 1. Submit a description of:

◦ civil air navigation or military air navigation routes◦ air traffic control areas◦ military training routes◦ special-use air space, radar, or other military operations

2. Document potential adverse impact on military operations and readiness as identified by the DoD Clearinghouse and any mitigation action necessary

3. Note whether:◦ FAA 7460-1 DNH for the turbines associated with the project has been completed

or,◦ Informal review by the DoD Siting Clearinghouse is underway and status of review

Other items include: project description, location, lease agreements, property owners, shadow flicker, sound studies, natural resources and wildlife impacts, and decommissioning plan.

Sample elements from Model Solar Ordinance (for solar projects over ½ acre in size within 5 miles of an airport)

Determine if airport is an FAA “obligated” airport. Notification of FAA obligated airports should be sent to the local

ADO

Notification of military airports should be sent to the NC Commander’s Council via mail or email

Notification of all other airports should be sent to the management of the airport

Run the latest version of the SGHAT to assess for glare hazards

Local Ordinances - Solar

Sample elements from Model Wind Ordinance: Number & height of turbines Site plan Compliance w/ local, state, and federal (FCC &

FAA)◦ Including notification of relevant agencies

Environmental assessment Decommissioning plan Setback requirements Shadow flicker study Noise study

Local Ordinances - Wind

ROTHR (relocatable over the horizon radar) and downrange radar signal reception reduction

Air to air radar problems – especially with low altitude, high-speed maneuvering training

Some projects have pursued and obtained agreements from Armed Service Branches for their project - subject to mitigation conditions

Other projects adjusted or eliminated problem turbine locations (in the FAA process)

Currently, no projects have entered the NC Wind Permitting process.

Windfarm Siting – NC Issues

Thank You