Chapter 2 Program Description Program Location and Program ...€¦ · Program Description 2.1 Program Location and Program Area The program area is located in the Altamont Hills

APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 2‐1

October 2014ICF 00323.08

Chapter 2 Program Description

2.1 Program Location and Program Area TheprogramareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsofeasternAlamedaCountyneartheSanJoaquinCountyline,northandsouthofI‐580andapproximately56mileseastofSanFrancisco.TheAltamontHillsareatthegeographicalinterfacebetweenthecoastalmountainsandtheCentralValley(Figure1‐1).

AsdefinedintheAlamedaandContraCostaCountygeneralplans,theAPWRAencompassesapproximately49,202acres:36,870acresinAlamedaCountyand12,332acresinContraCostaCounty.DuringearlydevelopmentoftheAPWRANCCP/HCP,anewboundaryfortheAPWRAwasdevelopedusingthe70‐meterwindspeeddataproducedbyCEC.Thepurposeofthisrevisedboundarywastocapturetheextentoftheareawithinwhichrepoweredwindturbinescouldbeconstructed.InContraCostaCounty,thelinewasdefinedtomatchtheboundaryintheCountyofContraCostageneralplan.InAlamedaCounty,theboundarywasdefinedtoencompassalloftheCounty‐designatedAPWRA,aswellasthoselandsintheAltamontHillswithameanwindspeedof12milesperhourorgreater,measured70meters(about230feet)aboveground.Becauseitisanticipatedthatrepoweredwindturbinesmaybeconstructedanywherewithinthisrevisedboundary,theNCCP/HCPboundaryinAlamedaCounty(43,358acres)isusedtodefinetheprogramareaforthisenvironmentalanalysis(Figures1‐2and1‐3).

2.2 Program Overview and Objectives

2.2.1 Overview

ThisDraftPEIRevaluatesrepoweringwindenergyprojectsintheAlamedaCountyportionoftheAPWRA.TheprogramdoesnotreflectanyformalordinanceoradoptedplanoftheCounty,butisrathertheoverarchingprocessbywhichtheCountywillreceiveandreviewCUPapplications.Accordingly,theprogramasconsideredinthisPEIRcomprisestheanticipatedapprovalbytheCountyofaseriesofnewCUPstoallownewwindfarmusesintheAPWRA,aspermittedbyboththeECAPandtheCountyZoningOrdinance.TheprogramistheresultofacombinationofformalandinformalagreementsbetweentheCounty,thewindfarmoperators,stateandfederalresourceagencies,nongovernmentalorganizations,andpropertyownerstoinitiaterepoweringactivitiesin2014inanticipationofexpirationoftheexistingCUPs.

Windfarmusesareconditionallypermittedinthe“A”(Agriculture)zonedistrict,whichencompassestheentireprogramarea.WindfarmuseshavebeenpermittedintheAPWRAsincetheearly1980swithsuchCUPs,andthetermsofthecurrentlyactiveCUPs(lastapprovedin2005forcontinuedoperationofthewindfarms,andamendedin2007)areineffectthroughSeptember2018.

EBZAistheappointedbodywiththeresponsibilityfortakingactiontoapproveordenyeachCUPapplication,basedonfindingsthattheuse(a)isrequiredbythepublicneed;(b)willbeproperlyrelatedtootherlandusesandtransportationandservicefacilitiesinthevicinity;(c)will,underits

Alameda County Community Development Agency Program Description



particularcircumstancesandconditions,havenomaterialadverseeffectonthehealthorsafetyofpersonsresidingorworkinginthevicinity,orbemateriallydetrimentaltothepublicwelfareorinjurioustopropertyorimprovementsinthevicinity;and(d)willnotbecontrarytothespecificintentclausesorperformancestandardsestablishedfortheAgriculturezonedistrict.Inaddition,becauseissuanceoftheCUPsqualifyasprojectssubjecttoCEQA,EBZAmustmakerequiredfindingsforeachCUPthatchangestotheprojectshavebeenrequiredorincorporatedintotheirdesign(i.e.,mitigationmeasures)thatwouldavoidorsubstantiallylessentheirenvironmentaleffects,alongwithotherrequiredfindingsregardingresponsibleagencies,thefeasibilityofothermitigationmeasures,oralternativestotheprojects.

TheoriginalCUPs(1980sand1990s)wereissuedtowindfarmoperatorsonspecificparcelsunderspecificowners,insomecasesallowingtwoorthreeoperatorsonasingleparcel.IndividualCUPsrenewedin2005wereissuedtooperatorsaccordingtopropertyowner,andanoperatingentity(AltamontInfrastructureCompany)waspermittedtomanageturbinesownedbydifferentoperatorsonsingleparcelsandalsotoholdsingleCUPsformultipleoperatorsonindividualparcels.

Undertheprogram,CUPswouldbeissueddirectlytowindfarmoperatorsonlyfortheiroperationsthroughouttheprogramarea—insomecases,onmultipleproperties.Accordingly,suchoperationsmaybeseparatedchronologically(i.e.,byphasesofdevelopment)orgeographically(e.g.,byphysicalboundariessuchasInterstate[I‐]580orbyinterveningproperties)andwouldwarrantissuanceofseparateCUPs.Insomecircumstances,althoughtwoormoreoperatorscouldmanageturbinesonthesameproperty,individualCUPswouldbeissuedtoonlyoneoperatoratatime.

2.2.2 Program Objectives

Thetwoprimaryobjectivesofrepoweringaretofacilitateefficientwindenergyproductionthroughrepoweringandtoavoidandminimizeimpactsonterrestrialandavianwildlifecausedbyrepoweredwindturbineconstruction,operation,andmaintenance.Specificobjectivesarelistedbelow.

AllowforappropriateandcompatiblerepoweringandoperationofwindturbinesconsistentwithexistingrepoweringtimelinerequirementssetforthintheexistingCUPs,relatedagreements,andproject‐specificpowerpurchaseagreements.

Reduceavianmortalitycausedbywindenergygenerationintheprogramareathroughrepowering.

MeettheCounty’sgoalstoprovideenvironmentallysensitive,clean‐renewablewindenergyforthetwenty‐firstcenturyasidentifiedintheECAP(Policies168–175andPrograms73–76).

HelpmeettheGovernor’sExecutiveOrderS‐14‐08inmeetingtheRenewablesPortfolioStandard(RPS)targetthatallretailsellersofelectricityserve33%oftheirloadwithrenewableenergyby2020.

Contributetostateprogresstowardairqualityimprovementandgreenhousegasemissionreductiongoals,assetforthinAssemblyBill32.

Improvehabitatqualityintheprogramareathroughremovalofroadsandexistingwindturbinesandtheirsupportinginfrastructure,resultinginloweroveralloperationalfootprint,andprovidingawiderangeofhabitatbenefitstosensitiveterrestrialandavianspecies.




AdditionalobjectivesassociatedwithspecificrepoweringprojectsarediscussedinSection2.6.TheobjectivesofthePEIRareidentifiedinChapter1,Introduction.

2.3 Wind Turbine Technology Becauseofthespecializednatureofwindenergyprojects,itisimportantforthereadertobecomefamiliarwithterminologyusedindescribingandanalyzingsuchprojects.

2.3.1 Turbine Nomenclature

Windturbinegenerator,windturbine,orturbinereferstotheentirestructurethatgenerateselectricity.Theprimarystructurecomprisestherotor,nacelle,andtoweranchoredtoaconcretefoundation.Otherturbinecomponentsincludeacontroller;transformer;brakingsystem;vibration,temperature,andfiredetectionsystems;anemometer;safetylighting;andlightningprotection.AllturbinesintheAPWRAarehorizontalaxisturbines.Ahorizontalaxisturbinehasapropeller‐typerotor,whichrotatesonahorizontalaxis.

Awindfarmisagroupingofwindturbinesandsupportinginfrastructure.Awindfarmcompriseswindturbines,acollectionsystemformovingelectricityproducedbytheturbinesontothelocalpowergrid,roadstoaccessturbines,andstagingareas.TheprimarycomponentsofawindturbineanditssupportinginfrastructurearedefinedbelowandshowninFigures2‐1and2‐2.AsummaryofexistinginfrastructureintheprogramareaisprovidedinTable2‐1.

Table 2‐1. Summary of Existing Infrastructure in the APWRA

InfrastructureorFacility Quantity

Windturbines 4,210

Meteorologicaltowers 75

Roads 236miles

Turbine Types

MostoftheturbinesnowoperatingintheAPWRAwereinstalledinthe1980sandrepresentfirst‐andsecond‐generationutility‐gradecommercialwindturbinetechnology,nowconsideredoldtechnology.Thetermsfirst‐generation,second‐generation,third‐generation,andfourth‐generationareusedtogroupwindturbinetypeswithsimilartechnologiescurrentlyinstalledortobeinstalledintheprogramarea.Inthiscontext,first‐generationwindturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledduringthe1980s.Second‐generationturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledinthe1990s.Third‐generationturbinesarethoseinstalledinpreviousrepoweringprojectsthatusesimilardesigntoturbinesproposedfortheprogram,butthatareofsmallersize(i.e.,upto1MW).Fourth‐generationturbines—thosegenerallyproposedforinstallationundertheprogram,arelarge,1.6–3MWturbines.Additionally,experimentalturbinesmaybeinstalledonalimitedbasisintheprogramarea.

Empiricalevidence(ICFJones&Stokes2009;SmallwoodandKaras2009)suggeststhatwindfarmsutilizingthird‐andfourth‐generationturbinesmayhavesignificantlylessimpactonavianspeciesthanthoseusingfirst‐andsecond‐generationtechnology(65–70%reduction)(Insignia




Environmental2009;SmallwoodandKaras2009;Brownetal.2013).Thispotentialreductionisattributedtothemuchlargerdistancebetweenthegroundandthelowestpointoftheturbineblade,placingtherotor‐sweptareaabovethezonemostusedbyresidentbirds,includingsmallraptors.Theseturbinesalsorotatemoreslowly(intermsofrevolutionsperminute),potentiallyallowingbirdstimetomaneuverawayfromtheblades.However,becauseofthemuchlongerbladelength,thetipspeedisusuallygreaterontheseturbinesthanonfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines.Incontrast,evaluationofmortalitydatacollectedatwindfarmsaroundthecountry(includingintheAPWRA)havesuggestedthatcurrent‐generationturbinesmayleadtoanincreaseinbatmortality(Barclayetal.2007).Moreover,becauseofthescarcityofvalidcomparativedata,uncertaintyremainsregardingtheeffectsofrepoweringonavianandbatmortality.

AppendixAprovidesasummaryoftheturbinesinstalledAPWRA‐wideasofOctober2011.

First‐ and Second‐Generation

Thehubheightoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesrangesfrom18to55meters(60to180feet).Theseturbineshaveanapproximate20‐yearoperatinglife(thelengthoftimethatanindividualwindturbineisdesignedtoremaininoperation)with40‐to500‐kilowatt(kW)ratedcapacitiesand20–25%capacityfactors.

Therearetwotypesoffirst‐andsecond‐generationtowersintheAPWRA:latticeandtubular.Latticetowersaresupportedonthreeorfourfootingsandhaveanexternalaccessladderandcontrolcabinet.Tubulartowersconstituteasinglecylindricalsupport.Dependingontheturbinemodel,tubulartowersmayhouseinternalaccessladdersandelectronicequipmentsuchascontrols,electriccables,groundsupportequipment,andinterconnectionequipment;however,sometubulartowershaveexternalladdersanddowntowercabinets.

Third‐Generation

Third‐generationturbinesresemblefourth‐generationturbines:thatis,theyarelargerthanthefirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesandhavethree‐bladerotorsontubulartowers.OnlytwowindfarmsintheAPWRAhaveinstalledthird‐generationturbines:DiabloWindsrepoweringproject(DiabloWinds)(locatedintheprogramareaandoperationalsince2004)andBuenaVistarepoweringproject(BuenaVista)(locatedinContraCostaCountyandoperationalsince2006).Theseturbineshavenameplatecapacitiesof0.7–1.0MW,withhubheightsof41–68meters(134–223feet)androtordiametersof47–61meters(154–200feet).

Fourth‐Generation

Fourth‐generationwindturbinesanticipatedtobeinstalledbytheprojectapplicantshaveanapproximate25‐to30‐yearoperatinglifeanda1.6–3MWratedcapacity.Thehubheightsareapproximately80–96meters(262–315feet),therotordiametersare82.5–125meters(271–410feet),andtherotor‐sweptareasare5,356–12,259squaremeters(57,652–131,955squarefeet,orapproximately1–3acres).Thetotalturbineheightsfromthegroundtothetipofthebladeatthe12o’clockpositionare121–153meters(397–502feet).OnerepoweringprojectintheAPWRAhasbeeninstalledwiththiscategoryofturbine:theVascoWindsrepoweringproject(VascoWinds)(inContraCostaCounty,outsidetheprogramarea),whichwascompletedinMay2012.




Experimental Designs

SeveraltypesofturbineshaveproventobelessefficientorimpracticalintheAPWRA.Forexample,aDarrieuswindturbine,commonlycalledan“eggbeater,”isaverticalaxiswindturbine(VAWT),whichdoesnotneedtobeorientedintothewindtobeeffectiveandcanusewindfromalldirections.WhiletheeggbeaterdesignisgenerallymoreefficientthanothertypesofVAWTs,itsdrawbacksarethatitisnotveryreliable,islessefficientthanthemorecommonlyusedhorizontalaxiswindturbines,andismorecostlytoconstruct.Additionally,itrequiresanexternalpowersourcetostartturningandcannotbeactivatedsolelybywind.

Thoughotherexperimentaltechnologiesareindevelopment,onlyoneisthesubjectofacurrentapplicationwiththeCountyforinstallationintheAPWRA:ashroudedturbinedesignproposedbyOgin,Inc.,forinstallation—initiallyonatrialbasis—intheSandHillsWindProject.Theshroudedturbineischaracterizedbytwoconcentricshroudssurroundingtheturbinefaceandrotor:aninnerandanoutershroudwithanaerodynamicdesignintendedtoimproveenergyproductioncomparedtoconventionalturbinedesigns,aswellastoreduceavianandbatfatalities.Theseturbineswouldbeplacedon37‐meter(121‐foot)monopoletowers,withthetopoftheoutershroudat58meters(198feet).

Energy Output

Thewindturbineenergyoutputisquantifiedintermsofratedcapacity,capacityfactor,andinstalledcapacity.

Ratedcapacity.Thetheoreticalmeasureofmaximumpoweroutputofanindividualwindturbinewhenoperatingatitsratedwindspeed(e.g.,1.6MWat11meterspersecond).Alsoknownasthenameplatecapacity.

Capacityfactor.Theratioofactualenergyoutputtotheratedcapacityoveraspecifictimeperiod,usually1year.

Installedcapacity.Thesummedratedcapacityofallturbinesinstalledinagivenlocation(e.g.,theprogramarea).

Wind Energy Nomenclature

Thefollowingisalistoftermspertainingtowindturbinesandassociatedfacilities(inalphabeticalorderforeaseofreference).AsummaryofwindfarminfrastructureintheprogramareaisprovidedinTable2‐1.

Address.TheaddressisauniquesiteidentificationforeachturbineinstalledintheAPWRA.

Collectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemmoveselectricitygeneratedbywindturbinestoanelectricalsubstation.Acollectionsystemiscomposedofoverheadandundergroundlowandmediumvoltagelines(collectionlines),transformers,andasubstation(Figure2‐3).

Downtowercabinet.Thedowntowercabinethousestheequipmentthatcontrolshowthewindturbineworks(Figure2‐4).Itiseitherplacedonthepadbeneathoradjacenttothetowerorishousedwithinthetower.Downtowercabinetsforexistingturbinesareapproximately0.6–2meterstallby1meterwideby0.3meterdeep.Downtowercabinetsforcurrent‐generationturbinesinstalledduringrepoweringwillbewithinthetowers.




Powerpoles.Agenerictermforpolesthatholdoverheadlinesorotherdevicesnecessaryforthecollectionofelectricityfromwindturbines.Theseincluderiserpoles,linepoles,cornerpoles,andpoleswithpole‐toptransformers,capacitorbanks,ormeteringsets.

Foundation.Thetowerisboltedtoareinforcedconcretefoundationthatanchorsthewindturbinetotheground.Foundationtypesanddimensionsvarydependingontheturbinecapacity,towertype,soilsubstrate,andtopography.Ingeneral,foundationsfallintotwodifferenttypes:spreadfootingorpier(Figure2‐4).

Aspreadfootingfoundationisareinforcedconcretepadplacedatgroundlevel.Theweightofthefoundationanchorsthewindturbineinplace.Foralatticetower,eitherasinglepadsecuresallfootings,oreachfootinghasitsownpad.Insomecases,acombinationofaspreadfootingandpierfoundationmaybeused.

Apierfoundationisacylindricalreinforcedconcretetubeburiedunderground.Unlikeaspreadfootingfoundation,frictionhelpstoholdthewindturbineinplace,ratherthanweightalone.Foralatticetowerwithapierfoundation,eachofthefootingshasitsownfoundation.Foratubulartower,asinglepierfoundationisinstalledbeneaththetowerbase.

Guywires.Guywiresarewirecablesthatsecuremeteorologicaltowerstotheground(Figure2‐5).

Low‐voltagelines.Low‐voltagelinesareundergroundcollectionlinesoflessthan600voltsthatconnecteachwindturbinetoatransformerthatsupportsoneorseveralwindturbines.Inrepoweringprojects,allcollectionlineswillbeconstructedunderground.

Medium‐voltagelines.Medium‐voltagelinesarecollectionlinesbetween601voltsand35kilovolts(kV)thatconnectsingleormultipletransformerstoasubstationorutilityconnectionpoint.Medium‐voltagelinesmaybeburiedorcarriedonoverheadpoles.Ifthelinesareburied,atleastoneriserpoleisrequiredtolinkthelineswiththesubstation.Inrepoweringprojects,allcollectionlineswillbeconstructedundergroundwheneverpossible.Anymedium‐voltagelinesconstructedabove‐groundwillconformtoAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC)standards.

Meteorologicaltowers.Meteorologicaltowers(Figures2‐5and2‐6)areusedtomeasurewindspeedsandsometimeswinddirection.Meteorologicaltowersintheprogramareaare18.3–42.7meters(60–180feet)forfirst‐andsecond‐generationprojectsand50.3–54.9meters(165–180feet)fortheDiabloWindsrepoweringproject.Itisassumedthattheheightofmeteorologicaltowersforotherrepoweringprojectswouldbeapproximatelythehubheightofthenewturbines(80–96meters[262–315feet]).Somemeteorologicaltowersarefreestanding,whereasothersarestabilizedusingguywires.Permanentmeteorologicaltowersintheprogramareaareusuallysitedjustupwindofoneormoreturbines,approximately4.6–9.2meters(15–30feet)infrontoftheturbines.Meteorologicaltowersforrepoweringprojectsaretypicallyusedforreferenceanddonotneedtobeplacedsoclosetotheturbines.Temporarymeteorologicaltowersaretypicallyinstalledatapotentialrepoweringsitetomeasurewindspeedandestimatesiteproductioncapacity.

Nacelle.Thenacelleisthehousingforthemainshaft,gearbox,generator,brakingsystem,andvariouscontrolequipment.Itprotectstheturbinemechanicsandelectronicsfromenvironmentalexposure,comesinavarietyofshapes,andistypicallylocatedbehindtherotor.Mostcurrentwindturbinesuseanupwindturbinedesign,inwhichayawsystemismountedbetweenthenacelleandthetopofthetower.Thisfunctionstokeeptheturbinerotorpointed




intothewind(infrontofthetower;Figure2‐7).Intheprogramarea,mostoftheold‐generationlatticetowerturbinesuseadownwinddesignwithnoyawmotor,wherethenacelleactsasawindvaneandtherotoroperatesbehindthetower.Themainshaftconnectsthebladestothegearbox.Thegearboxhousesthegearsthatconnectthelow‐speedshafttothehigh‐speedshaft.Itisherethattherotationalspeedoftherotorisincreasedtoallowelectricitytobeproducedbythegenerator.Thebrakingsystemincludesadiskbrakethatcanbeappliedmechanically,electrically,orhydraulicallytostoptherotor.

Pad.Thepadisthedisturbedarea,typicallygravelordirt,thatencompassesthefoundation,downtowercabinet,tower,andflataccessareasforservicetrucksandmobilecranework(Figure2‐8).

Permanentstagingareas.Permanentstagingareas(alsocalledlay‐downareas)arepermanentonsitestorageandworkareasadjacenttoexistingroads.Theseareasservetostoreequipmentusedforoperationandmaintenanceofexistingwindturbines(e.g.,bladesandnacelles)ortotemporarilystorepartsthathavebeenremoved.

Riserpole.Riserpolesarewoodenpolesthatconnectundergroundmedium‐voltagelinestothecentraloverheadcollectionlinesenroutetothesubstation.

Roads.Intheprogramareaandontheprivatepropertiesthatcontainthewindfarms,therearethreetypesofroads:mainroads,serviceroads,andfingerroads(Figure2‐8).Mainroadsareaccessedfrompublicpavedroadsthroughgatedentrancestothewindfarms.Ateachgatedentrance,anasphaltapronextendsapproximately6meters(20feet)tothegateonthemainroadfromthepublicpavedroad.Asidefromthisasphaltapron,themainroadsaregravel.Mainroadsarewideenoughtoaccommodatetwo‐waytraffic.Serviceroadsarenarrower,gravelroadsthatbranchofffromthemainroadsandrunthelengthofaturbinestring.Theseroadsallowforsinglevehicletravel.Fingerroadsaremostlyshortspurroadsthatbranchofffromtheserviceroadstoaccesseachwindturbinenotaccesseddirectlyfromtheserviceroad.Roadnetworksassociatedwithrepoweringprojectsmaynotcontainfingerroads.

Mainroadstypicallyconsistofa5.5‐meter‐wide(18‐foot‐wide)gravelbedwitha1.2‐meter(4‐foot)shoulderoneitherside.Serviceroadstypicallyconsistofa4.9‐meter‐wide(16‐foot‐wide)gravelbedwitha1.2‐meter(4‐foot)shoulderoneitherside.Fingerroadsaregraveledordirttracksthewidthofatruck,approximately2.4meters(8feet)wide,withnoshoulder.

Rotor.Therotoristheportionofthewindturbineactedonbythewind.Itconsistsofbladesandthehubtowhichthebladesareattached(Figure2‐7).Thehubistheconnectionpointbetweenthebladesandthemainshaft,whichishousedwithinthenacelle.Theturbineheightreferstothedistancefromthebladetipat12o’clocktotheground(Figure2‐2).Third‐andfourth‐generationturbinesincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind;thisfeatureisusedtocontrolrotorspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed,toreduceriskofavianmortality,andtoincreaseturbinespeedtoimproveefficiencyinconditionsoflightwinds.

String.Astringisoneormorewindturbinesinarow(Figure2‐8).First‐andsecond‐generationwindturbinesaretypicallygroupedinstringstomaximizetheenergygenerationwherewindcomespredominantlyfromonedirection.Third‐andfourth‐generationturbinesarenottypicallyplacedinstringsbecauseoftheirlargesize,requiredsetbacks,andconstraintsassociatedwithtopographyandpropertyboundaries.




Substation.Asubstationisthefacilitywherethevoltagelevelofthecollectionsystemissteppedup,bymeansoftransformers,tothatofthepowergrid.

Tower.Thetowerelevatesandsupportstherotorandnacelle.Towersareeitheroflatticeortubulardesign(Figure2‐1).

2.4 Operation of Existing Turbine Facilities The2005CUPs(includingthe2007CUPamendments)requiredthatthisPEIRaddressthe“continuedoperationofexistingturbinefacilities(andprogressiveremovalundertherepoweringprogram).”Existingturbinefacilitieswillcontinuetobeoperatedconsistentwiththe2005CUPs(andthe2007CUPAmendments)untilsuchtimeaseachsiteisrepoweredordecommissioned(underthe2007CUPAmendments,theSettlingPartyWindCompaniesarenotsubjecttotheremovalscheduleoriginallyimposedbythe2005CUPconditions).Thissectiondescribesallactivitiesassociatedwiththe2005CUPsthatareongoingforthelifeofeach2005CUP—operationofturbines,operationofassociatedfacilities,maintenanceofturbinefacilities,andsitereclamationasrequiredbythe2005CUPs.

2.4.1 Turbine Operation

AsofOctober2011,therewereapproximately3,490windturbinesof11differenttypesintheAPWRAacrossbothAlamedaandContraCostaCounties.Thistotalcomprisesfirst‐,second‐,andthird‐generationwindturbines(AppendixA).

Theoperationofturbinesissubjecttoseveralvariables:windconditions,maintenanceneeds,andoperationalrequirementsforseasonalshutdownanddecommissioningasdescribedinthe2005CUPs.Theminimumspeedrequiredforawindturbinetostartiscalledthecut‐inspeed.Acommandtostartuptheturbinecanbeinitiatedautomaticallybyasensorontheturbine,orthecommandcanbesentmanuallyfromacentrallocation(i.e.,windpowercompanyoffice).Forfirst‐generationturbinesintheAPWRA,theminimumcut‐inspeedis4–6meterspersecond.

Thecut‐outspeedisthemaximumspeedatwhichaturbineoperates.Windsexceedingthecut‐outspeed—oraninternalfault—shouldcauseawindturbinetoturnoff.Thecut‐outspeedoffirst‐generationwindturbinesintheAPWRAis20–25meterspersecond.Awindturbineisconsideredarunawaywhenitisinanuncontrolledstate.Anywindturbinecanbemanuallyturnedonandoffunlessitisinarunawaystate.Maintenanceisconductedonrunawaystobringthembackintoacontrolledstate,ortheturbineismonitoreduntilfailureorthebladesstopmoving(whenwindstops).

SinceapprovaloftheCUPsin2005,thewindfarmshaveoperatedunderanAvianWildlifeProtectionProgram&Schedule(AWPPS,ExhibitGoftheCUPs)thatrequiredthewindfarmstoceaseoperationsduringthepeakwintertimeavianmigrationperiods,beginningwith2‐monthshiftsofone‐halfoftheturbinesatatime.Thisscheduleincreasedtothecurrentrequirementforanarea‐wide3.5‐monthshutdownfromNovemberthroughmid‐February.TheAWPPSalsorequiredshutdownandremoval(decommissioning)orrelocationofhigh‐riskturbines,andprogressiveremovaloffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesinadvanceofanticipatedrepowering.




2.4.2 Other Turbine Facility Operations

Otherturbinefacilityoperationsincludesoperationand/oruseofpermanentandtemporarystagingandlaydownareas;useofpermanentandtemporarymeteorologicaltowers;anduseofsubstations,above‐andbelowgroundcollectionlines,powerpoles,androads.

2.4.3 Wind Turbine Removal and Relocation

Thisactivityonlyappliestofirst‐andsecond‐generationwindturbines.Reasonsforwindturbineremovalandrelocationarevaried.Somewindturbinesmaybeinlocationsidentifiedasriskareas.High‐riskareasarethoseareasidentifiedashavingdemonstratedpotentialhighavianmortalitybytheAlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee(SRC)inaseriesofreports(AlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee2007,2008a,2008b,2008c;Smallwood2008).Relocationisalsoundertakentoallowwindcompaniestomaintainorincreasethenumberofhigh‐outputsites.High‐outputsitesaresiteswithhigherwindspeedsand/orlongwinddurationwheremorewindenergycanbegenerated.Forexample,anexistingwindturbinemayberelocatedfromalow‐outputsitetoahigh‐outputsiteforusethroughtheendofthepermitterm(2018).

Thisactivitycanentaileitherpartialorfullremovalofthenacelle(includingbladesandrotor),andinstallationand/orreplacementofthenacellecomponentsonanexistingtower.Alternatively,itcanentailremovalofawindturbine(tower,nacelle,androtor)fromoneaddressanditsrelocationtoanotherwhereawindturbinehasbeenremoved.Nonewmeteorologicaltowers,newroads,orroadinfrastructureupgradesarerequiredforremovalorrelocationoffirst‐orsecond‐generationturbines.Existinglaydownareasareusedforthemainstagingarea;existingcollectionandcommunicationsystemsmaybeused.

2.4.4 Maintenance

Windcompaniesoperatingintheprogramareaconductregularmaintenanceonturbinestoensureproperoperation.Theseactivitiesaredescribedbelow.

Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance

Turbinesandotherstructuresrequireroutinescheduledandunscheduledmaintenance.Turbinemanufacturers’guidelinesdictatethatregularlyscheduledmaintenanceofwindfarmfacilitiesoccurtwiceyearly.Scheduledmaintenancetypicallyoccursaccordingtotheserequirements.Unscheduledmaintenanceisestimatedtooccurtwotimesannuallyforeachfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbine.Asingleturbinemaybeservicedasmanyasfourtimesperyear.

Routinemaintenanceactivitiesincludeturbinelubrication,partreplacement,turbinetorquechecks,makingrecordsoffailures,sweepsofturbines(e.g.,maintenanceassessments,check‐ups)thathavereachedacertainage,andothermaintenanceprocedures.Turbineaddressesareaccessedbytheexistingnetworkofmain,service,andfingerroadsintheprogramarea.Maintenancevehiclesusuallystayondesignatedroads.Offroadtravelisinfrequent,limitedtomaintenanceofpowerpoles,collectionlines,andtransformers.Ifabladeislostonafirst‐generationwindturbine,offroadtravelisoccasionallyrequiredtoretrievetheblade.




Scheduledmaintenanceoccursyear‐round,mostlyfromNovember1toMarch31duringthewinterlow‐windseason.Unscheduledmaintenanceoccursyear‐round,mostlyApril1toOctober31duringthesummerwindseason.

Collection Lines

Mostcollectionlinesforfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesareundergroundalongturbinestringroadstoaturbinestringtransformerandthentoanoverheadcollectionline;theoverheadcollectionlineconveyspowertotheprojectsubstation.Abovegroundlinesnotaccessiblebyvehicleareaccessedbyfootwhennecessary.Abovegroundcollectionlinesarevisuallyinspectedannually.Duringthisannualinspection,wildlifebootsandotheravianelectrocutionprotectiondevicesarechecked,andmissingordamageddevicesarereplaced.Somegrounddisturbancemayresultfromvehicularandfootaccess.

Infraredscansareusedannuallytoinspectoverheadcollectionlinesduringonlineproduction(i.e.,summerwindseason).Replacementofundergroundlinesoccursinfrequentlyandislimitedtothelocationwhererepairisrequired.Theundergroundcablesaretrenchedandreplaced.Thelengthoftrenchrequiredforthisactivityrangesfrom20to200feet.

OccasionallywindcompaniesarealsoresponsibleformaintainingashortsegmentoftransmissionlinebetweenaprojectapplicantsubstationandaPacificGasandElectricCompany(PG&E)substation.

Road Maintenance

Alltheroadsmaintainedbythewindcompaniesintheprogramarea—mainroadsandserviceroads—aregravel.Fingerroadsarenotregularlymaintained,buttheymaybeclearedofgrassannuallyforfireprevention.Pavementislimitedtoaconcreteapronextending75–100feetfromthepublicroadtothemainroadateachgatedentrance.

Roadmaintenancetypicallyconsistsofpatchingpotholes,placingrocks(i.e.,spotrocking),andminorregrading.Spotrockingisdonetostrengthenandprotectdrainageoutletsandinletsforculvertsandotherdrainagestructures(e.g.,ditches,berms).Gradingmaybeconductedforaslittleas6meterstoseveralkilometersatatime.

Roadmaintenanceisperformedwithagrader,adumptrucktodisperseroadbaserock,andarollertocompactit.Whenneeded,abulldozerisusedtoclearroadswhereagradercannotgainaccessorwherethenecessaryroadmaintenanceexceedsthegrader’scapability(e.g.,duetoalandslide).Ingeneral,roadsidemaintenanceactivitiesmayinvolvesoildisturbanceinastripalongtheroadwithanaveragewidthof4feetoneithersideoftheroad(i.e.,gradedshoulder).Roadsinsteepareasmayrequiremaintenanceactivitiesthatextendfartherfromtheroad—uptoamaximumof26feetinareasofslopesgreaterthan25%.Inmostcases,theroadsaremaintainedtobanktotheinsidetoreducepotentialerosionproblems.

Roadmaintenancealsoincludescleaning(manuallyandmechanically),repairing,andreplacingculvertsasneeded.Culvertsintheprogramarearangefrom1.5to6feetindiameter.Handlaborandbackhoesareusedtomaintainculverts.Culvertrepairandmaintenancemayaffectareasasfaras8metersfromtheedgeoftheroad.Newculvertsmaybeinstalledaspartofnewroadconstructionortoenhanceroaddrainageforreducingerosion.Wingedinletstructures,consisting




ofcementorrockwingsflankingaditchorculvertinlet,mayalsoberepairedorinstalledtopreventerosionandimprovepassageofwoodydebristhroughdrainageinlets.

Repairsareconductedasneededthroughouttheyear,butgenerallyoccurbetweenAprilandOctober,afterthespringrainsandbeforethewinterwetseason.Roadmaintenanceactivitiestypicallyoccurthroughouttheentireroadsystemonceevery2years,althoughsomeportionsofthesystemrarely,ifever,requiremaintenancewhileotherportionsrequiremaintenanceoneormoretimeseachyear.

Fire Prevention

ExhibitCofthe2005CUPsdescribestheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirements.FirepreventionisrequiredaspartoftheCounty’sCUPs.Themainmechanismforfirepreventionisthemaintenanceofa30‐foot‐widefirebreakaroundbuildingsandstructures,includingturbines,riserpoles,andsubstations.Firebreaksaroundturbinesmaysurroundaturbinestringratherthanindividualturbines.Electricallinesrequirea20‐footclearanceofflammablevegetation.IntheAPWRA,vegetationmanagementisaccomplishedbyapplicationofherbicideinOctoberorNovember.Provisionofayawdamperorotherapprovedmethodtopreventtheover‐twistingofpendentcableshelpspreventturbinefires.

Existingfirebreakrequirementsarebasedonfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,whichpresentgreaterriskoffireignitionthandocurrent‐generationturbines.

2.4.5 Site Reclamation

The2005CUPsrequiredthatwindcompaniesremoveallfacilitiesandrestorepropertiestopreinstallationconditionsifwindfarmoperationscease,orifwindcompaniesfailtoimplementthetermsandconditionsofthe2005CUPs,includingrequirementstorepower,unlessanexceptionismadebytheCountyPlanningDepartment,orunlesstheresourceagencies(USFWSorCDFW)requirethatsuchfacilitiesbeleftinplace.

Ifarepoweringprojectisimplemented,sitereclamationistypicallyundertakenaftertherepoweredturbinesareinstalledandalltemporaryequipmentandinfrastructureisremovedfromthatarea.Ifarepoweringprojectisnotimplemented,sitereclamationwouldbeundertakenafterallturbineshavebeendecommissionedandremoved.Roadsthatarenolongerrequiredbecauseturbineshavebeenremovedandthatarenotwantedbylandownerswouldalsobereclaimedunlessaresourceagency(e.g.,U.S.FishandWildlifeService[USFWS],CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife[CDFW])requirethattheynotbereclaimed.Neworwidenedroadsthatwereinstalledtoaccommodateconstructionofnewturbinesmayberestoredtoanarrowerwidthafterturbineinstallationiscomplete.

Reclamationactivitiesentailreturninglandsdisturbedbyinfrastructureinstallationorremovaltopreprojectconditions.Somefacilities(e.g.,roadways,turbinefootings)maybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Ateachreclamationsite,theentiresiteiscontourgraded(ifnecessary)toconformwiththenaturalsurroundingtopographyandreseededwithanappropriateseedmixture,unlesstheresourceagenciesrequestthatcontouringnotbeundertaken.Nosoilisremovedfromthesite.Figure2‐9showsreclamationofaturbinepadsite.Exceptionstoreturningasitetopreinstallationconditionsmaybemade,uponapprovaloftheCountyPlanningDepartment,ifsuchreclamationactivitieswouldorcouldcreatewaterqualityissues(e.g.,erosion)oriftheactivitiesmayadverselyaffectspecial‐statusspecies(e.g.,burrowing




owlburrowcomplexes,uplandhabitatforCaliforniared‐leggedfrogorCaliforniatigersalamander).Moreover,CDFWandUSFWShavesuggestedthatitmaysometimesbepreferabletoavoidregradingroadsorremovingfoundationstoavoiddisruptionofsuchhabitats.Insuchcases,theCountyPlanningDepartmentcouldchangereclamationrequirementsaccordingly.

2.5 Proposed Repowering AsmentionedinChapter1,Introduction,tworepoweringalternativeshavebeenidentifiedforanalysis:Alternative1,withamaximumcapacityof417MW;andAlternative2,withamaximumcapacityof450MW.Withtheexceptionofthenameplatecapacityandtheresultanttotalnumberofturbines(i.e.,approximately260turbinesunderAlternative1and281underAlternative2),thetwoalternativesareidenticalinthecontextofthedescriptionpresentedbelow.

Thedescriptionoftheproposedprogramaddressesthecomponentslistedbelow.

Repoweringtimeline.

Sitingconditions.

Repoweringactivities.

Operationsandmaintenance(O&M)activities.

ThisPEIRisintendedtofacilitatethepermittingofrepoweringprojectsintheprogramarea.

2.5.1 Repowering Timeline

OnceCEQAcomplianceiscompletedandnewCUPsareapproved,buildoutofrepoweredwindfarmsisexpectedtotakeplaceovera4‐yearperiod(endingonSeptember22,2018,whenall2005CUPsexpire).Thisschedulewouldallowtimeforcompletionofotherdesignandpermittingactivities(1–2years);windturbineprocurementandotherlong‐leaditems(12–18months,butoverlappingwiththelastyearofpermittingactivities);andconstruction(8–12months).Thedurationofrepoweringprojectconstructiondependsonthenumberofturbinesrepoweredandtheeaseofaccesstothesite.ConstructiontimeencompassesalltheactivitiesdescribedinSection2.5.3withtheexceptionoftemporarymeteorologicaltowerinstallation.Notallrepoweringprojectswouldbeinitiatedsimultaneously,butmostwouldbeexpectedtobeunderconstructionbytheendofyear4.

CUPswillbeissuedforaperiodof30years.Thispermittermisbasedontheexpectedoperatinglifeofcurrent‐generationturbines,landownerleases,andpowersalesagreements.Reviewperiodswilloccuratyears4,13,and23consistentwithfinalizationofreportingassociatedwithpostconstructionmonitoringconductedforthefirst3yearsofoperation,andthenfor2yearsbeginningatyears10and20ofoperation.Duringreviewperiods,theCountymayexaminethemostcurrentmortalitydataandrequireadaptivemanagementmeasuresassetforthinSection3.4,BiologicalResources.

2.5.2 Siting Conditions

Turbinesitingdependsonanumberoffactors.Perhapsthetwomostimportantfactorsarepotentialenergyproductioncapacity(basedonwindspeedanddirection)andavoidanceofhigh‐riskareasforavianspecies.Setbackrequirementsareoftendefinedforhumansafety,specifyingminimum




distancesfromresidences,roadsandhighways,utilities,otherwindfarms,propertyboundaries,andrailroads.Potentialvisualimpacts,includingflickereffects,arealsoconsidered.Noexistingresidenceswouldbedemolishedtomakeroomfornewturbines.Countysetbackandtechnologicalrequirementsarediscussedbelow.

County Requirements

SetbackrequirementswereoriginallydevelopedforAlamedaCountywindfarmsinthe1980sand1990sinconsiderationofavarietyoffactors,suchasappropriatedistancebetweenupwindanddownwindturbinesforeffectivewindproduction,noiseeffectsonsensitivelanduses,visualimpactsresultingfromproximitytoresidencesandpossibleshadowflicker,concernswithtowercollapse,andbladethrowhazard(whereallorpartofarotorblademaybreakloosefromthenacelleandstrikeanoccupiedareaorinfrastructure).WhilethereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty,setbackshavehistoricallybeendeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.However,whilethestandardconditionsappliedinthe1980sand1990swereappropriatefortheoldergenerationturbines,theymaynotbesoforthefourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepowering.Accordingly,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofupdatedstandardstobeusedforproposedrepoweringprojects.TheseareshowninTable2‐2.

Table 2‐2. Updated Alameda County Turbine Setback Requirements

AffectedLandUseorCorridor

GeneralSetback

SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb

AdjacentparcelwithapprovedwindenergyCUPc

1.1timesrotorlength

1%TTHaddedorsubtractedper10ft.ofturbineelevation,respectively,aboveorbelowaffectedparcel

50%ofgeneralsetback

AdjacentparcelwithoutapprovedwindenergyCUP

1.25timesTTH

1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedparcel

1.1timesrotorlength

Adjacentdwellingunit 3timesTTH

1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedunit

50%ofgeneralorelevationdifferentialsetback

Publicroad(includingI‐580),trail,commercialorresidentialzoning

2.5timesTTH

1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedright‐of‐way

50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector

Recreationareaorproperty

1.25timesTTH

1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedproperty

TTH

Transmissionlined 2timesTTH

1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowpathofconductorlineatgroundlevel

50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector




AffectedLandUseorCorridor

GeneralSetback

SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb

Note: TTH=totalturbineheight:theheighttothetopoftherotorat12:00position.Setbackdistancetobemeasuredhorizontallyfromcenteroftoweratgroundlevel.

a TheGeneralSetbackbasedonTTHwillbeincreasedorreduced,respectively,basedonwhole10‐ftincrementsinthegroundelevationoftheturbineaboveorbelowanaffectedparcel,dwellingunit,roadright‐of‐way,ortransmissioncorridorconductorline.Anyportionofa10‐ftincrementingroundelevationwillbedisregarded(orroundeddowntothenearest10‐ftinterval).

bAlternativeMinimumreferstoareducedsetbackstandard,includinganyadjustmentforelevation,allowedwithanotarizedagreementoraneasementontheaffectedproperty,subjecttoapprovalofthePlanningDirector.

c NosetbackfromparcellinesisrequiredwithinthesamewindenergyCUPboundary.KnowledgeofproposedwindenergyCUPsonadjacentparcelstobebasedonbestavailableinformationatthetimeofthesubjectapplication.

d Measuredfromthecenteroftheconductorlinenearesttheturbine.

Turbine and Wind Resource Requirements

Foravarietyofreasons,repoweredwindturbineswillbeinstalledatnewaddressesindifferentlocationsthantheexistingwindturbines.Spacingrequirements,topography,andthenecessitytoavoidhigh‐risk(foravianmortality)sitesalsoguidewhererepoweredturbineswouldbesited.Detailedturbinesitingisdeterminedbywindresourceavailability,turbinetype,topography,setbackrequirements,andlocationofsensitiveresources.Newturbineswouldbespacedmorewidelyandindividuallythanunderthecurrentapproachofarrangingturbinesinstrings.Threefactorscontributetothisspatialapproach.

Current‐generationturbinesarevastlymoreefficientandproductivethanfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,necessitatingfarfewerturbinestoachievethesameinstalledcapacity.

Current‐generationturbinesrequireconsiderablespacetoavoidwindturbulenceaffectingdownwindturbines

Thenewlargerturbinesmayrequiregreaterdistancesfromtheprogramareaperimeterthanexistingturbines.

Distancesbetweenturbinesaresite/projectspecificandarestipulatedbytheturbinemanufacturer.Forexample,aturbinemanufacturermayrecommendspecificturbinespacingtoachievetheinstalledcapacity.Minimumlateralspacingbetweenturbinetowersistypicallythreetimestherotordiameter.Downwindspacingistypically8–12rotordiameters.Accordingly,repoweredturbinesareexpectedtohave141‐to277.5‐meterlateralspacingand376‐to1,110‐meterdownwindspacing.

2.5.3 Repowering Activities

Arepoweringprojecttypicallyincludesthefollowingmajorsteps.

Temporarymeteorologicaltowerinstallation.

Temporarystagingareaset‐up.

Existingwindturbineremoval.




Temporarymeteorologicaltowerremoval.

Roadinfrastructureupgrades.

Windturbineconstruction.

Finalsiteselectionandpreparation.

Batchplantconstruction.

Foundationexcavationandconstruction.

Cranepadconstruction.

Towerassembly.

Installationofturbinenacelle.

Attachmentofrotors.

Collectionsystemupgradesandinstallation.

Communicationsysteminstallation.

Permanentmeteorologicaltowerinstallation.

Reclamationoflandscape.

Eachofthesestepsisdescribedindetailinthefollowingsections.Equipmentusedforconstructionofallrepoweringactivitiesoftenincludesthoselistedbelow.

Cranes.

Lowboys/trucks/trailers.

Flatbedtrucks.

Servicetrucks(e.g.,pickuptrucks).

Backhoes.

Bulldozers.

Excavators.

Graders.

Dumptrucks.

Tracktypedozers.

Rockcrushers.

Watertrucks.

Compactors.

Loaders.

Rollers.

Drillrigs.

Trenchingcable‐layingvehicles.




Cementtrucks.

Concretetrucksandpumps.

Smallhydrauliccranes.

Heavyandintermediatecranes.

Forklifts.

Generators.

Forindividualprojects,constructionactivitieswouldtypicallybecarriedoutinthesevenphaseslistedbelow.Therewouldbesomeoverlapbetweenmostofthesephases;inotherwords,theestimateddurationsshouldnotbeconsideredtobeadditive;rather,theentireconstructionperiodfromdecommissioningthroughcleanupandrestorationisanticipatedtorequireapproximately9monthsforatypical80MWproject.Althoughthepreciseschedulesofindividualprojectsareanticipatedtovary,thedurationslistedbelowareusedtoestimateimpactsintheprogram‐levelanalyses.

Phase1—Decommissioningofexistingplant:12weeks.

Phase2—Laydownareas:12weeks.

Phase3—Roadconstruction:8weeks.

Phase4—Foundations/batchplant:16weeks.

Phase5—Turbinedeliveryandinstallation:12weeks.

Phase6—Electricaltrenching:12weeks.

Phase7—Cleanup:8weeks.

Temporary Meteorological Tower Installation

Asystemoftemporarymeteorologicaltowerswouldbeinstalledinstrategiclocationsinadvanceofrepoweredwindturbinesitingandconstruction.Thesystemofmeteorologicaltowerswouldtypicallybeinstalledforaminimumof1yeartomeasurewindspeedanddirectiontodeterminewhetherasite’spotentialproductioncapacitymakesitsuitableforwindturbineplacement.Meteorologicaltowerheightistypicallyequivalenttothehubheightofrepoweredturbines.Thetowerconsistsofa15‐to30‐centimeter‐diameterpoleonasquarepierfoundation107–152centimetersonaside.Somemeteorologicaltowersarefreestanding;othersareanchoredtothegroundwithguywires.

Meteorologicaltowersaretypicallyplacedinareaswheregradingisnotrequiredforinstallation.Becausethedatacollectionsystemissolar‐powered,wireless,orbattery‐powered,nodataorpowerconnectionsarenecessary.Installationrequiresastagingareaaccommodatingthetowersite,cranesite,andpullingsite.Installationoccursoverthecourseof1–2dayswithnoseasonalrestrictions.

Oncethemeteorologicaltowershavecollectedadequateinformation,theyareremovedandthesiteisreclaimed(seethediscussionofreclamationactivitiesbelow).




Contractor Yards and Staging Areas

Duringconstructionofindividualrepoweringprojects,amaincontractoryardandothertemporarystagingareaswouldtypicallybeneeded.Themaincontractoryardwouldtypicallyencompass5–10acres,accommodatingonsiteconstructiontrailer(s),parkingforprojectworkers,machinerymaintenanceandservicingarea,andatake‐downandset‐upareawhereboththesalvageandscrapmaterialsofremovedturbinesandthecomponentsofrepoweredwindturbinesarebroughtandstoreduntiltheiruseordisposal.Twotofouradditionalstagingareas(5–10acres)wouldalsobenecessary,typicallysitedadjacenttoexistingroadsandnearturbinesites.Onceconstructioniscompleted,themaincontractoryardandstagingareasarefullyreclaimedorreducedinnumberorsize.Itmaybenecessarytomaintainaportionofthecontractoryardorotherstagingareastoaccommodatefuturewindturbinemaintenance.Eachspecificprojectwillhaveitsownlaydownandstagingarearequirements.

Existing Wind Turbine Removal

Theprogramassumesthatallfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbineswillberemovedfromtheprogramareaby2018.Windturbineremovalentailsremovalofthewindturbine(rotor,nacelle,andtower)anddowntowercabinet.Removalofthecollectionsystem,includingtheassociatedtransformer,isdiscussedinCollectionSystemUpgradesandInstallation.

Existingwindturbinefoundationsmaybefullyorpartiallyremoved.Trenchingandbackfillingistypicallyusedtoburyfoundations.Forexample,abackhoeisusedtodigatrencharoundeachfoundation.Thetop2–3feetofthefoundation,includingthedowntowercabinetfoundationatturbineswithpierfoundations,isbrokenupandeitherspreadintheexcavatedareaordisposedofoffsite.Theexcavatedareaisthenbackfilledtogradewiththematerialthatwasremovedduringtrenching,withtheoriginaltopsoilplacedontop.Areasofsteeperslopesmayrequiredeepercoverage.Asnotedabove,someburiedfeaturesmaybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Wherefeaturesareleftinplace,steelandelectricalconnectionswouldbeleveledandmadesafe.

Gradingwillbeavoidedwhereappropriatetominimizeandavoiddisturbanceofwildlifeburrowsthathaveadaptedtoexistinggradecuts.However,insomeinstancessuchgradecutswillbegradedouttomatchthesurroundingcontours,ifwildlifeimpactscanbeavoided.Newgradingoverexistingfoundations,equipmentpads,orfingerroadsmaybenecessaryfortheinstallationofnewaccessroadsandfoundationpadsforrepoweredturbines.

Removalofexistingwindturbinesistypicallyundertakenconcurrentlywithotherrepoweringactivitiestominimizeprojectduration.Forexample,ifarepoweringprojectinvolvestheremovalof100turbinesinseveraldistinctlocations,theprojectcouldbephasedsuchthatonceturbineremovaliscompleteinonearea,roadinfrastructureupgradescanbeinitiatedinthatareawhilewindturbinesareremovedinanother.Windturbineremovalmaybelimitedtothedrymonthsbecauseoftheweightofturbinecomponentsandtheheavyequipmentusedforturbineremoval.Allturbineremovalactivitieswillconfinedtosmall,site‐specificstagingareas.Thesestagingareaswillbereclaimedoncompletionoftherepoweringproject.

Meteorological Tower Removal

Temporarymeteorologicaltowerssetupinadvanceofindividualrepoweringprojectsaswellasexistingmeteorologicaltowersattherepoweringprojectsitewouldberemovedpriorto




constructingthepermanentmeteorologicaltowers.Becausemeteorologicaltowerstypicallyapproximatethehubheightoftheturbinesforwhichmeteorologicaldataarecollected,theexistingmeteorologicaltowerswouldnotsufficefortheproposedrepoweredturbines.

Removalofmeteorologicaltowerstypicallyincludesseveralsteps.Theabovegroundcomponentsofthetowerareremovedbycuttingonelegandpushingthetoweroverinapredetermineddirection.Thefoundationisexcavatedbydiggingatrencharoundthefoundation(anapproximately4‐footradius).Thetop2feetofthefoundationisbrokenupandburiedinthetrench.Thefoundationmustbeburiedwithtopsoilataminimumdepthof2feet.Ifallthefoundationmaterialcannotbeburied,itisremovedfromthesite.Uponcompletionoftowerandfoundationremoval,theexcavatedareaisbackfilled.Itisanticipatedthatalltemporaryandexistingmeteorologicaltowerswillberemoved.Onceameteorologicaltowerisremoved,thesitewillbereclaimedasdescribedbelow.

Road Infrastructure Upgrades

Fourth‐generationturbinetowersandbladesaresignificantlylongerthanolderturbinecomponentsandrequirelargerandlongertrucksandcranesfortransportandinstallation.Thesevehiclesrequirewiderroadswithshallowerturnsandgradientsthancurrentlyexist.Consequently,theexistingroadinfrastructuremustbeupgradedtoaccommodateconstructionoftherepoweredturbines.Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andre‐gravelingoftheexistingroads,aswellasconstructionofnewroads.Existingculvertsmayneedtobeupgradedforexistingroadsandnewculvertsmaybeneededfornewroads.

Existing Roads

Mostroadsinternaltotheportionoftheprogramareacurrentlysupportingwindenergydevelopmentwouldbewidenedtoaccommodatelargertowersaswellaslargerequipmentnecessarytoinstallrepoweredturbines.Itislikelythatthelocationsrequiringthemostroadworkarethosewhereroadscurveastheyclimbhillstotheridgetops.Inaddition,eachoftheaccessroadentranceswouldneedtobewidenedtoprovidesufficientspacefortheminimumturningradiusofconstructioncranesandotherflatbeddeliverytrucks.

Publicroadsusedtoaccesstheprogramareamayalsorequireupgradesand/orwideningtosupporttheweightoftrucksandturbinecomponents,aswellastoallowpassageofturbinecomponents.

Culvertsaregenerallyinstalledaspartoftheroaddrainagesystemonslopes,althoughsomeareinstalledatsmallstreamcrossings.Existingculvertsmayneedtobereplacedwithlargerculvertsorreinforcedtoprovideadequatesizeandstrengthforconstructionvehicles.

New Roads

Newserviceroadswouldneedtobedevelopedfromexistingmainroadstoaccessrepoweredturbinesites—especiallythoseintheareabetweenthegeneralplan–definedAPWRAandtherevisedprogramareaboundary.Newserviceroadswouldtypicallyconsistofagravelroadbedandshoulders(includingcut‐and‐fillslopes).Exactlocationsoftheroadsarenotknownatthistime.Inaddition,newstormwaterculvertsmayneedtobeinstalledaspartofthenewroadinfrastructure.




Wind Turbine Installation

Installationofrepoweredturbineswouldoccurthroughouttheprogramarea.Arangeofturbinetypesmaybeusedduringthecourseofrepowering,althoughonlyoneortwotypesofturbinesarelikelytobeinstalledinanysinglerepoweringproject.AllareanticipatedtofallwithintheparametersdescribedinFourth‐GenerationTurbinesabove.

Installationofwindturbinesistypicallylimitedtothedrymonthsbecauseoftheweightofboththeturbinecomponentsandtheheavyequipmentnecessarytoperformthework;however,someworknotrequiringheavyequipmentcouldbeperformedatothertimes.

Foundation

Thetypeofturbinefoundationuseddependsonterrain,windspeeds,andwindturbinetype.Figure2‐4depictstwofoundationtypesthatmaybeusedintheprogramarea:aninverted“T”slabfoundationandaconcretecylinderfoundation.

AninvertedTslabfoundationisatypeofspreadfootingfoundation.Asingleconcretepadisplacedatgroundlevel.Partofthepadmaybeplacedbelowgroundleveldependingontheslope.Atthecenterofthepadisacylindricalconcreteblocktowhichthewindturbinetowerisbolted;hencethename,invertedT.Thediameterofthecylindricalconcreteblockisequivalenttothetowerbasediameter.Thesizeoftheconcretepadisdeterminedbywindturbinesizeandsite‐specificconditions(e.g.,expectedmaximumwindspeeds,soilcharacteristics).Itsweightmustbesufficienttoholdthewindturbineinplace.

Aconcretecylinderfoundationisatypeofpierfoundation.Asinglehollow,concretecylinderisplacedunderground.Anchorboltsrunthelengthofthecylindertoanembeddedringatthecylinder’sbase.Earthfillisplacedinsideandoutsidethecylinder.Thefrictionoftheearthfillagainstthehollowpierholdsthefoundationandattachedwindturbineinplace.Thediameterofthecylinderisslightlylargerthanthatofthewindturbinetowerbase.Thelengthofthecylinderisdeterminedbywindturbinesizeandsitespecificconditions.

Construction

Repoweredturbineconstructionentailsplacementofanewtower,rotor,nacelle,transformer,andfoundation.ConstructionandinstallationofrepoweredturbinesisregulatedbyexistingCountyconditionsofapproval,buildingpermitrequirements,andgradingpermitrequirements.

Acranepadareawouldbeleveledandgradedateachturbineaddress.Thecranepad—aflat,level,andcompactedarea—wouldprovidethebasefromwhichthecranewillworktoplacetheturbine.Thissitewouldalsobeusedasalaydownareaforoffloadingturbinecomponents.Thetowerfoundationwouldbeconstructedwithinthecranepadarea.Allwindturbineconstructionactivitieswouldoccurwithinthecranepadarea.AportionofthecranepadareamaybeleftinplacefollowingconstructionforfutureO&Mactivities;theremainingareawouldbereclaimed.

Dependingonthesizeandlocationoftherepoweringproject,aconcretebatchplantmaybenecessary.Aconcretebatchplantisafacilitywhereconcreteismixedforturbinefoundations.Afterconstruction,thesiteofthebatchplantwouldbereclaimed.Smallerprojectsmaynotrequirebatchplants;instead,theconcretewouldbemixedindividuallyforeachturbinewithinthecranepadareaormixedoffsiteatanexistingplant.Itisestimatedthatthreetoeightbatchplantswouldberequiredfortheoverallprogram.




Thefoundationwouldbeinstalledimmediatelyadjacenttothecranepad,withinthecranepadarea.Whilethefoundationtypeisdeterminebyterrain,windspeeds,andturbinetype,ingeneral,thefoundationisformedbyplacingconcreteinanexcavatedfootingwithreinforcedsteel.

Theturbinetowers,nacelles,andbladesaredeliveredtoeachturbinelocationintheorderofassembly,oncetheconcreteofthefoundationhasset.Onsitetowerassemblyreducestheneedtoclearadditionalstagingareas.Largecranesarebroughttoeachsitetoliftandassembletheturbinecomponents.First,thebasesectionofthetowerissecuredtothefoundation.Theremainingtowersectionsarethenconnectedtothebasesection.Thenacelleandrotoraredeliveredtotheturbinesite.Bladesareboltedtotherotorhub,liftedbyaconstructioncrane,andconnectedtothemainshaft.

Duringconstructionofoldfirst‐generationturbinesinthe1980s,whenrockwasexcavatedforthefoundationortogradeapad,itwasplacedinnearbypiles.Dependingonsitingrequirementsofrepoweredturbines,relocationofsomeoftheserockpilesmaybenecessarytofacilitateturbineplacementandconstruction.Movingrockpileswouldrequireuseofanexcavator.

Lighting

TheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)determinesproject‐specificlightingrequirements,butingeneral,FAArequiresthatasinglewarninglightcanbeusedforgroupsofturbineslessthan200feettall.Typically,turbinestallerthan200feetmustbeindividuallylit.Consequently,becausefourth‐generationturbinesaregenerallywellover200feetinheight,allrepoweredwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlighting.LightingofthewindfarmwouldbeincompliancewiththeFAAObstructionMarkingandLightingAdvisoryCircular(AC70/7460‐1K).Intensityofthelightswouldbebasedonalevelofambientlight,withilluminationlessthan2foot‐candlesbeingnormalfornighttimeandilluminationgreaterthan5foot‐candlesbeingthestandardfordaytime.Becausesomeevidencesuggeststhatlightsmaybeanattractantforbirdsduringnighttimemigration(Kerlingeretal.2010),theminimumnumberofrequiredlightswouldbeusedtominimizeattractantsforbirdsduringnighttimemigration.Throughitsreviewprocess,theFAAcouldrecommendthattowermarkingsoraviationsafetylightingbeinstalledonalloronlyaportionoftheturbinetowers.TheFAAcouldalsodeterminethattheabsenceofmarkingand/orlightingwouldnotthreatenaviation.

Collection System Upgrades and Installation

Eachnewrepoweredwindturbinemustbeconnectedtotheelectricalcollectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemmoveselectricitygeneratedbyeachturbinethroughalow‐voltagelinetoatransformer,whichbooststhevoltageandconveystheelectricitytoamedium‐voltagelinethatcarriestheelectricitytoasubstation.Thesubstationiswherethevoltagelevelofthecollectionsystemissteppeduptothatofthepowergrid.Fromthesubstation,electricityiscarriedthroughautilityinterconnectionpointontolargerutilitytransmissionlinesthatdistributeelectricitytothepowergrid.TransmissionlinesintheprogramareaaremaintainedbyPG&E.Removalofoldcollectionlinesandconstructionofnewlines(turbinetosubstation)arepartoftheprogram,butconstructionofnewtransmissionlines(substationtopowergrid)isnot.

Asrepoweringprojectsareimplemented,theabovegroundcomponentsofoldcollectionsystemswouldberemovedandnewcollectionsystemswouldbeinstalled.Eachwindprojectwouldhaveitsownelectricalcollectionsystem.Theprogram‐levelanalysisassumesthateachprojectwouldconstructitsownsubstationorupgradeanexistingone.Asdescribedbelow,someequipmentwill




bereplacedwhilesomewillberemovedandnotreplaced.Stagingareasrequiredforcollectionsysteminstallationandareaswherecollectionsystemcomponentshavebeenremovedandnotreplacedwillbereclaimed.Eachofthecollectionsystemcomponentsisdiscussedbelow.

Collection Lines

Typicalconstructionofnewcollectionsystemsrequiresinstallationofundergroundlow‐andmedium‐voltagelines,transformers,andatleastoneoverheadpowerpole.Thereareseveraltypesofpowerpoles.Linepolesareusedtostringabovegroundcollectionlinesandonlyhaveinsulatingdevices.Cornerpoleshavejumperwires,arelocatedatturnsorbendsinthecollectionsystemalignment,andmayrequireguywires.Poleswithpole‐toptransformers,capacitorbanks,andmeteringsetsmayalsobeused.Riserpolesareusedwherecollectionlinestransitionfromundergroundtoanelevated,abovegroundconfigurationwherethelinesenterasubstation.Disconnectors,cut‐outs,switches,lightningarresters,andotherelectricaldevicesmaybemountedonriserpoles.

Low‐voltagelinesconnectanindividualturbineorgroupofturbinestothetransformerthatsupportsthem.Low‐voltagelinesrangefrom1to600volts,andalinemayrangefrom10to200feetlong.Alllow‐voltagelinesarecurrentlyunderground.Allnewlineswouldalsobeconstructedunderground.Becauseoftheirage,itisunlikelythatanyoftheexistinglow‐voltagecollectionlineswouldbeusedfortherepoweredturbines.

Medium‐voltagelinesconnecttransformerstoasubstationorutilityinterconnectionpoint.Themedium‐voltagelinesarenormallybetween601voltsand35kV.Typically,constructionandinstallationofallnewmedium‐voltagelineswouldbeundergroundwhereverpossible,exceptfortheirpointofconnectionwiththesubstationandfromthesubstationtotheinterconnectionpoint.Existingabovegroundlinesmayalsobeused;however,mostoftheexistingabovegroundmedium‐voltagelineswouldberemovedandnotreplaced.Ifinstallationofnewabovegroundcollectionlinefacilitiesisrequired,thenitwouldbecompletedincompliancewiththelatestrecommendationsoftheAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC).

Installationofundergroundlow‐andmedium‐voltagelinesisaccomplishedusingacut‐and‐coverconstructionmethod.Typically,aminimumaccesswidthof20feetisrequiredtoallowforthetrenchexcavation,butthiswidthmayvary.Thelengthoflinevarieswiththedistancetothesubstation.Thetopsoilisseparatedfromthesubsurfacesoilforlaterreplacement.Thetrenchisthenplowedusingaspecialbulldozerattachmentthatburiesthelineswhiledisturbinglessthanameter‐widestripofsoil.Oncethecollectionlinesarelaidintheditch,thetrenchispartiallybackfilledwithsubsurfacesoil.Communicationlines(discussedbelow)arethenplacedinthetrenchaswell.Thetrenchisthenbackfilledwiththeremainingsubsurfacesoil,compacted,andthencoveredwithreservedtopsoil.

Transformers and Power Poles

Transformersboostthevoltageoftheelectricityproducedbytheturbinestothevoltageofthecollectionsystem.Eachrepoweredturbinewouldhaveitsowntransformeradjacenttoorwithintheturbine.

Currently,mostmedium‐voltagelinesareabovegroundandsupportedbypowerpoles.Eachlinerequiresaright‐of‐way(typically50feetwide)and26or27woodordirect‐embeddedsteelorself‐supportingsteelpolesperlinearmile.Allexistingpoleswouldberemovedaspartofrepowering.No




newpoleswouldbeinstalledwhereundergroundingofelectricalequipmentisfeasible.Theinstallationofoverheadpowerlinesandpoleswouldbelimitedtolocationswhereundergroundlinesareinfeasibleandimmediatelyoutsidethesubstationswhereundergroundmedium‐voltagelinestypicallycomeabovegroundtoconnecttothesubstation.

Toinstallpowerpoles,alaydownareaisrequired.Tomountthemedium‐voltagelinesonapowerpole,apullsiteandatensionsitearerequired.Polesites,pullsites,tensionsites,accessroads,andlaydownareasarecleared(i.e.,mowed)ifnecessary.Poleholesandanynecessaryanchorholesareexcavated.Wherepossible,amachineaugerisusedtoinstallpoles.Thewidthanddepthofthesettingholedependsonthesizeofthepole,soiltype,span,andwindloading.

Powerpolesareframed,devicesinstalled,andanyanchorsandguywiresareinstalledbeforethepoleisset.Anchorsandguywiresinstalledduringconstructionareleftinplace.Aftersettingthepole,conductorsarestrung.

Theremovalofexistingpowerpoles,powerlines,andcommunicationlinesentailsremovingthepolesdirectlywithanexcavatorandimmediatelyloadingthemontoatruckforremovalfromthesite.Wireiscut,coiled,andremovedfromthesiteforrecycling/scrapvalue.

Substations

Substationsuselargetransformerstoboostthevoltageleveloftheelectricalcollectionsystemtothatofthelocalpowergrid(operatedbyPG&E).Transformersaretheprincipalcomponentofasubstation,butsubstationsalsorequireswitches,meteringdevices,lightningprotection,andotherappurtenantfacilities.Alargerepoweringprojectmayrequiremultiplesubstations,ormultipleprojectsmayconnecttoasinglesubstationwhereprojectscanbeseparatelymetered.Thelocationofasubstationisdeterminedbythelocationofthepowergridinterconnectionpoint.BothPG&Eandwindcompany–operatedsubstationsarepresentintheprogramarea;however,repoweringactivitiesevaluatedinthisPEIRarelimitedtothoseactivitiesassociatedwithsubstationsownedandoperatedbytheprojectapplicants.ActivitiesassociatedwithPG&EsubstationsarenotpartoftheprogramevaluatedinthisPEIR.

Tosupporttheprogram,existingsubstationswouldbereplaced,upgraded,orexpanded.Thetypicalsubstationwouldencompassapproximately3acres,withanadditional3acrestemporarilyusedduringconstruction.Substationsitesaregraded,paved,orsurfaced(e.g.,compactedandgraveled),andtheareaisfencedandlightedforsafetyandsecurityreasons.Offroadtravelisnotnecessarybecausesubstationswouldbeaccessedbyneworexistingroads.

Communication System Installation

Eachrepoweredwindturbinemustbeconnectedtothedatacommunicationsystem.Thecommunicationsystemisusedtomonitor,andinsomecasescontrol,theoperationofwindturbines(e.g.,whetheraturbineisonorofforhowmuchpoweritisproducing)andtransmitsthesedatathroughcommunicationlinesorwirelesstechnology.Communicationsystemsmaybesettotriggeranalarmifcertainoperationalconditionsarise.Thecommunicationsystemisinstalledinthesamealignmentandatthesametimeastheelectricitycollectionsystem.Consequently,theinstallationprocessisthesameasthatdescribedforthecollectionsystem.




Permanent Meteorological Tower Installation

Asystemofupto16meteorologicaltowerswouldbeinstalledinstrategiclocationsaspartofindividualrepoweringprojectstomeasurewindspeedanddirection.Allpermanentmeteorologicaltowerswouldbefreestandingtowerswithoutguywires,approximately80meterstall.

Equipment Maintenance during Construction

Duringconstruction,refuelingandmaintenanceofequipmentandvehiclesthatareauthorizedforhighwaytravelwouldbeperformedoffsiteatanappropriatefacility.Equipmentandvehiclesthatarenothighwayauthorizedwouldbeservicedontheprojectsitebyamaintenancecrewusingaspeciallydesignedvehiclemaintenancetruck.

Reclamation Activities

Postconstruction Reclamation

AsdescribedinSection2.4.5,the2005CUPsrequirethatwindcompaniesremoveallfacilitiesandrestorepropertiestopreinstallationconditionsoncethewindfarmisdecommissioned.Forrepoweringprojects,thisrequiremententailsremovingallfirst‐andsecond‐generationwindturbinefacilityinfrastructurethatisnolongerneededfortherepoweredproject.Sitereclamationistypicallyimplementedaftertherepoweredturbinesareinstalledandalltemporaryequipmentandinfrastructureisremovedfromthatarea.

Reclamationactivitiesinvolvereturninglandsdisturbedbyinfrastructureinstallationorremovaltopreprojectconditions.Somefacilities(e.g.,roadways,turbinefootings,undergroundcollectorlines)maybeleftinplaceifdoingsoisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval.Ateachreclamationsite,theentiresiteiscontourgraded(ifnecessaryandenvironmentallybeneficial),stabilized,andreseededwithanappropriateseedmixturetomaintainslopestability.Nosoilisremovedfromthesite.Figure2‐9showsreclamationofaturbinepadsite.Exceptionstoreturningasitetopreinstallationconditionsmaybemade,withapprovaloftheCountyPlanningDepartment,ifsuchreclamationactivitieswouldorcouldcreatewaterqualityissues(e.g.,erosion)oriftheactivitiesmayadverselyaffectspecial‐statusspecies(e.g.,burrowingowlburrowcomplexes,uplandhabitatforCaliforniared‐leggedfrogorCaliforniatigersalamander).

Roadsthatarenotnecessaryafterturbineremovalandthatarenotwantedbylandownerswouldalsobereclaimedunlessaresourceagency(CDFWorUSFWS)determinesthatreclamationwouldbedetrimentaltospecial‐statusspecies.Inaddition,someroadswidenedforconstructionmaybereturnedtopreprojectwidthsandwidenedareasreclaimed.Roadreclamationmayincludecontourgradingtoconformtonaturalsurroundinggroundlevelsandbackfillingroadcutsonslopes.

Postproject Reclamation

Attheendofthe30‐yearCUPterm,itisanticipatedthattheCounty’sconditionsofapprovalwillrequirethatwindcompaniesremoveallturbine‐relatedinfrastructureandreturnthesitetopreturbineconditionsunlessanexceptionismadebythePlanningDirector.Becauseitisverydifficulttoanticipateprojectsiteconditions30yearsinadvance,projectapplicantsarerequiredtodevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanmustbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofproject




decommissioningorat29.5yearsintothepermit,whichevercomesfirst,sothattheplanmaybeimplementedimmediatelyuponcessationofturbineoperation.

2.5.4 Operations

TurbineswouldbeoperatedinaccordancewithmanufacturerrecommendationsandavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresdescribedinSection3.4,BiologicalResources.Manufacturerrecommendationsforcut‐inspeedforrepoweredturbinesareexpectedbe3.5–4meterspersecond.Thetypicalcut‐outspeedis20–25meterspersecond.

Seasonalshutdownofindividualturbinesmayberequiredasanadaptivemanagementaction,butonlyifimpactsonavianspeciesarehigherthananticipatedintheestimatespresentedinSection3.4ofthisPEIR.Repoweredturbines,onceinstalled,wouldnotbepermanentlyshutdownordecommissionedpriortotheendofthepermittermunlesstheyfailorsustainirreversibledamageduringoperationsthatnecessitatetheirremovalforsafetyconcerns.

2.5.5 Maintenance

Facility Maintenance

Windcompaniesconductregularmaintenanceonturbinestoensureproperoperation.Theseactivitiesareconsistentwiththemaintenanceactivitiesforfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesasdescribedinSection2.4.3withonemajorexception;repoweredwindturbinesarenotremovedorrelocatedaspartofongoingmaintenance.Current‐generationturbinesaremuchlargerandrequirelargerequipment(e.g.,cranesandflatbedtrucks)toinstallorremove.Furthermore,becausethefoundationsofcurrent‐generationturbinesaremuchlargerthanthoseoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbines,theconstructionofnewfoundationsrequiressignificantgrounddisturbance.Thesefactorsrendermovingcurrent‐generationturbinestonewlocationsafterinitialinstallationtechnicallydifficultandfinanciallyinfeasible.

Oneotherdifferenceinmaintenancerequirementsisthatthelevelofefforttomaintainundergroundcollectionlinesislessthanthatrequiredforabovegroundlinesbecauseundergroundlinesareprotectedfromweatherandinteractionswithbirds.

Ingeneral,maintenanceactivitieswouldconsistofequipmentreplacement,collectionsystemrepair,androadmaintenanceasnecessary.Maintenance‐relatedgrounddisturbancewouldtakeplacewithinthefootprintoftheinitialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceareas.Repairandmaintenanceofaccessroadswouldtakeplacewithinthefootprintsofexistingaccessroads.Turbinesmayneedtoberepairedorreplaced(usingtheexistingtowerandfoundation)atarateofapproximatelyoneturbineevery5years.Nonewpermanenteffectsareanticipatedduringmaintenanceactivities,andtemporarilyaffectedareas,ifany,wouldberestoredfollowingdisturbance.

Fire Prevention

Windfarmswithenclosedtubulartowersandnooverheadlinesorpowerpolesposereducedfirerisk;accordingly,itisanticipatedthattheCountycouldreducefirebreakrequirementsinassociationwithrepoweringefforts.Areductioninthenumberandextentoffirebreakswouldreduceground‐disturbingactivitiesaroundrepoweredturbines.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE)wouldbeconsultedinthedevelopmentofanyamendments




proposedbytheCounty.Specificchangesarenotproposedaspartoftheprogram,butwouldbedevelopedduringimplementationandinconsultationwithCALFIREandtheCountyFireDepartmentasconditionsofapprovaloftheCUPs.

2.6 Specific Projects PermitapplicationsfortwospecificrepoweringprojectsintheprogramareahavebeensubmittedtotheCountybyGoldenHillsWind,LLC(GoldenHills)(asubsidiaryofNextEra),whichisproposingtheGoldenHillsProject,andEDFRE(formerlyknownasenXco),whichisproposingthePattersonPassProject.TheseareindependentwindenergyrepoweringprojectsthattheCountyhaschosentoanalyzeinasingledraftPEIR.However,likethenearbySandHillrepoweringproject(whichisbeinganalyzedinaseparateCEQAprocess),theymaybeapprovedseparatelyfromeachotherandfromtheprogram.Theirapprovalisnotdependentontheapprovalofanyotherrepoweringproject,andtheapprovalofeitherwillnotcausetherepoweringofanyotherproject.TheenvironmentalimpactsoftheseprojectsareevaluatedinthisPEIRattheprojectlevel.Itisanticipatedthattheproject‐specificmitigationmeasurescontainedinthisPEIRwillbeincludedasenforceableconditionsofapprovalofanyCUPsapprovedfortheseprojects.

Eachoftheproposedprojectsisdescribedbelow.Ingeneral,proposeddevelopmentactivitieswouldbethesameasthosedescribedaboveunderProposedRepowering;theseactivitiesarenotrepeatedhere.However,additionaldiscussionisprovidedwherenecessarytoaddressspecificdesign,siting,orpotentialimpactmechanismsthatarenotdescribedabove.Whereproject‐leveldesignhasnotbeencompleted,project‐relatedmetrics(e.g.,areasofdisturbanceassociatedwithspecifictypesofactivities)arebasedontherecentlycompletedVascoWindsprojectinthenorthern(ContraCostaCounty)portionoftheAPWRA.

2.6.1 Golden Hills Wind Energy Facility Repowering Project

GoldenHillsproposestorepoweranexistingwindenergyfacilityintheprogramareatoreplaceoutdatedandinefficientwindturbineswithfewerandmoreefficientturbines.TheproposedGoldenHillsProjectwoulddecommissionandremoveexistingwindturbinesontheexistingwindenergyfacilitysite,installnewandfewerturbines,andmakeimprovementstorelatedinfrastructure.Theproposedprojectwouldcompriseupto52new1.7MWGEturbines.Theproposedprojectarea,existingandproposedturbinelayoutareshowninFigure2‐10.

Project Location and Land Ownership

TheGoldenHillsprojectareaencompassesapproximately4,528acreson38parcels.Siteaccessisfromlocalroadsthroughexistinggates.Theproposedprojectwouldimproveaccessatgatesinsideandaroundthesite.TheparcelsmakinguptheprojectareaarelistedinTable2‐3.

Table 2‐3. Golden Hills Project Parcels

Assessor’sParcelNumber Acreage

99A‐1760‐1‐3 112.9

99A‐1770‐2‐1 119.7

99A‐1770‐2‐2 38.8




Assessor’sParcelNumber Acreage

99A‐1770‐2‐3 47.6

99A‐1770‐3 157.4

99A‐1770‐4 159.1

99A‐1770‐999‐99 3.8

99A‐1780‐1‐4 549.8

99A‐1785‐1‐14 199.4

99A‐1790‐1 156.8

99A‐1790‐2 153.1

99A‐1790‐3 319.9

99A‐1795‐1 634.7

99A‐1810‐1 252.0

99B‐5650‐1‐4a 64.7

99B‐5650‐2‐1 70.5

99B‐5650‐2‐3a 0.1

99B‐5650‐2‐4a 70.0

99B‐6400‐1‐10 51.0

99B‐6400‐1‐8 0.4

99B‐6400‐1‐9 0.7

99B‐6400‐2‐2 3.4

99B‐6400‐2‐3 0.2

99B‐6400‐2‐6 296.0

99B‐6400‐4a 33.0

99B‐6425‐2‐3 252.3

99B‐7800‐2 10.7

99B‐7800‐9 38.1

99B‐7890‐1‐3a 133.8

99B‐7890‐2‐4a 107.5

99B‐7890‐5a 8.9

99B‐7900‐1‐3 15.8

99B‐7900‐1‐4 0.1

99B‐7900‐1‐5a 253.8

99B‐7900‐1‐6 6.1

99B‐7900‐1‐7a 148.0

99B‐7900‐2a 9.9a Acreageshownisportionofparcelwithinprojectarea;remainderofparcelisoutsideprojectareaboundary

Existingoperationsaresubjecttothetermsandconditionsoftheexistingleaseagreementswiththeunderlyinglandowners.IftheCountyapprovestheproposedproject(byapprovingtheCUP),theexistingeasementsbetweenGoldenHillsandeachlandownerwouldberevisedandformalizedtoidentifythefinallocationofproposedprojectcomponents.ThecreationandmodificationoftheselandowneragreementstoaccommodatetheproposedprojectarenotsubjecttoCEQArequirements.




Project Need, Goals, and Objectives

AsrecognizedbytheCounty,theproposedprojectwouldservethepublicandmarketneedforelectricalenergy,thedocumentedandpublicpolicyneedtoproducerenewableenergy,andthewidelyheldpublicandregulatoryagencyneedtosubstantiallyreduceavianmortalityrelatedtowindturbineoperations.Thegoalsoftheapplicantreflectthoseoftheprogram:torepoweritswindfarmassetsincompliancewiththeexistingCUPsandapplicablelaws,reduceavianmortality,andmeetCountygeneralplanandstategoalsforproductionofrenewableenergy.

Theapplicant’sobjectivesfortheproposedprojectincludeimplementationofprovisionsofthe2010AgreementtoRepowerTurbinesattheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.Consistentwiththatagreement,GoldenHillsintendstoreplaceapproximately2,400turbinesbetween2010and2014,andwillshutdownallitsexistingturbinesbyNovember2015.GoldenHills’objectiveover4yearsistoreplaceitsestimated160MWofgeneratingcapacityintwophases,beginningwiththe88.4MWGoldenHillsPhase1Project,whichistheprojectaddressedinthisPEIR.GoldenHillsPhase2willbeevaluatedinaseparateCEQAdocument.The2010AgreementwasinpartintendedtosatisfyNextEra’sobligationsunderthe2007SettlementAgreement.

The2010Agreement,amongotheritems,specifiedamitigationfeeforongoingharmtofocalraptorspecies.Underthisclause,NextEraagreedtopayamitigationfeeof$10,500perMWofinstalledcapacityforeachrepoweringphase.ThesefundswouldgotosupportCEC’sPublicIntegratedEnergyResearchProgramforscientificresearchontheeffectsofwindturbinesonbirdsandbatsintheAPWRA,aswellastosupportotherentities(e.g.,theEastBayRegionalParkDistrict,theLivermoreAreaRegionalParkDistrict)engagedinconservationeffortsforbirdandbatspeciesintheAPWRAandvicinity.Becausethisagreementisinplace,thatcontributionisconsideredpartoftheproject,andisaccountedforinthediscussionofimpactsonbiologicalresourcesinSection3.4.

Existing Facilities

GoldenHillswouldremoveupto775windturbinesontheexistingwindfarmsite,includingtheassociatedtransformers,electricalequipment,andmeteorologicaltowers.Decommissioningandremovaloftheexistingturbinesandancillaryfacilitieswouldallowtheexistingwindenergyfacilitytoberepowered.

Theexistingwindturbines,ofvariousmodels,arecharacterizedbyhubheightsof18–43meters(60–140)feetandrotordiametersof18–33meters(59–108feet).Theexistingturbinefoundationsareconcretepiersorpadswithapproximately10feetofdrainrockplacedaroundeachfoundation.Theexistingundergroundcollectionsystemwouldremaininplaceandwouldnotbeexcavated.

Existingroadsandotherdisturbedareasnotneededfortheproposedproject’snewturbineswouldbedecommissioned,contourgraded(ifnecessaryandifenvironmentallybeneficial),stabilized,andreseededwithanappropriateseedmixturetomaintainslopestability.Temporaryerosioncontrolmeasureswouldbeimplementedtomaintaintopsoilandrevegetation.

Proposed Project

GoldenHillswouldinstallupto52new1.7MWturbinesandrelatedinfrastructurewithanaggregatenominalnameplatecapacityof88.4MW.Thespecificequipmentchosenfortheproposedprojectwoulddependonfinalmicrositing.




Sitingwouldbedeterminedpriortoconstructionandonthebasisofvarioussitingcriteria,suchasterrain,geotechnicalconsiderations,andtheopportunitytoavoidorminimizepotentialimpacts,includingimpactsonavianspecies.GoldenHillswoulddevelopasitingstrategytoavoidandminimizebirdandbatmortality,usingpredictivemodelstositeturbinesinareaswiththeleastpotentialforavianimpactstooccur.Thesemodels,developedbySmallwoodandNeher(2010),incorporateutilizationdata;digitalelevationmodeling;slopeattributes;techniquestoidentifysaddles,notches,andbenches;andassociationsbetweenbirdutilizationandslopeattributes.Themodelsessentiallyresultintheidentificationofareaswithpredictedhighactivitywherewindturbinesshouldnotbeplaced.

Constructionofthewindturbineswouldincorporatebestmanagementpractices(BMPs)thatarestandardpracticeandnormallyrequiredbybuildingpermitsforlargeprojects(e.g.,dustsuppression,erosioncontrolmeasures,trafficmanagement,noisecontrols,coveringorenclosureofdrymaterials,controlledhandlingofhazardousmaterials).ManyofthesepracticeswouldbemandatedasmitigationmeasuresidentifiedinthisPEIR;moreover,becauseprojectproponentsfullyanticipateimplementationofsuchpractices,manymaybeincorporateddirectlyintotheindividualprojectproposals.

Wind Turbines

GoldenHillswouldlikelyselectaturbinewithcharacteristicssimilartothoseoftheGE1.7XLemodel:a1.7MWturbinewithahubheightof80–96meters(262–315feet),arotordiameterof100–115meters(328–377feet),atotalheightupto153meters(502feet),andaminimumdistancefromgroundtorotortipat6:00positionof30meters(98feet).

Foundations

Oncetheroadshavebeenconstructedorupgraded,turbinefoundationswouldbeconstructed.Ageotechnicalreportwouldbepreparedtoidentifytheappropriateturbinefoundationdesign.Pendingcompletionofthegeotechnicalanalysis,eachfoundationisexpectedtorequireanexcavationofupto18meters(60feet)indiameter,withfoundationsconstructedofsteel‐reinforcedconcrete.Concreteforthefoundationswouldbeprovidedfromthetemporarybatchplantandtransportedusingconcretetrucks.Arectangulargravelcranepadareaapproximately20by40meters(65by130feet)wouldbedevelopedatthebaseofeachtower.

Roadway Improvements

Turbinetransportinvolvesequipmentandcranespecificationsthatdictateroadwidthandturningradii.Toallowsafepassageofthelargetransportequipmentusedinconstruction,all‐weathergravelroadswouldbebuiltwithadequatedrainageandcompactiontoaccommodatesuchvehicles.Theproposedroadconstructiondescribedbelowisdesignedtominimizedisturbance,avoidsensitiveresources,andmaximizetransportationefficiency.

Aftersensitiveareashavebeenidentifiedandmarked,initialgradingofaccessroadsandinteriorprojectroadswouldcommence.TheproposedpermanentgravelroadswouldbeconstructedtoCountystandards.Cutmaterialswillbeusedasfillonsite;nomaterialwouldbedisposedofoffsite.Generalcut‐and‐fillslopeswouldbeestablishedata2:1ratio.Thefinallocationoftheroadandthecut‐and‐fillvolumeswouldbebasedongrading,construction,andenvironmentalpermittingrequirements;topography;andsoundengineeringprinciples.Theconstruction‐relatedassumptionsforroadsaredescribedbelow.




Interior Project Roads

Theprojectwouldinvolveconstructionofabout104,000linearfeetofroadways.Interiorprojectroadswouldhavetemporaryconstructionwidthsupto52feet:amaximum40‐footwidthplustwo6‐footshoulders.Followingprojectconstruction,thepermanentaccessroadswouldbefinalized(seebelow);temporarilydisturbedshouldersandpassingareaswouldbereclaimed.Tothegreatestextentpossible,thenewroadwaysystemwouldbedesignedtolimitdisturbanceandavoidsensitiveresources.Theproposedproject’sinteriorroadsystemwouldfollowexistingroadwayalignmentswherepossible,butgradeadjustmentsasrequiredbytheturbinemanufacturerswouldbemadeinmanylocationstoaccommodatemaximumgrades.Themaximumroadgradeonaccessroadsusedduringconstructionwouldbeapproximately10%.

Temporarypassingareaswouldbeprovidedalongone‐wayroadwaysapproximatelyevery2,500feettofacilitatesafepassingoftrafficthroughthesiteinterior.Upto50%oftheturnoutareasdevelopedduringconstructionwouldbemaintainedtosupportsafepassingforsubsequentO&Mtrafficontheinteriorroadsystem.Theremainingturnoutsandturnaroundareaswouldbereclaimedandtemporaryshoulderareascouldberestored.Temporarilydisturbedareaswouldberestoredinaccordancewiththeproposedproject’sreclamationplanandwithallrelevantpermitconditions.

Drainageculverts(neworupgradeofexisting)wouldbeinstalled(orremoved)inaccordancewithCountystandards.Primarily,theseculvertswouldbeinstalledtodivertwaterawayfromareaswheredrainageswalesintersectwithroadways,thuspreventinghighstormwaterflowsfromcrossingroadsurfaces.

Postconstruction Project Road Conditions

Followingroadconstruction,allroadswillbeinspectedtodetermineifandwhereanyadditionalgradingoradditionalgravelwillbenecessarytomeetCountystandards.Additionally,finalroadshapingwillbecompletedtoensureproperwaterflowawayfromcut‐and‐fillslopesandintoditchesandculverts.Erosioncontroldevicesalsowillbeinstalledorcompleted,disturbedareasadjoiningtheroadswillberestored,andtheappropriateerosioncontroldeviceswillbeinstalled.

Followingconstruction,dependingonwhethertheywillbeneededtoprovideaccessforO&M,roadswillbeleftinplaceorrestoredinconformancewithCountystandards.Roadsleftinplacewillbeinspectedandgradedwherelowspotsandrutshaveformed.Culvertswillbeleftinplaceandroadedgeswillberestored.

Improvements at Local Access Roads

Proposedprojectingress/egresstothesitewouldbeviaNorthFlynnRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andMidwayRoad.

Totheextentpossible,existingroadswouldbeusedforproposedprojectconstructionandoperations.Theexistingroadwaysystemprimarilyconsistsofgravelaccessroadsupto16feetwide.All‐weathergravelroadswouldbebuiltwithadequatedrainageandcompactiontoaccommodateequipmenttransportvehicles.Improvementscouldrequirethewideningofroadwaysoutlinedabovetoprovideadditionalshoulderandlanewidths.Minordrainageimprovementscouldberequiredtoadjustexistingdrainageinletstogradeandprovideroadsideditches.




AllroadimprovementswouldbedesignedaccordingtoAlamedaCountydesignstandards.PreliminarydesignfortheprojectingressandegresspointswouldbeprovidedtotheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartment.Encroachmentpermits,forminorroadwayimprovementsifneeded,wouldbeneededfromtheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartmentandwouldbedesignedtomeetAlamedaCountyDesignStandards(andCaltransHighwayDesignManualStandards,asapplicable).Anencroachmentpermitforimprovementswithinthepublicright‐of‐wayfallingwithinAlamedaCountywouldbeneeded,andtheAlamedaCountyPublicWorksDepartmentwouldconductdesignreviewoftheproposedimprovements.

Afterconstruction,thepermanentaccessroadswouldbereducedinwidthto25feetandtheremainingdisturbedareawouldbereclaimed.TemporarilydisturbedareaswouldbereclaimedasdeterminedthroughconsultationswithUSFW,CDFW,andtheCounty.Erosioncontroldeviceswouldbeinstalledorcompleted.DrainageculvertswouldbeinstalledorremovedasappropriateinaccordancewithAlamedaCountystandardstopreventhighstormwaterflowsfromcrossingroadsurfaces.

GoldenHillswouldrepair,repave,orreconstructthoseportionsofexistingCountyroadsdamagedduringconstructioninaccordancewithapplicabledesignstandardsagreeduponpriortobeginningconstruction.

Power Collection System

Collection Lines

Thepowercollectionsystemwouldconsistofmedium‐voltage,high‐density,insulatedundergroundcablesthatwouldconnecttheturbinestotheonsitesubstation.Theundergroundcollectioncablesaregenerallyburiedintrenchesadjacenttotheroadbedoftheinterioraccessroads.Communicationlineswouldbeinstalledinthesametrenches.Noexistingcollectionlineswouldbeused.

Trenchingequipmentwouldbeusedtoexcavatetrenchesinorneartheaccessroadbedtoallowinstallationoftheinsulatedundergroundcablesthatwouldconnecteachturbinetothesubstation.Thetrenchestypicallywouldbe12–24incheswideand48inchesdeep,buttheirdepthandnumberwouldbedeterminedultimatelybythesizeofthecablerequiredandthethermalconductivityofthesoilorrocksurroundingthetrench.Thelargeconductorcableswouldbeplacedwithinthetrenches,packedinsandornativematerialsdependingonthesoilproperties,andcoveredtoprotectthecablesfromdamageorpossiblecontact.Opticalfibercommunicationlinksandcommunicationlinesforturbineperformanceremote‐sensingequipmentwouldbeplacedinthesametrenchesastheconductorcables.Inlocationswheretwoormoresetsofundergroundlinesconverged,pad‐mountedswitchpanelswouldbeusedtotiethelinestogetherintooneormoresetsoflargerfeederconductors.Theaccumulatedcablesfromtheindividualarrayswouldbespaced10feetapartoneithersideoftheroadsystemin“homeruns”totheonsitesubstation.Thelocationsoftheburiedinfrastructurewouldberecordedinas‐builtprojectdiagramsthatwouldbedevelopedattheendoftheconstructionperiod.Becauseasignificantportionoftheundergroundcollectioncableswouldbeinstalledparalleltoandwithinthefootprintofareastemporarilydisturbedbyroadconstruction,installationofthecollectionsystemisonlyexpectedtoresultinminimaladditionalpermanentsurfacedisturbance.

Becauseundergroundcollectioncableswouldbeinstalledparalleltoandwithinthefootprintofareastemporarilydisturbedbyroadconstruction,installationofthecollectionsystemisnot




expectedtoresultinpermanentsurfacedisturbance.Installationwouldresultinanestimated14.3acresoftemporarydisturbance.

Collector Substation

Themainfunctionsofacollectorsubstationaretostepupthevoltagefromthecollectionlines(34.5kV)tothetransmissionlevel(115kV)andtoprovidefaultprotection.Thebasicelementsofthesubstationfacilitiesareacontrolhouse,abankofoneortwomaintransformers,outdoorbreakers,capacitorbanks,relayingequipment,high‐voltagebuswork,steelsupportstructures,anundergroundgroundinggrid,andoverheadlightning‐suppressionconductors.Themainoutdoorelectricalequipmentandcontrolhouseareinstalledonaconcretefoundation.

Theexistingonsitesubstation(Midway)servesasthecollectorsubstationfortheexistingwindfarm.Thissubstationwouldbereplacedbyanotherinthesamegenerallocation.Thesubstationwouldconsistofagraveledfootprintareaofapproximately2acres,a12‐footchain‐linkperimeterfence,andanoutdoorlightingsystem.Thenewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare.Forthepurposesofthisanalysisitisassumedthattheselightswouldremainonfromdusktodawn.Constructionofthesubstationwouldentailatotaldisturbanceareaofupto6acres.Ofthese6acres,3acreswouldbedisturbedtemporarilyduringconstructionandwouldberestoredafterconstructioniscomplete.Theremaining3acreswouldbepermanentlydisturbed.

Anenergystorageunitencompassingapproximately1acrewouldbeconstructedwithinthe3‐acrepermanentdisturbancefootprintofthecollectorsubstationfacility.Themodulardesignwouldaccommodatelithium‐ionbatteries,eitherinabuildingorinapproximatelythirty40‐footInternationalStandardOrganization(ISO)containers.Thefacilitywouldcontainallnecessaryenergymanagementhardwareandsoftwaretomanageenergysupplyfromtheturbinestothepowergrid,aswellasafiredetectionandsuppressionsystemandairconditioning.Constructionisanticipatedtorequireapproximately4months.Batteryreplacementwouldberequiredoverthelifeoftheproject,andwastebatterieswouldberemovedfromthesiteandtransportedeithertothemanufacturerortoanapprovedbatteryreprocessorforrecyclingordisposal.

Meteorological Towers

Theproposedprojectwouldentailconstructionoffourpermanentmeteorologicaltowersdistributedthroughtheprojectareatomonitorweatherconditionsandwindspeed.Eachfreestandingtowerwouldbemountedonacircularpierorslabfoundationsurroundedbyacircularareaofgraveltoaradiusofabout15feet.

Operations and Maintenance Facilities and Other Project Elements

Operationsandmaintenancefacilitieswouldinvolveapermanentdisturbanceof2acres.Thepreciselocationofthesefacilitieshasnotyetbeenidentified.

Uptofourportabletoiletswouldbemaintainedyear‐roundonsiteandservicedbyacontractor.Nootherwater,wastewater,orsewer/septicsystemsarepresentattheexistingwindfarm,andnochangestothewater,wastewater,orsewer/septicsystemareproposedtosupporttheproposedproject.




Project Construction

TurbineswouldlikelybedeliveredtothesitefromthePortofStocktonorothernearbyportorrailtransferlocation.Towerassemblyrequirestheuseofonelargetrack‐mountedcraneandtwosmallcranes.Theturbinetowers,nacelles,androtorbladeswouldbedeliveredtoeachfoundationsiteandunloadedbycrane.Alargetrack‐mountedcranewouldbeusedtohoistthebasetowersectionverticallythenloweritoverthethreadedfoundationbolts.Thelargecranewouldthenraiseeachadditionaltowersectiontobeboltedthroughtheattachedflangestothetowersectionbelow.Thecranethenwouldraisethenacelle,rotorhub,andbladestobeinstalledatopthetower.Twosmallerwheeledcraneswouldbeusedtooffloadturbinecomponentsfromtrucksandtoassistintheprecisealignmentofthetowersections.

Schedule

Proposedprojectconstructionwouldproceedafterallconstruction‐relatedpermitsareissued.TheseactivitiesareanticipatedtoproceedaccordingtothephasesoutlinedinSection2.5.3,RepoweringActivities.Construction‐relatedbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)wouldbeimplementedduringtheNovember–Aprilwetseason.Thefinalapprovedworkhourswouldbespecifiedintheproposedproject’sCUP.Ifextendedhoursarenecessaryordesired,theappropriateapprovalswouldbesought.

Workforce

Basedondataprovidedfortypicalwindenergyprojectsofsimilarsize,approximately50workerswouldbeemployedtodecommissiontheexistingwindfarm.Onaverage,approximately200workerswouldbeemployedduringconstruction,withapeakworkforceof300.Craftworkerswouldincludemillwrights,ironworkers,electricians,equipmentoperators,carpenters,laborers,andtruckdrivers.Localconstructioncontractorsandsupplierswouldbeusedtotheextentpossible.

Construction Equipment and Ancillary Construction Facilities

ThetypesofequipmentlistedinSection2.5.3,RepoweringActivities,wouldbeusedduringthevariousstagesofdecommissioningandconstruction.Onaverage,allequipmentisassumedtooperateforapproximately10hoursperday.Theprobablefueltypeisdiesel.

Temporary Concrete Batch Plant

Dependingonweatherconditions,concretetypicallyneedstobepouredwithin90minutesofmixingwithwater.Deliverytimetoonsitepourlocationswouldlikelyexceed90minutesfromexistingconcretesuppliersintheproposedprojectvicinity.Accordingly,GoldenHillsproposestoconstructanonsitetemporaryconcretebatchplanttofacilitateconcretedeliveryfortheturbinefoundations.

Thetemporarybatchplantwouldoperateonlyduringconstruction.Thebatchplantwouldrequireastand‐alonegeneratorofapproximately250kW.Fuelforthegeneratorwouldbeobtainedfromanabovegroundstoragetank(AST)withsecondarycontainmentforspillprevention.Itisestimatedthatthebatchplantwouldconsumeupto5,400gallonsofwaterperday.Atemporary5,000‐gallonwatertankwouldbeplacedonsitetoreplenishthebatchplantwater,asneeded.




Stockpilesofsandandaggregatewouldbesituatednearthebatchplantinamannerthatwouldminimizeexposuretowind.Concretewouldbedischargedusingascrewconveyordirectlyintoanelevatedstoragesilo.TheconstructionmanagersandcrewwoulduseBMPsandstandardoperatingprocedurestokeeptheplant,storage,andstockpileareascleanandtominimizethebuildupoffinematerials.

Portable Rock Crusher

Toconstructandimproveproposedprojectroads,arockcrusherwouldberequiredtoprovideappropriatelysizedaggregateforfillandroadbase.Theportablerockcrusherwouldbeco‐locatedwiththebatchplant.InaccordancewithBMPs,therock‐crushingareawouldbesprayedbyawatertrucktosuppressdust.Thecrusherproposedforthisprojectincorporatesseveraldust‐suppressionfeatures,includingscreensandwaterspray.Dust‐controlmeasureswouldbeusedatallemissionpointsduringoperation,includingstartupandshutdownperiods,asrequired.

Equipment Maintenance

Duringconstruction,refuelingandmaintenanceofequipmentandvehiclesthatareauthorizedforhighwaytravelwouldbeperformedoffsiteatanappropriatefacility.Equipmentandvehiclesthatarenothighwayauthorizedwouldbeservicedonsitebyamaintenancecrewusingaspeciallydesignedvehiclemaintenancetruck.

Staging and Laydown Areas

Theproposedprojectincludesconstructionstagingareas(forstorageofprojectcomponentsandequipment)andadditionallaydownareasateachturbinelocation(foroffloadingandstorageofthetowercomponents).

Construction Staging Areas

Temporarystagingareaswouldbeusedduringconstruction.Itisanticipatedthatuptosixstagingareas,rangingfrom1.7to7.0acres(average3.4acres),wouldbeusedforthestorageofturbinecomponents,constructionequipment,officetrailers,andothersuppliesincludinghazardousmaterials.Thebatchplant,rockcrusher,andassociatedfuelandwatertankswouldbeco‐locatedwithinthedisturbedareafootprintofoneofthestagingareas.Trailerswouldbeplacedatthestagingareastosupportworkforceneedsandsitesecurity.Thetrailerswouldalsohouseafirstaidstation,emergencyshelter,andhandtoolstorageareafortheconstructionworkforce.Vegetationwouldbeclearedandeachconstructionstagingareawouldbegradedtobelevel.Itthenwouldbecoveredwitha4‐inchgravelsurfaceandappropriateerosioncontroldevice(e.g.,earthberm,siltfences,strawbales)wouldbeinstalledtomanagewaterrunoff.Diversionditcheswouldbeinstalled,asnecessary,topreventstormwaterfromrunningontothesitefromsurroundingareas.Followingcompletionofconstructionactivities,thecontractorwouldrestorethetemporaryconstructionstagingareas.Thegravelsurfacewouldberemovedandtheareaswouldbecontourgraded(ifnecessaryandifenvironmentallybeneficial)toconformwiththenaturaltopography,stockpiledtopsoilwouldbereplaced,andtheareawouldbestabilizedandreseededwithanappropriateseedmixture.




Laydown Areas

Alaydownareawouldbeconstructedateachnewturbinepadtoaccommodateoffloadingandstorageofthetowersections,nacelle,rotorhub,andblades,aswellassomeconstructionequipment.Eachlaydownareawouldoccupyapproximately0.5acre.Thelaydownareaswouldincludeacompacted,gravel‐surfacedcranepadwithinthe0.5‐acrearea.Thecranepadwouldbeapproximately65feetwide(adjacenttotheturbineaccessroad)toallowalargetrack‐mountedcranetoaccesstheturbinefoundations.Thelaydownareasmustbelevelornearlyleveltoallowthecranetoliftthelargeandextremelyheavyturbinecomponentssafely,andvegetationclearingand/orgradingwouldbenecessary.Thecranepadwouldbeconstructedusingstandardcut‐and‐fillroadconstructionprocedures.Thelaydownareaswouldgenerallybecircular.Theactualdimensionsoftheindividuallaydownareaswouldbebasedonsitetopographyandtheneedtominimizecutandfill.

Hazardous Materials Storage

Hazardousmaterialswouldbestoredatoneofthestagingareas(useofextremelyhazardousmaterialsisnotanticipated).Tominimizethepotentialforharmfulreleasesofhazardousmaterialsthroughspillsorcontaminatedrunoff,thesesubstanceswouldbestoredwithinsecondarycontainmentareasinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocalrequirementsandpermitconditions.Storagefacilitiesforpetroleumproductswouldbeconstructed,operated,andmaintainedinaccordancewiththeSpillPreventionControlandCountermeasures(SPCC)Planthatwouldbepreparedandimplementedfortheproposedproject(CodeofFederalRegulations[CFR],Title40,Part112).TheSPCCPlanwouldspecifyengineeringstandards(forexample,secondarycontainment);administrativestandards(forexample,trainingwithspecialemphasisonspillprevention,standardoperatingprocedures,inspections);andBMPs.

AHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan(HMBP)wouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellastheirproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposal.

Traffic and Parking

GoldenHillswouldprepareaTrafficManagementPlanfortheproposedprojecttoreducehazardsthatwouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.Onsiteconstructiontrafficwouldberestrictedtotheroadsdevelopedfortheproposedproject.Useofexistingunimprovedroadswouldberestrictedtoemergencysituations.

Preconstructiondecommissioningactivitiesanddeliveryofconstructionmaterialsandequipmentwouldrequireapproximately16,513fullyloadedinboundtripsoflargetruckstothesitefromoffsitesources,foratotalofupto33,026inboundand(empty)outboundtrucktripsassociatedwiththeproposedproject.Itisestimatedthatupto900ofthesetripswouldincludeoversizedvehiclesdeliveringwindturbinegeneratorandsubstationmaterials,heavyequipment,andotherconstruction‐relatedmaterials.Constructionoftheproposedprojectcomponents(roads,turbines,substation,andelectrical/communicationlines)wouldoccurataboutthesametime,using




individualvehiclesformultipletasks.Basedondataprovidedfortypicalsimilarlysizedwindenergyprojects,itisanticipatedthatduringtheconstructionperiod,therewouldbeapproximately60dailyroundtripsbyvehiclestransportingconstructionpersonneltothesite.Assumingthatconstructionmaterialdeliveriesfromexternalsourceswouldoccuroverthe8‐monthconstructionperiodat20workdayspermonth,anaverageofabout81one‐waytrucktripsperday(thatis,40.5trucksgeneratingonetriptotheproposedprojectsiteandonetripfromthesite)wouldbeaddedtobackgroundtrafficvolumesonarearoadways.Inadditiontotheselargetruckloads,dumptrucks,concretetrucks,watertrucks,cranes,andotherconstructionandtradevehiclesoperatingwithintheprojectareawouldentailmorethan12,000trucktrips.

Construction‐relatedparkingwouldbelocatedinconstructionstagingareas.Carpoolingfromalocationwithin10milesofthesite,otherthantheO&Mfacility,wouldalsobeused.

Afterconstruction,O&Moftheproposedprojectwouldrequireapproximatelyeightroundtripsperdayusingpickupsorotherlight‐dutytrucks.

Water and Wastewater Needs

Waterforprojectconstructionactivitieswouldbeprovidedthroughanagreementwithmunicipalorprivatesuppliers.Temporaryonsitewatertanksandwatertruckswouldbemadeavailableforfirewatersupport,dustsuppression,andconstructionneeds.Oneormore3,500‐gallontanksorothermeansoffirewatersupportwouldbesubjecttoapprovalbyAlamedaCounty.

Duringconstruction,upto50milliongallonsofwaterwouldbeusedfordustcontrolonroadsandduringgradingandsitework,aswellasformixingwithcementandaggregatetoformconcrete.Dailywaterusewouldvary,dependingontheweatherconditionsandtimeofyear,whichaffecttheneedfordustcontrol.Hot,dry,windyconditionswouldnecessitategreateramountsofwater.Tankertruckswouldapplywatertoconstructionareaswhereneededtoaidinroadcompactionandreduceconstruction‐generateddust.

Forconstructionoffoundations,waterwouldbetransportedtothebatchplantsitewhereitwouldbeusedtomixconcrete.Aminimalamountofwaterwouldberequiredforconstructionworkerneeds(drinkingwater,sanitationfacilities).Thiswaterwouldbetruckedinordeliveredasbottleddrinkingwater.Alocalsanitationcompanywouldprovideandmaintainappropriateconstructionsanitationfacilities.Portabletoiletswouldbeplacedateachofthecraneassemblyareas,theconcretebatchplant,thesubstation,andthetrailerpadarea.Whennecessary,additionalfacilitieswouldbeplacedatspecificconstructionlocations.

AppropriateBMPtrainingwouldbeprovidedtotruckoperatorstopreventrunofffromdustsuppressionandcontrolactivities.Waterusedforcementmixingandtruckwashingwouldbemanagedinaccordancewithapplicablepermitconditions(andBMPs)andwouldnotbedischargedoffsite.

Demarcation of Sensitive Resources

Sensitiveresourcesadjacenttoandwithinconstructionareaswouldbemarkedtoensureadequateavoidance.Sensitiveareasidentifiedthroughtheenvironmentalapprovalandpermittingprocesseswouldbestakedandflagged.Priortoconstruction,anenvironmentalinspector(ifrequired),theconstructioncontractor,andanysubcontractorswouldconductawalk‐throughofareastobeaffected,orpotentiallyaffected,byconstructionactivities.Thepreconstructionwalk‐throughs




wouldbeconductedregularlytoidentifysensitiveresourcestobeavoided,limitsofclearing,locationofdrainagefeatures,andthelayoutforsedimentationanderosioncontrolmeasures.Followingidentificationofthesefeatures,specificconstructionmeasureswouldbereviewed,andanymodificationstoconstructionmethodsorlocationswouldbeagreeduponbeforeconstructioncouldbegin.Resourceagencyrepresentativeswouldbeconsultedorincludedonthesewalk‐throughsasneeded.

Materials and Services

Approximately200,000cubicyardsofaggregatewouldbebroughtontotheproposedprojectsiteforroadwayconstruction,turbinefoundations,andtheonsitesubstations.

Inspection and Startup Testing

Priortooperation,eachcompletedturbinewouldbeinspectedandcheckedformechanical,electrical,andcontrolfunctionsinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sspecificationsbeforebeingreleasedforstartuptesting.Aseriesofstartupprocedureswouldthenbeperformedbythemanufacturer’stechnicians.Electricaltestsonthetransformers,undergroundpowerlines,andcollectorsubstationwouldbeperformedbyqualifiedengineers,electricians,andtestpersonneltoensurethatelectricalequipmentisoperatingwithintolerancesandthattheequipmenthadbeeninstalledinaccordancewithdesignspecifications.TheabovegroundpowerlinesinterconnectingtothePG&Esystemwouldbetestedandinspectedasrequired.

Cleanup and Restoration

Clearinganddisposingoftrash,debris,andscrubonthoseportionsofthesitewhereconstructionwouldoccurwouldbeperformedattheendofeachworkdaythroughallstagesofconstruction.Existingvegetationwouldbeclearedonlywherenecessary.Allexcavationsmadebyclearingwouldbebackfilledwithcompactedearthandaggregateassoonascableinfrastructureistested.Disposalofcuttingsanddebriswouldbeinanapprovedfacilitydesignedtohandlethewaste.

Beforeconstructioniscomplete,allremainingtrashanddebriswouldberemovedfromthesite.AlltemporarilydisturbedareaswouldbereturnedtotheirpreviouscontoursandanydebriswouldberemovedandproperlydisposedofoffsiteconsistentwithAlamedaCountyrestorationrequirementsanddescribedinaReclamationPlan,whichwouldbedevelopedpriortoconstructionaspartoftheconstructionplanningandpermittingprocess.Anymaterialplacedintheareasofthefoundationsorroadswouldbecompactedasrequiredforsoilstability.

Operation and Maintenance

O&MactivitiesfortheproposedprojectwouldbesimilartotheO&Mactivitiespresentlyconductedfortheexistingwindfacility.

Safety and Environmental Compliance Programs

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Aqualityassurance/qualitycontrol(QA/QC)programwouldbeimplementedtoensurethatconstructionandstartupofthefacilityarecompletedasspecified.GoldenHillswouldberesponsibleforensuringimplementationoftheQA/QCprogrampriortoconstruction.TheprogramwouldspecifyimplementingandmaintainingQA/QCprocedures,environmentalcomplianceprogramsand




procedures,andhealthandsafetycomplianceprogramsandprocedures,andwouldintegrateGoldenHill’sactivitieswiththecontractorsduringprojectconstruction.Theengineeringprocurementandconstruction(EPC)contractorandturbinesupplierwouldberesponsibleforenforcingcompliancewiththeconstructionproceduresprogramofallofitssubcontractors.

Environmental Compliance

Orientationofconstructionstaffwouldincludeeducationonthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofprojectconstruction.Theconstructionmanagerwouldestablishproceduresforstafftoformallyreportanyissuesassociatedwiththeenvironmentalimpacts,tokeepmanagementinformed,andtofacilitaterapidresponse.

Stormwater Control

Becausetheproposedprojectwoulddisturbmorethan1acre,itwouldrequirecoverageunderthestate’sGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(Order2010‐0014‐DWQ)(ConstructionGeneralPermit).Permitcoveragewouldbeobtainedbysubmittingpermitregistrationdocuments(PRDs)totheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardthroughitsStormwaterMultipleApplicationandReportTrackingSystem(SMARTS)website.ThePRDsincludeanoticeofintent,sitemaps,astormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP),arisklevelassessment,andothermaterials.TheSWPPPwouldincludetheelementsdescribedinSectionAoftheConstructionGeneralPermitandmapsthatshowthelocationandtypeoferosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andnon‐stormwaterBMPs,whichareintendedtopreventsignificantwaterqualityimpactsonreceivingwaters.Dependingontherisklevel,theSWPPPmayalsospecifythatsamplingofpHandturbidityintherunoffleavingthesitebeconductedduringconstruction.TheSWPPPwouldalsodescribesiteinspection,monitoring,andBMPmaintenanceproceduresandschedules.

Safety Compliance

GoldenHillsanditsconstructioncontractorsandsubcontractorswouldberesponsibleforconstructionhealthandsafetyissues.Eachcontractorandsubcontractorwouldprovideahealthandsafety(H&S)coordinator,whowouldensurethatapplicablelaws,regulations,ordinances,andstandardsconcerninghealthandsafetyarefollowedandthatanyidentifieddeficienciesarecorrectedasquicklyaspossible.TheH&Scoordinatorwouldconductonsiteorientationandsafetytrainingforcontractandsubcontractemployeesandwouldreportbacktotheonsiteconstructionmanager.Uponidentificationofahealthandsafetyissue,theH&Scoordinatorwouldworkwiththeconstructionmanagerandresponsiblesubcontractorordirecthireworkerstocorrecttheviolation.

Emergency Situations

Ifseverestormsresultinadownedinterconnectionpowerline,standardO&Mprocedureswouldbeapplied.Theturbineswouldbeequippedwithinternalprotectivecontrolmechanismstosafelyshutthemdownintheeventofahigh‐voltagegridoutageoraturbinefailurerelatedtofireormechanicalproblems.Aseparatelow‐voltagedistributionservicefeedmightbeconnectedtothelow‐voltagesideofthecollectorsubstationasabackupsystemtoprovideauxiliarypowertoprojectfacilitiesincaseofoutages.Forsafety,thecollectorsubstationwouldbefenced,locked,andproperlysignedtopreventaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignagewouldbepostedaroundturbines,transformers,otherhigh‐voltagefacilities,andalongroads,asrequired.




Public Access and Security

Theproposedprojectwouldbelocatedentirelyonprivatepropertyandpublicpropertywithrestrictedpublicaccess.Onlyauthorizedaccesstotheprojectsitewouldbeallowed.Thesiteisfencedandthecollectorsubstationswouldbefencedwithanadditional12‐foot‐high,chain‐linkfencetopreventpublicandwildlifeaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignswouldbepostedinconformancewithapplicablestateandfederalregulationsaroundallturbines,transformers,andotherhigh‐voltagefacilitiesandalongaccessroads.Vegetationclearancewouldbemaintainedadjacenttoprojectingressandegresspointsandaroundthecollectorsubstations,transformers,andinterconnectionriserpoles.

Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling

TheCounty’sHazardousMaterialsProgramDivisionistheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)forallareasofAlamedaCounty.ManagementofhazardousmaterialswouldbeconductedinaccordancewithaCounty‐approvedHMBPdevelopedfortheproposedprojectpursuanttotherequirementsoftheCUPA.HazardousmaterialsusedduringO&MactivitieswouldbestoredwithintheexistingO&MbuildinginabovegroundcontainerswithappropriatespillcontainmentfeaturesasprescribedbythelocalfirecodeortheSPCCPlanfortheO&Mbuildingasstipulatedbytheappropriateregulatoryauthority.SuchmaterialswouldbesimilarintypeandamounttothosecurrentlystoredandusedforO&Mfortheexistingfacility.

Lubricantsusedintheturbinegearboxarepotentiallyhazardous.Thegearboxwouldbesealedtopreventlubricantleakage.Thegearboxlubricantwouldbesampledperiodicallyandtestedtoconfirmthatitretainsadequatelubricatingproperties.Whenthelubricantshavedegradedtothepointwheretheyarenolongeradequate,thegearboxwouldbedrained,newlubricantwouldbeadded,andtheusedlubricantswouldbedisposedofatanappropriatefacilityinaccordancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.

Transformerscontainoilforheatdissipation.Thetransformersaresealedandcontainnopolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)ormovingparts.Thetransformeroilwouldnotbesubjecttoperiodicinspectionanddoesnotneedreplacement.

O&Mvehicleswouldbeproperlymaintainedtominimizeleaksofmotoroil,hydraulicfluid,andfuel.Duringoperation,O&MvehicleswouldbeservicedandfueledattheexistingO&Mbuilding(usingmobilefueltanks)oratanoffsitelocation.Nostoragetanksarelocatedattheexistingwindfarm,andnoneareproposed.

Operation and Maintenance Activities

Maintenanceofturbinesandassociatedinfrastructureincludesawidevarietyofactivities.Routinemaintenanceinvolvesactivitiessuchascheckingtorqueontowerboltsandanchors;checkingforcracksandothersignsofstressontheturbinemainframeitselfandotherturbinecomponents;inspectingforleakageoflubricants,hydraulicfluids,andotherhazardousmaterialsandreplacingthemasnecessary;inspectingthegroundingcables,wireropesandclips,andsurgearrestors;cleaning;andrepainting.Mostroutinemaintenanceactivitiesoccurwithinandaroundthetowerandthenacelle.CleanupfromroutinemaintenanceactivitieswouldbeperformedatthetimemaintenanceisperformedbytheO&Mpersonnel.Whileperformingmostroutinemaintenanceactivities,O&Mstaffwouldtravelbypickuporotherlight‐dutytrucks.Inaddition,onroutinemaintenancesuchasrepairorreplacementofrotorsorothermajorcomponentscouldbenecessary.




Suchmaintenancewouldinvolveuseofoneormorecranesandequipmenttransportvehicles,thoughthecraneswouldnotbeaslargeasthetrack‐mountedcranesusedtoerecttheturbinetowers.

Monitoringoftheproposedproject’soperationswouldbecomputer‐based;computersinthebaseofeachturbinetowerwouldbeconnectedtotheexistingO&Mfacilitythroughfiber‐optictelecommunicationlinks.

TheO&Mworkforceisnotanticipatedtochangefromtheexistingturbinetechnicians,operationspersonnel,administrativepersonnel,andmanagementstaff.O&Mstaffwouldcontinuetomonitorturbineandsystemoperation,performroutinemaintenance,shutdownandrestartturbineswhennecessary,andprovidesecurity.AllO&MstaffwouldbetrainedregularlytoobserveBMPs.

Ultimate Decommissioning and Reclamation

Theanticipatedlifeofthewindfarmismorethan30years,asupgradingandreplacingequipmentcouldextendtheoperatinglifeindefinitelywithappropriatepermitapprovals.However,thelifeoftheproposedprojectforCEQApurposeswouldbecoterminouswiththetermoftheCUPrequiredforitsoperation

Theultimatedecommissioningandremovaloftheproposedprojectwouldbesimilartothedecommissioningandremovalofexistingwindfarmcomponentsthatwouldbeundertakenpriortoconstructionofrepoweredfacilities,exceptthatconsiderablyfewerturbineswouldberemoved.Inaddition,existingserviceroadswouldbeused.Nonewaccessroadswouldberequired,andnoroadsextantatthattimeareexpectedtorequirewidening.

Decommissioningwouldinvolveremovingtheturbines,transformers,substations,foundationsandrelatedinfrastructuretoadepthof3feetbelowgrade.Asinglelargecranewouldbeusedtodisassembletheturbines,andsmallercraneswouldliftthepartsontotruckstobehauledaway.Generally,turbines,electricalcomponents,andtowerswouldeitherberefurbishedandresoldorrecycledforscrap.Allunsalvageablematerialswouldbedisposedofatauthorizedsitesinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocallaws,regulations,ordinances,andadoptedCountypoliciesineffectatthetimeoffinaldecommissioning.Followingremovaloftheequipmentandstructures,adozerwouldbeusedtospreaddirtoverthefoundations.Roadreclamationwouldbeaccomplishedusingscrapersandgraveltrucks.SitereclamationafterdecommissioningwouldbesubjecttoaCounty‐approvedreclamationplan(CountyCodeArticle88‐3.8).Basedonsite‐specificrequirements,thereclamationplanwouldincluderegrading,spotreplacementoftopsoil,andrevegetationofdisturbedareaswithanapprovedseedmix.

2.6.2 Patterson Pass Project

Project Location and Land Ownership

ThePattersonPassWindFarmRepoweringProject(PattersonPassProject)wouldentailrepoweringoftheexisting21.8MWwindfarm,permittedunderCUPC‐8263,ENXCO,Inc./PattersonPassFarms,ownedbyPattersonPassWindFarm,LLC(PattersonPass).Theexistingwindfarmoriginallycomprised336NordankandBonus65kWturbines,ofwhich317turbinesremainoperational.ThePattersonPassProjectisdepictedinFigure2‐11.




AccesstothePattersonPassProjectwouldbethroughexistingprivategates,likelyfromPattersonPassRoad,JessRanchRoad,orboth.

Project Need, Goals, and Objectives

TheprojectobjectiveistorepowertheexistingPattersonPassWindFarmonprivatelandownedbyEDFREanddevelopa19.8MWcommerciallyviablewindenergyfacilitythatwoulddeliverrenewableenergytothePG&E/CAISOpowergridtomeetthestate’sRPSgoals.PattersonPassWind,LLCanditsparentcompanyEDFREwerepartytothe2007SettlementAgreementdescribedabove;theproposedrepoweringwouldfulfillEDFRE’sobligationsunderthatagreement.

Theproposedprojectelementsarelistedbelow.

Atotalnameplategenerationcapacityofupto19.8MW.

Removalofexistingwindturbinesandinstallationof8–12newwindturbinegenerators,towers,foundations,andpad‐mountedtransformerstomeetmilestonessetforthintheproject’spowerpurchaseagreement.

Developmentofprojectroadsandinstallationofapowercollectionsystemasnecessary.

Useofexistingelectricalpowertransmissionlinestoconveythewindenergyproducedbytheprojecttolocalandregionalenergymarkets.

Useofexistingroadsthatprovideaccessthroughoutmuchoftheprogramarea.

Useofexistingsubstationandswitchyard(withpotentialupgradesoftheexistingequipmentwithinthefootprintoftheexistingfacility).

UseoftheexistingO&Mfacilityandothersupportfacilitiesadjacenttotheprojectareathatareavailableforprojectutilizationandthatwillcontinuetoreceivepowerfromthesubstationduringtherepoweringprocess.

Existing Facilities

ThePattersonPassWindFarm,commissionedin1984,hasbeenoperationalfor27years.Itcomprisesthreeparcels,totalingapproximately952acres,whollyownedbyPattersonPass,asubsidiaryofEDFRE(Table2‐4).Thelocationoftheprojectandthedistributionoftheexistingfirst‐generationturbinesareshowninFigure2‐11.

Table 2‐4. Patterson Pass Project Parcels

Assessor’sParcelNumber ApproximateAcres

099A‐1800‐001‐00 617.8

099A‐1800‐002‐01 148.7

099B‐7985‐001‐02 185.4

Operation and Maintenance

TheexistingPattersonPassO&Mbuilding,encompassingapproximately4,600squarefeet,housesmaintenanceequipment,sparepartsinventories,collection/communicationsystemsequipment,andthewindfarmcontrolcenter.




Thewindfarmisstaffed5daysaweek,8hoursaday,withweekendmonitoring.Mostexistingwindturbinesarefittedwithcontrolsystemsattheturbinetowers;thesesystemsareincommunicationwitharemote,centralizedcontrolcenter,connectedtotheOpto‐22SCADAsystemtocollectdata.Additionally,eachturbinefunctionsasastandaloneunit.

ThewindturbinecontrolandmonitoringsystemsutilizecommunicationlinesthatgenerallyrunparallelwiththecollectionsystemlinesandconnectbacktothePattersonPassO&MbuildingthroughtheOpto‐22SCADAsystem.

Turbine Foundations

Theexistingturbinefoundationsareconcrete,singlespreadorpierfoundationssupportingtubulartowers.Eachfoundationhasafootprintofapproximately20by20feet.

Access Roads

AccesstotheprojectareaisthroughlockedgatesfromCountyandprivateroads(PattersonPassRoadandJessRanchRoad,respectively).Intheprojectarea,mainaccessroadsconnectturbinestrings,andspurroadsbranchfromthemainaccessroadstoindividualturbinesandotherfacilities.

Collection System

ElectricityiscollectedfromeachwindturbineandtransmittedtotheADCCsubstation,whereitsvoltageisincreasedforinterconnectionwithPG&E’stransmissionlines,whichtraversetheprojectarea.Thecollectionsystemincludespad‐mountedtransformers,undergroundcables,overheadcablesonapproximately100woodenpoles,assortedcircuitbreakersandswitches,electricalmetering/protectiondevices,andtheADCCsubstationitself.ExistingcollectionlinesintheprojectareaareownedbyPattersonPass.ThePattersonPassProjectconnectsdirectlywithPG&EthroughtheADCCsubstationtothe330kVAtransmissionlines.

Meteorological Towers

Approximately13meteorologicaltowers,18–80meters(60–263feet)tallarepresentonsite.Thesetowersmonitorandrecordmeteorologicaldatasuchaswindspeed,winddirection,andatmosphericpressure.Uptotwoexistingtowerswillbeutilizedasthetwopermanentmeteorologicaltowersfortheproposedproject.Allotherexistingmeteorologicaltowerswillberemovedduringdecommissioningorconstruction.

Proposed Project

Theproposedprojectcomponentsaredescribedbelow.Theproposedprojectwouldentailthreephases:decommissioningandremovaloftheexistingwindfarmfacilities,constructionoftheproposedPattersonPassProject,andoperationoftheproposedproject.AconceptuallayoutoftheproposedprojectisshowninFigure2‐11.

Decommissioning the Existing Facilities

Decommissioningtheexistingprojectwouldrequireremovalofthewindturbinenacelles,blades,towers,andotherfacilities.Somefacilities—suchastheO&Mbuilding,substation,andone80‐metermeteorologicaltowers—wouldberetainedandmaybeupgradedasnecessary.TheO&Mfacilitywouldcontinuetooperateinsupportoftherepoweringproject.Ingeneral,otherfacilitiesfromthe




existingprojectthatcouldnotbereused—suchascollectionlines,someaccessroads,andturbinefoundations—wouldberemovedwherefeasibleandinalignmentwithresourceagency(USFWSandCDFW)recommendations.Allremovalactivitieswouldbecarriedouttominimizedisturbance.Itisanticipatedthatexistingroadsmaybeleftinplacetominimizedisturbance(withupgradesasnotedbelow).Equipmentthatcannotbesalvagedwouldbedisposedofataproperlylicensedlandfill.AlistofexistingstructuresandturbinesthatmayberemovedisshowninTable2‐5.

Table 2‐5. Structures to be Decommissioned

Component Quantity Size

Windturbines

Turbinerotorstoberemoved 324 7.5‐meterblades

Turbines/towerstobedisassembled 128 60ft

Turbines/towerstobedisassembled 196 80ft

Nordtank65 118 80ft

Bonus65 206 80ft

Turbines/towerstoberemoved 128 60ft

Turbines/towerstoberemoved 196 80ft

Turbinefoundationstobeburied 336 20by20ft

Downtowerboxremoved n/a

Downtowerboxfoundationburied n/a

ElectricalEquipment

Transformersremoved 46 500kVA

Transformerfoundationsburied 46 13.5by10ft

Electricalpoleswithequip(firesafetyclearingrequirement) 48

Riserpoles 67

ElectricalOHlinesremoved(includespoles)(miles) 3.1 21kVA

Undergroundpowerandcommunicationlines 21kVA(miles) 3.59 21kVA

Undergroundpowerandcommunicationlines480V(miles) 9.02 480Volt

MetTowers

Latticemettowers 5 60ft

Latticemettowers 1 80ft

Polemettowers 4 80ft

Polemettowers 2 120ft

Wind Turbines

Theproposedturbineswouldbethree‐blade,upwindturbinesontubulartowers(Figure2‐2).Arangeofturbinesarebeingconsideredfortheproposedproject;eachwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof2.4–3.3MW,arotordiameterof90–125meters(295–410feet),towersupto84meters(276feet),andamaximumturbineheightof146meters(480feet).Forexample,theVestasV1123.3MWturbine,witha112‐meter(367–foot)rotordiameterand84‐meter(276‐foot)hubheight,turnsat16.1rpm.Thetubularsteeltowerswouldhaveinternalladderstothenacelle,thecolorof




towersandrotorswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray),andnacelleswouldbecompletelyenclosedtominimizeperchingopportunities.

Eachturbinewouldinvolvea0.5‐acretemporarylaydownareatoaccommodateturbinecomponentsandtheequipmentnecessaryforturbineinstallation.Followinginstallation,thelaydownareaswouldberestoredtopreprojectconditions.

TurbineplacementwouldconformtothesetbackconditionsshowninTable2‐2.Allturbineswouldbesitednolessthanthreetimesthetotalturbineheight(i.e.,fromthegroundsurfacetothetipofthebladeinthe12o’clockposition)fromanydwellingunitand2.5timesthetotalturbineheightfromanypublicroad,trail,recreationarea,commercialorresidentialzoning,unlessinformationinareportpreparedbyaqualifiedprofessionalandverifiedbytheCountydemonstratesthatalessersetbackisadequate.Innocasewouldasetbacklessthan50%oftheestablishedsetbackbeallowed.

Temporary Staging Areas

Theproposedprojectwouldlikelyrequireuptothreetemporarystagingareasencompassingatotalofupto10acres.Totheextentpossible,thelaydownareaswouldbelocatedinareaswithexistingturbinesandaccessroadstominimizedisturbanceofnaturalhabitats.PattersonPasswouldusethestagingareasforstorageofturbinecomponents,constructionequipment,jobtrailers,andthematerialsneededforprojectconstruction.AccesstothetemporarystagingareaswouldbefromeitherPattersonPassRoadorJessRanchRoad.Uponcompletionofconstruction,thetemporarystagingareaswouldberemoved.

Foundations

Thefreestandingtubulartowerswouldbemountedonsteelandconcretefoundations.Twotypesarebeingconsidered:theinvertedTspreadfootingandthetensionlesspierfooting(Figure2‐4).Foundationswouldbedesignedinconsiderationofsite‐specificconditionsandthedesignengineer’srequirements.Oncethefoundationisconstructed,theturbinetowerswouldbeanchoredtothebasewithlongsteelbolts.Theareasurroundingeachfoundationwouldberestoredbybackfilling,compacting,andburyingthefoundation.Followingbackfilling,thefoundationpedestalwouldstandapproximately1footabovethesurroundinggrade.

Roadway Improvements

Theproposedprojectwouldrequireupto7milesofprivateonsiteaccessroads(Figure2‐11).Duringconstruction,accessroadswouldbegradedandtemporarilygraveleduptoawidthof35feettoallowsufficientspacefortwolanesoftravelandtofacilitatemovementoflargeequipment(e.g.,cranes,turbinecomponents).Cutandfillnecessaryforroadconstructionwouldbebalancedonsite.Nosoilwouldbeimportedorexportedforroadconstruction.Gravelforconstructionofnewroadswouldbetruckedinfromanexistingsourceandwouldbecompactedtoformastableroadsurface.Totheextentpossible,existingaccessroadswouldbereused;howevertheexistingroadswereconstructedtoaccommodatemuchsmallerfirst‐generationturbines,andinmanycasesarenotadequatetosupportconstructionoroperationofthenewproject.

Afterconstruction,theroadedgeswouldberestoredandreseeded,whereappropriate,andthewidthoftheroadswouldbereducedto16feetforcontinueduseduringO&Mactivities.




AccesstotheprojectareawillbefromPattersonPassRoadatthesouthernportionoftheprojectareaandfromJessRanchRoadatthenortheastcorneroftheprojectarea.ImprovementstoPattersonPassRoad(straightening,widening,orimprovingtheturnintotheprojectarea)maybenecessarytofacilitatethedeliveryofturbinesandassociatedparts.TheseimprovementswouldbeundertakenwithintheexistingCountyrightofwayand/orwithintheprojectarea,whichabutsPattersonPassRoad.ImprovementstoJessRanchRoad(wideningtheexistingturn)mayalsoberequiredtofacilitatetheturnintotheprojectarea.

AnewaccessroadwouldbeconstructedfromJessRanchRoad(showningreeninFigure2‐11).Thismodifiedalignmentwouldavoidbothwetlandsandoccupiedburrowingowlhabitatandwouldbebuiltregardlessofwhichoftheadditionalthreeroadoptions(discussedbelow)isselected.

Threeroadwayoptionsarebeingconsideredtoreduceonsitegrading,ofwhichonlyonewouldbeselected.Option1(showninpurpleinFigure2‐11)wouldbeapproximately4,562feetlongandwasconsideredasthelikelyoptionintheDraftPEIR.Option1wouldresultinthemostdisturbance.Option2(showninblueinFigure2‐11)wouldbeapproximately2,719feetlongandwouldentailimprovinganexistingroadfromthenorththroughtheGoldenHillsprojectarea.(TheproponentoftheGoldenHillsProjectproposesimprovementofthisexistingaccessroadaspartoftheGoldenHillsProject,asshowninFigure2‐10oftheDraftPEIR.)ForOption2,approximately350feetofnewroadwaywouldbeconstructedtoconnecttheGoldenHillsprojectareatothePattersonPassprojectarea.Option3,approximately2,312feetlong,wouldbypassburrowingowlhabitatandwouldconsequentlyresultinfewerimpactsthanOption1.Option3wouldlikelybeselectedifaccessrightsforOption2cannotbeobtained.BothOptions2and3wouldcreatefewertemporaryandpermanentimpactsthanOption1,whichwasanalyzedanddisclosedintheDraftPEIR;accordingly,selectionofeitheroptionwouldnotresultinanynewsignificantimpacts.

Power Collection System

Electricalcollectionlinesfortheproposedprojectwouldbeundergroundfromeachturbinesitetotheexistingsubstation.Theburiedcablesystemmayincludejunctionboxesthatwouldhousecablesplicesandallowaccesstothecableforanyneededmaintenanceorrepairs.Thecablesbeburiesusinganopentrenchingmethodorwouldbeinstalledusinghorizontaldirectionaldrilling(HDD)technology.Thecableswouldbeburiedapproximately36–48inchesdeep.TheconceptuallayoutofthepowercollectionsystemisshowninFigure2‐11.Thetemporarydisturbanceareaforcableinstallationwouldbeminimizedtotheextentfeasible;itwouldtypicallybeapproximately20feetwideinmostlocations.

ThepowercollectionsystemwouldconnecttotheexistingADCCsubstation,andthenthroughtheshortexistinggen‐tieoverheadlineintotheexistingPG&Etransmissionlinesthattraversetheprojectarea.Becausetheproposedprojectwouldhaveelectricalgenerationcapacitysimilartothatoftheexistingproject,nosubstantialmodificationstothesubstation(outsidetheexistingfenceline)orPG&Etransmissionlineareanticipated.Someminorequipmentimprovementswithintheexistingsubstationfootprintmaybecompletedtoreplaceoldequipmentortobringtheequipmentuptocurrentsafetyandoperationalstandards.Allworkwouldbeconductedwithinthegraveledfootprintoftheexistingsubstation.

Operations and Maintenance Facility and Other Project Elements

Theproposedprojectwouldusetheexisting4,600‐square‐footO&Mbuilding.Operations,storage,andrepairswouldtakeplaceattheexistingfacility,whichwouldreceivepowerfromatemporary




generatorduringthedecommissioningandconstructionphases.Uponcompletionofconstruction,theO&MfacilitywouldreceivepowerfromtheexistingpowerlinesonPattersonPassRoad.SomeexpansionoftheO&Mfacilitymaybenecessarytoaccommodateconstructionandnewsecurityrequirements.Portablerestroomswouldbeusedduringtheconstructionphase,andtheexistingO&MbuildingrestroomfacilitieswouldbeusedduringO&Mactivities.

Project Construction

PattersonPasswouldbeginconstructionoftheproposedprojectaftercertificationofaFinalEIRandreceiptofallrequiredpermits.Construction,includingdecommissioningoftheexistingfacilities,wouldlikelyoccurearlyin2015andwouldconclude6–9monthslater.Typicalconstructionstepsarelistedbelow.

Demarcationofconstructionareasandanysensitivebiological,cultural,orotherresourcesneedingprotection.

Decommissioningoftheexistingwindfarm.

Disassemblyofexistingturbines.

Removaloffoundationsasrequiredfornewroadandturbineconstruction.

Restoration.

Constructionoftemporarystagingareas.

Gradingandroadconstruction.

Turbinefoundationconstruction.

Powercollectionsystemandcommunicationlineinstallation.

Turbineinstallation.

Upgradestothesubstation(asrequired).

Erosionandsedimentcontrol.

Finalroadconstruction.

Finalcleanupandrestoration.

TheconstructionofanyexpansionnecessaryattheexistingO&Mbuildingwouldnotdependonthesequenceofconstructionfortherestoftheproject.

Theconstructioncontractorswouldpreparetheprojectarea,deliverandinstalltheprojectfacilities,overseeconstruction,andcompletefinalcleanupandrestorationoftheconstructionsites.PattersonPasswouldimplementBMPsconsistentwithstandardpracticeandwiththerequirementsofthisEIRandanystateorfederalpermitstominimizesoilerosion,sedimentationofdrainagesdownslopeoftheprojectarea,andanyotherenvironmentalimpacts.Examplesoflikelyerosioncontrolmeasuresarelistedbelow.

Useofstrawwattles,siltfences/strawbaledikes,andstrawbalestominimizeerosionandcollectsediment(toprotectwildlife,nomonofilament‐coveredsedimentcontrolmeasureswouldbeused).

Re‐seedingandrestorationofthesite.




Maintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.

Regularinspectionandmaintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.

ConstructiontrafficroutingwouldbeestablishedinaConstructionTrafficPlan,whichwouldincludeatrafficsafetyandsigningplanpreparedbyEDFREincoordinationwiththeCountyandotherrelevantagencies.Theplanwoulddefinehours,routes,andsafetyandmanagementrequirements.

Theconstructionactivitiesandtheapproximatedurationofeacharelistedbelow.

Phase1—Decommissioningofexistingplant:4weeks.

Phase2—Laydownarea:2weeks.

Phase3—Roadconstruction:16weeks.

Phase4—Foundations/electrical:12weeks.

Phase5—Turbinedeliveryandinstallation:12weeks.

Phase6—Electricaltrenching:14weeks.

Phase7—Cleanup:12weeks.

Project Decommissioning

Theproposedprojectisassumedtohaveausefullifeofapproximately25–30years,basedoncurrentturbinedesignsandexpectedservicelife.Newtechnologymaybecomeavailableforanotherrepoweringoftheproposedprojectinthefuture.Decommissioningtheproposedprojectwouldrequireremovalofthewindturbinenacelles,blades,towers,andotherfacilities.Ingeneral,otherprojectfacilitiesthatcouldnotbereused—suchascollectionlines,someaccessroads,andturbinefoundations—wouldberemoved,exceptincaseswhereremovalwouldresultinsubstantialimpactsonterrestrialspeciesorhabitats(e.g.,someturbinefoundations,roads).Anyremovaloffacilitieswouldbeundertakentominimizedisturbance.

2.7 Other Future Projects and Applications SeveralpotentialrepoweringprojectswouldbeundertakenintheAPWRA.Atthistime,thereisnotenoughspecificdetailontheseprojectstoevaluatethemataprojectlevel.Table2‐6showsthenamesofeachoftheseprojects,andthenameplatecapacityofeachproject.




Table 2‐6. Other Future Projects

ProjectName NameplateCapacity(MW)

GoldenHillsPhase2(GoldenHills)a 41

SummitWind(AWI) 95

MulqueeneyRanch(Brookfield) 80

SandHillsWind(Ogin)a 34a GoldenHillsPhase2isaproposedprojectthatwouldbeevaluatedunderasubsequentCEQAdocument.Theprojectconsistsofapproximately24GeneralElectric1.7MWturbineson80‐metertowers.TheGoldenHillsPhase2CEQAdocumentisanticipatedforreleaseshortlyafterthecompletionoftheFinalPEIR.

b SandHillsWindisa34MWprojectcurrentlybeingevaluatedunderaseparateCEQAdocument.Althougha4MWpilotprojectusinganexperimentalturbinedesigniscurrentlyindevelopment,forthepurposesoftheprogram‐levelanalysisinthisPEIR,ithasbeenassumedthattheSandHillsprojectinitsentiretywouldbeconstructedusingconventionalfourth‐generationturbines.

2.8 References Cited AlamedaCounty.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamont

PassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.

AlamedaCountyScientificReviewCommittee.2007.SRCSelectionofDangerousWindTurbines.P67.

———.2008a.SRCHazardousTurbineRatingList.P68.UpdatedMarch16,2008.

———.2008b.HazardousRatingScaleoftheSRC.P69.February1.Final.

———.2008c.GuidelinesforSitingWindTurbinesRecommendedforRelocationtoMinimizePotentialCollision‐RelatedMortalityofFourFocalRaptorSpeciesintheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.P70.February7.

Barclay,R.M.R.,E.F.Baerwald,andJ.C.Gruver.2007.VariationinBatandBirdFatalitiesatWindEnergyFacilities:AssessingtheEffectsofRotorSizeandTowerHeight.CanadianJournalofZoology85:381–387.

Brown,K.,K.S.Smallwood,andB.Karas.2013.VascoAvianandBatMonitoringProject2012–2013AnnualReport.Final.September.PreparedbyVentusEnvironmentalSolutions,Portland,OR.PreparedforNextEraEnergyResources,Livermore,CA.

ICFJones&Stokes.2009.AltamontPassWindResourcesArea48‐HourSearchIntervalBirdFatalityStudy.Draft.June.(ICF00904.08.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforAltamontCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency,Hayward,CA.

InsigniaEnvironmental.2009.2008/2009AnnualReportfortheBuenaVistaAvianandBatMonitoringProject.September4.Martinez,CA.PreparedforContraCostaCounty.

Kerlinger,P.,J.L.Gehring,W.P.Erickson,R.Curry,A.Jain,andJ.Guarnaccia.2010.NightMigrantFatalitiesandObstructionLightingatWindTurbinesinNorthAmerica.TheWilsonJournalofOrnithology122(4):744–754.




Smallwood,K.S.2008.AssessmentofRelocation/RemovalofAltamontPassWindTurbinesRatedasHazardousbytheAlamedaCountySRC.P103.

Smallwood,K.S.,andB.Karas.2009.AvianandBatFatalityRatesatOld‐GenerationandRepoweredWindTurbinesinCalifornia.JournalofWildlifeManagement73(7):1062–1071.

Smallwood,K.S.,andL.Neher.2010.SitingRepoweredWindTurbinestoMinimizeRaptorCollisionsattheTresVaquerosWindProject,ContraCostaCounty,California.April.Draft.PreparedfortheEastBayRegionalParkDistrict.

Documents

Chapter 2 Program Description Program Location and Program ...€¦ · Program Description 2.1 Program Location and Program Area The program area is located in the Altamont Hills