Hester Chase ~ Critique of draft regulations ART. X

7/31/2019 Hester Chase ~ Critique of draft regulations ART. X

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FromEvaGnacikToExporttoDMMCC

40"tubuloqtds.net"05/29/201207:[email protected],2012

HonorableJaclynA.Brilling,SecretaryNewYorkStateBoardonElectricGenerationSitingandtheEnvironmentEmpireStatePlazaAlbany,NY12212-1350

DearSecretaryBrilling,

RE:IntheMatteroftheRulesandRegulationsoftheBoardonElectricGenerationSitingandtheEnvironment.

ThankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthedraftregulationsofArt.Xandthecommentspostedfromlobbyistsandtheenergyindustry.

ItriedtobeasbriefandsuccinctasIcould.

CritiqueofdraftregulationsART.X

Adhocmembersshouldhavetherighttovote,theyshouldbenecessaryforaquorum,andallSitingBoardmeetingsshouldhappeninthemunicipalitywheretheprojectisproposed.

Studyinga5mileradiusforwindprojectsisimportantforbirdandbatstudies,propertyvalues,andsoundissues.

InformationcurrentlykeptconfidentialfrommettowersandenergyproductionshouldbedisclosedsotheSitingBoardcanevaluateiftheproposedplantwillhelpthefilltheenergyneedandhowmuchthe

energy/facilitywillendupcostingtheratepayers.

PartneringwithanIDAorAuthorityshouldnotgiveaprivatecompanythepowerofeminentdomaindirectlyorindirectly.Partneringisanundefinedphraseandwillbeusedasanexpansionofpowerforprivatecompaniesovernormalownershiprights.Thisisnotahealthydirectionforacapitalisticcountry.Theparagraphspertainingtoeminentdomainshouldberemovedandthetraditionaleminentdomainchannelsfollowed.

AnenergydeliverabilitystudyupfrontforanyfacilitywouldhelptheSitingB

oardmakeadeterminationearlythataprojectwouldactuallyhelpthe"need"partofthecertificateandifthetransmissionsystemwillbeadequate.Atleastthereshouldbeageneralenergydeliverabilitystudyinaballparkrange.Knowingwhatthefacilitywilldotothegridshouldbeoneoftheoriginalbasicissuestobediscussedanddecided.Buildingnewtransmissionlinesisexpensiveandfrequentlydifficulttogarnerpublicsupportfor.TheSitingBoardwillknowearlywhatadditionalissues/hurdlesanenergyprojectwillbring.


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PowerNYActsaysthedefaultpositionistoenforcelocallaws.Thisshouldremainintheregulations.Theburdenofprovinglocallawsunreasonablyburdensomeshouldfallonthedeveloper.


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ArtXexpectstownstodefendtheirlaws-theintervenorfundshouldbeavailableforthisunaskedburden.Infacttheenormityofaskingatowntodefenditslaws,withoutcompensation,isgrotesqueconsideringthestatusquoisthenormandifsomeonewantschangeitistheirresponsibilityandburdentomakethatcase.Itisakintoflippingonitsheadtheconceptof"innocentuntilprovenguilty".Lettheburdenfall,appropriately,ontheapplicanttoprovelocallawsunreasonable.

Theintervenorfundisinadequateforallthestudiesthatmayneedtobedone.TheamountofmoneyshouldnotbecappedbutworkedoutwiththeSitingBoardasadditionalstudiesarerecognized.UnderHomeRuleTownBoardshadtherighttorequireunlimitedfundsinanescrowaccount.ThereisnorecordofTownsabusingtheseaccountswithfrivolousexpenses.

Lowlevelvibration,Cweighting,shouldbemeasured.If,aswinddeveloperssay,thereisnoproblem,thenthesciencewillmeasurethat.Ifitisaproblem,thentheGovernorcertainlywouldnotwanttoknowinglyexposepeopletoharmfulvibrations.Letsciencebethejudgelikeinanyenligh

tenedcountry.

Opponentsofnoiseandproponentsofnewfacilitiesshouldbeabletoagreethattheyshareaninterestinarobustreviewofnoiseissuestoensureadequateprotectionagainstandmitigationofadverseimpactsandtomaintaintheviabilityoffutureprojects.

Strikethisconceptfromyourmindthatmunicipalitiesanddevelopershavecommoninterestinadequatesoundprotection.Thefactiswindcompaniesaredocumentedtousefraudulentsoundstudies.SeeSoundgatePapersforanexampleoffraud.Acciona,aSpanishwinddeveloper,hiredDavidHessler,

accousticalengineer.Hesoldhisprofessionalcredentialsandwroteasoundanalysisthatthrewoutquietsamplesandusedincorrectmethodology.Hisconclusionraisestheambientsoundlevelmanydecibelsabovereality.Peopleneedgenuineprotection-35dbaatnonparticipatingpropertylinesshouldbeincludedintheregulationsor5aboveambientinthewinternight.Peoples'righttopeacefullyenjoytheirpropertyandsleepshouldbeprotectedasisnormallyrequiredbypropertyownershiplaws.

Publicinvolvement-Theperiodstocommentandapplyforintervenorfundsshouldbenotlessthan60

.60daysishardlyevenenoughforTownBoardswhomeetonlyonceamonthtodoadequatelyduediligenceonbehalfoftheirconstituents.

Intervenorfundsareintimidating.Individualswhoreceivetheintervenorfundswillbeforcedtoassumeadministratorstatuswhichrequiresskillstheymakenothave.Ifeartheywillbeintimidatedandevenheldliableformisappropriatingfundsthroughtheirlackoftraining.Oncethe


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SitingBoardhasagreedtothestudiesandmethodtheperson/municiailityusingthefundsshouldbeheldblameless.AdditionalwordsneedtobeaddedtotheArt.Xregulationssothatpeoplearenotliable.Especiallywhenitisrememberedthattheapplicant/developergetsallmoney,unusedorperhapsunintentionallymisspent,back.Thisisadangerousintimidatingprospectandhasachillingeffectonpublicinvolvementwithoutprotectivelanguageadded.

1000.15AcceptanceofaCertificate

(a)UponissuanceofafinaldecisionbyaBoardgrantingaCertificate,anapplicantshall,within30daysaftertheissuanceofsuchdecision,fileeitherawrittenunqualifiedacceptanceoftheCertificateorapetitionforrehearing,butnotboth.Themunicipalityshouldalsohavetherighttoaskforarehearing.

1001.8Exhibit8:ElectricSystemProductionModeling

Items1-8shouldallbemandatory.Thisinformationaboutproductionovertheyear,monthlyoutput,peakproductionetc.isallveryimportantfortheSitingBoardtoaccesstheef

fectivenessofthefacilityinproducingpowerthatfillstheneedsofNYandreducesemissions.Thisinformationalsoprotectstheratepayersfrombeingvictimizedbyanoverlyexpensiveproject.Intheendtheratepayers


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payforallfacilities.Pleasekeeptheserequirementsintheregulations.

1001.17Exhibit17:AirEmissions

(b)Anassessmentofexistingambientairqualitylevelsandairqualitytrendsforpollutantsintheregionsurroundingthefacility,includingairqualitylevelsandtrendstakenfromregionalairqualitysummariesandairqualitytrendreports.Itisimportantthatthelocationstheairsamplesaretakenfromactuallymeasuretheemissions.Forexample,ifasampleistakenupwinditwillappeartherearenoemissions.Theregulationsshouldincludeincludeairsamplesfromthesmokestacks,downwindanalysis,andameasurementofairqualityatthepropertylineofthefacility.Thefacilityshouldbeusingitsregularfuelandnotaextracleanfuelforthesampleperiods.

1001.21Exhibit21:Geology,SeismologyandSoils

(j)anassessmentofpotentialimpactsofblastingtoenvironmentalfeatures,above-ground

structuresandbelow-groundstructuressuchaspipelinesandwells;"Assessment"isnotadequateprotection;theremustbeadequatecompensationforthelossofawatersystem.

(h)Forproposedwind-poweredfacilities:(1)anidentificationandevaluationoftheexpectedenvironmentalimpactsofthefacilityonavianandbatspeciesandthehabitatsthatsupportthembasedoninformationgatheredduringpre-constructionstudiesconductedattheproposedsiteandothernearbysites,analysisofknownorpredictedspeciesandspeciesmigrationcorridorspresentonsite,andincluding

adescriptionoftheextent,methodologyandresultsofallsuchpre-constructionstudies;Thisparagraphshouldincludeallstudiesdoneinthelast10yearsintheareabecauseitisimpossibletodoadequateenvironmentalstudiesinlessthanayear.Includingallstudiesconductedwouldpermitthe1yearprocessandgivetheSitingBoardadequateinformationtomakeinformeddecisions.

1001.27Exhibit27:SocioeconomicEffectsExhibit27shallcontain:

(a)Anestimateoftheaverageconstructionworkforce,bydiscipline,foreach

quarter,duringtheperiodofconstruction;andanestimateofthepeakconstructionemploymentlevel........Negativeeconomiceffectslikelossoflocalcharacter,lossofpropertyvalues,lossofsecondaryindustriesconnectedtoexistingtourismetc.shouldalsobeconsidered.Consideringtheeconomicsthatonlybenefitthedeveloper'sbriefisbiasedandunacceptableintheStateofNY.Pleaseaddtotheregulationsmakingsurealleffectsareconsidered.


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1001.28Exhibit28:EnvironmentalJustice

(3)Ifsuchimpactscannotbeavoidedorminimized,thespecificmeasurestheapplicantproposestotaketooffsetsuchimpactstothemaximumextentpracticableforthedurationthattheCertificateisineffect,includingadescriptionofthemannerinwhichsuchimpactoffsetmeasureswillbeverifiedandastatementofthecostofsuchmeasures.Enviromentaljusticeisevaluatingtheeffectofafacilityonthepeopleinthearea.Attimespeopleshouldbemoreimportantthanafacilityandinsteadof"maximumextentpractical"thelanguageshouldbechangedtoread"theCertificatewillbedenied".

1001.31Exhibit31:LocalLawsandOrdinancesBoardelectstonotapplythembyfindingthat,asappliedtotheproposedfacilitysuchareunreasonablyburdensomeinviewoftheexistingtechnologyortheneedsoforcoststoratepayerswhetherlocatedinsideoroutsideofsuchmunicipality...........(2)....coststoconsumersassociatedwithapplyingthelocalsubstantiverequirementoutweigh.............

.(3)theneedsofconsumersforthefacilityoutweightheimpactsonthecommunity..........

Inotherwords,theratepayers/consumersacrossanundefinedareaaremoreimportantthanthelocalcommunity.Thisisprofoundlyunfairandissovaguethatthisparagraphshouldberemovedfromtheregulations.


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CritiqueofAttorneysfortheIndependentPowerProducersofNewYork,Inc.READANDLANIADO,LLP

COMMENTSSection1000.2(ae)-Theproposeddefinitionprovidesinpartthatanapplicantthatpartnerswithanindustrialdevelopmentagencyorpublicauthority"fortheacquisitionofanylandforthefacilityortheInterconnectionshasanindirectpowerofeminentdomain...,"and,therefore,wouldnotqualifyasa"privatefacilityapplicant."Lackingthatstatussubjectstheapplicanttopresentingextensiveinformationonreasonableandavailablealternatelocationsitesthatwillbecostlyanddelaythepre-applicationprocess.Therequirementisimposedevenifthecondemningauthorityisnottakingthesiteslatedfortheproposedgeneratingfacilitybutisinsteadtakingasmallpieceofland,sayforexample,anypartofasubstationortransmissionline.Itisoverkilltorequirethecondemningauthoritytoidentifyentirelynewsitesifonlya

smallpieceoflandisbeingacquired.Iftherearepropertiesavailablebuttheauthoritydoesnotwanttoresorttoeminentdomainforahostofreasons,thedeveloperriskshavingitsapplicationdeniedbecausetheremaybeapreferablesitethatexistsanditistheoretically"available."Accordingly,thewordingshouldberevisedtoprovidethatiftheauthorityispartneringwiththeapplicanttocondemntheproposedsitelocation,thentheapplicantwouldnotbedeemedaprivatefacilityapplicant.Inthisinstance,theauthorityappearspreparedtouseeminentdomainonalargescaleanditwouldnotbeunreasonabletorequireittousethepower

foranalternatesitelocation.

Thisappearstobeanexpansionofeminentdomainbysimplyreclassifyinganapplicantas"notaprivatefacilityapplicant".Adeveloper/applicantshouldnothavemorerightsthanregularpropertyownersandbusinesses.Alllanguageintheregulationspertainingtoeminentdomainshouldberemovedfromtheregulations.AssessingalternativesisthecostofdoingbusinessandbringsmoneyintoNYaspeopleareputtoworkevaluatingalternatives.Forapplicants/developersto

balkatdoingthestudiesnecessarytoassesstheimpactsonalocalareaisverythirdworldmentalityandhasnoplaceintheEmpireState.

Section1000.2(ai)-Thisdefinitionwasnotproposedduringthestakeholderprocess.Theproposeddefinitionexcludeslandownedbythespecifiedmunicipalitiesthatmaynotbeusedbymotorvehiclesbutareheldoutfortheuseofthepublicsuchasareasthatareaccessible


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byfootandlandunderwater.Projectstypicallyplaceinterconnectionsinthesubsurfaceofthesepublicrights-of-wayandthereisnoreasontoexcludethem.Thewordingofthestatutedoesnotrestrictpublicrights-of-waytothoseareastraversedbymotorvehicles.

Publicrightofwaysarethejurisdictionofthelocalmunicipalityandtheirpermissionshouldbenecessary.

Forinstance,therequirementinSection1001.19(a)wouldrequiredevelopersofawindprojecttoidentifylocationsofallresidenceswithinfivemilesofaproposedwindturbine.Assumingawindprojectof50turbineslocatedona3mileby3milesite(5,800acres),.......

5milesisreasonablebecauseawindprojectsprawlsacrossenormouslylargetractsoflandandhave

impactsonthesurroundingareas.Ifwindprojectsweretinyandyoucouldhidethemunderabed5mileswouldbeexcessivebutthelightsandeffectsarevisible40mileawayso5milesisactuallya

smallarea.Additionallya1mileradiusforanurbanprojectisreasonablesincepowerplantshavetallstacksandairpollution;theyimpactlargeareas.

Section1001.6(d)-Therequirementfortheanalysesofwindmeteorologicaldata,demonstratingadequatewindconditionstosupportthefacility'sestimatedcapacityfactor,asksfortoomuch.Themeteorologicaldataandestimatedcapacityfactorinformationareconfidentialandcanbeemployedbycompetitors,forexampleinNYSERDAprocurementauctions,toundercutanotherbiddingfacility,therebycausingiteconomicdama

ge.Instead,thewordingintheregulationshouldberevisedtoallowawinddevelopertoprovidepublicly


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availableinformationaboutwindconditionsintheareaandtypicalwindprojectcapacityfactorstosupporttheestimatedcapacityfactorofthefacility.

Thisisconcealmentoftheactualvalueorlackofvalueofawindproject.Measurethewindresource,

measuretheproductionsotheSitingBoardknowswhattheyaregrantingonbehalfoftheratepayersandlocalcommunity.Thepublichasarighttoknowthevalidityofawindproject.

Section1001.8(a)(3)-Addthewords"baseduponpubliclyavailableinformation"aftertheword"facility."Thecapacityfactorofafacilityisconfidentialinformation.Theapplicantshouldnotberequiredtodiscloseitbecauseitcancauseeconomicdamage.Intheconsultationswiththeagencystaffsprovidedintheintroductoryparagraph,theapplicantshouldbeaccordedtheoptiontodevelopareasonableestimatedcapacityfactorwithoutdisclosingproprietaryinformation.

AgaintheSitingBoardshouldknowwhattheyaregrantingonbehalfoftheratepayersandlocalcommunity.Thepublichasarighttoknowthecapacityfactorofafacility.

Section1001.8(a)(8)-Theinformationconcerningtherespectivecontractualobligationsbetweencogenerationfacilitiesandtheirsteamhostsare,withlimitedexception,notpubliclyavailable.Iftheywere,itwouldrequireanapplicanttointerpretthelegaldutiesandobligationsoftherespectiveparties,ahighlysubjectiveexercise.Therequiredanalysiswillbeverydifficult

toperform,ifitcouldbedoneatall.Thatpartoftheanalysisshouldbedeleted.

SincetheSitingBoardisworkingonbehalfofthepublictheyshouldknowwhatkindofdealsarecooking.ThisformoftransparencywillbenefitthecredibilityoftheSitingBoardandthe"requiredanalysiswillbeverydifficulttoperform"isanassertion.Itisnotdifficulttosaywhattherelationshipis.

Capitalcostinformationbymajorcategoryishighlyconfidentialinthecompetitivegenerationmarket.TheCommission'stradesecretregulations,andadoptedbythe

Board,donotofferunconditionalprotection.ProtectioncouldbedeniedoutrightortheBoardorthepresidingofficercouldeventuallyallowdisclosure.WhethertheBoard'sdecisionismeritoriousornot,onceoutthecompetitivedamageisdonetotheapplicant.Theapplicant'scompetitorscouldusetheinformationtoundercuttheproposedproject.Theapplicant'ssupplierscouldusetheinformationtoartificiallyinflatebids.Onceoutinthepublicdomain,theapp


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licantcannotcollectdamagesfortheeconomicinjurytoitsbusiness.Thus,thefearofdisclosurecoulddeterdevelopersfromsitingprojectsinNewYork.Accordingly,theprovisionshouldbedeletedinitsentirety.

TheSitingBoardshouldknowaboutthecapitalcostsofaprojectsinceovertimeallofthismoneyplusaprofitmarginwillberecoveredfromtheratepayers.

Sections1001.36(a)(6)and1001.37(d)-ThereisnorequirementinArticle10fortheBoardtomakefindingsonthefacility'simpactonwholesalegaspricesandfueloilwholesalesuppliesandpricesintheaffectedregion.Astogas,PSL164.1(b)(7)requiresinformationaboutthefacility'sfuelsupplybutnotaboutprices.Astooil,PSL164.1(D)alsorequiresinformationonthefacility'ssupply,andcertainlynothingaboutprices.Bothprovisionsdonotrequireregionalanalyses.DuringthecomplexnegotiationsonthedraftingofArticlel0,IPPNY'sunderstandingwasthatprovisionsonregionalsuppliesandpriceswerenotinten

dedtobeincludedintheArticle10law.

ThisisveryimportantinformationfortheSitingBoardtoconsideronbehalfoftheratepayersandshouldberequired.

CritiqueofBeveridgeandDiamondPC

TheProcessisNotAdequatelyStreamlined.TheprocessunderArt.XisshortenedbymanyyearsPeopletaketimetolearnthereisanissue/projectandhowitwilleffectthemandtheenvironment.Peoplehavejobs,famil

ies,andobligationswhichtakeprecedenceuntilacriticalmomentormasshappens.Thishappensslowly.Iyear,oreven2years,willleavemostpeoplestilluninformeduntilaprojectisbeingphysicallyconstructed.ThismeanstheintentofArt.Xtoinvolvethepublicwillneveractuallyberealized.Toshortentheprocessanymore


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wouldonlymakeitworse.PleasedisregardthisselfservingcommentfromBeveridgeandDiamondPC

TheBoardsAuthorityWithRespecttoLocalLawsandConstructionCodesMustBeConsistentwithArticle10.Comparedtotheworkingdraftregulations,thedraftregulationsprovidegreaterclarityinrelationtocompliancewithlocallawsandconstructioncodessuchastheUniformFirePreventionandBuildingCode[16NYCRR1001.31].However,evenasrevised,theregulationsdonotappeartobeconsistentwithArticle10.Theapplicantisrequiredtoenterintoanarrangementwithanotheragencyorentitytoreviewandapproveconstructionplans,inspectconstructionworkanddetermineconstructioncodecompliance.ThisunderminesArticle10sgoalofprovidinganefficient,one-stoppermittingprocess.TheBoardshouldretainthisauthority,asenvisionedunderArticle10.However,iftheBoardcontinuestopursuethisapproach,itshouldeithertaketheleadinestablishingthearrangementitenvisionsineach

proceedingorpreparespecificguidelinesforsucharrangementssoapplicantsandotherpartieshaveaclearunderstandingoftheprocess.Art.XhasalreadystrippedmunicipalitiesofHomeRule;theyshouldstillhavesomerightsandanefficient"onestop"permittingprocessmeansmanymunicipalitiesandagenciesareloosingtheirrightstoadministerareasforwhichtheyareresponsible.Theyshouldcontinuetohavesomestakeandsovereigntyovertheirareaofresponsibilityandexpertise.CritiqueofIberdrolaRenewablesApplicantsShouldNotBeRequiredtoDiscloseProprietaryInformationsuchasCapitalCostsor

MeteorologicalData.Againthisisimportantinformationtoknowthevalueofaprojectintermsofenergyproduction,meeting

GHGgoals,andamountofmoneytoberecoverfromtheratepayers.Theyshoulddisclosethisinformation.Thefactthatallthewinddeveloperswanttoconcealthisinformationmakesthecasethattheyareswindlingtaxmoneyandproducingnothingofvalue.

TheArticle10legislationestablishesthestandardsforprojectapproval.10Onceaprojectmeetsthesestandardsthereshouldbealowthresholdforshowingthatlocallaws,whi

chimposeadditionalrequirements,areunreasonablyburdensome.ThisisespeciallytrueinNewYork,wherenumerouswindprojectshavebeenapproved(somebythePublicServiceCommission)pursuanttoafairlyuniformsetofsitingstandards.Moreover,PSL168(3)allowsanapplicantbroaddiscretioninchoosingtheapproachtomakethecaseforlocallawoverrideandtheSitingBoardhasbroadauthoritytogranttherequest.Thisflexibilityisconsistentwithlegislative


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intentandthehistoricapproachforjustifyinganoverrideasestablishedunderthepriorArticleX.However,theproposedregulationsignorethesesensibleprecedents,adoptstandardsofproofregardingpotentiallocallawoverridesthatarepreciselytheoppositeofthoseoutlinedinPSL168(3)(e)andestablishrigidtestsandreviewstandardsthatarenotsetforthinthelawandundercutandrestricttheflexibilityotherwisegrantedtotheSitingBoard.

TheintentoftheGovernorandLegislatureisclearinthePowerNYActthattheSitingBoardwillapplythelocallawsunlessdeemed"undulyburdensome"andthedefaultpositionistoapplythem.NYhasbeenhistoricallyaHomeRuleStateandthiskeepssomeofthatflavor.

RequirementsforExhibits8and10ShouldNotExceedtheRequirementsofPSL164(b)(viii),norConflictwithorConflatetheNYISOInterconnectionProcess............Accordingly,theobligationsofproposedSections1001.8,1001.10(b)and1001.10(e),whichgobeyondtherequirementsofArticle10,shouldexemptwindenergyfacilities,notonlybecauseitisduplicativeof

theNYISOinterconnectionprocesscapacityresourcedeliverabilitystudiesareperformedbyNYISOaspartoftheFacilitiesStudyClassYearprocessbutbecausetheyareunnecessary,costly,andoflimitedutility.

Thereisnovalidreasontoexemptwindenergyfacilities.Ifwindisagenuinesourceofenergythisinformationisnecessarytoknowhowitwillbedelivered.Ifwindisajokeandactuallyproducesno


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powerthanIberdrolaiscorrectthereneedbenostudiesbecausewindwillhavenoeffectonthegrid'sdeliverability.

TheRegulationsShouldNotImposeUnnecessarilyBurdensomeApplicationRequirements.Section1001.11(c)oftheproposedregulationsimposesburdensomeapplicationrequirements.Thestatedinformationimpliestheneedforfinalengineering,whichisbeyondthatwhichisrequiredbythestatute.Article10specifiesthatapplicantsprovideconceptualengineeringplans.16TheproblemwithproposedSection1001.11(c)isthatitisburdensomeasappliedtoawindenergydeveloper.Whiletheinformationsoughtmaybereasonablefortraditionalenergydevelopmentsproposedonalimitednumberofparcels,itisinfeasibleforthelargeacreagecoveredbywindenergydevelopmentleases.

Thehistoryofwinddevelopmentisallaboutconcealedleases/publicofficials/corruptionandnooneknowstheextentofthelandundercontract.".....largeacreagecoveredbywind

energydevelopmentleases";thefactthatisit"large"doesdoesnotmakeitunreasonable.Andif"large"doesmakeitunreasonablethanwindprojectsbydefinitionareunreasonable.

TheProposedRegulationsShouldNotImposeBurdensomeTimingRequirements..............Similartothediscussionaboveregardinglocallawsadoptedafteranapplicationisfiled,27oneothertimingissueexiststhatshouldbeclarified.TheSitingBoardshouldconsiderimpactsonlytosensitive

receptorswhichareinexistenceandhaveallrequiredpermitsasofthedateoftheapplication.ThisisparticularlyimportantgiventhelengthyArticle10timingrequirementslaidoutabove.Theprocessshouldnotallowforamovingtarget,norshoulditallowillegitimateapplicationstoconstructnewreceptorsfrombeingfiledinresponsetoanapplication.

Receptorsincludelocallawsbeingupdated.CommunitiesallacrossNYareworkingon

windordinancesandlocalzoningastheissuesofhealth,safety,soundhavebecomeevidentbecauseofwindprojectsproposedintheirjurisdiction.Thebodyofinformationdevelopedandthelocallawsandordinancescraftedshouldbeheardandgivenpriority.Thehealth,safety,economicandothereffectsofawindprojectwilllastdecades;toignorethisinformationbecauseofatimedeadlineiscounterproductiveandwillintheendgivewindabadreputationAlsoabadreputationtothePSCand


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totheSitingBoard.PleaseignorethisappealfromIberdrolaandmakesuretheSitingBoardoperatesonmodernuptodateinformation.

CritiqueofACENY'scomments

ACENYisanonprofitorganizationwhosemissionistopromotetheuseofcleanelectricitytechnologiesandenergyefficiencyinNewYorkStateinordertoincreaseenergydiversityandsecurity,boosteconomicdevelopment,improvepublichealth,andreduceairpollution.

ACENYisawindlobbyistfundedbythewindindustry.

A.CriteriaforOverrideofLocalLaws...........oncethosestandardsaremetthereshouldbealowthresholdforshowingthatlocallaws,whichimposeadditionalrequirements,areunreasonablyburdensomeandtheburdenshouldfallonthecommunitytoshowthemorerestrictiverequirementsarewellfoundedTheburdenofproofshouldfallonthapplicant/developerasintendedinthePowerNYAct.Itwouldcostmoneyfromthelocalmunicipalitytoprovetheircaseandbeaburdenonthelocaltaxbase,intowns

alreadystrugglingwithunfundedstatemandates.

C.SoundStudiesWehaveconsultedwithanationally


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recognizedsoundexpertandotherswithexperienceonthisissueandhavesubstantivecommentsdescribedhereandcontainedintheattachedredlineoftheproposedregulations.

The"nationallyrecognizedsoundexpert.........whoredlinedtheregulations"pertainingtosoundisValerieStrauss,DeputyDirectorofACENYandformerAWEAlobbyistis.Nationallyrecognizedbythewindindustrydoesnotmakehercredentialsworthy.ACE'scommentsshouldbeignoredaspropagatingfraudulentinformationaboutsound.Thisisparforthecourseforthewindindustry.Fraudulentsoundstudiesgohandinhandwiththewindindustry.AndACENYisnoexception.

D.EnergyMarketandElectricSystemInformation...........Thestudiescurrentlyrequiredintheproposedregulations(e.g.Exhibits8,aswellasExhibit6(d)andExhibit14)requireproprietaryinformationandenergymarketprojectionsandareinappropriate.AgainthisinformationisnecessaryfortheSitingBoardtohonestlyservetheratepayers'financialwellbeingandthegoalsofenergyproductionofNY.

E.TimingIssuesi.PIPandPre-ApplicationScope:Theproposedregulationsrequirethesubmissionofapublicinvolvementprogram(PIP)fordepartmentalreview150dayspriortosubmissionofapreliminaryscopingdocument.Genuinepublicinvolvementtakestimeand5monthsisnotlonginbusypeoples'lives.

ii.Five-mileRadiusStudyArea:Windprojectsarevisiblefor40milesormore,soundtravelsmiles,birdsandbatsflyovermanysquaremiles;5milesisnecessarytoevaluateimpactofsprawlinghugeprojects.

iii.CostandMeteorologicalData:AgainthisinformationisnecessaryfortheSitingBoardtoaccuratelyevaluatethemeritofaproject.Theinformationshouldbedisclosed.

CritiqueofEDPRenewables

Pg7,Section(ar):StudyArea.Theproposeddefinitionrequiresa5milestudyradiusaroundallgeneratingfacilitycomponents,interconnectionsandrelatedfacilitiesandalternativelocationsites.Forwindfacilitiesinruralareas,thisisoverlycumbersome.Fromalogistical

standpoint,itwouldbeextremelyoneroustorequirefieldstudiestobeconductedona5mileradiussurroundingaprojectduetolandaccessandtherightofentryrequiredinordertoadequatelyperformthestudies.Certainly,thereareinstancesinwhicha5milestudyareawouldbeappropriatesuchastheAreaofPotentialEffectashasbeenusedinpreviousarchitecturalstudiesfortheStateHistoricPreservationOffice,however,extendingallstudiestothisradiuswouldbeextr


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emelyoneroustocomplete.

Thecumulativeeffectsofwindprojectsonnoise,migratorybirdpaths,raptors,propertyvalues,viewsheds,extendoutmanymilesandthesestudiesshouldbeconducted.5milesisareasonable"buffer"space.

PublicInvolvement

Againthegenuineinvolvementofthepublicandmunicipalbodiestakestimeand5monthsisnotthatlong.Infact,30daysandlessforcommentperiodsandapplyingforintervenorfundsisunreasonable.

Exhibit6WindPowerFacilities,Exhibit8ElectricSystemProductionModeling,Exhibit14CostofFacilitiesAtahighlevel,thesesectionsgiveussignificantproblems.TheproposedregulationrequiresEDPRNAtoprovidedetailedinformationincludingconfidentialworkproductandtradesecretsaswellasconfidentialinformationwhichweareprohibitedbycontractfromdisclo

singtothirdpartiesandwhichcouldallowacompetitorcould,amongotherthings,reverseengineeradetailedfinancialmodelandthusgainacommercialadvantage.Additionally,thecumulativeinformationcouldbeusedtoinfluencethereviewofcompetitivebidprocessessuchastheNewYorkStateEnergy


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ResearchandDevelopmentAuthority(NYSERDA)solicitationsforrenewableenergy.

TheSitingBoardneedstoknowtheactualcostsofprojectstoprotectratepayersfrombuyingdownoverlyexpensiveprojects..

"Therequirementtoincludeastatementofalloccupiedstructures,barns,unoccupiedstructuresandareasofpublicgatheringisunrealisticandburdensomeinearlystagescertainly,particularlyifwedonthavephysicalaccesstothepropertytoperforminspections,andweareworriedaboutthevaguenessofareasofpublicgathering.

Additionallywindprojectssetbacksshouldstartatnon-participatingpropertylinesnotoccupiedresidences.Otherwisethewindcompanyusesanon-participatingpropertyowner'slandasabufferfortheirwindturbines'effects.Thelandownercouldnotthenbuildahouseontheirbackacreagebecauseitwouldbeinfringingontheturbines'setbacks.Thisistheftandshouldbenotedintheregulations.

Cumulatively,thesesectionsrequirethatweprovide:Exhibit6,Pg52,Section(d).Windmeteorologicalanalysesdemonstratingadequatewindconditionssupportingtheestimatedcapacityfactorforthefacility;Exhibit8,Pg54,Section(a)(2).Estimatedminimum,maximum,andaverageannualspotpricesrepresentativeofallNYISOZoneswithintheNewYorkControlArea,bothwithandwithouttheproposedfacility;Exhibit8,p54,Section(a)(3).Anestimatedcapacityfactorforthefacility;Exhibit8,Pg54,Section(a)(4).Estimatedannualandmonthly,onpeak,shoulderandoff-peakMWoutputcapabilityfactorsforthefacility;

Exhibit8,Pg54,Section(a)(5).EstimatedaverageannualandmonthlyproductionoutputforthefacilityinMWhs;Exhibit8,p54,Section(a)(6).Anestimatedproductioncurveforthefacilityoveranaverageyear;(p54,Section(a)(6))Exhibit8,Pg54,Section(a)(7)).Anestimatedproductiondurationcurveforthefacilityoveranaverageyear;andExhibit14,Pg62,Section(a).Adetailedestimateofthetotalcapitalcostsoftheproposedfacility,includingaseparatelystatedestimateforeachinterconnection,brokendowninarationalmanner

bytheApplicantintomajorcostcomponentsappropriatetothefacility.WedonotseetheneedforallofthisdataforthepurposeoftheBoard.TheBoardshouldbeabletoperformanevaluationoftheproposedfacilitywithoutdisclosureofourconfidentialworkproductandanalyses.EDPRNAproposesthatthedetailedmeteorologicaldatabecompletelyexcluded,andthatalladditionaldetailsmentionedaboveinExhibit8beeitherremoved,limited,orfiledunderaseal."


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Pleasecontinuetorequestthisinformation.ItisimportantfortheSitingBoardtousethisinformationtomakeajustrenderingoftheeffectivenessofaproject.

Exhibit13RealPropertyPg61,subsection(b).TheSitingBoardhasrequestedthatExhibit13containasurvey(ormapforwindprojects)ofthefacilityshowingpropertyboundaries;blockandlotnumbers;theownerofrecordofallparcels;easements,grantsandrelatedencumbrances;publicandprivateroads;andzoningandrelateddesignations.Thetermseasement,grantsandrelatedencumbrancescouldbeconstruedtomeanalleasement,grants,andencumbranceswhetherofrecordornotwhichencumberthepropertyratherthanjustthoseheldbytheApplicantinconnectionwiththedevelopmentofthewindproject.ThiswouldrequiretheApplicanttoobtaintitlesearchesatanearlystageinthedevelopmentprocesswhichwillbequiteexpensiveandmaycausesignificantdelaysduetothechallengesinobtainingtitleforwindprojectsinruralareaswhichconsistof50to100

landownersonaverage.Inaddition,theApplicanthasnoknowledgeastoanyeasements,grantsorencumbrancesthatarenotofrecord.Additionally,inearlystagesofdevelopmentoftheproject,theApplicantmaynothaveyetenteredintolease,licenseoreasementagreements.Itwouldbemore


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practicaltorequirethatthemapcontainonlythetaxidentificationnumberoftheparcelsandownershipoftheparcels.

Thisinformationisnecessarytositeawindprojectinacommunity.Sitingaprojectrequiressetbacksfromroads,nonparticipatingproperties,itmustprotectareaswhichhavebeenlocallyzonedofsignificanceorofsomeimportancelikeschools,sensitiveareas,orhospitals.Allofthisisimportance.

Thefactthatwinddevelopers/applicantsarecontinuouslytryingtosignupmorelandissomethingthatperhapsshouldhaveacutoffdate.Newleasesbecomesaselfinducedhardshiptotheapplicant

becausetheapplicationhasalreadystarted.MaybvetheyshouldnotbeallowedtosignmorelandownersafterthePreapplicationphaseortheprojectformallybecomesa"Revision".Exhibit14CostofFacilitiesThisinformationshouldbeknown.

LocalLawsandOrdinancesPg96,subsection(e):ThedraftregulationsallowtheSitingBoardtonotapplylocalsubstantiverequirementsthatareundulyburdensomeintheviewofexistingtechnologyortheneedsoforcosttoratepayers;however,theApplicantmustrequestthisreviewatthetimeofsubmittingtheApplicationandawaitadecisionbytheSitingBoard.ItwouldbeextremelydifficultfortheApplicanttocompletetherequiredstudiesandfacilitydesignwithoutknowingiflocallawswouldbeupheldornot.Moreover,theApplicantwouldspendagreatdealofmoney,timeandresourcescompletingthe

studieswiththelocalrequirementsinplace,andthensupplementthestudiesintheeventthatlocallawswereoverridden.EDPRNAproposesthatconsiderationforthepre-emptionoflocallawsbeconsideredpriortothesubmissionofanApplicationasmanyofthesite-specificstudiesareentirelydependentontheSitingBoardsdecision.Thisisamomentwhenthe"fasttrack"aspectofArt.Xdoesnotworkinthedevelopers'favor.Ratherthanstrippinglocalmunicipalitiesofmorelocallydevelopedlawsandordinancesmaybethedevelopershouldcrafttheirprojectsoitfitsinthelocalordinancesinsteadoftrying

toforceprojectswhichdonotfit.Exhibit34ElectricInterconnectionPg101:TheBoardrequiresinformationpertainingtoallaspectsofthefacilityinterconnection.Whileitisunderstoodthatthisinformationispertinentandapplicabletoreviewoftheapplication,itisalsoduplicativeofinformationsharedordeterminedasaresultoftheNYISOinterconnectionstudyprocesses.


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NYISOdoesthisstudyattheendoftheapplicationperiod.ItcouldbeverylikelyfortheSitingBoardtogettotheendoftheapplicationprocessandthenNYISOweighsinwith"anewtransmissionlineorupgradeisnecessarytocarrythepoweronthegrid".TheSitingBoardneedstoknow,upfront,iftheenergyfacilitywillrequiretheadditionalcomponentofatransmissionlineorupgrade.Transmissionlinesarenotcheap,notscenic,norwelcomedbycommunities.Ratepayerswillenduppayingfornotonlytheenergyfacilitybutthetransmissionlines.Thetransmissionlinesarehalfoftheequationofproducingenergyandmustbeconsideredearly.Thankyoufortheopportunitytocomment.

HesterChaseCapeVincent,NY


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Documents

Hester Chase ~ Critique of draft regulations ART. X