American Transmission Systems, Incorporated a Firstenergy Company
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AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED A FIRSTENERGY COMPANY CONSTRUCTION NOTICE JUNIPER-NEWBURGH, JUNIPER-JENNINGS, AND JUNIPER-PLEASANT VALLEY 138 kV TRANSMISSION LINES STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT OPSB CASE NO.: 17-2013-EL-BNR September 29, 2017 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated 76 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44308 CONSTRUCTION NOTICE JUNIPER-NEWBURGH, JUNIPER-JENNINGS, AND JUNIPER-PLEASANT VALLEY 138 kV TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURE REPLACMENT PROJECT The following information is being provided in accordance with the procedures in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 4906-6 for the application and review of Accelerated Certificate Applications. Based upon the requirements found in Appendix A to OAC Rule 4906- 1-01, this Project qualifies for submittal to the Ohio Power Siting Board (“Board”) as a Construction Notice application. 4906-6-05: ACCELERATED APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 4906-6-05: Name and Reference Number Name of Project: Juniper-Newburgh, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper-Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines Structure Replacement Project (“Project”). 4906-6-05 (B)(1): Brief Description of the Project In this Project, American Transmission Systems, Incorporated (“ATSI”), a FirstEnergy company, is proposing to replace two (2) existing steel lattice structures due to localized erosion along Tinker’s Creek in the Village of Valley View, Cuyahoga County Ohio. Existing steel lattice tower #2914, supporting the Juniper-Newburgh & Juniper-Jennings 138 kV Transmission Lines, and existing steel lattice tower #2218, supporting the Juniper-Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines, will be replaced with two (2) steel monopole structures set with concrete foundations. Recently, the geomorphology of Tinker’s Creek has changed significantly with the water channel shifting approximately 125-feet westward towards the existing steel lattice structures. To avert potential damage from the continued erosion, it is necessary for ATSI to replace the existing towers with steel monopole structures with concrete foundations designed to withstand flooding conditions. The proposed structures will be located approximately 39-feet west of the existing structures along the existing centerline. Existing structure #2914 is 95’ tall and existing structure #2218 is 94’ tall. The structure replacements are both 94’ tall structures. Access to the structures will be attained via Page | 1 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper- Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines Structure Replacement Project Tinkers Creek Road. An access drive is proposed to cross three (3) parcels to reach the existing right-of-way. The general location of the Project is shown in Exhibit 1 on a topographical overlay, and Exhibit 2 on an aerial overlay with imagery provided by ESRI. Exhibit 3 shows the general project layout. Exhibit 3A shows the layout on an aerial overlay. The Project will be located in the Village of Valley View, Cuyahoga County Ohio. 4906-6-05 (B)(1): Letter of Notification Requirement The Project meets the requirements for a Construction Notice because the Project is within the types of projects defined by Item (2)(a) of the Application Requirement Matrix for Electric Power Transmission Lines, Appendix A of OAC Rule 4906-1-01. This item states: (2) Adding new circuits on existing structures designed for multiple circuit use, replacing conductors on existing structures with larger or bundled conductors, adding structures to an existing line or replacing structures with a different type of structure, for a distance of: (a) two miles or less The proposed Project is within the requirements of Item (2)(a) as it involves the replacement of two (2) existing steel lattice structures with two (2) steel monopole structures with concrete foundations in the existing right-of-way. 4906-6-05 (B)(2): Need For the Project The Project is needed to ensure the structural integrity of the transmission line. The current rate of erosion is impacting the surrounding stream bank of Tinker’s Creek and exposing the existing structure foundations. The proposed steel monopole structures with drilled concrete foundations are designed to withstand flooding conditions. Page | 2 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper- Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines Structure Replacement Project 4906-6-05 (B)(3): Location of the Project Relative to Existing or Proposed Lines The location of the Project relative to existing or proposed lines is shown in the ATSI Transmission Network Map, included as part of the confidential portion of the FirstEnergy Corp. 2017 Long-Term Forecast Report. This map was submitted to the PUCO in Case No. 17-913-EL-FOR under Rule 4901:5-5:04 (C)(2)(b) of the Ohio Administrative Code. The map is incorporated by reference only. This map shows ATSI’s 345 kV and 138 kV transmission lines and transmission substations including the Juniper-Newburgh 138 kV Q-18, Juniper-Jennings 138 kV Q-15, and Juniper-Pleasant Valley 138 kV Q-1 & Q-2 Transmission Lines. The Project Area is located 1 approximately 9 /5 inches (11” x 17” printed version) from the left edge of the map and 2 3 /5 inches (11” x 17” printed version) from the top of the map. The general location and layout of the Project Area is shown in Exhibits 1 through 3. 4906-6-05 (B)(4): Alternatives Considered No other alternatives were considered as the Project involves replacing two (2) existing transmission structures due to localized erosion along the same transmission line centerlines with no identified impacts. 4906-6-05 (B)(5): Public Information Program ATSI’s manager of External Affairs will advise local officials of features and the status of the proposed Transmission Line Project as necessary. ATSI will maintain a copy of this Construction Notice application on FirstEnergy’s website. Letters will be sent to affected property owners at least 7 days before construction begins on the Project informing them of the Project’s start and a proposed timeframe of construction and restoration activities. 4906-6-05 (B)(6): Construction Schedule The construction schedule for this Project is expected to begin as early as October 26, 2017 and is anticipated to be completed by March 30, 2018. Page | 3 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper- Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines Structure Replacement Project 4906-6-05 (B)(7): Area Map Exhibit 1 depicts the general location of the Project on a partial copy of the United States Geological Survey USGS 7.5’ Quad ID Northfield. Exhibit 2 provides a partial copy of aerial imagery provided by ESRI. 4906-6-05 (B)(8): Property Owner List The Project is located on existing FirstEnergy right-of-way and all work pertaining to the structure replacements will occur inside of it. New access easements will be obtained to gain access from Tinkers Creek Road to the Project location. Table 1 contains a list of property owners effected by the Project. Table 1: Property Owner List Parcel Property Owner Address Easement Status Number FirstEnergy Service 11350 Tinkers Creek Road 573-17-003 Fee Simple Company Valley View, OH. 44125 11400 Tinkers Creek Road To be obtained prior to the 573-17-010 Shawn & Linda Vitu Valley View, OH. 44125 start of construction. 7397 Canal Road 573-17-008 USA National Park Service Existing Easement Valley View, OH. 44125 4906-6-05 (B)(9): TECHNICAL FEATURES OF THE PROJECT 4906-6-05 (B)(9)(a): Operating Characteristics The existing transmission lines have the following characteristics. The same conductors, static wire, and insulators will be installed on the new proposed structures. Voltage: 138 kV Conductors: 795 kcmil 36/1 ACSR Static Wire: 7#8 Alumoweld Insulators: Porcelain Page | 4 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper- Pleasant Valley 138 kV Transmission Lines Structure Replacement Project Structure Types: Exhibit 4: Steel monopole structure with concrete foundation; (2) two structures are needed. 4906-6-05 (B)(9)(b): Electric and Magnetic Fields The closest occupied residence or institution is approximately 405 feet north-northwest from the proposed transmission line centerline; therefore, no Electric and Magnetic Field (“EMF”) calculations are required by this rule. 4906-6-05 (B)(9)(c): Estimated Cost The estimated cost for the proposed project is approximately $1,358,000.00. 4906-6-05 (B)(10): SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS 4906-6-05 (B)(10)(a): Land Uses The Project is located in the Village of Valley View, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The main land use around the Project is greenspace owned by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and nearby residential development to the north and adjacent to Tinkers Creek Road. 4906-6-05 (B)(10)(b): Agricultural Land Agricultural land does not exist within the Project’s disturbance area. 4906-6-05 (B)(10)(c): Archaeological or Cultural Resources As part of the investigation, a search of Ohio Historic Preservation Office (“OHPO”) online database was conducted to identify the existence of any significant historic or cultural resource sites within a 0.5-mile area of potential effect (APE). The results of the search are shown in Exhibit 5. The specific locations of any archeological resources identified within the APE and surrounding areas are excluded from the map as their locations are considered proprietary. The OHPO database includes all Ohio listings on the National Register of Historic Places