American Transmission Systems, Incorporated a Firstenergy Company
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED A FIRSTENERGY COMPANY CONSTRUCTION NOTICE JUNIPER-NEWBURGH / JUNIPER-JENNINGS & JUNIPER-PLEASANT VALLEY Q1 & Q2 138kV TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT OPSB CASE NO.: 20-1647-EL-BNR November 6, 2020 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated 76 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44308 CONSTRUCTION NOTICE JUNIPER-NEWBURGH / JUNIPER-JENNINGS & JUNIPER-PLEASANT VALLEY Q1 & Q2 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT 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 Name of Project: Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138 kV Transmission Line 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 existing double circuit steel lattice structure #2915 on the Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings 138 kV Transmission Line, and replace existing double circuit steel lattice structure #2217 on the Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138 kV Transmission Line due to localized erosion along Tinker’s Creek. Both existing structures will be replaced with steel monopole structures set with concrete foundations. Recently, the geomorphology of Tinker’s Creek has changed significantly with the water channel shifting significantly due to erosion along the stream bank. To address the potential damage from the continued erosion to the existing structures, ATSI must replace the structures with steel monopole structures on concrete foundations designed to withstand flooding conditions. The new structures will be installed approximately 50- feet west of the existing structure positions along the existing centerline. Existing 1 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138kV Transmission Line Structure Replacement Project structures #2915 and #2217 are 92 feet and 90 feet in height, respectively. The new structures will each be approximately 100 feet in height. When installation of the new poles is complete, the existing structures will be demolished. The general location of the Project is shown in Exhibit 1 on a topographical overlay and in Exhibit 2 on an aerial overlay with imagery provided by ESRI. Exhibit 3 shows the general Project layout. The Project is 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. 2 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138kV Transmission Line Structure Replacement Project 4906-6-05 (B)(2): Need for the Project The Project is needed to ensure the structural integrity of the transmission lines. The current rate of erosion along Tinker’s Creek is exposing the existing structure foundations. The proposed steel monopole structures with concrete foundations are designed to withstand flooding conditions. 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. 2020 Long-Term Forecast Report (LTFR). This map was submitted to the PUCO in Case No. 20-0657-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, Juniper-Jennings, and Juniper-Pleasant Valley 138 kV Q-1 & Q-2 1 Transmission Lines. The Project Area is located approximately 9 /5 inches (11” x 17” 3 printed version) from the left edge of the map and 2 /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. The Project is not included in ATSI’s LTFR filed in 2020 as this is an environmental condition based emergent project. 4906-6-05 (B)(4): Alternatives Considered No other alternatives were considered. 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. The affected property 3 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138kV Transmission Line Structure Replacement Project owner will be notified at least 7 days before construction begins 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 February 18, 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by October 31, 2021. 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 and all work pertaining to the structure replacement will be within existing FirstEnergy right-of-way. Table 1 contains a list of property owners affected by the Project. Table 1: Property Owner List Parcel Property Owner Address Easement Status Number Cleveland Electric 573-17-007 Tinkers Creek Road N/A Illuminating Co The United States of Cuyahoga Valley National 573-17-009 Existing Easement America Park Canal Road 4 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138kV Transmission Line Structure Replacement Project 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 structure. Voltage: 138 kV Conductors: 795 kcmil 36/1 ACSR Static Wire: 7#8 Alumoweld Insulators: Porcelain Structure Types: Exhibit 4: Double-Circuit Suspension Steel Monopole Single Shield Wire; One (1) structure needed. Exhibit 5: Double-Circuit Suspension Steel Monopole Double Shield Wire; One (1) structure needed. 4906-6-05 (B)(9)(b): Electric and Magnetic Fields The closest occupied residence or institution is approximately 200 feet north 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 $1,155,115. 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. 5 American Transmission Systems, Incorporated Juniper-Newburgh / Juniper-Jennings & Juniper-Pleasant Valley Q1 & Q2 138kV Transmission Line Structure Replacement Project 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 6. 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 (“NRHP”), including districts, sites, building, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The results of the search indicate that three (3) listed NRHP sites, and four (4) NRHP Districts were identified within 0.5 mile of the Project. The nearest