Final Order on Dividing Shepherds Flat
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BEFORE THE ENERGY FACILITY SITING COUNCIL OF THE STATE OF OREGON ) In the Matter of the Request for Amendment #1 of ) FINAL ORDER ON the Site Certificate for the Shepherds Flat Wind ) AMENDMENT #1 Farm ) The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council September 11, 2009 SHEPHERDS FLAT WIND FARM: FINAL ORDER ON AMENDMENT #1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 1 II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND AMENDMENT PROCESS ..................................................................... 1 III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ................................................................................ 3 1. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE .................................................................................................................................... 3 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE SITE CERTIFICATE AS PROPOSED BY THE APPLICANTS ...................................................... 5 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITIES AUTHORIZED BY AMENDMENT #1..................................................................... 5 (a) Shepherds Flat North (SFN) ........................................................................................................................... 6 Turbines ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Power Collection System ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Substation and Interconnection .................................................................................................................................... 6 Meteorological Towers ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Field Workshop ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Control System ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Access Roads ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 Construction Disturbance Areas .................................................................................................................................. 7 SFN Site and Site Boundary ........................................................................................................................................ 7 (b) Shepherds Flat Central (SFC) ......................................................................................................................... 8 Turbines ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Power Collection System ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Substation and Interconnection .................................................................................................................................... 8 Meteorological Towers ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Field Workshop ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Control System ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 Access Roads ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Construction Disturbance Areas ................................................................................................................................ 10 SFC Site and Site Boundary ...................................................................................................................................... 10 (c) Shepherds Flat South (SFS) .......................................................................................................................... 10 Turbines ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Power Collection System ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Substation and Interconnection .................................................................................................................................. 11 Meteorological Towers .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Field Workshop ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Control System .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Access Roads ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Construction Disturbance Areas ................................................................................................................................ 12 SFS Site and Site Boundary ....................................................................................................................................... 12 IV. THE COUNCIL’S SITING STANDARDS: FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ...................................... 12 1. GENERAL STANDARD OF REVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 13 2. STANDARDS ABOUT THE APPLICANTS ................................................................................................................. 14 (a) Organizational Expertise............................................................................................................................... 14 A. Organizational Expertise ......................................................................................................................... 14 B. Third-Party Permits ................................................................................................................................. 15 (b) Retirement and Financial Assurance ............................................................................................................ 16 A. Estimated Cost of Site Restoration .......................................................................................................... 17 Shepherds Flat North ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Shepherds Flat Central ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Shepherds Flat South ................................................................................................................................................. 20 B. Ability of the Applicant to Obtain a Bond or Letter of Credit ................................................................. 22 3. STANDARDS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION ............................................................. 23 (a) Land Use ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 SHEPHERDS FLAT WIND FARM FINAL ORDER ON AMENDMENT #1 - September 11, 2009 - i - The Old Rules ............................................................................................................................................................ 29 The New Rules .......................................................................................................................................................... 30 (b) Soil Protection .............................................................................................................................................. 34 (c) Protected Areas ............................................................................................................................................. 35 (d) Scenic Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 37 (e) Recreation ..................................................................................................................................................... 38 (f) Public Health and Safety Standards for Wind Energy Facilities .................................................................. 39 (g) Siting Standards for Wind Energy Facilities