Pleasant Valley Wind, LLC. Dodge and Mower Counties, MN Application for Large Wind Energy Conversion System Site Permit PUC Docket Number IP 6828/WS-09-1197 November 23, 2009 Public Version – Trade Secret Data Excised Application for Large Wind Energy Conversion System Site Permit Pleasant Valley Wind, LLC. Dodge and Mower Counties, MN PUC Docket Number IP 6828/WS-09-1197 November 23, 2009 PUBLIC VERSION TRADE SECRET DATA EXCISED PUBLIC VERSION TRADE SECRET DATA EXCISED Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………1-4 1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………..………..…..1 1.2 Project Site Location…………………………………………………………….….……..1 1.3 Site Control………………………………………………………………………..…..…..1 1.4 Wind Resources…………………………………………………………………….…..…1 1.5 Projected Energy (MWh)...……………………………………………………………..…2 1.6 Siting Plan……………………………………………………………………………...….2 1.7 Interconnection and Transmission…………………………………………………..….…2 1.8 Environmental Analysis……………………………………………………………...……2 1.9 Permits and Licenses…………………………………………………………….…..…….3 1.10 Construction…………………………………………………………………………....….3 1.11 Operation and Maintenance…………………………………………………………….....3 1.12 Decommissioning……………………………………………………………………...….3 1.13 Project Ownership…………………………………………………………………………4 2 Applicant………………………………………………………………………………...……..…5 2.1 Contact Information……………………………………………………………………….5 2.2 Other LWECS in Minnesota………………………………………………………………5 3 Compliance with the Wind Siting Act and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7854……………......5-6 3.1 Certificate of Need………………………………………………………………………...6 3.2 State Policy…………………………………………………………………………..........6 4 Proposed Site……………………………………………………………………………….....6-15 4.1 Identification of Project Site………………………………………………………..……..6 4.2 Wind Rights……………………………………………………………………….…..…..8 4.3 Wind Characteristics in the Project Area………………………..…………………...…....8 4.3.1 Interannual Variation………………………………………………………….………8 4.3.2 Seasonal Variation……………………………………………………………...…......8 4.3.3 Diurnal Conditions………………………………………………………….….……..9 4.3.4 Atmospheric Stability…………………………………………………….…….…....10 4.3.5 Hub Height Turbulence………………………………………………….……..……10 4.3.6 Extreme Wind Conditions……………………………………………….……..……10 4.3.7 Wind Speed Frequency Distribution…………………………………….……..…....11 4.3.8 Wind Variation with Height…………………………………………….……...……11 4.3.9 Spatial Wind Variation……………………………………………….………...……11 4.3.10 Wind Rose………………………………………………………….…………..……12 4.4 Other Meteorological Conditions…………………………………………..……………12 4.4.1 Average and Extreme Weather Conditions…………………………………...….….12 4.5 Other Wind Turbines in the Area………………………………………………..……….13 5 Design of Project………………………………………………………………………….…16-25 5.1 Project Layout……………………………………………………………………………16 5.1.1 General Layout and Setback Considerations…………………………………...……19 5.1.2 Exceptions……………………………………………………………………….…..19 5.2 Wind Turbines……………………………………………………………………...……19 5.2.1 Rotor and Nacelle..……...……...……...……...……....……...……...……...…..…...20 Pleasant Valley Wind, LLC. November 23, 2009 LWECS Site Permit Application Page i PUBLIC VERSION TRADE SECRET DATA EXCISED 5.2.2 Tower...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...……...……......20 5.2.3 Foundations...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...…….......20 5.2.4 Turbine Safety Systems...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……......….21 5.2.5 GE Technical Information………………………………………………………...…22 5.2.6 Siemens Technical Information……………………………………………………...22 5.3 Description of Electrical System…………………………………….……………….….22 5.3.1 Transformers...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...….…....23 5.3.2 Electrical Collection System...……...……...……...……...……...……………….…23 5.3.3 Substation...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...……….…23 5.3.4 Transmission Line...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...…24 5.3.5 Interconnection...……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……...…….24 5.4 Associated Facilities...……...……...……...……...……...…..……...……...……......…..24 5.4.1 Access Roads..……...……...……...……...……...…...……...……...……......….......24 5.4.2 Meteorological Towers..……...……...……...……...……...…..……...……...……...25 5.4.3 Operation and Maintenance Center..……...……...……...……...……...…...…….....25 5.4.4 Remote Control Monitoring…………………………………………………………25 6 Environmental Analysis…………………………………………………………………….25-78 6.1 Description of Environmental Setting……………………………………………….…..25 6.2 Socioeconomics………………………………………………………………………….27 6.2.1 Description of Resource ………………………………………………………….…27 6.2.2 Impacts……………………………………………………………………………….32 6.2.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………32 6.3 Noise……………………………………………………………………………………..32 6.3.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..32 6.3.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………34 6.3.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………35 6.4 Visual Resources………………………………………………………………………....36 6.4.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..36 6.4.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………40 6.4.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………40 6.5 Public Services, Infrastructure, and Traffic……………………………………………...41 6.5.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..41 6.5.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….…………………...41 6.5.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………46 6.6 Cultural and Archaeological Resources………………………………………………….49 6.6.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..49 6.6.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………52 6.6.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………52 6.7 Recreational Resources…………………………………………………………………..52 6.7.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..52 6.7.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………55 6.7.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………55 6.8 Public Health and Safety…………………………………………………………………55 6.8.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..55 6.8.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………58 6.8.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………59 Pleasant Valley Wind, LLC. November 23, 2009 LWECS Site Permit Application Page ii PUBLIC VERSION TRADE SECRET DATA EXCISED 6.9 Hazardous Materials……………………………………………………………………..61 6.9.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..61 6.9.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………61 6.9.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………62 6.10 Land Use and Land-Based Economics………………………….……………………….62 6.10.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..62 6.10.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………63 6.10.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………64 6.11 Tourism and Community Benefits……………………………..……….………………..66 6.11.1 Description of Resource……………………………..……….………………...........66 6.11.2 Impacts……………………………..……….………………......................................66 6.11.3 Mitigation Measures……………………………..……….……………….................66 6.12 Topography………………………………………………………………………………67 6.12.1 Description of Resource……………………………..……….………………...........67 6.12.2 Impacts……………………………..……….………………......................................67 6.12.3 Mitigation Measures……………………………..……….……………….................67 6.13 Soils……………………………………………………………………………………...67 6.13.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..67 6.13.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………68 6.13.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………68 6.14 Geologic and Groundwater Resources………………………………………….………..68 6.14.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..68 6.14.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………69 6.14.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………70 6.15 Surface Water and Floodplain Resources……………………………………….……….70 6.15.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..70 6.15.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………71 6.15.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………71 6.16 Wetlands………………………………..………………………………………………..72 6.16.1 Description of Resource………………………………..……………………………72 6.16.2 Impacts………………………………..……………………………..........................72 6.16.3 Mitigation Measures………………………………..…………………………….....72 6.17 Vegetation……………………………...………………………………………………..72 6.17.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..72 6.17.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………73 6.17.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………73 6.18 Wildlife…………………………………………………………………………………..74 6.18.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..74 6.18.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………76 6.18.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………76 6.19 Rare and Unique Natural Resources……………………………………………………..76 6.19.1 Description of Resource……………………………………………………………..76 6.19.2 Impacts………………………………………………………….……………………78 6.19.3 Mitigation Measures…………………………………………………………………78 7 Construction……………………………………………………………………………...….79-86 7.1 Construction Management…………………………………………………………….…80 Pleasant Valley Wind, LLC. November 23, 2009 LWECS Site Permit Application Page iii PUBLIC VERSION TRADE SECRET DATA EXCISED 7.1.1 Construction Management Organization………………………………………….…81 7.1.2 Quality-Assurance/Control, Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance……….81 7.2 Construction Methodology………………………………………………………………83 7.2.1 Geotechnical Investigations………………………………………………………….83 7.2.2 Site Preparation and Road Construction……………………………………………..83 7.2.3 Foundation Construction…………………………………………………………….84 7.2.4 Electrical Collection System Construction………………………………………..…84 7.2.5 Project Substation……………………………………………………………………85 7.2.6 Wind Turbine Assembly……………..………………………………………………85 7.2.7 Plant Energization and Commissioning (Start-up)………………………………..…86 7.2.8 Project Construction Clean-up……………………………………………………….86 8 Operations and Maintenance……………………………….…………………………….........86 8.1 Project Control, Management, and Service…………………………………………...…86 8.2 Maintenance Schedule………………………………………………………………...…87 8.3