Decision 22665-D01-2018 EDP Renewables SH Project GP Ltd. Sharp Hills Wind Project September 21, 2018 Alberta Utilities Commission Decision 22665-D01-2018 EDP Renewables SH Project GP Ltd. Sharp Hills Wind Project Proceeding 22665 Applications 22665-A001 to 22665-A004 September 21, 2018 Published by the: Alberta Utilities Commission Eau Claire Tower, 1400, 600 Third Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 0G5 Telephone: 403-592-8845 Fax: 403-592-4406 Website: www.auc.ab.ca Contents 1 Decision summary ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Introduction and background .............................................................................................. 1 2.1 Applications and Commission process .......................................................................... 1 2.2 Motions during the hearing ............................................................................................ 5 2.2.1 Motion to exclude testimony of experts by Clearview Group .......................... 5 2.2.2 Motion to exclude the Altus report ................................................................... 7 3 Legislative scheme ................................................................................................................. 7 4 Consultation ......................................................................................................................... 10 4.1 Views of EDP ............................................................................................................... 10 4.2 Views of the Clearview Group ..................................................................................... 12 4.3 Commission findings ................................................................................................... 13 5 Visual impact ....................................................................................................................... 14 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 14 5.2 Views of EDP ............................................................................................................... 15 5.3 Views of the Clearview Group ..................................................................................... 18 5.4 Commission findings ................................................................................................... 21 6 Environment ........................................................................................................................ 23 6.1 Treatment of the referral reports .................................................................................. 24 6.1.1 Views of EDP ................................................................................................. 24 6.1.2 Views of the Clearview Group ....................................................................... 25 6.1.3 Commission findings ...................................................................................... 25 6.2 Environmental effects .................................................................................................. 27 6.2.1 Views of EDP ................................................................................................. 27 6.2.1.1 General environmental effects and mitigation ................................... 27 6.2.1.2 Native vegetation effects and mitigation ........................................... 30 6.2.1.3 General wildlife effects and mitigation ............................................. 32 6.2.2 Views of the Clearview Group ....................................................................... 38 6.2.2.1 General environmental effects and mitigation ................................... 38 6.2.2.2 Native vegetation effects and mitigation ........................................... 39 6.2.2.3 General wildlife effects and mitigation ............................................. 41 6.2.3 Commission findings ...................................................................................... 47 6.2.3.1 General environmental effects and mitigation ................................... 47 6.2.3.2 Native vegetation effects and mitigation ........................................... 49 6.2.3.3 General wildlife effects and mitigation ............................................. 52 6.2.3.4 Environmental effects conclusion ...................................................... 57 7 Noise ..................................................................................................................................... 58 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 58 7.2 Rule 012: Noise Control .............................................................................................. 58 7.3 Noise models and discussion issues ............................................................................. 60 7.4 Views of EDP ............................................................................................................... 62 7.5 Views of the Clearview Group ..................................................................................... 70 7.6 Commission findings ................................................................................................... 76 Decision 22665-D01-2018 (September 21, 2018) • i 8 Aeronautical impacts .......................................................................................................... 84 8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 84 8.2 Aeronautical background ............................................................................................. 85 8.3 The three airstrips ......................................................................................................... 87 8.4 Circuits ......................................................................................................................... 88 8.4.1 Views of EDP ................................................................................................. 88 8.4.2 Views of the Clearview Group ....................................................................... 88 8.4.3 Commission findings ...................................................................................... 90 8.5 Surfaces near the three airstrips ................................................................................... 90 8.5.1 Views of EDP ................................................................................................. 90 8.5.2 Views of the Clearview Group ....................................................................... 93 8.5.3 Commission findings ...................................................................................... 94 8.6 Turbulence, aerial spraying and setbacks..................................................................... 96 8.6.1 Views of EDP ................................................................................................. 96 8.6.2 Views of the Clearview Group ....................................................................... 97 8.6.3 Commission findings ...................................................................................... 99 9 Health and safety ................................................................................................................. 99 9.1 Views of EDP ............................................................................................................... 99 9.2 Views of the Clearview Group ................................................................................... 101 9.3 Commission findings ................................................................................................. 102 10 Property value and land use concerns ............................................................................ 103 10.1 Views of EDP ............................................................................................................. 103 10.2 Views of the Clearview Group ................................................................................... 105 10.3 Commission findings ................................................................................................. 106 11 Interconnection ................................................................................................................. 107 11.1 Commission findings ................................................................................................. 107 12 Summary of findings and conclusion .............................................................................. 108 13 Decision .............................................................................................................................. 113 Appendix A – Proceeding participants ................................................................................... 115 Appendix B – Oral hearing – registered appearances ........................................................... 116 Appendix C – Summary of Commission conditions and directions with required deliverables ..................................................................................................... 117 Appendix D – Abbreviations .................................................................................................... 119 Appendix E – Standing ruling ................................................................................................