Wheatsborough Solar Public Information Meeting

Wheatsborough Solar Public Information Meeting

1

• If at any time you require IT support, please contact GoToWebinar:

• URL: https://support.goto.com/webinar?labelid=4a17cd95

• Chat Support: https://support.goto.com/webinar#856-299

• Toll Free Phone: +1(833) 851-8340

• Technical assistance handout available in GoToWebinar access panel.

• Presentation will be approximately two hours and will be recorded.

• We will break to address questions at the end of the presentation.

• Utilize the “Questions” section in your GoToWebinar panel to post a question to be read out by the moderator and responded to by panelists during the Q&A session,

• If you’re unable to post a question using the GoToWebinar panel, please send questions to https://www.wheatsboroughsolar.com/opsb_info

• Contact information is on the bottom of the screen throughout the presentation.

Technological Assistance

Type questions here

419-573-0859 [email protected]

https://support.goto.com/webinar?labelid=4a17cd95

https://support.goto.com/webinar#856-299

https://www.wheatsboroughsolar.com/opsb_info

Wheatsborough Solar Team

Apex Clean Energy – Developer• John Arehart, Director of Development

• Carmen O’Keefe, Development Manager

• Nate Pedder, Development Manager

• Roger Hunker, Development Associate

• Drew Christensen, Public Engagement Manager

3 419-573-0859 [email protected]

AGENDA

• Introduction to Apex Clean Energy

• Wheatsborough Solar Project Details

• Solar Project Components and Construction Phase

• Operation and Maintenance Phase

• Ohio Power Siting Board Permitting Process


About Apex Clean Energy


Existing ProjectsApex Clean Energy has secured financing for over 5 GW of wind and solar projects across the United States, many of which are nowoperating or under construction. Visit apexcleanenergy.com/projects to learn more about these and our other completed facilities.

Featured ProjectPhantom Solar

The Defense Logistics Agency partnered with Apex in 2016, resulting in a 28-year renewable energy supply agreement serving Fort Hood, the largest active-duty armored post in the United States.

Cotton Plains (50 MW, Texas)

Cameron (165 MW, Texas) Kay (299 MW, Oklahoma)

Aviator (525 MW, Texas)

As of April 2017, Apex’s facilities are providing more than 50% of the electricity at Fort Hood.

“The project at Fort Hood, the Army’s first hybrid and largest

single renewable energy project to date, is an excellent example

of the extraordinary results we can achieve through

collaboration.”—Katherine Hammack,

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy,

and Environment

Project Details

Capacity 15.4 MWAC / 19.6 MWDC

Technology 62,725 Canadian Solar PV modules

ISO / RTO ERCOT

Owner Northleaf Capital and Apex Clean Energy

Construction Manager Apex Clean Energy

Asset Manager Apex Clean Energy

Industry Awards

Hoopeston (98 MW, Illinois)

Grant (152 MW, Oklahoma)


Example Project


.


Why Here?


Why Here?The project area of interest has a number of features that make solar development appealing:

• Plentiful, open, flat ground

• Transmission line access with available capacity

• Abundant solar resource

• Landowner interest

• Apex’s history of investment in the area


Project Timeline

Q4 2020• Complete Studies

• Public Information Meeting

• Draft OPSB Application

Q4 2020/Q1 2021 – Submit OPSB ApplicationQ1 2022 – OPSB Certificate2022 – Start of Construction2023 – Commercial Operations


Wheatsborough Project Details

• Operational capacity: Up to 125 MW

• Location: Groton Township, Erie County, OH

• Expected COD: 2023

• Ohio Power Siting Board Case #: 20-1529-EL-BGN

• Up to 60 MW of on-site battery storage

• Project substation will be located next to the point of interconnection, minimizing the need for any additional overhead transmission lines

12

ErieHuron

Sand

usky

Sene

ca


Project Area


Wheatsborough Solar Local Benefits

Local Economic BenefitsSolar projects, like other business developments, contribute to the economic health of the local community through local spending, property tax revenue, and job creation.

Local Revenue for Groton Township, Erie County, and area school districtsWheatsborough Solar would pay over $1 million per year to the local government, totaling millions of dollars over the 30+ year lifetime of the project.

JobsDuring construction:

• Between 100 and 200 construction jobs created directly by the project

During project operations (30+ years):

• 2-3 direct, long-term, local jobs employed for operations and maintenance of project

• Additional local subcontractors for site maintenance, including vegetative management, road repair, plowing, substation/transformer/inverter maintenance, and module cleaning when needed.


Benefits of Solar Development

• Increased tax revenue that does not require additional services from the municipality

• No harmful pollutants or negative health impacts• Minimal sound produced• No air or water emissions• Soils rest and lie fallow during project life• Perennial plantings increase soil stability, improve

infiltration, and help promote biodiversity• Reduces emissions and impacts from traditional power

generation


Development Studies

• Wetlands

• Threatened and

Endangered Species

• Glare Analysis

• Noise

• Visual Assessment

16

• Hydrology

• Geotechnical

• Soils

• Socioeconomics

• Transportation

• Cultural Resources


Panel Siting Considerations

• Setbacks:

• 300 feet from nonparticipating sensitive receptors

• 50 feet from nonparticipating property lines

• 50 feet from the edge of public roads

• Archaeological study findings

• Wetland areas

• Minimize tree clearing


Solar and Wildlife

18

Coordination with USFWS and ODNR occurs from Project inception through operations to identify sensitive areas or resources warranting management consideration:

•Step 1: Initial Site Assessment – Desktop review of existing information to assess potential for species or habitats of concern

•Step 2: Pre-construction Field Surveys – completed to provide information on species of concern using the site, and to identify areas or specific times of the year warranting considerations in project design

•Step 3: Post-construction – Solar projects of this kind are not known to cause impacts to wildlife.


Preliminary Facility Layout

Portland Rd

Nor

thw

est R

d

Strecker Rd

SR 2

69

19

Turnpike

Knauss Rd


Where Does The Power Go?To the PJM Grid

Electricity generated by Wheatsborough Solar will go onto the electrical grid by connecting to an existing power line located in

Groton Township. The power will be in the PJM electricity market.

From the grid, the power generated by the project could be used locally or sent where it is needed depending on transmission line capacity, local generation, and demand.

So who uses the power?

20 [email protected]

Project Construction Phase

• Site preparation• Pile installation• Racking installation• Panel installation and

interconnection• Restoration and re-

vegetation• Approximate 12-month

duration


Pile Installation


Tracking System Installation


Panel Installation & Wiring


Solar project Components – Modules/Panels


Solar Project Components – Inverters


Solar Project Components – Substation


Operations & Maintenance – Personnel

• Approximately 2-3 full time employees

• The site will be monitored remotely for operations

• Operations and maintenance facility located on-site


Decommissioning

• All above ground components will be removed andunderground components up to a depth of 3 feet.

• The site will be restored to its original use or howeverthe landowner wants to use it

• There will be a removal bond set in place to cover thefunding for decommissioning


30

ContactWebsite: wheatsboroughsolar.comEmail: [email protected]: 419-573-0859

Type questions here


http://www.wheatsboroughsolar.com/

mailto:[email protected]

32


33


Electric Generation

Solar farms50 MW and greater

Wind farms5 MW and greater

Fossil fuel plants 50 MW and greater

Electric Transmission

Lines and associated facilities 100 kV and greater

Natural Gas Transmission

Pipelines greater than 500 feet in length and 9 inches in diameter

Maximum operating pressure greater than 125 psi

OPSB jurisdiction


Construction and operation are monitored by the OPSBUpdated: June 7, 2017

OPSB COMPLIANCE

REVIEW

Back to OPSB compliancereview

APPLICATION INCOMPLETE

LETTEROFCOMPLETENESS

OAC 4906-3-06

APPLICATION COMPLETEPRE- APPLICATION CONFERENCE OAC

4906-3-02(Optional)

PRE-APPLICATIONNOTIFICATION LETTER

15 days prior public informational meetingOAC 4906-3-03 (A)

APPLICANT INFORMATIONALMEETING

Informational meeting notice 7-21 days priorOAC 4906-3-03 (B)(1)

ORC 4906.06OAC 4906-2-02

CERTIFICATEAPPLICATIONSUBMISSION

LEGEND

OPSB Applicant

OFFICIAL FILINGDATE SET

HEARING DATES SET

SECONDPUBLICNOTICE

7-21 days before publichearing

OAC 4906-3-09(A)(2)

FIRST PUBLIC NOTICE

Within 15 days of acceptedapplication

OAC 4906-3-09(A)(1)

STAFF REPORT15 days beforepublic hearing

Interrogatory and discoveryDepositions Field and

site visitsMember agency analysisPreparation of staff report

ORC 4906.07(C)

OPSB INVESTIGATIONAPPLICATION

COMPLETEAND ACCEPTED

OAC 4906-3-07Near project

location

PUBLICHEARING

ORC 4906.07(A) OAC

4906-2-09

APPLICATIONFILING FEE

OAC 4906-1-04OAC 4906-3-12

ADJUDICATORY HEARING

OPSB offices

BRIEFS ANDREPLY BRIEFS

CERTIFICATEISSUED

CERTIFICATE DENIED

BOARDDECISIONORC 4906.10

OAC 4906-2-30

REHEARING/APPEAL

30 Days 60 Days

BOARDDECISION

APPLICATION FOR REHEARING ORC4903.10

OAC 4906-2-32

SUPREME COURT APPEAL

ORC 4903.13OAC 4906-2-33

Standard Application Process


http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4906-3-06












http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4906.06























Public informational meetingDeveloper educates community about project and gathers input to consider in developing its application. OPSB representatives provide info about siting process and public participation.

Public commentsWritten comments are filed in the case where they inform the Board members and staff. Comments are accepted at any time after a case number is established.

Online:https://opsb.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/opsb/help-center/file-a-comment

Email: [email protected]

Mail:Ohio Power Siting Board180 E. Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215

How to participate

Local public hearingBoard obtains sworn statements from the public which are transcribed and become part of the official record that the Board considers before making its decision.

Held at least 15 days after staff publishes its report of investigation. Notification letters sent to property owners and local officials. Newspaper notice 7-21 before the hearing.

Adjudicatory hearingThe developer, OPSB staff, and parties to the case present testimony and evidence regarding the facility and cross examine each other. Intervention grants individuals and local governments the right to participate as a party in the adjudicatory hearing, file for rehearing, or appeal to the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Held approximately 2 weeks after the local public hearing. Property owners and local officials receive letters advising them of right to intervene.


https://opsb.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/opsb/help-center/file-a-comment


• If a project is approved, the OPSB monitors construction and operation to ensure compliance with the certificate and any conditions.

• The developer must notify landowners prior to start of construction.

• The developer must establish a complaint resolution process to address concerns resulting from project construction and operation.

• OPSB can assist individuals who feel they are not obtaining a resolution from the developer.

Construction & operation


Online resources

OPSB Websitewww.OPSB.ohio.gov• Case summary page• Process information• Calendar of events• www.facebook.com/OhioPSB

Docketing information system (DIS)https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/• View case documents and public comments• Case number • Subscribe for case notifications


http://www.opsb.ohio.gov/

http://www.facebook.com/OhioPSB

https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/

www.OPSB.ohio.gov

[email protected]

866-270-6772

The Ohio Power Siting Board180 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215

www.facebook.com/OhioPSB

OPSB staff opinions contained in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the voting Board members.

Stay in touch


40

ContactWebsite: wheatsboroughsolar.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 419-573-0859

Questions?

Type questions here


http://www.wheatsboroughsolar.com/


Wheatsborough Solar Public Information Meeting

Documents

Transcript of Wheatsborough Solar Public Information Meeting