granite reliable power, llc w i n d p a r k

new hampshire site evaLuation committee

docket no. 2008 —

appLication of granite reLiabLe power, LLc

for certificate of site and faciLity

granite reliable power windparkcoos county, new hampshire

juLy 2008

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication APPLICATIONgranite reLiabLe power LLc certificate of site and faciLity

granite reLiabLe power

G r a n i t e r e l i a B l e P o W e r , l lC

W i n d P a r K

List of acronyms .........................................................................................6EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ 9

List of appendices .......................................................................................19

List of figures ...................................................................................... 22

List of tabLes ...................................................................................... 24

APPLICATION INFORMATION ............................................................................. 25

(a) SIgNATURE OF APPLICANT .................................................................. 26

(b) APPLICANT INFORMATION .................................................................. 27

(1) Name of applicant ................................................................................... 27

(2) The applicant’s mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses ......................................................................... 27

(3) The names and addresses of the applicant’s parent company, association or corporation if the applicant is a subsidiary ......................... 27

(4) If applicant is a corporation, ............................................................... 27

a. The state of incorporation ........................................................ 27

b. The corporation’s principal place of business .............................. 28

c. The names and addresses of its principal directors, officers and stockholders ......................................................... 28

(5) If the applicant is an association, the names and residences of the members of the association ........................................................ 28

(6) Whether applicant is the owner, lessee of the site or facility or has some legal or business relationship to it........................................ 28

(7) A statement of assets and liabilities of the applicant ................................. 29

(c) SITE INFORMATION ............................................................................. 30

(1) Location and address of site of proposed faciLity .................. 30

(2) site acreage (attach property map and Locate site by scaLe on u.s. geoLogicaL survey or gis map) ....................... 33

(3) the Location of residences, industriaL buiLdings, and other structures and improvements within or adjacent to the site .... 33

(4) identification of wetLands and surface waters of the state within or adjacent to the site ............................... 34

(5) identification of naturaL and other resources within or adjacent to the site. .................................................. 35

(6) information reLated to whether the proposed site and faciLity wiLL unduLy interfere with the orderLy deveLopment of the region having given due consideration to the views of municipaL governing boards . ............................................. 36

(d) OThER REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS .................................. 40

(1) identification of aLL other federaL or state government

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication tabLe ofCONTENTS


agencies having jurisdiction, under state or federaL Law, to reguLate any aspect of the construction or operation of the proposed faciLity ............................................................. 40

(2) documentation that demonstrates compLiance with the appLication requirements of such agencies ...................... 40

(3) a copy of the compLeted appLication form for each agency .. 41

(4) identification of any requests for waivers from the information requirements of any state agency or department whether represented on the committee or not ....................... 41

(e) ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION ................................................... 41

(f) RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION ................................. 41

(1) make, modeL and manufacturer of the unit ..............................41

(2) capacity in megawatts, as designed and as intended for operation ..............................................................43

(3) type of unit incLuding ................................................................43

a. Fuel utilized .............................................................................43

b. Method of cooling condenser discharge ......................................43

c. whether the unit is proposed to serve base, intermediate or peaking loads .....................................................................43

d. Unit efficiency......................................................................... 43

e. Impact on system stability and reliability ................................... 43

(4) any associated new substations and transmission Lines ...... 44

(5) construction scheduLe, incLuding start date and scheduLed compLetion date................................................ 44

a. Access roads .......................................................................... 46

b. Substation, interconnection switching station, laydown yard and maintenance building ................................................ 47

c. Turbine Installation ................................................................. 47

d. Collection System Installation ................................................... 49

e. heavy/ Oversize trucking loads ............................................... 49

(6) project decommissioning ...............................................................49

(g) ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION LINE INFORMATION......................... 50

(1) Location shown on u.s. geoLogicaL survey map .................... 50

(2) corridor width .......................................................................... 50

a. New route ............................................................................. 51

b. widening along existing route ................................................. 51

(3) Length of Line ............................................................................ 51

(4) distance aLong new route ....................................................... 51

(5) distance aLong existing route.................................................. 51

(6) voLtage (design rating) ............................................................. 51

(7) any associated new generating unit or units .........................51

(8) Type of construction(describedindetail) ................................. 52



(9) eLectricaL interconnection Line construction scheduLe ....... 52

a. Anticipated Start date ............................................................. 52

b. Scheduled Completion date ...................................................... 52

(10) impact on system stabiLity and reLiabiLity .................................. 52

(h) AddITIONAL INFORMATION ................................................................ 53

(1) a description in detaiL of each major part of the proposed faciLity .................................................................. 53

(2) identification of the appLicant’s preferred Location and any other options for the site of each major part of the proposed faciLity ............................................................. 55

a. Project alternatives evaluated .................................................. 58

(3) a description in detaiL of the impact of each major part of the proposed faciLity on the environment for each site proposed ................................................................62

(4) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s proposaLs for studying and soLving environmentaL probLems ...................... 62

(5) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s financiaL, technicaL and manageriaL capabiLity for construction and operation of the proposed faciLity ............................................62

(6) a statement of assets and LiabiLities of the appLicant ................65

(7) documentation that written notification of the proposed project, incLuding appropriate copies of the appLication, has been given to the appropriate governing body of each community in which the faciLity is proposed to be Located.......65

(i) INFORMATION REgARdINg ThE EFFECTS ON PLAN FOR MITIgATION OF EFFECTS FOR AESThETICS, hISTORIC SITES, AIR qUALITY, wATER qUALITY, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ANd PUbLIC hEALTh ANd SAFETY ........................................................65

(1) aesthetics ....................................................................................65

a. Visual Impact ..........................................................................65

b. Shadow Flicker ........................................................................69

c. wind turbine safety lighting ......................................................71

(2) historic sites ...............................................................................72

(3) air quaLity and cLimate change .................................................73

(4) water quaLity ..............................................................................75

(5) naturaL environment .................................................................78

a. Plant Life ................................................................................78

i. TreeClearing ...................................................................80

b. wildlife ..................................................................................81

i. Birds ...............................................................................82

ii. Bats .................................................................................85

iii. Otherwildlife ...................................................................86

(6) pubLic heaLth and safety .............................................................87

a. Ice shedding ............................................................................87



b. Lightning strikes ......................................................................88

c. Tower collapse/blade throw ......................................................88

d. Stray voltage ..........................................................................89

e. Fire 142 ..................................................................................89

f. Aviation safety risks (airspaceissues) ........................................89

g. Noise .....................................................................................90

(j) EFFECTS ON ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION; ESTIMATE OF IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION ANd OPERATION OF ThE FACILITY ....................................................................................91

(1) LocaL Land use ............................................................................91

a. Commercial timber production ..................................................91

b. Outdoor recreation ..................................................................92

i. Motorizedtrailsystems:snowmobileandall-terrain vehicle .............................................................................93

ii. Non-motorizedtrailsystems:hiking,cross-countryskiingandsnowshoeing ....................................................93

iii. Otherrecreationaluses .....................................................95

(2) LocaL economy ...........................................................................96

a. Economic effects of the project ...................................................97

b. Property values ...................................................................... 98

c. Tourism ................................................................................. 98

(3) LocaL empLoyment ...................................................................... 99

(k) CONSISTENCY wITh STATE ENERgY POLICY .......................................100

(l) PREFILEd TESTIMONY ANd PROPOSEd EXhIbIT LIST ...........................103

(1) prefiLed testimony .......................................................................103

a.prefiLed testimonyofCharlesReadlingandPipDecker

b.prefiLed testimony ofChristopherLowe

c. prefiLed testimonyofDanielMandli

d.prefiLed testimonyofPhillipBeaulieu

e.prefiLed testimonyofRaymondLobdell

f. prefiLed testimonyofStevenPelletierandAdamGravel

g.prefiLed testimonyofJeanVissering

h.prefiLed testimonyofHopeLuhman

i. prefiLedtestimonyofDavidHessler

j. prefiLedtestimonyofMatthewBorkowski

(2) proposed exhibit List ....................................................... appendix 34



a/s: aktieselskab (danish name for a stock-based corporation)ac: alternating currentape: area of potential effectatv: all-terrain vehicleawea: american wind energy associationaws: aws true wind

bmp: best management practices

c: celsiuscgp epa’s national pollution discharge elimination system construction

general permitcm: centimeterco2: carbon dioxidecoe: u.s. army corps of engineerscu m: cubic meter

dba: decibels a-weighteddes: department of environmental servicesdhr: division of historical resourcesdod: u.s. department of defensedsm: demand side management

f: fahrenheitfaa: federal aviation administrationferc: federal energy regulatory commissionft: foot

gis: geographic information systemgps: global positioning systemgrp: granite reliable power, LLc

hb: house bill

iea: international energy agencyiec: international electrotechnical commissionipcc: intergovernmental panel on climate changeiso: independent system operatorjedi: jobs and economic development impact

kg: kilogram

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofACRONYMS

granite reLiabLe power �

km: kilometerkv: kilovoltkw: kilowattkwh: kilowatt-hour

lbs: poundsLidar: Laser imaging detection and rangingLLc: Limited Liability company

m: metermi: milemm: millimetermph: miles per hourm/s: meters per secondmw: megawattmwh: megawatt-hour

naip: national agricultural imagery programncc: north country council, inc.ne-iso: the new england independent system operatornep: noble environmental power, inc.nh des: new hampshire department of environmental servicesnhdhr: new hampshire division of historical resourcesnh dot: new hampshire department of transportationnhfg: new hampshire fish and game departmentnhnhb: new hampshire natural heritage bureaunh oep: new hampshire office of energy and planningnh puc: new hampshire public utilities commissionnhrhp: new hampshire register of historic placesnh sec: new hampshire site evaluation committeenox: nitrogen oxidesnpdes: national pollutant discharge elimination systemnreL: national renewable energy Laboratorynrhp: national register of historic places

o&m: operations and maintenanceoep: office of energy and planningosha: occupational safety and health administration

piLot: payment in lieu of taxespLLc: partners of Limited Liability company

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationList ofACRONYMS

granite reLiabLe power�

psnh: public service company of new hampshireptc: production tax creditrec: renewable energy creditsrepp: renewable energy policy projectggi: regional greenhouse gas initiative

row: right of wayrpm: revolutions per minuterps: renewable portfolio standardsrv: recreational vehiclersa: revised statutes annotated

sb: senate billscada supervisory control and data acquisition sec: site evaluation committeeso2: sulfur dioxidesodar: sonic detection and rangingspnhf: society for the protection of new hampshire forestsswppp: storm water pollution protection plan

tka: thomas kokx associates

un: united nationsusda: u.s. department of agricultureusepa: u.s. environmental protection agencyusgs: u.s. geological surveyuwig: utility wind integration group

vera: vermont environmental research associates, inc.

who: world health organizationwmnf: white mountain national forest

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofACRONYMS


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GraniteReliablePower,LLC(“GRP”orthe“Applicant”)submitsthisApplicationtotheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommittee(“SEC”orthe“Committee”)andrequestsaCertificateofSiteandFacilitytoconstructandoperatetheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,inonetownandfourunincorporatedplacesinthecentralportionofCoosCounty,NewHampshire.ThisExecutiveSummarysummarizesthecontentsoftheApplicationandthepurposeforproposingthisWindpark.

APPLICANT INFORMATION/ FINANCIAL, TEChNICAL & MANAgERIAL CAPAbILITYGraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompanyandisregisteredwiththeNewHampshireSecretaryofStatetodobusinessinNewHampshire.GRPproposestodeveloptheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark(the“Project”)incentralCoosCountyinnorthernNewHampshire.Windturbinesand/orelectricalinterconnectionfacilitieswillbelocatedintheunincorporatedplacesofMillsfield,ErvingsLocation,DixvilleandOdell,andinthetownofDummer.GRPismajority-ownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC(“NEP”or“Noble”),aDelawareCorporationbasedinEssex,Connecticut,aleadingwindpowerdevelopmentcompanyintheUnitedStateswithover150employeesthroughouttheU.S.andover1,000megawattsofwindgenerationthatareinthelaterstagesofdevelopmentorconstruction,orareinoperation.NEPalsohasprojectsinvariousstagesofdevelopmentinNewEngland.Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveknowledgeofeveryaspectofthedevelopment,financing,constructionandoperationofwindparks,aswellasmanyyearsofexperienceintraditionalindependentelectricitygeneration.Noblehasafully-integrated,cross-functionalorganizationalstructurethatenablesthecompanytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperateeachoftheprojects,includingGRP,withalong-termownershipperspective.

SITE INFORMATIONTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisproposedtobebuiltonprivatelandinanuplandregionofcentralCoosCounty.Thewindturbineswillbelocatedonthreetractsofcom-mercialtimberland,thePhillipsBrook,theBayrootland,andasmallerportionofprivatelyownedlandonDixvillePeak,asshowninFigure3.

TheProjectincludestheconstructionofapproximately12miles(19.3km)ofnewaccessroadandupgradingofabout19miles(30.6km)ofexistingprivateloggingroads.A34.5kVelectricalcollectionlinewillgatherthepowerfromthewindturbinesanddeliverittoasubstationtobebuiltapproximately1.5miles(2.4km)southoftheWindturbinestrings.A115kVelectri-calinterconnectionlinewillbeconstructedtodeliverthepowerfromthesubstationtotheinterconnectionswitchingstationlocatedadjacenttotheexisting115kVelectrictransmis-sionlineownedbyPublicServiceCompanyofNewHampshire(“PSNH”).Thiselectricalinterconnectionlinewillspanapproximately5.8miles(9.3km)alongtheexistingDummerPondRoad.AmaintenancebuildingandlaydownyardwillbeconstructedinthevicinityofthesubstationtoaccommodateconstructionandoperationoftheProject.

RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION Thefacilitylayoutincorporatesenvironmentalandmeteorologicalstudiesconductedontheproperty.TheProjectwillbepoweredby33windturbineswithanameplatecapacityof3.0megawatts(MW)each,foratotalinstalledcapacityof99MW.TheProjectisestimatedto

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication executiveSUMMARY


produceapproximately300,000MWHperyear,orenoughpowertoserve40,000householdswithcleanrenewableenergy.Thewindturbinestobeusedarethe“V90”seriesmanufacturedbyVestasWindSystemsA/S.

CONSTRUCTION SChEdULETheproposedconstructionstartdateisinmid2009,assumingCommitteeapprovalandweatherconditionspermitting.Turbineandcomponentdeliveryshouldbegininmidsum-merandcontinuewellintothefallmonths.TheProjectisexpectedtobecompletedandinserviceinSummer2010.

ConstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,includingallancillaryfacilities,isanticipatedtotakeplacein2009and2010straddlingthewintermonthsof2009.Precur-sorstoconstructionactivitiesincludetheacquisitionofallstateandfederalapprovalsfortheconstructionoftheProjectandrelatedtransportation.

SITE LOCATION ANd ALTERNATIVESAnextensivewindsiteprospectingandscreeningprocesswasconductedtodeterminetheloca-tionfortheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark.First,onaregionallevel,usingmostlypubliclyavailablewindresourcemappingtechnologies,knowledgeofexistingelectricalinfrastructure,andobtainingbackgroundonvariousenvironmentalattributes,themostpromisinggeographi-callocationswereselected.Second,sitespecificscreeningwasconductedtobetterassesswindcharacteristics,communitysupportforaWindparkandpotentialecologicalissues.

ThepresentdesignminimizestheimpactstoecologicalresourceswhileachievingtheProject’sgoalofproviding99MWofcleanrenewableenergythroughtheharnessingofwind.FurtherexplanationofhowthefinaldesignfortheWindparkcametobeisfoundinSection(h)(2).

POTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ANd MITIgATION PLANSaesthetics & visuaL impactsNoenvironmental,health,orsafetyimpactsareexpectedtooccurduetothevisualimpactsoftheProject,buttheprospectofseeingwindturbinesinapreviouslyundevelopedareaisofconcerntosomepeople.However,visibilitybyitselfdoesnotnecessarilymeantherewillbeunreasonablyadverseeffectsonthesiteorsurroundinglandscape.ThevisualassessmentoftheProjectevaluatedviewsfromfederal,stateandlocalroads,recreationareas,villagecentersandhistoricsitesandconcludedthatthevisualimpactswouldnotrisetothelevelofunreasonablyadverseandthatthevisibilityoftheProjectisrelativelylow.TheProjectwasnotfoundtoobstructviewsfromanyhighscalevaluesites.

shadow fLicker: Aseparateanalysiswasundertakenforanotherpotentialvisualimpactknownasshadowflicker.Shadowflickeristheperiodicchangeinlightintensityorshadowscreatedbytherotatingbladesofthewindturbines.Theanalysiscalculatedthepotentialforthisoccurrencefromeachturbineforeverysunpositionforeveryminuteoftheyear.

DuetotheremotenatureoftheProject,evenwhenexcludingallinterferencefromvegetation,noresidencesorbusinessesareexpectedtoexperienceshadowflickeratanytimeoftheyear.

turbine safety Lighting: TheturbineswillrequiresafetylightingasdeterminedbytheFederalAviationAdministration(“FAA”).

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationexecutiveSUMMARY

granite reLiabLe power10

cuLturaL and historic resources APhaseIAarcheologicalsurveywasconductedtoidentifyandassessareasofarcheologicalsensitivitywithin3miles(4.8km)oftheProjectsite.Basedonthepreliminaryresultsofthissurvey,andinconsultationwiththeNewHampshireDivisionofHistoricalResources(“NHDHR”),aPhaseIBarcheologicalsurveyhasbeenrecommendedandwillprovidethebasisfordeterminingtheneedforfurtherwork.

Basedontheworkconductedtodate,theProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonanyknownhistoricresources.NohistoricstructureswillbephysicallyimpactedandatpresentitappearsunlikelythattheProjectwoulddemonstrablydiminishanyaspectsofasettingthatmightcontributetothesignificanceofsuchhistoricproperties.

ItisanticipatedthattheProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonsignificantarcheologicalresourcesduelargelytotheremotenessoftheProjectsite.Inon-goingconsultationwiththeNHDHR,effectsonarcheologicalresourceswillbecharacterizedandevaluated.

air quaLity and cLimate changeGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,initslong-termoperation,willproducenoairemissions;itwillnothaveadverseimpactsonlocalairquality.Moreover,asasourceofclean,renewableenergytheProjectwillpositivelycontributetoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingfossilunitgenerationontheISONewEnglandGrid.UsingthemarginalemissionratesdevelopedbyISO-NEinJuly,2007,theProjectisestimatedtooffsetover332,000,000poundsofcarbondioxideemissionsannually.Theseoffsetswillimprovelocalandregionalairqualityandhelpmitigatetheworldwideimpactsofglobalwarmingandclimatechange.

water quaLityTheProjectwillgeneratepowerwithoutanywaterintakeordischargethatrequiresstudy,mitigationorpermitting.TheProjectwillavoidallenvironmentalproblemsassociatedwiththeintakeanddischargeofcoolingwater(whichistypicallyrequiredforothertypesofelectricgeneratingfacilities).

DuetothealterationofterrainrequiredfortheconstructionofaccessroadsandotherProj-ectfacilities,theProjectwillhavetemporaryimpactsrelatedtostormwater,soilerosionandsedimentcontrol.TheseissueshavebeenaddressedinthedetailedplansandmitigationmeasuresassubmittedintheStandardDredge&FillPermitApplicationandSiteSpecificApplicationsubmittedaspartofthisApplication.CivilengineeringdesignoftheProjectwasbasedonextensiveon-siteinvestigationsofwetlandsandothersurfacewaters,soils,naturalcommunitiesandwildlife,researchwithenvironmentalagencies,andbestpracticesusedinconstructingsimilarroadsandfacilities.

Withminimalimpacttowetlandsandothersurfacewaterbodies,nowaterintakeorpollu-tiondischarge,anddetailedsoilerosionandsedimentcontrolmeasuresinplacetomitigatestormwaterdischarge,theProject’simpactonwaterqualityisexpectedtobeveryminimal.

Plant lifeTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkworkedincollaborationwiththeNewHampshireNaturalHeritageBureautodocumentspecificfindingsandassesspotentialimpactstoplantlife.Basedonstudiescompletedtodate,noimpacttorareorexemplaryplantspeciesisan-ticipatedasaresultofthisProject.


granite reLiabLe power 11

tree cLearingTheProjectissitedonprivately-ownedlandandmaintainedbyforestmanagementcompaniesthatallowvariousdegreesofpublicaccess.Asaresultoflongstanding,pre-existingforestryactivities,anetworkofloggingroadsandskidtrailshasbeendevelopedovertheyears.

Intermsofforesttypes,higherelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbalsamea)andredspruce(Picearubens)forestsandaremainlyundisturbedbycom-mercialforestrypractices.However,thesurroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveexperiencedlargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenlyagedforestcommunityconsist-ingprimarilyofyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),balsamfir,redspruce,andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum),speciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests.Treeclearingactivitieswillutilize“BestManagementPracticesforForestry:ProtectingNewHampshire’sWaterQuality”duringclearingactivities

WildlifeTheongoingforestryactivitiesattheproposedProjectsitehaveresultedinapatchworkmosaicofunevenlyagedforeststandsresultinginadiversityofhabitatsthatareutilizedbyavarietyofwildlifespecies.Somespeciesarepresentintheareaasresidentindividualsorpopulationswhileothersusetheareaduringmigrationoraspecificportionoftheirlifecycle.NotallspeciespresentwillbeaffectedbytheProject.

Wildlifesurveyswereconductedtoaddressconcernsforstate-listedthreatenedandendan-geredwildlifespecies.ThesesurveysweredesignedincoordinationwiththeNewHampshireFishandGameDepartment(“NHFGD”)andincludeinformationaboutmammals,birds,bats,wetlandsandvernalpools.

Specificfindingsofthewildlifesurveysaresummarizedbelowalongwithproposedmitiga-tionmeasureswhenappropriate.

Birdsmigrating birds: TheProjecthasthepotentialtohavedirectandindirectimpactstobirdsthatareeitherresidentatormigratingthroughtheProjectsite.Directimpactsarefatalitiescausedbycollisionwithwindturbinesandpotentialindirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,disruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,andlightingofsomewindturbines.

ConsultationswithNHFGDandUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(”USFWS”)wereheldinordertoidentifystateorfederally-listedspeciesthatmaybeofconcern.State-listedspeciesincludetheperegrinefalcon(state-listedendangered),andthree-toedwoodpecker(state-listedthreatened)andBicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli)andtheRustyblackbird(Euphaguscarolinus)(state-listedspeciesofspecialconcern).Nofederally-listedthreatenedorendangeredbirdswereidentifiedaslikelytobreedwithinthesurveyedarea.

Toassesstherelativeabundanceandpresenceofmigratingandnestingspecies,radarnoc-turnalmigrationandbreedingbirdstudieswereconducted.Duringthethreeconsecutiveseasonsofradarsurveys,relativeflightheightanddirectionofmigratingbirdswereassessedstartinginthefallof2006.Theresultsofthesestudieswereconsistentwitheachother.Inallthreestudiesthemeanflightheightwasover1089feet(332meters)withlessthan15percentofthetargetsflyingbelowthemaximumheightoftheturbines.Theresultssuggestthatthemigrationisoccurringona“broadfront”basiswhereareasofconcentratednighttime



migrationactivityarenotlikelytooccur.Thisimpliesthattheriskofcollisionwiththewindturbinesisminimal.ThereforetheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonmigratingbirdsspecies.

nesting birds: TheNewHampshireAudubonSocietyconductedabreedingbirdsurveyinthespringof2007forGRP.Whilethestudyconfirmednoobservationsofstate-listedthreatenedorendangeredspecies,itdidresultinunconfirmeddetectionsofthestate-threat-enedthree-toedwoodpeckeralongtheMt.Kelseyridgeline.Thestudyalsodocumentedthepresenceoftwostate-listedspeciesofspecialconcern.Bicknell’sthrushandRustyblackbirdwerefoundinthehigherelevationspruce/firforestsonMt.Kelsey,FishbrookRidge,andWhitcombMountain.

Measurestoreduceandmitigateimpactstothesebirdspecieswereconsideredthroughcarefulsitedesignintheinitialstagesofdevelopment.Withthisimpact-reducingdesignandtheimplementationofthemitigationmeasures,theProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonbreedingbirdpopulations.

raptors: ToaddresspotentialconcernsforraptorsintheProjectsite,afall2007raptormigrationstudywasconducted.Theresultsofthisstudydocumentedverylowpassageratescomparedtootherestablishedhawkwatchsitesintheregion.However,threestate-listedspeciesofconcernwereobservedflyingovertheProjectsiteduringtheraptorsurvey.TheseincludetheCooper’shawk(Accipitercooperii),Osprey(Pandionhaliaetus),andRed-shoul-deredHawk(Buteolineatus).Althoughthesespeciesweredetectedduringthesurvey,risktothesespeciesisexpectedtobelow.Thestate-listedendangeredPeregrineFalconwasnotobservedduringanyoftheon-siteraptormigrationsurveysduringthefall2007,thereforeimpacttothisspeciesisnotanticipated.

Additionally,modernwindprojectsconsistofwider-spacedturbines,tallertubulartowers(tolimitperchingornesting),andbladesthatspinslowlyenoughtobevisiblebymigratingraptorsevenathighwindspeeds1.

BecauseNewHampshireliesatthenorthernrangeofmanyspecies’breedinggrounds,therearefewerbirdspassingthroughNewHampshirecomparedtoothermoresouthernlocationsintheNorthAmericanhawkflyways.

Nounreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedtoanyavianpopulations.

bats: Thepotentialofbatmortalityisofconcernwithrespecttowindenergyprojects,par-ticularlybecauseofthecumulativeeffects.Becausebatsareknowntohavearelativelyslowreproductiverate,therewouldbelongrecoveryperiodsifsignificantlevelsofcumulativeimpactsweretooccur.However,northernNewHampshireisatthenorthernendoftherangeofmostbatspeciesinthenortheastandthushasfewerbatspeciesandlowerpopulations.

BatsspeciesofconcerninNewHampshireare“tree-roosting”batsthatmigrateorhaveshowntobeimpactedbyothermodernwindfacilities.Inthisstateonlyonebatspeciesislistedasendangered:thesmall-footedbat(Myotisleibii)fromthegenusMyotis.State-listedspeciesofspecialconcernincludeEasternpipistrelle(pipistrellussubflavus),Easternredbat(Lasiurusborealis),Hoarybat(Lasiuruscinerus),andsilver-hairedbat(Lasionycterisnoctivagans).Afederally-endangeredspecies,theIndianabat(Myotissodalis),couldalsooccurintheProjectsite,howevertheUSFWSconsidersitunlikely.TheProjecthasconductedthreefullseasons


1 johnson, erickson, strickland, et al. “collision mortality of Local and migrant birds at a Large-scale wind-power development on buffalo ridge, minnesota.” wildlife society bulletin, vol. 30, no. 3 (autumn, 2002), pp. 879-887.


ofacousticbatdetectorsurveysinasingleyeartodocumentbatactivityatthesiteandtimingofactivitythroughouttheyear.

BatactivitydocumentedwithintheProjectsitewasfoundtobelowandthespeciesdetectedduringthesurveysarecommontothispartofNewHampshire.ThenorthernlatitudeofGraniteReliablePowerWindparkandthehabitatpresentfurthersuggestthepresenceofIndianabatstobehighlyunlikely.ForthesereasonsnounreasonableadverseimpactstobatpopulationsareexpectedtoresultfromtheGraniteReliableWindpark.

other wiLdLife: GraniteReliablePowerwildlifeexperts,inconsultationwiththeNHFGD,deemedthatfishandamphibianswerenotlikelytobeadverselyimpacted.Twomammals,pinemartenandCanadalynx,however,wereofconcern.PinemartenislistedasendangeredinNewHampshireandCanadalynxisfederally-listedasthreatenedandstate-listedasendangered.Awintertrackingsurveywasconductedin2007,aswereareasearchesbyvehicleandsnowmobiles,todocumentthespeciespresent.PinemartenpresencewasfoundinthehigherelevationsoftheProjectarea.Nocanadalynxpresencewasevident.Thepotentialindirectimpacttothesespecieswouldmostlikelybeduetohabitatlossandareaavoidance.Because,thetotallossofwildlifehabitatresultingfromtheProjectwillberelativelylow(i.e.)approximately203acresandnounreasonableadverseimpactisexpected.Inaddition,possibleindirectimpactstothesespecieswillbeminimizedbycarefulsitedesignandmitiga-tion.Overall,unreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedtooccurtowildlifepopulationsasaresultoftheconstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark.

PUbLIC hEALTh ANd SAFETYIngeneral,modernwindturbinesareextremelysafe,andhavepublichealthbenefitsduetotheirpositiveenvironmentalattributes.However,issueshavebeenraisedaboutpotentialsafetyimpactssuchasiceshedding,riskfromlightningstrikes,towercollapse,orbladethrow,strayvoltage,fire,andrisktoairnavigation.

InnorthernclimatessuchasNewHampshire,thepotentialforicesheddingfromwindturbinebladesneedstobeconsideredinconnectionwithpublicsafetyissues.OperationalprocedureswillbedevelopedbecausetheProjectisentirelyonprivateland.Whereaccessgiventothegeneralpublicwillbecontrolled,theriskstothegeneralpublicfromicesheddingwillbeveryminimal.Whereexistingrecreationaltrailscomewithin1000ft(305m)ofawindturbine,reflectivesignagewillbeinstalledattrailheadsandtrailjunctures,andfrequentlyontrailsidetowarnrecreationalusersofthepotentialdanger.

Thewindturbineswillbeequippedwithastate-of-the-art“totallightningprotection”sys-temthatconductsthelightningfrombothsidesofthebladetipdowntothehub,thenacelle,towerandintothegroundingsystem.Ifanelectricalproblemisdetected,thewindturbinewillshutdownautomatically,orataminimum,beinspectedtoassurethatdamagehasnotoccurred.Thewindturbinesandassociatedelectricalsystemswillnotpresentanylightninghazardstothegeneralpublic.

Technologicalimprovementsandmandatorysafetystandardsduringturbinedesign,manu-facturing,andinstallationhavelargelyreducedoccurrencesofcatastrophicfailuressuchastowercollapseorbladethrow.State-of-the-artbrakingsystems,pitchcontrols,sensorsandspeedcontrolsonwindturbineshavegreatlyreducedtheriskofsuchoccurrences.Sitingthewindturbinesasafedistanceawayfrompublicareas,asGraniteReliablePowerhasdone,



drasticallyreducespublicsafetyconcerns.

Strayvoltagecanoccurinelectricalequipmentfromadamagedorpoorlyconnectedwiringsystem,corrosiononeitherendofthewires,orweak/damagedwireinsulationmaterials,andcanpresentdangerofelectrocutiontopersonsincloseproximitytothesedefects.Theelectri-calsystemandallcomponentsofthegenerationsideoftheProjectwillbeelectricallyisolatedfromanyoffsiteretailelectricsystemandinstalledinaccordancewithrecognizedelectricalcodesandinsulatingandgroundingpractices.Theseprocedures,togetherwithmeasurestorestrictpublicaccess,effectivelyeliminatestrayvoltageasapublicsafetyconcern.

Emergency/firesituationsatawindturbinesiteorsubstationthatarebeyondthecapabilitiesofthelocalserviceproviderswillbetheresponsibilityoftheProjectowner/operator.Fireoremergencyincidentswouldgenerallynotexposelocalemergencyserviceprovidersorthegeneralpublictoanypublichealthorsafetyrisksbeyondthosenormallyassociatedwithsuchincidents.Whilefiresassociatedwithwindturbinesareextremelyrare,theremotenessoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,togetherwiththedevelopmentofaFireProtectionandEmergencyResponsePlan,minimizesriskstothegeneralpublic.

TheFAAhasestablishedquantitativeparameterstodetermineifastructureisgoingtobeahazardtoairnavigationandthereforewillrequiremitigation.GraniteReliablePowerhasconcludedinconsultationwiththeFAAthattheProjectwillnotposeahazardtoairnaviga-tionifthewindturbinesarelitinaccordancewithFAAregulations.TheProjectwillcomplywithallFAAminimumrequirements.

noiseWindturbinesaremechanicaldevicesthatemitsoundswhenoperating.Thereareessentiallythreesourcesofsound:1)therotorbladesmovingthroughtheair(aswishingaerodynamicsound);2)thegearboxortransmission;and3)theyawdrive,adevicethatallowsthenacelletorotateonthetower.Inthiscase,becauseoftheunusuallylargebufferdistancesbetweentheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkturbinesandthenearestresidences,nolong-termimpactsareexpectedfromProjectoperatingnoise.Thenearestresidencewillbeover2.9miles(4.7km)fromanyofthewindturbinesandmostotherresidenceswillbeconsiderablyfarther.AtsuchdistancesProjectnoiseislikelytobewellbelowthebackgroundlevelandthereforeinconsequential.

Themaximumconstructionsoundlevelsareestimatedtobelessthan22dBAatanyper-manentresidenceseeHesslerAssociatesstudyfoundatAppendix28.Suchanextremelylowsoundlevelisfarbelowthenormalbackgroundsoundlevel,evenduringcalmandquietconditions,andthereforehighlyunlikelytobeaudible.ThisreportincludesafieldsurveyofexistingsoundlevelswithintheProjectregion,alongwithacomputermodelofpredictedsoundlevelsfromtheVestasV90windturbines.ThereportsupportstheconclusionthattheProjectwillnothaveanunreasonableadverseimpactonhealthortheenvironmentastheresultofnoiseproduced.

EFFECTS ON ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgIONTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisconsistentwithandconformstothe“orderlydevel-opmentoftheregion”,inthatitwillhelpsupplyanewsourceofneededelectricitygeneratedwithaclean,renewablesourceofenergy(wind),andprovideforeconomicgrowth,whilerespectingtheenvironmentalvaluesofthenorthernNewHampshireregion.Plansfor



GraniteReliablePowerWindparkhavebeendiscussedwithallofthedirectlyaffectedandneighboringcommunitiesinCoosCounty.TheProjectwillprovidesubstantialeconomicbenefitstotheregionintheformofemploymentopportunitiesandtaxrevenues,includingbutnotlimitedtoanannualpaymentof$495,000toCoosCountythroughaPaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILOT)agreement.

CommerCial timBer ProduCtion TheProjectisproposedonover80,000acresofprivatelandactivelyusedforcommercialtimberproduction.Over140miles(225km)ofexistingprivateloggingroadshavebeenconstructedoverthepastcenturytosupporttimberharvesting.

Windpowerdevelopmentiscompatiblewithforestry-basedactivities.Accessroadsbuiltorinplaceforoneusecanbeusedfortheother.Windturbinesoccupyarelativelysmallamountoftheforest,whileprovidingasubstantialadditionalsourceofrevenuefortheprop-ertyowners,thusimprovingtheeconomicattractivenessofcontinuingcommercialforestrymanagement.

Onceinoperation,theProjectisexpectedtohavelittleornonegativeimpactoncontinueduseofthislandforcommercialtimberproduction,andcouldenhanceitscontinueduseforthispurpose.Assuch,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisnotexpectedtohaveunreasonableadverseimpactsontheuseoftheprivatelandsonwhichitisproposed.

outdoor recreation ThelargetractsofremoteprivatelandonwhichtheProjectislocated,togetherwithneigh-boringpublicandprivateland,supportmanytypesofoutdoorrecreation.Examplesincludegolfing,hiking,crosscountryskiing,snowmobiling,ATVing,hunting,fishingandoutdooractivities.Severalstaterecognizedsnowmobiletrails(#28,110,and134)passthroughorneartheProject.SomeexistingloggingroadsarepermittedtrailsforATVuseinthesummer.ManytrailsareusedandmaintainedbyfiveorsixestablishedsnowmobileorATVclubs.TheCOHOShikingtrailcrossesDixvillePeak,sharingthetrailwithATVandsnowmobiles.ThisDixvillePeaktrailwillbetheclosesttothewindturbines.

TheProject’simpactontheserecreationaluseswillbealmostentirelyrelatedtointermittentviewsoftheProjectfromvariousopenareasonthesetrails.ThispotentialforvisualimpactwasexaminedbyanindependentvisualconsultantwhodeterminedthattheProjectwillnothaveanunreasonableadverseimpactontheaestheticsoftheregion,includingrecreationaluses.PotentialsafetyissuesforwintertimeusersinclosevicinitytoDixvillePeakturbineswillbeaddressedwithcautionarysigns,andothercontrolledaccessmeasures.

economic impactsTheforestryandtourism/recreationalindustriesarethetwomainsourcesofeconomicactiv-ityinCoosCounty,withforestryactivitiespredominatingintheProjectarea,andtourisminthesouthernportionoftheCounty.TheCountycontinuesinastateoftransitionfollow-ingtheclosureofseveralpapermillsthatpreviouslyhavebeenimportantemployersintheregion.Thenegativeeconomicimpactsfromthelossofthesepapermillsareexpectedtobefeltthroughouttheregion’seconomyintothenextdecade.

ThedevelopmentoftheCounty’srenewableenergyresourceswillbringmuchneededeconomicactivitytotheCounty,andhelpsupporttimberharvestingusesorotherwisehelpfilltheeco-


granite reLiabLe power1�

nomicvoidleftbythedeclineofthelocalpaperindustry.TheGraniteReliablePowerWind-parkwillbeanimportantfirstpartofthedevelopmentoftheregion’swindpowerresource.At99megawattsinsize,thecostoftheProjectwillbeapproximately$275million.Alargeportionofthis,approximately$19.4milliondollars,willbeinfusedintothelocaleconomyforthepurchaseoflocalgoodsandservicesduringconstructionactivities.Clearing,earthwork,projectmanagement,civilengineering,construction,craneservices,electricalservices,sandandgravel,andconcreteservicesareexamplesoftheseProject-relatedeconomicbenefits.

Inadditiontotheinfluxofconstructiondollarsintothelocaleconomy,theProjectwillhavesubstantiallong-termeconomicbenefits,including:

• DirectandindirectemploymentrelatedtotheoperationoftheWindpark.

• IncreasedcommerceintheregionfromthepurchaseofservicesfortheProjectandspendingbytheProject’semployees.

• AnincreasedannualflowofrevenueintotheCountyasaresultofthePaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILOT)agreementwiththeWindpark,changeofusetaxandtimbertax.

• Improvedsustainabilityoftheexistingforestryindustryandrelatedeconomicbenefitsthroughadditionalrevenuestolandowners.

• Increasedeconomicdiversificationofrevenuesources.

ToestimatethedirectandindirecteconomiceffectsoftheProjectonthelocaleconomy,a“JobsandEconomicDevelopmentImpact”(JEDI)computermodelwasused,withcertainemploymentestimatesandotherproject-specificeconomicinputs.Theresultsofthemodelindicatethatwiththecreationofsixskilledoperators,management,andadministrativepersonnel,anadditional19moreindirectandinducedjobswillbecreatedcounty-wide(withatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$800,000).Localeconomicbenefitsduringplantoperationsareestimatedtobe$2.2millionannually,includingpayrolls,supplies,materials,paymentsinlieuofpropertytaxes,andWindparkleasepayments.Totaleconomicbenefitsaccruingtothelocaleconomy,baseduponregionalmultipliersappliedtodirectProjectex-pendituresinoriginalcapitalinvestmentandongoingoperationalexpense,areestimatedtobe$63.4millionover20years.

Inadditiontotheselocalandregionalimpacts,theProjectwillhaveabeneficialeffectatthestatelevelaswellbycontributingtovarioustaxesincluding:thestatewideutilitypropertytax,thebusinessenterprisetax,andthebusinessprofitstax.

TheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanadverseimpactontheregion’sorstate’seconomyorpropertyvalues,norisitexpectedtohaveanadverseeffectontourismanditscontributiontothelocaleconomy.Infact,GRPbelievesthattheoveralleffectwillbeextremelypositive

loCal outreaCh aCtivitiesconsideration of the views of municipal governing boardsRepresentativesoftheProjecthavemetwithmanytownleaders,planners,residents,areabusinesses,andcivicorganizationsfromallthesurroundingtownsandbeyond.GraniteReliablePowerviewsthedevelopmentofthisProjectasacollaborativeeffortinwhichlocalinvolvementandsupportareimperative.ThesuccessoftheseeffortsisbestmeasuredbythestrongsupportthisProjectenjoysfromofficialsatthelocal,county,andstatelevels.


granite reLiabLe power 1�

CONSISTENCY wITh STATE ENERgY POLICYRSA378:37statesthatitistheenergypolicyofthisstate“tomeettheenergyneedsofthecitizensandbusinessesofthestateatthelowestreasonablecostwhileprovidingforthereli-abilityanddiversityofenergysources;theprotectionofthesafetyandhealthofthecitizens,thephysicalenvironmentofthestate,andthefuturesuppliesofnonrenewableresources;andconsiderationofthefinancialstabilityofthestate’sutilities.”ThisProject,byprovidingclean,renewableelectricity,willhelptomeettheenergyneedsofcitizensandbusinessesofthestate.TheadditionalpowerprovidedbythisProjectwillbeusedtomeetcurrentandfutureelectricitydemandsvianon-pollutinggeneration.Addingacostefficientsourceofelec-tricitytotheregionwillhelptomaintainorlowerpricesforallcustomers,sincewindpowerwillhelptopromotefueldiversityandasupplyshiftawayfromNewEngland’shistoricalrelianceonnaturalgas.Byproducingelectricityfromasourcethatdoesnotcontributetogreenhousegases,theProjectwillhelppreservethephysicalenvironmentofthestatefromfurtherdegradationcausedbycertainairemissions.Finally,byaddingarenewablesourceofelectricity,thisProjectwillhelpNewHampshireutilitiesmeettheirrequirementsunderthenewRenewablePortfolioStandardlaw,RSA362-F,passedbytheNewHampshireLegislaturein2007andtherebymaintaintheirfinancialstability.



appendix 1: financial statements for granite reliable power, LLc. information redacted – confidential treatment requested

appendix 2: standard dredge and fill permit application

appendix 3: site specific terrain alteration permit

appendix 4: 401 water quality certification request

appendix 5: regionaL pLanning documents

5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county. office of the county commissioners. october 17, 1989.

5b: “millsfield and erving’s Location: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.

5c: “dixville and dix grant: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.

5d: “odell: Land use guidance map.” complex systems research center, university of new hampshire. november, 1990.

5e: Zoning ordinances: coos county unincorporated places. coos county planning board. april 20, 1991.

5f: town of dummer master plan. dummer planning board. april, 2000.

5g: Zoning ordinance: town of dummer, new hampshire. march 9, 1999.

appendix 6: new hampshire department of transportation application for driveway permit.

appendix 7: v90- 3.0 mw: an efficient way to move power. vestas americas. july 1, 2006.

appendix 8: system impact study for granite reliable power.

appendix 9: “utility wind integration: state of the art”. summary document, utility wind integration group. may, 2006.

appendix 10: 2005 new england marginal emissions rate analysis. systems planning department, iso new england, inc. july, 2007.

appendix 11: Granite Reliable Power Windpark Visual Impacts Report. jean vissering Landscape architecture and thomas kokx associates (tka). december, 2007.

appendix 12: new hampshire division of historical resources

12a: new hampshire division of historical resources project area form, granite reliable power windpark. april, 2008.

12b: phase ia archeological survey, granite reliable power, LLc proposed windpark. april, 2008.

appendix 13: the u.s. electric power sector and climate change mitigation.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofAPPENdICES


pew center on global climate change. june, 2005.

appendix 14: intergovernmental panel on climate change presentation to united nations, september 24, 2007:

14a: “introductory speech.” dr. rajendra pachauri. united nations headquarters, new york. september 24, 2007.

14b: “the ipcc fourth assessment working group reports: key findings”. presentation, united nations headquarters, new york. september 24, 2007.

appendix 15: reconnaissance-Level rare plant survey at the proposed windpark, coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october 12, 2007.

appendix 16: natural community characterization, granite reliable power’s proposed wind power project in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). may, 2008.

appendix 17: rare plant survey at the proposed windpark, coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). spring 2008.

appendix 18: reconnaissance-Level wetland and vernal pool survey proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). august 17, 2007.

appendix 19: fall 2006 radar surveys of nighttime migration activity at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. woodlot alternatives (now known as stantec consulting. october, 2007.

appendix 20: spring 2007 radar, visual, and acoustic survey of bird and bat migration at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october, 2007.

appendix 21: fall 2007 radar, visual, and acoustic survey of bird and bat migration at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). january, 2008.

appendix 22: coordinated survey results for proposed granite reliable power and north country wind projects in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). january, 2008.

appendix 23: breeding bird study for proposed granite reliable windpark, coos county, new hampshire. new hampshire audubon. october, 2007.

appendix 24: breeding bird study for proposed granite reliable windpark, coos county, new hampshire, dixville peak supplement. new hampshire audubon. april 22, 2008.

appendix 25: 2007 winter track survey at the proposed windpark in coos county, new hampshire. stantec consulting (formerly woodlot alternatives, inc.). october, 2007.

appendix 26: risk analysis of ice throw from wind turbines. seifert, westerhellweg, et al. april, 2003

appendix 27: advisory circular: obstruction marking and Lighting. u.s. department of transportation, federal aviation administration. february 1, 2007.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationList ofAPPENdICES


appendix 28: environmental sound survey and noise impacts assessment. hessler associates, inc. november 26, 2007.

appendix 29: facts about wind energy and noise. american wind energy association. no date.

appendix 30: studies on wind turbines and property values:

30a: the effect of wind development on Local property values. renewable energy policy project. may, 2003.

30b: impacts of windmill visibility on property values in madison county, new york. hoen, ben. april 30, 2006.

appendix 31: “executive summary.” new hampshire energy plan. governor’s office of energy and community services. november, 2002.

appendix 32: new hampshire clean power strategy. new hampshire department of environmental services. january, 2001.

appendix 33: new hampshire policy documents encouraging the use of renewable energy:

33a: “fact sheet ard-23: global climate change and its impact on new hampshire.” nh department of environmental services. 2005.

33b: “information on regional greenhouse gas initiative (rggi).” nh department of environmental services. october, 2007.

33c: “energy programs: the climate change challenge.” nh department of environmental services. december 2005.

33d: “overview of house bill 284.” nh department of environmental services. november 2007.

33e: “energy programs: nh greenhouse gas registry.” nh department of environmental services. december 2005.

33f: “about us.” new hampshire office of energy planning. no date.

appendix 34: proposed exhibit List

appendix 35: reserved for documentation indicating that copies of the application have been provided to the town of dummer and the coos county commissioners

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofAPPENdICES


figure 1: map of regional geographic features in the vicinity of the granite reliable

power windpark.

figure 2: aerial view of the ridgeline in north central new hampshire on which the granite reliable power windpark is proposed. view is looking south.

figure 3: project site map illustrates the location of major project components, the private road network, and the physiographical features in the vicinity.

figure 4: dummer pond road’s (private) junction with nh route 16. view is looking north from along route 16.

figure 5: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the northern region of the project site to show the proximity of existing structures to the dixville peak turbine string.

figure 6: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the southern regions of the project site to show the proximity of existing structures to the maintenance building, electrical interconnection line and interconnecting switching station.

figure 7: components and dimensions of the vestas v90 3.0 mw wind turbine.

figure 8: major tasks in the construction schedule for 2009.

figure 9: newly constructed, upgraded and existing access roads to be used in the construction of the project.

figure 10: typical access road, cross-section.

figure 11: typical spread footing design.

figure 12: usgs map illustrating the new electrical interconnection facilities required for the granite reliable power windpark, from the substation to the interconnection switching station.

figure 13: typical 115 kv tangent structure

figure 14: typical 115 kv angle structure

figure 15: photograph of the area along dummer pond road planned for the new substation, maintenance building, and laydown yard. view is looking west.

figure 16: photograph of a typical maintenance building similar to that which is proposed for the granite reliable power windpark (photo is of similar facility in western new york)

figure 17: elevation and plan views of the typical size and layout of the major structures equipment in a 34.5 kv – 115 kv substation as proposed for granite reliable power windpark.

figure 18: typical interconnecting switching station design

figure 19: map of viewpoint locations for photographic simulations of the granite reliable power windpark

figure 20: viewpoint #3 of project site looking easterly from the intersection of fish hatchery road and route 26 in colebrook.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofFIgURES


figure 21: photograph from north percy peak (viewpoint #28) looking east includes several of the peaks within the nash stream forest, the project ridgelines (in the right in the distance) and the mountain ridges to the north of dixville notch

figure 22: viewpoint #16 visual simulation of the project from the intersection of signal mountain road and route 26 looking west

figure 23: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) not considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.

figure 24: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.

figure 25: photograph of existing timber harvesting activities on mt. kelsey.

figure 26: existing haul road used for logging

figure 27: recreational uses in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationList ofFIgURES


tabLe a: breakdown of earth alteration area by project component.

tabLe b: planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places.

tabLe c: viewpoints: describes characteristics of the five viewpoints which were selected as simulation points.

tabLe d: calculated new england marginal emissions rates and estimated annual offset.

tabLe e: total acres of impact to natural communities above 2700 ft at grp’s proposed windpark.

tabLe f: comparison of three seasons of nocturnal radar surveys- granite reliable wind project.

tabLe g: raptor mortality found during post-construction mortality surveys at wind farms in the u.s.

tabLe h: results of the jedi model for granite reliable power project.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication List ofTAbLES


appLication of granite reLiabLe power, LLc

based on n.h admin. rule site 301

requirements for applications for certificates and

rsa 162-h:7 application for certificate

GraniteReliablePower,LLC(hereinafter“GRP”or“theApplicant”)respectfullysubmits

thisApplicationtotheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommittee(“NHSEC”,“SEC”or

“Committee”)andrequeststhattheCommitteeissueaCertificateofSiteandFacilityto

constructandoperatetheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkinthecentralportionofCoos

CountyinnorthernNewHampshire.TheWindparkwillinclude33windturbinesandas-

sociatedelectricalinterconnectionfacilitieswithatotalnameplatecapacityof99megawatts

locatedintheunincorporatedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,MillsfieldandOdell,and

theincorporatedtownofDummer.

ForthepurposesofthisApplication,theApplicanthasgenerallyorganizedtheinformationin

thisApplicationaccordingtotheCommittee’srulesadoptedonJune16,2008(inparticular

Site301.02,FormatofApplication).

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication appLication INFORMATION


(a) SIgNATURE OF APPLICANTA SIgNATUREof appLicant


new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication

(b) APPLICANT INFORMATION

(1) Name of applicant

GraniteReliablePower,LLC

(2) The applicant’s mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses

Granite Reliable Power, LLC

8RailroadAvenue

Essex,CT06426

Telephone: 860-581-5010

Fax: 860-767-7041

Email: [email protected]

(3) The names and addresses of the applicant’s parent company, association or corporation if the applicant is a subsidiary

GraniteReliablePower,LLCismajority-ownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC(“NEP”),aprivatelyheldDelawareCorporationwhichmarketsrenewableenergyanddevelops,owns,constructsandoperateswindpowerprojects.

NobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC

8RailroadAvenue

EssexCT06426

Telephone: 860-581-5010

Fax: 860-767-7041

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.noblepower.com

(4) If applicant is a corporation,

a. the state of incorporation

GraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompany,registeredtodobusinessinNewHampshirewiththeNewHampshireSecretaryofState.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationbAPPLICANT information


b. the corporation’s principal place of business

GraniteReliablePower,LLC’sprincipalplaceofbusinessisinEssex,Connecticut.GRPalsohasanofficeinLancaster,NewHampshire.

c. The names and addresses of its principal directors, officers and stockholders

Address 8RailroadAve.,SecondFloor

Essex,CT06426

President WalterHoward

Vice Presidents CharlesHinckley

JohnQuirke

ElizabethGrisaru

ChristopherLowe

ThomasSwank

DanielJ.Mandli

JeffWood

NeilDyment

Treasurer ChristopherLowe

Secretary ElizabethGrisaru

(5) If the applicant is an association, the names and residences of the members of the association

Notapplicable.GraniteReliablePower,LLCisnotanassociation.

(6) Whether applicant is the owner, lessee of the site or facility or has some legal or business relationship to it

Theapplicant,GraniteReliablePower,LLC,istheowneranddeveloperoftheProject;ithasleaseagreementswiththelandownersandwillbetheoperatoroftheProject.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication bAPPLICANT information


(7) A statement of assets and liabilities of the applicant

ApplicantGraniteReliablePower,LLCisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompanyformedfortheownership,development,andeventualoperationoftheProject.FinancialStatementsforGraniteReliablePowerareincludedasAppendix1.

AredactedcopyoftheApplicant’sFinancialStatementsisincludedasAppendix1.AnunredactedcopyofthisAppendixwillbefiledwithaMotionforProtectiveOrder.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationbAPPLICANT information


(c) SITE INFORMATION

(1) Location and address of site of proposed faciLityTheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark(“Windpark”or“Project”)isproposedtobeinstalledonprivatelandinthecentralpor-tionofCoosCountyinnorthernNewHampshire.Projectcomponents,in-cludingwindturbines,accessroads,andelectricalinterconnectionfacili-ties,willbelocatedintheunincor-poratedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,Millsfield,andOdell,andthetownofDummer.TheWindparkisprimarilyalinearprojectwithwindturbinestobeinstalledalongthenorth-southorientedridgesintheregion;ageographicgroupofthewindturbinesisreferredtoasa“windturbinestring”.Geographi-cally,thenorthernmostpointoftheProject,theproposedwindturbinestringonDixvillePeak,islocatedap-proximately1.6miles(2.5km)southofNHRoute26wherethehighwaypassesnorthwestfromErrolthoughtheDixvilleNotchtoNHRoute3inColebrook.

ToelectricallyconnectalloftheProject’swindturbinestothegrid,asubstationwillbeconstructedalongDummerPondRoad,tothesouthofthewindturbinestrings.AnewinterconnectingpowerlinewillbebuilttodelivertheelectricityfromthesubstationtoanexistingelectrictransmissionlineownedbyPublicServiceCompanyofNewHampshire(“PSNH”).AnewmaintenancebuildingandlaydownareawillbeconstructedinthevicinityofthesubstationaspartoftheWindpark.

Initslongestdimension,theProjectcomponentswillspanapproximately14.5miles(24.1km)fromthenorthernmostwindturbinestringtotheexistingtransmissionlinelocatedinthesouth.

TheprojectsiteislocatedinCoosCounty,NewHampshire,regionallyillustratedinFigure1.ThenorthernextentoftheProjectsiteislocatedintheupperreachesofDixvillePeak(eleva-tion3482feet(1061m)).ExtendingsouthfromDixvillePeak,thewindturbinestringswillbelocatedonthenamedsummitsofMountKelsey(elevation3468feet.(1057m)),Owlhead

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Csite INFORMATION

Figure 1:

map of regional geographic features in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark.


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Stratford

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Clarksville

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Millsfield

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Shelburne

Cambridge

Dalton

Beans Purchase

Stewartstown

Kilkenny

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Low & Burbanks

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Atkinson & Gilmanton

Thompson& Meserve

GreensGrant

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Granite Reliable Power Windpark Project Location in Coos County, New Hampshire

V E R M O N TV E R M O N T

M A I N EM A I N E

LegendWind turbine site

! ! Collection & interconnection lines

Windpark roads

! ! Existing transmission line

Populated place

Railroad

New Hampshire state land

National Forest land

0 5 102.5Miles

0 9 184.5Kilometers .

Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 2-1

CA

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Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.comMay 2008

Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT.All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.

Littleton

Mountain(elevation2867feet(874m)),andanunnamedridge,commonlyreferredtoasFishbrookRidge(thisisalocalnamethatdoesnotappearonmostmaps)thatterminatestothenorthofDummerPondatelevationsofapproximately2582feet(787m).AnaerialphotoofthisrangeofmountainsisprovidedasFigure2.

Tothewestoftheridgesonwhichthewindturbinestringstobesitedlieuninhabitedmountainslopesandvalleylandsstretchingroughly2to3miles(3.3–5.0km).Theseslopesconsistofprivatecommercialforests,locallyknownasthePhillipsBrookTract(approximately24,000acres).FurtherwestofthePhillipsBrookvalley,alongthetract’swesternpropertyboundary,theterrainrisesuptothehigherpeaksoftheNashStreamStateForestwhereMuiseMountain(elev.3596feet(1096m))andWhitcombMountain(elev.3317feet(1011m))arethenearestpeakstothewindturbinestrings.Tothesouthwest,straddlingthepropertyborderofthePhillipsBrookTractandtheNashStreamStateForestareTrioPondsandLongMountain(elev.3652feet(1113m)).TothesouthoftheProjectsite,nearthesouthwesternsectionofDummer,PhillipsBrookemptiesintotheUpper

AmmonoosucRiverwhichflowswestthroughtheWhiteMountains.Furthersouth,thenorthernflanksoftheKilkennyMountainsandpartsoftheWhiteMountainNationalFor-estriseabovetheAmmonoosucRivervalley.TotheeastoftheProjectarethelowerslopesandhillsassociatedwiththemajorityofthecommercialtimberlandsofBayroot,LLCintheunincorporatedplaceofMillsfieldandthetownofDummer.Mt.PatienceandSignalMountainaretwonamedsummitsseveralmilestotheeastofthenorthernportionsoftheProjectsitewithgenerallylowerelevations(elev.2720feet(829m)and2697feet(822m),respectively)thanthoseofthewindturbinestringridgelines.DummerPondandCowMountain(elev.2277feet(694m))aretotheeastofthesouthernportionsoftheProject.ThesefeaturesareshowninFigure3,amapofthemainProjectcomponentsinrelationtonearbygeographicfeatures.

ThemajorityoftheProjectcomponentswillbelocatedontwoprivately-ownedlandtracts.GraniteReliablePowerhasenteredintolong-termleaseagreementswiththelandown-ers.ThetwoparcelsareoftenreferredtoasthePhillipsBrookTract(23,768acres)andtheBayrootParcel(59,776acres).ThesetwopropertiesshareacommonboundarythatroughlyformstheridgelinesouthofDixvillePeakalongwhichthewindturbinestringswillbelocated.Thisridgelinealsoformsadividebetweentwowatersheds;tothewestthePhillipsBrookanditstributariesdrainintotheUpperAmmonoosucRiverasitflowswesttomeettheConnecticutRiverinGroveton.TheBayrootParceldrainslargelytothe

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationCsite INFORMATION

Figure 2:aerial view of the ridgeline in north central new hampshire on which the granite reliable power windpark is proposed. view is looking south.


eastthroughseveraltributariesthatjointheAndroscogginRiverasitflowssouthandeastthroughGorham.Thesetractsofland,alongwithothermajorphysiologicalfeaturesinthevicinityoftheProject,areillustratedinFigure3.


Figure 3: project site map illustrates the location of major project components, the private road network, and the physiographical features in the vicinity.

see enLarged maps in back of appLication


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Sugarloaf

Deer Mtn.

Rice Mtn.

Akers Pond

Table Rock

Trio Ponds

Mt. Kelsey

Muise Mtn.

Veezey Hill

Cilley Hill

Owlhead Mtn

Signal Mtn.

Dummer Hill

Carlton Hill

Dummer Ponds

Mt. Patience

Marshall Hill

Blue Mountain

Dixville Peak

Whitcomb Mtn.

Christine Lake

Lake GlorietteDixville Notch

Millsfield Pond

Sanguinary Mtn.

Abeniki Mountain

South Percy Peak

North Percy Peak

Balsams Ski Area

Baldhead Mountain

Pontook Reservoir

Panorama Golf Club

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Geographic Features Near the Granite Reliable Power Windpark

Wind turbine site

’ Substation or switchyard

! ! Electric collection line

! ! Electric interconnection line

Access road

Existing gates

Existing transmission line

Local roads

Private roads

Railroad

Bayroot Parcel

Phillips Brook Tract


US Forest Service land

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

0 1 2 3 40.5Kilometers

Phillips BrookTract

Bayroot Parcel

Vermont Environmental Research Associateswww.northeastwind.com

White Mountain National Forest

Nash Stream State Forest

SubstationMaintenance Building

Laydown Yard

Interconnection Switching Station

Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT,All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.

June 2008.

FishbrookWind Turbines

Dixville PeakWind Turbines

Mt. KelseyWind Turbines

OwlheadWind Turbines


PrincipalaccesstotheProjectsitewillbeinthetownofDummerattheintersectionofNHRoute16andDummerPondRoad,aprivateroadoffthenorthsideofRoute16,approximately1.25miles(2.0km)northoftheintersectionofstateRoute110AandRoute16inDummer,NH(seeFigure4).AccesstothispointalongNHRoute16isviastateandtownpublicroads.FromtheintersectionofRoute16andDummerPondRoad,accesstotheProjectsiteisthroughanextensivenet-workofprivateall-seasonroadswithinthePhillipsBrookandBayrootproperties.

(2) site acreage - shown on figure 3ThelocationsofthemajorcomponentsoftheProjectareshowninFigure3andaremorefullydescribedinSection(h)(1).Intotal,theinstallationofallProjectcomponentswithintheProjectsitewillrequirethealterationof203acresofland.ThebreakdownofthislandalterationbyProjectcomponentisprovidedinTableA.

Table A:breakdown of earth alteration area by project component

Disturbance Description Disturbance Area (acres) Towns / Unincorporated Places Involved

dummer pond road upgrades 21.12 dummer, millsfield, odell, erving’s Location

dixville road upgrades 10.41 millsfield, dixville

owl head spur upgrades 0.75 millsfield

fishbrook spur upgrades 8.11 millsfield

phillips brook/dixville connector road construction 8.65 erving’s Location, millsfield

fishbrook turbine string construction 46.34 millsfield

owl head / kelsey turbine string construction 55.75 millsfield

dixville turbine string construction 26.96 dixville

switching station construction 3.29 dummer

substation / staging area construction 13.21 dummer

kelsey staging / storage area 2.55 millsfield

dixville staging / storage area 2.58 dixville, millsfield

fishbrook cross-country power Line 3.15 millsfield

total disturbance 202.87 (8,837,017ft 2)

(3) the Location of residences, industriaL buiLdings, and other structures and improvements within or adjacent to the siteThelocationsofresidences,buildings,andotherstructuresinthevicinityoftheProjectsiteareshownontheaerialphotographsforthenorthernandsouthernportionsoftheProjectandaredescribedbelow.

new hampshire site evaLuation

committee permit appLication

Csite INFORMATION

Figure 4: dummer pond road’s (private) junction with nh route 16. view is looking north from along route 16.


TheexistingstructurethatwillbeclosesttotheProjectistheseasonally-usedupperliftterminusoftheneighboringBalsamsWildernessSkiArealocatedapproximately0.8miles(1.3km)tothewestofDixvilleNotchonthesouthernsideofNHRoute26,asshowninFig-ure5.Theclosestyear-roundresidencetothewindturbinelocationswillbeapproximately2.9miles(4.7km)totheeastalongRoute26,asshowninFigure5.Thereisnoperma-nentresidentiallanduseontheprivatelandonwhichtheProjectwillbeconstructed.Ap-proximately2miles(3.2km)totheeastofwheretheMt.Kelseywindturbinestringsarepro-posedtobelocatedareseasonalcabinsonthesouthernshoreofMillsfieldPond.

TothesouthwestoftheProj-ecttherearetentotwelvesea-sonalcottagesorcampsalongthetownportionofParisRoadandBellHillRoadthatareatleast5miles(8.0km)fromtheproposedwindturbines.Additionally,thereisaseasonalcabinontheshoreofPhillipsPond,approximately2miles(3.2km)tothesouthwestoftheproposedlocationfortheProject.Theelectri-calinterconnectionline,connectingthesubstationtotheinterconnectingswitchingstationlocatedbesidetheexistingPSNHtransmissionline,isalsoshowninFigure6relativetoexistingstructures.Thenearestresidencesaremorethan1mile(1.6km)awayfromtheproposedinterconnectingswitchingstation.

Thewindturbineswillbefarenoughfromanyexistingstructuresthatanyphysicalimpacts(e.g.fromnoise,iceshed,shadowflicker,etc.)willbesubstantiallymitigated.Thevisualimpactswillbemitigatedduetothedensely-forestednatureoftheareaandthepresenceofinterveningterrainblockinglong-distanceviewsfrommanypopulationcenters.FurtherdiscussionsofpotentialimpactsoutsidetheimmediatevicinityoftheProjectareincludedinSection(i).

(4) identification of wetLands and surface waters of the state within or adjacent to the site WetlandshavebeendelineatedbycertifiedNewHampshirewetlandscientists.Con-



Csite INFORMATION

Figure 5: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the northern region of the project to show the proximity of existing structures to the dixville peak turbine


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Locations of Residences, Buildings, and other StructuresNearby the North Portion of Granite Reliable Power Windpark .


Structures

Local roads

Private roads

Wind turbine site! ! Electrical collection line

Access road


0 1 20.5

Miles0 1 2 3 40.5

KilometersData: Publically available datafrom NH GRANIT including Orthophotography from 2003 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC. Prepared by:

May 2008

tainedwithinthisApplicationarethecom-pletewetlanddelineationresults.Surfacewatersofthesitearedescribedindetailintheapplicationforms,designplans,andmapsprovidedinconjunctionwiththeNHDESStandardDredge&FillPermitApplication,NHDESSiteSpecificTerrainAlterationApplication,andNHDESSection401WaterQualityCertificationRequest,discussedinSection(d).ThesedocumentsareincludedasAppendices2,3,and4.

(5) identification of naturaL and other resources within or adjacent to the siteHistorically,thevastmajorityoflandinthevicinityoftheProjecthasbeenunderprivateforestmanagement.Withsignifi-canttimberresources,thelandhasbeenusedforcommercialforestrytoproducelogsforprocessingandmanufacturingofwoodproductsandtosupplypulptopapermillsinthreestates.Theregionisgenerallyruralinnature,withNHRoutes3,26,16,and110servingastheonlyhighwayslink-ingthenorthernpartofCoosCountywithsouthernpartsofthestate(seeFigure1).

TheresourcevaluesofthePhillipsBrookparcelwereevaluatedin2004–2005inconnectionwithanapplicationpreparedbytheSocietyfortheProtectionofNewHampshireForests(“SPNHF”)foralandownerwithintheProjectinconsiderationofconservationfundingundertheForestLegacyProgram.WhilespecifictoPhillipsBrook,thecharacterizationislargelyapplicabletothesurroundingareasaswell.Particularfindingsincludethefollowing:

•PhillipsBrookisatributaryoftheUpperAmmonoosucRiver,whichflowstotheConnecticutRiver.

•Theparcelprovideshabitatsforwiderangingmammalsandprovideseast-westandnorth-southtravelcorridorsforwildlife.

•Theparcelcontainsseveralremotepondswhichimprovethequalityofwildlifehabitat.

•Publicrecreationaluseisavailable,includingNHSnowmobileCorridorTrails#28,#110,and#134whichcrosstheseprivatelands.

AsdiscussedwithinthisApplication,thesesourcesofinformationaswellasstudiesconductedonthepropertyformedthebasisforturbinesitingactivitiesinanefforttominimize,ortotheextentpossibleeliminate,potentialadverseimpacts.Further



Figure �: enlargement of the naip aerial photograph in the southern regions of the project to show the proximity of existing structures to the proposed maintenance building, interconnection power line and interconnecting switching station.


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Locations of Residences, Buildings, and other StructuresNearby the South Portion of Granite Reliable Power Windpark .


Structures

Local roads

Private roads


Access road

Wind turbine site! ! Electrical collection line! ! Electrical interconnection line

’ Substation or Switching Station


0 1 20.5

Miles0 1 2 3 40.5

KilometersData: Publically available datafrom NH GRANIT including Orthophotography from 2003 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC. Prepared by:

June 2008

discussionofnaturalandotherresourcesatthesitearedescribedinSection(i).

(6) information reLated to whether the proposed site and faciLity wiLL unduLy interfere with the orderLy deveLopment of the region having given due consideration to the views of municipaL governing boardsTheProjecthastakenintoaccountthelocalandregionalviewsthroughoutthedevelop-mentandplanningprocessfortheWindpark.InordertoinformthepublicabouttheProjectandaddressquestions/concerns,GRPrepresentativeshavemetwithcountyplannersandagencies,residents,areabusinesses,non-governmentalagenciesandotherinterestedpartiesoverthecourseofthelasttwoyears.GRPviewsthedevelop-mentofthisProjectasacollaborativeeffortinwhichlocalandregionalcommunityinvolvementandsupportisimperative.

InformationontheProjecthasbeenandwillbepresentedtopoliticalandcommunityleadersonmultipleoccasionsinCoosCounty.Someofthesegroupsinclude:theCoosCountyCommissioners,theCoosCountyPlanningBoard,theNorthCountryCouncil,theCoosEconomicDevelopmentCorporationandCoosCountylegislators.InformationalmeetingshavealsobeenheldwiththetownsofStark,DummerandColebrook.

GRPiscommittedtobeinginvolvedinCoosCounty’scommunities.Projectrepresen-tativesparticipateinnumerousCoosCountyspecialeventsincluding:theLancasterFair,RotaryClub,Lions,PoliceAthleticLeagueandBoosterClubFundraisers.Ad-ditionally,Projectrepresentativesworkwitheducationalinstitutionsandparticipateinpanelssuchas“TheChallengesofNon-RenewableFuels”hostedbytheBalsamsGrandResortHotelduringthe“GreenExpo”.TheProjecthasalsosponsoredfundraiserstohelpprovideathleticequipmenttoregionalhighschools.

GRPemploysothermethodsofcommunicatingProjectinformationwhichincludetheGRPwebsite2,afactsheetavailableonthewebsite,andcooperationwithlocalmediasuchastheCoosCountyDemocrat,theColebrookChronicle,andTheBerlinDailySunamongotherlocalpublications.

AlthoughitbelievesthattheNewHampshiresiteevaluationlawpreemptslocalzoningrequirements,GRPismindfuloftheserequirementsandwillattempttocomplywithlocalzoningregulationsaspracticable.OperativezoningandplanningdocumentsforeachtownandunincorporatedplacearelistedinTableBbelow.

Table b:planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places

Town/Place government Type Master Plan/date Zoning Ordinance/date

dixville unincorporated county master coos county plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991

dummer incorporated master plan 2000 Zoning ordinance 2006 ervings Location unincorporated county master coos county

plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991

millsfield unincorporated county master coos county plan 1989 unincorporated places Zoning ordinances 1991


2 http://noblepower.com

Table b:planning and Zoning regulations in effect in each of the towns and unincorporated places


TheProjectisconsistentwiththegoalsforeconomicdevelopmentinCoosCounty,aswellastheenergygoalsarticulatedbytheNorthCountryCouncil,Inc.andassoci-atedplanningorganizations.AfurtherdiscussionoftheProject’sconsistencywithregionalplanninggoalsandwithspecificexistingtownplansfollows.AllregionalplanningdocumentsarecompiledintoAppendix5:RegionalPlanningandZoningDocuments.

Unincorporated Places Master Plan

TheMasterPlanfortheUnincorporatedPlacesinCoosCounty(1989)(“MasterPlan”)isastatementofgoalsandpoliciestoguideCountydevelopmentdecisionsintothefuture.Thisplan“doesnotsetaprecisetimetablefor,nordictatewhereelementsshallbeplacedontheland,butitdoesprovidefortheirgenerallocationbyperformancestandardswhentheyareneeded.”3

DevelopingwindpowerinCoosCounty’sUnincorporatedPlacessupportsanden-ablestheMasterPlan’sHumanResource,NaturalResourceandDevelopmentgoalsandpolicies.GraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillprovideadditionalemploymentopportunitiesthatdiversifyandcomplementexistingpositionsasiscalledforintheHumanResourcessection.TheProjectwillhelpmaintainpoliciesoutlinedintheNaturalResourcesSectionbyencouragingcompatiblelandusewithtimberlandown-erstopreserveforestresources,byoperatingemission-freetoprotectairresources,andbyprovidingasourceofrenewableenergyinaccordancewithenergyresourcepolicies.GRPissensitivetothepoliciesoutlinedintheDevelopmentsection,whichcallforcontainingdevelopmentandhassitedtheProjectappropriatelybytakingintoconsiderationexistinglanduse.

TheGRPWindparkisconsistentwiththeForestResourcesgoalto:“Conserve,protectandenhancetheforestresourceswhichareessentialtotheeconomyofthestateaswellastotheCounty.”Windpowerandforestrylandusesarecomplementary;bothusesneedroadstoreachremotelocations,andtheseroadscanbeasharedresource.Inaddition,windturbinesaremostappropriatelysitedatthewindy,higherelevationswheretimberresourcesgenerallyhavethelowestcommercialvalue.Windpower,asaco-useoftimberland,stronglysupportsandenablestheForestResourcepolicies,particularlythepolicyto:“Encouragepresentownershippatternsandmaintainprivatecontrolwhichmaintainshistoricalcharacterofexistingforestsandencouragespresentownershippatterns.”DevelopmentoftheCounty’swindpowerresourcesprovidesasubstantialadditionalsourceofincomeintheformofleasepaymentstopropertyowners.Thisadditionalsourceofincomecanencouragethepropertyownerstokeeptheparcelasonecontiguoustractofland,therebyforgoingtheneedtosubdividethepropertyforpurposesofincomeorrelatedcapitalrequirements.

TheMasterPlandoesnotspecificallyaddresswindenergyasasourceofenergyordiscusslocationsthatmightbeappropriateforwinddevelopment.However,theEnergyResourcesectiondoesarticulatethattheMasterPlansupports:“environmentallysoundandsociallybeneficialutilizationofindigenousenergyresources,”withthefollowingspecificpolicyobjectives:

• Supportenergyconservationanddiversification


3 See Appendix 5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county, page 3.


• Supportexistingstateandfederaljurisdictionoverenergydevelopmentsandrelatedlandusesinareasidentifiedasenvironmentallysensitivewherethereareoverriding,conflictingenvironmentalandotherpublicvaluesrequiringprotection

• Encouragedevelopmentofnew,smallhydropowerprojectsandreconstructionofexistinghydropowerprojectswherethesecanbeundertakeninanenvironmentallysoundmanner.4

ThecarefuldevelopmentofCoosCounty’swindenergyresourceswouldclearlysupportthisEnergyResourcegoalwhendoneinanenvironmentallysoundmanner.WindenergydevelopmentintheCountyisalsoconsistentwiththefirsttwopolicies(above),thesecondofwhichacknowledgesthepotentialfor“conflictingenvironmentalandotherpublicvalues”.TheProjectisalsoconsistentwiththeAirResourcesSectionthathasthestatedgoalto“protectandenhancethequalityofairresourcesthroughouttheCounty’sUnincorporatedPlaces”throughpoliciesthat:

• Supportstateandfederalairqualitystandards,and

• Encouragestate,federalandinternationalinitiativesdirectedatreducingemissionofairpollutants.

ThereareaspectsoftheMasterPlanwherepotentialconflictsmayexist.Forexample,theScenicResourcessectionencouragestheprotectionofscenicvaluesandencouragesgrowthtooccurinareastominimizeimpactsonthesevalues.FurtherdiscussionofvisualeffectsoftheProjectcanbefoundinSection(i)(1):Aesthetics.Similarly,theDevelopmentsectionoftheMasterPlanincludesapolicyencouragingnewdevelop-menttoremainincloseproximitytoexistingdevelopment.InNewEngland,windturbinesmustbelocatedontheridgelinestoharnessthebestavailablewindresources.Therefore,theideallocationsforwindpowergenerationtendtobedistantfromexist-ingdevelopment,andoftenaresomeofthemorevisuallyprominentareas.However,thisProjectisalsoproposedinanareawherecommercialforestrycurrentlyexists.Thus,itsdistancefromexistingpopulationcentersandheavilytraveledpublichigh-waysintheCountytendstoeffectivelymitigatetheProject’simpactsonthehumanenvironment.

Zoning Ordinance for the Unincorporated Places

TheZoningOrdinancefortheUnincorporatedPlaces,adoptedin1991,isadministeredbytheCoosCountyPlanningBoard.

Theobjectivesstatedinthezoningdocumentindirectlyreflectthepotentialforimpactsbydevelopmentssuchaswindpower.Forexample,windpowerisconsistentwiththeobjectiveto“reducepollution...”,andwiththeobjective“toencourageappropriateresidential,recreational,commercialandindustrialusesnotdetrimentaltotheproperuseorvalueoftheseplaces”.Separately,astatestatutefurtheremphasizestheimpor-tanceofzoningordinancesallowingrenewableenergysources.RSA672:1,III-aseekstoclarifyallzoningandrelatedregulationstoensurethattheseregulations:

[E]ncourageenergyefficientpatternsofdevelopment,theuseofsolarenergy,includingadequateaccesstodirectsunlightforsolarenergyuses,andtheuseofotherrenewableformsofenergy,andenergyconservation.Therefore,zoningordinancesshouldnotun-


4 See Appendix 5a: master plan for the unincorporated places in coos county, page 21.


reasonablylimittheinstallationofsolar,wind,orotherrenewableformsofenergysystemsorthebuildingofstructuresthatfacilitatethecollectionofrenewableenergy,exceptwherenecessarytoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.5

ThelandoccupiedbytheProjectisclassifiedas“ManagementDistrict”,orareas“whichareappropriateforforestmanagementoragriculturalusesandforwhichtherearenoapprovedplansforadditionaldevelopment.”ThehigherelevationsoftheProjectwheresomeofthewindturbinesandassociatedinfrastructureareproposedareinasub-category“ProtectedDistrict”,labeledPD6SteepSlopes&HighElevations.Thisdistrictisdefinedasareasabove2,700feet(823m)inelevation,orslopesinexcessof60percentover10contiguousacres.Itspurposeasasub-managementdistrictisto“preservethenaturalequilibriumofvegetation,geology,slope,soil,andclimateinordertoreducedangertopublichealthandsafetyposedbyunstablemountainareas,toprotectwaterquality,andtopreservemountainareasfortheirscenicvaluesandrecreationalopportunities”.Primitiverecreationalusesandusebymotorizedvehicles,andtrailconstructionareexamplesofusesallowedinthissub-districtwithoutapermit.

ThewindpowerfacilitiesproposedfortheManagementDistrictaregenerallyconsis-tentwithitspurposes,especiallygiventheextenttowhichwindpowerdevelopmentisconsistentwiththeexistingtimberharvestingandrecreationalusesoftheManagementDistrict.TheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisalsoconsistentwiththepurposeofthesub-managementareaPD6andwillbedesignedandconstructedtobestman-agementpracticeengineeringstandardsinordertoaccommodatethesensitiveandfragilenatureoftheseareasandtominimizetheProject’simpactonthem.Asacleanrenewablegenerationfacility,theProjectwillbeofvaluetotheregion’senvironmentbyhelpingtooffsetordisplaceothergenerationsourcesintheregionthatproduceCO2emissionswhichareharmfultoairqualityandarebelievedtocontributetoglobalwarming.TheProjectwillpositivelyimpactCoosCountyandtheregion.Fortheabovereasons,whilenotspecificallyaddressedinthezoningdocument,GraniteReliablePowerbelieveswindpowerdevelopmentisaconsistentlanduseundertheCoosCountyUnincorporatedPlacesZoningOrdinance.

ReviewofthelandusestandardsrelativetotheaffectedSub-districtsoftheZoningOrdinanceandtheCoosMasterPlansupportstheconclusionthattheProjectaspro-posedwouldqualifyforaspecialexceptionbecause,overall,itisnotdetrimentaltotheresourcesoruseswhichtheseMunicipalLandUseRegulationsprotect.Insum-mary,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisgenerallyconsistentwiththegoalsandintentoftheCoosCountyZoningOrdinancesforUnincorporatedPlaces,asadoptedonApril20,1991.

Master Plan and Zoning for the Town of dummer

Over94%ofthetotallandareainDummerisinCurrentUse(26,900of28,490acres).TownofDummerMasterPlanof2000indicatesthatlessthanonepercentofDummerisdeveloped,withmostofthelandareabeingusedforcommercialforestryactivities.Onenotablecommercialdevelopmentinthetownisaprivately-ownedhydroelectricfacilityontheAndroscogginRiver.TheGuidingPrinciplesinthePlan’sStatementofGoalsandObjectivesdrawuponthecommunity’sdesiretoremain“primarilyaresidentialcommunityinterspersedwithafewsmallfamilyoperatedbusinesses”whileplacinga


5 general provisions of rsa 672:1 under title Lxiv, planning and Zoning. see http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/Lxiv/672/672-11.htm


highvalueoncleanenvironmentalconditions.ThePlan’sRecommendationsforFutureLandUsesectionsupportsmaintaining“free,open,orwildland”nearlakes,riversandwetlands,andencourages“diversificationofcommercial/industrialdevelopment”inviewofdecliningtimberoperations.WhilewindpowerdevelopmentisnotaddressedintheDummerMasterPlan,itisconsistentwiththePlanandwillnotincreasetheneedfortownservices.Insummary,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkisgenerallyconsistentwithgoalsandobjectivesoftheDummerMasterPlan.

Regional Planning & Energy goals

TheNorthCountryCouncilInc.(“NCC”)istheregionalplanningcommissionandeconomicdevelopmentdistrictservingCoosandtwoothercounties.NCCincorporatesthegoalsoftheNewHampshireOfficeofEnergyandPlanning(“NHOEP”)inestablish-ingitslegislativeprioritiesforthecurrentyearanditsplanningguidance.NHOEP’sresponsibilitiesinclude:“exploringopportunitiestoexpandtheuseofrenewable,domesticenergyresourcessuchasbiomass,windandsolarenergy”and“ensuringthereliability,availability,andsecurityofthestate’senergysupplythroughacompre-hensivestatewideenergyplan”.6NHOEParticulatesastatepolicygoalof“increasedcommitmenttorenewableenergyresourcesandinvestments.”TheinitiativesoftheNCCandNHOEPpolicygoalsindicatetheProjectwillhaveahighlevelofconsistencywithregionalenergyplanningandpolicies.

(d) OThER REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS

(1) identification of aLL other federaL or state government agencies having jurisdiction, under state or federaL Law, to reguLate any aspect of the construction or operation of the proposed faciLity

• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,WetlandsBureau(authorityunderstateandfederallawoverwetlandsimpacts)

• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,SiteSpecificProgram(authorityunderstateandfederallawoveralterationofterrainandpollutantdischarge)

• NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,WaterDivision,WaterManagementBureau(authorityunderfederallawrelatedtoU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersindividualwetlandspermit)

• NewHampshireDepartmentofTransportation(authorityunderstatelawoverhighwaysafetyanddrivewaypermit)

• U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers

• FederalAviationAdministration

• NewHampshireDepartmentofSafety(blastingpermit)

(2) documentation that demonstrates compLiance with the appLication requirements of agencies having jurisdictionInformationsatisfyingtheapplicationrequirementsofsuchagencieshasbeenincludedwithintheagencyapplicationforms.CopiesareincludedintheAppen-

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationdother REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS

6 see the new hampshire oep website :http://www.nh.gov/oep/aboutus.htm


dicesreferencedinSection(d)(3)below.

WhiletheNewHampshireDepartmentofTransportation(“NHDOT”)willhaveauthoritytoregulateoversize/overweighttransportvehiclesassociatedwiththeProject’sconstruction,the“SpecialPermittoMoveaLoadInExcessofLegalLimit”issubmittedbythetruckingcontractoronceProjectpermitsareissuedandturbineequipmentisordered.TransportinformationrelevanttotherequirementsofNewHampshireDepartmentofTransportationhasbeenprovidedinSection(f)(5)e.Heavy/oversizetruckingloads.GRPwillalsocomplywithallrulesandpermitrequirementsforblastingthatmaybenecessaryintheconstructionanddecommissioningofthefacility.

ApplicationstoUSACOEandFAAwillbesubmittedlateSummer2008.Copieswillbeprovideduponfiling.

(3) a copy of the compLeted appLication form for each agencyPleaseseeattachedthefollowingcompletedapplicationforms:

• Appendix2:StandardDredgeandFillPermitApplication

• Appendix3:SiteSpecificTerrainAlterationApplication

• Appendix4:NHDESSection401WaterQualityCertificationRequest

• Appendix6:NHDOTApplicationforDrivewayPermit

(4) identification of any requests for waivers from the information requirements of any state agency or department whether represented on the committee or notTheApplicanthasnotrequestedsuchwaivers.

(e) ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION 7

Not applicable. GraniteReliablePowerWindparkisarenewableenergyfacilityunderRSA162-H:2,XVII,notanenergyfacilityasdefinedinRSA162-H:2,VII.

(f) RENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY INFORMATION

(1) make, modeL and manufacturer of the unitThewindturbinesproposedfortheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkarethe“V90”seriesmanufacturedbyVestasWindSystemsA/S8.Vestasisoneoftheoldestexistingwindturbinemanufacturingcompaniesintheworld,establishedduringtheworldwideoilcrisisofthelate1970s.Inthepastthirtyyears,thecompanyhasgrownthroughincreasingsalesandthroughkeyacquisitionsofcompetitorstobecomeoneofthelargestwindturbinemanufacturingcompaniesintheworld.In2006Vestassoldover15,000MWofnameplatewindcapacity,comprising28.2%oftheworldwidemarketshare.Onacumulativebasis,Vestasisresponsibleforover74,000MWofwindcapacityinstalledworldwide9,andemployedover15,000peopleworldwideasofMay,2008.

TheV903.0MWwindturbineisaflagshipoftheVestasproductline.DetailsontheVestaswindturbinecanbefoundinAppendix7:V90-3.0MW:AnEfficientWaytoMovePower.TheV903.0MWisoneofthemosttechnologicallyadvancedwindturbines

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication dother REqUIREd APPLICATIONS ANd PERMITS

EENERgY FACILITY information

FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information

7 since granite reliable power windpark is a renewable energy facility under rsa 162-h:2, xvii, not an energy facility as defined in rsa 162-h:2,vii, this section has been omitted.

8 more information about vestas is available at www.vestas.com.

9 source: btm consult, world market update 2006, march 2007.


intheworld.Eachwindturbineiscomprisedofthreemajorcomponents:thetower,thenacelle(thehousingforthegeneratingcomponentsasdescribedmorefullybelow),andtherotorblades.

Thenacelleandrotorbladesaresupportedbyatubularsteeltower,whichiswidestatthebase,approximately16feet(4.88m)indiameter,andtaperstoapproximately9feet(2.74m)indiameterjustbelowthenacelle.Thetower’stopwillbehighenoughtopositionthecenteroftherotorblades262feet(80m)abovetheground.SeeFigure7foradiagramofwindturbinecompo-nents.Thetowerwillbepaintedaneutralwhiteoroff-whitecolor.Thefoundationdesignsaresitespecificandwillbecompletedfollowinggeo-technicalinvestigations.

Thenacelleisattachedtothetopofthetowerandhousesthemainme-chanicalcomponentsofthewindturbine,includingavariablespeedgenerator,transmission,andyawdrive(asystemenablingthenacelletorotateatopthetower).Thenacelleisapproximately13feet(4.05m)high,by12feet(11.8m)wideby32feet(9.65m)long.Therotorhubconnectstothetransmissionthroughoneendofthenacelle,andtherotoristhenconnectedtothehub.TheV90usesathree-bladedrotorinanupwindconfigurationwithanactiveyawsysteminthenacelletokeepthewindturbinefacingintothewind.Thevariablespeedgeneratorensuressteadyandstableelectricpowerproductioningustingwindconditionswhilereducinghighloadconditionsonthemaincomponents.Thevariablespeedfeaturealsoprovidesprecisecontroloverreactivepowerandgivessmoothconnectionsequencingwhenlinkingthegeneratortothegrid.

TheV903-bladedrotorhasadiameterof295feet(90.0m)andutilizespitchregula-tionwhichallowsefficientenergyproductioninawiderangeofwindandatmosphericconditionsthroughamulti-processorcontrollersystem.Pitchregulationreferstothecapabilityofindividualrotorbladestobe“pitched”orrotatedalongtheirlongitudinalaxis,allowingthemtooperatemostefficientlyoverarangeofwindspeeds.Pitchregu-lationisalsoimportantincoldclimates(whereicingconditionsoccurduringwintermonths)becausepitchingthebladeswillallowthemtoshedicebeforeitbuildsup.

Undernormaloperatingconditions,thewindturbineswillbegingeneratingpowerinwindspeedsofabout9mph(4m/s)andwillcontinuetodosountilwindspeedsreach55mph(25m/s).Atspeedsgreaterthan55mph(25m/s)thebladeswill“feather”(i.e.turnparallelwiththedirectionofthewind).

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information

Figure �: components and dimensions of the vestas v90 3.0 mw wind turbine


Scale: 1:1,000

Rotor Blade

HubRotor Diameter

90 m

Hub Height80 m

Overall Turbine Height125 m

Tower

Nose ConeNacelle

(2) capacity in megawatts, as designed and as intended for operationGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillutilize33VestasV90turbines.Eachturbinehasaratednameplatecapacityof3.0megawatts,allowingforeachturbinetogener-ateuptothreeMWsofelectricity.TheProjectwillhaveatotalinstallednameplatecapacityof99MWs.

(3) type of unit incLuding

a. Fuel utilized

Notapplicable.TheProjectutilizesthewindtopowergeneratorunits.

b. Method of cooling condenser discharge

Notapplicable.

c. whether the unit is proposed to serve base, intermediate or peaking loads

TheProjectwillproducepowerfortheregionalelectricgridandtheamountofpoweroutputatanytimeisdependentonvaryingwinddynamicsatindividualwindturbinesthroughouttheWindpark.Sincewindpowerhasnofuelcostsandverylowoperatingcosts,itisconsideredtobealowcostsupplyandwilloperatecontinuouslytoserveallloadrequirements.

d. Unit efficiency

TheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark’sestimatedannualenergyproductionisex-pectedtobe300,000MWH.Thesecalculationscorrespondtoanetcapacityfactorofapproximately35percent,providingtheequivalentoftheelectricityneedsofap-proximately40,000NewHampshirehouseholds,basedontheassumptionthattheaveragehouseholdelectricaluseis750010KWHperyear.

Withnofuelutilizedinthepowergenerationprocess,theProjectwillbeextremelyenergyefficient.

e. Impact on system stability and reliability

TheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillinterconnecttoanexisting115kVtransmis-sionlineusingathree-breakerring-busswitchingstationinstalledbesidetheexistinglineinthetownofDummer.Thelineowner,PublicServiceCompanyofNewHamp-shire/NortheastUtilities,andISONewEngland(ISO-NE)enteredintoagreementsinthesummerof2007toconductthenecessaryinterconnectionstudies11.TheSystemImpactStudyisintheprocessofbeingfinalized.GRPwillprovideacopytotheCom-mitteewhenitiscompleted.Appendix8hasbeenreservedforacopyofthisstudy.Thestudyevaluatedpreliminarythermalandvoltageconditionsofthepre-projectandpost-projectsystemsunderpre-contingencyandpost-contingencyoperations.Theresultsofthethermalandvoltageanalysisindicatedthattheexistingelectricalsystemwillrequirerelativelyminorupgradestotheexisting115kVline.Mostoftheseupgradesinvolvere-saggingtheelectricallines(stretchingthemtighter)toaccommodatetheadditionalelectricalload.Withtheseupgrades,nothermal,voltage,orshortcircuitproblemswereobservedinthemodelingexercisesconductedinthesestudies.Incon-clusion,theProjectwillnothavesignificantnegativeimpacttothestability,reliability


10 data based on calculations for 2006 residential energy use from page 18 of the nh public utility commission’s biennial report. http://www.puc.state.nh.us/home/aboutus/bien05-07%20100307.pdf

11 the initial feasibility and system impact studies were conducted assuming the project would use general electric 1.5 mw turbines. current project designs assume the use of vestas v90 turbines as described in this application.


andoperatingcharacteristicsoftheNewEnglandbulkpowertransmissionsystem.

Ingeneral,windpowerhasbeenfoundtomaintainthereliabilityandintegrityoftheelectricsystemwithoutadverselyimpactingsystemreliabilityorincreasingoperatingcostsuptocertainthresholdlevelsoneachpowersystem.AccordingtoacomprehensiveanalysisreleasedMay22,2006andpreparedbytheUtilityWindIntegrationGroup(“UWIG”)incooperationwithEdisonElectricInstitute,AmericanPublicPowerAs-sociationandNationalRuralElectricCooperativeAssociation(groupswhichrepresentnearly100percentoftheutilitiesintheUnitedStates),therearenot“anyfundamen-taltechnicalbarriersatthepresenttimetowindpenetrationsofupto20percentofsystempeakdemand,whichisfarbeyondwherewearetoday.”12TheUWIGstudyinvestigatestheimpactofwindpowerontheoperatingcostsofthenon-windportion

ofthepowersystemandonthesystem’selectricalintegrity.Thestudyconcludesthat“theconsensusviewisthatwindpowerimpactscanbemanagedwithproperdesignandoperationofthesystem.”AsummaryofthefindingsoftheUWIGisprovidedasAppendix9:“UtilityWindIntegration:StateoftheArt.”

(4) any associated new substations and transmission LinesAnewsubstation,interconnectionswitchingstation,collectionlineandelectricalinter-connectionlinewillberequiredinordertointerconnectthewindturbinegeneratorstodeliverpowertothegrid.Thecollectionline(34.5kVAC)alongtheaccessroadswillcarryallelectricityfromallwindturbinestothesubstationthatwillbelocatedalongDummerPondRoad.Atthesubstation,the34.5kVpowerwillbetransformedto115kVandcarriedonanew115kVelectricalinterconnectionlinewhichwillrunbetweenthesubstationandinterconnectionswitchingstationandwhichwillconnectwiththeexistingPSNH115kVtransmissionline.

(5) construction scheduLe, incLuding start date and scheduLed compLetion datePre-constructionwork,suchassurveyingandstakingthelocationofProjectcomponents,willtakeplaceinthewinter/springof2009basedonthestatusoftheSECprocess.

ConstructionoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillbeginafterallrequiredapprovalshavebeenobtained.Thestartdateforthisworkwillbeuponreceiptof

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationFRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information

Figure �: major tasks in the construction schedule for 2009-2010.

12 charlie smith. “uwig issues assessment of integration of wind into utility power systems” dallas, texas, may 22, 2006. http://www.uwig.org/


Task Name Duration Start Finish

GRANITE RELIABLE POWER WINDPARK 360 days Tue 5/5/09 Wed 9/15/10

Access Roads 88 days Mon 5/18/09 Tue 9/15/09

Electrical Interconnect Lines 79 days Tue 6/16/09 Thu 10/1/09

Substation 130 days Tue 9/1/09 Mon 3/1/10

Foundations 33 days Sat 8/1/09 Tue 9/15/09

Turbine Erection 56 days Sat 5/1/10 Thu 7/15/10

Electrical 306 days Wed 6/17/09 Sun 8/15/10

Overhead Collection System 56 days Wed 7/1/09 Tue 9/15/09

Underground Collection Systems 110 days Fri 5/1/09 Wed 9/30/09

5/5/09 9/15/10

5/18/09 9/15/09

6/16/09 10/1/09

9/1/09 3/1/10

8/1/09 9/15/09

5/1/10 7/15/10

6/17/09 8/15/10

7/1/09 9/15/09

5/1/09 9/30/09

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecQtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

2009 2010

Granite Reliable Power, LLCProposal Schedule Granite Reliable Power Windpark

Date: June 25, 2008

Page 1

new hampshire site

evaLuation committee

permit appLication FRENEwAbLE ENERgY FACILITY information

Figure �: newly constructed (shown in blue), upgraded and existing access roads (shown in red) to be used in the construction of the project


requiredapprovals.Atypi-calsequenceofconstruc-tionactivitiesisdisplayedinFigure8.

Precursorstoconstructionactivitiesincludetheacqui-sitionofallstateandfederalpermitsfortheconstructionandoperationoftheProj-ect.Constructionworkonthemaintenancebuildingandelectricalinterconnec-tioncomponentswillbeginoncethesiteisclearandero-sioncontrolmeasuresareestablished.

Roadconstructionworkwillincludeupgradingexist-inglogginghaulroadsandconstructionofnewaccessroadsuptoandalongtheridgelines.

Concreteandfoundationworkwillbecompletedatseveralwindturbinesitessimultaneously.Thetowers,nacellesandrotorbladeswillbeerecteduponcompletionofunitfounda-tionwork.Parallelworkwillinvolveinstallationofthesubstation,interconnec-tionswitchingstation,andelectricalinterconnectionlinecomponents.

Afterthewindturbinesareerectedandthephysi-caldetailsofwiringandassemblingthemechanicalsubsystemsarecompleted,thewindturbineswillbesubjecttoacarefullypre-scribedacceptancetest.The

targetcommissioningdateforallwindturbinesandelectricalfacilitiesandconnectionofthemtothegridissummerof2010.

a. Access roads

TheProjectislocatedentirelyonprivatelandsmainlyusedforcommercialtimberharvestingoperation.AwelldefinednetworkofroadstosupportthisuseexistsonthePhillipsBrookTractandBayrootParcel.Someoftheseroadswillrequireupgradestosupportconstructionneeds.TheProjectsiteaccessroadsareshowninFigure9.Sitespecificgeotechnicalinformationconsideringtheload-bearingrequirementsofconstructiontrafficandequipmentwillbeusedinthedesignofupgradesandnewroads.Upgradesofexistingroadswillincludechangesinthehorizontalandverticalgeometryandwideningthemtoaminimumoftwenty(20)feettoaccommodatetheturningradiiofthehaulrigs,upgradingexistingculvertsandinstallingnewculverts,upgradingexistingbridgecrossings,installingtemporaryandpermanenterosioncontrolmeasures,andresurfacingtheroadswithcrushedgravel.Treetrimmingorclearingwillbenecessaryinsomelocationstosupporttheseactivities.Pull-offareasmaybeestablishedasneededtosafelyaccommodatetrafficforconstructionactivitiesinconjunctionwithongoingforestryoperations.

TheDummerPondRoad,privatelyownedbyBayrootLLC,willprovidethemainaccesstotheProject.Newaccessroadswillbebuilttoaccessareasthatcurrentlydonothaveacceptableroutes.Typically,roadstotheridgelinewillbe25feet(7.6m)wide.Projectaccessroadsalongtheridgelinewillbeconstructedtoa34foot(10.4m)widthtoaccommodatecranemovement,largewindturbineequipmentdeliveriesandthesafedeliveriesofallothersupportmaterials.Allaccessroadswillbeconstructedwithinaright-of-way(“ROW”)definedasthewidthneededtoinstalltheroad(withanycutandfillneeded)plus10feet(3.0m)oneitherside.Thisadditionalareawillbeusedforerosionandsedimentcontrolmeasuresandtemporaryconstructionneeds.Thetemporarilydisturbedareawillbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetateaftertheconstructionactivitiesarecomplete.Whenco-locatedwithanaccessroad,overheadorundergroundcollectionlineswillbeinstalledwithintheconstructionROW.

Projectaccessroadswillbegravelroadsdesignedtobeartheweightoftrucktraffictransportingconcrete,gravelandwindturbinecomponentstothewindturbinesites.SeeFigure10,across-sectiondiagramofatypicalaccessroad.Theroadbasesectionswillbeconstructedusingsite-specificgeotechnicalinformationconsideringtheload-bearingrequirementsofconstructiontrafficandequipmentonsuitablenativemate-


Figure 10: cross-section of a typical access road


rial.Geotextilefabric,oracomparableproduct,maybeusedtoseparatetheroadbasematerialtopreventfinesoilparticlesfrommigratingintothegravelbasematerialandtopreserveroadbaseintegrity.

Duringconstruction,culvertswillbeinstalledasneededtomaintainpre-existingdrainagepathstotheextentpracticable.Roadsideditcheswillbeincorporatedasdictatedbytheterraintoconveystormwaterrunoffawayfromtheroadways.Properstormwatermeasureswillbeutilizedasnecessary.

b. Substation, interconnection switching station, laydown yard and maintenance building

Thesubstationandinterconnectionswitchingstationaredesignedtostandardap-plicableutilityspecificationsthatincludegeotechnicalinformation,soilsresistivity,drainageslope,measurestomaximizesafetyandanyapplicablelocal,stateorfederalcodesorregulations.Thesiteswillbeclearedofvegetationandgraded.Topsoilwillbestockpilednearbyandsegregatedfromsub-soilsforuseinsiterestoration.Concretefoundationsforequipmentandstructuralsupportswillbepouredandundergroundconduit,cabletrenches/racewaysandgroundinggridwillbeinstalled.Above-groundconstructionwillinvolvetheinstallationoftransformers,structuralsteel,busconduc-tors,poles,cabling,insulators,switches,circuitbreakers,controls,fencing,securitycamerasandanyotherappurtenancesrequired.Finalstepsfortheseinstallationswillinvolveplacingcrushedstone,testingtheelectricalcontrolsystemsandcompletionofsiterestoration.

Themaintenancebuilding,laydownyardandstagingareawillbeconstructedbesidethesubstation.Theareawillbeclearedofvegetationandtopsoilwillbestockpiledforrestoration.Asnecessary,geotextilefabricwillbeplacedbeneaththecrushedstonetoseparatethesubsoilfromconstructionfillandprovidestabilityforthesite.Uponcompletionofconstruction,thelaydownyardandstagingareawillberestoredbyremovingthecrushedstoneandgeotextilefabric,replacingthestockpiledtopsoilandstabilizingthesiteuntilnaturalrevegetationoccurs.Themaintenancebuildingwillremainwithadrivewayandparkingareaforstaff.

c. Turbine Installation

Eachwindturbinewillbeinstalledusingasystematicprocess.First,anareaapproxi-mately200feet(61m)indiameterwillbeclearedandgradedtofacilitateinstallationoffoundations,associatedgroundingandelectricalcollectionsystemcomponents.ThisconstructionareawillincorporatethedirectivesofthesitespecificStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(“SWPPP”)andothermeasuresthatmayberequiredtoavoidimpactstonearbywetlands,othersensitiveresources,orphysicallandfeatures.Thelayoutoftheconstructionareamaybemodifiedtofurtherreduceimpactstotheseresources.Oncetheconstructionofthewindturbinesiscomplete,theconstructionareawillbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetate.

wind Turbine Foundation ConstructionSitepreparationandexcavationfortheinstallationofwindturbinefoundationswillcom-menceduringconstructionoftheroadsystem.Clearingandgrubbingwillbecompleted



andtopsoilwillbestockpiledforuseduringsiterestoration.Foundationconstructionwilloccurinseveralstagesbeginningwithexcavationusingbackhoes,excavators,dumptrucksandbulldozerstoremovematerial.Geotechnicalinformationgatheredateachwindturbinesitewillbeincorporatedintofoundationandgroundgriddesign.Theintendeddesignsforthesefoundationswillbedeterminedupongeotechnicalinvestigations.Intheeventthatblastingisrequired,GraniteReliablePowerwillfollowallapplicablestaterequirementsandindustrystandards.Individual,sitespecificblastingplanswillbepreparedtoaccommodate

allsuchrequirementsandap-plicablestandards.Excavationandfoundationconstructionwillbeconductedinamannerthatwillminimizethesizeofexcavatedareasrequiredtoinstallfoundations.Ifneces-sary,dewateringoffoundationholeswillbeconductedinac-cordancewiththeSWPPPandBestManagementPractices.

Tocompletethefoundation,generally,theexposedportionwillbecoveredwithstructural

backfillthatextendstoapproximately6feet(1.8m)outsidetheperimeterofthefoundationbase.Theremainingexposedportionofthefoundationisa16foot(4.9m)diameterpedestalthattypicallyextendsfrom6to12inches(15to30cm)abovegrade.

wind Turbine Assembly and Erection Withroadconstructioncompleteandthewindturbinefoundationscured,theerectionofwindturbinescancommence.Windturbinecomponentsgenerallyconsistofadowntowerassembly(“DTA”seeAppendix7:V90-3.0MW:AnEfficientWaytoMovePower,threetowersections,nacelle,bladehubandrotorblades.Thesecomponentswillbedeliveredtoindividualwindturbinesitesandstagedforaseriesofriggingactivitiestoassembleanderecteachwindturbine.Windturbineerectionisperformedinredundantmultiplestagesincluding:

• Settingthedowntowerassemblycabinetonthepedestalfoundationoverconduitsembeddedintheconcrete

• Placementofthetowerbasesection

• Placementofthetowermidsection,followedbyverificationofplumbandprepforgroutingunderthebasesectionring

• Afteranapproximate72hourcuretimeforthegrout,placementofthetoptowersectionandnacelleduringthesameperiodusingalargercranewithmoreliftcapacityandalongerreach

• Aseachtowersectionandnacelleareplaced,torqueofnutsandboltstoassembleeachsectiontoavendorspecifiedtorquevalue

• Withallcomponentsassembled,includingtheconnectionofallelectricalandcontrolcablingbetweenthenacelleandDTA,finalverificationofbolttorquing


Figure 11: typical spread footing foundation design


betweentowersectionsandanyancillaryequipment,i.e.climbingladders,etc.Lastly,afinalvendorinspectionismaderegardingcleanlinessandsecurity.

d. Collection System Installation

Undergroundcollectionlineswillgenerallybeinstalledalongtheridgelines.Under-groundcollectionlineswillalsobeinstalled,totheextentpracticable,withintheareaoftemporaryroaddisturbance.Directburialmethodsutilizingcableplow,rocksaw,and/ortrencherwillbeusedduringtheinstallationofundergroundcollectionlineswheneverpossible.Theundergroundcableswillgenerallybeburiedinatrench4feet(1.2m)indepth.

Mediumvoltageoverheadcollectionlineswillbeerectedalongthemainaccessroads,andwherevernecessarytominimizeenvironmentalimpactsinsensitiveareas.Instal-lationofoverheadlineswillrequirea50foot(15.2m)ROW.TheROWwillbeclearedofanytreesandlargewoodyvegetationtoallowforsafeandefficientinstallationofpolesandoverheadlines.Inaddition,occasional“dangertrees”outsidetheROWwillberemovedortrimmediftheyaredeemedlikelytofallontotheconductors.Whereoverheadlinesarelocatedadjacenttoexistingroadways,besteffortswillbemadetoinstallpolesfromtheedgeoftheroad.Poleswillgenerallybelocated20to25ft(6.0to8.0M)fromtheroadshoulder.

e. heavy/ Oversize trucking loads:

Thedeliveryoflargewindturbinecomponentstothesitewillinvolvetransportofoversizeandoverweightloads.TheseloadswillbesubjecttotheNHDOT’s“SpecialPermittoMoveaLoadInExcessofLegalLimit.”

NHDOTregulationsprovidethatspecialpermitapplicationsareissuedonlytothepersonorfirmwhowillactuallybehaulingtheoversizedload.Atthistime,GraniteReliablePowerhasnotselectedthehaulingcontractorsforthewindturbineequipmentandwillnotbeabletodosountilwindturbineordersaresolidifiedandtransportationlogisticsareplannedaroundthetransportationneedsofthespecificequipment.

Transportationrouteswillbeplannedtoavoidorminimizetheimpacttostateandlocalroads.TheProjectwillworkwithNHDOTandlocaltownhighwaydepartmentstosurveythetransportimpactsontherouteselectedtominimizesafetyriskstothegeneralpublic.

(6) project decommissioning GranitehasbeenworkingwiththeCoosCountyCommissionersregardingProjectdecommissioning.TheexecutedPaymentinLieuofTaxesAgreement(“PILOT”)be-tweenGraniteReliablePowerLLCandtheCoosCountyCommissionerscontainsthefollowingprovision:“GraniteReliablePoweragreestodiscusswiththeCOUNTY,andotherpartiesnecessary,aproposalforestablishingadecommissioningfundsufficienttodecommissiontheFacilityattheendofitsusefullifeandtoestablishsuchadecom-missioningfundaspartoftheNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommitteeprocess.”GraniteReliablePowerwillcontinuetoworkwiththeCommissionersandthepartiestotheSiteEvaluationCommitteeproceedinginordertoestablishafundsufficienttodecommissiontheWindpark.



(g) ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION LINE INFORMATION

(1) Location shown on u.s. geoLogicaL survey mapThelocationoftheelectricalinterconnectionlineisshownonaUSGSmap,includedasFigure12.

(2) corridor widthThecorridorfortheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbe100ft(30m)wideandlocatedalongthewestside(uphillside)ofDummerPondRoadTheentireelectricalintercon-nectionlinewillrequirevegetationclearing.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationgELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION Line information

Figure 12: usgs map illustrating the new electrical interconnection facilities required for the granite reliable power windpark, from the substation to the interconnection switching station


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Granite Reliable Power Windpark Electrical Interconnection LineLocation in Dummer, New Hampshire

Legend

’ Substation or Interconnection switching station



PSNH transmission line

Access road

Private road


0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 0.8 1.60.4Kilometers

.Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig 6-1


Existing PSNH Transmission Line

Electric

interconnectionline

Substation,Maintenance Building

and Laydown Yard


Data: USGS 1:24,000, Publically available data fromNH GRANIT including state land and roads. Private roads provided by landowners. All other data is propietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.

June 2008

a. New route

TheelectricalinterconnectionlinecorridorwillextendfromthenorthsideofPSNH’sexisting115kVtransmissionlineW179-2(LostNationtoPontook)inanortherlydirec-tionalongthewestsideofDummerPondRoadsome5.8miles(9.3km)toalocationidentifiedasthecollectorsubstation.TheelectricalinterconnectionlinewilltieintotheexistingW179-2linebymeansofanewPSNH115kVswitchingstationtobecon-structedonthenorthsideoftheexistingline.

b. widening along existing route

Notapplicable.

(3) Length of LineThelengthofthenewelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbe5.8miles(9.3km).

(4) distance aLong new route Theentiredistanceofthenewrouteis5.8miles(9.3km).

(5) distance aLong existing route Notapplicable.

(6) voLtage (design rating)Theelectricalinterconnectionlineisdesignedforoperationatanominalvoltageof115,000volts(115kV).

(7) any associated new generating unit or unitsTheelectricalinterconnectionlineisassociatedwiththeinstallationof33VestasV90windturbinegenerators.Thepurposeoftheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbeto

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication gELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION Line information

Figure 13: typical 115 kv tangent structure


transportpowergeneratedbytheGraniteReliablePowerWindparktotheexistinghighvoltagetransmissionnetworkownedbyPSNH.

(8) type of construction (described in detaiL)Theelectricalinterconnectionlinewillconsistofoverhead,wood,H-frametypestruc-turesthatwillrunparalleltothewestsideoftheDummerPondRoadtoprovidereadyaccessforconstructionandmaintenanceandtominimizeclearingforROWaccess.Thestructureswillbecenteredona100footwideclearedROW.Spansbetweenstruc-tureswillgenerallyrangebetween400and600ft(122-183m).Phaseconductorsareexpectedtobe477kcmilACSR.Opticalgroundingwiresandstaticwireswillprovideafiber-optictelecommunicationslink.Figures13and14illustratetypicaltangentandangledstructurestobeemployed.

(9) eLectricaL interconnection Line construction scheduLe

a. Anticipated Start date

Spring/Summer2009asindicatedinSection(f)(5):ConstructionSchedule.

b. Scheduled Completion date

Summer2010asindicatedinSection(f)(5):ConstructionSchedule.

(10) impact on system stabiLity and reLiabiLityThisisdiscussedinSection(f)(3)e:Impactonsystemstabilityandreliability.TheresultsoftheFeasibility,SystemReliabilityandImpactstudiesconductedbyISO-NEindicatethattheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanynegativeimpacttoexistingsystemstabilityandreliability.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationgELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION Line information

Figure 14: typical 115 kv angle structure


(h) AddITIONAL INFORMATION

(1) a description in detaiL of the type and siZe of each major part of the proposed faciLityTheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillinvolveconstructing33windturbinesgroupedintofourwindturbinestringsspanningapproximately6.5miles(10.5km)ofridgeline.TheProjectwillalsoincludetheconstructionofasubstationandinter-connectingswitchingstation,amaintenancebuilding,laydownyard,approximately30.4miles(48.9km)ofcollectionlineand5.8miles(9.3km)ofnew115kilovolt(kV)electricalinterconnectionlinetoserveasageneratorleadtotheexistingPSNH115kVtransmissionlinethatrunsbetweenMilanandGroveton.

TheProjectwillutilizeapproximately19miles(30.6km)ofexistingroadsandwillrequiretheconstructionof12miles(19.3km)ofnewaccessroadstoaccessthewindturbinesandotherfacilities.TheelevationoflandusedinthisProjectvariesbetweenapproximately1,200feet(366m)and3,450feet(1052m)abovemeansealevel.

ThewindturbineswillbelocatedwithintheboundariesoftheunincorporatedplacesofDixville,ErvingsLocation,Millsfield,andOdell.TheremainingProjectcomponents,includinganewsubstation,laydownyard,maintenancebuilding,115kVelectricalinterconnectionline,andinterconnectingswitchingstationwillbelocatedalongDummerPondRoadinthetownofDummer(seealsoGeographicFeaturesNeartheGraniteReliablePowerWindparkinFigure3).

Themaintenancebuilding,Projectsubstationandlaydownyardwillbelocatedonaportionoflandtimber-harvestedfourtosixyearsago.(seeFigure15.)

Theapproximately5,000squarefoot(465squaremeter)maintenancebuildingwillbeusedtostoretoolsandassociatedmaterialsnecessaryfortheProjectvehicles,sparepartsforthewindturbinesandassociatedequipment.Communicationsequipment

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication hAddITIONAL information

Figure 15: photograph of the area along dummer pond road planned for the new substation, maintenance building, and laydown yard. view is looking west.


willbehousedatthislocation.Arep-resentativephotographisprovidedinFigure16.

Adjacenttothemaintenancebuildingandsubstationwillbealaydownyardfortemporarystorageoflargecompo-nents,andasmallernumberofspareparts.ThesefacilitieswillbelocatedonthewesternsideofDummerPondRoadapproximately6.2miles(10.0km)north

oftheNHRoute16-DummerPondRoadintersection(seeFigure3).

AlsolocatedonDummerPondRoadadjacenttothemaintenancebuildingandlaydownyardwillbethesubstation,anelectricalfacilitythatwilltransformcollectionlinevolt-age(34.5kV)tothevoltageoftheelectricalinterconnectionline(115kV).SeeFigure17forelevationandplanviewsofthisfacility.

TheinterconnectingswitchingstationwillbelocatedattheintersectionofDummerPondRoadandNHRoute16.Thisfacilitywillbedesignedtoconnecttheelectrical

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationhAddITIONAL information

Figure 1�: photograph of a typical maintenance building similar to what is proposed for the granite reliable power windpark (photo is of similar facility in western new york).

Figure 1�: elevation and plan views of the typical size and layout of the major structures in a 34.5 kv- 115 kv substation as proposed for the granite reliable power windpark.


interconnectionlinetotheexisting115kVtransmissionlineownedbyPSNH.AtypicalinterconnectingswitchingstationdesignisshowninFigure18.

(2) identification of the appLicant’s preferred Location and any other options for the site of each major part of the proposed faciLity

Preliminary screeningIn2006,Noblebeganawideareastudyofseveralpotentialprojectareaswithinmul-tipleprojectregions.ManypotentialprojectareaswereidentifiedinNewYorkandNewEngland.TheProjectsitewithinCoosCountywasoneofmanysitesevaluatedwithinNewEnglandusingthefollowingcriteria:

• avaiLabiLity of sufficient wind resources. Windturbinesmustbesitedinlocationswherethereissufficientwindflowofadequatespeedsandduration.PotentialprojectsiteswereevaluatedusingtopographicmapsandtheAWSTrueWind™map.Generally,windspeedsaveragingatleast7.5meterspersecond(16.8mph)areneededforcommercialwindenergyprojectviability.ThehigherelevationofthePhillipsBrookTractandBayrootLandwasanareaidentifiedashavinganadequatewindresourceforacommercialscalewindproject.Sitespecificwindstudieshavebeenongoingsinceearly2007toconfirmthewindresource.

• proximity to existing roads and transmission Lines. Akeyconsiderationforwindprojectsitingistheaccessibilityofanexistingutilitysystemtodeliverthepowergeneratedintotheelectricitygrid.Useofexistingtransmissionfacilitiesminimizesenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithconstructionofnewpowertransmissionfacilities,whichwouldincludeclearingROWsandotherconstructionimpacts.Thelocationofthe115kVPSNHlinelocatedtothesouthoftheturbinelocationscreatesanidealsituationforinterconnectiontothegrid.

TheProjectisaccessiblefromRoute16andhasawelldevelopedsystemofprivate


Figure 1�: typical design and layout of interconnecting switching station, as proposed for granite reliable power.


loggingroadsallowingaccesstothewindresources.However,someoftheexistingloggingroadswillneedtobeupgradedtomeetstandardsneededforconstructiontraffic.ImprovingtheseexistingroadsforProjectaccessminimizestheneedfortheconstructionofnewroads.

• avaiLabiLity of privateLy-owned Lands.TheProjectiscomprisedofthreeprivately-ownedparcelsofland.Themajorityofthislandiscurrentlymanagedforcommercialtimberproduction.RepresentativesofGRPmetwithandobtainedleaserightsfortheconstruction,operationandmaintenanceofawindfacilityontheseproperties.

• presence of environmentaL and Land use constraints.GRPconductedapreliminaryanalysisofthesitetodeterminetheenvironmentalandlanduseconstraintspresentatthepotentialprojectsitelocations.GRP’sanalysisrevealedthattherewasarelativelylowpotentialfordisturbanceofsensitiveecologicalresources,landandwaterresources,culturalandvisualresources,andlandownerswithintheareaofstudy.

• identification of preferred project site and turbine Locations. Throughoutthedevelopment,layoutanddesignprocesses,theGRPWindparkhasexaminedmanydifferentalternativesforProjectcomponentsaswellascomponentlayout.Theprimaryvariablesthathavebeenconsideredareturbinetechnologyandplacement,roadwidthandroaddesignparameters,electricalcollectiondesignincludingtypeofequipmentandplacement,substation,interconnectingswitchingstationandelectricalinterconnectionlayout,aswellasotherProjectcomponentplacement.GRPbelievesthattheproposedProjectrepresentsthebestavailablealternativesresultingintheleastamountofenvironmentalimpactwhilepreservingtheviabilityoftheProject.

Turbines GraniteReliablePowerhasexploredmanyalternativestothecurrentturbinetechnol-ogyandlayout.DuringtheinitialstagesofProjectdevelopmentitwasestablishedthattheProjectcouldsupporta100MWcapacityfacilityintheareabeingstudied.Initiallythiswasintendedtoconsistof67turbines,eachwithacapacityof1.5MWs,constructedonboththewesternridgesandeasternridges.Withthisthoughtinmind,theinitialenvironmentalandwindresourcestudiesbegan.Twosignificantdevelopmentsledtothecurrentturbinetechnologyandlayout.Thedetailedwindassessmentofthesiteshowedthatthewindresourcewouldsupportaturbineratedupto3.0MW.WiththeadditionoftheBayrootParcel,morelandbecameavailableforturbineplacement,allowingfortheProjecttoexamineconsolidatingtheProjectcomponentsexclusivelyontheeasternridgesofthePhillipsBrookTract.

Additionalbenefitsofthepresentdesigninclude:alargerdistanceofseparationfromtheNashStreamForest,significantreductioninlengthofroadsandcollectionline,andeliminatingtheneedtocrossthePhillipsBrookwatershedmultipletimeswithcollectionlinesandproposedaccessroads.ThefinaldesignreducestheamountofareadisturbedwhilemaintainingProjectviability.BenefitsnotdirectlyrelatedtoreducingsitedisturbanceincludereducingthevisibilityoftheProject,reducingthenumberofturbinefoundationsbyhalfasaresultofusingfewerhigherratedturbines,



andeliminatingtheneedforthecutandfillrequiredtosupportthe34turbinesthatwillnotbebuilt.

AnothervariablerelatedtoselectedturbinetechnologyisthesiteparametersneededforconstructionandoperationoftheWindpark.Duringdiscussionswiththewindturbinemanufacturerandqualifiedpersonnelfamiliarwiththeconstructionprocessfortheselectedturbinemodel,multipleturbinesitedesignsthatwouldallowforsafeconstructionoftheProjectwereidentified.Eachturbinesiteneedstohavesomebasicfeatures,including:cranepad;turbinefoundationcleararea;areaforstagingofcom-ponents;andaclearedareaforsafemaneuveringoftheheavyliftloads,specificallytheblades.Manydifferentconfigurationsandconstructionsequenceswereexploredtoarriveatthecurrentsitedesignthatmeetstheconstructionsiterequirementswhileminimizingtheclearingareaneeded.Thebladeliftprocessisoneexample.Thisstepintheconstructionprocessthatrequiresthemostclearedarea.Typicallythebladesareattachedtothehubwhileonthegroundandthereisasinglelifttoattachallthreeblades.Foraturbinewitharotordiameterof300ftthisinvolvesaverysignificantclearing.GRPhasbeenabletoreducetheamountofclearingbyemployingasinglebladeliftprocess,which,asitsnamesuggests,meansthatasinglebladeisliftedontothehubatatime.Thisisamoretimeconsumingprocessbutminimizestheclearingareaneededateachturbinelocation.

RoadsFromthebeginningofthelayoutprocessithasbeenagoalofGRPtomaximizetheuseoftheexistingnetworkofloggingroadsandminimizeclearingneededtoconstructtheProject.Beyondutilizingexistingroads,GraniteReliablePowerhasexploredotheralternativestoreduceprimaryandsecondaryimpactswhileholdingsafetyasthepri-maryconcern.TheroaddesignparametersforGRPstartedwiththestandardroadspecifications.GRPconsultedwithspecialtyhaulingcompaniesinordertodeterminewheretheseparameterscouldbereduced.Byincorporatingchanges,suchasreduc-tionsofturningradii,GraniteReliablePowerreducedthelengthofroad,switchbacks,cutandfillandtotalareaofdisturbanceneededtosafelyaccesstheturbinesites.Inaddition,thelocationsoftheroadshavebeenmodifiedtoavoidwetlandsandothersensitiveresourcestotheextentpracticable.

Electrical collection systemVarioustypesofcollectionsystemswereconsideredtodeterminethebestdesignfortheProject.Someoftheinitialdesignsconsideredinclude:undergroundcollection,openconductoroverheadlinesandclosedconductoroverheadlines.Thefinaldesignutilizesacombinationofcollectionsystemstominimizetheoverallfootprintnecessarytoinstalltheseelectricalfacilities.

Thelocationofthecollectionlinewasmodifiedtominimizeimpacttosensitivere-sources.Duringtheinitialstagesofplanning,theProjectintendedtoroutecollectionlinesalongandbetweentheridgelinesinasstraightalineaspossibledowntoapointofinterconnectionalongParisRoad.Doingsowouldreducetheamountoflinelosses(energylostthroughinefficienciesinconductingpower)incurredbytheProject.



Whilethisisasounddesignfromanelectricalengineeringstandpoint,theimpacttotheresourceswouldhavebeenextensive.BasedonworkconductedbytheNewHampshireAudubonSociety,GRPfocusedonwaystobothre-routethecollectionlinestofollowtheaccessroadsandutilizeareaspreviouslydisturbedprimarilyfromcommercialtimberactivities.Secondly,byengagingtheadjacentlandowner,Bayroot,thecollectionlines,substation,interconnectingswitchingstationandlaydownareaswerereroutedtorunparalleltoDummerPondRoadobviatingtheneedtoinstallsixnewmilesofelectricallinethroughforestedareas.

Substation, interconnecting switching station, electrical interconnection lineDesignofsubstationsandinterconnectingswitchingstationsaregenerallystandardandfewoptionsexisttoalterthesizeoftheareadisturbedbythesefacilities,there-foregeographicalplacementofthesefacilitiesisthemosteffectivewaytominimizeenvironmentalimpacts.Tothisend,GraniteReliablePowerbeganlookingatexistingdisturbedareasforplacementofthesubstation.Threesitesthatwereallrecentlyclearedduringloggingactivitieswereinitiallyselectedasviableforasubstation:oneneartheFishbrookRidgeturbinestring,anotherbetweentheOwlheadandMt.KelseyturbinestringsandthelastalongDummerPondRoad.Afterthesesiteswereselected,GRPexaminedtheplacementoftheelectricalinterconnectionpowerlineroutefromeachoftheselocationsinordertotieintotheexisting115kVPSNHtransmissionline.

Theinterconnectionpowerlineisa115kVlineandrequiresa100ft(30.5m)clearedROW.ByplacingtheinterconnectionpowerlinenexttotheProjectaccessroads,theProjectwasabletoreducetheamountofadditionalclearingneededbyusingtheaccessroaddisturbanceaspartoftheROW.Withthisinformation,sensitiveresourceswerethentakenintoaccountandGraniteReliablePowerdeterminedthatthesubstationlocationalongDummerPondRoadwastheleastenvironmentallyintrusiveoption,asitislocatedinarecentlyclear-cutarea.

TheelectricalinterconnectionlinewillbeanH-framestructureandwillbeentirelylocatedwithinthetownofDummer.TheinterconnectingswitchingstationlocationwasdeterminedbythelocationofthePSNHtransmissionlineandtheproximitytoDummerPondRoad.

Other project facilitiesAdditionalProjectfacilitiesthatarenecessaryfortheconstructionandoperationoftheProjectincludealaydownyard,maintenancebuildingandabackuplaydownyard.Focusingonpreviouslydisturbedareas,GraniteReliablePowerdeterminedthatthemostsuitablesitefortheprimarylaydownyardandmaintenancebuildingwouldbetolocatethemnexttotheProjectsubstationinthesameclear-cutarea.Thesecondarylaydownyardwillbelocatedinanexistingclear-cutalongDummerPondRoad,southofthesubstation,laydownyardandmaintenancebuilding,andwillbeusedforthepurposesofequipmentoverflowandadditionalequipmentstaging.

a. Project alternatives evaluated

Smaller Project sizeGRPevaluatedreducingthesizeoftheProjectbyusingasmallernumberofturbines.


granite reLiabLe power, LLc5�

However,reducingtheProject’ssizewouldreducetheenergyproductionandthere-sultingenvironmentalandeconomicbenefitsoftheProject.Asmallerprojectwouldalsobelessfinanciallyviable.

GraniteReliablePowerevaluatedaprojectwithfewerturbinesanddeterminedthatsuchaprojectwouldreducethelocalizedenvironmentalimpactsonlymarginally.ThefootprintandvisibilityoftheProjectwouldbeslightlyreduced,therebyalsoreducingtheamountofdisturbedforestland,vegetation,andwetlands.Visually,areductioninthenumberofturbinesmayprovideaminimalbenefitataparticularreceptor,butitwoulddolittletochangetheoverallimpactoftheProjectontheregionallandscape.Therewouldalsobeaminimalreductionintheneedforcollectionlinesandthevisualimpactsassociatedwiththesiteclearing.Thus,thereductionofthesizeoftheProjectwouldonlymarginallychangeitsaestheticprofile.Giventheminimalimpactstoforestland,vegetationandwetlandsoftheProjectasproposed,aswellasthemarginalchangeintheaestheticprofileoftheProject,itappearsthatasmallerprojectalternativedoesnotwarrantthelossofgeneratingcapacityandrelatedsocialandeconomicbenefits.

Project viabilityWindgeneratingprojectshavecertainfixed“infrastructure”capitalexpendituresthatareindependentofthesizeofthefacility.Forexample,thecostoftheutilityintercon-nectionandthefacilitysubstationwillnotvarysignificantlywiththesizeofthefacility.Thefinancialviabilityofaprojectdependsonitsabilitytorecoverthesefixedcapitalexpendituresbymaximizingoutput.

PricesforelectricityproducedbytheProjectarebasedonmultiplemarketfactorsin-cludingthecostsofelectricitygeneration.Asafuel-freeenergyresource,theProject’smaincostsarefixedcapitalcosts.Tobecompetitivewithotherwindprojectsandothersourcesofelectricalenergy,thecapitalandotherfixedcostsperkilowatt-hour(kWh)outputmustbereducedwhilemaximizingelectricaloutput.ReducingProjectoutputwithoutacorrespondingreductioninfixedcostswouldcreateanegativeimpactonitsoverallfinancialviabilityandwoulddiscourageinvestment.

TheProjecthasbeensizedtomaximizetheavailablewindresourcewhilebeingsensi-tivetovariousenvironmentalfactors.Asmallerprojectwouldproducefewerglobalbenefits(e.g.cleanenergy,emissionsreductionsandreductionsinfossilfuelcombus-tion),andfewerlocaleconomicbenefitstotheregionandthestate.Italsowouldbecontrarytothestate’sgoalsofincreasingtheuseofrenewablesourcesofelectricitytothesameextentastheProjectthathasbeenproposed.

No-build alternativeSelectionoftheno-buildalternativewouldprecludethedevelopmentofawindparkinanareawithfavorablewindresourcesandinfrastructuretosupportsuchaproject.InthenortheasternUnitedStates,goodwindenergyprojectsitesarelimitedandthosethatdoexistareprimarilylocatedinareasthatwillhavesimilarsocialandenvironmentalconcerns.Therefore,theselectionoftheno-buildalternativewouldforcecontinuedrelianceinthenortheastonnon-renewableenergyresources(e.g.fossilfuelsandnuclearmaterials).Energyproductionwithsuchnon-renewablesourcesresultsinaplethora



ofseveredirectandindirectadverseenvironmentalimpacts(e.g.airemissions,waterconsumption,toxiceffluentsandthermalemissions,by-productwastes,significantinfrastructureneedsandrelatedlanduseimpacts,visualimpacts,noiseimpacts,trafficimpacts,andhealthimpacts),andsocioeconomiceffects(e.g.decreasedenergydiversityandreliability,fluctuatingandincreasedconsumercosts,anduncertaintiesregardingtheabilitytomeetincreasingenergydemands).

Furthermore,thebenefitsofaddingapproximately99MWofclean,renewableelectricenergytothepowergridwouldbelostinano-buildsituation.Electricgenerationbyfossilfuel-firedfacilitiespresentsseriousconsequencesintheformof,amongotherthings,airemissions(i.e.carbondioxide,sulfurdioxide,nitrogenoxides,particulatematter,andmercury).Thecontinuedrelianceonfossilfuel-firedgeneratorswouldnegatethereductionsinemissionsexpectedfromoperationsoftheProject.Thosereductionsareestimatedtobe525,000poundsofsulfurdioxide(aprecursorofacidrain),162,000poundsofnitrogenoxides(asmogprecursor),mercury13(adeadlypoison),and332,100,000poundsofcarbondioxide(agreenhousegas)overeachyearofoperation14.Theadverseenvironmentalandhealtheffectsofairemissionsfromcombustionoffossilfuelsarewell-documentedandincludeglobalwarming,acidrain,smog,respiratoryhealtheffects,andsignificantlong-termimpactsonwildlife.

Beyondairemissions,fossilfuel-firedfacilitieshaveothersignificantenvironmentalimpacts.Theseinclude,amongothers,massivewaterwithdrawals/consumptionforcooling(whichentrainandimpingefish),thereleaseoftoxiceffluentsresultingfromplantoperations,thermalreleases(whencoolingwatersarereturnedtothewaterbodyfromwhichtheywerewithdrawn),andvisualimpactsresultingfromthefacilities’structureandvapor/steamplume.TotheextentthatnewtechnologiesarerequiredundertheCleanWaterActtoreducewaterwithdrawals,suchtechnologieshavetheirownattendantadverseenvironmentalimpacts(e.g.,constructionandmaintenanceofmassivestructuresinwaterbodies,therebycausinglong-termhabitatdisturbance).Inanyevent,evenwithmodernpollutioncontroldevices,significantadverseimpactsremain.Thecumulativeeffectoftheoperationofmanyfossilfuelpowerplantscontinuestoposeanenvironmentalthreatthatwillonlyworsenwithcontinuedandexpandedusagenecessarytomeettheever-increasingdemandforenergy.

Beyondenvironmentalimpacts,fossilfuelpowerplantfacilitiesalsohavesignificantadversesocioeconomiceffects.Strictairemissionsregulationsandcontrolmeasures,alongwithotherenvironmentalrequirementstopermitneworre-poweredfossilfuel-firedfacilities,haveincreasedthecapitalandoperatingcostsofpowerplantswhich,inturn,resultsinhigherelectricitycoststoconsumers.

Further,theinfrastructurerequiredforefficientenergydistributionislacking,insomeinstances,whichleadstopricefluctuationsandunreliabilityofenergysupply.Forexample,naturalgasistransportedthroughanetworkofpipelinesthroughoutthecountrywhichisnotalwayscapableoftransportingtherequiredgastovariousregions.Thisresultsinsignificantpriceswingsandincreasedcoststoconsumersduetosupplyanddemandforces.Inextremeinstances,supplydisruptionsmayforceuseofdirtierfuelssuchasfueloiltobecombustedinordertomeetelectricaldemand15.Inaddition,naturalgasfacilitiessufferfrommanyofthesameadverseenvironmental


13 the actual displacement of mercury emissions as a result of the project is difficult to quantify. individual power plants have different mercury emission rates based on the type of fuel and equipment utilized. furthermore, current regulatory conditions make it difficult to accurately estimate future mercury emissions.

14 based on marginal emissions rates calculated by the new england independent system operator. see appendix 10: 2005 new england marginal emissions rate analysis.

granite reLiabLe power�0

impactsasdocoal-firedandoil-firedplants,particularlywithrespecttowaterwith-drawals,thermalreleases,andvisualimpacts.Thus,fossilfuel-firedfacilities,whichdependonnon-renewableresources,haveundeniableandwell-definedsignificantenvironmentalandsocialcosts.

Nuclearfacilitiesposetheirownuniquesetofdangers,includingthedisposalofra-dioactivewaste(high-levelandlow-level),impactsonthemarineenvironmentfromthermalwaterdischarge,andthepotentialdangerofacatastrophicradioactivereleaseastheresultofanaccident.

TheNationalRenewableEnergyLaboratory(“NREL”)highlightstheattributesofwind,showcasinghowfossilfuelandwindpoweraremarkedlydifferent.Accordingtotheirfindings,inthepublication“WindEnergyBenefits”,windenergyisbeneficialinthefollowingways:

1) wind energy is economically competitive

2) wind energy is a valuable crop of the future for farmers and ranchers

3) unlike most other electricity generation sources, wind turbines do not consume water

4) wind energy is an indigenous, homegrown energy source that contributes to national security

5) wind energy is inexhaustible and infinitely renewable

6) wind energy has many environmental benefits

7) wind energy reduces the risk associated with volatile fossil fuel prices

8) wind energy is the fuel of today and tomorrow

9) wind energy can be used in a variety of applications16.

Windprojectsdo,however,requireappropriatewindresources,andtheyaregenerallydistributedoveralargerlandareathanfossilfuelfacilities.Thesecharacteristicsmakeruralareasappropriateforwindprojectdevelopment.Ruralareasoftenareusedforfarmingorlogging,andwindenergyfacilitiesarewhollycompatiblewiththesetwolanduses.Theydonotrequiretheprojectsponsortoownland;instead,aneasementorleaseagreementissignedandownershipofthelandremainswiththecurrentowner.Thus,revenuesarepaidtothelandowner,whichhelpsustaineconomicvitalityintheruralarea17.Inadditiontoeasementpaymentstoprivatelandowners,theProjectisexpectedtomakesignificantPILOTandotherpaymentstolocaltaxingjurisdictions,andmakeroadimprovementsasaresultofconstructionandpost-constructionreme-diation.Theno-buildalternativewoulddeprivetheruralareaofthisdirecteconomicbenefitaswellasprecludedevelopmentofanenvironmentallybenignandbeneficialenergyproductiontechnology.

Importantly,boththeUnitedStates’andNH’senergypoliciesexplicitlyrecognizetheneedtosupplementnon-renewableenergyproductionresourceswithrenewableenergyresources.Thus,theyencouragedevelopmentofrenewablesourcesandsupportrenew-ablesourcesasavitalpartofthelocalandnationallong-termenergystrategy.


15 diversity in the mix of energy sources that supply our electricity can help reduce price fluctuations for the consumer. see rsa 362-f:1.

16 us department of energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, “wind energy benefits”, april 2005. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/37602.pdf

17 us department of energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, “wind energy for rural economic development.” updated august, 2004. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33590.pdf

granite reLiabLe power �1

(3) a description in detaiL of the impact of each major part of the proposed faciLity on the environment for each site proposedAdetaileddescriptionofthepotentialenvironmental,healthandsafetyimpactsoftheProjectiscontainedinSection(i).

(4) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s proposaLs for studying and soLving environmentaL probLemsGRPhasbeencarefultoaccountfornaturalcommunitiesattheProjectsiteandanalyzepossibleeffectstheProjectmayhaveonthenaturalenvironment.Additionalstudieshavebeenperformedrelatedtobreedingbirds,bats,winteranimaltracking,rareplants,andwetlands.ThesestudiesarediscussedindetailinSection(i).

Itisimportanttorecognizethatincomparisontootherenergysourcesthatcouldbebuilttomeetdemandsforelectricity,windpower’simpactontheenvironmentandwildlifeisminimal.Thelistofenvironmentalandwildlifeimpactsfromotherenergysourcesislongandvaried,including:

• Habitatimpactsfrommining(coal,uranium),drilling(naturalgas,oil),andcompressingfuel(naturalgas).Someoftheseeffectsarelocal,whileotherscanextendoverfairlybroadareas.

• Habitatimpactsfromairandwaterpollution:acidrain,smog,mercury,drillingandwastewaterdisposal(fossilfuels).

• Habitatimpactsfromglobalwarming(fossilfuels).Significantchangesinsomespecies’rangesarealreadyoccurring,particularlyinnorthernlatitudes.

• Habitatimpactsfromthermalpollutionofwater(nuclearandfossilpowerplants).

• Habitatimpactsfromfloodingoflandandstreamflowchanges(hydropower).

• Habitatimpactsfromwastedisposal(coal).TheAmericanBirdConservancyestimatesthatmountaintopmining/valleyfilloperationsinWestVirginia,Tennessee,Kentucky,andVirginiawillleadtoamassiveandpermanentimpactonmatureforestbirdsincludingthelossoftensofthousandsofbreedingCeruleanWarblersandotherforestbirdsinthenextdecade.18

(5) a description in detaiL of the appLicant’s financiaL, technicaL and manageriaL capabiLity for construction and operation of the proposed faciLityGraniteReliablePower,LLCismajorityownedbyNobleEnvironmentalPower,LLC.GRPisaDelawareLimitedLiabilityCompany,formedforthedevelopmentof,andeventualownershipandoperationof,theProjectthatisthesubjectofthisApplication.GRPisregisteredtodobusinessinNewHampshire.AsstatedinarecentS-1filingwiththeSecuritiesandExchangeCommission,NobleEnvironmentalPowerisarapidlygrowingwindenergycompanyoperating282MWofelectricalgeneratingcapacitywithmorethan950MWofadditionalcapacitythatNobleexpectstocommenceoperationsduring2008and2009.Nobleisfocusedondeveloping,financing,constructing,own-ingandoperatingwindparksintheUnitedStates.ThroughRPSprogramsandRECmarkets,Nobleisabletomonetizetheenvironmentalattributesassociatedwiththe


18 see awea’s fact sheet “wind energy and wildlife”, http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629-threec’sfactsheet.pdf and “save the Loon with wind energy” http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/wildlife.pdf


poweritproduces,inadditiontogeneratingrevenuefromtheactualpowerproduced.OperatinginthesederegulatedenergymarketsalsoenablesNobletoexecuteitsenergyhedgingstrategy,whichhelpsstabilizerevenueswhileallowingthecompanytobenefitfromfutureincreasesinenergyprices.

NoblewasfoundedinAugust2004andcommencedoperationsofitsfirstwindparksinMarch2008.Todate,Noblehasgrownintoafullyintegratedwindenergycompanywithover170employees,withthecapabilitytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperatewindparks.Noblewillutilizeitsunderstandingofthecommoditymarketstositewindparksinattractiveregionsandtomonetizetheoutputoftheprojectseffectively.

InadditiontoNoble’scurrentcapacityof282MW,constructionofadditionalwindparksinNewYorkandTexashasbegunandwillprovideanadditional465MWofcapacityin2008.Nobleplanstogrowcapacitysignificantlyoverthenextseveralyears.Bytheendof2012,thecompanyexpectstohaveapproximately3,850MWofcapacityasitfurtherexpandsintoattractivewindenergymarketsinMaine,Michigan,Minnesota,NewHampshire,VermontandWyoming.

Noblemaintainsstrongrelationshipswithmajorturbinesuppliers,whoitexpectswillprovidetheturbinesrequiredforthecompany’sexpandingwindparkportfolio.

Noblehasafully-integrated,cross-functionalorganizationalstructurethatenablesthecompanytodevelop,finance,construct,ownandoperateeachoftheprojects,includingGRP,withalong-termownershipperspective.Acommoditiesandriskmanagementteamworkscloselywiththecompany’sdevelopersandmeteorologicalteamidentify-ingregionsforoptimalprojectdevelopment.Collaborationamongthedevelopers,engineersandmanagersoneachoftheprojectsallowsfortransitionfromonestagetothenextandtoregularlyidentifyprocessandtechnicalimprovementsoverthelife-cycleofeachproject.

Noblehasadedicateddevelopmentteamofprofessionalsengagedinactivitiesincludingsiteselection,marketanalysis,landacquisition,communityrelationsandpermitting.Noblealsohassignificantexpertiseinengineering,construction,operationsandmain-tenance,withacombinedtotalof76employees.Finally,Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveprojectfinanceandcommodityhedgingexpertise,allowingthecompanytooptimizeitscapitalstructureandreducetheimpactofspotmarketenergypricevola-tility.ThisintegratedprojectmanagementstrategywillenableNobletocontinuouslyimprovethedevelopmenttiming,costandcapitalstructureandrevenueoptimizationofprojectsacrossitsportfolio.

Noble’smanagementteamhasextensiveknowledgeofeveryaspectofthedevelop-ment,financing,constructionandoperationofwindparks,aswellasmanyyearsofexperienceintraditionalindependentelectricitygeneration.Thecompany’sseniormanagementhasanaverageofover15yearsofexperiencewithcomplexpowerandinfrastructureprojects,frominitialdevelopmentthroughfinancingtoongoingopera-tionsandmaintenance.

InadditiontotheLancaster,NewHampshireoffice,Noblemaintainspermanently-staffedprojectofficesinAltona,Arcade,Bliss,ChurubuscoandFredonia,NewYork;



AustinandHitchland,Texas;Ubly,Michigan;andRutland,Vermont.Bymaintainingtheseofficesandbecominginvolvedinlocalcommunityaffairs,thecompanyworkstodevelopameaningfullocalpresence,whichhelpsthecompanynavigatelocalpermit-tingprocessesandenlistthesupportoflocalcommunitiesforitswindparks.

Noble’scorporateheadquartersarelocatedinEssex,ConnecticutandithasanOpera-tionsCenterinPlattsburgh,NewYork.

Nobleseekstomaximizeprojectefficiencyandreducecostsbytakingadvantageofitsin-housecapabilitiesindevelopment,financing,constructionandoperations.Forexample,intheconstructionphase,Noblebelievesthattheabilitytochoosebetweenusingoutsideprovidersandtakingadvantageofitsin-housecapabilitytoactasagen-eralcontractorprovidessignificantflexibilityinselectingthemostcost-effectiveandstrategicallyefficientoption.Additionally,Noblewillmaintainacentralwarehouseofspareparts,whichthecompanybelieveswillresultinsignificantbenefits,includ-ingincreasedoperationalflexibility,asNoblewillnothavetodelaymaintenanceasaresultofwaitingforanitemwithalong-leadtimetoarrive.AsNoble’sassetbasegrows,itwillachievefurthercostreductionsduetoeconomiesofscaleinmaintainingitswindparksandpurchasingcomponents.

NoblewillarrangeforthefinancingoftheProjectthroughvariouspotentialsourcesandstructurestoprovidecapitalforconstructionequipmentandoperationoftheProject.TheProjectiscurrentlyestimatedtorequireapproximately$275millionincapital,dependingonfinalequipmentcostsandconstructionpricing.

Throughtheselectionofthevariousfinancingalternativesgenerallyavailabletowindenergydevelopers,Nobleseekstomaximizetherateofreturnonprojectinvestments.Nobleintendstousetaxequityfinancingarrangementsinordertomonetizethevalueofacceleratedtaxdepreciationthatareavailabletoitasawindenergygenerator.Noblewillbeabletoenterintothesearrangementsatacostofcapitalthatreflectsthetaxequityinvestor’sabilitytoutilizethesetaxbenefits.UntilNoblehassignificanttaxableincome,thecompanyintendstocontinuefinancingitswindparkswithtaxequityfinancingstructuressolongastaxincentivesandtaxequityinvestorsremainavailable.

CopiesofrecentfinancialstatementsforGraniteReliablePowerandNobleareincludedinAppendix1,thoughtheyhavebeenredactedastheyarethesubjectofamotionforconfidentialtreatment.

Contractorswillberequiredtocarrycontractor’sinsurance,includingworker’scom-pensationinsurance,commercialgeneralliabilityinsurance,automobileinsurance,excessliabilityinsuranceandprofessionalliabilityinsurancetocoverliabilityarisingoutofanynegligentact,errororomissionresultingfromthecontractor’sengineering,design,andcommissioningservices.Thecontractorwillalsorequireanysubcontrac-torstomaintainsimilarinsurance.Contractorsarealsorequiredtocarryabuilder’sall–riskinsurancepolicycoveringtheriskofphysicallossordamagetowindturbineequipment.Duringtheoperationphase,theProjectwillcarryinsurance,includingworker’scompensationsinsurance,commercialgeneralliabilityinsurance,automobileinsurance,excessliabilityinsuranceandprofessionalliabilityinsurance.



(6) a statement of assets and LiabiLities of the appLicant see section (b)(7) above and appendix 1.

(7) documentation that written notification of the proposed project, incLuding appropriate copies of the appLication, has been given to the appropriate governing body of each community in which the faciLity is proposed to be LocatedTheCoosCountyPlanningBoard(becausetheProjectislocatedintheunincorporatedplacesofMillsfield,ErvingsLocation,DixvilleandOdell,alllocatedinCoosCounty),andtheTownofDummerhavebeenprovidedwithcopiesofthisNewHampshireSiteEvaluationCommitteeApplicationbyU.S.mail,returnreceiptrequested,atthesametimetheApplicationwasfiledwiththeCommittee.Accordingly,theApplicantintendstofilecopiesofthereturnreceipts(oncetheyarereturned)tosupplementthisanswerandhasreservedAppendix35forthispurpose.

(i) POTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ANd MITIgATION PLANS

(1) aesthetics

a. Visual Impact

background & potentiaL effects: WindenergyprojectsinNewEnglandaretypicallyvisibleduetothesizeofwindturbinesandtheridgelinelocations,necessi-tatedbythewindresourcecharacteristicswithinmostofNewEngland.Visibilitybyitselfdoesnotnecessarilymeantherewillbeunreasonablyadverseeffectsonthesiteorsurroundinglandscape.AstudyofvisualimpactsoftheproposedProjectshowsthatwhiletherewouldbesomevisualimpactsfromafewareas,theywouldnotbeunreasonablyadverse.

ThestudyofthevisualimpactsoftheProjectexaminedimportantviewingareaswithina10-mile(16.1km)radiusoftheProject.Foregroundviewsextendupto1/2mile(0.8km)awayandincludeareasinwhichconsiderabledetailcanbeseen.Middlegroundviewsextendupto5miles(8.0km)awayandareareasinwhichtreescanbeperceivedinveryclearconditionsbutnotdetailssuchasindividualleaves.Landformsappeardistinctandlanduseandvegetativepatternsareoftenclearlyevident.Backgroundviewsarethosebeyond5miles(8.0km)andaregenerallythoseinwhichlandformsbegintotakeonabluishcolor(actualdistanceswillvarydependingonweathercondi-tions),andoveralllandformsaremorevisuallydominantthanlanduseorvegetativepatterns.Visualimpactsbecomelesssignificantwithdistancebothbecauseobjectsappearmuchsmaller,andalsobecausetheyoccupyamuchsmallerportionofoverallviews.Beyond10miles(16.1km)away,visualimpactsarehighlyunlikelyunlessaproposedprojectisextremelylargeorlocatedonahighlysensitivesite.

study & mitigation pLans: InordertoassessthevisualimpactoftheProject,avisualstudywascompletedbyJeanVisseringLandscapeArchitectureandThomasKokxAssociates,landscapearchitectswithsignificantexperienceinthisfield.Thisvisualassessmentisbaseduponextensivefieldinventoryincludingvisitingthesignificantrecreationalandpublicuselocationswithina10mile(16km)radiusoftheProject,andinsomeinstancesupto15miles(24km).Fieldinventoryworkwasconductedduring

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS


bothleaf-onandleaf-offconditions.AreasofProjectvisibilityweredocumentedwithphotographsandidentifiedonmapsusingaglobalpositioningsystem(“GPS”)unit.ThevisualassessmentusedasystematicmethodologicalapproachsimilartothatoutlinedintherecentNationalAcademyofSciencesreportEnvironmentalImpactsofWind-EnergyProjects19.Themethodologyexaminesfactorssuchasrelativescenicquality,uniquenessofscenicresources,viewersensitivitylevels,documentationofscenicresources,proximityofviews,durationofviewsandtherelativeprominenceoftheProjectwithinviews.PhotographicsimulationshavebeenpreparedillustratinghowtheProjectwouldappearfromfiveviewpointsconsideredtohavehighersensitiv-itylevelsduetoscenicquality,proximity,numberofusersorviewerexpectations.Thesimulationsillustratearangeofdistancesandgeographicareas.ThecomprehensivestudyisincludedasAppendix11:GraniteReliablePowerVisualImpactReport.AmapofthevisualassessmentareaisincludedasFigure19.

Views from Federal and State Roads

ThestudyfoundvisibilityfromRoutes3,16and110Btobeverylimited,withabriefglimpsepossibleinonelocationalongeachroad.TherewouldbenovisibilityfromRoutes110and110A.Route26wasdeterminedtohavemoreviewsoftheProject,spe-cificallybetweenErrolandSignalMountainRoadinMillsfieldandbetweenColebrookandDixvilleNotch.TheProjectwouldnotbevisibleinDixvilleNotch,norfromanyoftheroadsideparksornearbyrestareas.SeeFigure20foraviewoftheProjectsitefromtheintersectionofFishHatcheryRoadandRoute26.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationIpotentiaL hEALTh and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS

Figure 1�: map of viewpoint locations for photographic simulations of the granite reliable power windpark.

19 environmental impacts of wind-energy projects. national research council of the national academies. the national academies press, washington d.c.: 2007.

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South Percy Peak

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Baldhead Mountain

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Viewpoints Assessed for the Granite Reliable Power Windpark

Legend

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Viewpoint

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1, 3, 5, 10-mile radi bands




Access roads

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Private roads

NH GRANIT GIS trails


#* Landscape features

Population center



.Prepared by

Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Incwww.northeastwind.com

Prepared for

Jean Vissering Landscape ArchitectureThomas Kokx Associates

June 2008

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Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT. White Mountain National Forest boundaries from WMNF. Private road data provided by landowners. All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.


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Views from Recreation Areas and Trails

TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblefromDixvilleNotchStatePark,fromtheTableRockTrail,orfromtheimmediateenvironsoftheBalsamsGrandResortHotel.ViewsoftheDixvillePeakportionoftheProjectarepossiblefromtheSanguinaryMountainTrail,fromthesummitofMountAbenakiandfromsomeoftheResort’scrosscountryskitrails.TheDixvillePeakportionoftheProjectwillalsobevisiblefromsomeportionsofthePanoramaGolfCourseandtheColebrookCountryClub.

TherewouldbenoviewsoftheProjectfromstateparkswithinthestudyareaincludingDixvilleNotchStatePark,ColemanStatePark,andMollidgewockStatePark.MilanHillStateParkisjustoutsidethestudyarea,buttherewouldbepotentialviewsfromthefiretower.TherewouldbenoviewsfromUmbagogLakeStatePark.

ViewswouldbeextremelylimitedwithintheNashStreamForestexceptforfairlydis-tantviewsfromthesummitsofPercyPeakandSugarloafMountaininStratford,bothaccessiblebyamarkedtrail.SeeFigure21foraviewoftheProjectfromthesummitofNorthPercyPeak.

PortionsoftheProjectwouldbevisiblefromMillsfieldPond,DummerPond,andPhil-lipsPondwithinrelativelycloseproximity(approximately2.4milesawayor3.9km).MillsfieldPondhasbeenidentifiedashavingthegreatestsensitivityduetothepresenceofanumberofcampsaroundthepond,alongwiththepotentialvisibilityofthewindturbinesalongallthreeridgesfromportionsofthepond.TherewouldalsobeviewsfromAkersPondinErrolandthePontookReservoirinDummer.AttheboatlaunchnearthePontookDam,itispossibletoseeaportionoftheOwlheadandFishbrookRidgewind


20 proximity is measured by the distance to the closest turbine.

21 the number of turbines represents all potentially visible parts of turbines which may include only tips of blades.

22 the number of viewers is a general figure based on the relative use of a viewpoint in comparison to similar use areas in northern new hampshire.

23 scenic quality ratings are described in more detail in the report; they range from Low or degraded, moderate, high to exceptional for outstanding views with intact foregrounds.

24 documentation includes publicly adopted planning or legal documents in which the resource/area is specifically identified; other types of documentation are noted also.

granite reLiabLe power ��

Table C:viewpoints: describes characteristics of the five viewpoints which were selected as simulation points.

VIew- LocATIon 20 ProxImITy To no. oF no. oF ScenIc DocUmenTeD noTeS

PoInT # ProjecT (mILeS) TUrbIneS 21 VIewerS 22 QUALITy 23 SIgnIFIcAnce 24

3 route 26 8.5 8 Open foreground meadows permit views fish hatchery (13.7 km) state toward Dixville Peak with other fore- road high high scenic ground mountains and hills. Foreground (colebrook) byway views in simulation location are reltively intact but mixed commercial/residential development is visible in other locations.

15 keach road 4.8 10 moderate moderate no High open meadows inthe Cilley and Marshall cilley hill (7.7 km) - high documentation Hill area contribute to scenic quality and permit (columbia) distant views to many mountains in the area. Dixville Peak is visible in many views along with Baldhead and Muise Mountains.

16 route 26 Along Route 26 between Errol and just north of signal mountain 5.3 8 state Signal Mountain Road Dixville Peak and some road (8.5 km) high high scenic of Kelsey Mountain are seen intermittently. (millsfield) byway The simulation view is one of the most scenic points with the open meadow and farmstead in the

foreground and Dixville Peak beyond.

22 millsfield 2.7 15 Low moderate no Views would include turbines along portions of (2 photos) pond (4.3 km) (up to 27 moderate - high - documentation both Dixville and Kelsey/Owlhead, with (millsfield) (from pond) someturbines on Fishbrook Ridge visible from the

Pond. Relatively developed pond with industrial forestry activities evident in surrounding hillsides.

28 north percy noted in Dixville and Kelsey/Owlhead are seen at a peak nash 9.5 20 Low high appalachian considerable distance with numerous foreground stream forest (15.3 km) mountain guide mountains blocking views to Fishbrook Ridge. (stratford) Views to the Presidential and Mahoosuc Ranges

are most dramatic

turbinestringssouthofMt.Kelsey.TherewouldbenoviewsfromtheAndroscogginRiverexceptforasmallsectionbySweatMeadowsnearitssourceonLakeUmbagog.Theseviewswouldbeover10miles(16km)awayfromtheProject.ViewstowardportionsofMtKelseyandDixvillePeakcanbeseenfromthenorthernendofLakeUmbagog,butfromthewesternedgesandsouthernportionsoftheLake,viewsareblockedbyforegroundhillsandmountains.

Althoughoutsidethestudyareaatabout11miles(17.7km)away,theProjectwouldhavelimitedvisibilityfromMonadnockMountaininVermont.

Views from Residential Areas

Viewsfromresidentialareasweredeterminedbaseduponviewsfromadjacentroads. Resi-dencesalongthewest-ernendofGolfLinksRoad,MunnRoadandtheeasternendofEastColebrookRoadwouldhave the most proxi-mateviewsoftheDix-villePeak turbinesatdistancesrangingfromabout3.2to4.6miles(5.1–7.4km).TherewouldbemoredistantviewsfromportionsofLForbesandReedRoadfrom5toover7miles(8to11km)away.InColumbiaresidentialareassouthofRoute26alongportionsofFishPond Road, Marshall

HillRoadandKeachRoadwouldseetheDixvillePeakwindturbinesatdistancesrangingfrom4.5to6miles(7.2to9.6km)away.

SomeoftheDixvillePeakandMt.KelseywindturbineswillbevisiblefromcampslocatedalongthesouthernandeasternendofMillsfieldPond.FromatleastonecamponDummerPond,theFishbrookRidge,andperhapstheOwlheadwindturbines,willbevisible.Bothoftheseviewpointsareontheleasedpremises.

IntheErrolarea,thewindturbineswillbedistantfeaturesofthelandscapefromcampsorhomesonAkersPondandalongthenortheasternshorelineofLakeUmbagog.

discussion of Viewpoints Illustrated in Photographic Simulations


Figure 20: viewpoint #3 of project site looking easterly from the intersection of fish hatchery road and route 26 in colebrook.

Figure 21: photograph from north percy peak (viewpoint #28) looking east includes several of the peaks within the nash stream forest, the project ridgelines (in the right in the distance) and the mountain ridges to the north of dixville notch.


CertainlocationswereselectedforphotographicsimulationtoillustratearangeofgeographicareasandlandusesaroundtheProject.ThoselocationsaredescribedinTableC.

Photographic Simulations

PhotographicsimulationsarecreatedusingDigitalElevationModeling,whichcreatesanaccuratethree–dimensionalcomputermodeloftheterrain.Thiscomputermodelpermitstheterraintobeportrayedvisuallyasifseenthroughacameralensfromaparticularviewpoint.Byinputtingthehorizontalandverticalcoordinatesforthepointwherethephotographwastaken,thecomputercancalculatebothelevationandrelativepositionofthecameralocationinthemodel,andsimulatetheterrainvisiblethroughthecameralens.Thesimulatedimageismostrepresentativeofwhatthehumaneyeseeswhenthephotographistakenwitha“normal”lenssetting(approximately50–52mmona35mmfilmcameraorabout34mmonadigitalcamera).

Thedigitalimageisthensuperimposedonthedigitalterrainmodel.Thecomputerprogramthendigitallyrepresentsthewindturbinesonthedigitalphotoimage,reflect-ingthemeteorologicalandlightingconditionsofthetimeanddayoftheyearthatthephotographwastaken.Simulationssoproducedprovideausefulillustrationofhowaprojectwillappearfromselectedviewpoints.TheviewpointfromtheintersectionofSignalMountainRoadandRoute26isillustratedinFigure22,andasisapparentfromthesimulation,thewindturbineswillonlybebarelyvisiblefromtheselocations.

Initsconclusion,theGraniteReliablePowerWindparkVisualImpactsReportobservesthattherewillbeareasadverselyaffectedbytheadditionofwindturbinesintheview.However,thestudynotesthatthesevisualimpactswouldnotrisetothelevelofun-reasonablyadverseandthatthevisibilityoftheProjectisrelativelylow.TheProjectwasnotfoundtoobstructordegradeviewsofanysitedocumentedpubliclyforitshighscenicvalues.

GraniteReliablePowerisworkingonanongoingbasistoprovidevisualimpactinforma-tiontothecommunities,throughsharingphotographicsimulationsfromlocalvantagepoints,inventoryingviewpointsfromhistoricplaces,sharingactualphotographsfromsimilarwindprojectsinoperationandprovidingtoursofwindparksinoperation.

b. Shadow Flickerbackground & potentiaL effects:Shadowflickeristheperiodicchangeinlightintensityorshadowscreatedbythemovingturbinebladeswhenback-litbythesun.Thealternationofshadowscanbebothersometonearbyresidencesandbusinesses.Problematicshadowflickeroccursprimarilyduringsunriseorsunsetwhenthesunislowintheskyandshadowsarecastatadistancefromtherotatingwindturbineblades.Thewindturbinebladesmustberotatingforshadowflickertooccur.Theintensityandfrequencyofshadowflickerdependsondistancefromthewindturbines,weatherconditionsandvisualobstructions.Atagivenlocation,maximumshadowflickerwilloccurwhentheplaneofthewindturbinerotorisorientedperpendiculartothelinebetweenthesunandtheviewer.Upclose,theeffectsofshadowflickeraremorepronounced,withmorecontrastbetweenlightanddark.Furtherawayfromthe



turbines,thecontrastdecreasessincethewindturbinebladesarelessabletoblockthedirectsunlight.Cloudcoverandthepresenceoffogandotheratmosphericinterferencewillalsoreducetheeffectsofshadowflicker.

study & mitigation pLan:Inordertopredicttheeffectofshadowflickerinthevicinityofthewindturbines,acomputermodelinganalysiswasconductedusingWindProsoftware.TheoutputofthemodelingexerciseistwomapsrepresentedinFigures23and24thatshowestimatedmaximumnumberofhoursperyearshadowflickercouldoccur.Figure23excludesallpotentialobstructionsfromvegetationcover,andFigure24includesdatafrom2001digitalmodelsofvegetativecovertoincorporatethescreeningeffectoftreesinforestedareas.

ThecomputermodelingwasperformedusingparametersspecifictotheProjectandgeographiclocation,includingadigitalelevationmodelofthesurroundingterrain,windturbinecoordinates,rotordiameters,bladewidth,rotationalvelocity,andturbinehubheights.Themodel’sthresholdparametersforcalculatingshadowoccurrenceincludethebladecoveringatleast20%ofthesun,andthatthesunisatleast3degreesabovethehorizon.

UsingtheEarth’sorbitalandrotationalinformation,thepassageofthesunwasthenmod-eledoverthecourseofoneyear,withcalculationsoccurringatoneminuteintervals.

ThemodelwasrununderanAstronomicalMaximumShadowscenario,inordertodepictthemaximumrangeofshadowextentandhoursperyearthatanyareacouldpossiblybeaffectedbyshadowflickerfromtheProject.Thisscenarioexcludesexternalmeteorologicalconditionsthatwouldinrealitydecreaseshadowimpactsuchastheprobabilityofcloudcover,andthefrequencyoftimethatthewindturbineswouldberotatingwhiletherotorplaneisorientedperpendiculartothelinebetweenthewindturbineandthesun.Byrunningtheanalysisinthismode,themodelessentiallyassumesthatsunisshiningallday,everyday,andthattherotoralwayscoversthe


Figure 22: viewpoint #16 visual simulation of the project from the intersection of signal mountain road and route 26 looking west.



Figure 23: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) not considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.


maximumportionofthesun.

Basedonthis“worst-case”analysis,shadowflickerwillnotcauseannoyancetolocalresidencesorbusinesses.DuetotheremotenatureoftheProject,evenwhenexcludingallinterferencefromvegetation,noresidencesorbusinessesareexpectedtoexperienceshadowflickeratanytimeoftheyear.

c. wind turbine safety lighting

DuetoFAAregulations,someofthewindturbineswillbeequippedwithobstructionwarninglightingasdiscussedinSection(i)(6)f.

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Dixville Peak

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Cow Mtn.

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Trio Ponds

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Cilley Hill

Signal Mtn.

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shall Hill

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Millsfield Pond

Sanguinary Mtn.

Abeniki Mountain

Balsams Ski Area

Baldhead Mountain

Phillips Pond Lodge

Lake Gloriette

Dixville Notch

Panorama Golf Club

BalsamsGrand Resort

Dixville Notch State Park

Shadow Flicker Analysis - Without Vegetation Shadow Flicker - No vegetation considered

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Wind turbine site



! ! Elec. interconnection line

Access roads


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Fishbrook Wind Turbines





(2) historic sitesbackground & potentiaL effects: Propertiesofculturalorhistoricalsignifi-canceareidentifiedasthoselistedand/oreligibleforlistingontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(“NRHP”)andtheNHRHP.WhiletheProjectwillnotphysicallyalteranyexistingbuildingsorstructures,itcouldimpacthistoricandculturalresources,throughvisualimpactstoplacesorstructuresofhistoricalsignificanceandthroughimpactsfromconstructionandplacementoffacilitiesneararcheologicalsites.

study & mitigation pLans: Inordertoidentifypropertiesofhistorical,architectural


Figure 24: map illustrating the extent of shadow flicker (maximum hours per year) considering vegetative cover in the vicinity of the project site.


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Fishbrook

Mount Kelsey

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Dixville Peak

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Trio Pond

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Sessio

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Bog, The

Moose Pond

Little Bog Pond

Lake Gloriette

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sB

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rook

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nc

h Nash Stream

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Brook

Rice Mtn.

TrioPonds

Mt. Kelsey

Muise Mtn.

Owlhead Mtn

Signal Mtn.

Mt. Patience

Balsams WildernessSki Area

Cow Mtn.

Dummer Ponds

DixvillePeak

Whitcomb Mtn.

Balsams Resort

Sang

Balsams Golf Club

Phillips Pond Lodge

Shadow Flicker Analysis - Vegetation Considered

1:100,000

Legend

Shadow Flicker - Vegetation considered.5 - 10 Hr/yr

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New 115kV transmission

New 35kV collection line

New 35kV underground collection

New substation

Existing private 'haul' roads

Existing secondary logging road

State of NH

0 1 20.5Miles


NashStre

amForest

Granite Reliable Power SEC Fig 6-6

Prepared for Prepared by

Nov2007 mstaskus

Vermont Environmental Research Associates

orculturalsignificanceandtoassesspotentialimpactstotheseplacesorsitesofarcheo-logicalsignifiance,GRPcontractedTheLouisBergerGroup,Inc.(“LouisBerger”).

ThehistoricarchitecturalsurveyidentifieshistoricpropertieseligibleforlistingontheNRHPwithintheareaofpotentialeffect(“APE”).InconsultationwithNHDHR,aradiusaroundtheProjectofthreemiles(4.8km)wasidentifiedastheAPE.LouisBergerhascompletedasitefilecheckatNewHampshireDivisionofHistoricalResources(“NHDHR”)identifyinghistoricpropertieslistedand/orpreviouslydeterminedeligibleforlistingontheNRHPandtheNHRHPwithintheAPE.ThefieldsurveywithintheAPEidentifiesanypropertiesthatareNRHP-eligible.LouisBergersubmitteditsnarrativefindingsandresultstotheNHDHRinearly2008.SeeAppendix12a.

Basedontheworkconductedtodate,theProjectisunlikelytohaveanyunreasonableadverseeffectonanyknownhistoricresources.Nohistoricstructureswillbephysi-callyimpactedandatpresentitappearsunlikelythattheProjectwoulddemonstrablydiminishanyaspectsofasettingthatmightcontributetothesignificanceofsuchhistoricproperties.

APhaseIAarcheologicalsurveywasconductedtoidentifyandassessareasofar-cheologicalsensitivitywithin3miles(4.8km)oftheProjectsite.SeeAppendix12b.Basedonthepreliminaryresultsofthissurvey,andinconsultationwithNHDHR,aPhaseIBarcheologicalsurveyhasbeenrecommendedandwillprovidethebasisfordeterminingtheneedforfurtherwork.

AlthoughitisanticipatedthattheProjectisunlikelytohaveanunreasonableadverseeffectonsignificantarcheologicalresources,on-goingconsultationwiththeNHDHRwillcharacterizeandevaluateanypotentialeffectsonarcheologicalresourcesandoffermitigationoravoidancestrategiesaswarranted.

(3) air quaLityBackground&PotentialEffects:GraniteReliablePowerWindpark,initslong-termoperation,willproducenoairemissions,thusitwillnothaveanadverseimpactonlocalairquality.Moreover,asasourceofclean,renewableenergy,theProjectwillpositivelycontributetoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingfossilunitgenerationonthegrid.Theseoffsetswillnotonlyimprovelocalandregionalairquality,butmayalsohelpmitigatetheimpactsofglobalwarming.25

Locally,globalwarmingthreatenstheforestcommunities,seashoresandeconomyofNewHampshire.NHDEScitesglobalwarming’seconomicimpactsontheskiing,maplesyrup,fallfoliage,coldwaterfishing,andtimberindustriesandindicatesthattheseimpactscouldbeserious.NHDESalsoreferencesthepossibleincreaseofLymediseaseandothervector-bornediseases,flooding,erosion,andincreasedharmfulalgaebloomsduetotheeffectsofglobalwarming.

GraniteReliablePowerWindparkwillsupplyenergywhichmayoffsetregionalemis-sionsthatwouldhavebeencreatedbygeneratorsthatburnfossilfuels.TheelectricityproducedbytheProjectmayoffsettheneedforelectricityproducedbythecombustionofdistillate,residual,jetfueland/ornaturalgas.TheISONewEngland2005NewEnglandMarginalEmissionRateAnalysiscalculatedtheannualaveragemarginal


25 information from the new hampshire department of environmental services website: http://www.des.state.nh.us/ard/climatechange/impacts.htm updated june, 2005.


emissionratesbasedlargelyonfossilgeneration,identifiedinTableD.ThereportinitsentiretyisincludedinAppendix10:ISONewEngland2005MarginalEmissionsRateAnalysis.

Table d: calculated new england marginal emissions rates and estimated annual offset

Air Emission

ISO-NE 2005 Average Potential Emissions Offset by Marginal Emission Rate granite Reliable Power (lbs/Mwh) windpark (lbs/year) based on 300,000 Mwh/yr

so2 1.75 525,000

nox 0.54 162,000

co2 1,107 332,100,000

BasedontheISONewEngland2005averagemarginalemissionrates(TableD,col-umntwo)andtheProject’sestimatedannualnetoutputof300,000MWHperyearasdescribedinSection(f)(3)d:UnitEfficiency,theProject’spotentialemissionsoffsetinpoundsperyearhavebeencalculated(columnthreeofthetable).Thus,theProj-ectwouldcontributepositivelytoregionalairqualitybyoffsettingtheemissionsof332,100,000lbs/yearofcarbondioxide(CO2),525,000lbs/yearofsulfurdioxide(SO2)and162,000lbs/yearofnitrogenoxides(NOX).

ThePewCenteronGlobalClimateChangereleasedareport,U.S.ElectricPowerSectorandClimateChangeMitigation,incollaborationwithCarnegieMellonUniversityinJune2005(Appendix13).Thestudyconcludesthattheelectricpowersectorisresponsiblefor38percentofallU.S.carbondioxide(CO2)emissions,andisthelargestsourceofsulfurdioxide(SO2)andnitrogenoxides(NOX).

Thereportconcludesthatimmediateactionisnecessarytoslowtheeffectsofclimatechangeanddecreaseemissionsofcarbondioxideandothergreenhousegasesandthatitisalsonecessarytoembarkonapathtoalower-carbonelectricsector.OnSeptem-ber24,2007theIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(“IPCC”)reportedthattherearecurrentdirectobservationsofglobalclimatechangethatincludeincreasedglobaltemperature,highersealevelandareductionofsnowcoverintheNorthernHemisphere.TheIPCCtoldtheUnitedNationsthat“mitigationneedstostartintheshortterm,evenwhenbenefitsariseinafewdecades”.26InformationaboutthispresentationisincludedasAppendix14:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangePresentationtoUnitedNations.

study & mitigation pLan: Duringconstruction,fugitivedustwillbecontrolledasneeded.Projectoperationswillhavenoairorgreenhousegasemissionsthatrequirestudyormitigation.

TheProjectwillhavelong-termbeneficialimpactsonclimateandairqualityandhelpserveNewHampshire’sgoaltoachieve25%ofitselectricitythroughrenewablesourcesby2025.


26 information from the ipcc website see the ipcc website http://www.ipcc.ch/index.html):

dr. pachauri’s speech is located at http://www.ipcc.ch/pachauri_240907.pdf.

the power point presentation is located at: http://www.ipcc.ch/un_nyc_24thsep2007.ppt.

both these documents are included as appendix 14: intergovernmental panel on climate change presentation to united nations.


(4) water quaLity

water Intake or Pollution discharge

background & potentiaL effects: TheProjectdoesnotinvolveanywaterin-take.AnyactivitythatwillresultinthedisturbanceofoveroneacreoflandmustbeevaluatedforcompliancewithEPA’sNationalPollutionDischargeEliminationSystemConstructionGeneralPermit(“CGP”)ifthereisanypotentialfordischargeofstorm-waterrunofffromtheconstructionsite.AsthisProjectproposestodisturboveroneacreoflandandhasthepotentialtogeneratestormwaterrunoffthatcoulddischargetosurfacewatersorwetlands,coverageundertheCGPwillbeobtained.

study & mitigation pLan: ConsistentwiththeCGP,aStormwaterPollutionPre-ventionPlan(“SWPPP”)willbepreparedtoevaluatepotentialsourcesofpollution,provideastrategytopreventmobilizationofsoilsorotherpollutants,depictapproachestotreatstormwaterbeforeitcanbedischargedfromthesite,andspecifythatqualifiedwaterqualityspecialistsevaluatetheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedandifneeded,modifybestmanagementpracticesastheProjectmovesforward.

Stormwater, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

background & potentiaL effects:Therearetypicallytwocategoriesofpotentialimpactsthatcanoccurasaresultofanyconstructionproject:thosethatoccurdur-ingtheconstructionperiod(generallyerosionrelated)andthosethatcanoccurasaresultofthechangeintheuseoftheland.AsdescribedbelowtheProjecthasbeendesignedtominimizeitsinfluenceontheexistinghydrologyandtherebyminimizeerosiveforcesandretainfavorableconditionsforlocalizedtreatmentofstormwaterthatisgeneratedonthesite.Post-constructionrelatedimpactsaregenerallyassociatedwiththeintensityofuseandthustheverylowintensityofuseoftheproposedfeatures(travelbymaintenancepersonnel),combinedwithlowrunoffgeneration,isanticipatedtoexertlittleinfluenceonreceivingwatersandenvironmentalhealth.

study & mitigation pLan: Stormwaterrunoff,anderosionandsedimentcontrolhavebeenaddressedinthedetailedplansandmitigationmeasuressubmittedintheStandardDredge&FillPermitApplication,theSiteSpecificApplication(attachedasAppendices2and3,respectively)andtheSWPPP.TheSiteSpecificApplicationcontainsadetailedsetofProjectplansforcivilengineeringmeasurestomitigatesoilerosionfromstormwaterrelatedtothewindturbinesites,accessroadsandotherinfrastructure.Thedesignapproachfornewroadwayshasbeentominimizethegenerationofrunoffbydivertingwaterfromroadwaysurfacesatregularintervalsbeforesuchrunoffcanreacherosivevelocities.Anystormwaterthatiscollectedinstonestabilizedditcheswillbealsobedispersedthroughthefrequentculvertspacingcalledforinthedesign.Thiswillcloselymimicthenaturalhydrologiccycletotheextentpossibleandfacilitatetheuseoflessintensiveandenvironmentallyintrusivestormwatertreatmentmeasuresthanwouldberequiredwithoutsuchdesignapproach.Existingroadsthataretobewidenedwillbeimprovedbystabilizingexistingandnewportionsofsuchroadwayswithselectgravelsurfacing.Itisanticipatedthatthisworkwilllowerthegenerationofsedimentsandassociateddeliverytosurfacewatersandwetlandsoverthatwhichexiststoday.Nonetheless,somesedimententrainmentinrunofffromtheimproved

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication IPOTENTIAL hEALTh ANd ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and MITIgATION PLANS


roadsisexpectedtocontinue,butatasignificantlyreducedrate.Treatmentofthisrunoffwillbeprovidedassiteconditionsallow.However,locationsforsuchtreatmentdevicesareconstrainedasmanyoftheexistingconstructedditchlinesthatlieadjacenttotheexistingroadsnowmeetthecriteriatobeconsideredwetlandsanddespitetheiropportunelocationandfunctionalityasstormwatertreatmentareas,NHDESstandardspreventtheuseofthesewetland/ditchlinesforsuchpurposes.

wetlands Impacts

Wetlandimpactsareproposedatseveralwindturbinesites,laydownareas,substationarea,switchyardarea,andalongtheexistingandproposedroadwaysthatwillbeusedtoconstructandmaintaintheproject.WetlandstobeimpactedincludePalustrineforestedwetlands,seasonalstreams,andperennialstreams.

background:Thewetlandsintheprojectareahavebeendelineatedbycertifiedwetlandscientistsandsurveyedontoprojectplans.ThewetlandsaredominatedbyPalustrineforestedwetlands,seasonalintermittentstreamsandsmallperennialstreams.Manyofthewetlandsareonsloping,basalglacialtillorbedrocklandscapeswithlowvegetativeinterspersion.Importantwetlandfunctionsandvaluesincludewildlifehabitatandsedimentretention,basedonpreliminarywetlandfunctionsandvaluesassessmentusingtheUSACENEDHighwayMethodology.Historically,thewetlandsintheprojectareahavebeenimpactedbydecadesofcommercialloggingincludingtheconstructionofhaulroads,logyards,andlogskidderoperations.

Thelocationoftheturbinesonridgelinesminimizesimpactstosignificantperennialstreams,andopenandforestedfloodplainwetlandcomplexeslocatedinthevalleys.Designandconstructiontechniqueswillbeutilizedthatwillminimizewetlandim-pactsbyimpactingwetlandspreviouslyimpactedbyloggingwheneverpossible.Thisincludesutilizingexistingloggingroadsandskiddertrails.Additionally,newaccessroadswillbelaidouttoavoidwetlandsandcrosswetlandsattheirnarrowestpointswheneverfeasible.Erosioncontrolwillbeimportantduringconstructiontominimizesedimententeringnearbywetlandsites.

study and mitigation: WetlandImpactswillbeaddressedinthedetailedplansandattachmentstobesubmittedwiththeStandardDredgeandFillapplicationtotheNHWetlandsBureau.Acomprehensiveplanforassessingwetlandimpactswillinclude:1.mappinganddelineatingwetlands;2.classifyingwetlandsandvernalpools;3.pre-paringanevaluationofwetlandfunctionsandvalues;4.assessingwetlandimpacts;5.avoidingproposedwetlandimpactswherepossible;and6.mitigatingunavoidablewetlandimpacts.

Wetlandimpactswillbeavoidedwheneverpossibleandminimizedbyreducingthewidthofaccessroadstotheminimumrequiredforsafetyandbylocatingtowersandotherstructuresoutofwetlands.Alternativelayoutsandlocationsfortowersandotherstructureshavebeeninvestigated.

Sincecompensatorymitigationwillberequiredforthisproject,amitigationplanisbeingprepared.Severalmitigationalternativeshavebeenexploredincludingwetlandrestoration,wetlandcreation,anduplandbufferprotection.Theplanincludesawet-



landrestorationcomponentwhichwillincludereplacementofanumberofexistingculvertsonloggingroadswithopenbottomculvertsandbridgesandrestorationofstreamchannels.Whileadditionalwetlandrestorationopportunitiesexistsuchasremovingexistingloggingyardsandloggingwetlandcrossings,theywererejectedbecausethesurroundinglandwillremainincommercialforestryuseandtheexistingyards,loggingroads,andskiddertrailswillbeneededinthefutureforon-goingforestmanagementandloggingoperations.

Themajorcomponentoftheproposedcompensatorymitigationplaninvolvesuplandbufferprojection.

Theuplandbufferprotectionareaproposedisacontiguousparceloflandinthehead-watersofthePhillipsBrookwatershedapproximately660acresinsizeandhasbeenidentifiedasanimportantsubwatershedareaoftheUpperAmmonoosucRiver.Theproposedmitigationareaislocatedinthenorthwesternportionofthesiteintheunin-corporatedtownofErvingsLocationandthetownofColumbia.Theareaisatahighelevation(upto2600feetinelevation)anditbuffersandincludesimportantwetlandcomplexesandportionsoforder1tributariesofPhillipsBrook.Additionally,theareaabutstheexisting39,000acreNashStreamForestownedbytheStateofNewHamp-shire.Aconservationeasementwillbeplacedontheentireparcel.

Theproposedmitigationplanwillsubstantiallyexceedstateandfederalminimummitigationrequirementsandmorethanadequatelycompensateforunavoidablewet-landimpacts.

Surface water quality

background & potentiaL effects: Asdescribedabovethetwocategoriesofpotentialeffectonsurfacewaterqualityarethosethatcanoccurduringconstructionandthosethatrelatetotheuseofthedevelopedland.Totalsuspendedsolidsarethepotentialpollutantofconcernthatmustbeaddressedinbothinstances.Toalesserextent,gearandtransformeroilareotherpotentialpollutantsastheyarecontainedwithintheturbinesandsubstations.Containmentmechanisms,however,areincor-poratedintothedesignofeachandtheseoilsarethereforeofmuchlowerriskintermsofreleasetotheenvironment.

ThroughtheAlterationofTerrainPermit,ConstructionGeneralPermit,and401pro-cess,thesource,mobilization,andtreatmentoftheaforementionedpollutantswillbeaddressed.

study & mitigation pLan:Variousbestmanagementpractices(“BMPs”)willbeemployedpriortoandduringconstructiontolimitthemobilizationoftotalsuspendedsolidsfromdisturbedsurfaces.BMPswillinclude:mulchberms,siltfence,rockcheckdams,slopedrains,rockstabilizationofchannels,seedingandmulching,erosioncontrolmatting,andtemporarysedimenttraps.Allhaveprovenefficacyinprojectscharacterizedbysteeperterrain,shallowdepthtogroundwaterandshortgrowingseasons.Frequentmonitoringoftheperformanceofsuchdeviceswilloccurandanypotentialvulnerabilitieswillbeaddressedinaproactivemanner.

Post-constructionrelatedimpactstowaterqualitybytotalsuspendedsolidscantypi-



callybeexpectedtobeminimalwiththegravelsurfacingofroadways,andgrasssta-bilizationthatwilloccuronothernon-traveledportionsoftheProject.Nonetheless,measureswillbeemployedonthenewroadstofurtherminimizethemobilizationofsolids.Forexample,diverterswillbeinstalledinthesteeperportionsoftheroadwaytoshedwaterfromtheroadwaybeforetheprecipitationcanobtainsufficientvelocityandvolumetocauseerosionofthesolidsfromtheroadwaysurface.Duringlargerstormeventstherunoffthatisgeneratedfromadjacentforestedareaswillbeconveyedinstone-linedchannelsdesignedtoretarderosiveforces.Crossculvertswillbelocatedatfrequentintervalstofurtherdispersetherunoffandavoidconcentrationofflowsatanyonedowngradientpoint.Sedimenttrapswillbelocatedatmanyculvertoutletstodissipateenergy,trapsolids,andfacilitatetheremovalofsolidsfromtheflowpathofstormwater.Lastly,forestedbufferslocateddowngradientofroadwayswillbeutilizedto“polish”thestormwatersothatfinesedimentsareretainedwithintheforestfloorlitter.Suchbufferswillalsoprovidealargeareaforthestormwatertoinfiltrateintotheforestfloorwhereitcanreplenishthegroundwatertable.

(5) naturaL environment

a. Plant Life

background & potentiaL effects: TheGRPWindparkisproposedinamoun-tainousregionofNewHampshirewithelevationsrangingfromapproximately1,000feet(304.8m)to3,400feet(1,036.3m).Therangeinelevationsand,consequently,soilswithintheProjectarearesultsinvaryingplantcommunities.Theplantcommunitiesalsovaryinageduetoindustrialforestrypractices.Overtheyears,surroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveundergonelargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenlyagedforestcommunityconsistingprimarilyofspeciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests,suchasyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum).However,highelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbal-samea)andredspruce(Picearubens).Theseareashaveexperiencedminimalforestharvestingactivity.

Windprojectsmaypotentiallyadverselyimpactplantlife,particularlyifrareorsig-nificantplantspeciesarepresent.Theseimpactsmostcommonlyresultfromthecon-structionofaccessroads,newelectricalinterconnectionandcollectionlines,andtheconstructionofanoperationandmaintenancebuilding.Plantcommunitiesareaffectedbytwotypesofwindprojectrelatedimpacts:temporaryandpermanent.Temporarilyimpactedareas,suchaslaydownandstagingareas,willbestabilizedandallowedtorevegetateafterconstruction.PermanentimpactscanoccurwithintheProjectfootprintduetoturbineandaccessroadplacementwhererevegetationwillnotoccur.

study & mitigation pLans:GRPWindpark’snaturalcommunities’experts,StantecConsulting(formerlyWoodlotAlternatives),continuedtoconductworkun-interruptedservingasprojectconsultants,includingthreesurveystodeterminethepotentialimpacttosensitiveplantspeciesandnaturalcommunities.Theseincludeaspringandsummer2007Reconnaissance-LevelRarePlantSurvey(Appendix15),aspring2008NaturalCommunityCharacterization(Appendix16),andaSpring2008RarePlantSurvey(Appendix17).



The2007rareplantreconnaissancesurveyswereinitiatedwithareviewoftheNewHampshireNaturalHeritageBureau’s(“NHNHB”)rareplantdatabase,bytown,forinformationonrareplantspeciesthatmayoccurorhaveoccurredinthevicinityoftheProjectsite.Inadditiontothisreview,informationrequestswerealsosenttoNHNHBforspecificspecieslistingsforplantsidentifiedas“sensitivespecies”duringtheda-tabasereview.Soilmaps,aerialphotos,andbedrockgeologyfortheProjectsitewerealsoreviewedtoidentifyareasthatwouldlikelysupportsensitivespecies.Subsequenttargetedfieldsurveyswereconductedtodocumentspecificfindingsandassesspoten-tialimpactstosensitiveplantspeciespriortocommencingtheWindparkengineeringwork.ThepurposeofthesurveyswastoassistindeterminingtheProject’sconceptualdesigninordertohelpavoidandminimizeimpactstosensitiveareas.Toenhancethethoroughnessoffieldsurveys,additionalpotentialimpactlocationswereprovidedbyStantecwetlandscientistsbasedoninformationcollectedduringaspring2007wetlandandvernalpoolreconnaissancesurvey(Appendix18:Reconnaissance-LevelWetlandandVernalPoolSurveyProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).

Reconnaissance-levelrareplantfieldinvestigationswerefocusedinareasconsideredtohaveagreaterlikelihoodforthepresenceofrareplantspecies.Thereconnaissancesurveysoccurredovertwo2-dayperiodsonJune27-28,2007andAugust28-29,2007toensureproperidentificationoffloweringspecies.Throughoutthesurveyperiodsonlyonerareplantspecieswasobserved.Mountainsweetcicely(Osmorrhizaberteroi)wasobservedinonelocationonthesouthernslopeofanunnamedpeaknearBaldheadMountain(onthewesternportionofPhillipsBrookTract).Thislocationisapproxi-matelytwomilesfromthenearestridgelineproposedforwindturbinesandwasfoundonthesideslopeoftheridge.Furthermore,thislocationhassincebeenremovedfromtheProjectlayout,anditisnotanticipatedthatanimpacttothisspecieswilloccurasaresultoftheProject.AmoreintensiverareplantsurveyoftheProjectcomponents(i.e.windturbines,accessroads,andelectricalfacilities)wasconductedduringthespringof2008,oncetheProjectdesignwasfinalized.

IncoordinationwiththeNHNHB,spring2008rareplantsurveyswerealsoconductedtoprovideathoroughinvestigationofplantspecieswithintherefinedProjectlayout.Thesesurveysweremorefocusedthanthespring2007surveysandutilizedcurrentmapsoftherefinedProjectlayout,consequentlynarrowingthesearcharea.Thedesk-topanalysisthatwasconductedpriortothefieldsurveysusedthesamemethodsasthespring2007surveysdescribedabove;however,furtherconsultationwithNHNHBoccurred.TheNHNHBusedthecurrentproposedProjectlayouttoconductadetailedenvironmentalreviewforpotentialrareorsensitiveplantspeciesthatcouldpotentiallybeimpactedbytheproposedProject.Thespeciesidentifiedaspossiblyoccurring,basedonhabitatconditionswithintheProjectsiteinclude:heart-leavedtwayblade(Listeracordata),lily-leavedtwayblade(Listeraconvallarioides),northerncomandra(Geocaulonlividum),Goldie’sfern(Dryopterisgoldiana),largeyellowlady’sslipper(Cypripediumparviflorumvar.pubescens),Bebb’ssedge(Carexbebbii)andLoesel’stwayblade(Liparisloeselii).AllareasidentifiedbyNHNHBasbeingsuitablehabitatfortheabove-mentionedsensitiveplantspecieswereinvestigated.InadditiontotheareasidentifiedbyNHNHB,twonaturalcommunitytypesidentifiedduringthefirstrareplantsurvey(asemi-richmesicforestandacircumneutralhardwoodforestseep)wereinvestigatedasecondtimetoconfirmtheabsenceoftheirexistencewithinthe



Projectfootprint.Thesenaturalcommunitytypeswerealsosearchedasecondtimebecauseofthegreaterlikelihoodforrareplantstooccurthere.NorareorsensitiveplantspecieswereobservedontheProjectsiteduringthissurvey.

Asanadditiontothetargetedrareplantsurveysandtorecognizeconcernsexpressedbyregulatoryagenciesoverimpactstohighelevation(above2700feetor823m)sprucefircommunities,GraniteReliablePowerconductedaspring2008naturalcommunitycharacterizationforallareasoftheprojectlayout(i.e.windturbines,accessroads,andelectricalfacilities).NaturalcommunitiesweremappedusinghighresolutionaerialphotographsandinformationwasgatheredusinghandheldGPSunitsduringthefieldsurvey.FieldsurveyswereconductedinMarch2008whilesnowwasstillpresent;consequently,observationsoftheherbaceouslayerwerenotpossible.Althoughsnowwaspresentduringthissurvey,thespring2007rareplantsurveyandtheJune2008rareplantsurveythatfollowedthenaturalcommunitycharacterizationallowedforconfirmationofthenaturalcommunitytypesmappedduringthissurvey.

TheProjectsiteislocatedonfourridges,allwithareasofthesummitsover2700feetinelevation.Atotalof3,747acresofavailablehighelevationhabitatexistsonthesefourridgesofwhichonly58acres,orlessthan2%,wouldbeimpactedbytheProject(TableE).

Table E: total acres of impact to natural communities above 2700’ at granite reliable power’s proposed wind park

Location Impact Area Total Acres above 2�00’ % of Land Area above 2�00’

dixville peak 25 1873 1%

mt. kelsey 29 1667 2%

owlhead mtn 3 49 6%

fish brook ridge 2 158 1%

total 58 3,747 2%

AsTableEdemonstrates,thelossofhabitatasaresultoftheProjectwouldbeminimalwithrespecttotheamountofavailablehabitatsurroundingtheProject.

i. Tree Clearing

background & potentiaL effects: ThemajorityoftheProjectissitedonpri-vately-ownedlandthatismaintainedbyforestmanagementcompaniesthatallowvariousdegreesofpublicaccess.Asaresultofforestryactivities,anetworkofloggingroadsandskidtrailsexist.Someroadsaremaintainedyear-roundtosupportongoingforestryactivities,whileothersareseasonal,whereaccessisallowedduringthenon“mudseasons”.

Higherelevations(above2700feetor823m)aredominatedbybalsamfir(Abiesbalsamea)andredspruce(Picearubens)forestsandaremainlyundisturbedfromindustrialforestrypractices.However,thesurroundingsideslopesandvalleyshaveexperiencedlargescaleforestharvestingactivitiesresultinginanunevenagedforestcommunityconsistingprimarilyofyellow-birch(Betulaalleghaniensis),Americanbeech(Fagusgrandifolia),andsugarmaple(Acersaccharum),speciestypicallyfoundinnorthernhardwood–coniferforests.



Atlowerelevations(below2700feet),forestharvestinghasresultedinamixofageclasseswithstandsofbothregeneratinghardwoodandsoftwoodspecies.

Thepotentialeffectsoftreeclearingbeyondthatoftheremovaloftreescanbeintheformofgroundscarification,wetlanddisturbance,anderosion.BMPsandSWPPPmeasureswillbeutilizedduringtreeclearingactivitiesassociatedwiththeProject.

study & mitigation: AlterationofterrainattheProjectwillbeaddressedinthe“SiteSpecific”permitapplicationincludedasAppendix3.AsrequiredundertheSiteSpecificpermitapplication,treeclearingwillbedocumentedinthe“NoticeofIntenttoCut”form,submittedtothetownorunincorporatedplacebeforethecommencementofwork.TheextentoftreeclearingfortheProjectwillbeminimizedbyutilizingexistingdisturbedareaswheneverpracticable.Thisincludesutilizingapproximately19miles(30.6km)ofexistingroads,locatingthecollectionlineandtheelectricalinterconnec-tionlinealongexistingroads,andutilizingrecenttimberclear-cutareasfortemporaryconstructionandpermanentoperationalfacilities.Clearingactivitiesareintendedtotakeplacewhilefrostisonthegroundinordertominimizegroundscarificationandsoildisturbance.AfterconstructionoftheProject,treesandotherplantlifewillbeal-lowedtore-growintheareasthatwereclearedforusebylargeconstructionequipmentandinconnectionwithconstructionofindividualturbines.

b. wildlife

background & potentiaL effects: Asdiscussedabove,thispartofNewHampshireisforestedandmountainouswithsubstantialcommercialforestrypracticesoccurringregularlyoverthelasthundredyears.Theongoingforestryactivitieshaveresultedinapatchworkmosaicofunevenagedforeststandsanddifferentareasofplantspeciescom-positionindifferentareasandelevations,resultinginadiversityofhabitatsthatcouldbeutilizedbyavarietyofwildlifespecies.Withinthesegeneralwildlifegroups,somespeciesarepresentintheareaasresidentindividualsorpopulationswhileothersusetheareaduringmigrationorwhiledispersingtodifferenthabitatsdependingonseasonalchanges.NotallspeciespresentwillbeaffectedbytheProject.Fish,inparticular,areunlikelytobeimpactedbecauseofthelackofpopulatedhabitatontheridgetops.

ThepotentialeffectsonwildlifefromtheconstructionandoperationoftheProjectcanbebothdirectandindirectinnature.DirectimpactsfromtheProjectrefertofatalitiesthatcouldoccurfromcollisionwiththewindturbinebladesormonopoletower(mainlybirdsandbats).Indirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,andthedis-ruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,andlightingofsometurbines,etc.DisplacementandavoidanceoftheareaandpossiblechangesinmigratorypatternsmaybecausedbythelandscapealterationsandoperationoftheProject.

WhenconsideringthepotentialeffectsoftheProjectonwildlife,itisimportanttorecognizethatincomparisontootherenergysourcesthatcouldbebuilttomeetthedemandforelectricity,windpower’simpactonwildlifeisminimal.Thelistofenvi-ronmentalandwildlifeimpactsofotherenergysourcesislongandvaried,asdiscussedinSection(h)(3).



Study & Mitigation

Wildlifeandwindturbinescansuccessfullycoexist.However,endangeredorthreat-enedwildlifespeciesthatmayuseorresideattheProjectSiteareofconcernduetotheiralreadylowpopulations.ConsultationswiththeNewHampshireFishandGameDepartment(“NHFGD”)andtheUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(“USFWS”)identifiedseveralstateandfederally-listedendangeredorthreatenedspeciesthatareknowntooccurorhavehistoricallyoccurredwithinorinthevicinityoftheProjectsite.Inadditiontothese,NHFGDalsoidentifiedsomespeciesofstateconservationconcernthatmayoccurattheProjectsite.Theseinclude:baldeagle(Haliaeetusleuco-cephalus)(federally-threatenedandstate-endangered);Canadalynx(Lynxcanadensis)(federally-threatenedandstate-endangered);peregrinefalcon(falcoperegrinus)(state-endangered);northernharrier(Circuscyaneus)(state-endangered);pied-billedgrebe(Podilymbuspodiceps)(state-endangered);three-toedwoodpecker(Picoidestridactylus)(state-threatened);pinemarten(martesAmericana)(state-threatened);commonloon(Gaviaimmer)(state-threatened),andosprey(Pandionhaliaetus)(state-threatened).Inadditiontotheabovementionedthreatenedandendangeredspecies,severalspeciesarelistedas“conservationconcern”inNewHampshireandinclude:sprucegrouse(Dendragapuscanadensis);Bicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli);northerngoshawk(Accipitergentillis);woodturtle(Clemmysinsculpta);leopardfrog(Ranapipiens)andsmall-footedbats(Myotisleibii).

Anumberofwildlifesurveyswereconductedtoaddressconcernsforstateorfeder-ally-listedthreatenedandendangeredwildlifespecies.Thesesurveysusedstandardmethodsandequipmentforpre-constructionsurveysforwindprojectsinNewEngland.TheyweredesignedincoordinationwiththeNHFGDandincludesurveysformam-mals,birds,bats,wetlandsandvernalpools.Adescriptionofthemethodologiesandresultsofthesesurveysisprovidedingreaterdetailinthefollowingsections.

AdversewildlifeimpactsfromtheProjectwillbeminimizedusingsuchmeasuresasminimizingclearing,limitinghumanactivity,andinsomecasespost-constructionmonitoring.Moredetailedpotentialeffectsandstudyplansaredescribedinthespe-cies-specificsectionstofollow.

i. birds

background & potentiaL effects: TheProjecthasthepotentialtohavedirectandindirectimpactstobirdsthatareeitherresidentatormigratingthroughtheProjectsite.Directimpactsarefatalitiescausedbycollisionwithwindturbines,whereasindirectimpactsrefertohabitatlossandfragmentation,disruptionsinforagingorbreedingbehaviorcausedbyaccessroads,thewindturbines’physicalpresenceandoperation,lightingofsomewindturbines,etc.DisplacementandavoidanceoftheareaandpossiblechangesinmigratorypatternsmaybecausedbythelandscapealterationsandoperationoftheProject.

Inrecentyearstheexpansionofwindpowerdevelopmenthasidentifiedaneedtoevaluatepotentialeffectsofwindpowerdevelopmentonwildlifeandwildlifehabitats.Sincenocturnallymigratingsongbirdsarethemostabundantflyingvertebratesatnightduringspringandfallmigrationperiods,theyhavebeenthemostfrequentlyreported



birdfatalitiesatcommercialwindfacilitiesintheUnitedStates.

study & mitigation: Threeseasonsofnighttimemigrationsurveyswerecon-ductedoveratwoyearperiodusingmarineradartoaddressthemagnitude,height,anddirectionofnocturnalsongbirdmigrantspassingthroughtheProjectsiteduringspringandfallmigration.Breedingbirdsurveyswerealsoconductedtoidentifythepresence/absenceofrare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandtodeterminetherelativeabundanceofspeciesthatbreedattheProjectsite.Afall2007diurnalraptormigrationsurveywasconductedtodeterminethenumber,species,andflightheightsofraptorsmigratingthroughtheProjectsite.AllofthesesurveyswereconductedtoprovideinsightintotheProject’spotentialimpactstobirds.

Rare,threatened,orendangeredbirdspeciesthatweredocumentedattheProjectsiteduringthesesurveysincludetheperegrinefalcon(state-listedendangered)andthree-toedwoodpecker(state-listedthreatened).SpeciesofconservationconcerninthestateincludeBicknell’sthrush(Catharusbicknelli)andtheRustyblackbird(Euphaguscarolinus).Nofederally-listedthreatenedorendangeredbirdsarelikelytobreedwithinthesurveyedarea.

Toaddressmagnitude,heightanddirectionofsongbirdmigrants’flight,threeseasonsofnocturnalradarsurveyswereconductedbyStantecConsulting/WoodlotAlterna-tives.Thesesurveysinclude:

• Appendix19:Fall2006RadarSurveysofNighttimeMigrationActivityattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.

• Appendix20:Spring2007Radar,Visual,andAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationatProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.

• Appendix21:Fall2007Radar,VisualandAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.

• Appendix22:CoordinatedSurveyResultsforproposedGraniteReliablePowerandNorthCountryWindProjectsinCoosCounty,NewHampshire.

Thethreeseasonsofnocturnalradarsurveysdocumentedthepassagerate(targets/km/hour),flightheight(m),andflightdirectionofnocturnallymigratingsongbirdspassingovertheProjectridgelines.Withinthethreeseasonssurveyed,similartrendswereobservedandmigrationmetricswereconsistentbetweenseasons.SeeTableF.

Table F: comparison of three seasons of nocturnal radar surveys – granite reliable wind project

Season Passage Rate (t/km/hr) Flight height Flight % below with range (m) with range direction 125 m

fall 2006 * 469 (2 to 1098) 455 (310 to 638) 223° 1%

spring 2007 342 (2 to 870) 332 (81 to 583) 76° 14%

fall 2007 366 (54 to 1234) 343 (179 to 636) 223° 15%

* the fall 2006 survey was not conducted from the summit of owlhead mountain due to limited access during this time period. for this season the survey was conducted approximately 800’ lower in elevation, likely resulting in higher flight heights and a lower % below 125 m.



ThemeanflightheightcombinedwiththemeanflightdirectionsuggeststhatmigrantsuseabroadfrontmigratorypathacrosstheProjectsiteandthatareasofconcentratedmigrationcorridorsarenotlikelytooccurwithinitsbounds.Theresultsofthesurveyswerealsoconsistentamongseasons,indicatingthatsimilarmigrationcharacteristicscouldbeexpectedyeartoyear.Furthermore,theconsistencyinmeanflightheightsbetweenthetwoseasonsandlocationsimpliesthatriskofcollisionwiththeproposed410feet(125m)tallwindturbinesfromnightmigratingbirdsthroughtheProjectsiteisminimal.

TheNewHampshireAudubonSocietyconductedaspring2007BreedingBirdSurvey(Appendix23:BreedingBirdSurveyforProposedGraniteReliableWindparkCoosCounty,NewHampshire)andaSpring2008BreedingBirdSurveyatDixvillePeak(Appendix24:BreedingBirdSurveyforProposedGraniteReliableWindparkCoosCounty,NewHampshire,DixvillePeakSupplement)priortothefinalProjectdesign,whichwasbasedontheconceptuallayoutofwindturbinestringsandelectriccol-lectionsystemdesign.Duringthissurveynoconfirmedobservationsofstate-listedthreatenedorendangeredspeciesweredetected.Therewereunconfirmeddetectionsofthestate-threatenedthree-toedwoodpeckeralongtheridgelineofMt.Kelsey.Theseobservationswerenotconfirmedduetothepossiblepresenceofasimilarspeciesinthearea,theblack-backedwoodpecker(Picoidesarcticus),whichutilizessimilarhabitats(highelevationspruce/firwithstandingsnags)andemitssimilarvocalizationsasthethree-toedwoodpecker.

Thebreedingbirdsurveysdiddocumentthepresenceoftwostate-listedspeciesofspecialconcern.Bicknell’sthrushandRustyblackbirdwerebothobservedwithinareasofwindturbinestrings.TheBicknell’sthrushprefersdense,stunted,spruce/firforestsneartreelineathigherelevationsandwasobservedonMt.Kelsey,FishbrookRidge,andWhitcombMountain.TheRustyblackbirdprefersspruce/firorspruce-fir-northernhardwoodforeststandsontheedgesofstreams,ponds,bogs,fens,andbeaverflowagesinNHandwasobservedintwolocationsonthesouthendofFishbrookRidgeandthenorthwesternareaofthePhillipsBrookTract.

Itispossiblethatpermanenthabitatlossandfragmentationwilloccurforbreed-ingbirds,butithasbeenminimizedandmitigatedthroughcarefulsitedesign(i.e.,avoidingwetlandsandlargeareasofmatureforest,widerspacingofwindturbinesitesburyingthecollectionsystemalongtheridgelineaccessroad,minimizingthepermanentfootprintofProjectcomponentstotheextentpracticable,andrestorationofalltemporarilydisturbedareas).

ToaddresspotentialconcernsforraptorsintheProjectSite,afall2007raptormigrationstudywasconducted(Appendix21:Fall2007Radar,Visual,andAcousticSurveyofBirdandBatMigrationattheProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).Theresultsofthisstudydocumentedlowpassagerates(42individualsintotal)incomparisontootherestablishedhawkwatchsitesintheregion.Thespeciesobservedduringthesurveywerecommonmigrantsthroughthearea.Themostcommonspeciesobservedwerered-tailedhawk(Buteojamaicensis)(19individuals)andturkeyvulture(Cathartesaura)(7individuals).However,twostate-threatenedspecieswereobservedflyingovertheProjectsiteduringtheraptorsurvey.TheseincludetheCooper’shawk



(Accipitercooperii),andOsprey(Pandionhaliaetus).Thered-shoulderedHawk(Buteolineatus),aspeciesofspecialconcerninthestate,wasalsoobservedatthesite.Althoughthesespeciesweredetectedduringthesurvey,theyappearedtobemigratingthroughthearearatherthanresidingthere.

Withtheadventofmorepost-constructionwindfatalitystudies,dataarebeginningtodemonstratethatrisktomigratingraptorsisconsideredtobelow.Newerwindparkshavemuchlowerraptordensityandwider-spacedturbines,tallertubulartowerstominimizeperchingopportunities,andbladesthatspinslowlyenoughtobevisiblebyraptorsevenathighwindspeeds.27TableGbelowprovidesdatafromseveralpostconstructionmortalitysurveysconductedintheU.S.inwhichveryfewraptormortali-tieshavebeenreported.

Table g: raptor mortality found during post construction mortality surveys at wind farms in the u.s.

Location Study Period Number of Reference and Species Fatalities

buffalo ridge, mn 1994-1995 0 osborn et al. 2000

buffalo ridge, mn 1996-1999 1 red-tailed hawk johnson et al. 2002

searsburg, vt 1997 0 kerlinger 2002

foote creek rim, wy 1998-2002 1 northern harrier, young et al. 2003 3 american kestrel, 1 short-eared owl

vansycle, or 1999 0 erickson et al. 2000

somerset county, pa 2000 0 kerlinger 2006

nine canyon, wa 2002-2003 1 american kestrel, erickson et al. 2003 1 short-eared owl

klondike, or 2002-2003 0 johnson et al. 2003

mountaineer, wv 2003 1 red-tailed hawk, kerns and kerlinger 2004 2 turkey vultures

mountaineer, wv 2004 1 sharp-shinned hawk, arnett et al. 2005 1 turkey vulture

myersdale, pa 2004 0 arnett et al. 2005

top of iowa, iowa 2004 1 red-tailed hawk koford et al. 2005

buffalo mountain, tn 2005 0 fiedler et al. 2007

maple ridge, ny 2006 1 american kestrel jain et al. 2007

BecauseNewHampshireliesatthenorthernrangeofmanyspecies’breedinggrounds,therearefewerbirdspassingthroughNewHampshirecomparedtoothermoresouthernlocationsintheNorthAmericanhawkflyways.

GRPiscontinuingitseffortstoworkwiththeNHFGDandUSFWStominimizepo-tentialadverseimpactstoavianspecies.

ii. bats

background & potentiaL effects: Windenergyprojectsalsopresentaconcernforbatspecies.ThepotentialeffectofanincreaseinmortalitytothespeciesisofconcernbecausesomewindprojectsinthecentralAppalachianstateshavedocumentedhigh


27 johnson, erickson, strickland, et al. “collision mortality of Local and migrant birds at a Large-scale wind-power development on buffalo ridge, minnesota.” wildlife society bulletin, vol. 30, no. 3 (autumn, 2002), pp. 879-887.


batmortalityrates.Becausebatshaveaslowerreproductiverate,populationrecoveryperiodsaresignificantlylongerthanformostbirdspecies.However,northernNewHampshireisatthenorthernendoftherangeofmostbatspeciesinthenortheast,potentiallyresultinginfewerbatspeciesandlowerregionalpopulations.

ThosebatspeciesofconcerninNewHampshirearetree-roostingbatsthatmigrateorhaveshowntobeimpactedbyothermodernwindfacilities.InNewHampshireonlyonebatspeciesislistedasendangered:thesmall-footedbat(Myotisleibii)fromthegenusMyotis.State-listedspeciesofspecialconcernincludeEasternpipistrelle(pip-istrellussubflavus),Easternredbat(Lasiurusborealis),Hoarybat(Lasiuruscinerus),andsilver-hairedbat(Lasionycterisnoctivagans).Afederally-endangeredspecies,theIndianabat(Myotissodalis),couldalsooccurinNewHampshire;however,theUSFWSconsidersitunlikelyduetothenorthernlatitudeoftheGRPWindparkandthelackofsuitablehabitatinthisregion.

GRPWindparkwildlifeexpertshaveconsultedwiththeNHFGDandtheUSFWS.WhiletheProjecthasthepotentialfordirectandindirecteffectsonbats,theseareconsideredlow.

study & mitigation:TheProjecthasconductedthreefullseasonsofacousticbatdetectorsurveystodocumentbatactivityatthesiteandtimingofactivitythroughouttheyear.BatactivitydocumentedwithintheProjectsitewasfoundtobelowthrough-outmostoftheyearandthespeciesdetectedduringthesurveysarecommontothispartofNewHampshire.Appendices19,20and21providedetailofthestudyresults.

iii. Other wildlife

background & potentiaL effects:OtherwildlifethatmaypotentiallybeaffectedbyconstructionoroperationoftheProjectincludemammals(otherthanbats),fish,reptiles,andamphibians.GRPwildlifeexperts,inconsultationwiththeNHFGD,deemedthatfishandamphibianswerenotlikelytobeadverselyimpacted.Twomammals,however,pinemartenandcanadalynxwereofconcern.PinemartenislistedasendangeredinNewHampshireandcanadalynxisfederally-listedasthreatenedandstate-listedasendangered.Thepotentialindirectimpacttothesespecieswouldmostlikelybeduetohabitatlossandavoidance.Althoughimpactscouldoccurfromvehiclecollisionsonaccessroads,existingvehicularandforestharvestingactivitiesonthepropertydonotindicatethatthisisasignificantrisk.LimitingvehicletrafficoncetheProjectisinopera-tioncouldminimizedirectmortalityfromvehiclecollisions.

Limited,temporary,adverseimpactstowildlifemayoccurduetoincidentalinjuryandmortalityfromconstructionactivityandvehicularmovement,construction-relatedsiltandsedimentationeffectsonaquaticorganisms,dredgeandfillofwetlands,streamcrossingdisturbance,habitatdisturbanceassociatedwithclearingandearthmovingactivities,anddisplacementduetoincreasednoiseandhumanactivities.

Longtermoperationalimpactscouldincludehabitatloss,fragmentation,ordisplace-ment.Atotalofapproximately203acresofwildlifehabitatwillbepermanentlylostduetotheProjectoperationalfootprint(i.e.,convertedfromtimberareastobuiltfacilities).



study & mitigation pLan: InconsultationwithNHFGDandUSFWS,GRPcon-tractedwithStantectoconductawintertracksurveyin2007todocumentthepres-ence/absenceofpinemartenandlynxwithintheProjectsite(Appendix25:WinterTrackSurveyatProposedWindparkinCoosCounty,NewHampshire).Surveysweredesignedtotargetthepresenceofpinemartenontheridgelines;areasearcheswerealsoconductedbyvehicleandsnowmobiletodeterminethepresenceofCanadalynx.Pinemarten’spresencewasdetectedandnoCanadalynxtrackswereobserved.

Carefulsitedesign(e.g.,utilizingexistingroads,avoidingsensitivehabitat,andmini-mizingdisturbancetotheextentpracticable)reducesimpactsrelatedtoconstructionactivity.Inaddition,constructioncontractorswillberequiredtoassurethatallworkremainswithinthedesignatedconstructionlimits.

(6) pubLic heaLth and safety

a. Ice shedding

background & potentiaL effects: InnorthernclimatessuchasNewHamp-shire,thepotentialforicesheddingfromwindturbinebladesneedstobeconsideredinconnectionwithpublicsafetyissues.Icesheddingoccurswhenbuilt-upiceonawindturbineisreleasedduetoaerodynamicandcentrifugalforcesorachangeinweather.Thefrequencyandnatureoficesheddingdependsheavilyuponweatherandwindconditionsandontheoperationandcontrolsystemofwindturbines.

GreenMountainPowerCorporation’sSearsburgWindpowerFacilityhasbeenoperatingforover10yearsinsouthwesternVermontatelevationscomparabletotheGraniteReli-ablePowerWindpark.TheSearsburgareaexperiencesheavywintericingconditionssimilartotheGRPProjectareas.IcesheddinghasnotbeenapublicsafetyproblemfortheGreenMountainPowerCorporationSearsburgWindpowerFacility.Commonsensesolutionstopotentiallydangeroussituationshavebeenimplementedbymaintenancepersonnel.Thesesolutionsincludelimitingthegeneralpublic’saccesstothesiteandoperationaladjustments.

BecausetheProjectwillbesituatedentirelyonprivateland,whereaccessbythegeneralpubliccanbecontrolled,therisktothegeneralpublicduetoicesheddingisveryminimal.FurtherdiscussionofpublicaccessconcernsisfoundinSection(j)(1):Locallanduse.

study & mitigation pLans: Severalresearchinstitutionshaveanalyzedtheriskinvolvedwithwindturbineoperationincoldclimates.Themostwidelyreferencedscientificstudyonicingis“RiskAnalysisofIceThrowfromWindTurbines”(2003)byHenrySeifertet.al.fromDeutschesWindenergie-InstituteGmbHinCuxhaven,Germany.Anotherinstitution,theInternationalEnergyAgencyWindResearchAnnexXIX,wasestablishedinordertogatherinternationalinformationonwindturbineicingandcoldweathergeneration.Compilationsofthedatacollectedontechnicalsolutionsandcoldweatheroperationalexperiencefromallaroundtheglobearecontainedinitsstudies“State-of-the-artofWindEnergyinColdClimates”(April2003)and“ExpertStudyGrouponWindEnergyProjectsinColdClimates”(2005).TheSeifertstudyisdiscussedinfurtherdetailbelowandisincludedasAppendix26.



Allstudiesrecommend,intheinterestofpublicsafety,theuseofcautionsignstoalertthepublictodangerintheeventoficeshedding.Inaddition,thesupervisorycontrolanddataacquisition(“SCADA”)systemwillmonitorsensortemperaturesandautomati-callyshuttheturbinedownandsendanalarmtothecontrolroomifpredeterminedsetpointsareexceededasaresultoficingconditions.

Theprimarymitigationmeasuretocounteractthedangersoficesheddingistotrainmaintenancepersonnelinthepropersafetyproceduresthatreducedangertothem-selvesandothersastheyconductroutinemaintenancework.

Whiletheaccessroadscanbecontrolled,itispossiblethatthepubliccouldreachtheseroadsinthewinterviaexistingtrailsorloggingroads.Dangerspresentedtothegeneralpublicwillbelimitedtothoseareaswherepublicaccessexistsintheformofcross-countryskitrailsandsnowmobiletrailsincloseproximitytothewindturbinesasdescribedinFigure27.Signagewillbeinstalledatappropriatetrailjunctionsorheaderstowarnusersofthepotentialicesheddingriskfromwindturbines.

Trainedmaintenancetechnicianswillalsoenforceproceduresaimedatminimizingrisktothegeneralpublic,suchasmaintainingcautionsignage,andclosingandlockinggatesafterpassingthroughtokeepthepublicatadistancefromthewindturbines,particularlyinthewintertime.

b. Lightning strikes

background & potentiaL effects:Althoughwindturbinesdonotactuallyattractlightning,duetotheirheightandconductivecomponents,windturbinesandassociatedcontrolandinterconnectionequipmentaresusceptibletoeitheradirectoranindirectlightningstrike(asaremanyothertypesoftallmetalstructures).Astheindustryhasaccumulatedexperiencewiththisrareoccurrenceoverthepastdecade,ithasbeenextensivelystudiedandsubstantialprogresshasbeenmadetoreduceoreliminatedamageorinterruptionofnormaloperationresultingfromlightningstrikes.

study & mitigation pLan: TheProjectwindturbinesareequippedwithastate-of-the-art“totallightningprotection”system,adheringtotheInternationalElectro-technicalCommission(IEC)1024-1standard.Thissystemconductsthelightningfrombothsidesofthebladetipdowntotherootjointandfromtheretothenacelle,towerandearthingsystem.Therefore,bladefailureispreventedandelectricalcomponentdamageisavoided.

AbenefitoftheProjectbeingsitedinaremotelocationisthatitreducesthepotentialpublicsafetyconcernsrelatedtolightning.

c. Tower collapse/blade throw

background & potentiaL effects:Whiletowercollapse/bladethrowincidentshaveoccurred,theyarerareandareofminimaldangertoProjectpersonnel.Instancesofbladethrowandtowercollapsewerereportedmostlyduringtheearlyyearsofthewindindustry.Technologicalimprovementsandmandatorysafetystandardsduringturbinedesign,manufacturingandinstallationhavelargelyreducedsuchoccurrences.



study & mitigation pLan: Theremotenatureofthewindturbinesiteseffectivelymitigatesmanypublicsafetyconcerns.

d. Stray voltage

background & potentiaL effects:Strayvoltageisalowlevelofelectricalcurrentthatcanoccurbetweentwopointsonagroundedelectricalsystemandisaconcernusuallyraisedbylivestockfarmers.Strayvoltagecanoccurfromadamagedorpoorlyconnectedwiringsystem,corrosiononeitherendofthewires,orweak/damagedwireinsulationmaterials.

Study&MitigationPlans:Propergroundingofwireseliminatesoccurrencesofstrayvolt-ageandthusstrayvoltageisnotconsideredtoposeanunreasonableadverseeffect.

e. Fire

background & potentiaL effects: Althoughwindturbinescontainrelativelyfewflammablecomponents,thepresenceofelectricalgeneratingequipmentandelec-tricalcables,alongwithvariousoils(lubricating,cooling,andhydraulic)doescreatethepotentialforfireaswithanyelectricgenerationfacility.This,incombinationwiththeelevatedlocationofthenacelleandtheenclosedspaceofthetowerinterior,makesresponsetoafiredifficult.

study & mitigation pLan: Whilefiresassociatedwithwindturbinesareextremelyrare,windturbinescontainbuilt-infiresafetysystemsthatminimizethechanceoffire.Fireprotectionfeaturesoftheturbineincludecomponentsinthenacellethatmonitorbearing,oilandnacelletemperatures.ThesecomponentswillbeconnectedtotheturbineSCADAsystem.TheSCADAsystemwillmonitorsensortemperaturesandautomaticallyshuttheturbinedownandsendanalarmtothecontrolroomifpredeterminedsetpointsareexceeded.Inadditiontothemonitoringsystem,eachnacelleandeachservicevehicleisequippedwithafireextinguisher.TheremotenessoftheGraniteReliablePowerWindpark,togetherwiththedevelopmentofanappropriatefireprotectionplan,willminimizeriskstothepublic.

f. Aviation safety risks (airspace issues)

background & potentiaL effects: TheFederalAviationAdministration(“FAA”)hasoversightofanyobjectthatcouldhaveanimpactonthenavigableairspaceorcom-munications/navigationtechnologyofaviation(commercialormilitary)orDepartmentofDefense(“DOD”)operations.Ingeneral,uponreceiptoftheNoticeofProposedConstruction(FAAform7460-1)fromthedeveloper,theFAAworkingwiththeDOD,willexaminetheapplicant’sproposalandidentifyanypossibleairspaceorsafetyin-fringementscausedbytheWindpark.28TheFAAanalysiswillconsiderseveraltypesofairspaceimpacts:(1)imaginarysurfacepenetration,(2)operationalimpactsandelectromagneticinterference,and(3)obstructionwarninglightarrangement.

study & mitigation pLans: Imaginary Surface Penetration. TheFAAhasestab-lishedquantitativeparameters(distancesandangles)thatformthebasisfordetermin-ingifaproposedstructurewillposeahazardtonavigation,takeoff,orlandingwithrespecttonearbyairports.GraniteReliablePowerWindparkemployedtheservices


28 the filing of faa form 7460-1 is usually done after all possible project design alterations have been made in the permitting and final engineering process. the faa analysis must consider the exact location of each turbine in its determination.


ofAviationSystems,Inc.ofTorrance,CaliforniatoexaminetheProjectregionforanypotentialconcerns.ThenearestairportstotheProjectaretheErrolAirportandtheBerlinMunicipalAirportlocatedinthevalleyfloorstotheeastandsoutheastoftheProjectatdistancesof7.5miles(12.1km)and14.6miles(23.5km)respectivelyfromthenearestwindturbinessites.TheresultsoftheanalysisusingVestasV90windturbinesindicatedtherewouldbenoairspacesurfacepenetrationresultingfromthisProject.

GRPwillalsoapplytotheFAAforanofficialDeterminationofNoHazardforeachwindturbinelocationpriortoconstructionthatwillsupersedeotheranalysesandspecifyrecommendedlightingplansasdiscussedbelow.

operationaL impacts and eLectromagnetic impacts. Experiencehasshownthatwindturbinescanimpactperformanceofairtrafficcontrolorairdefenseradar.Thisthresholdforinterferenceisgenerally15miles(24.1km),andtherearenosuchradarinstallationsthisclosetothewindturbinesites.TheFAAisnotexpectedtoidentifyanyoperationalorelectromagneticimpactsresultingfromtheProject.

obstruction Lighting.Inordertoreduceriskstoaviation,theFAArecommendsthelightingofwindturbinesover200feet(61m)high(tothetoparchoftheblades).BecausetheWindparkwindturbinesexceedthisthreshold,theProjectwillsubmitaFormFAA7460-1NoticeofProposedConstructionasdiscussedabove,andwillreceiveaDeterminationofNoHazardpriortotheinstallationofthewindturbines.

In2005,theFAAcompleteda2-yearnationalreviewofcriteriaforlightingwindpowerprojects.TheresultantmodificationstopreviouslyredundantandexcessivelightingcriteriahavebeenincorporatedintorevisionsoftheFAAAdvisoryCircularAC70/7460-1KCHG2(2/1/07),includedasAppendix27.Ingeneral,turbinesmustbepaintedwhitefordaytimevisibility.Atnight,itisrecommendedthatasingle,mediumintensity,redlightbemountedatopthewindturbinenacelleatthebordersofthewindturbinestringandeveryhalf-milewithin.

operationaL impacts: TheProjectwillapplyforDeterminationofNoHazardtoairnavigationrulingsfromtheFAAforallwindturbinestructures,andtheFAAwillperformanaeronauticalstudytodetermine“thatthestructuredoesnotexceedobstructionstandardsandwouldnotbeahazardtoairnavigation.”AsaconditionoftheFAA’sdeterminationofnohazard,theProjectmustcomplywithFAAlightingstandards,asreferencedabove.

g. Noise

background & potentiaL effects: Windturbinesaremechanicaldevicesthatemitsoundwhenoperating.Thereareessentiallythreesourcesofsound:1)therotorbladespassingthroughtheair(aswishingaerodynamicsound);2)thegearboxortransmission;and3)theyawdriveresponsiblefororientingtheturbinetothewindatalltimes.Ofthese,theaerodynamicsoundsourceisnormallytheonlyonethatisaudibleatanysignificantdistancefromatypicalwindturbine.Whenwindturbinesareinstalledclosetoresidencesandaerodynamicnoisefromthenearestwindturbineexceedsthenaturalbackgroundsoundlevel,annoyancecansometimesresult,particu-larlywhenthisnoiseisnewandunfamiliar.



Inthiscase,becauseoftheunusuallylargegeographicbufferdistancesbetweentheGRPWindparkandthenearestresidences,nounreasonableadverseimpactisex-pected.Thenearestyear-roundresidencewillbeover2.9miles(4.7km)fromanyofthewindturbinesandmostotherresidenceswillbeconsiderablyfarther.AtsuchdistancesProjectsoundislikelytobewellbelowthebackgroundlevelandthereforeinconsequential.

TheBalsamsWildernessSkiAreaisthecommercialrecreationallanduseclosesttotheProject.Amodelinganalysisconductedbysoundexperts,HesslerAssociates,Inc.(Appendix28:EnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessment)indicatesthatnoisefromtheProjectishighlyunlikelytoconstituteanunreasonableadverseimpact.

ConstructionactivitieswillgeneratemorenoisethanProjectoperationsbutwillbetemporaryinnatureandoccurduringdaytimeworkinghours.Becauseoftheverylargedistancesbetweenthewindturbinesitesandanyofthenearestresidences,theEnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessmentestimatesmaximumcon-structionsoundlevelsfromthesitetobelessthan22dBAatanyfull-timeresidence.Suchanextremelylowsoundlevelisfarbelowthenormalbackgroundsoundlevel,evenduringcalmandquietconditions,andthereforehighlyunlikelytobeaudible.

AlthoughpotentialforimpactfromProjectsoundonwildlifehasbeensuggested,noexistingstudiesorsurveymethods/metricshavebeenidentifiedtotheknowledgeofGraniteReliablePoweranditswildlifeconsultantexperts.

study & mitigation pLan: TheEnvironmentalSoundSurveyandNoiseImpactAssessment,includedasAppendix28,documentsafieldsurveyofexistingsoundlevelsatpredeterminedlocationsalongwithacomputermodelofpredictedsoundlevelsfromtheVestasV90windturbines.

Usingconservativeassumptions,thesoundassessmentconcludesthatsoundemittedbytheProjectwillhavenounreasonableadverseimpactonthehumanenvironment.Withthepossibleexceptionofblasting,noisesfromtemporaryconstructionactivitiesareunlikelytobeaudibleatthenearestresidences.Insummary,nounreasonableadverseimpactsareexpectedfromsoundsproducedbytheGRPWindpark.

AdditionalinformationonwindturbinesandnoisefromtheAmericanWindEnergyAs-sociationhasbeenattachedasAppendix29:AWEAFactsaboutEnergyandNoise.

(j) EFFECTS ON ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION; ESTIMATE OF IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION ANd OPERATION OF ThE FACILITY

(1) Local land use

a. Commercial timber production

TheProjectisproposedtobeconstructedoncommercialforestlandandonanadjacentparcelofprivateland.Thetwoprimarytractsoflandwhichmakeupthiscommercialforestcompriseover83,744acres.Thepropertiesareownedandactivelymanagedbyprofessionalforestmanagementorganizationsfor



commercialtimberproduction.Timberactivitieshaveoccurredonthepropertiesforoveronehundredyears.Locallandscapefeaturesreflectthesemanagementpracticesthroughadiversearrayofforestcovertypesandages.Haulroadshavebeenbuiltovertimetoaccommodatethetransportationoftimberharvestingequipmenttoandfromtheareabeingharvestedandthetransportationoftheharvestedtimber.AnexampleofthepresentlanduseisprovidedinaphotographofrecenttimberharvestingactivityonMt.KelseyincludedasFigure25.

ExistingroadstructureisvisibleinthephotographincludedasFigure26.Currentlythereisestimatedtobeover140miles(225km)ofexistingroadsonthePhillipsBrookparcelalone,ofwhichapproximately19miles(30.6km)willbeusedduringtheconstructionandoperationoftheProject.

Theonlydirect lossof land forcommercialharvestingincludestheareasassociatedwiththewindturbinestrings,newaccessroads,theelectricalcollectionsystemincludingsubstation,interconnectingswitchingstationandpowerlines,andpermanentoperationandmaintenancefacilities.Theseimprovementswillresultinthepermanentconversionofapproximately203acres

ofcommercialforesttowindpoweruse;mostoftheimpactedareaislowquality,wind-blownstandsalongridgelinesandhaslittlecommercialvalue.

TheGRPWindparkwillonlyhaveaminimaleffectoncommercialforestryactivities.Inaddition,improvementstotheexistingroadnetworkandtheconstructionofnewroadsmayenhancethelandowners’accesstotheirforestland.Whileconstructionactivitiesmayalsotemporarilyaffectexistingforestryoperations,GRPwillcloselycoordinatewiththelandownersregardingequipmentmovementlogisticsandvariousconstructionactivities.

TheProjectisthuscompatiblewith,andcomplementaryto,theprevailingandplannedfuturecommercialforestryuseofthisland.Inaddition,winddevelopmentmayhelpsustainforestryusebyprovidinganothersourceofrevenuetoowners,therebyhelpingtoshoreupmarginalforestryeconomicsindownyears.

b. Outdoor recreation

RecreationalactivitiesinCoosCountyincludehiking,snowmobiling,canoeing,kayaking,boating,camping/yurtexperiences,allterrainvehicleriding,hunting,fishing,andmultiplewintersports.NearbydesignatedrecreationalfacilitiesorareasincludetheDixvilleNotchStatePark,theNashStreamForest,MollidgewockStatePark,ColemanStateParkandtheAndroscogginWaysidePark.SeveralwaterbodiesproviderecreationalopportunitiesneartheProjectincluding:theAndroscogginRiver,MillsfieldandAkersPonds,DummerPond,PontookReservoirandLakeUmbagog,whichisapproximately10miles(16km)awaystraddlingtheMaine–NewHampshireborder.TheBalsamsGrandResortHoteloffersrecre-

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationJeffects on ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION

Figure 25: photograph of existing timber harvesting activities on mt. kelsey.


ationalopportunities,asdoestheColebrookCountryClub.Additionally,therearenumeroussmalltrails,loggingroads,streamsandpondsusedforvariousrecreationalpurposesinthevicinityoftheProject.SpecificrecreationalactivitiesaredescribedinthefollowingsectionsandamapofrecreationaltrailsneartheGRPWindparkisincludedinFigure27.

Thelandownersoftheprivatetractsoflandoccasionallyaccommodatepublicrecreationalusesoftheirlandinaccordancewithcontemporarycorporatepoli-cies.Thesepoliciesaregenerallydesignedtopermitpublicaccesstothelandforcertainrecreationalpurposes,whileencouragingpublicsafetyandpro-tectingtheowners’abilitytocontinuecommercialtimberactivitiessafelyandefficiently.Varioustypesofsig-nagearemaintainedbytheownerstodirecttheseactivitiestoappropri-atetrails,roadsorlocations.Gatesorsimilarimpedimentsareusedtocon-trolmotorizedaccesstoremotepartsoftheproperty.Thewindturbinesarelocatedalongtheupperreachesoftheridgelines,generallydistantfrompublicuses,andwillnotsignificantlydiminishrecreationalusesontheseprivatelands.

Specificrecreationalactivitiesaredescribedinthefollowingsections.

i. Motorized trail systems: snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle

LocalsnowmobileclubsmaintainandutilizetrailsystemsinthevicinityoftheProject.Theseclubsinclude:theColebrookSkiBeesClubtothenorthwest;theUmbagogSnowmobileAssociationofErroltotheeast;theGrovetonTrailblaz-ersofStarktothesouthwest;andtheMilanAllWeatherRiderstothesoutheast.Thesegroupsmaintaininterconnectedandnumberedtrails,someofwhichareusedinthenon-wintermonthsbyall-terrainvehicle(“ATV”)ridersandhikers.TheProjectisinproximitytomultiplesnowmobiletrailsasshowninFigure27.

TheProjectwillhaveonlyalimitedimpactonsnowmobilingandall-terrainve-hicleridingintheregion.AsdiscussedinSection(i)(6)a,signswillbepostedattrailjunctionswithsnowmobiletrail#134and1000ft(304m)fromeachwindturbine,warningtrailusersthattheyareapproachingawindturbinearea.

ii. Non-motorized trail systems: hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

Thereisafairlyextensivesystemofhiking,cross-countryskiingandbikingtrailsintheDixvilleNotcharea.WithinNashStreamForesttherearehikingtrailsonNorthandSouthPercyPeaksandonSugarloafMountain.TheProjectwould

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Jeffects on ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgION

Figure 2�: existing haul road used for logging


notbevisibletobackcountryskiersorsnowshoersinlowerelevationswithintheForest.TheCohoshikingtrailextendsfromNotchlandinHart’sLocationinNewHampshiretotheCanadianborder(about162miles(260.7km))andconnectswith


Figure 2�: recreational uses in the vicinity of the granite reliable power windpark


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Approximate Location of Recreational TrailsNear the Granite Reliable Power Windpark

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Data: Publically available data from NH GRANIT, General trail data from Groveton Trailblazers, Colebrook Ski-Bees Snowmobile Club, NHATV.com,North Country ATV, The COHOS Trail, The Balsams Resort website map information. All other data is proprietary to Granite Reliable Power LLC.

June 2008

.

FishbrookWind Turbines




Granite Reliable Power LLC SEC Fig. 9-3* Recreational trails includes snowmobile, ATV, hiking and snowshoe activites.


trailsinQuebecextendingfromtheMeganticarea.Thistrailhasbeenrecentlydevelopedandisstillevolvinginplaces.

AlthoughtheuseoftherecreationalactivitieswithintheareawouldbeminimallyaffectedbytheProject,therewouldbesomevisualimpacts.ThesectionoftheCohosTrailoverDixvillePeakwilloverlapinsomeareaswiththeProjectbuttheoveralleffectontherecreationalexperiencewillbeminimal.ViewsarediscussedindetailinAppendix11:GraniteReliablePowerVisualImpactAssessment.Theresultsofthisreportindicatethatvisualimpactswouldnotbeunreasonablyad-verse;viewsofthewindturbinesgenerallyincludeonlyaportionoftheProject.

iii. Other recreational uses

canoeing, kayaking and boating. Boating,kayakingandcanoeingaremadepossibleintheareabypublicaccessareasand/orboatlaunchesatMillsfieldPond,atLakeUmbagog,alongtheAndroscogginRiver,andatothersmallerponds.Therearealsosmallboating,canoeingandkayakingopportunitiesinthesmalllakes,pondsandstreamsclosertotheProjectsite.TheProjectwillnotdirectlyinhibitanyofthesewater-basedrecreationalactivities,otherthanthroughlimitedvisualimpacts.VisibilityoftheProjectfromtheAndroscogginRiverisextremelylimited.TherewouldbenovisibilityfromlakesandpondswithinNashStreamForest.TheclosestviewsoftheProjectwouldbefromMillsfieldandDummerPond.PortionsoftheProjectwouldalsobevisiblefromtheeasternshoreofAkersPond,andfromthenorthernhalfofLakeUmbagogatgreaterdistances(8to15milesaway(12.9-24.1km)).

camping and yurt experience. Thereareseverallocalcampsitesintheregionincluding:theNotchViewCountryInnandRVResortinColebrook,theCedarPondCampgroundinMilan,andtheLogHavenCampgroundinMillsfield.CampingisalsoavailableattheUmbagogStatePark,theMollidgewockStateParkinErrol,theMilanHillStatePark,andtheColemanStateParkinStewartstown.TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblefromanyofthepubliccampgrounds,butviewsofDixvillePeakarelikelyfromtheNotchViewCampgroundandRVResortinColebrook.

Additionally,alocalbusiness,PhillipsBrookBackcountryRecreation,hasinstalledyurtsatcertainlocationsontheBayrootTract.Theseyurtsarerentedouttothosewishingaremote,backcountryexperience.ThenearestyurtstothewindturbinesarethoseinthevicinityofDummerPond.TheProjectdoesnotanticipateanynegativeimpactsoncampingoryurtexperiences.

hunting and fishing. TherearemanyfishingopportunitiesinthevicinityoftheProjectincludingatMillsfieldPondandinPhillipsBrook.Themultitudeofstreamsandpondsintheregionprovidesanadditionalvastfishingresourceinthearea.

TheProjectisnotexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonhuntingandfishingopportunities.

wiLdLife and bird watching. Anotherrecreationaluseoflandintheregionisforwildlifeandbirdwatching.Route26,tothenorthoftheProject,hasbeendeemeda“NewHampshireScenicByway”.ThestretchalongRoute26isonly

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication Jeffects on ThE ORdERLY dEVELOPMENT OF ThE REgIONS


aportionofthe98mile(157km)MoosePathTrail.AlongthisroutesouthofDixvilleNotchStateParkandtheBalsamsGrandResortHotel,thereisawildlifeviewingplatformwheremotoristscanstopandobtaininformationaboutareawildlife.TheProjectwouldnotbevisiblenorwoulditinhibitbirdingorviewingwildlifefromtheplatform.TherewouldbeotheropportunitiesforviewsoftheProjectalongportionsofRoute26betweenSignalMountainRoadandErrol.ThesearedescribedintheAestheticImpactsSection(i)(1)alongwithviewsfromotherstateandtownhighways.

aLpine skiing and mountain biking. TheBalsamsGrandResortHotelofferssixteenalpineskiingtrailsinthewinterandallowstrailaccesstomountainbikersinthesummer.Thesetrailsandalldevelopmentassociatedwiththisalpineskiareaareonthenorthwest-facingslope,andfaceawayfromtheProjectsite.VerylimitedviewsoftheProjectarepossiblefromthetopofliftsonDixvillePeakbutthesearenotexpectedtointerferewiththerecreationalexperience.TheBalsamsGrandResortHotelmanagesanumberofothermountainbikingtrailsnorthofRoute26.TheremaybelimitedviewsfromsomeofthetrailstowardtheDixvillePeakturbines.ThesearedescribedintheAestheticImpactsSection(i)(1).

RecreationalusersalongDixvillePeakwillexperienceminimalimpactsontheirrecreationalactivities.OtheroutdoorrecreationalactivitiesinthevicinityoftheProjectwillnotbedisruptedoradverselyimpactedbytheProject.

Indirectrecreationaleffects,includingviewsofwindturbines,willoccurfromvantagepointsalongsometrailsandwaterbodiesintheregion,butnonewouldresultinunreasonableimpactsontherecreationalexperience.AmoredetaileddiscussionofvisualimpactsisincludedinSection(i)(1)andintheVisualAssess-ment,includedasAppendix11.TheVisualAssessmentevaluatedmanyoftherecreationalfacilitiesandlocationsintheregionincludingparks,lakes,ponds,rivers,stateforests,trailsandgolfcourses.Ateachoftheselocations,theVisualAssessmentexaminedthatplace’sdocumentedsignificance,scenicquality,viewer’sexpectations,uniquenessofthevisualresource,durationofview,proximitytotheProjectandnumberofturbinesvisible,amongothercriteria.

(2) LocaL economyTheCoosCountyregioniscurrentlyinastateofeconomicandsocialtransition.Since2000,CoosCountyhaslostabout2,000jobs.Thelocaleconomyfornearlyonehundredyearscenteredontheregion’spapermills,whichweremajorsourcesofemploymentandincomefortheCounty.In2006,boththeGrovetonPaperboardMillandFraserPaper’sBurgessPulpMillclosed,endingthepapermanufacturinglegacyinCoosCountyandinitiatinganewsetofeconomicchallenges.Economicimpactsfromtheclosuresareexpectedtobesignificantandlastpast2015.TheNewHampshireDepartmentofEmploymentSecurityreportedinMay2006:

In2006,21.4percentofCoosCounty’sgrossregionalproduct(GRP)isdirectlyorindirectlyattributabletopulpandpapermanufacturing.Pulpandpapercontributes,directlyorindirectly,$2,223.93totheaverageannualcompensation(wagesplusbenefits)ofCoosCountyworkersin2006andwasresponsiblefor4.9percentofpercapitarealdisposableincome.29


29all data from the us census report state and county quick facts. revised 31 august 2007. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33007.html


TheseestimatesdonotincludepotentialeconomicimpactsfromtheclosingoftheWasauPaperMillinGrovetonwhichoccuredattheendof2007.Theclosureofthismillleft303peoplewithoutwork.

TheU.S.CensusBureauestimatesthecurrentpopulationofCoosCountytobe33,019.ThegrowthrateforthecountyfromApril1,2000toJuly1,2006wascalculatedtobe-0.3%,comparedwiththe6.4%growthratefortheentirestateofNewHampshire.In2005,theCoosCountypopulationover65was18.2%,ascomparedwith12.5%fortherestofNewHampshire.The2004CoosCountymedianhouseholdincomewas$36,587,ascomparedwith$53,770forNewHampshireasawhole.The2005privatenon-farmemploymentfortheCountywas12,066jobs.33

Inthenearfuture,CoosCountyhastheopportunitytoredefineitselfasaninnovative,prosperousregionwithasignificantportionofitsincomederivingfromthecapitalinflowsassociatedwithvariousrenewableenergydevelopmentsproposedintheCountyamongothereconomicinitiatives.

TheWindparkwillnotrequiretheuseofsignificantlocalservicesduringoperation.Wateruseanddischargerequirementswillbeminimalandaccommodatedon-site.Itisanticipatedthatconstructionworkerswillbegenerallyavailableintheregion.InadditiontotheGRPWindpark,otherprojectsareundervariousstagesofdevelop-mentinCoosCounty.Skill-setsandknowledgegainedduringtheGRPProjectwillbetransferrabletosurroundingprojects.

Potentialimpactonlocalservicesisanticipatedtobeminimal,exceptfordemandforlodging,foodandsundriesfortheworkforceduringconstruction.

a. Economic effects of the Project

LocaL effects: TheProjectwillbeanimportantfirstpartofthedevelopmentoftheregion’swindpowerresource.At99megawattsinsize,thecostoftheProjectwillbeapproximately$275million,ofwhichapproximately$19.4millionwillbeinfusedintothesurroundingeconomyforthepurchaseoflocalgoodsandservicesduringconstructionactivities.

Inadditiontotheinfluxofconstructiondollarsintothelocaleconomy,theProjectwillhavesubstantiallong-termeconomicbenefits,including:

• Permanentemploymentforsixormoresitetechnicians

• IncreasedcommerceintheregionfromtheProject’spurchasesoflocalservicesaswellasgoodsandservicespurchasedbytheProject’semployees

• Anannualpaymentof$495,000dollarsmadebyGraniteReliablePowertotheCoosCountygovernmentresultingfromanagreementbetweentheCoosCountyCommissionersandGRP

• Inaddition,thetownofDummerwillreceiveadditionaltaxrevenueintheformofpropertytaxesderivedfromthehostingoftheinterconnectionpowerline


30 all data from the us census report state and county quick facts. revised 31 august 2007. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33/33007.html


• Improvedsustainabilityoftheexistingforestryindustryandrelatedeconomicbenefitsthroughadditionalrevenuestothelandowners

• Increasedeconomicdiversification

statewide effects: Inadditiontotheselocalandregionalimpacts,theProjectwillhaveabeneficialeffectatthestate,countyandlocallevelsbycontributingtovarioustaxesincluding:thestatewideutilitypropertytax(whichisusedtopayforeducationexpenses),thebusinessenterprisetax,andthebusinessprofitstax.

Onefinalaspectofeconomicimpactsthatcannotbeeffectivelyanalyzedusingecono-metricmodelsisthepotentialbenefittoenergysecurityandenergycosts.TheProjectwillsellelectricityintotheNewEnglandpowermarket.Thisintegratedelectricpowermarketisvulnerabletopricespikesasaresultoftheincreasingdemandforfossilfuelsworldwide.Withoverhalfofitsenergygenerationcomingfromfossilfuels,theNewEnglandregion,includingNewHampshire,hasexperiencedincreasesandperiodicspikesinelectricityprices.Duetoitslowoperatingcost,wind-producedelectricitymayhelpstabilizeelectricitypricesintheNewEnglandelectricitymarket.

b. Property values

Basedonnationalstudies,windparkshavebeenshowntohavenoadverseimpactonpropertyvalues.OnesuchstudywasconductedbytheRenewableEnergyPolicyProject(“REPP”)andisincludedasAppendix30a:TheEffectofWindDevelopmentonLocalPropertyValues.REPPassembledadatabaseofrealestatetransactionsadjacenttotenwindpowerprojectsintheUnitedStatesthatbecameoperationalbetween1998and2001.Analysisofrealestatetransactionsforthreeyearsbeforeandfiveyearsafterwindfarmconstructionshowednonegativeeffectonpropertyvaluesfromexistingwindfarmsinthecommunities’studies.AnalysisforpropertysalesdatainBenning-tonCounty,Vermontwithina5mileradius(8.4km)viewshedoftheSearsburgWindPowerFacilityshowedthat“monthlyaveragesalesgrewfasterintheviewshedthaninthecomparablearea,indicatingthatthereisnosignificantevidencethatthepresenceofthewindfarmshadanegativeeffectonresidentialpropertyvalues.”31

TopresentamorespecificunderstandingoftheactualeffectsofexistingwindfarmsonpropertyvaluesandtoaddresscriticismsraisedabouttheREPPStudy,amasterofsciencethesiswaspreparedbyBenHoenofBardCollegein2006toanalyzetransac-tionvaluesofhomeswithin5miles(8.4km)oftheexistingFenner(NY)WindFarmthathaveviewssignificantlyaffectedbythepresenceofthewindfarm.TheHoen-BardCollegeanalysis“failedtouncoveranystatisticallysignificantrelationshipbetweeneitherproximitytoorvisibilityofthewindfarmandthesalepriceofhomes.”32ThisstudyisincludedasAppendix30b:ImpactsofWindmillVisibilityonPropertyValuesinMadisonCounty,NewYork.

c. TourismTourismisamajorcomponentofNewHampshire’seconomy.Morespecifically,tour-isminNorthernCoosCountytendstobebasedaroundoutdoorrecreationactivities,asdescribedinSection(j)(1)b.Therearenolodges,hotels,servicestations,foodorconveniencestoresinthevicinityoftheProject.


31 the effect of wind development on Local property values. renewable energy policy project. may , 2003. page 40.

32 impacts of windmill visibility on property values in madison county, new york. hoen, ben. april 30, 2006. page 34.


Oneregionaltouristlocation,theBalsamsGrandResortHotel,issituatednorthoftheWindpark.AsdiscussedinSection(j)(1)b,Project-relatedimpactsattheBalsamsarenotexpectedtoadverselyaffecttheresortortherecreationalactivitiesitprovides.

TheProjecthasthepotentialtoprovidetourismbenefitstotheareaforseveralyears.Thishasbeenthecaseforthefirstutility-scalewindfacilityinNewEngland,theSearsburgsixMWfacilitybuilttenyearsagoinsouthernVermont.Thisfacilitystillreceivesoverfivehundredscheduledvisitorseachyear.33

SimilarsituationsaredocumentedinNewYorkState.BoththeFennerWindPowerProjectandMadisonWindPowerProjectarelistedasattractionsontheMadisonCountyTourismwebsite:www.madisontourism.com.InPrinceEdwardIsland,Canada,awindpowerprojectisprominentlyfeaturedasamainattractionintheNorthCaperegiononthegovernmentvisitor’sguide:http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/tou_nccd06.pdf.

(3) LocaL empLoymentInordertoquantitativelyassesstheProject’seconomicimpactontheregion,GRPperformeda“JobsandEconomicDevelopmentImpact”(“JEDI”)modelthroughtheuseofeconometricmodelstogetherwithconstructionandlong-termeconomicdata.

TheJEDImodelingsystemwasdevelopedbytheWind&HydropowerTechnologiesPro-gram,throughtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergyoffice.34 TheJEDImodelanalyzestheeconomicimpactsofconstructingandoperatingwindpowerplantsusingparametersspecifictotheProjectanditslocation.

Theeconomicimpactsofconstructionprojectsaresomewhatdifferentthantheeco-nomicimpactsofongoingoperations.Becauseoftheirrelativelyshortduration,con-structionprojectsdonotresultinthecreationofadditionalpermanentjobs;rather,theconstructionactivityandemploymentmaybesaidtosupportwagesandemploymentinthelocaleconomyasaresultoftheProject.

ConstructionoftheGRPWindparkwillresultinthedirect,indirectandinducedemploymentofapproximately180-220electricalworkers,craneoperators,equipmentoperators,carpentersandotherworkerscounty-widewithatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$5.4million.Theemploymentandincomefiguresnotedhereincludebothdirectemploymentandwages(thosepeopledirectlyemployedbyGRPanditscontractors)andtheindirectandinducedeffects.IndirecteffectsaretheemploymentandwagesoffirmssupplyinggoodsandservicestoGRPanditscontractors.Inducedeffectsoccurwhenwagespaidtothedirectandindirectemployeesarespentinthelocaleconomy.Regionaleconomicbenefitsduringconstructionareestimatedat$19.4million,including:payrolls,supplies,materials,hotelstays,mealsandeconomicmultipliereffects.

DuringplantoperationstheProjectexpectstocreatesixdirectjobs,andwillcreateanestimated19moreindirectandinducedjobscounty-widewithatotalestimatedpayrollandbenefitsof$800,000.TableHincludesasummaryofdirectandinducedjobs.Theselocaleconomicbenefitsareestimatedtobe$2.2millionannuallyandincludepayrolls,supplies,materials,PILOTandWindparkleasepayments.Totaleco-nomicbenefits,baseduponregionalmultipliersappliedtodirectProjectexpenditures


33 the searsburg wind power facility is not open to the public. the state permit allows scheduled site visits july through mid october.

34 more information on jedi modeling is available at http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/filter_detail.asp?itemid=707


inoriginalcapitalinvestmentandongoingoperationalexpense,areestimatedtobe$63.4millionover20years.

Table h: results of the jedi model for granite reliable power Phase direct Jobs Induced and Indirect Jobs Payroll and benefits

construction 10-130 70-100 $5,400,000

operation 6 19 $800,000

(k) Consistency with State Energy Policy

TheGRPWindparkisconsistentwithNewHampshire’sStateEnergyPolicy.RSA378:37statesthatitistheenergypolicyofthisstate“tomeettheenergyneedsofthecitizensandbusinessesofthestateatthelowestreasonablecostwhileprovidingforthereliabilityanddiversityofenergysources;theprotectionofthesafetyandhealthofthecitizens,thephysicalenvironmentofthestate,andthefuturesuppliesofnonre-newableresources;andconsiderationofthefinancialstabilityofthestate’sutilities.”ThisProject,byprovidingclean,renewableelectricity,willhelptomeettheneedsofcitizensandbusinessesofthestate.TheadditionalpowerprovidedbythisProjectwillbeusedtomeetcurrentandfutureelectricitydemandsvianon-pollutinggeneration.Ifapproved,thiswillbethesecondcommercialwindpowerfacilityinNewHampshire.ThisProjectwilltripletheamountofinstalledwindpowercapacityinNewEngland(49megawattsasofthiswriting),andaddtothediversityofelectricityresourcesinthestateandregion.Addinganothercostefficientsourceofelectricitytotheregionwillhelptomaintainorlowerpricesforallcustomers,sincewindpowerwillhelptopromotefueldiversityandasupplyshiftawayfromNewEngland’shistoricalrelianceonnaturalgas.ThisservestomitigatethepriceeffectnaturalgashasonelectricitypricingwithintheNE-ISOenergymarket.

Byproducingelectricityfromasourcethatdoesnotcontributetogreenhousegases,theProjectwillhelppreservethephysicalenvironmentofthestatefromfurtherdegradationcausedbycertainairemissions.Finally,byaddingarenewablesourceofelectricitythisProjectwillhelpNewHampshireutilitiesmeettheirrequirementsunderthenewRenewablePortfolioStandard(“RPS”)lawpassedbytheNewHampshireLegislaturein2007,Chapter26,Lawsof2007,codifiedasRSA362-F,andtherebymaintaintheirfinancialstability.Forallofthesereasons,GRP,believesthatthisProjectisconsistentwiththestateenergypolicy.ThatenergypolicyissupportedbytheNewHampshireOfficeofEnergy&Planning(“NHOEP”)(Appendix31:“ExecutiveSummary”NewHampshireEnergyPlan),andvariousstateairqualityandclimatechangeinitiativesandpolicies.35

TheNHOEPhaspromotedpoliciestosupportthedevelopmentofrenewableenergysources.NHOEPprovidesinformationresourcesonthebenefitsofrenewableenergy,renewableenergyincentivesandprogramsandhasincludedstatementsinsupportofrenewableportfoliostandardsandincreasingNewHampshire’sfueldiversityinthe2002NewHampshireEnergyPlan.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationKCONSISTENCY with state energy poLicy

35 can be found at: http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/stateenergyplan.htm


Furthermore,theProjectisconsistentwiththepurposeclauseofthelawcreatingtheNHSiteEvaluationCommittee(RSA162-H:1)asfollows:

Thelegislature,accordingly,findsthatthepublicinterestrequiresthatitisessentialtomaintainabalancebetweentheenvironmentandtheneedfornewpowersources;thatelectricpowersuppliesmustbeconstructedonatimelybasis;thatinordertoavoidunduedelayinconstructionofneededfacilitiesandtoprovidefullandtimelyconsiderationofenvironmentalconsequences,allentitiesplanningtoconstructfacilitiesinthestateshouldberequiredtoprovidefullandcompletedisclosuretothepublicofsuchplans;...thatthesitingofelectricgeneratingplantsandhighvoltagetransmis-sionlinesshouldbetreatedasasignificantaspectofland-useplanninginwhichallenvironmental,economicandtechnicalissuesshouldberesolvedinanintegratedfashion,soastoassurethestateanadequateandreliablesupplyofelectricpowerinconformancewithsoundenvironmentalutilization.

In2002,NewHampshirelaidthefoundationforacleanerenvironment.Thepas-sageoftheCleanPowerAct(HouseBill284),codifiedasRSA125-O,focusedonthegrowingneedtoreducepollutionassociatedwithpowergeneration.ThegoaltoreduceemissionsfromthepowergenerationsectorwasalsoemphasizedintheNewHampshireCleanPowerStrategy(includedasAppendix32).Thesepoliciesputan-nualcapsonemissionsfrompowergenerationfacilities,includingthegreenhousegas,carbondioxide,andpollutantssuchasmercury,sulfurdioxideandnitrogenoxides.Additionally,NewHampshirehasalreadydemonstratedcommitmenttotheRegionalGreenhouseGasInitiative(“RGGI”)program.TheRGGIbillwassignedintolawbytheGovernoronJune11,2008asChapter182,Lawsof2008.FurtherinformationonNewHampshirepoliciesencouragingtheuseofrenewableenergythrough2006isincludedinAppendix33.

In2007,NewHampshirereachedanothersignificantmilestonewiththeadoptionofthestate’sRPSlaw,whichhadbeenimplementedinmostNewEnglandstatespriortothis.RSA362-FrequiresNewHampshiretoreachagoalof25%oftheelectricitysoldbyretailsuppliersinNewHampshiretocomefromrenewablesourcesby2025.Thepurposesectionofthatstatutestates:“RenewableenergygenerationtechnologiescanprovidefueldiversitytothestateandNewEnglandgenerationsupplythroughuseoflocalrenewablefuelsandresourcesthatservetodisplaceandtherebylowerregionaldependenceonfossilfuels.ItisthereforeinthepublicinteresttostimulateinvestmentinlowemissionrenewableenergygenerationtechnologiesinNewEnglandand,inparticular,NewHampshire,whetheratneworexistingfacilities.”RSA362-F:1.

TheProject,accordingtothelaw,willprovideasignificantnewsourceof“Class1”(newrenewableenergygeneratedbywind,geothermal,hydrogenderivedfrombiomassfuelsandanumberofothereligiblesources).

NewHampshirehasalsoprovidedsupportforthedevelopmentofwindpower,hydro-powerandbiomassrenewableenergyfacilitiesthroughtheadoptionandmodificationoflegislationauthorizingPaymentinLieuofTax(“PILOT”)agreements.In2006theLegislaturepassedHouseBill1758authorizingtheuseofPILOTagreementsforrenewableenergyprojectsthroughanewstatute,RSA72:74.In2007,theLegislatureamendedthenewPILOTlawbyauthorizingagreementsbetweenadeveloperanda

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication KCONSISTENCY with state energy poLicy


willingmunicipalityforaperiodlongerthanfiveyears.

Alloftheabovestatelegislativeincentivessharesomeorallofthefollowinggoalsregardingenergyplanningandpolicy:

• Reducedependenceonforeignandimportedsourcesofenergy

• Reduceriskandvolatilityinelectricitycosts

• Reduceairpollution,includinggreenhousegasemissions(globalwarming)

• Encouragenewlocalemploymentandfosternewlocalemploymentandbusinessdevelopmentopportunities

• Improvesystemreliability

• HelpdiversifytheNE-ISO’sgenerationresources.

TheGRPWindparkwillhelptheStateofNewHampshireachievethesegoals.

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLicationKCONSISTENCY with state energy poLicy


(l) PREFILEd TESTIMONY ANd LIST OF PROPOSEd EXhIbITS

(1) the appLication contains the foLLowing prefiLed testimony.

a. prefiLed testimonyofCharlesReadlingandPipDeckeraddressinganoverviewoftheProject,alternativesconsidered,impactonorderlydevelopmentofregion,consistencywithstateenergypolicy,andrelevantfactorsbearingonwhethertheobjectivesoftheSEClawwouldbeservedbythegrantingofacertificate;

b. prefiLed testimonyofChristopherLoweaddressingfinancialcapabilitytoassureconstructionandoperationoftheProjectincompliancewiththecertificate;

c. prefiLed testimonyofDanielMandliaddressingmanagerialandtechnicalcapabilitytoassureoperationincompliancewiththetermsandconditionsofthecertificate,andtheProject’seffectonairquality,publichealthandsafety(icethrow,hazardousmaterials,lightning);

d. prefiLed testimonyofPhillipBeaulieuaddressingtheProject’seffectonpublichealthandsafetyduringconstruction,andthetransportationofturbinesandcomponents;

e. prefiLed testimonyofRaymondLobdelladdressingtheProject’seffectonthenaturalenvironment(wetlands,waterquality,plantlife),andthedesignandconstructionoftheProject;

f. prefiLed testimonyofStevenPelletierandAdamGraveladdressingtheProject’seffectonthenaturalenvironment(wildlife,birdsandbats);

g. prefiLed testimonyofJeanVisseringaddressingthevisualimpact,theProject’seffectonaestheticsandtheimpactontheorderlydevelopmentoftheregion;

h. prefiLed testimonyofHopeLuhmanaddressingtheProject’seffectonhistoricsites;

i. prefiLed testimonyofDavidHessleraddressingtheProject’seffectonthepublichealthandsafety(noise);and

j. prefiLed testimonyofMatthewBorkowskiaddressingtheProject’seffectonthepublichealthandsafety(shadowflicker).

(2) a List of proposed exhibits is incLuded as appendix 34

new hampshire site evaLuation committee permit appLication LprefiLed TESTIMONY and LIST OF PROPOSEd EXhIbITS
