|
Siting and Permitting Tasks
There are many tasks a prospective turbine owner or developer needs to perform related to siting and permitting for the overall project plan and strategy. The most important is initially adopting a goal of impact minimization by avoidance, design, location, and mitigation. This goal is met through permitting, design, installation, and operations. Take all concerns about impact issues seriously. If they are not addressed, siting related issues can become costly problems in the future (e.g., denial of permits, large unanticipated extra costs, inability to meet previously committed deadlines, complaints, lawsuits, etc.). Depending on the scale, type, and location of the prospective project, there are basic steps to follow. These first steps apply during the initial idea stages and while wind measurements are being taken:
- Learn what typical construction activities are needed, their sequence, and what equipment would be used. This will be refined when the project is designed. More information can be found by contacting turbine vendors, wind project developers, and other turbine owners.
- Talk to turbine owners in the area. What was their experience with permitting, impact issues, agencies and neighbors? Look at a list of regional wind farms and contact info here, and if you want more information there are several places to find out where other wind turbines are installed in Illinois:
- Find out what the interconnection equipment requirements and sizes are from the local utility. Discuss preferred and alternative locations for connecting to their lines as well as the locations of their rights-of-way. For more information go here.
- Consult with neighbors and others who will see or be affected by the project. This includes agencies that are dealing with public lands if such lands are adjacent to the project site. It also includes any special interest groups whose concerns may be involved. If the project is likely to be large, asking for input may be appropriate via public meetings, press releases, and targeted briefings. People generally react better to being included in the planning process early. It will also help you identify potential problems and hurdles.
Follow the next steps if the wind measurements show significant winds that appear adequate to support a wind project:
- Consult with a local civil engineer or geologist to learn what the requirements are for any roadways on hillsides and turbine foundations. Obtain recommendations for erosion control. This information will be needed to engineer the turbine foundation; it affects construction, access, and design.
- Review existing information about any sensitive wildlife species and habitats that exist in the area. If the project affects federal lands, power lines, or facilities, formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required (contact their closest regional field office here) and an environmental impact study may be necessary. In 2003, the USFWS issued interim guidelines for siting wind turbines to have the least impact on wildlife and habitats. They are available online at www.fws.gov/r9dhcbfa/windenergy.htm
To prepare for obtaining permits other than basic electrical and mechanical, the following steps are useful:
- Consult with various agencies to learn what their requirements and concerns are. Get copies of all relevant rules and forms. These local agencies include the highway department; holders of any rights-of-way that would be affected; city or county planning, permitting, or zoning offices; and the fire and public safety departments.
- If the project is in or near sensitive bird habitats or if species of concern inhabit the site, consult the National Wind Coordinating Committee's avian/wind publications. The information will facilitate informed discussions of how and what to do. These documents are available from NWCC online at www.nationalwind.org/pubs/default.htm or by contacting NWCC in Washington, DC at (888) 764-WIND. Questions about birds are very likely to come up.
- Make a list of potential issues that need to be addressed in the project design and plan. Identify whose involvement is needed to address each issue. Consult with these parties about the range of options and techniques. (See also the NWCC Permitting Handbook, which has been previously referenced.)
- Review what standards and permit requirements are likely to be imposed on your project. This includes mechanical and electrical permits. Previous permits may give an indication of what to expect.
- Formulate plans to deal with the various issues and requirements. Before your plan(s) are finished, get comments from any concerned or involved people. Subsequently tie the above activities into the entire project planning:
- Assess the costs and time needed for all the above activities and requirements, and factor this into the rest of the project's planning.
- Design the project, get the costs, do your economic analysis, and put together a timeline for completion of the various tasks. Information in this handbook and our suggestions for economic analysis tools should get you started.
The above outline of activities will get most small wind project developers started in the right direction by identifying and dealing with any issues in a logical order during project planning. If the project is sizable or entails controversial issues, a consultant may be very helpful. While all the above activities are likely to be done by a small commercial project developer, many of the same issues will apply to residential and single turbine installations on a less formal level. Each issue should be considered and not quickly dismissed without the facts. At this point, you should be ready to apply for any needed permits with confidence that the project will comply and that there will be few surprises. (See Chapter 4 in Harvest the Wind for information about permitting procedures in Illinois.)
Important Information About Large Turbine Projects
|
