Decision 3460-D01-2015 BowArk Energy Ltd. Construction of a 90-MW Power Plant March 6, 2015 Alberta Utilities Commission Decision 3460-D01-2015 BowArk Energy Ltd. Construction of a 90-MW Power Plant Proceeding 3460 Application 1610912-1 March 6, 2015 Published by the: Alberta Utilities Commission Fifth Avenue Place, Fourth Floor, 425 First Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3L8 Telephone: 403-592-8845 Fax: 403-592-4406 Website: www.auc.ab.ca Alberta Utilities Commission Calgary, Alberta BowArk Energy Ltd. Construction of a 90-MW Power Plant 1 Decision 3460-D01-2015 Proceeding 3460 Application 1610912-1 Introduction 1. BowArk Energy Ltd. (BowArk) filed an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission for approval to construct and operate the 90-megawatt1 (MW) Queenstown power plant, in the Vulcan area, pursuant to Section 11 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act. This application was registered on October 11, 2014, as Application 1610912-1. 2. On November 12, 2014, the Commission issued information requests to BowArk pertaining to environment, noise and the participant involvement program. BowArk responded to the request on December 10, 2014. The Commission issued follow up information requests on December 19, 2014. BowArk responded on February 9, 2015. 3. On December 18, 2014, the Commission issued a notice of application to potentially affected parties within a 2,000-metre radius of the project. The Commission also published a notification in the Vulcan Advocate on January 7, 2015. No objections to the proposed power plant were received. 2 Discussion 4. BowArk proposed to install two 45-MW natural gas-fired turbines located at LSDs 3 and 4 of Section 17, Township 19, Range 22, west of the Fourth Meridian, at the intersection of Range Road 225 and Township Road 192 in the County of Vulcan. The power plant would be located next to the existing AltaLink Management Ltd. Queenstown 504S substation. 5. The southwest quarter of Section 17, Township 19, Range 22, west of the Fourth Meridian, the site of the proposed Queenstown power plant, is owned by Ducks Unlimited. BowArk has an option to purchase agreement with Ducks Unlimited to purchase the 34.6 acres required to construct the power plant. 6. BowArk stated that the proposed power plant would be located in excess of 2,000 metres from the closest residence. It also submitted that it conducted a participant involvement program for the project, including sending notification packages to the landowners within 2,000 metres of the proposed power plant and consulting the landowners within 800 metres. BowArk also sent the project notification packages to five residences located between 2,000 and 3,000 metres from the proposed power plant. 1 Information response, Exhibit 0015.01.BOWARK-3460, AUC-BOWARK-2, December 10, 2014. Decision 3460-D01-2015 (March 6, 2015) • 1 Construction of a 90-MW Power Plant BowArk Energy Ltd. 7. BowArk submitted that the proposed power plant was within 100 metres of a wetland located in the southwest quarter of Section 17, Township 19, Range 22, west of the Fourth Meridian. BowArk stated that drainage and erosion control mitigation measures consisting of a berm and ditch would be constructed between the wetland and the power plant to address runoff and siltation. 8. BowArk submitted that an air quality assessment was completed for the proposed power plant, which indicated that the emissions would meet the requirements of the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives. 9. BowArk submitted a noise impact assessment respecting the power plant and stated that anticipated noise levels would be within the permissible sound levels specified in Rule 012: Noise Control. 10. Although no statements of intent to participate where submitted during the application process, BowArk provided the details of questions and concerns raised by landowners that were received while they conducted their participant involvement program. Some concerns were raised about the visual and noise impacts of the proposed power plant. BowArk addressed these concerns by stating that the predicted noise levels would be below the permissible sound level at the nearest receptors and it would install a tree hedge to the south side of the proposed power plant in order to mitigate the visual impact. 3 Findings 11. The Commission finds that the application meets the information requirements stipulated in Rule 007: Applications for Power Plant, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments. 12. The Commission is satisfied that minimum environmental impacts are expected from the proposed project. The Commission understands that the air emissions from the project are expected to be compliant with the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives. 13. The Commission finds that the noise impact assessment submitted by BowArk fulfills the requirements of Rule 012 and the noise emitted by the power plant will not exceed the permissible sound levels. 14. The Commission finds that BowArk’s participant involvement program has been well conducted and there are no outstanding public or industry objections or concerns. Therefore, a hearing is not required as the Commission considers that its decision will not directly and adversely affect the rights of a person pursuant to Section 9 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act. 15. The Commission has reviewed the application and has determined that the technical, siting, emissions, environmental and noise aspects of the power plant have been met. Therefore, the Commission considers the project to be in the public interest in accordance with Section 17 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act. 2 • Decision 3460-D01-2015 (March 6, 2015) Construction of a 90-MW Power Plant 4 BowArk Energy Ltd. Decision 16. Pursuant to Section 11 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the Commission approves the application and grants BowArk the approval set out in Appendix 1 – Power Plant Approval 3460-D02-2015 – March 6, 2015, for the 90-MW Queenstown power plant (Appendix 1 will be distributed separately). Dated on March 6, 2015. Alberta Utilities Commission (original signed by) Tudor Beattie, QC Commission Member Decision 3460-D01-2015 (March 6, 2015) • 3
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