HomeMy WebLinkAbout20020147 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N. 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone (970) 353-6100, Ext. 3540, Fax (970)304-6498
USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW APPLICATION
Application Fee Paid Receipt# Date
Recording Fee Paid Receipt# Date
Application Reviewed by:
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT: (Please print or type, except for necessary signature)
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT AREA: See Attachment
PARCEL NUMBER: (12 digit number—found on Tax I.D. Information
or obtained at the Assessor's Office. See Attachment
Section 3i , T ate, N, R
1.24W-Total Acreage Zone District Overlay Zone NO
Property Adtlress (if availabfe)4
Proposed Use Power Generation Facility
SURFACE FEE (PROPERTY OWNERS) OF AREA PROPOSED FOR THE SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
Name:Anacapa Land Company, LLC Address: 6700 Koll Center Parkway, #200
City/State/Zip: Pleasanton, CA 94566 Home Telephone: Business Telephone 925-600-2000
Name: Address:
City/State/Zip: Home Telephone: Business Telephone
APPLICANT OR AUTHORIZED AGENT (if different than above) � (1^1 �
Name: Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC C bauicQ Per ins
/ 2 '/ S v < /Finsdo/e e3 r , I.:Fw(T4 41 CC) 8'0/2-0
Address: 6700 Koll Center Parkway. #200 City/State/Zip: Pleasanton, CA 94566
Home Telephone: 303 — 7 0 7 — /6 2 if Business Telephone: 925-600-2000
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES USE ONLY
Case#
Floodplain: 0 Yes ❑ No Geologic Hazard: ❑ Yes 0 No
I hereby state that all statements and plans submitted with the application are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge.
Rev: 1-4-01 4 Signature:'Owner or Authorized Agent
FOR COMMERCIAL SITES, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
1 EXHIBIT
DOC 5 Z
2002-0147
h-CI?
U '
fr
4 4 acr.) .
'S.F '
L_ ,
il
1._
a•
l t k a • !. ,. .
• .
} _
�� C
0 . .,
-00 it
. . .
ii 0 8-
asil
• , - - ip r.
--,
F f
° ! _.. ? a
Ilt2 -%*
�.. ,a 0. }
y
• ''%' V
om
BUSINESS EMERGENCY INFORMATION:
Business Name: Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC Phone: N/A
Address: 6700 Koll Center Parkway, #200, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Business Owner: Calpine Corporation Phone: 925-600-2000
Home Address: City:
List three persons in the order to be called in the event of an emergency:
NAME TITLE ADDRESS PHONE
To be determined
Business Hours: 24 Hours Days: 7 Days
Type of Alarm: None Burglar Holdup Fire Silent Audible
Name and address of alarm company:
Location of Safe:
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
Number of entry/exit doors in this building: TBD Location(s): TBD
Is alcohol stored in building? No Location(s):
Are drugs stored in building? No Location(s):
Are weapons stored in building? No Location(s):
The following programs are offered as a public service of the Weld County Sheriff's Office. Please indicate
the programs of interest.
X Physical security check Crime Prevention Presentation
UTILITY SHUT OFF LOCATIONS:
Main electrical: To Be Constructed
Gas shut off: To Be Constructed
Exterior water shutoff: To Be Constructed
Interior water shutoff: To Be Constructed
DEN/1'O315/011390008.DOC 6
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
6700 Koll Center Parkway
Pleasanton, CA 94566
May 15,2001
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1555 N. 17th Ave.
Greeley,CO 80631
Attention: Ms.Julie Chester
RE: Use by Special Review Application
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
Dear Ms. Chester:
Enclosed are the following items:
• Original USR Application Form, which has been executed on behalf of the Applicant, Rocky
Mountain Energy Center, LLC
• One original and copies of a report in support of such Application
• Authorization Letters from Anacapa Land Company
• A check in the amount of$1,100 for the application fee
• A check in the amount of $20 to cover publication costs related to the legal notice for the
Board of County Commissioners hearing.
Also enclosed are all other items listed on the Special Review Submittal Checklist.
If you have any questions, or if I can be of assistance in any way,please give me a call at 925-
989-7903 (cell).
Sincerely,
Rocky Mountain Energy Center,LLC
David D. Perkins
Director, Project Development
ANACAPA LAND COMPANY, LLC
6700 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925.600.2000
May 15, 2001
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80632
RE: Authorization Letter - Special Use Permit Application
To Whom It May Concern:
Anacapa Land Company, LLC, is the current owner of the approximately 633-acre
subject property located at the Southeast corner of Weld County Roads 49 and 16, in
Weld County, Colorado, which is being proposed for development of the Rocky
Mountain Energy Center. Anacapa Land Company, LLC, by this letter, is authorizing
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC, to act as applicant, in any and all matters and
proceedings before Weld County and the Board of County Commissioners relating to
their request for approval of a Special Review Permit, as well as any other related
applications, for the proposed development of the subject property.
If you have any questions or require further information concerning this letter of
authorization, please contact Phyllis Branle at 925-600-2072.
Very Truly Yours,
Name: David D. Perkins
Title: Director, Project Development
Anacapa Land Company, LLC
ANACAPA LAND COMPANY, LLC
6700 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925.600.2000
May 15, 2001
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80632
RE: Authorization Letter - Special Use Permit Application
To Whom It May Concern:
Anacapa Land Company, LLC, is the current owner of the approximately 107-acre
subject property located at the Northwest corner of Weld County Roads 58 and 51, in
Weld County, Colorado, which is being proposed to have a well field in support of the
Rocky Mountain Energy Center. Anacapa Land Company, LLC, by this letter, is
authorizing Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC, to act as applicant, in any and all
matters and proceedings before Weld County and the Board of County Commissioners
relating to their request for approval of a Special Review Permit, as well as any other
related applications, for the proposed development of the subject property.
If you have any questions or require further information concerning this letter of
authorization, please contact Phyllis Branle at 925-600-2072.
Very Truly Yours,
Name: David D. Perkins
Title: Director, Project Development
Anacapa Land Company, LLC
SPECIAL REVIEW SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR SUBMITTAL
J Original application form plus 19 copies - (more may be required, check with a Planner).
J 10 copies of the Special Review plat map (24 X 36).
J One 8-1/2" x 11" reduced copy of the Special Review plat.
J Original Special Review use questionnaire plus 19 copies.
J Original Weld County Road Access Information Sheet plus nine (9) copies.
4.2.7 One copy of document showing evidence of adequate water supply(e.g. well permit or letter
Appendix E from water district).
4.2.9 Two copies of document showing evidence of adequate sewage disposal (e.g. septic permit
or letter from the sanitary sewer district).
Appendix H&I One copy of deed or legal instrument identifying applicant's interest in the property.
Appendix H&I Certificate of Conveyances form and any attachments, or a copy of a deed prior to August
30, 1972, describing the same property.
5.1.5 One copy of soils report. Soils report available from Soil Conservation Service Office.
Appendix B One copy of affidavit and certified list of names and addresses of surface owners within 500
feet of Special Review property. Information may be obtained from Weld County Assessor's
Office, title or abstract company, or an attorney.
Appendix C One copy of affidavit and certified list of names and addresses of mineral owners and
lessees of minerals. Information may be obtained from the Weld County Assessor's Office,
title, or abstract company, or an attorney.
NA Emergency Information Sheet (for Commercial only)
J $1,100.00 application fee.
NA $500.00 investigation fee, if required.
NA Special Review plat recording fee ($10.00 first page + $10.00 each additional page).
J In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce Department of Planning Services' staff time
involved in re-binding applications for mailing, all copies shall be collated into complete
application packets and bound with binder clips only. All maps are to be folded and included
with each individual packet. Applications bound in any fashion other than binder clip (spiral
bindings, three ring bindings, etc.) will require additional review time and may be returned
to the applicant without review.
J A $20.00 fee for the legal notice for the Board of County Commissioners hearing, made
payable to Clerk to the Board.
UI{.AlIG315/0I 129IXH)H.DO('
APPENDIX B
WELD COUNTY ROAD ACCESS INFORMATION SHEET
Weld County Public Works Department Date: 5/15/01
1111 H Street,P.O. Box 758, Greeley, CO 80632
Phone: (970 )356-4000, Ext. 3750 Fax: (970) 304-6497
9. Applicant Name Rocky Mountain Energy Center,LLC Phone: 925-600-2020
Address 6700 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200 City Pleasanton State CA Zip 94566
10. Address or location of access Unincorporated Weld County East of Hudson (Power Plant Site)
Section 31 Township 2N Range 64W
Subdivision NA Block Lot
Weld County Road#51 Side of Road W Distance from nearest intersection <1 Mile
11. Is there an existing access to the property? Yes ® No ❑ #of accesses 1
12. Proposed Use:
❑Permanent ❑Residential/Agricultural ® Industrial
❑Temporary ❑Subdivision ❑Commercial ❑Other
I L
CR 49 CR 51
SR 52 f
Fkx:ex:emxm:ev; x***k*>k**#*kk:t:kkx*'k :k:k*K:k4:kk*-k*:k#:k:k :!::kk* xrxy:k#k*:kx**#4*r,:x:enmx:kxr#kxx=k#:ex:k:k s:x:kk:e:e
k
5. Site Sketch Sec Figure 2-2
Legend for Access Description: ,
AG = Agricultural tat;
RES = Residential
O&G= Oil &Gas
D.R. = Ditch Road
D[NIIt 3I 5/0 I I 290008.DOC
APPENDIX B
WELD COUNTY ROAD ACCESS INFORMATION SHEET
Weld County Public Works Department Date: 5/15/01
1111 H Street,P.O. Box 758, Greeley,CO 80632
Phone: (970)356-4000,Ext. 3750 Fax: (970) 304-6497
5. Applicant Name Rocky Mountain Energy Center,LLC Phone: 925-600-2020
Address 6700 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200 City Pleasanton State CA Zip 94566
6. Address or location of access Unincorporated Weld County—24819 WCR 58 (Wellfield Site)
Section 7 Township 5N Range 64W
Subdivision NA Block Lot
Weld County Road#58;51 Side of Road N;W Distance from nearest intersection<0.25 Mile
7. Is there an existing access to the property? Yes N No ❑ #of accesses 1
8. Proposed Use:
❑Permanent 0 Residential/Agricultural N Industrial
❑Temporary ❑Subdivision ❑Commercial ❑Other
CR 51
CK 58
*******************************************:ere***** ****:e:e**********a****************************t******
*
5. Site Sketch See Figure 2-3
Legend for Access Description:
AG = Agricultural
RES = Residential WADS
O&G= Oil &Gas
D.R. = Ditch Road
DENliG3I 5/01119000X.Doc
**********************************
OFFICE USE ONLY:
Road ADT Date Accidents Date
Road ADT Date Accidents Date
Drainage Requirement Culvert Size Length
Special Conditions
*****************************************************************************************************
O Installation authorized ❑ Information Insufficient
Reviewed By: Title:
USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE
The following questions are to be answered and submitted as part of the USR application. If a question does not
pertain to your use, please respond with "not applicable", with an explanation as to why the question is not
applicable.
Refer to Section
2.1 and 2.2 1. Explain, in detail,the proposed use of the property.
3.1 2. Explain how this proposal is consistent with the intent of the Weld County Code,
Chapter 22.
3.2
3. Explain how this proposal is consistent with the intent of the Weld County Code,
Chapter 23 and the zone district in which it is located.
3.3 4. What type of uses surround the site? Explain how the proposed use is consistent
and compatible with surrounding land uses.
5. Describe, in detail, the following:
2.3.2 a. How many people will use this site?
2.3.2 b. How many employees are proposed to be employed at this site?
4.3.4 c. What are the hours of operation?
4.0 d. What type and how many structures will be erected (built) on this site?
N/A e. What type and how many animals, if any, will be on this site?
5.1.10 f. What kind (type, size, weight) of vehicles will access this site and how often?
4.2.12, 4.2.16 g. Who will provide fire protection to the site?
4.2.7, 5.1.1 h. What is the water source on the property? (Both domestic and irrigation).
4.2.9.1 i. What is the sewage disposal system on the property? (Existing and
proposed).
4.2.7.6, 4.2.9 j. If storage or warehousing is proposed, what type of items will be stored?
DEN/TG315/011290008.DOC 9
4.5 6. Explain the proposed landscaping for the site. The landscaping shall be
separately submitted as a landscape plan map as part of the application submittal.
4.6 7. Explain any proposed reclamation procedures when termination of the Use by
Special Review activity occurs.
4.7 8. Explain how the storm water drainage will be handled on the site.
4.2.14 9. Explain how long it will take to construct this site and when construction and
landscaping is scheduled to begin.
4.2.9 10. Explain where storage and/or stockpile of wastes will occur on this site.
DENT I G3 1 5/01 12 0008 DOC 10
Contents
Section Page
1.0 Application for Use by Special Review
2.0 Project Summary 2-1
2.1 Purpose and Need 2-1
2.2 Project Overview 2-1
2.2.1 Project Schedule 2-6
2.2.2 Project Ownership 2-6
2.3 Project Benefits 2-7
2.3.1 Environmental/Energy Efficiency 2-7
2.3.2 Employment 2-7
2.3.3 Tax Base 2-7
3.0 Consistency with Land Use Requirements 3-1
3.1 Consistency with the Weld County Comprehensive Plan 3-1
3.2 Consistency with Weld County Zoning 3-2
3.3 Consistency and Compatibility with Proposed Land Uses 3-3
4.0 Project Details 4-1
4.1 Introduction 4-1
4.2 Power Plant Description,Design, and Operation 4-2
4.2.1 Site Plan and Access 4-2
4.2.2 Process Description 4-2
4.2.3 Power Plant Cycle 4-4
4.2.4 Combustion Turbine Generators, Heat Recovery Steam Generators, and
Steam Turbine-Generator and Condenser 4-4
4.2.5 Major Electrical Equipment and Systems 4-5
4.2.6 Fuel System 4-6
4.2.7 Water Supply and Use 4-6
4.2.8 Plant Cooling Systems 4-11
4.2.9 Operations Waste Management 4-11
4.2.10 Management of Hazardous Materials 4-14
4.2.11 Emission Control and Monitoring 4-15
4.2.12 Fire Protection 4-16
4.2.13 Plant Auxiliaries 4-17
4.2.14 Project Construction 4-18
4.2.15 Power Plant Operation 4-21
4.2.16 Facility Safety Design 4-22
4.2.17 Quality Control 4-22
4.3 Wellfield Description,Design,and Operation 4-22
4.3.1 Site Plan and Access 4-22
4.3.2 Wellfield Process Description 4-23
4.3.3 Wellfield Construction Activities 4-24
4.3.4 Wellfield Operation 4-24
DEWRAH4219/011310001.DOC ii
4.4 Pipeline Description,Design,and Operation 4-24
4.4.1 Water Pipeline 4-24
4.4.2 Natural Gas Pipeline 4-25
4.5 Landscaping 4-26
4.6 Proposed Reclamation and Maintenance Measures 4-26
4.6.1 Temporary Closure 4-26
4.6.2 Permanent Closure 4-27
4.7 Storm Water Management 4-27
4.8 Construction Waste Management 4-28
4.8.1 Project Waste Generation 4-28
5.0 Additional Project Details 5-1
5.1 Environmental and Land Use Descriptions 5-1
5.1.1 Water Quality and Supply 5-1
5.1.2 Air Quality 5-2
5.1.3 Noise 5-4
5.1.4 Biological and Cultural Resources 5-5
5.1.5 Agriculture and Soils 5-8
5.1.6 Land Use 5-11
5.1.7 Lighting and Thermal Effects 5-14
5.1.8 Overlay District Evaluations 5-14
5.1.9 Health and Safety, Hazards, and Emergency Procedures 5-15
5.1.10 Transportation 5-17
5.1.11 Visual Resources 5-18
5.2 Siting Alternatives Analysis 5-19
5.2.1 RMEC Site 5-19
5.2.2 Wellfield Site 5-20
5.2.3 Comparison of Primary Alternative Routes (Water Pipeline) 5-20
5.2.4 Comparison of Primary Alternative Routes (Gas Pipeline) 5-22
5.3 Mitigation Measures 5-23
5.3.1 Agricultural Land 5-23
5.3.2 Mineral Resources 5-24
5.3.3 Wetlands/Waters of the U.S. 5-24
5.3.4 Wildlife/T&E Species 5-24
5.3.5 Cultural Resources 5-24
5.3.6 Traffic 5-25
5.3.7 Visual 5-25
5.3.8 Noise 5-25
5.3.9 Water 5-25
5.3.10 Air Quality 5-25
5.3.11 Soils,Dust, Erosion,and Noxious Weeds 5-26
5.4 Public Involvement 5-26
5.5 Names/Utilities 5-27
5.6 Utility Service Ability 5-27
5.6.1 RMEC 5-27
5.6.2 Wellfield 5-27
5.6.3 Pipeline 5-27
DEN/RAH4219/011310001.DOC iii
5.7 List of Local Governments and Special Districts Affected by the
Development 5-28
List of Figures
2-1 Project Location 2-2
2-2 Power Plant Site Layout 2-3
2-3 Wellfield Site Layout 2-4
4-1 Typical Elevation View of Power Plant 4-3
4-2 RMEC Project Preliminary Construction Schedule 4-19
5-1 Land Use 5-12
5-2 Pipeline Study Area with Alternative and Preferred Routes 5-13
List of Tables
2-1 Estimated Property Tax Generated by the RMEC Project 2-7
4-1 Estimated Average Daily Water Requirements (8 cycles @ 48°F) 4-7
4-2 Estimated Peak Daily Water Requirements (8 cycles @ 90°F) 4-7
4-3 Rocky Mountain Energy Center Water Quality Data 4-8
4-4 Estimates of Hazardous Wastes Generated at the RMEC Facility 4-14
4-5 Project Schedule Major Milestones 4-18
List of Appendices
Appendix A Legal Description of Property, Power Plant Site,and Wellfield Site
Appendix B Landowners Located within 500 Feet of the Power Plant Site and Wellfield
Site
Appendix C Mineral and Working Interest Reports
Appendix D Utility Companies Crossing the Property, the Wellfield Site, the Gas
Pipeline, and the Water Pipeline
Appendix E City of Aurora Water Agreement
Appendix F Letters of Commitment (Power Plant Site)
Appendix G Letters of Commitment (Wellfield Site)
Appendix H Certificates of Conveyances for the Property,including Power Plant Site
Appendix I General Warranty Deed (Wellfield) and Certificate of Conveyances
DEN/RAH421 9/011 31 0 0 01.DOC iv
Acronyms
lig/11-0 micrograms per cubic meter
AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic
AC alternating current
BMP Best Management Practice
CAA Clean Air Act
CDOW Colorado Division of Wildlife
CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
CIG Colorado Interstate Gas
CNHP Colorado National Heritage Program
CO carbon monoxide
CR County Road
CRS Colorado Revised Statutes
CTG combustion turbine generators
CWA Clean Water Act
DC direct current
DCIS Distributed Control and Information
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
HP high pressure
HRSG heat recovery steam generator
I-76 Interstate 76
IGA Intergovemment Agreement
IP intermediate pressure
km kilometer
kV kilovolt
LAER Lowest Achievable Emission Rate
LP low pressure
MSL mean sea level
MW megawatt
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
DEWRAH4219/011310001.DOC V
NH3 anhydrous ammonia
NOI Notice of Intent
NO„ oxides of nitrogen
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRCS National Resources Conservation Service
NSR New Source Review
O oxygen
O&M operations and maintenance
PCB polychlorinated biphenyls
pH level of activity of alkalinity of a solution
PPA Power Purchase Agreement
ppm parts per million
ppmv parts per million by volume
PSCo Public Service of Colorado
PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration
RMEC Rocky Mountain Energy Center
RMEC LLC Rocky Mountain Energy Center, Limited Liability Corporation
RO reverse osmosis
ROW right-of-way
SCR selective catalytic reduction
SHPO State Historic Preservation Office
SO2 sulfur dioxide
STG steam turbine generator
SWMP Storm Water Management Plan
T&E threatened or endangered
tpy tons per year
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
VOC volatile organic compound
WQCD Water Quality Control Division
ZLD zero liquid discharge
DEN/RAH4219/011310001.DOC Vi
SECTION 2.0
Project Summary
2.1 Purpose and Need
Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) is obligated to provide reliable electric service
to customers and communities within its service area. Through a competitive bid process,
PSCo selected the Rocky Mountain Energy Center,LLC (RMEC,LLC or Applicant),a
wholly owned subsidiary of Calpine Corporation (Calpine), to provide electric generation
resources to meet a portion of PSCo's projected energy supply needs. The Applicant is an
independent power developer and producer,not a public utility. The Applicant plans to
provide electricity to PSCo's electric transmission system through the construction,
operation and ownership of a 600-megawatt (MW)natural gas-fired,combined-cycle power
generating facility located in unincorporated Weld County, Colorado,east of the town of
Hudson. (See Figure 2-1.) The power plant facility will be known as the Rocky Mountain
Energy Center (RMEC). A site arrangement for the RMEC Power Plant Site showing major
plant components is presented in Figure 2-2.
PSCo's existing electricity generation capacity is challenged to meet current energy
demands in Colorado and, in particular,in the Front Range. Recent growth figures project
that Colorado's population is likely to increase by more than 1 million people in the next
10 years. As the population grows, the demand for electricity will also grow. The proposed
RMEC is a significant part of PSCo's long-term strategy to meet the increasing demands for
electricity in our community. The RMEC will be a significant supplier of electricity to PSCo,
thereby helping to ensure that customers located in Colorado's Front Range have a reliable
and affordable supply of electric power in the coming years.
2.2 Project Overview
The Applicant respectfully seeks for the RMEC a Use by Special Review Permit pursuant to
Chapter 23,Division 4 of the Weld County Zoning Ordinance (Sections 23-2-200 through
23-2-280). The Applicant has selected a 633-acre parcel (Property),in Weld County, of which
an 88-acre sub-parcel (Use by Special Review boundary)will be developed as the Power
Plant Site for the RMEC. The Power Plant Site and the remaining portion of the 633-acre
Property are currently used and zoned for agriculture and are owned by Anacapa Land
Company, LLC,which is a Calpine subsidiary. In addition, the Applicant has selected a
107-acre parcel (Use by Special Review boundary) in unincorporated Weld County west of
Kersey for development as a Wellfield (Wellfield Site). A conceptual site arrangement for
the Wellfield is presented in Figure 2-3.
The Wellfield Site, also owned by Anacapa Land Company, LLC, is currently used and
zoned for agriculture. The RMEC does not qualify as a Use Allowed by Right in the A
(Agricultural) District. However, the RMEC does qualify as a use that may be constructed,
DEWTG306/011230005.DOC 2-1
occupied,operated,and maintained in the A District as a Use by Special Review. As a result,
the Applicant seeks a Use by Special Review Permit. Although the Applicant is an
independent power producer rather than a public utility, the Applicant has included in its
Application for Use by Special Review comprehensive information required by
Section 23-2-200 of the Zoning Ordinance and additional information requested in
Section 23-2-300 of the Zoning Ordinance,in order to provide a complete overview of the
RMEC.
The Power Plant Site is located in Section 31,Township 2 North, Range 64 West
(31-2N-64W) of the U.S. Geological Survey Keenesburg Quadrangle. The complete legal
description of the 88-acre Power Plant Site and remaining Property is included in
Appendix A. The approximate 88-acre Power Plant Site will include an approximate 20-acre
temporary construction laydown area and parking. The Applicant anticipates that under the
Use by Special Review Permit,the remaining acreage will continue in agricultural use
following the development of the RMEC.
The RMEC will consist of a highly efficient 2X1 combined-cycle power plant using Siemens-
Westinghouse 501F combustion turbine generators exhausting into two heat recovery steam
generator (HRSG) units. Steam generated in the HRSG units will power a steam turbine
generator. The RMEC will generate a total of approximately 600 MW. Clean-burning natural
gas will fuel the generators. In addition,state-of-the-art combustion technology and
selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology will reduce air pollutant emissions
significantly.
Natural gas for the RMEC will be delivered via a new, approximately 8-mile-long supply
line (Gas Pipeline) that the Applicant plans to construct. The Gas Pipeline will extend west
from the Power Plant Site along the preferred route of County Road (CR) 16 to the existing
Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) transmission pipeline located east of U.S. 85. The
interconnection point of the Gas Pipeline and CIG transmission line is located in Section 34,
Township 2 North,Range 66 West,6th p.m. Figure 2-1 shows the location of the Power Plant
Site and the Gas Pipeline.
The RMEC is a zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) facility and has incorporated all reasonable
measures to minimize water use and to maximize water re-use. The Applicant has entered
into a long-term water supply contract with the City of Aurora to provide augmentation
credits from the City's wastewater discharge into the South Platte River. The original source
of the City's water is from the Arkansas River. The primary source of cooling water for the
plant will be groundwater pumped from the Wellfield Site,located less than 1 mile south of
the South Platte River. The majority of the Wellfield Site will remain undeveloped and
compatible with surrounding land use. However, up to four water wells, associated pumps,
piping, maintenance /office building, and possible serge tank and lift station will be
developed at the Wellfield Site. The water will be conveyed from the Wellfield Site to the
RMEC through an approximately 22-mile-long pipeline (Water Pipeline). The preferred
Water Pipeline route has been sited along CR 51 and will be constructed in a manner that
minimizes environmental,wildlife, and land use impacts.
Output from the power plant will be transmitted through a new 230-kilovolt (kV)
switchyard to be located within the boundary of the Power Plant Site. The electricity will be
delivered to PSCo's existing Green Valley Switchyard via a new 345-kV (to be operated at
DEhNG3061011230005.DOC 2-5
230 kV) transmission line routed east and south of the Power Plant Site. PSCo will permit,
construct,own,and operate the proposed 345-kV transmission line interconnection. The
proposed 345-kV transmission line interconnection is not part of RMEC,LLC's Application
for Use by Special Review.
The Applicant has considered the existing Property uses,existing and future surrounding
land uses,existing urban growth boundaries,wildlife habitat,mineral resources,
environmentally sensitive areas, and existing and proposed roadways. The RMEC has been
designed to be compatible with the surrounding agricultural,industrial,and residential
land uses and to minimize impacts on such uses during construction and operation. Due to
the acreage of the Property and the Wellfield Site, the RMEC will operate at a substantial
distance from surrounding uses. Landowners located within 500 feet of the Power Plant Site
and Wellfield Sites are identified in Appendix B. Notably, a significant portion of the
Property and the Wellfield Site will remain in agricultural use,consistent with the use of
some of the neighboring parcels and the Goals and Policies of the Weld County
Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 22, of the Weld County Code.
In addition,RMEC's operations will be compatible with the existing industrial park, located
contiguous to the Property, and annexed into Hudson based on the official Weld County
zoning maps. The RMEC will not affect existing mineral rights. Appendix C includes the
names of interests and lessees for mineral rights in the RMEC project area. Similarly, the
RMEC,Water Pipeline,and Gas Pipeline will be constructed in a manner that is compatible
with existing utility lines. Appendix D details the ownership of the various utility lines
crossing the Property, the Wellfield Site,and the Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline routes. In
sum, RMEC will provide electricity to meet the community's growing energy needs in a
manner consistent with Weld County's requirements. The RMEC will be an efficient,
environmentally responsible source of reliable energy.
2.2.1 Project Schedule
Construction of the RMEC is planned to begin in the spring of 2002 and is scheduled for
completion by the spring of 2004. Testing of the RMEC will commence in the first quarter of
2004,with full-scale commercial operation expected to begin during the second quarter of
that year. The current projected project schedule is summarized in Figure 4-2. It is essential
that the RMEC be operating by the spring of 2004 to ensure that PSCo will be able to meet
the projected demands for energy in its service area.
2.2.2 Project Ownership
The RMEC will be owned and operated by the Applicant,a wholly owned subsidiary of
Calpine, an independent power developer, owner, and operator with headquarters in San
Jose,California. Calpine owns an interest in 31 power generation facilities and geothermal
steam fields with an aggregate capacity greater than 4,500 MW in operation and 30,000 MW
in construction and late-term development. Calpine is a publicly traded company with the
New York Stock Exchange stock symbol "CPN."
DEWrG3 0 6/011 2 30 0 05.DOC 2-6
2.3 Project Benefits
2.3.1 Environmental/Energy Efficiency
The RMEC will employ advanced,high-efficiency combustion turbine technology and SCR
technology to minimize oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from the facility. In addition to
the significant reduction of emissions, the RMEC's operating efficiency will enable it to
consume 40 percent less fuel than some conventional plants of similar size.
The RMEC will also minimize water use through the implementation of a high level of
recycling and a ZLD system. Impacts to wetlands,wildlife, and any potential threatened or
endangered (T&E) species will be minimized through avoidance or mitigated by
directionally drilling under all waters of the U.S. and potentially critical habitat crossed by
the RMEC project linear facilities.
2.3.2 Employment
The RMEC will provide for a peak of up to 400 construction jobs over a 2-year period and
up to 25 skilled,family-wage positions throughout the life of the RMEC. In addition to the
direct employment benefit, the RMEC will require and use the services of local firms for
major maintenance and overhauls,plant supplies, and other support services throughout
the life of the facility. Additionally, the land surrounding both the Power Plant Site and the
Wellfield Site will remain in active agricultural production. It is not anticipated that
additional employee housing will be necessary.
2.3.3 Tax Base
Based upon our preliminary projections, the facility will be a significant tax contributor,
supporting the services and programs of Weld County and other nearby communities. The
RMEC project will add up to$84.1 million of assessed valuation to the local tax base without
requiring significant service demands. This will generate considerable new revenue for local
governments. The RMEC project is predicted to provide the following(Table 2-1) estimated
Property tax generation.
TABLE 2-1
Estimated Property Tax Generated by the RMEC Project
Annual New Property Tax
Entity Revenue($) c/o Increase Over 1999
Weld County 1.8 MM 29
Hudson Fire Protection District 290 K 176
Aims Junior College District 500 K 6
Central Colorado Water District 90 K 42
Central Colorado Water Sub-District 150 K 21
Weld Library District 250 K 5
Keenesburg School District 1.5 MM 86
DEWTG306/011230005.DOC 2-7
SECTION 3.0
Consistency with Land Use Requirements
3.1 Consistency with the Weld County Comprehensive Plan
The Weld County Comprehensive Plan seeks to accommodate multiple land uses while
preserving the agricultural heritage of the County. In siting and designing the RMEC, the
Applicant has considered carefully the existing uses of the Property and the Wellfield Site,
existing and future surrounding land uses,existing urban growth boundaries,wildlife
habitat,mineral resources, environmentally sensitive areas, and existing and proposed
roadways. The RMEC has been designed to meet all applicable Goals and Policies of the
Weld County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 22,of the Weld County Code.
The Weld County Code and Agricultural Goals and Policies have been established to give
direction for allowing residential,commercial,and industrial uses within the agricultural
zone district while maintaining agricultural land for viable farming operations. The
Applicant has sited the RMEC to maximize the agricultural land remaining in production
during and following construction. The RMEC will be constructed to occupy minimal land
resources and to avoid those areas that serve as wildlife habitat or are environmentally
sensitive (e.g., Box Elder Creek). Only 14 percent of the Property will be occupied by the
RMEC within the Use by Special Review boundary. The RMEC has been designed and will
be landscaped to reduce the visual impacts of the Power Plant Site. The Applicant has
designed the Wellfield Site similarly, to minimize the use of Property for the Wellfield
improvements,while retaining the remaining portions of the Wellfield Site for agricultural
uses. The Applicant has applied the same principles of minimal land use and minimal
environmental impact to the Wellfield Site. The RMEC will have no effect on existing
mineral resources on either the Power Plant Site or the Wellfield Site. Thus the RMEC meets
all applicable requirements of Section 22-2-60 of the Weld County Code and Agricultural
Goals 1 through 9.
The Urban Growth Boundary Goals and Policies and the Industrial Boundary Goals and
Policies have been established to give direction for allowing the proposed uses of the RMEC
while maintaining consistency with existing and proposed uses within affected
municipalities and surrounding areas. The Applicant selected the Power Plant Site in part
because it was located in the vicinity of lands on which commercial and industrial uses
already exist.
The lands contiguous to the western Property boundary are zoned industrial. The industrial
zoned lands are located on land annexed into the town of Hudson. The RMEC industrial
operations are compatible with those of the existing industrial zoning. In addition,due to
the existence of the industrial zoning within Hudson,services already exist in the vicinity of
the Power Plant Site. Further development of offsite services could be accomplished
efficiently if further development is required to meet the future needs of the RMEC. Finally,
the RMEC is located near existing developed transportation corridors (rail and road) that
will facilitate construction and operation activities while minimizing the need for substantial
DEWTG310/011240002.DOC 3-1
transportation infrastructure improvements. Thus the RMEC meets the requirements of
Urban Growth Boundary Goals 1 through 4 and Industrial Boundary Goals 1 through 6.
The RMEC will provide not only many temporary employment opportunities during
construction but also significant long-term employment opportunities following completion
of the construction activities. In addition, the RMEC will continue to use the remainder of
the Property and Wellfield Site for agricultural purposes. Thus the RMEC will diversify and
expand the economic base in Weld County by providing both agricultural and industrial
economic opportunities; therefore, the RMEC is consistent with Agricultural Goals 1
through 9,Urban Growth Boundary Goals 1 through 4,and Industrial Goals 1 through 6.
The RMEC is consistent with all applicable provisions of Chapter 22 of the Weld County
Code.
3.2 Consistency with Weld County Zoning
The RMEC is located within the agricultural zone district. As stated above, the siting of the
RMEC permits continued agricultural use of the Property and the Wellfield Site. The
Property is a mix of four designations by the Important Farmlands map of Weld County.
The four designations include: "Prime," "High Potential Dry Cropland-Prime if irrigated,"
"Prime if irrigated," and "Nonprime."However, the area within the Use by Special Review
boundary for the Power Plant Site has been designated as "Prime if Irrigated" and
"Nonprime." The Applicant selected the Power Plant Site and the Wellfield Site to minimize
impacts to the existing land uses and environmentally sensitive areas. The RMEC qualifies
as a use that may be constructed, occupied, operated, and maintained as a Use by Special
Review.
The Agricultural Goals and Policies provide direction for the preservation of"Prime"
agricultural land through retaining available irrigation water associated with a site and
allowing operational efficiency. During and after construction, the RMEC will occupy
approximately 88 acres of the Property,and the Wellfield Site improvements will occupy up
to 10 acres. The RMEC has been designed to preserve a significant amount of existing
farmland and environmentally sensitive areas, a total of 545 acres. Not only will the
agricultural use be preserved but also the existing water rights to irrigate the farm land. In
addition, the land maintained for agricultural use at the Property and the Wellfield Site will
provide passive open space for the enjoyment of Weld County's citizens for years to come.
The Applicant is amenable to considering various methods of agricultural land preservation
techniques. Thus, the RMEC is consistent with Agoall, Apolicyl,Agoa17,and Agoa18.
Agoal3 sets as a priority the locating of urban-scale residential,commercial, and industrial
uses adjacent to existing incorporated municipalities. Agoal6 directs that public facilities
such as sewer,water, roads,schools,fire protection, and police protection must be provided
and developed in a timely, orderly fashion to support the transition of agricultural land to
urban development. The Applicant has selected the location of the RMEC due to its
proximity to an urban area (Hudson),existing commercial and industrial uses, and one of
the larger public transportation corridors in the state (rail line and Interstate 76 [I-76]). In
addition, there are currently existing services on the RMEC and the Wellfield Site.While the
RMEC may require some improvements to existing transportation corridors and additional
services, the Applicant will pay for such improvements; the RMEC's improvements and
DEWTG3101011240002.DOC 3-2
need for public services are not expected to affect Weld County taxpayers' costs. The RMEC
is consistent with Agoa13 and Agoal6.
3.3 Consistency and Compatibility with Proposed Land Uses
The official Weld County Zoning Maps and information from the Town of Hudson indicate
that the Property is located adjacent to parcels that have been annexed into Hudson. The
zoning of lands to the east and south of the Property is agricultural. The zoning of land
within the town of Hudson to the west of the Property is industrial/commercial. UGBGoal2
provides direction to concentrate urban development in or adjacent to existing
municipalities. The existing land uses in the vicinity of the Power Plant Site are varied and
include agricultural,industrial, and residential uses. Nevertheless, they are all within the
vicinity of an urban area,Hudson. The RMEC-proposed use of the Power Plant Site is
consistent with the multiple uses of surrounding parcels,including land annexed into
Hudson. The Applicant will preserve existing agricultural use on the balance of its Property
and Wellfield Site while expanding the use to include an industrial one with minimal
impacts to surrounding land uses. The Applicant's development of the RMEC will occur
primarily within an area proximate to an existing urban area. The Applicant will take
advantage of the existing rail and road transportation infrastructure. In sum, the RMEC is
consistent and compatible with the existing and proposed land uses of the area. The RMEC
will expand the use of the Property and Wellfield Site,using existing services and
infrastructure with minor modification,while allowing a major portion of the Property and
Wellfield Site to remain in agricultural use.
DEWrG310/011240002.DOC 3-3
SECTION 4.0
Project Details
4.1 Introduction
The Applicant has designed the RMEC to be a highly efficient,state-of-the-art electrical
generation facility which will have minimal impacts on surrounding land uses and the
environment. The Property is located just east of the town of Hudson and is bounded by
CR 49 to the west,CR 16 to the north, and CR 51 to the east. The Power Plant Site is
bounded on the west by Box Elder Creek and associated floodplain and agricultural land
uses with scattered residences to the east and west. To the north, the Property is bounded by
I-76,a frontage road,and a rail line.The Wellfield Site is surrounded by agricultural land
uses with scattered residences. Figure 2-1 shows the location of the RMEC and the related
Water Pipeline,Gas Pipeline, and Wellfield Site.
The RMEC will include a 600-MW (nominal output)natural gas-fired,combined-cycle
power plant,with a 230-kV switchyard. The RMEC will use clean-burning natural gas as
fuel. Natural gas for the power plant facility will be delivered via the new 8-mile Gas
Pipeline that will connect the Power Plant Site to the existing CIG transmission backbone
pipeline located east of U.S. 85.
The RMEC is designed to use water efficiently through recycling and other design features.
The Applicant will construct three to four wells at the Wellfield Site which will provide the
approximately 3,000 acre feet per year of water that will be required for operation of the
RMEC. The Applicant has entered into a long-term water supply contract with the City of
Aurora to provide augmentation credits from the City's wastewater discharge into the
South Platte River. The Applicant will construct a 22-mile-long Water Pipeline from the
Wellfield Site to the Power Plant Site to supply cooling and boiler makeup water. Either an
existing domestic well on the Property or a new well will provide potable water at the
Power Plant Site. Bottled water or a new well will be used for drinking if the existing onsite
well is not adequate for the number of operational staff or if water quality is below the
primary and secondary drinking water standards. Industrial wastewater from the plant will
be treated through an onsite ZLD system. Concentrated brine from the ZLD system will be
transferred to onsite evaporation ponds or a brine crystallizer. Solids generated by the ZLD
system will be disposed of at an existing,licensed offsite landfill. An onsite septic tank and
leach field or package sewage treatment plant will be installed to handle sanitary wastes.
PSCo will permit,construct, own and operate a new transmission interconnection between
the RMEC and PSCo's existing Green Valley Switchyard.
The following sections describe in detail the design and operation of the RMEC and the
associated facilities including the Gas Pipeline,Water Pipeline, and Wellfield Site. Site
selection and the alternative sites considered are presented in Section 5.2.
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 5/13/01 4-1
4.2 Power Plant Description, Design, and Operation
This section describes the RMEC's conceptual design,construction activities, and proposed
operation.
4.2.1 Site Plan and Access
The Power Plant Site consists of 88 acres of varied terrain. The RMEC will be located to
maximize the preservation of the current agricultural uses. The site arrangement shown in
Figure 2-2 and the typical elevation view shown in Figure 4-1 illustrate the location and size
of the REMC at the Power Plant Site. Approximately 88-fenced acres will be required to
accommodate the generation facilities,including the storage tank areas,parking area,
control/administration building,stacks,water treatment building,water storage tanks or
reservoir,switchyard,emission control equipment,evaporation ponds or crystallizer, and
generation equipment. This developed area of 88 acres will also include approximately
20 acres for temporary construction offices, laydown,and parking area. The majority of the
remainder of the 633-acre Property will be maintained for agricultural uses,which will serve
as a buffer between existing residents in the vicinity of the Power Plant Site and the
industrial/commercial development occurring east of Hudson.
The RMEC will be visually compatible with the planned development in the adjacent
industrial park west of the Power Plant Site. The RMEC will be constructed at an elevation
that minimizes visual impacts to the east,north,and south. Landscaping will be provided to
further minimize visual impacts. The architectural standards and landscape plan for the
RMEC are currently being developed and are expected to be refined over the next several
months. The textual descriptions of the appearance and visual impacts of the architectural
treatments to be employed, as presented in this application,should therefore be regarded as
preliminary,with final designs to be provided later.
The RMEC will be accessed via a two-lane access road that will connect to either CR 51 on
the east side of the Power Plant Site or possibly CR 49 adjacent to the western side of the
Power Plant Site. A second backup access road (to be used primarily for emergency access)
will be constructed off CR 16. Service roads throughout the Power Plant Site will be paved
to provide internal access to all project facilities and onsite buildings.
A temporary rail spur from the adjacent rail line may be installed for the delivery of heavy
construction and plant equipment during the construction phase.
4.2.2 Process Description
The RMEC will consist of two Siemens-Westinghouse 501F combustion turbine generators
(CTG) equipped with dry,NR combustors and steam injection power augmentation
capability; two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG)with duct burners; a single
condensing steam turbine generator(STG); a deaerating surface condenser;a mechanical
draft cooling tower;and associated support equipment.
Natural gas from the Gas Pipeline will fuel the CTG. The CTG exhaust gases will be used to
generate steam in the HRSGs. The HRSGs will use reheat design with duct firing. Steam
from the HRSGs will be admitted to a condensing STG. The RMEC is highly efficient and is
expected to have an overall annual availability in the general range of 92 to 98 percent.
DEWrG307/011230006.DOC 4-2
C
o
a
a`5
0
a
Ir I >�
00
3 a)
co—
a- a) � m
�„ aw> O
d c0 p
--1- I,--!� o nw
� °�>,
u � o
• F—O z
I
, I !i
4-r
1 Itit,�yh`E II
I r'w
.1
, yr
p91, ai
r
I i 6z4I, l
I
I i I
II
iil�!Nli
I j'l
i� ..
I..
it
, i1 •
I LL
LL
W
a_
rl
0
I Id CHI'WIWCII, m
—__I m
2
Z
W
0
Associated equipment will include the emission control systems necessary to meet all
applicable emission limits. NO,,emissions will be controlled by a combination of dry,low
NOx combustors in the CTGs and SCR systems in the HRSGs. Carbon monoxide (CO)will
be controlled to meet required air standards. A CO catalyst maybe used if necessary.
4.2.3 Power Plant Cycle
CTG combustion air will flow through the inlet air filters, fogging array, and associated air
inlet ductwork. The air will be compressed and then flow to the CTG combustion sections.
Natural gas fuel will be injected into the compressed air in the combustion sections and
ignited. The hot combustion gases will expand through the turbine sections of the CTGs,
causing them to rotate and drive the electric generators and CTG compressors. The hot
combustion gases will exit the turbine sections and enter the HRSGs,where they will heat
water(feedwater) that will be pumped into the HRSGs. The feedwater will be converted to
superheated steam and delivered to the steam turbine at three pressures:high pressure
(HP),intermediate pressure (IP),and low pressure (LP).
The use of multiple steam delivery pressures will permit an increase in cycle efficiency and
flexibility. High-pressure steam delivered to the HP section of the steam turbine will exit
this section as cold reheat steam and be combined with IP steam to pass through the
reheater section of the HRSGs. This mixed,reheated steam (called hot reheat) will then be
delivered to the IP steam turbine section. Steam exiting the IP section of the steam turbine
will be mixed with LP steam and expanded in the LP steam turbine section. Steam leaving
the LP section of the steam turbine will enter the surface condenser,transfer heat to
circulating cooling water, and be condensed to water. The condensed water, or condensate,
will be delivered to the HRSG feedwater system. The cooling water will circulate through a
cooling tower where the heat will be rejected to the atmosphere.
4.2.4 Combustion Turbine Generators, Heat Recovery Steam Generators, and
Steam Turbine-Generator and Condenser
Power will be produced by the two CTGs and the STG. he following paragraphs describe
the major components of the generating facility.
4.2.4.1 Combustion Turbine Generators
Thermal energy will be produced in the CTGs through the combustion of natural gas,which
will be converted into the mechanical energy required to drive the combustion turbine
compressors and electric generators. Each CTG system will consist of a stationary CTG with
supporting systems and associated auxiliary equipment. The CTGs will have power
augmentation capability by the use of steam injection upstream of the turbine section.
The CTGs will be equipped with the following required accessories to provide safe and
reliable operation:
• Inlet air foggers
• Inlet air filters
• Metal acoustical enclosure
• Single lube oil cooler
• Dry, low NOx combustion system
DENITG3071011230006.DOC 4-6
• Compressor wash system
• Fire detection and protection system
• Fuel heating system
The CTGs and accessory equipment will be contained in a metal acoustical enclosure.
4.2.4.2 Heat Recovery Steam Generators
The HRSGs will provide for the transfer of heat from the exhaust gases of the CTGs to the
feedwater,which will become steam. The HRSGs will be three-pressure,natural circulation
units equipped with inlet and outlet ductwork, duct burners,insulation, lagging, and
separate exhaust stacks.
Duct burners fueled by natural gas will be installed in the HRSGs. These burners will
provide the capability to increase steam generation and greater operating flexibility and
improve steam temperature control.
The HRSGs will be equipped with an SCR emission control system that will use ammonia
vapor in the presence of a catalyst to reduce the NO,,concentration in the exhaust gases. The
catalyst module will be located in the HRSG casing. Diluted ammonia vapor will be injected
into the exhaust gas stream through a grid of nozzles located upstream of the catalyst
module. The subsequent chemical reaction will reduce NR to nitrogen and water,resulting
in a NO concentration below the required standards.
4.2.4.3 Steam Turbine System
The steam turbine system will consist of a reheat steam turbine, gland steam system,
lubricating oil system,hydraulic control system, and steam admission/induction valving.
Steam from the HRSG will enter the steam turbine and will expand through the turbine
blading,driving the generator. On exiting the turbine, the steam will be directed into the
condenser for return into the steam cycle. The condenser heat sink is provided by cooling
water circulated through the condenser tubes and through the mechanical draft cooling
tower.
4.2.5 Major Electrical Equipment and Systems
The bulk of the electric power produced by the facility will be transmitted to the PSCo
power grid. Some power will be used onsite to power auxiliaries such as pumps and fans,
control systems, and general facility loads,including lighting,heating,and air conditioning.
Some power will also be converted from alternating current (AC) to direct current(DC) for
use as backup power for control systems and for other uses. Transmission and auxiliary
uses are discussed in the following paragraphs.
4.2.5.1 Power Transmission
Power will be generated by the two CTGs and one STG, all at 18 kV. The three 18-kV
generator outputs will be connected by isolated phase bus to individual oil-filled generator
step-up transformers,which will increase the voltage to 230-kV. Surge arresters will be
provided at the high-voltage bushings to protect the transformers from surges on the 230-kV
system caused by lightning strikes or other system disturbances. The transformers will be
located within the project site and set on concrete pads within structures designed to
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-5
contain the transformer oil in the event of a leak or spill. Fire protection systems will be
provided. No polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) will be used at the RMEC. The high-voltage
side of each step-up transformer will be connected through overhead cables to the plant's
230-kV switchyard. From the switchyard,power will be transmitted through new overhead
transmission lines into PSCo's existing Green Valley Switchyard. PSCo will be responsible
for all permitting,construction, and operation of the transmission line.
4.2.5.2 Essential Service AC Uninterruptible Power Supply
The combustion turbines and steam turbine power block will supply AC power to essential
instrumentation,critical equipment loads,and unit protection and safety systems that
require uninterruptible AC power. The essential service AC system and DC power supply
system will be designed to ensure that critical safety and unit protection control circuits
have power and can perform the correct action in the event of a unit trip or loss of the
plant's AC power.
4.2.6 Fuel System
The CTGs will be designed to burn natural gas delivered by the Gas Pipeline. See
Section 4.4.2.
The natural gas will be pressurized by onsite compressors, as needed, and will then flow
through gas scrubber/filtering equipment,a gas pressure control station,a fuel gas heater,
and a flow metering station before entering the combustion turbines. Natural gas for the
HRSG duct burner systems, auxiliary boiler, and building heating systems will be provided
by a central pressure reduction station and a gas distribution system.
Fuel will be purchased and delivered by PSCo from the existing CIG backbone pipeline
located east of U.S. 85 near the town of Fort Lupton. (See Figure 2-1.) Capacity through the
interstate line and through the main line is sufficient to supply the RMEC project. It is
conceivable that the interstate transmission line,the main line along U.S. 85,or the
connecting line to the RMEC project could become temporarily inoperable. This would
result in fuel being unavailable. The RMEC has no backup supply of natural gas and would
shut down in the event natural gas delivery were interrupted.
4.2.7 Water Supply and Use
The RMEC has been designed to use and re-use water efficiently. The RMEC will require
approximately 3,000 acre feet of water per year for its operations. This section describes the
quantity of water required, the source(s) of the water supply,water quality,and water
treatment requirements.
4.2.7.1 Water Requirements
A breakdown of the estimated average daily quantity of water required is presented in
Table 4-1. Estimated quantities are based on the combined-cycle plant operating at an
ambient air temperature of 48°F without duct firing or power augmentation steam injection.
DEN1TG307/011230006.DOC 4-6
TABLE 4-1
Estimated Average Daily Water Requirements(8 cycles @ 48°F)
Daily Requirements
Water Use Gallons(1000s) Gallons(per minute)
Circulating Water System Makeup 1,896 1,317
Balance of Plant 22 16
Total 1,919 1,333
The peak water requirements shown below in Table 4-2 represent maximum water demand
and are based on the plant operating at an ambient air temperature of 90°F with duct firing
and power augmentation steam injection.
TABLE 4-2
Estimated Peak Daily Water Requirements(8 cycles @ 90°F)
Daily Requirements
Water Use Gallons(1000s) Gallons(per minute)
Circulating Water System Makeup 4,712 3,272
Balance of Plant 233 162
Total 4,945 3,434
Water requirements will depend on the frequency and duration of inlet air fogging use as
well as on the load at which the combined-cycle plant is operating. The estimated water
volumes in the tables above are based on the continuous use of inlet air fogging when
average ambient temperature exceeds 50°F and 25 percent reject from the reverse osmosis
(RO) stage of the plant's water treatment system.
4.2.7.2 Water Supply
Approximately 95 percent of the total water requirements for the RMEC will be makeup
water for cooling water evaporated in the cooling tower. The RMEC's cooling water
circulates through the main condenser and the cooling tower where it transfers the heat
gained from condensing the steam turbine exhaust steam into the atmosphere by
evaporation. The source of cooling water makeup will be water from the offsite wells
located at the Wellfield Site. Augmentation water for the South Platte River will be obtained
from the City of Aurora as part of the overall water system for the RMEC. (See Appendix E.)
The other 5 percent of the water needed will be for makeup water for the HRSGs and other
equipment, RMEC general service water, and potable water for domestic use. The source for
this water,with the exception of potable water,will also come from the Wellfield Site.
Potable water will be obtained from an existing onsite potable water well.
Cooling water blowdown and process wastewater streams will be combined and treated in
the onsite ZLD treatment system. Sanitary wastewater will be handled onsite by a package
sewage treatment system.
DEWrG3071011230006.DOC 4-7
4.2.7.3 Water Quality
An analysis of the anticipated water quality from the Wellfield Site is provided in Table 4-3.
TABLE 4-3
Rocky Mountain Energy Center Water Quality Data
Parameter Units MW-01 MW-02 MW-03
Alkalinity-Bicarbonate mgCaCO3/L 274.000 276.000 277.000
Alkalinity-Carbonate mgCaCO3/L ND ND ND
Alkalinity-Total mgCaCO3/L 274.000 276.000 277.000
Aluminum mg/L 0.330 0.070 ND
Ammonia mg/L <0.80 <0.80 <0.80
Arsenic mg/L 0.015 0.009 0.007
Barium mg/L 0.058 0.110 0.035
Biological Oxygen Demand mgO2/L <10.0 <10.0 <10.0
Boron mg/L 0.420 0.270 0.390
Bromide mg/L 0.580 0.670 0.880
Cadmium mg/L ND 0.001 ND
Calcium mg/L 120.000 100.000 130.000
Chemical Oxygen Demand mgO2/L 94.000 54.000 82.000
Chloride mg/L 89.000 78.000 91.500
Chromium mg/L 0.021 0.016 0.017
Copper mg/L 0.018 0.016 0.014
Cyanide mg/L 0.023 <0.01 <0.01
Fixed Solids mg/L 1920.000 1370.000 1670.000
Fluoride mg/L 1.400 1.400 1.400
Hardness-Calcium mg/L 540.000 460.000 560.000
Hydrogen Sulfide mg/L <0.50 <0.50 <0.50
Iron mg/L 0.440 0.300 ND
Lead mg/L 0.005 0.005 ND
Magnesium mg/L 58.000 50.000 58.000
Manganese mg/L 0.048 0.049 0.190
Mercury mg/L ND ND ND
Molybdenum mg/L 0.023 0.012 0.008
Nickel mg/L ND ND ND
Nitrate mg/L 14.300 23.300 4.400
Nitrite mg/L ND ND ND
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-8
TABLE 4-3
Rocky Mountain Energy Center Water Quality Data
Parameter Units MW-01 MW-02 MW-03
Nitrogen-Total mg/L 14.300 23.300 4.400
PH s.u. 7.320 7.420 7.200
Phosphate mg/L ND ND ND
Potassium mg/L 5.800 6.200 4.300
Selenium mg/L 0.003 0.027 0.011
Silica mg/L 9.300 7.000 7.400
Silver mg/L ND ND ND
Sodium mg/L 120.000 120.000 140.000
Specific Conductance umhos/cm 1412.000 1307.000 1496.000
Strontium mg/L 1.400 1.200 1.300
Sulfate mg/L 407.000 363.000 490.000
Total Dissolved Solids mg/L 1110.000 980.000 1210.000
Total Organic Carbon mg/L 4.400 3.400 3.800
Total Solids mg/L 2310.000 1660.000 1990.000
Total Suspended Solids mg/L 1450.000 684.000 1710.000
Turbidity NTU 31.500 7.810 12.100
Volatile Solids mg/L 39.000 290.000 318.000
Zinc mg/L ND ND ND
Notes:
ND = Not detected above detection limits
Water from the existing onsite potable well is currently being used for domestic purposes.
Analyses of this water quality will be conducted and appropriate treatment provided prior
to use at the RMEC.
4.2.7.4 Water Treatment
The RMEC operations will require three levels of water quality: (1) water for the circulating
or cooling water system; (2) service water for the RMEC,which includes all other
miscellaneous uses;and (3) demineralized water for makeup to the HRSGs. The water
treatment required to obtain these three levels of quality is described in the following
paragraphs. Potable water for domestic purposes will also be available from an existing or
new onsite well.
DEN/rG307/011230006.DOC 4-9
4.2.7.5 Water for the Circulating or Cooling Water System
Makeup water for the circulating water system will be taken from the Wellfield Site. A
chemical feed system will supply water conditioning chemicals to this water to minimize
corrosion and control the formation of mineral scale and biofouling.
Sulfuric acid will be fed into the circulating water system in proportion to makeup water
flow for alkalinity reduction. This will control the scaling tendency of the circulating water
to within an acceptable range. The acid feed equipment will consist of a bulk sulfuric acid
storage tank and two full-capacity sulfuric acid metering pumps.
To inhibit scale formation,a mineral dispersant solution will be fed into the circulating
water system,as a sequestering agent,in an amount proportional to the circulating water
blowdown flow. The mineral dispersant feed equipment will consist of a chemical solution
bulk storage tank and two full-capacity metering pumps.
To inhibit corrosion,a corrosion inhibitor solution will be fed into the circulating water
system to passivate metal surfaces. The corrosion inhibitor feed equipment will consist of a
chemical solution bulk storage tank and two full-capacity metering pumps.
To prevent biofouling in the circulating water system,sodium hypochlorite, or another
oxidizing agent, will be used as a biocide. The oxidizing biocide feed equipment will consist
of a bulk storage tank and two full-capacity metering pumps.
4.2.7.6 Service Water
Service water will include all water uses at the RMEC,with the exception of the circulating
water previously discussed and the demineralized water used in the HRSG (discussed in
the following section). Onsite storage of cooling and service water will be provided by either
a lined reservoir or storage tanks. Additional water storage will be provided by a combined
fire/service water storage tank. This approximate 300,000-gallon usable capacity fire/
service water storage tank will have a minimum of about 240,000 gallons of water dedicated
to the fire protection system;the remainder will be available for plant service water during
any interruptions to the normal water supply.
4.2.7.7 Makeup Water for the HRSGs
Makeup water for the HRSGs will be taken from the fire/service water storage tank during
any interruptions to the normal water supply and treated before it is used. The expected
treatment methods include multi-media filtration, RO, and demineralization by ion
exchange to reduce suspended and dissolved solids.
The filtered demineralized water will be stored in a demineralized water storage tank. The
anticipated capacity will provide up to approximately 24 hours of supply,which includes
6 hours per day of power augmentation steam injection during any interruption of the
normal water supply.HRSG makeup water will be drawn from the demineralized water
storage tank.
Chemical feed systems will provide additional conditioning of the water in the HRSGs to
minimize corrosion and scale formation.
DEN/TG307/011230006.DOC 4-10
An oxygen scavenger will be fed to the feedwater to remove dissolved oxygen. The design
will provide for the automatic feeding of the oxygen scavenger in proportion to condensate
flow. The system will include an oxygen scavenger solution feed tank and two full-capacity
chemical feed pumps. An online dissolved oxygen analyzer will be installed to verify proper
operation of the system.
A condensate corrosion inhibitor will be fed to the feedwater to control feedwater pH. The
design will provide for automatic feeding of the condensate corrosion inhibitor proportional
to condensate flow. An online pH analyzer will be installed to verify proper system
operation.
The cycle chemical feed systems will also feed sodium phosphate to control pH and
minimize scale formation in the HRSG evaporator sections. The systems will be designed for
operation using the low solids,congruent phosphate, or similar method of boiler water
treatment. The design will provide for feeding sodium phosphates to the boiler water to
react with any hardness present.
For congruent phosphate treatment,a dilute solution of a disodium phosphate and
trisodium phosphate mixture (or equivalent)will be either prepared manually in a
phosphate solution tank dedicated to each steam drum or pumped directly from liquid
phosphate storage tanks provided by the chemical supplier. Phosphate feeding to each
steam drum will be controlled manually based on boiler water phosphate residual and pH.
One full-capacity phosphate feed pump will be provided for each steam drum,with one
common spare pump serving each drum pressure level.
4.2.8 Plant Cooling Systems
The cycle heat rejection system will consist of a steam surface condenser,cooling tower, and
cooling water system. The heat rejection system will receive exhaust steam from the steam
turbine and condense it to water for reuse. A surface condenser is a shell and tube heat
exchanger; the steam condenses on the shell side, and the cooling water flows in one or
more passes inside the tubes. Approximately 140,000 gallons per minute of circulating
cooling water is required to condense the turbine exhaust steam at maximum plant load at
90°F.
The cooling water will circulate through a mechanical draft cooling tower that uses electric
motor-driven fans to move the air in a direction opposite of the flow of the cooling water.
The heat removed in the condenser will be discharged to the atmosphere by heating the air
and evaporating some of the cooling water. The plant cooling systems will not have an
impact on offsite air temperatures.
4.2.9 Operations Waste Management
During operation of the RMEC, the primary waste generated will be nonhazardous
wastewater.However,nonhazardous solid waste and small quantities of both solid and
liquid hazardous waste will also be generated periodically. The Gas Pipeline and the Water
Pipeline will not generate hazardous waste. The types of waste to be generated during
operation of the facilities are discussed below.
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-11
4.2.9.1 Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal
The RMEC will have minimal wastewater discharges. Because the RMEC is designed with a
ZLD system, there will be no wastewater discharges to any surface water or groundwater.
There will be two separate wastewater collection systems. The first and primary system will
collect wastewater from RMEC equipment,including the HRSGs,cooling tower, and
evaporative coolers. This system will transport the industrial wastewater to the onsite ZLD
system. Concentrated brine from the ZLD system will be sent to lined onsite evaporation
ponds. Liquid in the wastewater stream will evaporate and solids will accumulate in the
evaporation ponds. Solids accumulated in the evaporation ponds maybe periodically
removed and disposed of at an existing offsite landfill,as appropriate. If a brine
concentrator is employed, the accumulated solids will be removed and disposed of at an
existing offsite landfill. Solids generated by the ZLD system will likely be nonhazardous.
The second system will collect sanitary wastewater from sinks, toilets,and other sanitary
facilities. This wastewater will be handled onsite by a package sewage treatment plant. Solid
waste from the package sewage treatment plant will be transported and disposed offsite by
an appropriately licensed company at an approved facility. Liquid effluent from the septic
or package sewage treatment plant will be directed to a leach field.
4.2.9.2 Circulating Water System Blowdown
The largest wastewater stream will be the circulating (or cooling)water system blowdown.
The blowdown will consist of groundwater from the wells at the Wellfield Site that has been
concentrated in the cooling tower and residues of the chemicals added to the circulating
water. These chemicals will control scaling and biofouling of the cooling tower and
corrosion of the circulating water piping and condenser tubes. Cooling tower blowdown
will be discharged to an onsite ZLD treatment system for treatment and recycling. Final
discharge will be to the lined solar evaporation pond or mechanical crystalizer.
4.2.9.3 Plant Drains—Oil/Water Separator
Miscellaneous,general RMEC drainage will consist of area washdown, sample drainage,
equipment leakage, and drainage from equipment areas.Water from these areas will be
collected in a system of floor drains, sumps,and pipes and routed to the wastewater
collection system. Drains that could contain oil or grease will be routed through an
oil/water separator. Water from the RMEC drains will be discharged to the ZLD treatment
system.
4.2.9.4 Power Cycle Makeup Water Treatment Wastes
Wastewater from the power cycle makeup water treatment system will consist of the reject
stream from the RO units and backwash water from the multi-media filters upstream of the
RO units. The RO units reduce the concentration of dissolved solids in the plant makeup
water before it is treated in leased portable ion-exchange vessels. The RO reject stream will
contain the constituents of the RMEC's raw water,concentrated approximately four times,
and residues of the chemicals added to the raw water. The filter backwash water will
contain the suspended solids removed from the raw water and residues of the coagulant
used to enhance filtration efficiency. Chemicals added also will eliminate free chlorine,
which would damage the RO membranes, and adjust pH to control membrane scaling.
DEN/TG307/011230006.DOC 4-12
Filter backwash water will be directed to the wastewater recycle pond. RO reject water will
be directed to the cooling tower.
4.2.9.5 HRSG Blowdown
HRSG blowdown will consist of boiler water discharged to the cooling tower's circulating
water system to control the concentration of dissolved solids in the boiler water within
acceptable ranges. This water will be cooled by mixing with the much larger flow of cooling
tower blowdown water.
4.2.9.6 Chemical Feed Area Drains
Effluent from the chemical feed area drains will be collected and treated onsite. The
chemical feed area drains will collect spillage, tank overflows,effluent from maintenance
operations,and liquid from washdown areas. The quantity of this effluent is difficult to
predict,but it is expected to be minimal. Because of the potentially corrosive nature of these
wastes, they will be collected in a corrosion-resistant piping system that is separate from
other drains. The separate piping system will prevent corrosion of the RMEC's normal
drains. The collected chemical drain wastes will be routed to a neutralization facility for pH
adjustment. Effluent from the neutralization facility will be routed to the ZLD system.
4.2.9.7 Solid Waste
The RMEC will produce maintenance and other wastes typical of power generation
operations.Wastes will include oily rags,broken and rusted metal and machine parts,
defective or broken electrical materials, empty containers, and other miscellaneous solid
wastes,including the typical refuse generated by workers and small office operations. These
materials will be collected by a waste collection company and transported to an offsite
landfill. Waste collection and disposal will be in accordance with all applicable regulatory
requirements to minimize effects on health,safety and the environment.
4.2.9.8 Hazardous Wastes
RMEC will properly manage and dispose of hazardous wastes in accordance with all
applicable regulatory requirements. Hazardous waste generated will include waste
lubricating oil and spent lubrication oil filters from the combustion turbines and SCR
catalyst units,which must be replaced every 3 to 5 years. The catalyst units will contain
heavy metals that are considered hazardous. These wastes are summarized in Table 4-4.
DEWrG307/011230006DOC 4-13
TABLE 4-4
Estimates of Hazardous Wastes Generated at the RMEC Facility
Waste Origin Composition Quantity Classification Disposal
Lubricating oil Gas turbine Hydrocarbons Small amounts Hazardous Cleaned up using sorbent and rags—
lubricating oil from leaks and disposed by certified oil recycler
system spills
Lubricating oil Gas turbine Paper, metal, Hazardous Recycled by certified oil recycler
filters lubricating oil and hydro-
system carbons
Laboratory Water treatment Sulfuric acid Approximately Hazardous Recycled by certified recycler
analysis waste 500 gallons per
year
SCR catalyst SCR system Metal and Warranty is Hazardous Recycled by SCR manufacturer or
units heavy metals, 3 years-use tends disposed in Class I landfill
including to be 3 to 5 years
vanadium
CO catalyst units Auxiliary boiler Metal and 3 to 5 years Hazardous Recycled by manufacturer
heavy metals,
including
vanadium
Oily rags Maintenance, Hydrocarbons, Approximately 800 Hazardous Recycled by certified oil recycler
wipe down of cloth rags per year
equipment,etc.
Oil sorbents Cleanup of Hydrocarbons Approximately 200 Hazardous Recycled or disposed of by certified
small spills pounds per year oil recycler
Cooling tower Deposited in Dirt from air, 100 to 200 pounds May be Class II landfill if nonhazardous;
sludge cooling tower arsenic from per year hazardous,but Class I if hazardous
basin by cooling water usually not
water
Waste lubricating oil will be recovered and recycled by a waste oil recycling contractor.
Spent lubrication oil filters will be disposed of in a Class I landfill. Spent SCR catalyst will be
recycled by the supplier or disposed of in a Class I landfill.Workers will be trained to
handle any hazardous waste generated by the RMEC.
Chemical cleaning wastes will consist of alkaline and acid cleaning solutions used during
pre-operational chemical cleaning of the HRSGs, acid cleaning solutions used for chemical
cleaning of the HRSGs after the units are put into service, and turbine wash and HRSG
fireside wash waters. These wastes,which typically contain high metal concentrations,will
be stored temporarily in onsite portable tanks. The wastes will be disposed of offsite by a
chemical cleaning contractor in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
4.2.10 Management of Hazardous Materials
Various chemicals will be stored and used during the construction and operation of the
RMEC. All chemicals will be stored,handled,and used in accordance with applicable laws,
regulations, and standards. Chemicals will be stored in appropriate chemical storage
facilities. Bulk chemicals will be stored in storage tanks,and other chemicals will be stored
in returnable delivery containers. Chemical storage and chemical feed areas will be
DEWrG307/011230006.DOC 4-14
designed to contain leaks and spills. Berm and drain piping design will allow a full-tank
capacity spill without overflowing the berms. For multiple tanks located within the same
bermed area, the capacity of the largest single tank will determine the volume of the bermed
area and drain piping. Drains from the chemical storage and feed areas will be directed to a
neutralization area for neutralization, if necessary. Drain piping for volatile chemicals will
be trapped and isolated from other drains to eliminate noxious or toxic vapors. After
neutralization,water collected from the chemical storage areas will be directed to the
collection basin of the cooling tower.
Anhydrous ammonia (NH3)will be stored in a tank within a containment basin. A foam or
polypropylene ball system or equivalent system will limit the surface evaporation area in
the event of a leak or spill. NH3 detection equipment will be installed to detect escaping
ammonia and activate alarms and the automatic vapor suppression features.
Safety showers and eyewashes will be provided adjacent to, or in the area of,all chemical
storage and use areas. Hose connections will be provided near the chemical storage and
feed areas to flush spills and leaks to the neutralization facility. Appropriate personal
protective equipment will be used by plant personnel during chemical spill containment
and cleanup activities. Personnel will be properly trained in the handling of these chemicals
and instructed in the procedures to follow in case of a chemical spill or accidental release.
See discussion in Section 5.1.9.2. Adequate supplies of absorbent material will be stored
onsite for spill cleanup purposes.
Electric equipment insulating materials will be specified to be free of PCBs.
4.2.11 Emission Control and Monitoring
Air emissions from the combustion of natural gas in the CTGs and duct burners will be
controlled using state-of-the-art systems. Emissions that will be controlled include NON,CO,
and particulate matter. To ensure that the systems perform correctly,continuous emissions
monitoring will be performed. Additional information on air quality is provided in
Section 5.1.2.
4.2.11.1 NO.Emission Control
SCR will be used to control NON concentrations in the exhaust gas emitted to the
atmosphere from the gas turbines. The SCR process will use NH3. The SCR equipment will
include a reactor chamber,catalyst modules,ammonia storage system, ammonia
vaporization and injection system, and monitoring equipment and sensors. NON emissions
for the auxiliary boiler will be controlled by low-NON burners.
4.2.11.2 CO Emission Control
CO will be controlled at the CTG combustion,HRSG duct burners,and auxiliary boiler with
state-of-the-art combustion technology. CO catalyst may be used if necessary.
4.2.11.3 Particulate Emission Control
Particulate emissions will be reduced from the outset through the use of natural gas,which
is low in particulates, as the sole fuel for the CTGs,duct burners,and auxiliary boiler. In
addition,particulate emissions will be controlled through the use of a combustion air
DEWrG307/011230006.DOC 4-15
filtration system. Cooling tower mist elimination will control the emission of particulate
matter from the cooling tower.
4.2.11.4 Continuous Emission Monitoring
The Applicant will monitor emissions from the RMEC continuously. Continuous Emission
Monitoring Systems will sample, analyze,and record fuel gas flow rate,NO,,and CO
concentration levels, and percentage of O2 in the exhaust gas from the two HRSG stacks.
This system will generate reports of emissions data in accordance with the air permit
requirements and will send alarm signals to the plant distributed control system control
room when the level of emissions approaches or exceeds pre-selected limits.
4.2.12 Fire Protection
The fire protection system will be designed to protect personnel and limit Property loss and
plant downtime in the event of a fire. There will be a dedicated fire-water storage supply of
sufficient capacity in the combination fire/service water storage tank in accordance with
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 850 requirements to provide 2 hours of
protection from the onsite worst-case single fire. The combination fire/service water storage
tank will include a standpipe on the service water pump-suction line to prevent the use of
the dedicated fire-water portion of the storage tank for other purposes.
Water will be supplied to a dedicated underground fire-water loop piping system. The fire
hydrants and the fixed fire suppression systems will be supplied from the fire-water loop.
Fixed fire suppression systems will be installed at determined fire risk areas, such as the
transformers, turbine lubrication oil equipment, and cooling tower. The RMEC fire mains
will also supply a vapor suppression system at the NH3 storage tank area. Sprinkler systems
will also be installed in the Control/Administration Building and Fire Pump Building,as
required by NFPA and local code requirements. The CTG units will be protected by an
FM200 fire protection system. Hand-held fire extinguishers of the appropriate size and
rating will be located throughout the facility in accordance with NFPA 10 standard.
Training will be provided for local firefighting personnel to address potential issues at the
RMEC.
The RMEC will have the following fire protection systems:
Onsite Fire Protection Systems
FM 200 Fire Protection System—FM200 is an inert,nontoxic,non-ozone depleting gas that
is used to extinguish fires in areas where sensitive equipment is kept. The FM200 system
will protect the turbine, generator, and accessory equipment compartments from fire. The
system will have fire detection sensors in all compartments. Actuating one sensor will
provide a high-temperature alarm on the combustion turbine control panel. Actuating a
second sensor will trip the combustion turbine, turn off ventilation,close ventilation
openings, and automatically release the FM 200. The FM 200 will be discharged at a design
concentration adequate to extinguish the fire.
Transformer Deluge Spray System—This system will provide fire suppression for the
generator transformers and auxiliary power transformers in the event of a fire. The deluge
systems will be fed by the RMEC's underground fire water system.
DEWrG307/011230006.DOC 4-16
Steam Turbine Bearing Preaction Water Spray System—This system will provide
suppression for the steam turbine bearing in the event of fire. The preaction system will be
fed by the RMEC's underground fire water system.
Steam Turbine Lubrication Oil Areas Water Spray System—This system will provide
suppression for the steam turbine area lubrication oil piping and lubrication oil storage.
Fire Hydrants/Hose Stations—This system will supplement the RMEC's fire protection
systems described above. Water will be supplied from the RMEC's underground fire water
system.
Fire Extinguisher—The administrative building and other buildings will be equipped with
portable fire extinguishers.
Local Fire Protection Services
In the event of a major fire,RMEC personnel will be able to call upon the Hudson Fire
Protection District for assistance. The closest station is located in the town of Hudson. The
RMEC Hazardous Materials Risk Management Plan will include all information necessary
to permit all firefighting and other emergency response agencies to plan and implement safe
responses to fires,spills, and other emergencies. Additional training will be provided for the
local fire personnel to address emergency response issues at the RMEC.
4.2.13 Plant Auxiliaries
The following systems will support,protect, and control the generating facility.
4.2.13.1 Lighting
The lighting system will provide personnel with illumination for operation under normal
conditions and for egress under emergency conditions. The system will include emergency
lighting to perform manual operations during an outage of the normal power source. The
system will also provide 120-volt convenience outlets for portable lamps and tools.
During much of the night, the RMEC will remain in darkness. The RMEC will require
nighttime lighting for operational safety and security. To a large degree, the offsite visibility
of this lighting will be limited by the structures that will be used to screen the plant's major
features. To further reduce the offsite lighting impacts,lighting at the facility will be limited
to areas required for safety and security, and will be shielded from public view to the extent
possible. Lights will also be directed onsite so that significant light or glare will not be
created. Low-pressure sodium lamps and fixtures of a nonglare type will be specified. To
further reduce the potential for project lighting to be visible offsite, the nighttime lighting
system will include switches, timers,and sensors to minimize the time the lights are in
operation. Lighting will be turned on in an area-by-area basis only as needed for periodic
security and safety rounds and for emergency operations.
Additional information on lighting is provided in Section 5.1.7.
4.2.13.2 Grounding
The electrical system will be susceptible to ground faults, lightning,and switching surges
that can result in high voltage,constituting a hazard to site personnel and electrical
DEWrG3071011230006.DOC 4-17
equipment. The station grounding system will provide an adequate path to permit the
dissipation of current created by these events.
4.2.13.3 Distributed Control and Information System
The Distributed Control and Information System(DCIS)will provide modulating control,
digital control,monitoring,and indicating functions for the RMEC's power block systems.
The DCIS will interface with the control systems furnished by the combustion turbine and
steam turbine suppliers to provide remote control capabilities,as well as data acquisition,
annunciation, and historical storage of turbine and generator operating information.
The system will be designed with sufficient redundancy to preclude a single device failure
from significantly affecting overall RMEC control and operation. This also will allow critical
control and safety systems to have redundancy of controls and an uninterruptible power
source.
As part of the quality control program, daily operator logs will be available for RMEC
personnel review to determine the status of the operating equipment.
4.2.13.4 Cathodic Protection
The cathodic protection system will be designed to control the electrochemical corrosion of
designated metal piping buried in the soil. Depending upon the corrosion potential and the
site soils, either passive or impressed current cathodic protection will be provided.
4.2.13.5 Freeze Protection
The freeze protection system will provide heat to protect various outdoor pipes, gauges,
pressure switches, and other devices from freezing temperature. Power to the freeze
protection circuits will be controlled by an ambient thermostat.
4.2.14 Project Construction
Construction of the RMEC, from site preparation and grading to commercial operation, is
expected to take place from the spring of 2002 to the spring of 2004,for a total duration of 20
to 24 months of actual construction. Major milestones are listed in Table 4-5. A more
detailed conceptual project schedule is provided in Figure 4-2. It is essential that the
construction be completed by the spring of 2004 to ensure that PSCo will be able to meet the
projected demands for energy in its service area.
TABLE 4-5
Project Schedule Major Milestones
Activity Date
Begin Construction Spring 2002
Startup and Test Fall 2003
Commercial Operation Spring 2004
DEN/TG307/011230006.DOC 4-18
a a>
C - --JI as
m
rn U
O 0 C C - a ® co
:� a
c
o E o 0
N U O N m O �M c E -y U . i
aF
ill
v r .a2m �mY L J a_. —
U ... - .- - mim
m
co W J LL 0 .-
y
N j... .. m b... U
F LL N
U ry LL _ N
Cl-
- ► U - - N a
- (0 u - u m U
a .- i — c g w
m- ._ W... . _ _ lLL CC
rc " _ O
Z m t
a im
IP - c
t
y - ..
E - y
e r E C ' C
rn ,`m, p
0 3 o ;•20-6
. -
O , c r
n e a --_
m J
W F ,
`.. ... .. a_ ... ... ,O
m I q t d
C W T N : a C
O L 0 r U
a , w - T
m • J
.E �� — w of
W
N m - E _ a z c
c c a
O _ J a
N.... t. . ►.. .. v. ti
C a N LL 7
O J T+ - a 2
LL_`. m. ......... .._ v
U - 3 1
.— �1 K
- U
- a
- a
- a U z.... / -c._ 11)
_ U
o - c
—a —
0 , - a
. LL
N - a
r-
e- (Zr'
4 ;8
0
N_ - i
"a 2
O - J
s so
o s > ci
N
I y
C '.
m ₹ Cl)
ag
s m 1
cI F a>
o
fi d m 1 .1 �, i a.
t 03
_ d 3 r LL LL 5 0 ' o OO
E '`w a D C) U Z I W U 3 c i - �%+i -C U U i - m S o a+ ¢
The average and peak work force employed during construction will be approximately 250
and 400,respectively. The peak construction work force will be employed from month 12
through month 18 of the construction period,with month 16 being the peak month. The
work force will include construction craft persons and supervisory,support,and
construction management personnel.
Construction will be scheduled between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
During the startup phase of the project,some activities will continue 24 hours per day,
7 days per week. Materials and equipment will be delivered by truck and rail. Additional
hours may be necessary to make up schedule deficiencies or to complete critical
construction activities.
The RMEC project will require site preparation and construction of all power generating
facilities and associated infrastructure, including the Wellfield Site,Gas Pipeline,and Water
Pipeline. During the construction stage, the construction contractor will recruit the labor
force from the surrounding cities along the Front Range. Labor needs include managers and
foremen; technicians;civil,mechanical, and electrical engineers;boiler,steel,electrical,and
concrete craftsmen;supervisors;equipment operators and helpers; and other support
workers. Construction materials and equipment will be purchased from suppliers in Weld
County,as well as other counties. Materials and equipment will be transported to the Power
Plant Site,Wellfield Site, Gas Pipeline, and Water Pipeline by rail and highway. The various
stages of construction are discussed below.
Land Preparation
Land preparation activities include the land clearing,soil stabilization,site grading, and
earthwork necessary to facilitate construction. Temporary and final slopes will ensure
proper drainage. Land-clearing activities will require removing grasses and other brushy
vegetation.
Land preparation equipment will include backhoes, dump trucks,bulldozers, rollers, and
graders. Construction contractors will determine how many units of each type of equipment
they need. Heavy equipment will be equipped with mufflers to control noise. Water spray
will control fugitive dust. Disturbed soil areas will be stabilized as feasible to minimize
erosion during construction. Details of the erosion and sedimentation control measures will
be defined in the Surface Water Management Plan that will be part of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)program administered by the State of Colorado.
(See Section 4.7.)
Civil Construction
Civil construction activities include developing the following:
• Site drainage system
• Onsite roads and pavement
• Foundations
• Buildings, offices,and associated facilities
• Tanks
• Fences
DEN/TG3 0 7/0112 30 0 0 6.DOC 4-20
Mechanical Works
Mechanical works include installing the following major components:
• Combustion gas turbines,steam turbines, and electric generators
• HRSGs
• A cooling water system
• Water treatment equipment
• Fuel handling equipment
• Cooling tower
• Auxiliary equipment
Electrical Works
Electrical works include installing the following major components:
• Transformers and electrical interconnections
• Plant process controls,lighting, and other electrical systems
4.2.15 Power Plant Operation
The RMEC will be operated by three operators per 12-hour rotating shift,with two relief
operators; there will also be approximately five maintenance technicians and five
administrative personnel during the standard 8-hour workday. The facility will be available
7 days per week,24 hours per day.
The RMEC is designed to be highly efficient and is expected to have an annual availability
in the general range of 92 to 98 percent. It will be possible for plant availability to exceed
98 percent for a given 12-month period. PSCo has the right to determine the dispatch control
of the RMEC including, the facility's start-ups, shutdowns,and generation loading levels.
The exact operational profile of the RMEC cannot be defined precisely because it will
operate and sell electricity primarily based on PSCo's electric power demands. To the extent
the RMEC is available to operate, all of the net capacity and associated energy will be made
available for purchase by PSCo. However, to the extent excess capacity is produced, the
Applicant may exercise other sales options.
The RMEC will be able to operate in one or all of the following modes, depending on PSCo's
needs:
• Base Load—The RMEC would be operated at maximum continuous output for as many
hours as required by PSCo. During high ambient temperature periods,when gas turbine
output would otherwise decrease, duct firing and/or power augmentation by steam
injection into the combustion turbines may be employed to keep the RMEC output at the
level required by PSCo.
• Load Following—The output of the RMEC could be adjusted periodically to meet
whatever load is required by PSCo.
• Partial Shutdown—At certain times of any given day and any given year,PSCo may
request a shut down of one CTG/HRSG. This mode of operation could be expected
during late evening and early morning hours.
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-21
• Full Shutdown—This would occur if forced by equipment malfunction,fuel supply
interruption,or transmission line disconnect. Full shut-down also could occur if PSCo
does not require any output from the RMEC.
4.2.16 Facility Safety Design
The RMEC will be designed to maximize safe operation. Hazards that could affect the
facility include earthquake,flood,and fire. The RMEC operators will be trained in safe
operation,maintenance, and emergency response procedures to minimize the risk of
personal injury and damage to the RMEC. Employees will be trained in accordance with all
applicable health and safety requirements.
4.2.16.1 Natural Hazards
The Power Plant Site and Wellfield Site are not located in either the Weld County Flood
Hazard Zone or the Geological Hazard Zone. See Section 5.1.8. The Power Plant Site will be
graded flat.According to the Weld County Flood Hazard Overlay Maps, the Power Plant
Site is not within the 100-year floodplain or floodways.
4.2.16.2 Fire Protection Systems
The RMEC will rely on both onsite fire protection systems and local fire protection services.
See Section 4.2.12.
4.2.16.3 Personnel Safety Program
The RMEC will operate in compliance with federal and state occupational safety and health
program requirements. Compliance with these programs will minimize project effects on
employee safety. See Section 5.1.9.2.
4.2.17 Quality Control
Through its Quality Control Program, the Applicant will ensure that all systems and
components have the appropriate quality measures applied during design,procurement,
fabrication,construction, and operation. For example, the appropriate controls for design
work include checking and review,and the appropriate controls for manufacturing and
construction include inspection and testing. The goal of the Quality Control Program is to
achieve the desired levels of safety, reliability, availability, operability,constructibility,and
maintenance for the generation of electricity.
The Applicant will define and implement an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program
during RMEC's startup phase.
4.3 Wellfield Description, Design, and Operation
4.3.1 Site Plan and Access
The Wellfield Site is located on an approximate 107-acre parcel of land owned by Anacapa
Land Company,LLC. The Wellfield Site is approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Kersey,
Colorado. (See Figure 2-1.) Scattered residences and agricultural land uses surround the
Wellfield Site,which is zoned agricultural. The development on the Wellfield Site will occur
DEN/TG307/011230006.DOC 4-22
on approximately 10 acres,leaving the remaining acreage for continued agricultural use.
However,none of the land to be developed is considered Prime Farmland.
Development of a portion of the Wellfield Site will consist of drilling between three to four
production wells to a depth of approximately 100 feet below land surface. Additional wells
may be needed depending on aquifer characteristics. The wells will be equipped with
electric pumps,electrical connections,and piping. Final design of the production wells will
be completed following aquifer testing designed to define the specific local aquifer
characteristics. A conceptual site layout for the four wells is presented in Figure 2-3.
The Wellfield Site has been selected due to its location near the South Platte River. The
alluvial nature of the aquifer in this area is known to be highly productive,as evidenced by
the reported pumping rates of other wells in the general area. Approvals for the withdrawal
of groundwater from this site will be obtained through the State Engineers' Office. Facilities
to be constructed at the Wellfield Site will include:
• Production wells
• Pumps and associated housing
• Access roads
• Surge tank
• Small maintenance/operations building
• Fencing
• Piping
• Electrical interconnections
• Centralized pumping station
• Emergency diesel generator
The developed wellfield area will be fenced to provide site security and will be accessed via
a road to be constructed on the Wellfield Site off CR 58 and/or CR 51.
The low profile of the improvements on the Wellfield Site will be visually compatible with
the existing surrounding agricultural land use.
4.3.2 Wellfield Process Description
Groundwater will be pumped from the wells at the Wellfield Site. The Applicant has a long-
term agreement(see Appendix E) with the City of Aurora in which the City agreed to
provide augmentation credits to the Applicant as a result of the City's wastewater discharge
into the South Platte River. The Water Pipeline will transfer the water to the RMEC. (See
Section 4.4). Onsite piping will interconnect the individual wells to a central pumping
station that will provide the necessary pressure required to transfer the water through the
Water Pipeline to the RMEC. Additional pump stations along the length of the pipeline
likely will not be required.
At the Power Plant Site, the groundwater will be pumped directly to a clarifier/softener to
reduce dissolved and suspended solids. After clarification,water will pass through
multimedia filters and will then be stored in the raw water storage tank or reservoir.
DEN/1G307/011230006.DOC 4-23
4.3.3 Wellfield Construction Activities
Construction of the Wellfield (from initial site preparation and grading to operation) is
expected to take place concurrent with construction activities at the Power Plant Site. The
estimated time required for construction of the Wellfield will be approximately 6 months
from initial well drilling to installation of the pumps,piping, and centralized pumping
station.
The peak work force for the Wellfield will be approximately 50,including well drillers,
electricians,and piping contractors. Construction will be scheduled between 6 a.m. and
6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Additional hours may be necessary to make up schedule
deficiencies or to complete critical construction activities.During the startup phase of the
project, some activities may continue 24 hours per day. Materials and equipment will be
delivered by truck.
Construction activities will include the installation of access roads to the Wellfield Site and
to the specific well locations. The wells will be drilled,cased,and developed;pumps will be
installed;electric lines will be routed to each of the wells;and piping will be installed to
interconnect the individual wells to a centralized pumping station. The centralized pumping
station will be connected to the pipeline to the power plant and will provide the pressure
needed to transport the water. A small operations and maintenance building will be
constructed at the Wellfield Site.
4.3.4 Wellfield Operation
The Wellfield will not have an onsite operator and will rely on maintenance staff from the
RMEC. The Wellfield will be available to operate during the same hours as the RMEC (i.e.,
7 days per week,24 hours per day). The pumps will be electric and will not generate noise
levels that will be audible beyond the boundary of the Wellfield.
4.4 Pipeline Description, Design, and Operation
The Applicant will construct and operate the Water Pipeline and the Gas Pipeline. The
locations of the Water Pipeline and the Gas Pipeline are shown in Figure 2-1. The Applicant
will negotiate with the applicable landowners to obtain the required easements. A
description of the Water Pipeline and the Gas Pipeline is provided below.
4.4.1 Water Pipeline
The Water Pipeline will be located within a 1-mile-wide corridor centered on CR 51 and will
be approximately 22 miles long. The Water Pipeline will be constructed of nonmetallic pipe
with a diameter of up to 36 inches and will be designed to meet the pressure and durability
required for the RMEC. The Water Pipeline will be buried with a minimum of 3 feet of cover
over the top of the pipeline. This will protect the structural integrity of the pipeline and
allow surface activities such as agricultural and transportation uses.
Open cut trenching construction techniques will be used except where the Water Pipeline
would cross waterways under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE). In those areas regulated by the USACE, the Water Pipeline will be installed using
directional drilling techniques to eliminate the need to encroach on the jurisdictional areas.
DEN/1G307/011230006.DOC 4-24
Construction activities for the Water Pipeline include the following:
• Staking of right-of-way (ROW) centerline
• Trenching or directional drilling
• Placing the pipeline segments adjacent to the open trench
• Connecting of pipeline segments
• Preparing bed for pipeline
• Placing connected pipeline into trench
• Backfilling trench with soil
• Revegetating ROW
• Hydrostatic testing of pipeline
• Connecting pipeline to the centralized pump station at the Wellfield Site and to the raw
water storage tank at the Power Plant Site
Hydrostatic test water will be obtained from the Wellfield and,depending upon final water
quality,will be discharged at the Power Plant Site. The Applicant will inspect the Water
Pipeline route on a regular basis to detect signs of damage.
Because the Water Pipeline will be buried,it will be visually compatible with the existing
agricultural land use surrounding the Wellfield Site.
4.4.2 Natural Gas Pipeline
The Gas Pipeline will be located within a 1-mile-wide corridor centered on CR 16 and will
be approximately 8 miles long. The Gas Pipeline will extend west from the Power Plant Site
to CIG's existing backbone pipeline, approximately 2.5 miles east of the town of Fort
Lupton. The Gas Pipeline will be constructed of steel pipe with a diameter of up to
24 inches. The Gas Pipeline will be designed to meet the pressure and durability required
for the RMEC. The Gas Pipeline will be buried with a minimum of 3 feet of cover over the
top of the pipeline. This will protect the structural integrity of the pipeline and allow surface
activities such as agricultural and transportation uses.
Open cut trenching construction techniques will be used except where the Gas Pipeline
would cross waterways under the jurisdiction of the USACE. In such areas, the Gas Pipeline
will be installed using directional drilling techniques to eliminate the need to encroach on
the jurisdictional areas.
Construction activities for the natural gas pipeline include the following:
• Staking of ROW centerline
• Trenching or directional drilling
• Placing the pipeline segments adjacent to the open trench
• Connecting pipeline segments (welding and inspection)
• Preparing bed for pipeline
• Placing of connected pipeline into trench
• Backfilling trench with soil
• Revegetating of ROW
• Hydrostatic testing of pipeline
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-25
• Connecting the gas pipeline to the existing CIG pipeline metering facility and to the
Power Plant Site
Hydrostatic test water will be obtained from a nearby source and, depending upon final
water quality,will be discharged at the Power Plant Site. The Gas Pipeline route will be
inspected on a regular basis to detect signs of damage.
Because the natural gas pipeline will be buried, it will be visually compatible with the
existing agricultural land use surrounding the site.
4.5 Landscaping
Landscaping will be established as a buffer and will enhance the RMEC aesthetically.
Landscaping techniques will focus primarily on visual screening measures, incorporating a
combination of vegetative and topographic visual buffering. Vegetation to be planted will
include drought-tolerant species to enhance water conservation. The Conceptual
Landscaping Plan is depicted in Figure 2-2.A final Landscaping Plan will be developed
prior to RMEC development.
Landscaped areas will be maintained regularly. Dead or dying plants will be replaced as
necessary. Noxious weeds will be controlled rigorously to prevent propagation or dispersal.
4.6 Proposed Reclamation and Maintenance Measures
The RMEC will be designed to operate for 30 years. Reliability and availability projections
are based on this operating life. O&M procedures will be consistent with industry standard
practices to maintain the useful ife status of the RMEC's components. An O&M Plan will be
prepared that addresses both normal procedures and conditions, and any upset or abnormal
conditions that could occur.
4.6.1 Temporary Closure
Facility closure can be temporary or permanent. Temporary closure is defined as a
shutdown for a period exceeding the time required for normal maintenance, including for
overhaul or replacement of the combustion turbines. Causes for temporary closure include a
disruption in the supply of natural gas or damage to the plant from earthquake,fire, storm,
or other natural acts.
For a temporary closure,where there is no release of hazardous materials, security of the
RMEC will be maintained on a 24-hour basis. Depending on the length of shutdown
necessary, a contingency plan for the temporary cessation of operations will be
implemented. The contingency plan will be conducted to ensure conformance with all
applicable regulations and the protection of public health and safety and the environment.
The plan,depending on the expected duration of the shutdown,may include the draining of
all chemicals from storage tanks and other equipment and the safe shutdown of all
equipment. All wastes will be disposed of according to applicable regulations.
DEN/TG307/011230006.DOC 4-26
4.6.2 Permanent Closure
Permanent closure is defined as a cessation in operations with no intent to restart operations
owing to plant age, damage to the plant beyond repair,economic conditions, or other
reasons. In the event the RMEC were economically viable beyond its 30 year forecasted
operating life,it could be operated longer. It is also possible that the RMEC could become
economically noncompetitive earlier than 30 years thus forcing early decommissioning. The
removal of the RMEC from service, or decommissioning,may range from "mothballing" to
the removal of all equipment and appurtenant facilities,depending on the conditions at the
time. Whenever the RMEC is closed, the procedures in the decommissioning plan will be
followed. The decommissioning plan is designed to ensure that public health,safety and the
environment are protected during the decommissioning. The specifics of such a plan for the
RMEC will be determined by conditions present at the time of the decommissioning.
At a minimum, the decommissioning plan will discuss the following:
• Proposed decommissioning activities for the RMEC and all appurtenant facilities
constructed as part of the RMEC
• Conformance of the proposed decommissioning activities to all applicable regulations
and local/regional plans
• Activities necessary to restore the site if the plan requires removal of all equipment and
appurtenant facilities
• Decommissioning alternatives other than complete restoration
• Associated costs of the proposed decommissioning and the source of funds to pay for
the decommissioning
In general, the RMEC decommissioning plan will attempt to maximize the recycling of all
facility components. Unused chemicals will be sold back to the suppliers or other purchasers
or users. All equipment that contains chemicals will be drained and shut down to protect
public health,safety, and the environment. All nonhazardous wastes will be collected and
disposed of in appropriate landfills or waste collection facilities. All hazardous wastes will
be disposed of according to all applicable regulations. The RMEC will be secured 24 hours
per day during the decommissioning activities.
4.7 Storm Water Management
The RMEC construction and operation activities will comply with the Weld County storm
water requirements established in 23-2-240 (A)(5). Storm water management during
construction will be controlled through the use of grading,retention ponds,staked hay
bails,and other erosion control techniques. A conceptualized drainage plan is depicted in
Figure 2-2.
Storm water regulations in Colorado are administered by the Colorado Department of
Public Health and the Environment(CDPHE). Discharge of storm water during the RMEC
construction period will be permitted through a NPDES construction general permit. To
obtain coverage under the construction general permit, the Applicant will submit a Notice
DEWTG307/011230006.DOC 4-27
of Intent(NOI) form to CDPHE's Water Quality Control Division (WQCD). The Applicant
will prepare a Storm water Management Plan (SWMP) that will describe the sedimentation
and erosion controls to be implemented during construction. The SWMP will be filed onsite
during construction activities. In addition, the Applicant will conduct regular compliance
inspections of the construction site and document the same.
An NPDES Multi-Sector General Discharge Storm Water Permit for Industrial Activity
(Sector 0 specifically applies to steam electric generating plants)will regulate discharges
from the RMEC once operations have begun. An SWMP will be developed for submittal
with a NOI application to the CDPHE WQCD. The SWMP will identify potential sources of
pollution that may affect the quality of storm water discharges from operation of the RMEC
and describe management practices to minimize pollutant discharges in storm water. The
Applicant will comply with all applicable storm water monitoring and reporting
requirements throughout the term of the RMEC's operations. The post-development storm
water runoff will not exceed the predevelopment rate.
4.8 Construction Waste Management
This section discusses the generation, treatment, and disposal of nonhazardous and
hazardous wastes generated during the RMEC's construction phase.
4.8.1 Project Waste Generation
During construction, the primary wastes generated will be solid nonhazardous waste.
However,some nonhazardous liquid waste and small quantities of both solid and liquid
hazardous waste will also be generated. Most of the hazardous wastes will be generated at
the Power Plant Site. Generation of hazardous waste during construction at the Wellfield
Site and construction of the Gas Pipeline and the Water Pipeline will be minimal. The types
of wastes are described below.
The removal of nonhazardous solid waste (often referred to as solid waste,municipal solid
waste or garbage) is through recycling or,if not recyclable, through deposit in a Class III
landfill. Hazardous wastes,both solid and liquid,will be delivered to a permitted offsite
treatment storage and disposal facility or deposited in a permitted Class I landfill.
4.8.1.1 Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal
Nonhazardous Wastes
Potential nonhazardous waste streams from the construction at the Power Plant Site and the
Wellfield Site include the following:
Paper,Wood, Glass, and Plastics—Paper,wood, glass,and plastics will be generated from
packing materials,waste lumber,insulation,and empty nonhazardous chemical containers.
These wastes will be recycled where practical. Waste that cannot be recycled will be disposed
of weekly in a Class III landfill. The waste will be placed in dumpsters prior to disposal.
Concrete—Excess concrete will be generated during construction. Waste concrete will be
disposed of weekly in a Class III landfill or at clean fill sites, if available.
DENRG3071011230006.DOC 4-28
Metal—Metal will include steel from welding/cutting operations,packing materials, and
empty nonhazardous chemical containers. Aluminum waste will be generated from packing
materials and electrical wiring. Waste will be recycled where practical,and nonrecyclable
waste will be deposited in a Class III landfill.
Drilling Mud—Drilling of the production wells will result in the generation of drilling muds.
In addition,some segments of the Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline will be installed by
horizontal directional drilling. Drilling mud consisting of bentonite clay,which is nontoxic,
will be used during the drilling processes to lubricate and cool the drilling bit.
Wastewater generated during the construction at the Power Plant Site and the Wellfield Site
will include sanitary waste and may include equipment washwater, storm water runoff, and
water from excavation dewatering during construction. Sanitary waste will be collected in
portable, self-contained toilets. Equipment washwater will be contained at specifically
designated wash areas and disposed of offsite. Storm water runoff will be managed in
accordance with a construction storm water management permit. The generation of
nonhazardous wastewater will be minimized through water conservation and water-reuse
measures.
The Gas Pipeline will be tested before being used. Hydrostatic test water will be filtered to
collect any sediment and welding fragments and analyzed. If hazardous, the wastes will be
delivered to an authorized hazardous waste management facility.
Hazardous Wastes
Most of the hazardous waste generated during construction of the RMEC will consist of
small quantities of liquid waste,such as flushing and cleaning fluids,passivating fluid (to
prepare pipes for use), and solvents. Flushing and cleaning waste liquid will be generated
when pipes and boilers are cleaned and flushed.Passivating fluid waste is generated when
high temperature pipes are treated with either a phosphate or nitrate solution. The volume
of flushing and cleaning and passivating liquid waste generated is estimated to be one to
two times the internal volume of the pipes cleaned. Some hazardous solid waste such as
welding materials and dried paint may also be generated.
Generation of hazardous waste during construction of the natural gas and water supply
lines will be minimal. Any hazardous waste that may be generated will be managed
according to all applicable regulations and delivered to an authorized hazardous waste
management facility.
The construction contractor will be considered the generator of hazardous construction
waste and will be responsible for the proper handling of hazardous waste in compliance
with all applicable federal,state, and local laws and regulations,including licensing,
training of personnel, accumulation limits and times,and reporting and record keeping. The
hazardous waste will be collected in hazardous waste accumulation containers near the
points of generation and moved daily to the contractor's 90-day hazardous waste storage
area located at the Power Plant Site construction laydown area. Then,prior to the expiration
of the regulatory 90-day storage period, the hazardous waste will be delivered to an
authorized hazardous waste management facility.
DEN/IG3071011230006.DOC 4-29
SECTION 5.0
Additional Project Details
5.1 Environmental and Land Use Descriptions
5.1.1 Water Quality and Supply
Water for the RMEC will come from at least two sources. The majority of the RMEC's water
requirements are for cooling and process supply. Cooling and process supply water will be
obtained from the Wellfield Site near the South Platte River. The remaining requirements for
potable and sanitary use will come from an onsite well. If the water quality of the onsite
well is not adequate for potable uses,bottled water will be used during operation of the
RMEC. These sources of water supply are discussed in the following subsections.
5.1.1.1 Cooling/Process Water
As discussed in Sections 2 and 3, the Applicant will drill production wells to a depth of
approximately 100 feet below land surface at the Wellfield Site. Groundwater will be
pumped from the alluvial aquifer and piped to the RMEC. The source of the water is the
alluvial aquifer. Because the groundwater in this area is tributary to the South Platte River,
augmentation water will be obtained through a long-term contract with the City of Aurora.
A copy of the water agreement is provided in Appendix E. The Applicant will obtain the
necessary approvals from the State Engineer for the intended use of the Wellfield and
augmentation rights. Through this arrangement, the RMEC will be ensured of a long-term
supply of cooling and process water. Results of preliminary groundwater sampling at the
Wellfield Site show that the water quality is adequate for its intended use. (See water quality
data in Table 4-3.)
As part of the detailed studies to be conducted for design of the Wellfield, a hydrogeological
investigation will be conducted to ensure that operation of the Wellfield will not have an
unacceptable impact on surrounding wells. A test production well will be installed and an
extended pump test will be conducted to determine the aquifer characteristics at the
Wellfield. Modeling will be used to determine the area of impact of the proposed Wellfield
under simulated operational conditions. In the event that the hydrogeological study
indicates that the Wellfield could result in a potentially unacceptable impact on one or more
of the surrounding wells, the design of the Wellfield will be refined, as necessary, to
minimize the potential impacts.
Use of groundwater from the Wellfield will not adversely impact water quality in the South
Platte River. In addition,since the RMEC will be designed to be a ZLD facility,water quality
in surrounding surface and groundwater cannot be impacted adversely by RMEC effluent.
In addition,implementation of the ZLD system will serve to also minimize water use at the
RMEC through the recycling of the treated cooling tower and process blowdown.
DEWrG3081011230007.DOC 5-1
5.1.1.2 Potable/Sanitary Water
A thorough analysis of both the quality and quantity of the water available from the existing
onsite domestic well will be conducted as part of the detailed design of the RMEC. This
analysis will determine if the existing domestic well will be adequate to supply the potable
and sanitary water needs of the RMEC during operation. If necessary,a new domestic well
will be installed at the Power Plant Site. Bottled water will be provided if groundwater is
found not to meet drinking water standards. In either case, an adequate supply of potable
and sanitary water will be available for the RMEC.
5.1.2 Air Quality
5.1.2.1 Introduction
The RMEC will be designed to meet all applicable federal and state air quality standards.
Weld County lies within the PM10 Baseline Air Quality Control Region#2 as well as the
Northern Front Range Air Quality Region. The RMEC will be approximately 82 kilometers
(km) east/southeast of Rocky Mountain National Park and 116 km southeast of the Rawah
Wilderness Area. These two areas are the closest Class I areas. The nearest Class II area with
Class I area Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) sulfur dioxide protection is the
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument,which lies 142 km south/southwest of the
project site. Data supplied by CDPHE indicate the regional Weld County area to be
classified, as follows,with respect to current air quality standards:
Pollutant Air Quality Status
Ozone Attainment
Nitrogren Dioxide (NO2) Attainment
CO Attainment/Maintenance
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Attainment
PM10 Attainment
The RMEC's potential to affect the existing air quality will be analyzed using dispersion
modeling techniques. The objective of the modeling will be to assess the RMEC's potential
impacts on air quality over a geographic area of interest where significant impacts could
potentially occur.
Impacts from the operation of the facility will be compared to the following:
Air Quality Criteria NO2 PM10 CO SO2
PSD Significant Impact Levels ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
PSD Significant Monitoring Levels ✓ ✓ ✓ /a
PSD Increments ✓ b ✓ b ✓a'b
Ambient Air Quality Standards ✓b ✓b ✓ b ✓a,b
Class I and Class II Visibility ✓ ✓ ✓a
Impacts to Soils and Vegetation ✓ ✓a
Class I Area Acid Deposition ✓ ✓a
a SO2 air quality modeling will be performed only if the facility emission rates exceed PSD significance levels.
Multisource air quality modeling for AAOS and PSD increments will only be performed if the facility impacts
exceed significant impact levels.
DEWr0308/011230007.DOC 5-2
5.1.2.2 Applicability to USEPA Regulations
The CDPHE's Air Division is responsible for administering the federal New Source Review
(NSR) and PSD programs. Thus, CDPHE will review the Applicant's NSR/PSD permit
application. Because RMEC will be located in an attainment area,it will be subject to PSD
requirements for major sources including, a Best Available Control Technology analysis, air
dispersion modeling, assessment of Class I and Class II impacts,and an assessment of air-
quality-related values. The Power Plant Site is designated as attainment for PM1o, sulfur
dioxide (SO2),NON,Ozone, CO,and lead. Ozone precursors (volatile organic compounds
[VOCI and NON emissions) may be treated as PSD pollutants.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program. If a new source has the potential to emit
pollutants in amounts over 250 tons per year (tpy),which are regulated under the Clean Air
Act (CAA), the source is considered a major source subject to PSD review. In addition,if a
new source is classified as one of the 28 named source categories listed in Section 169 of the
CAA and has the potential to emit pollutants in amounts greater than or equal to 100 tpy,
the source is also considered a major source.
The RMEC can be classified as falling within one of the 28 listed source categories: a fossil
fuel-fired steam electric plant. The RMEC is therefore subject to the 100-tpy emission
threshold. Once a source is classified as major, then any pollutant with the potential to emit
in amounts greater than significant emission rates is also subject to the PSD permit
requirements.
The RMEC will be subject to PSD requirements for NO,, CO, PM1o, and VOCs as potential
emissions will or may exceed the significant emission rates. For each pollutant subject to
PSD review, the air quality analysis must consider the amount of PSD increment available to
the new or modified source, as well as the potential amount of increment that the new or
modified source is expected to consume.
Only NO2,PM10,and possibly SO2 will be considered in the increment analysis because
there are no PSD increments for CO or ozone. The PSD increments in Class I and Class II
areas are as follows:
• 2.5 and 25 micrograms per cubic meter(µg/m3) for annual NO2 concentrations
• 8 and 30µg/m3 for 24-hour PM10 concentrations
• 4 and 17 µg/m3 for annual PMio concentrations
• 25 and 512 µg/m3 for 3-hour SO2 concentrations;5 and 91 µg/m3 for 24-hour SO2
concentrations
• 2 and 20 µg/m3 for annual SO2 concentrations
New Source Review(NSR) Program. For sources located in nonattainment areas,NSR
requirements for major sources include a demonstration of Lowest Achievable Emission
Rate for nonattainment pollutants, air dispersion modeling showing no significant impacts
in nonattainment areas, and possibly offsets. While, the project site is not designated as
nonattainment for any pollutant,air quality modeling analyses will be performed for all
nonattainment areas within 50 km of the project site for pollutants other than Ozone
(including the Denver nonattainment area) to demonstrate that maximum predicted impacts
from the RMEC will be less than significance levels.
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-3
5.1.2.3 Proposed Emission Sources
The primary emission sources at the RMEC will be the turbine electric generators,each
equipped with a HRSG. The turbines/HRSGs will use advanced combustion and controls to
limit emissions of NOx,CO, and VOCs. Emissions of PMA°and SO2 will be kept to a
minimum through the primary use of clean-burning natural gas. Additionally,
high-efficiency drift eliminators will minimize emissions of PMio from the cooling tower.
Because of RMEC's use of state-of-the-art air quality control technologies, the RMEC is not
expected to violate any air quality standard. In addition, the project is not expected to
impact the nearest Class I wilderness areas with respect to plume visibility (haze) or acidic
deposition to soils or sensitive water bodies (alpine lakes).
5.1.3 Noise
Potential noise effects from the RMEC will be evaluated and mitigated as necessary to
comply with applicable regulatory requirements. An essential part of a noise assessment is a
comparison of expected project noise levels with acceptable noise levels presented in
pertinent regulations. Generally,the controlling criterion in the design of the project noise
control features is the minimum, or most stringent,noise level required by any of the
applicable regulations.
Weld County does not have a noise regulation,but the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS)
requirements are referenced in the County's zoning regulations. The CRS requirements limit
the long-term outdoor noise levels at 25 feet or more from the Property line. These limits are
as follows:
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM/7:00 PM to 7:00 AM:
• Residential 55 db(A)/ 50 db(A)
• Commercial 60 db(A)/ 55 db(A)
• Light industrial 70 db(A)/65 db(A)
• Industrial 80 db(A)/75 db(A)
These limits would apply to construction and operation of the Power Plant Site, the
Wellfield Site, the Gas Pipeline,and the Water Pipeline. During construction activities,the
limit for industrial zones is applicable.
Potential noise effects related to operation of the RMEC are currently being evaluated in a
noise assessment. Monitoring for baseline (current background) noise has been conducted.
The results of the baseline noise monitoring will be used to model existing noise levels.
Predicted noise levels from the RMEC will then be modeled. Results of the modeling will be
used to determine the extent of noise attenuation design features to be used for mitigation of
project noise.
Field measurements of comparable combined-cycle plants have shown that the frequency
spectrum produced by this type of plant is broad-band and generally lacks any prominent
or identifiable tones,which are commonly sources of community disturbance. The
Applicant will pay special attention to sources that are tonal in nature,such as the
combustion turbine inlets, to ensure that any tones are sufficiently attenuated.
DEWTG30&011230007.DOC 5-4
The Applicant anticipates that only the RMEC may have potential noise impacts. Operation
of the Wellfield and pipelines will not result in noise impacts. Environmental noise from the
RMEC will be associated primarily with the following equipment: combustion turbines,
HRSGs, the cooling tower, and gas compressors. The noise emissions of all significant
RMEC components during normal base-load operation will be limited by purchase
specification to the recommended sound power levels which meet applicable regulatory
requirements. The best method of achieving the level required for each element and its
physical details will be developed in parallel with the overall detailed design of the facility.
In instances where the required noise emissions of a particular element or group of sources
cannot be reasonably achieved by specification or intrinsic modifications, external barrier
walls or acoustical enclosures may be employed to maintain the integrity of the overall
acoustic design. Additional mitigation of noise from the RMEC will be provided by the
significant set-back distance of the RMEC from the Power Plant Site boundary.
Worker exposure levels during project construction will vary depending on the phase of the
project and the proximity of the workers to the noise-generating activities. Hearing
protection will be available for workers and visitors to use as needed and required in
accordance with applicable regulatory requirements throughout construction and operation.
A hearing protection plan for both construction and operations will be incorporated into the
project Health and Safety Plan. (See Section 5.1.9.)
5.1.4 Biological and Cultural Resources
The Applicant will evaluate biological and cultural resources at the Power Plant Site,
Wellfield Site, Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline and in the vicinity of these locations (Project
Area). Potential impacts to those resources associated with construction and operation of the
RMEC and measures identified to mitigate these impacts will also be identified. All
evaluations discussed below will be conducted for the entire Project Area.
Biological resources to be evaluated for the Project Area include vegetation communities,
wetlands,wildlife, and T&E species. The potential presence of biological resources in the
Project Area is being determined through an initial site reconnaissance and from
information gathered from public agencies and published sources, including the Colorado
Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) database. Biological field surveys of the Project Area
will be conducted in late spring 2001, and later in the year as necessary to accommodate
species-specific timetables for flowering,breeding, etc.
Final Project Area evaluation has not been completed at this time. However, the RMEC will
be planned and designed to avoid impacts, as feasible and required to meet applicable
regulatory requirements. To this end, the RMEC will be located in an agricultural area
outside the 100-year floodplain,wetlands, or riparian areas. By locating the RMEC in this
manner,potential impacts to associated natural vegetation communities,wildlife, or T&E
species will likely be avoided. If avoidance of these sensitive communities is not feasible,
appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize impacts. The RMEC will
be surrounded by a buffer area consisting of additional agricultural fields that will be
preserved for continuing active agricultural uses.
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-5
The potential for occurrence of cultural resources in the Project Area will also be evaluated,
as discussed below.
5.1.4.1 Vegetation Communities
The majority of the Project Area,including the Power Plant Site and Wellfield Site,has been
significantly disturbed for many years through agricultural and range land development.
Similarly, the preferred routes for the Water Pipeline and the Gas Pipeline will follow
previously developed,disturbed ROWs to the extent feasible. (See Section 5.2, Facility Siting
Alternatives Analysis.) As a result of the prior long-term human activities in the Project
Area, there are minimal natural vegetation communities in the Project Area, and
predominant vegetative types are generally ruderal in nature.
Predominant vegetation community types characterizing the Project Area will be more
comprehensively determined through review of aerial photographs,land use maps,
published databases, and field verification. The presence of critical habitat types for special
status species will also be determined.
Any potential impacts to natural vegetation communities in the Project Area will be
mitigated to the extent feasible through avoidance. If avoidance is not feasible,reclamation
measures will be conducted in all disturbed areas,including control of noxious weed
species and planting of desirable species.
5.1.4.2 Waters of the U.S.
The USAGE regulates certain specified wetlands and waterways in the United States.
(waters of the U.S.) A majority of the wetlands and other waters of the U.S. in the Project
Area have been significantly impacted by long-term agricultural or grazing activities and
are in a highly disturbed condition. Very little natural vegetation remains adjacent to these
areas due to grazing,intensive crop cultivation, or maintenance activities. This is
particularly true in the vicinity of the ROWs for the Gas Pipeline and the Water Pipeline.
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and technical criteria and procedures described in
USACE's 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual regulate activities which will have an affect on
waters of the U.S. Waters of the U.S.within the Project Area will be identified through field
surveys conducted with the use of the Colorado State hydric soils list,the National
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)soil survey for Weld County,aerial photographs,
National Wetland Inventory maps,U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute quadrangle
topographic maps (1:24,000), and other information sources. Delineation of jurisdictional
boundaries will be flagged in the field and verified by USAGE. Upon verification, the Gas
Pipeline and Water Pipeline locations will be surveyed.
The construction and operation of the RMEC, Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline are not
expected to have an impact on Section 404 Clean Water Act jurisdictional areas. Project
activities will be planned to avoid all jurisdictional areas to the extent possible. The main
project components (RMEC and Wellfield)will be sited outside the 100-year floodplain or
jurisdictional areas. The Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline will be sited in existing ROWs, to
the extent feasible. The pipelines will be directionally drilled under any jurisdictional areas
that must be crossed. It is anticipated that all project activities will be conducted in a manner
that will not require USAGE permits.
DEN/70305/011230007 DOC 5-5
5.1.4.3 Wildlife
Due to agricultural and range land development, there is minimal undisturbed wildlife
habitat in the Project Area. The potential occurrence of wildlife species in the Project Area
will be determined through contacts with federal and state wildlife agencies and a review of
published literature including databases. Surveys for wildlife occurrence in the Project Area
will be conducted in the late spring of 2001,or at later times during the year for species that
are more evident during specific periods (i.e.,breeding,etc.).
Potential impacts to wildlife species from RMEC activities are expected to be minimal.
Suitable wildlife habitat is likely not available in the Project Area to support significant
wildlife populations, as the majority of the Project Area is already highly disturbed from
human activities such as agriculture. Any identified potential impacts will be avoided to the
extent feasible. If impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation measures will be
implemented in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
5.1.4.4 Threatened and Endangered Species
The Applicant will determine the potential occurrence in the Project Area of federal listed
T&E species,state listed T&E species,and CNHP imperiled species. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), and the CNHP have
been contacted to provide lists of potential species occurrence. Biological surveys of the
Project Area will be conducted in late spring. Additional surveys may be conducted at other
times of the year for species that are more evident during specific periods (i.e.,breeding,
flowering,etc.).
An initial site reconnaissance of the RMEC and Wellfield sites has been conducted to
determine the potential presence of suitable habitat or special-status species. Based on this
reconnaissance, the species list provided by CNHP, and the Natural Diversity Information
System (NDIS) database,a list of species that potentially occur in or near the Project Area
has been developed. (See Table 5-1.)
For some species,nonintrusive surveys are sufficient to define presence/absence (i.e.,
ferrets, owls,plants, etc.). Other species,such as nocturnal species, require trapping efforts.
Scientific Collection Permits will be obtained from both the state (CDOW) and federal
(USFWS) trustees. Trapping surveys are planned for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse
(Zapus hudsonius preblei)in late spring. (Trapping is limited to only a few weeks in late
spring and summer.) Although potential Preble's habitat in the Project Area is generally
highly disturbed, this survey will be required to determine the presence or absence of the
species. Ute ladies' tresses (Spiranthes diluvealis) potentially also occur in similar habitat.
Once the field efforts are completed, a summary of findings will be produced in document
format. The agencies will review the summary report and provide letters of review that will
be incorporated into the final project documentation.
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-7
TABLE 5-1
Species Occurrence In or Near Project Area
Taxonomic Group Common Name Prec
Birds Black-Necked Stilt G
Birds Long-Billed Curlew G
Birds White-Faced Ibis S
Fish Horneyhead Chub G
Fish Northern Redbelly Dace G
Mammals Meadow Jumping Mouse Subsp. G, M
Mollusks Cylindrical Papershell G
Natural Communities Northern Sandhill Prairies S
Natural Communities Plains Cottonwood Riparian Woodland S
Natural Communities Coyote Willow/Bare Ground S
Plants Sandhill Goosefoot S
Plants Ute Ladies'Tresses M
precision codes: S="seconds", location known within 100m; M="minutes"location known within 1 mile;
G ="general", location known within 5 miles
5.1.4.5 Cultural Resources
A Class I cultural resources survey of the Project Area will be conducted through the
Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). A Class I survey generally entails a
review by SHPO of previously recorded sites of prehistoric or historic resources that might
be impacted by the RMEC. The eligibility of recorded sites located in or near the Project
Area will also be reviewed for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The
Class I survey will also indicate whether Class II or III surveys have already been conducted
in the area,and whether Class II or III surveys will be required for the Project Area.
Potential impacts to cultural resources will be avoided or minimized through consultation
with the SHPO and use of existing ROWs for the pipelines to the extent feasible.
Additionally,construction crews will be instructed to stop work if potentially significant
objects are uncovered and contact construction management,who would contact the SHPO.
5.1.5 Agriculture and Soils
Soils are mapped and described as"mapping units" that are defined to the approximate
level of detail required for soil management decisionmaking. The location and properties of
the soil mapping units were identified from maps of the area prepared by the U.S. Soil
Conservation Service (now NRCS). These soil maps and properties were obtained from the
Soil Survey of Weld County, Colorado-Southern Part (U.S.Department of Agriculture,1980)
Descriptions of affected soils and potential restrictions are summarized and presented in
Table 5-2. Soils data for the RMEC and Wellfield sites are also illustrated on the Vicinity
Maps (see back of application) Soil types that are designated as prime farm land are
highlighted in Table 5-2. Weld County has the highest number of prime farm land acres in
Colorado (365,000 acres).
DENrrG308/011230007.DOC 5-B
The Applicant selected the site in order to minimize impacts to the existing land uses and
environmentally sensitive areas,including Prime Farm Lands. All reasonable efforts were
made to avoid prime farm land in siting the facilities.Within the Power Plant Site,
approximately 53 acres,including temporary construction laydown areas, are designated as
Prime if Irrigated lands by the Important Farm Lands of Weld County Map. Out of a total of
633 acres of existing agricultural land,approximately 88 acres (including about 20 acres for
temporary construction,office, laydown and parking)will be impacted by the RMEC. The
temporary construction laydown area will be reclaimed. Impacts will be mitigated through
preservation of existing agricultural uses on the remainder of the parcel. No prime farm
land will be impacted.
The Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline will be located generally in or near existing ROWs. Soils
disturbed during construction will be managed using best management practices (BMPs) to
stockpile and replace topsoil after the trenches are backfilled. Soils will also be stabilized and
replanted with appropriate species or crops, if any cropland is disturbed. Other BMPs will
include erosion control and control for noxious weeds. As a result,potential soil or
agricultural impacts from construction operations are expected to be temporary and minimal.
The Wellfield will impact approximately 10 acres with development of the Wellfield and
ancillary support structures. Impacts to agricultural land will be mitigated through
preservation of the remainder of the approximate 107-acre parcel. No Prime Farm Land on the
Wellfield Site will be impacted by the Wellfield development.
TABLE 5-2
Summary of Soil Types Found at RMEC and Wellfield Areas
Restrictions
Sm. Roads
Shallow Comm. and
Soil Type Descriptions Prime Excavation Bldgs. Streets
RMEC RMEC
10—Bankard sandy This is a deep, somewhat excessively drained soil N S S S
loam 0-3%slopes on floodplains*at elevations of 4,450-5,000 feet.
Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water
capacity is low.This soil is used as pasture and
limited cropping.
15-Colby loam This:isa-stee{pw.,elldrainedsoil'on uplands at Y SI St M
1-3%slopes of 4,05.16405afeat. Permeabilityis
Sea*.Avai le water_capacity is-11_19K
sot—runoffnos ismed`ium,,,=anderosion hazard is
it a.In irrigated areas,this soil suited to all
cropsnmonly grown in the area. In aonirrigated
areas this soil is soil is suited to winter wheat.
barley,and sorghum.Windbreaks and
environmental plantings of trees and shrubs are
'.generally well suited to this soil.
18—Colby Adena These gently to moderately sloping soils are N SI M M
loans 3-9%slopes located on plains, hills and ridges at elevations of
4,750-4,900 feet.The Colby soil is deep and well-
drained with moderate permeability, high water
capacity, rapid runoff,and high erosion hazard.
The Adena soils are deep and well-drained with
slow permeability, high water capacity, medium
runoff, and moderate erosion hazard.
DENRG309I011230007.DOC 5-9
TABLE 5-2
Summary of Soil Types Found at RMEC and Wellfield Areas
Restrictions
Sm. Roads
Shallow Comm. and
Soil Type Descriptions Prime Excavation Bldgs. Streets
47—Olney fine sandy This is a dz-and well-drained soil located on Y SI M- M
loam 1-3%slopes plains:at elevations of 4,600-5,200 feet.The
permea ..bil a vailable water capacity are
moditrite permeability,high water capacity.
Surfabserunoff istmedium,ambzw.camttazard is
low.
In-irrigatedareas,this it is=suited to allscrops
:-_,'-commonly rtmonly grown in the area.In nonirrigated areas
soil issoltis suited to winter wheat,bailey,
andsorghum.Windbreaks and environmental
plantings and shrubs are generally well
suited€to this sol.
60-Shingle-Renohill This gently to moderately sloping soil complex is N S S S
complex 3-9%slopes located on plains, hills and ridges at elevations of
4,600-4,750 feet.The permeability is slow to
moderate and available water capacity ranges
from low to moderate. Surface runoff is medium to
rapid, and erosion hazard is moderate. This soil is
used as rangeland and wildlife habitat.
79—Weld loam 1-3% This is a deep well drained soil on smooth plains Y SI M M
slopes at elevations-444,850-5,000 feet.Permeabilityis
sloWrAvailabgtwater capacity is high.Surface
run is slow, t erosion hazard.₹s=low. In
irrigated areas soil is suited to allacrops
commonly grow the_area. soil is well
suited to winter barley,,and sorghum.
Windbreaks andtenv -Mental plantings of trees
and shrubs are generally well suited to this soil.
Wellfield
1--Altvan loam 0-1% Steep,weddrained soil on terraces at elevations - Y S M M
slopes o .M.5OO-44-9EXtfeet. Permeability and:available
wilitcapacity ar moderate.Surface Runoff is
sl der:≥`'' is •. r d is low.- .ill is used
almoost entire rrigated .W reaks_and
env ental p a_ s t and shrubs are,
generallywell " e dt`•this
3-Aquolls and These are deep poorly drained soils that formed in N S S S
Aquents,gravelly recent alluvium on bottomlands and Iloodplains'.
substratum These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife
habitat.
68—Ustic This is a deep, excessively drained soil on terrace N S M M
Torriorthents breaks and enscarpments at elevations of 4,450-
moderately steep 5,100 feet. Permeability is rapid. Available water
capacity is low. Surface runoff is medium, and
erosion hazard is moderate.This soil is used as
pasture and poorly suited to wildlife habitat.
'Although these soils are typically found in wetlands and floodplains,the RMEC and Wellfield will not affect jurisdictional wetlands
and are not located in a floodplain overlay area.
Restrictions: SI-Slight
M—Moderate
S-Severe
DENRG308I011230007.DOC 5-10
5.1.6 Land Use
The Applicant has considered and evaluated carefully the existing and designated land uses
that characterize the Project Area and the RMEC's potential impact on such uses. (See
Figure 5-1.) All lands in the Project Area are located within undeveloped areas of Weld
County, and are addressed in the Weld County Comprehensive Plan. (See Section 3.0.)
Land use considerations and the RMEC's consistency with such considerations are
described below.
Because Weld County's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture,farm land
preservation(especially Prime Farm Land) is an important concern. Prime and Prime if
Irrigated Lands fall into upper capability classes, as defined by the NRCS and the Colorado
State University Cooperative Extension Service. The availability of a consistent supply of
clean water must exist to have prime farm land.
Crops produced in Weld County include onions,sugar beets,pinto beans,potatoes,corn,
alfalfa,wheat,carrots,barley, sorghum, and other specialty crops. Many of the feed crops
are used locally by the livestock industry. For example,most of the corn grown in the area,
both silage and grain, is used for feed at commercial feedlots,farm feedlots, and dairies.
Significant numbers of sheep,swine,and turkeys also use the feed crops from the area.
Croplands in the agricultural district also provide natural open space areas. A significant
benefit derived from open space is relief from more intense urban uses conducted in a
municipality. Open space buffers help maintain a sense of rural identity and diversity.
These buffers also allow communities to maintain separate identities,while preserving
productive farm land.
5.1.6.1 RMEC
The Power Plant Site is described fully in Sections 2 and 4. The Power Plant Site is currently
zoned agricultural. Land to the west of the site,near Hudson,is an existing
commercial/industrial area. Land to the east and south is primarily used for agriculture,
with occasional low-density, large-lot residential areas. To the north, the Power Plant Site is
bounded by I-76,an access road,and a rail line. Figure 2-1 shows the location of the RMEC.
Construction will not result in a significant loss in crop production.
5.1.6.2 Wellfield
The Wellfield Site is described fully in Section 4.3. (See Figure 2-1.) The Wellfield Site is
zoned agricultural and is surrounded by agricultural land uses with scattered residences.
Construction will not result in a significant loss in crop production.
5.1.6.3 Water Pipeline
The Water Pipeline is described fully in Section 4.4.1. A 5-mile wide study area was
considered for the routing of the pipeline,shown in Figure 5-2.Within this corridor, three
linear alignments were analyzed. Section 5.2.3 provides a discussion of the proposed
alternative routes. The study corridor passes through primarily agricultural land and
follows existing roads and utility easements in primarily undeveloped areas. As a result, the
Water Pipeline will not have a significant land use impact on the surrounding area.
DE WrG308/011230007.DOC 5-11
5.1.6.4 Gas Pipeline
The Gas Pipeline is described fully in Section 4.4.2. A 5-mile-wide study area was
considered for the routing of the pipeline,shown in Figure 5-2.Within this corridor, three
linear alignments were analyzed. Subsection 5.2.4 of this document provides a discussion of
the proposed alternative routes. The study corridor passes through primarily agricultural
land and follows existing roads and utility easements in primarily undeveloped areas. As a
result, the Gas Pipeline will not have a significant land use impact on the surrounding area.
5.1.7 Lighting and Thermal Effects
The RMEC's lighting is described fully in Section 4.2.13.1. The effects of the RMEC's lighting
during the night hours will be minimal. Lighting will be turned on in an area-by-area basis
as needed for maintenance, operations,periodic security and safety rounds, and for
emergency operations. The landscape screening to be installed around the site will further
reduce the visibility of the nighttime lighting,particularly from areas proximate to the
Power Plant Site. The RMEC will comply with applicable Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) lighting requirements.
Consistent with experience at similar facilities, the RMEC operations will not result in
increases in the thermal microclimate. Potential thermal impacts associated with the cooling
towers will be limited to the immediate area surrounding the RMEC and will not affect
areas beyond the Power Plant Site boundary.
5.1.8 Overlay District Evaluations
The Flood Hazard,Geologic Hazard,and Airport Overlay Districts were evaluated for
potential applicability to the Project Area. The following section describes the results of this
evaluation.
5.1.8.1 Flood Hazard Overlay District
The Flood Hazard Overlay District's Zoning Maps were assessed for applicability to
location of facilities in the Project Area. Both Floodway and Flood Prone Districts were
evaluated. The RMEC and Wellfield will be located outside the Floodway and Flood Prone
Overlay Districts. (See Figures 2-2 and 2-3.)
The construction of the Gas Pipeline and the Water Pipeline may involve crossing through
designated Floodways or Flood Prone Districts. However, this activity will be temporary,
and the pipelines will be buried. The ground surface will be restored to the original contours
and elevations, thus resulting in no fill or obstruction in potential flood areas.
5.1.8.2 Geologic Hazard Overlay District
Evaluation of the Geologic Hazard Overlay District was conducted using the Weld County
Official Geologic Hazard Area Map of Potential Ground Subsidence Areas in relation to the
Project Area. The Project Area does not occur in the Geologic Hazard Overlay District,
which generally occurs in the southwest corner of the county, as referenced in the Weld
County Urban Growth Boundary Intergovemment Agreement Boundary map.
DEN/TG308/011230007 DOC 5-14
5.1.8.3 Airport Hazard Overlay District
The proposed Wellfield Site is located on the edge of the overlay district for the Greeley-
Weld County Airport. However,based on the minimal height of infrastructure proposed to
be developed at the Wellfield Site,it is unlikely the infrastructure would have any potential
Airport Overlay District impacts.
5.1.9 Health and Safety, Hazards, and Emergency Procedures
The Applicant has evaluated health and safety issues that maybe encountered during the
construction and operation of the RMEC. The Applicant will forward all applicable health
and safety plans(related to construction and operation of the RMEC) to appropriate
agencies prior to final approval. Health and Safety Programs, Safety Training Programs,and
Fire Protection Programs to be implemented during RMEC construction and operation are
presented below.
5.1.9.1 Workplace Description
The RMEC workplace is described fully in Section 4.0.During the life of the RMEC,workers
will be exposed to hazards that are typical during the construction and operation of a gas-
fired combined-cycle facility. To evaluate these hazards and control measures, a hazard
analysis will be prepared. The analysis will identify the hazards anticipated during
construction and operation and indicate which safety programs should be developed and
implemented to mitigate and appropriately manage those hazards.
5.1.9.2 Overview of Hazards and Related Programs and Training
Programs are overall plans that set forth the method or methods that will be followed to
achieve particular health and safety objectives. For example, the Fire Protection and
Prevention Program will describe what has to be done to protect against and prevent fires.
This will include equipment required,such as alarm systems and firefighting equipment,
and procedures to follow to protect against fires. The Emergency Action Program/Plan will
describe escape procedures,rescue and medical procedures, alarm and communication
systems, and response procedures for very hazardous materials that can migrate, such as
ammonia. The programs or plans are contained in written documents that are usually kept
at designated locations within the facility.
Each program or plan will contain training requirements that are translated into detailed
training courses. These courses are taught to plant construction and operating personnel as
needed. For example,all plant operating personnel will receive training in escape
procedures under the Emergency Action Program,but only those working with flammables
will receive training under the Fire Protection and Prevention Program.
5.1.9.3 Construction Health and Safety Programs
Prior to the start of construction of the RMEC, a Construction Safety Program will be
developed that will include information on the hazards associated with this project and the
control measures that must be implemented to protect construction personnel and visitors
from the identified hazards. The primary components of the Construction Safety Program
will include the following: Injury and Illness Prevention Program,Fire Protection and
Prevention Program,Personal Protective Equipment Program, Emergency Action Program,
and general Construction Safety Plan. Periodic audits will be performed by qualified
DEW10308/011230007.DOC 515
individuals to determine whether work practices comply with applicable regulatory and
RMEC LLC requirements.
The following sections contain information on the anticipated content of the health and
safety programs.
Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The Injury and Illness Prevention Program will be
developed and implemented to ensure a safe and secure work environment during
construction of the RMEC,Gas Pipeline,Water Pipeline and Wellfield. At a minimum, the
program will discuss safety leadership and responsibilities, accountability, specific core
safety processes,employee safety communication and compliance with work rules and safe
work practices.
Fire Protection and Prevention Program. The Fire Protection and Prevention Program will be
developed and implemented to minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries during
construction of the facilities. At a minimum, the program will discuss housekeeping and
proper material storage,fire alarms and communication system, the use and maintenance of
portable fire extinguishers and fixed firefighting equipment, and the storage and use of
flammable and combustible liquid.
Personal Protective Equipment Program. The Personal Protective Equipment Program will be
developed and implemented to ensure that employees are taking appropriate precautions to
prevent illness and injury during construction. At a minimum, the program will discuss
personal protective devices and procedures to protect the head,eye, face,body,hands, and
feet. The program will also address protection against falls,electric shock, and hearing loss.
The Emergency Response Program. The Emergency Response Program will be developed
and implemented to ensure the proper procedures are implemented in the case of an
emergency during construction. At a minimum, the program will discuss emergency
procedures for the protection of personnel,equipment, the environment,and materials;
reporting procedures;response actions for accidents involving personnel or Property; and
bomb threats. The plan will include procedures for emergency evacuation; spill response,
prevention, and control;and natural disaster response.
Construction Safety Program. The Construction Safety Program will be developed and
implemented to ensure that proper procedures are implemented during construction.. At a
minimum, the program will discuss motor vehicle and heavy equipment safety,excavation
and trenching, fall protection,crane and material handling, employee exposure monitoring,
electrical safety,pressure vessel and pipeline safety,and confined space entry.
Operations Health and Safety Program. Prior to the completion of construction,a Health and
Safety Program will be developed to cover the hazards associated with operations. This
program will include pertinent information on the hazards associated with operating and
maintaining appropriate control measures at the RMEC. The primary components of the
Operations Health and Safety Program will include injury and illness prevention program,
fire protection and prevention program,emergency action program,personal protective
equipment program, and a general RMEC operations safety program.
DEWTG306/011230007.DOC 5-16
5.1.9.4 Safety Training Programs
To ensure that employees recognize and understand how to protect themselves from
potential hazards during this project,comprehensive training programs for construction
and operation will be implemented. Each safety program developed to control and mitigate
potential RMEC hazards will require some form of training. Training will be delivered in
various ways, depending on the state,federal, and local requirements; the complexity of the
topic;the characteristics of the work force;and the degree of risk associated with each of the
identified hazards.
5.1.10 Transportation
Travel Demand
The RMEC project will generate an average of 500 trips per day during the anticipated
19-month time frame encompassing construction of the power plant. Of this total,
construction employees will account for over 80 percent of all site-related traffic (210 vehicle
trips to the site in the morning and 210 trips from the site in the afternoon). The balance of
the daily trips will be material and equipment deliveries. Assuming these deliveries occur
throughout the day, an average of six trips to and from the site will occur every hour of each
8-hour work day. Once the power plant becomes operational, the facility will generate
approximately 50 trips per day.
Power Plant Site Access
During construction, employees will be directed to access the site from the north via the I-76
frontage road and CR 51. Equipment and material deliveries should access the site from the
south side via State Highway 52 and CR 51. The reason two different access routes are
needed is summarized below:
• If all site traffic were to use State Highway 52, the highway may have to be widened to
provide a left turn lane for eastbound to northbound traffic at CR 51. This widening
would require a new bridge over the irrigation ditch,which is located just east of CR 51.
Given the limited duration and number of construction deliveries alone and the normal
traffic after the plant opens,the left turn lane is not required.
• Delivery traffic cannot access the site from the north via the I-76 frontage road and
CR 51 because of the severe crown of the at-grade railroad crossing. Employee-related
traffic,however,can easily negotiate the crossing and the I-76 frontage road has
adequate capacity to accommodate the employee traffic.
Alternative access routes are also being considered which would cross the rail line to access
CR 49.
During construction,it is anticipated that there will be 30 to 40 deliveries involving
overweight and/or oversize loads. These loads may be transported by rail and a temporary
railroad spur connecting the Burlington Northern mainline track to the construction site. If
this approach is deemed to be a viable alternative, it will be discussed with the railroad and
Weld County.
Emergency vehicle access to the site can be provided at two locations. The primary access
may be via CR 51. A secondary access may be via CR 16. CR 16 is recommended because it
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-17
can be accessed from either CR 49 or CR 51. The exact location of these emergency access
points will require input from the Hudson Fire Protection District.
Improvements
The immediately adjacent roadway network consists of Colorado State Highway 52,with an
Annual Average Daily Traffic volume (AADT) of 1200 vehicles;and CRs 49,51, and 16,each
estimated to have AADTs of fewer than 100 vehicles. No traffic count information for the
I-76 frontage road is available,but observation leads to the conclusion that existing traffic
volumes are low. This roadway network has adequate capacity to serve all trips at an
acceptable level of service. The only improvement that maybe needed is the addition of
railroad signals and gates at the CR 51 railroad crossing. This issue will have to be
coordinated with Weld County,the Public Utilities Commission,and the Burlington
Northern Railroad. In terms of maintenance,during construction of the plant,a dust
palliative and roadway surface maintenance program will be required for CR 51. The
specific details of this program will have to be negotiated with the Weld County Public
Works Department.
Wellfield Traffic Impacts
With respect to the Wellfield,four water wells and a small pump house will be constructed
on property northwest of the intersection of CRs 58 and 51,east of Greeley and just north of
U.S. 34. Access to the Wellfield Site is from CR 58. A water transmission pipeline will be
constructed from the site to the Power Plant Site, roughly along the CR 51 alignment.
Wellfield construction-related traffic impacts will be minimal,consisting of the necessary
water well drilling equipment, a small number of construction workers, and the materials
necessary to construct the pump house. It is anticipated that the actual construction period
will be of a short duration.
Water transmission pipeline construction traffic impacts will be typical of longitudinal
utility installation. Appropriate traffic control will be included in the design and planning of
the pipeline project.
Once operation of the Wellfield commences, it is anticipated that an attendant will visit the
pump house and Wellfield on a periodic basis.
Existing access to the Wellfield Site is considered to be adequate,and both the construction
and operational traffic impacts are deemed to be minor.
A more detailed traffic study will be conducted for the RMEC.
5.1.11 Visual Resources
The Applicant has plans to consider the visual resource impacts of the RMEC, evaluating
the RMEC design and potential visibility,as well as the extent to which the RMEC's
presence would change the perceived visual character and quality of the immediate
environment.
A visual impact assessment of the Project Area will be conducted. The visual conditions that
now exist in the Project Area will be determined,and the potential visual impacts from the
RMEC will be evaluated through a photosimulation analysis. Locations of viewpoints,
viewsheds,and key observation points will be established for the impact evaluation.
DENITG308I011230007.DOC 5-18
The analysis of the RMEC's visual impact will be based on field observations and review of
the following information: local planning documents,project maps and drawings,
photographs of the Project Area,computer-generated visual simulations from several
viewpoints,and application of design measures for integrating electric facilities into their
environmental settings.
Site reconnaissance will be conducted to view the Project Area and surrounding area, to
identify potential key observation points,and to take representative photographs of existing
visual conditions.
Photographs will represent the "before"conditions from each key observation point. Visual
simulations will be produced to illustrate the "after"visual conditions from each of these
points,providing the viewer with a clear image of the location, scale,and visual appearance
of the RMEC. The computer-generated simulations are the result of an objective analytical
and computer modeling process. The images are accurate within the constraints of the
available site and project data.
The height of the main stack of the RMEC has the potential to have a visual impact on the
immediate environment. Potential visual impacts from the project will be mitigated through
the use of design elements including,screening,landscaping, and favorable location of the
RMEC relative to topographic elevations. Additional design features will include
architectural designs to blend into the existing landscape,including building elevations and
background coloration.
The RMEC will be located on a lower elevation ridge on the Property to minimize the visual
impact from the main stack. The Wellfield also will be designed to blend into the
surrounding landscape as feasible. The pipelines are expected to have no visual impact, as
they will be buried,and construction activities will be mitigated through restoration of
original ground elevations and reclamation of disturbed soils. Additional design measures
will be refined based on results of the visual impacts evaluation.
5.2 Siting Alternatives Analysis
The proposed Power Plant Site and Wellfield Site were selected as the preferred RMEC
development sites based on consideration of several factors including, availability of
suitable land and resources,preservation of agricultural resources and mitigation of
potential agricultural impacts,compatibility with surrounding land uses,availability of
transportation infrastructure, and minimization of potential environmental impacts, as
described in Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.2.
The Applicant analyzed alternative route siting options for the Water Pipeline and Gas
Pipeline. The route selection process considered several factors including,minimizing
potential impacts to existing land uses and environmentally sensitive areas,and traffic
impacts from construction activities. The routing alternatives for the pipelines are described
in Sections 5.2.3 and 5.2.4.
5.2.1 RMEC Site
The proposed Power Plant Site is described fully in Sections 2 and 4. Preservation of Weld
County agricultural resources and mitigation for any impacts from the RMEC siting were
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-19
considered significant factors in the Power Plant Site selection process. These factors were
favorably addressed by developing only about 14 percent of the available property,leaving
the remainder for active agricultural uses. Additionally, the RMEC will be located a
significant distance from the Property boundary,providing a generous buffer from adjacent
land uses. Adjacent land uses are generally industrial/commercial, rural residential, and
agricultural. (See Section 5.1.6.)
Surrounding infrastructure is favorable for project construction and operations. CR 49 and
51 are adjacent to the Property's west and east boundaries,respectively. State Highway 52,
which provides direct access to CR 49 from Hudson. The Burlington Northern Railroad and
I-76 are adjacent to the northern Property boundary. Water and natural gas supplies are
available by direct routes to the Power Plant Site. (See Sections 5.2.3 and 5.2.4.)
Potential environmental impacts will be avoided by siting the RMEC outside Section 404
Clean Water Act jurisdictional areas, including riparian areas (Box Elder Creek),potential
suitable habitat for wildlife or T&E species,and the 100-year floodplain. The Power Plant
Site is in an upland area that has been actively used for agricultural purposes for several
years and is characteristically highly disturbed relative to natural conditions. No
environmentally sensitive areas will be impacted by the RMEC siting.
5.2.2 Wellfield Site
The proposed Wellfield Site is described in Section 4. The Wellfield Site is zoned for
agricultural uses and is currently used for cattle production and other agricultural activities.
This site is preferred based on its location near the South Platte River.It is anticipated that
the proposed Wellfield will adequately meet the water supply needs of the RMEC. Site
access will be from CR 58,which borders the southern Property boundary, and CR 51,
which borders the eastern boundary.
The Wellfield Site will avoid any potential impacts to sensitive environmental resources.
The Property has been significantly disturbed from grazing and other agricultural activities
and is not characterized by potentially suitable wildlife or T&E habitat. The Wellfield
development will be located outside any Section 404 CWA jurisdictional areas or the 100-
year floodplain.
5.2.3 Comparison of Primary Alternative Routes (Water Pipeline)
An analysis of alternative Water Pipeline routes was conducted to identify the route that
best minimizes conflicts with land use and environmental issues. In general, the Water
Pipeline needs to run from the Wellfield Site to the RMEC,a straight distance of
approximately 22 miles. A 5-mile wide study area was considered for the routing of the
pipeline,shown in Figure 5-2.Within this corridor, three linear alignments were analyzed:
Route A,Route B,and Route C. The study area for all three alternatives is considered to be a
half mile on either side of the road. The topography in the study area is relatively flat.
The least intrusive way to install an underground Water Pipeline is to use existing ROW,
most frequently found along roads. Therefore,all of the routes considered would follow
existing roads and rights-of-way, or logical extensions thereof, to the maximum extent
possible, thus reducing the need to obtain easements or buy property from private property
DEWTG30fl/011230007.DOC 5-20
owners. All three routes are located along section lines. Roads within the RMEC Project
Area were typically built on section grids.
The routes were evaluated on the basis of relevant route criteria such as the existence of
other utilities,minimizing traffic interruptions,availability of area for construction
laydown, the number of residential properties, the amount of biologically sensitive habitat,
the existence of streams and canals,the use of the agricultural lands,and the amount of
disturbance caused by construction.
5.2.3.1 Route A
Route A would follow CR 49 for almost the entire length of the pipeline. CR 49 is a paved
road between I-76 and the Greeley area.The road is busy and is heavily used by commercial
trucks. Numerous utilities were noted in the ROW of the road, including gas and fiber optic
lines.
Agricultural land exists on both sides of the road,with a variety of crops and cattle
operations found along the route. CR 49 passes Klug Lake on the west and crosses Box Elder
Creek once. Route A also crosses irrigation ditches four times. These irrigation ditches are
concrete,engineered structures. Few trees exist along Route A with the exception of trees
planted near residential structures (generally located several hundred feet from CR 49) and
volunteer trees growing along the irrigation ditches.
5.2.3.2 Route B
Route B would follow CR 51 to the maximum extent possible. CR 51 is a dirt road with very
few residences and very little traffic.
There are approximately 9 miles along Route B where CR 51 does not exist;however, the
County still owns ROW along the section lines for the potential future expansion of CR 51.
This ROW currently contains several underground utility lines. The corridor is
characterized by agricultural use including both irrigated and non-irrigated cropland,
grazing land,and cattle operations. There is a large feedlot located along the route just to
the south of Road 36. Route B crosses Box Elder Creek once and crosses irrigation ditches in
eight locations. There were no areas of sensitive biological habitat noted along Route B.
Trees were only noted at residences and irrigation canals.
5.2.3.3 Route C
Route C would follow CR 53 to the maximum extent possible. Similar to Route B,CR 53
does not exist for approximately 7 miles of the length of the proposed pipeline. CR 53 is a
well-maintained gravel road characterized by numerous rural residential homes along the
north end near Kersey. Route C would traverse through Kersey on the extreme north end.
Traffic is heavier along Route C than on Route B,but not as heavy as on Route A. Traffic
along Route C is characterized by cars and light trucks, rather than the large commercial
truck traffic found on Route A. The public ROW along CR 53 is similar in size to that along
CR 51.
Route C crosses Box Elder Creek in one place and crosses irrigation ditches in five places.
DEWTG30B101 1 2 30 0 07.DOC 5-21
5.2.3.4 Comparison of Alternatives
All three routes travel in a north/south direction through agricultural country. Land use is
dominated by irrigated and non-irrigated cropland, grazing,cattle operations,and rural
residences. There are no biologically sensitive habitats along any of the three routes. Areas
of sensitive habitat in Weld County tend to be found along major waterways such as the
South Platte River and its tributaries. All three routes cross Box Elder Creek once and cross
irrigation ditches in several places.
Route A is heavily traveled and the ROW along Route A is crowded with numerous utility
lines. Route C is more heavily populated with rural residences,many of which are new, and
the route passes through the town of Kersey. Routes A and C are less direct than Route B.
Route B has the least amount or residential encroachment,and construction along the route
would likely be easier due to fewer utilities in the ROW. Route B is the shortest possible
route,which results in lower costs and fewer impacts to the environment. Construction
along Route B would be easier due to less traffic, and traffic disruption from construction
would be lower. Construction areas would be easier to build,and safety would be greater
for the construction workers in light of the low traffic numbers. Route B is the preferred
alternative due to fewer residences, fewer disturbances,and ease of construction with
respect to aboveground and underground obstructions.
5.2.4 Comparison of Primary Alternative Routes (Gas Pipeline)
Gas will be needed to fuel the RMEC. The Gas Pipeline is described fully in Section 4.4.2.
Three alternative routes were analyzed for the location of the east/west pipeline, each along
an existing county road ROW,or logical extension thereof. Similar to the Water Pipeline
routes, these routes follow section lines and were analyzed for a half mile on either side of
the route. For purposes of this discussion, these routes are referred to as Routes D,E,and F.
They are shown in Figure 5-2.
5.2.4.1 Route D
Route D follows CR 14. Approximately 2 miles of the road follow an existing county road,
and the remainder is Weld County ROW.
Route D crosses three canals and does not cross any areas of sensitive biological habitat.
There are numerous residences located along CR 14.
5.2.4.2 Route E
Route E follows CR 16. Similar to Route D,about 2 miles of the route would be along an
existing road,and the remainder is Weld County ROW.
Route E is the most direct route from the gas line tie-in to the RMEC. The Platte Valley
airport runway is in the line of Route E. Route E would cross three canals and Box Elder
Creek once. Route E does not cross any areas of sensitive biological habitat.
5.2.4.3 Route F
Route F follows CR 18. Approximately 4 miles of this route would be along the existing
CR 18, 1 mile along CR 49,and the remainder along Weld County ROW. Similar to the other
DEWrG308/011230007.DOC 5-22
alternatives,Route F would cross irrigation canals in three places and Box Elder Creek in
one place. Route F does not cross any areas of sensitive biological habitat.
5.2.4.5 Comparison of Primary Alternative Routes(Gas Pipeline)
All three routes are similar in terms of environmental sensitivity. Some wetlands exist
between Routes E and F,referred to as the Colfer Sloughs. However, if the routes stay
within the county road ROWs,it is unlikely that wetlands would be disturbed during
construction. If wetlands are determined within the preferred pipeline route, the pipeline
will be directionally drilled under them to avoid any impacts. Route D has significantly
more residential homes than Routes E or F.
Route E is the most direct route to the gas tie-in that will be required. Because it is the direct
route, less land would be disrupted during construction, and construction of the pipeline
would take less time. Routes D and F would be approximately 1 mile longer than Route E.
Route E would have to cross the Platte Valley airport,but this could be accomplished with
directional drilling under the affected areas and with little disruption to the airport.
5.3 Mitigation Measures
Potential adverse effects from the RMEC that are being evaluated include possible impacts
to the following resources: agricultural land, minerals,wetlands,wildlife/T&E species,
cultural,visual,noise,water, air, and soils,including dust, erosion,and noxious weeds. The
general approach to mitigation for potential project impacts will be avoidance,wherever
practicable. Where avoidance is not feasible,impacts will be mitigated through application
of best,currently available technology for pollution control and other mitigation techniques,
as required by current local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
5.3.1 Agricultural Land
Of the 633 acres comprising the Property only approximately 88 acres will be used for
development of the RMEC. The majority of the remaining 545 acres (86% of total area)will
continue to be used for agriculture. The RMEC was sited in the current preferred location to
minimize the use of land currently in agricultural uses. This task was accomplished by
locating the RMEC on a partially sloped area west of the majority of the cultivated area.
As part of construction activities, a temporary parking areas, construction office,and
construction material laydown areas (approximately 20 acres) will be constructed adjacent
to the RMEC. This area is part of the area addressed under the current USR application.
Following completion of construction activities, the Applicant may convert this approximate
20 acre area back to its current agricultural land use. Similarly, the majority of the 107-acre
Wellfield Site will also remain in its current agricultural land use.
The areas crossed by the water and natural Gas Pipelines will likely include agricultural
land uses.However, the pipelines will be buried with sufficient cover to allow the continued
use of these areas for agricultural uses. Construction of the pipelines will not significantly
impact agricultural areas.
DEWTG308/011230007 DOC 5-23
5.3.2 Mineral Resources
Mineral resources in the Project Area will not be impacted by project activities. Anacapa
Land Company LLC has obtained a quit claim deed of the hard rock mineral owners surface
entry rights with respect to the Property. Anacapa Land Company LLC is currently
negotiating for the oil and gas rights under the Property. The Applicant currently owns the
sand and gravel mining rights on the Wellfield Site. Oil and gas resources on both sites are
accessible to outside interests.
5.3.3 Wetlands/Waters of the U.S.
Impacts to all Section 404 jurisdictional waters of the U.S.,including wetlands and riparian
areas,will be avoided if possible. The RMEC and Wellfield will be located on uplands,
outside the 100-year floodplain. The pipelines will be directionally drilled under any waters
of the U.S. The RMEC and associated facilities will not impact wetlands and waters of the
U.S.
5.3.4 Wildlife/T&E Species
Mitigation/protective measures will also reduce or eliminate impacts to protected species
that occur within the Project Area. No wildlife,T&E species, or suitable habitat will be
significantly impacted by the RMEC. Impacts will be avoided by locating RMEC
components outside potential, suitable habitat. The RMEC and Wellfield will be located on
previously disturbed agricultural land. The riparian areas associated with Box Elder Creek
to the west of the Power Plant Site will not be impacted. The Gas Pipeline and Water
Pipeline will be constructed using directional drilling techniques when crossing wetlands
and waters of the U.S. Through the avoidance of the wetland areas and potentially suitable
species habitat, the RMEC, Gas Pipeline,Water Pipeline and Wellfield will successfully
avoid potential impacts to protected species that can occur in the Project Area.
5.3.5 Cultural Resources
The best mitigation measure is to avoid impact to cultural resources that may be located in
the Project Area. Avoidance can be accomplished by having the archaeologist and project
engineer demarcate any known cultural resource site boundaries on the ground to ensure
that proposed project improvements do not impinge on the resource(s). Where a tower,
road, or pipeline must be placed within 100 feet of a known archaeological site, the site can
be temporarily fenced or otherwise marked on the ground as an environmentally sensitive
area. Construction equipment can then be directed away from this area,and construction
personnel directed to avoid entering the culturally sensitive area. In some cases, additional
archaeological work will be needed to better delineate boundaries surrounding culturally
sensitive areas.
Cultural resources in the Project Area likely will not be impacted by RMEC activities. A
Class I survey and potentially Class II surveys will be conducted prior to construction to
identify any known historical or archaeological sites. If any potential cultural sites are
uncovered during construction activities, appropriate measures will be taken to protect the
resources.
DEWrG30&I011230007,DOC 5-24
5.3.6 Traffic
A detailed traffic study and mitigation plan will be developed to address potential impacts
resulting from construction and operational activities. Once the RMEC is operational,
impacts will be minor due to the number of employees at the RMEC. The traffic study will
focus on potential traffic impacts during construction. The Applicant will work with the
Weld County Public Works Department to develop the necessary mitigation and roadway
improvement plan to minimize potential adverse traffic impacts to the areas surrounding
the Power Plant Site.
The construction contractor will prepare a construction traffic control plan and
implementation program that addresses timing of heavy equipment and building material
deliveries,signing,lighting, and traffic control device placement.
Methods for mitigating potential traffic impacts caused by construction may include such
activities as stationing flag persons at the access road into the Power Plant Site and placing
advance warning flashes,flag persons, and signage along the roadways associated with the
Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline. Damage to any roadways opened during the construction
of the pipelines will be repaired to or near the preexisting condition. The construction
contractor will work with the local agencies' engineers to prepare a schedule and mitigation
plan for the roadways along the construction routes.
5.3.7 Visual
Potential project impacts to visual resources from the RMEC and Wellfield will be mitigated
through design measures and landscaping. See Section 5.1.11. The pipelines will be buried
and will not create impacts to visual resources. Once construction of the pipelines is
complete,the land surface will be returned to its original contour and revegetated.
Directional drilling will be used for crossings of wetlands and waters of the U.S.
5.3.8 Noise
Potential noise impacts from the project will be evaluated through a noise assessment,
including baseline monitoring for background noise levels and modeling of predicted
impacts. The RMEC will be designed to comply with CRS allowable noise levels. Equipment
will be designed with noise attenuating features. If the regulatory noise levels cannot be
achieved through equipment attenuation, external barrier walls or acoustical enclosures
maybe used to mitigate noise impacts. Worker and visitor exposure will be mitigated
through use of hearing protection materials. See Section 5.1.3.
5.3.9 Water
Measures to mitigate potential RMEC impacts to water quality are discussed in Sections
4.2.7 and 4.7. Water will be conserved to the extent feasible and discharges will be limited
through the design of the RMEC.
5.3.10 Air Quality
The RMEC will be designed to meet all applicable federal and state air quality standards.
The use of natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel available,will ensure effective mitigation for
the formation of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. SCR will be used to control NON,and
exhaust gases will be discharged through stacks of sufficient height,which will ensure
DEWTG308/011230007.DOC 5-25
effective dispersion of atmospheric emissions. This process will mitigate ground-level
impacts to areas surrounding the RMEC. Overall, the RMEC will be one of the cleanest
power producing facilities in the U.S.
5.3.11 Soils, Dust, Erosion, and Noxious Weeds
Potential impacts to soil resources in the Project Area will be mitigated though the use of
BMP,which include erosion and sedimentation control measures,landscaping,and
contouring and grading to minimize loss of soils during construction and operation.
Dust control will be conducted through the application of water to soils during construction,
as needed. Permanent access roads used for operations will be paved.
Noxious weeds will be actively controlled during construction and operations using
recommended methods in accordance with Weld County requirements.
5.4 Public Involvement
The Applicant has a long-standing commitment to the communities in which it does
business and is proud to have earned a nationwide reputation as a good corporate neighbor.
With the development of the RMEC, the Applicant is continuing this tradition in an effort to
ensure that the construction and operation of the RMEC will benefit all of Weld County and
the Front Range.
As part of an effort to be responsive to the community, the Applicant has conducted and
continues to conduct a comprehensive and ongoing community outreach effort to introduce
the residents of southeastern Weld County and the government agencies representing them
to the Applicant. These meetings have given residents an opportunity to meet with the
Applicant's representatives personally,to ask questions and to learn about the plans for the
RMEC.
There are approximately 73 private Property owners whose parcels fall within 1 mile of the
Property boundary. The first attempt to contact these Weld County residents was via phone,
an effort that resulted in 18 separate meetings with a total of 37 residents. All residents with
listed telephone numbers within this 9-square-mile area were called from November
through April. On April 27,2001, the Applicant sent an informational letter to 40 residents
for whom a telephone number was not available.
In addition to meeting with surrounding Property owners,meetings have been held with a
number of referral agencies and elected officials. The purpose of these meetings was to
make an introduction to the RMEC,have an informal discussion about the RMEC in general,
and get an idea of what information these agencies would like to see included in the
Application for Use by Special Review. The agencies and individuals personally contacted,
and scheduled to be personally contacted, include state representatives,County executives
and administrators, town board members, and several representatives of various state,
county,and local agencies.
On March 22,2001 and April 23,2001,Weld County Health Department and Weld Planning
and Development Services Department staff,respectively, toured PSCo's St. Vrain power
facility in Platteville. This tour provided the agency staff with a first-hand example of a
power plant that uses technology to that proposed for the RMEC.
DEN/TG30fl/011230007.DOC 5-26
Now that meetings have been held with numerous Property owners individually,the
Applicant will begin to expand its public outreach efforts and meet with groups in Weld
and Adams Counties such as the Weld and Adams Farm Bureaus,chambers of commerce
and environmental organizations,and others.
5.5 Names/Utilities
A list of utilities with underground facilities in the RMEC project area is provided in
Appendix D.
5.6 Utility Service Ability
5.6.1 RMEC
The RMEC will require utility service for electric power,natural gas, and telephones. While
the RMEC will provide its own electric power during normal operating conditions, electric
service will be required during construction,initial startup and testing of the generating
equipment, and during times when the RMEC is not operating. During these times,electric
service will be provided by United Power, Inc. A letter of commitment of electric service
from United Power, Inc. is provided in Appendix F.
Natural gas, the primary fuel for the RMEC project,will be provided by PSCo through a
long-term contract. The natural gas will be delivered through the Gas Pipeline. See Section
4.4.2. A letter of commitment for natural gas service is provided in Appendix F.
Telephone service will be provided by Qwest. A letter of commitment for phone service is
provided in Appendix F.
Water and sewage disposal services will be provided through an onsite potable drinking
water well and package sewage treatment plant,respectively.
5.6.2 Wellfield
Utility services to be provided to the Wellfield will include electric power and telephone.
Although the Wellfield will not have a permanent work force,wash-water and sanitary
services will be provided through an onsite domestic well and either a package treatment
plant or septic tank system. Electricity for the Wellfield will be provided by Xcel Energy. A
letter of utility service commitment is provided in Appendix G.Phone service will be
provided to the Wellfield by Qwest. A letter of commitment is provided in Appendix G.
5.6.3 Pipeline
Utility services will not be required for the pipelines.
DEwTG30s/011230007.DOC 5-27
5.7 List of Local Governments and Special Districts Affected by
the Development
The Power Plant Site is located within the referral areas of the town of Hudson, town of
Keenesburg,Hudson Fire Protection District,SE Weld County Soil Conservation District,
and RE-3J Keenesburg School District.
The Wellfield Site is located within the referral areas of the City of Greeley,Garden City, the
town of Kersey,Platte Valley Fire Protection District,West Greeley Soil Conservation
District, RE-7 Kersey School District,and Greeley-Weld Airport Overlay District.
The Water Pipeline is located within the additional referral areas of the SE Weld J+ Fire
Protection District and LaSalle Fire Protection District.
The Gas Pipeline is located within the additional referral areas of the town of Ft. Lupton,Ft.
Lupton Fire Protection District, and Platte Valley Soil Conservation District.
DEWTG308I011230007.DOC 5-28
cI
gl1giath, too
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton, Colorado 80120
September 19, 2001
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Department of Planning Services
Attention: Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
1555 North Seventeenth Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
RE: Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC - Supplement To Application
For Use By Special Review
Dear Ms. Daniels-Mika:
As you know, Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC ("RMEC") filed its initial
Application for Use by Special Review ("Application") relating to its proposed power
generation facility near Hudson, Colorado on May 15, 2001. Due to comments received
concerning the Application from members of the community and governmental entities,
RMEC requested a continuance of the Weld County Planning Commission's public
hearing on the Application, originally scheduled for July 17, 2001. On July 17, 2001,
the Weld County Planning Commission approved the RMEC's request for a continuance
of the public hearing. The public hearing is now scheduled for November 6, 2001.
In preparation for the Weld County Planning Commission's November 6 public
hearing on the Application, RMEC respectfully requests the incorporation of the
enclosed supplemental materials into its original Application. Through the submission
of the supplemental materials, RMEC seeks to respond to private and public requests
for additional information about the power generation facility.
Following submission of the Application, RMEC continued to solicit input from
the community and interested public entities concerning the proposed project. RMEC
held an open house on June 21, 2001 to share information about the proposed project
with the community and receive comments from the interested public about the
proposed project; more than 200 nearby residents and members of the community
attended. Similarly, in June, RMEC participated in two Public Service Company of
Colorado open houses relating to the proposed transmission line route. In July and
August, RMEC actively participated in the Independence Stampede, the Southeast Weld
County Fair Parade, the Keenesburg Arts Festival and the 4-H/Future Farmers of
America Annual Junior Livestock Sale at the Weld County Fair. Throughout the
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
September 19, 2001
Page 2
summer, RMEC has met or offered to meet with community organizations including,
the Weld County Farm Bureau, the Adams County Farm Bureau, the Keenesburg
Chamber of Commerce, the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and environmental
organizations.
As RMEC representatives discussed with you during a meeting on August 29,
2001, through the community outreach process described above and in conjunction with
review of the Application by agencies to whom the Application was referred by Weld
County, RMEC received inquires and comments relating to: 1) the source and term of
the water supply (Application Section 4.2.7.2); 2) the proposed lighting system at the
Power Plant Site (Application Section 4.2.13.1); 3) the proposed landscaping plan at the
Power Plant Site (Application Section 4.5); 4) the survey for threatened and endangered
species (Application Section 5.1.4); 5) the transportation and traffic effects from the
construction and operation of the RMEC (Application Sections 5.1.10 and 5.3.6); and 6)
existing land uses in the vicinity of the Power Plant Site (Application Site Drawings).
Supplemental information relating to these topics follows.
1. Water Supply. Section 4.2.7.2 of the Application describes the source of
water supply for RMEC's project. Several of the comments RMEC received following
the submission of its Application related to the nature and term of the proposed water
supply for the project. In general, and as discussed in more detail in the Application,
water to be used for industrial purposes in the power generating plant will be withdrawn
from wells to be located near Kersey, Colorado. From the wells, the water will be
pumped through a pipeline for delivery to the Power Plant Site. Pursuant to the lease
agreement with the City of Aurora (See Application, Appendix E), water in required
quantities will be delivered down the South Platte River to RMEC. This water will be
available to RMEC for a period of at least ten years. Additionally, since the submission
of the Application, RMEC has reached agreement with the Central Colorado Water
Conservancy District (the "Central District") pursuant to which the Central District will
supply water in sufficient quantities to RMEC's wells for the life of the RMEC project.
A copy of the Principal Terms Agreement executed by RMEC and the Central District is
attached to this letter as Attachment A.
In addition, RMEC has determined that it may be beneficial to locate at least
some of the wells to be used for withdrawal of the water on property closer to the South
Platte River and adjacent to the 107-acre parcel described in the Application. If
RMEC's test wells and other engineering efforts confirm that wells located on the
adjacent property are preferable, RMEC will seek the necessary agreements with the
owners of the property for the installation and operation of any such wells. RMEC will
obtain the requisite well permits from the Colorado Division of Water Resources for
any water wells to be used.
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
September 19, 2001
Page 3
2. Lighting System. Section 4.2.13. 1 of the Application describes the
lighting system proposed for the Power Plant Site. Some community members
expressed a desire that off-site lighting effects be reduced as much as possible.
Supplemental information related to the lighting system is enclosed. See Attachment B
which clarifies the original Section 4.2.13.1.
3. Landscaping Plan. In Section 4.5 of its Application, RMEC states its
intent to use landscaping to screen the Power Plant Site. Enclosed is a conceptual
landscape plan prepared by HNTB Corporation for RMEC. See Attachment C. The
conceptual landscape plan provides more details relating to the vegetation RMEC plans
to plant and the location of such landscaping in order to achieve optimal screening of
the RMEC.
4. Threatened and Endangered Species Survey. Section 5.1.4 of the
Application indicates that a threatened and endangered species survey of the project
area would be conducted. In June, 2001, RMEC conducted a threatened and endangered
species survey. A summary of the survey results is enclosed. See Attachment D.
5. Traffic Study. Sections 5.1.10 and 5.3.6 of the Application indicate that
a detailed traffic study would be developed to address the RMEC's construction and
operational activities. A traffic impact analysis prepared by HNTB Corporation for
RMEC is enclosed. See Attachment E.
6. Existing Land Uses. The Application included, in the Site Drawings
section, the Power Plant Vicinity Map. The Power Plant Vicinity Map portrayed the
existing land uses surrounding the Power Plant Site. The Power Plant Vicinity Map has
been supplemented to include information on Supplemental Figure 1 relating to
commercial and industrial uses of properties in the vicinity of the Power Plant Site and
to indicate the currently preferred proposed route for the Public Service Company of
Colorado's transmission line for the project. Supplemental Figure 2 includes this
information on an aerial photograph and also is enclosed. See Attachment F.
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
September 19, 2001
Page 4
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information
in advance of the November 6 public hearing. RMEC appreciates your continuing
assistance with these matters.
Sincerely,
"41/1C7,--
David Perkins
Director- Project Development
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
Attachments
2848231_2.DOC
Attachment A
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton,Colorado 80120
September 17, 2001
VTA RAND PELjvERY
Central Colorado Water Conservancy District
c/o Mr. Tom Cech, Executive Director
3209 W. 28111 Street
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Re: Principal Terms of Water Supply Agreement
Dear Tom:
As we have discussed, the purpose of this letter is to confirm the principal terms
of the agreement that has been reached between the Central Colorado Water
Conservancy District and the Groundwater Management Subdistrict of the Central
Colorado Water Conservancy District (the"District"), and Rocky Mountain Energy
Center, LLC ("RMEC"), pursuant to which the District will supply water to satisfy the
industrial water requirements of RMEC's planned power plant project to be located near
Hudson, Colorado. The District and RMEC (collectively, the "Parties") intend to
incorporate the principal terms described below, along with provisions for
implementation of these terms, into a more detailed water supply agreement to be
finalized shortly.
Water to be used for industrial purposes in RMEC's power generating plant will
be withdrawn from wells to be located near Kersey, Colorado. From the wells, the
water will be pumped through a pipeline for delivery to RMEC's power plant site.
Pursuant to a lease agreement with the City of Aurora, water in required quantities will
be delivered down the South Platte River to RMEC. This water will be available to
RMEC for a period of at least ten years. The primary purpose of RMEC's agreement
with the District is to supplement the water agreement with Aurora, by ensuring that a
long-term legal and physical supply of water is available for withdrawal from RMEC's
wells for the life of the RMEC project.
Central Colorado Water
Conservancy District
September 17, 2001
Page 2
RMEC and the District have agreed in principal to enter into a more detailed and
comprehensive water supply agreement to incorporate the following principal terms.
1. For the life of RMEC's power plant project, the District
shall make available to RMEC water rights in the South Platte River
sufficient to guarantee a legal water supply of at least 3,000 acre-feet
annually for withdrawal from RMEC's wells near Kersey (the"Wells").
The water rights made available to RMEC shall be sufficient to fully and
reliably satisfy RMEC's estimated maximum monthly and daily water
requirements as described in the attached Exhibit 1, subject to certain
defined drought conditions,
2. The parties shall cooperate to obtain any approvals from the
Colorado Division of Water Resources (the "Division") and the Water
Court, including approval of any necessary plan for augmentation, that
may be required for RMEC's well pumping. RMEC shall be responsible
for obtaining required well permits from the Division. The District shall
be responsible for administration and protection of any decreed
augmentation plan or other Water Court decree.
3. RMEC will compensate the District in an amount to be
agreed upon, in return for the actions to be performed by the District and
the covenants and agreements of the District under the water supply
agreement. The District intends to utilize the payments received from
RMEC to enhance and supplement the District's existing water rights
portfolio.
4. The term of the agreement shall be at least 45 years.
5. The Parties will further consider the possible interest of the
District in participating in deliveries of water through the pipeline.
6. Within 30 days of the execution of this letter by the District,
RMEC will tender a non-refundable payment of$40,000.00 to the District
to assist in offsetting the expenses incurred by the District in negotiating
the water supply agreement.
Signature of this letter below by the authorized representatives of RMEC and the
District confirms the agreement in principal of the Parties to the above-described terms,
subject to incorporation of these terms and other necessary terms in a mutually
agreeable final water supply agreement. Both RMEC and the District acknowledge that
approval of the final water supply agreement by RMEC's corporate parent, Calpine
Central Colorado Water
Conservancy District
September 17, 2001
Page 3
Corporation, and the District's Board of Directors will be necessary before the above
agreed upon terms will become binding and enforceable upon either party. The parties
anticipate that these necessary approvals will be obtained.
Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions you may have concerning
this letter or related matters. RMEC appreciates your continuing assistance.
Sincerely,
David Perkins
Director- Project Development
�{ Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
AGREED to this l0 day of September 2001:
CENTRAL COLORADO WATER
CONSERVANCY DISTRICT AND
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
SUBDISTRICT OF THE CENTRAL
COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY
DISTRICT
By: IoM
Tom Cech, Executive Director
Attachment
21149417.1.00C
Supplement to Application Section 4.2.13.1
ATTACHMENT B
The RMEC Power Project Site will require night-time lighting for
operational safety and security. To reduce off-site impacts of the
requirement, lighting at the facility will be largely restricted to areas
required for safety, security and operation. Exterior lights will be hooded,
and lights will be directed on-site so that significant light or glare will not
be created. Low-pressure sodium lamps and fixtures of a non-glare type
will be specified. For areas where lighting is not required for normal
operation, safety or security, switched lighting circuits utilizing switches,
timers and motion sensors will be provided. Such lighting circuits will
permit these areas to remain largely un-illuminated when not being
utilized, thus minimizing the amount of lighting potentially visible off-
site.
The following is an Oversized
Map
Attachment C :
Conceptual Landscape Plan
See Original File
Supplement to Application Section 5.1.4
ATTACHMENT D
A threatened and endangered ("T&E") species survey was conducted for the
RMEC Project for all project components (power plant site, wellfield, and pipelines).
The survey was completed to comply with Endangered Species Act requirements. The
survey was conducted in phases by first obtaining existing information from resource
agencies (Colorado Natural Heritage Program ("CNHP"), Colorado Division of
Wildlife ("CDOW"), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS")) regarding
possible T&E species occurrence. The verification of their presence or absence was
then completed in the second phase by conducting an in-field survey of the site.
Based on information from the CNHP, it was determined that the project
setting occurs within potential suitable habitat areas of the Preble's meadow jumping
mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), the Ute ladies' tresses orchid (Spiranthes
diluvialis), and other sensitive species and habitat types that may occur within the
project area. As a result, further work was performed to determine the presence or
absence in the project area of the following T&E and other sensitive species:
• Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei)
• Ute ladies' tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis)
• Sandhill goosefoot (Chenopodium cycloids)
• Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)and long-billed curlew (Numenius
americanus)
• Honyhead chub (Nocomus biguttatus), Northern redbelly dace (Phoxinus Eos),
and Cylindrical papershell (Anodontoides ferussacianus)
• Natural communities of northern sandhill prairies, plains cottonwood riparian
woodland, and coyote willow/bareground
A phased approach was implemented. Existing information was accessed, and
then the presence or absence of the species of concern was verified through a field
investigation. The surveys were conducted during a period optimal for the
observation of these species.
Results of the field study indicated that the project area (inclusive of all
project components) does not support these species. None of the species, including
both the Preble's meadow jumping mouse nor the Ute ladies' tresses orchid, was
observed during the survey effort. Additionally, the physical disturbance created by
current and historical agricultural and livestock grazing activities makes potential
habitat value to sensitive species limited to nonexistent.
Based on the results of this study, T&E species impacts from project
development are not expected.
ATTACHMENT E
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ENERGY CENTER
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Prepared for:
CALPINE
Rocky Mountain Office
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton, CO 80120
Prepared by:
HNTB CORPORATION
1600 Broadway, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80202
September 13, 2001
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Project Description 1
Travel Demand Forecasts 8
Traffic Analysis 9
Transportation Recommendations 14
HNTB Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
•
List of Figures
1 - Vicinity Map for Power Plant Site 2
2 - Existing Roadway Characteristics 3
3 — Power Plant Site Access Options 4
4 —Vicinity Map for Proposed Well Field Area 6
5 — Existing Roadway Characteristics and Well Field Area Access 7
6 - AM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes During Construction 11
7 - PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes During Construction 12
8 -Transportation Recommendations 15
List of Tables
1 - RMEC Trip Generation 9
2 - Level of Service Criteria 10
3 - Capacity Analysis Results 13
NNTB ° Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Introduction
The Rocky Mountain Energy Center (RMEC) project will provide electricity to Public
Service of Colorado (PSCO) under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The
RMEC project will consist of the following components:
• A 600 megawatt natural gas fired power plant;
• A 230 kilovolt switching station;
• A well field area, primarily consisting of groundwater wells, associated pumps and
piping, and a small maintenance/office building;
• Approximately 22 miles of new water pipeline from the well field to the power plant;
and
• Approximately 8 miles of new natural gas supply line to the power plant facility.
The purpose of this report is to document the traffic impacts associated with the
construction and operation of the power plant and its ancillary facilities.
The following analysis shows the existing roadway network has adequate capacity to
accommodate all RMEC-generated traffic. The only improvements recommended are
for the safety of the higher volumes associated with the construction of the power plant.
To mitigate any potential traffic impacts during construction of the power plant, the
following is recommended:
1. All access to the power plant site should use the 1-76 frontage road and approach the
site from the north via County Road 51.
2. Railroad crossing signals and gates should be installed on County Road 51.
3. Stop signs should be installed on County Road 16 at the intersection with County
Road 51.
4. A dust palliative and roadway surface maintenance program should be initiated
solely for the duration of the construction period for County Road 51 between the I-
76 frontage road and the primary site entrance.
Project Description
The power plant site is northeast of the Town of Hudson in unincorporated Weld County.
All of the major power plant components including the switching station will be
configured on an 88-acre parcel within the 633 acres of property selected by RMEC.
Figure 1 depicts the location of the proposed power plant. As shown, the RMEC
property is bounded by County Road 49 on the west, County Road 16 on the north, and
County Road 51 on the east. Figure 2 documents the existing roadway characteristics.
The primary entrance to the power plant site is via County Road 51 at an existing
driveway. A secondary emergency access is via County Road 16. This access will
require a new access point on County Road 16. Access from County Road 49 was
considered but discounted because it could require an on-site crossing of Box Elder
Creek.
Two different routes to the power plant's primary entrance were identified. Figure 3
illustrates both options. Option A uses the 1-76 frontage road and approaches the site
mil t Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
am it ila
OT y
I& UO
N ;�
oil -
IQ = r t
m m U
r3
ors )ii a. o3
�s as �� ilk
a
to
3 ._ 3 a
U
wzw
as
'au A3SH3S 66 80
W
C7 W
JQ
F
Z N
N
3_
Oy
6
do66O6 O63,
'6i
O6
y
Qo Lb I:13?xx
a
m
c
.N
N
O
U
T
10
0 td
O O
U —
N -C:5
a
O a m LL Z
OO
m •
>. S
0 v c cu a
p c` F m 2
U4H
civieiN
m
Z F
2
I
A
r
�≥ 3 )
JMa 0
l
y a,
NO C N RI w 2
_° p fA E c
NO OM rU
0
ill C v -'
n U a.DI en.. iiWO
WZW
H
-J m pa
N a
y
a
ei
w 18 asam 't 661:13 �/
O$ w
wG� >O
GU d¢ CO
tt
New .. Cr NO N C�
aim
J N
N (d y = Na
y N C
mop _
Nom . c>, Ca
-C N O6O 06' J s-
>≥ 606 Bbd. NO
,(i06 v el
o
Q
Lb tlo N
?0
Mt a¢
c
au-
co
C
N
N
O
D
En
Ora
22
(13
o a m � z
- m T OO
2 CO m c 0 3G ,
O n o .0 m
m c o a o
O O
UJ
W t -it
U = I _t_ MZ r
sm
I
k.W w C
4a 0 C C
a CO
H Q E3U
2 Z � .m C
O O = tc1
a r a U
O O d c a
H 4an In ,ae
lS I:10
ID is
U
O \ ¢ ...} 1 C) a
U V 1 iio°. a
W ZW
` —Iy
_
I
O 4
\\••••••• .....,
O.0-
"MIA3stl3N\ 617 ED
cc W2 d>O
L
YW
N
OA.
Os
b,e
ti0
by
¢Q 14 HD
>O
QR
0.
m
C
N
m(0
O a
C U a
c
O O T «1
'1
a m W O
a m cti u a`) w
Q LLZ
— .) a t c E m r OO r-iCC a o .c m w ¢ � '
in CL o' > mo m x
> _
C C
Cry o c m a E 8 _o
0 o '- m a
Z ¢ C4 0 m o_ a m O
L.LI CC v 3 m
Pi., - F
Z x ( 4.T V t p.
2
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
•
from the north via County Road 51. Option B uses State Highway 52 and approaches
the site from the south via County Road 51.
Option A is the preferred choice for the following reasons:
• Currently, the 1-76 frontage road is not as heavily traveled as State Highway 52 but
has comparable capacity characteristics.
• Construction traffic does not have to be routed through the Town of Hudson.
• There are fewer residential properties north of the site than south of the site along
County Road 51.
• The Kersey interchange is close to the site and provides a high capacity connection
to 1-76.
Both options require an at-grade rail crossing by construction vehicles. The crossing in
Option A is currently uncontrolled and has a steep crown. Based on field observations,
however, the crown of the crossing does not inhibit large trucks from using it. The
crossing in Hudson is relatively flat and controlled with crossing signals.
The proposed well field will be located on and in the vicinity of a 107-acre parcel in
unincorporated Weld County. Figure 4 depicts the location of this property. As shown, it
is northwest of the intersection of County Roads 58 and 51, 1.5 miles northwest of
Kersey. Figure 5 documents the existing roadway characteristics and shows the
proposed access to the 107 acre parcel.
The water will be conveyed from the well field to the power plant through a 22-mile long
pipeline. The preferred pipeline route proposed is along County Road 51.
Natural gas for the RMEC will be delivered via a gas pipeline to be constructed as part of
the project. The pipeline will be approximately 8 miles long and is proposed to extend
west from the power plant site along the preferred route of County Road 16 to the
existing Colorado Interstate Gas transmission pipeline located east of US 85.
In the event all required permits are received, construction of the RMEC is planned to
begin in the spring of 2002 and is scheduled for completion by the spring of 2004. Full-
scale commercial operation is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2004.
_ 5 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
to , a'
V
•
o v
a�
Et - II - .
O 0
CO 0
t O 3 us t;
3 =s
Al CC Lgo ? 3
Q)
o
H
a a
Z O in a ■ u o .tr.`
LU •
CD CCw O I LL '> a
J Z
0-}
�• 0W
Zy
Q
LE'AMH ES HO
x
Lr
e
J
Q LS HO
ti JJQ
-1111
WW=
u.
N
Q
U
OP HO
OP HO
7
2
W y o
W
O 0 m o
C
2 R Q Q U
Cu ¢ 3 N R c c
T a N Q N Q w 'J
-o 3 oo U'
> d Yr L Of 2 d 7 m
a 0 3 7, vs •LL
o o m a 0. U) 5 — a,
Z 0 ca a a am N. W
` Q3 °
o v > I /t
= V
CD-a
Cd-la LL" 0W
NCI- Z
v CC
Ill
LE'AMH ES HO
e
w
C-0
J N j x
CCr N d
C
cc
co
L4J NO
V
Q ��
r � � IS HO
VWW¢
�jj r,-..t
N-ED
J cu
'tip-
...
x
o
A N
J
NO
64 HO
N-O
co
J as
N 0_
y
64 HO
W
Z
2
I
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Travel Demand Forecasts
An average of 250 employees will be on-site each day during the construction of the
power plant. During the peak construction period (months 12 through 19), the number of
employees will grow to 400 per day. Over the course of the project, a total of 7,000
deliveries are expected. A breakdown of the type of deliveries is provided below.
• 50% Equipment
• 30% Concrete
• 20% Consumables
• 2% Steel
• 1% Lumber
• 1% Rebar
• 6% Miscellaneous
Less than one percent of all deliveries would be classified as heavy hauls (250,000 to
540,000 pounds). These deliveries may be brought to the site via rail, which would
require a new rail spur that is currently being analyzed for its feasibility.
Once the power plant is in full operation, 13 and 3 employees will be on-site for the day
shift and night shift respectively. An average of one delivery by truck per day is
expected.
Construction of the well field (from initial site preparation and grading to operation) is
expected to take place concurrently with construction activities at the power plant site.
The estimated time required for construction of the well field will be approximately 6
months from initial well drilling to installation of the pumps, piping, and centralized
pumping station. Materials and equipment will be delivered by truck. The well field will
not have an onsite operator and will rely on maintenance staff from the RMEC.
Water and gas pipeline construction will be typical of longitudinal utility installation and
will be of short duration.
Table 1 documents the expected trip generation for the RMEC project.
1:1►�I r=1 8 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Table 1
RMEC Trip Generation
Total Daily Peak Hour Average Truck
Trips Trips Trips/Day
Power Plant Construction
- Average 446(1) 210 26(6)
- Peak 686(2) 330 26(6)
Power Plant Operation 28131 11 21'I
Well field Construction 92(°) 42 8(8)
Well field Operation 2151 2 N/A
Pipeline Construction (9) (9) 9)
(1) 250 employees/1.2 people per vehicle = 210 trips x 2 (entering in AM and leaving in PM)=420 plus
trucks
(2) 400 employees/1.2 people per vehicle= 330 trips x 2 (entering in AM and leaving in PM)= 660 plus
trucks
(3) 16 employees total/1.2 person per vehicle= 13 trips x 2 (entering in AM and leaving in PM) =26 plus
trucks
(4) 50 employees/1.2 person per vehicle= 42 trips x 2 (entering in AM and leaving in PM)= 84 plus
trucks
(5) 1 employee= 1 trip x 2 (entering in AM and leaving in PM)= 2
(6) 7000 deliveries over 24-month period
24 months x 22 work days/month = 528 delivery days
7000/528 = 13 x 2 (entering and leaving) =26 total truck trips per day
(7) 1 delivery per day x 2 (entering and leaving)=2 total truck trips per day
(8) 4 trucks per day x 2 (entering and leaving) = 8 total truck trips per day(estimate only)
(9) Trips associated with longitudinal construction are usually minimal. Contractor will provide applicable
data when submitting traffic control plans.
N/A Not applicable
Traffic Analysis
Power Plant Construction
As previously stated, all construction traffic will access the site from the north via 1-76,
the 1-76 frontage road and County Road 51. Along this route there are five intersections,
as listed below.
1. Kersey Road and the 1-76 westbound ramps;
2. Kersey Road and the 1-76 eastbound ramps;
3. Kersey Road and the 1-76 frontage road;
4. 1-76 frontage road and County Road 51; and
5. County Road 51 and County Road 16.
9 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Figures 6 and 7 show the forecasted traffic volumes (existing plus site generated) for the
AM and PM peak hours respectively at each intersection. Volumes are not shown at the
County Road 51 and County Road 16 intersection because no existing traffic was
observed during the counting period, and all construction traffic will use County Road 51.
It should be noted the volumes shown represent the average number of construction
employees working at the power plant site. During the peak construction period, these
volumes will be approximately 60 percent higher.
In the AM peak hour, the existing traffic represents approximately 40 percent of the total
projected traffic. In the PM peak hour, the existing traffic represents slightly less than 30
percent of the total projected traffic. In both time periods, 88 percent of all construction
traffic is expected to use 1-76.
In order to determine how well the existing roadway system can accommodate the total
volume of projected traffic, an intersection capacity analysis was conducted. The
capacity analysis provides a method of objectively computing delay for through and
turning traffic at an intersection. Six levels of delay are typically considered and are
usually given letter designations from A to F, with Level of Service (LOS) A representing
the best condition and F the worst. In rural areas, either LOS A or B is considered
acceptable. Table 2 provides the delay criteria used in determining level of service.
Table 2
Level of Service Criteria
Level of Service Average Delay(1)
A 0-10
B >10-15
C >15-25
D >25-35
E >35-50
F >50
(1) seconds per vehicle
Source: Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board, 2000
Table 3 presents the results of the capacity analysis for three different time periods.
Background represents existing traffic without construction. The other two time periods
represent various levels of activity over the 24-month construction timeframe.
l_ ►� =1 10 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
I O y
0 i
r\ C1.
y"'�`�5'p) V 0
�i ti0 L.
U
i C C C
ego O 3 p tl
rc
020x. 8
mg L ttoo 0 = 0 CD
to
LS eo �i a y -'
ca Mgt" 3 c - '
EDcr
O � < > Q x
W Z
ZW
�o ioo a a
i� \�\/�o col
,o`Old
,4 Lot
'0H A3SH3M ` 64 80
QC
�o\ >�
v v•1@\ ¢¢
� a
5!> y�\�
M1S\O�`� S �N
0\ giro
�! JAOQ =
�S� o
���P��� c& bcb
o Co d6
2p
6
L4 tl0
Q
-O
¢¢
a
m
c
0)
u)
O
c U
c n
N as
O O U
o a) -% m aZ
ro ro c OO
z us
as
w O- ¢° c m w 3Q ,
al Ca0roi s 2 `T' I` O-_
0
O c7 Cu C m o m a
iii
O cc
ED W U 3 I 0 m
Z J � F 2 o fM�
N is
2
I
0
cTO
a U
0
i 13
y ��q10� it d ,,
/ w 3
ti 3 1 c
��� 0 0 0 U
010 = sz
L C 0 - 5
1.5 HO 5) Q. = x Y�
go
O 0:
ID U
RH
WZW
�\ 4.-, 1,j5` as
55151
61O
'OH A35H3)I ` I `� 69 HO
11 ao
�• Oq cc cc
5ty
1q\o\\�h��
yo =
t/
\f°`f\
>Rt� py
ryq/�Q\/��\°( obpb� p6�l6
emsc` �d•i
Wpb
y L4 HO
HO
>a
O
¢¢
a
a
C
N
N
O
m Uin
o O
U i m
m cc
H
p O ca 5 O Z
d
6 m Co 3 ZN
a ii 01 C O
d �, 2 ~_
F c
0 oc' t o ° a
Z ¢ C7 U in a t°
w ' -ILJJ
sH 0 3 0 : m
Z J CC Io
E
2
I
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Table 3
Capacity Analysis Results
Intersection Peak Period Background Average Peak Activity
Activity
Kersey Rd / 1-76 WB AM A 8.7 A 8.8 A 8.9
PM A 8.7 A 7.8 A 8.2
Kersey Rd / 1-76 EB AM A 7.7 A 7.7 B 10.4
PM A 8.8 A 9.5 B 11.0
Kersey Rd / Frontage Rd AM A 8.3 A 9.3 A 8.4
PM A 8.3 A 9.8 B 13.4
Frontage Rd / CR 51 AM A 8.0 A 8.5 A 9.6
PM A 9.1 A 9.8 B 12.1
CR51 / CR16 AM (1) (1) (1)
PM (1) (1) (1)
(1) Intersection could not be analyzed because no side street traffic from CR16 was observed. All
construction traffic on CR51 is through traffic,which would not experience delay.
As shown, the LOS is the same for both existing and existing plus average construction
activity. During peak construction activity, the LOS goes from A to B at three of the four
intersections. LOS B, however, is still considered acceptable.
Power Plant Operation
Traffic associated with the daily operation of the power plant will be six percent of the
average construction traffic. This six percent translates to approximately a ten percent
increase in total traffic. Consequently, there will be no change in the background levels
of service shown in Table 3.
Well Field Construction
The well field construction will only generate 92 trips per day for approximately six
months. The existing roadways in the vicinity of the well field have adequate capacity to
accommodate these volumes with little or no impact.
Well Field Operation
The well field will not have on-site staff to operate the facilities, so the site will generate
little or no traffic on a daily basis. Consequently, there will be no impacts to the adjacent
roadway system.
Pipeline Construction
Because most of the pipeline construction is adjacent to the roadway, any traffic impacts
will be minimal in nature and can be mitigated with traffic control methods. It is the
responsibility of each contractor to develop traffic control plans for approval by the
appropriate jurisdictions prior to construction.
1_ ►'i i_ 13 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Transportation Recommendations
Based on the foregoing analysis, the existing roadway network has adequate capacity to
accommodate all RMEC-generated traffic. Furthermore, no acceleration or deceleration
lanes are required because the 20-year minimum volume threshold is not met.
The only improvements recommended are for the safety of the higher volumes
associated with the construction of the power plant. These improvements are located on
County Road 51 and consist of installing signals and gates at the railroad crossing and
stop signs at the intersection of County Road 51 and County Road 16. The existing rail
crossing has already been improved with a concrete surface and asphalt approaches, so
no further surface treatments are required in this area.
In addition, the power plant construction related traffic volumes warrant a dust palliative
and roadway surface maintenance program. This treatment should extend between the
1-76 frontage road and the primary site entrance solely for the duration of the
construction period. Figure 8 shows the locations of the recommended improvements
and the limits of the maintenance program.
I►'i I n 14 Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Weld County, Colorado
Co
ez
o 03 Ana) =C t L, 0-0•- H L.
0 a� -O la > C.. O Z,0 0 V -
Uv act a5 a) 0 ado 0C /�1 O '''U
cc caC N� TN 01E2 _ - m �i
_o _ c w`° 3� asEac 0 5 cye
O Ts-a aNm LD
w caaEo� ct II� It aV
C� a of dCO C C
--Li ism aID
A LS HO
-t734
CC
O CC
O IM WI 0
Cccd
3a� Y }} CC
. I-
O-lm
0.0-
VI A3Stl3N 64 80
w
O w
a�
'ox cc o cc
La cc d
YLo
1-
2
N
N
O6,
Obb a
o %
d� 6
2O
6.), Lu Qo
al HO
at
¢¢
a
m
C
N
y
2
11
O U
c n
N N
o O
U
as cc
o aJ a
<a ca o >. c m
Z vJ
Q m m T co=
ai ,!;-7,)
0 N c a) N c
m a E a
Q o N 2 ._ o
Z ¢ C7 O U) a a` 0)
w
0cc _ m
z f.
2
The following are Oversized
Maps
Attachment F :
Supplemental Figure 1
and
Supplemental Figure 2
(Power Plant Vicinity Maps)
See Original File
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton, Colorado 80120
October 22, 2001
VIA HAND DELIVERY AND FACSIMILE
Department of Planning Services
Attention: Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
1555 North Seventeenth Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
RE: Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC - Supplement To Application
For Use By Special Review
Dear Ms. Daniels-Mika:
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC ("RMEC") filed its initial Application for
Use by Special Review ("Application") relating to its proposed power generation
facility near Hudson, Colorado on May 15, 2001 and provided to the Department of
Planning Services supplemental information relating to the Application on September
19, 2001. On October 8, 2001, the Weld County Department of Public Health and
Environment ("Weld County Health Department") requested additional air modeling
information which illustrates the potential air quality effects of RMEC's proposed
project. In addition, by letter dated October 12, 2001, the Department of Planning
Services requested information concerning RMEC's voluntary investigation of potential
cultural resources, RMEC's water supply and related augmentation plan and RMEC's
closure plan. Finally, the Department of Planning Services has requested that RMEC
provide updated information relating to owners of property (the surface estate) and
owners and lessees of the mineral estate for the Power Plant Site and the Wellfield Site.
RMEC seeks to respond to Weld County's request for additional information
through the submission of the enclosed materials. RMEC respectfully requests the
incorporation of the enclosed supplemental materials into RMEC's Application which
the Weld County Planning Commission will consider at a public hearing scheduled for
November 6, 2001.
1. Air Modeling. Section 5.1.2 of the Application indicates that the
proposed project's potential to affect the existing air quality will be analyzed using
dispersion modeling techniques. The power generation facility will be designed to meet
all applicable federal and state air quality standards. RMEC has commenced this
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
October 22, 2001
Page 2
analysis based on the current design of the facility. The Weld County Health
Department has requested data from RMEC's initial dispersion modeling activities.
RMEC will provide the initial data to the Department of Planning Services and
the Weld County Health Department by October 29. As we have discussed, the facility
design continues to be refined, and therefore, the final dispersion modeling data will be
submitted in the future to the Colorado Department of Public Health and the
Environment ("CDPHE") in order to meet the air quality regulations promulgated by
CDPHE's Air Quality Control Commission; such data may differ from the initial air
quality data submitted to Weld County in connection with its review of the Application.
Nevertheless, the initial data will provide Weld County with sufficient and appropriate
data to enable it to confirm that RMEC has complied with A.Policy1 . of Section 22-4-
50 of the Weld County Code.
2. Cultural Resources. From July through September 2001, the RMEC
conducted an inventory and evaluation of cultural resources that could be affected by its
proposed project. The Power Plant Site, Wellfield Site and Water and Gas Pipelines, as
defined in the Application, were evaluated.
A comprehensive search of maps and computer files was performed at the Colorado
Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for previously recorded sites and
structures that the RMEC's proposed project could potentially affect. One previously
recorded site (5WL268), a Paleoindian site, was identified within the boundaries of the
Wellfield Site, but not in the location of the proposed wells. RMEC's proposed project
will not impact site 5WL268. The map and file search also revealed that, with the
exception of site 5WL268, the Power Plant Site, Wellfield Site and Water and Gas
Pipeline routes had not been the subject of prior field surveys.
Subsequent to the map and computer file search, a field survey was conducted of
the Power Plant Site, Wellfield Site and the Water and Gas Pipelines at transect
intervals of 20 meters (approximately 50 feet). A prehistoric lithic scatter was located
in the southwest quadrant of the Power Plant Site. In addition, a single prehistoric
stone artifact was found in the northwest quadrant of the Power Plant Site, and a single
prehistoric stone artifact was found at the north end of the Water Pipeline route. The
construction and operation of the power generation facility and the Water Pipeline will
not impact the scatter or the individual prehistoric stone artifacts.
Based on the results of this evaluation, the RMEC project will not unreasonably
affect cultural or archaeological resources.
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
October 22, 2001
Page 3
3. Water Supply. Water to be used for cooling and other process purposes at
the RMEC plant will be withdrawn from wells located close to the South Platte River
near Kersey. The water will be delivered through a pipeline to the RMEC plant.
RMEC has entered into a lease agreement with the City of Aurora for the use of fully
consumable water that will be delivered down the South Platte River to RMEC's wells.
The primary wells will be located within 100 feet of the river and will be operated
according to the terms and conditions of well permits to be issued by the State
Engineer.
Other wells will be located farther from the river on the property identified in the
Application as the Wellfield Site. As stated in Sections 4.3. 1 and 5.3.1 of the
Application, RMEC's development of the Wellfield Site will occur on approximately 10
acres, while the agricultural use and designation of the remaining acreage will not be
altered by RMEC. These wells will serve as backup wells and are intended to be used
at times when the primary wells may need repair and access is hindered due to high
river flow conditions. Augmentation of this pumping will be achieved through proper
deliveries of the Aurora water pursuant to an augmentation plan to be submitted in the
future for approval by the Water Court and the State Engineer. By statute, the
necessary approvals may not be issued by the Water Court and the State Engineer
unless it is determined that the augmentation plan will not result in "material injury to
vested water rights."
RMEC and the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (the "District")
have reached agreement concerning the principal terms of a long-term agreement
(extending beyond the length of the Aurora lease agreement for the operational life of
the RMEC plant) pursuant to which the District will provide a reliable, legal supply of
water to RMEC's wells. The agreement, which RMEC and the District anticipate
finalizing shortly, contemplates that the water provided by District will be withdrawn
from RMEC's wells and used for augmentation purposes in the same manner as the
Aurora water, as described above.
RMEC's staff, consulting water engineers, and legal counsel have been and will
continue to coordinate the development and implementation of the RMEC water plan
with staff of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, including the State and
Division Engineers. All necessary approvals will be sought at the appropriate time in
the future from the Water Court and State Engineer, after the precise well locations are
identified.
4. Closure Plan. Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 of the Application describe the
general principles of temporary and permanent closure plans for the RMEC project.
The actual contents of such plans cannot be defined with specificity until the design of
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
October 22, 2001
Page 4
the facility is completed and the operations and maintenance requirements unique to the
RMEC facility have been determined.
In the event temporary closure is required, RMEC will conduct its temporary
closure activities in compliance with all applicable regulations, including those relating
to health, safety and the environment. Similarly, at the time the RMEC facility is
decommissioned permanently, RMEC will comply with all applicable regulations in
effect at the time of the decommissioning and will ensure that the public health, safety
and the environment are protected during the decommissioning activities. By definition,
the temporary and permanent closure plans will change over time to reflect revisions in
the regulatory requirements applicable to the RMEC facility; such regulatory revisions
cannot be predicted at this time.
5. Notification of Property Owners. Appendix B of the Application
included a true and accurate list of the names, addresses and the corresponding Parcel
Identification Number assigned by the Weld County Assessor of the owners of property
(the surface estate) within 500 feet of the Power Plant Site; this list remains true and
accurate for purposes of notification of the Application and the November 6, 2001
public hearing date.
Appendix B of the Application included a true and accurate list of the names,
addresses and the corresponding Parcel Identification Number assigned by the Weld
County Assessor of the owners of property (the surface estate) within 500 feet of the
Wellfield Site. The ownership of Parcel Numbers 096308000022 and 096308000023
has changed. A revised Affidavit of Interested Land Owners Surface Estate is attached
as Attachment A.
6. Notification of Mineral Estate Owners and Lessees. Appendix C of the
Application included a true and accurate list of the names, addresses and the
corresponding Parcel Identification Number assigned by the Weld County Assessor of
the owners and lessees of the mineral estate on or under the Power Plant Site and the
Wellfield Site; this list remains true and accurate for purposes of notification of the
Application and the November 6, 2001 public hearing date.
7. Site Plan. In addition to supplementing its Application with the
information requested by Weld County, RMEC wishes to supplement its Application
with a revised Site Plan. Due to topographical considerations and engineering
requirements, RMEC has revised the location and the configuration of the evaporation
pond and the water storage pond at the Power Plant Site. The nature, purpose and
operation of the identified ponds have not changed. A revised Site Plan is attached to
this letter as Attachment B.
Department of Planning Services
Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
October 22, 2001
Page 5
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information
in advance of the November 6 public hearing. RMEC appreciates your continuing
assistance with these matters.
Sincerely,
David Perkins
Director- Project Development
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
Attachments
OCT 23 2001 12: 02PM CALPINL CORPORATION P. 1
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton, Colorado 80120
October 23, 2001
VIA FACSIMILE
Department of Planning Services
Attention: Ms. Monica Daniels-Mika
1555 North Seventeenth Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
RE: Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC — Supplement To Application For Use
By Special Review
Dear Ms. Daniels-Mika:
This morning, the Department of Planning Services requested additional
information relating to the Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC's ("RMEC") plans for
use of the existing house located at the Wellfield Site. The RMEC will not alter the use
of the house which is currently permitted by Weld County as a primary residential
structure. RMEC has no plans to use any of the existing structures for office or
commercial purposes. RMEC respectfully requests the incorporation of this
information into RMEC's Application which the Weld County Planning Commission
will consider at a public hearing scheduled for November 6, 2001.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
ted
�D avid Perkins
Director- Project Development
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
26 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 600
Littleton,Colorado 80120
October 29, 2001 Weld County planning Dept.
CC i 2 9 200\
Via Hand Delivery RECEIVED
Trevor Jiricek
Weld County
Department of Public Health & Environment
1555 North Seventeenth Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Subject: Summary of Modeling Results for The Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Dear Mr. Jiricek:
In response to your recent request for more information on potential air quality impacts of
our proposed project, we have prepared the following summary of our preliminary
dispersion modeling results.
Modeling was done to determine the air quality impacts of the combustion turbines and
cooling tower plumes in the surrounding areas. Modeling runs were made incorporating
the effects of local terrain and building induced downwash on the resultant
concentrations. The modeling results indicate that all project impacts will be less than
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) significance levels for all averaging periods.
Significance levels establish at what concentration a facility will have impacts to the local
air quality in the region. Initial results indicate that the operation of RMEC will result in
air quality impacts that are insignificant.
Modeling Receptor Grid
The selection of appropriate receptor locations is an important aspect of air quality
modeling analyses because the models estimate pollutant concentrations at these selected
receptor locations. An adequate number of receptors is necessary to accurately represent
the surrounding area and produce those locales where maximum impacts are predicted
from the proposed facility. In this analysis, elevation data was derived from USGS DEM
(digital elevation model) data, acquired from the USGS Web site. This data as provided
has a minimum spacing of 30 meters between each data point. Therefore, this spacing
was selected for receptors in the area close to the plant boundary where predicted impacts
due to downwash might be highest. A close in receptor grid with 30 meter spacing was
created out to a distance of 800 meters from the center of the facility, with receptors
being excluded within the proposed property boundary. A second receptor grid with 100
meter spacing was selected from distance of 800 meters to 2000 meters from the facility.
Department of Public Health and Environment
Mr.Trevor Jiricek
October 29,2001
Page 2
A third grid with 500 meter spacing was created out to a distance of 5000 meters from the
facility. The maximum elevation value within the range of each calculated receptor
location was used for all receptor grids The three grids include a total of almost 5000
receptors to be modeled, which is a very large amount of receptors, and should
adequately represent the surrounding area.
Meteorological Data
The meteorological data used in the analyses was collected at Denver Stapleton Airport
for the years 1986 through 1990. A wind rose is presented below.
•
.- ! ::
The predominant wind direction is from the south and south-southwest.
Department of Public Health and Environment
Mr.Trevor Jiricek
October 29,2001
Page 3
Dispersion Model
For modeling the project in simple, complex and intermediate terrain, the Industrial
Source Complex Short Term, Version 3 (ISCST3 - 00101) model was used with hourly
meteorological data collected at the Stapleton Airport station. The ISCST3 model is a
steady-state, multiple-source, Gaussian dispersion model designed for use with stack
emission sources situated in terrain where ground-level elevations can exceed the stack
heights of the emission sources. ISCST3 calculates ground-level pollution impacts in
simple, intermediate, and complex terrain. The model also treats complex phenomena
such as building-induced plume downwash, gravitational settling and deposition of
particulate matter.
ISCST3 was selected due in part to the varying terrain that is present to the east and south
of the project site. ISCST3 is one of several models recommended by the EPA for such
evaluations. ISCST3 was preferred for this application because it incorporates algorithms
for the simulation of building-induced aerodynamic downwash, and it incorporates the
intermediate terrain algorithm. These effects are of importance because several emission
points may be below Good Engineering Practice (GEP) stack height.
Technical options selected for the ISCST3 modeling are listed below. Use of these
options follows EPA's modeling guidance and/or sound scientific practice. An
explanation of these options and the rationale for their selection is provided below. Note
that certain selected options are overridden by the model when the building downwash
option is selected. The selected input options for ISCST3 are as follows:
• Stack tip downwash.
• Buoyancy induced dispersion.
• Calm wind processing.
• Default wind profile exponents (urban).
• Default vertical temperature gradients.
• Anemometer height= 10 meters.
Stack-tip downwash, which adjusts the effective stack height downward following the
methods of Briggs for cases where the stack exit velocity is less than 1.5 times the wind
speed at stack top, was selected as per EPA guidance.
Buoyancy-induced dispersion, which accounts for the buoyant growth of a plume, caused
by entrainment of ambient air, was included in the modeling because of the relatively
warm exit temperature and subsequent buoyant nature of the exhaust plumes.
Department of Public Health and Environment
Mr.Trevor Jiricek
October 29,2001
Page 4
The calm wind processing option allows the program to exclude hours with persistent
calm winds in the calculation of concentrations for each averaging period. This option is
generally recommended by the EPA for regulatory applications. The ISCST3 model
recognizes a calm wind condition in a binary meteorological data file as a wind speed of
1 meter per second and a wind direction equal to that of the previous hour (a wind speed
of 0 m/sec is used in an ASCII meteorological data file). The calm processing option in
ISCST3 will then exclude these hours from concentration calculations.
Modeling Results
Modeling was performed with the information as discussed above with the ISCST3
model to determine the impacts of the project on both short-term (24-hours or less) and
annual concentrations.
Maximum modeled concentrations for all averaging times were less than the established
significance levels for the following pollutants: Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon
Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter (PM]o), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The following
table lists the established significance thresholds for each pollutant.
PSD Significance Levels for Class II Areas
ug/m3
Pollutant Annual 24 Hr 8 Hr 3 Hr 1 Hr
SO2 1 5 - 25 -
TSP/PM10 1 5 - - -
NO2 1 - - - -
CO - - 500 - 2000
Pursuant to the regulations, if a source's ambient impacts are less than the values in the
table above, no impacts to existing air quality are expected to occur.
The maximum predicted impacts, using the ISCST3 model, were all less than the EPA
significance levels. The modeling impacts are summarized below.
Maximum Modeled Impacts for RMEC
ug/m3
Pollutant Annual 24 Hr 8 Hr 3 Hr 1 Hr
SO2 < 1 < 5 NA <25 NA
TSP/PM10 < 1 < 5 NA NA NA
NO2 < 1 NA NA NA NA
CO NA NA < 500 NA < 2000
Department of Public Health and Environment
Mr.Trevor Jiricek
October 29,2001
Page 5
As the maximum predicted impacts are less than the significance levels, the operation of
the proposed RMEC will not result in impacts or changes to local air quality.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information. RMEC
appreciates your continuing assistance.
Sincerely,
Paul L. Stem
Environmental Manager
Rocky Mountain Energy Center, LLC
Cc Monika Daniels-Mika
Hello