Presentation to Local/State/Federal Agency Mtg November 10, 2015
Summary Proposed 114 mile 500 kv transmission project that will connect with Delaney Substation near Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, and Colorado River Substation near Blythe, California (97 miles in AZ, 17 miles in CA). Joint venture: Abengoa Transmission & Infrastructure and Starwood Energy Group This map identifies the Ten West Link proposed route and alternatives filed with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
Background Historic need 2014 CAISO RFP: Delaney to Colorado River 500 kv Transmission Project July 2015 announcement of approved sponsor to finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the project Early outreach to stakeholders generate feedback (ie routing opportunities and constraints)
Project Team Abengoa Transmission & Infrastructure Emilio Rodriguez Izquierdo, Project Manager Jen Rouda, VP Environmental Development Alyssa Koslow, Project Counsel Starwood Energy Group Rich Weiss, Senior Advisor Project Manager Ali Amirali, Senior VP Anna Mayr, Analyst & Project Coordinator HDR (environmental) Copper State Consulting Group (AZ public engagement) Kearns & West (CA public engagement) Snell & Wilmer (tribal relations)
Process CAISO selection (regional balancing authority for electric power) need determined Project awarded under cost cap, with strict schedule Selection of lead agency for Federal permitting (BLM is federal land manager and they manage for multiple uses) State processes CEQA (CA), CEC (AZ) ROW grant from BLM, State approvals, Local permitting Permitting complete Dec 2017 EPC Notice to Proceed Feb 2018 2 year construction Final COD May 2020
Timeline
Project Need & Benefits Enhances Access to Diverse Resources Facilitates Development of New Renewable Energy Improves Regional Collaboration Strengthens Regional Reliability Promotes Regional Economic Development Conserves Resources
Permitting Coordination with Federal entities: Colorado River Indian Tribe Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Bureau of Land Management U.S. Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Western Area Power Administration (AZ & CA) Coordination with State entities: Arizona Corporation Commission Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Arizona State Historic Preservation Office Arizona Game and Fish Department Arizona State Land Department California Department of Fish and Wildlife California State Lands Commission California Public Utilities Commission Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board Coordination with Local entities: La Paz County and Maricopa County, AZ Riverside County, CA
Siting Philosophy & Planning Work within or next to existing corridors (highways, transmission lines, roads) Identify sensitive environmental/cultural areas (e.g., wildlife areas, sensitive riparian zones, and other areas of environmental or cultural concern) Incorporate information from existing federal and state energy and land use planning efforts Work closely with interested stakeholders and land managers to understand and minimize impacts to sensitive areas Consider sensitive resources during engineering design, construction, and future operations and maintenance
Next Steps Ongoing stakeholder outreach Nov. 9, 5:30 7:30pm, Salome, AZ, Public Open House Nov. 10, 12:30 3:30pm, Phoenix, AZ, Agency Only Open House Nov. 10, 5:30 7:30pm, Tonopah, AZ, Public Open House Nov. 11, 5:30 7:30pm, Quartzsite, AZ, Public Open House Nov. 12, 5:30 7:30pm, Blythe, CA, Public Open House BLM NEPA scoping period Nov/Dec
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