Q & A’s
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Q: What is the Broken Bow 115,000-volt Electric Transmission Line Project?
A: Nebraska Public Power District plans to construct a 115,000 volt (115 kilovolt) transmission line in Custer County, east of Broken Bow to:
- Provide a connection to NPPD’s transmission system for an 80 megawatt wind-powered electric generation facility (wind farm) that is expected to be operational in 2012;
- Continue NPPD’s Board of Directors strategic goal of having 10 percent of its energy supply for its native load (in-state) generated from renewable energy sources by the year 2020.
The line will be constructed from a new substation in the southern part of the wind farm to an existing NPPD substation located south of Nebraska Highway 2 near Broken Bow. Electricity will then flow into NPPD’s electrical grid sending power throughout the state.
Q: Why is NPPD planning to build this new transmission line?
A: In February 2008, NPPD’s Board of Directors established a strategic goal that the District would generate 10 percent of its energy supply for its native load from renewable energy resources by the year 2020. To reach that goal NPPD plans to add renewable energy, primarily wind generated energy, through 2020.
In late 2008, NPPD issued a Request for Proposal to wind developers to construct and operate 80 megawatt wind farms to be located near Petersburg and/or Broken Bow. Upon review of the proposals, NPPD Board of Directors selected the Petersburg wind farm proposal (to be built in 2010) and also selected a site east of Broken Bow. NPPD and Broken Bow Wind, LLC, an affiliate of Midwest Wind Energy and Edison Mission Group, signed a power purchase agreement for NPPD to purchase the electric output from the wind farm for a 20-year period. Construction of the wind farm is to begin in October 2011, with the facility becoming commercial in 2012.
PROJECT COST / RATES
Q: What is the cost of the project?
A: NPPD’s estimated cost to build the transmission line is $5.4 million – with an additional $550,000 for work required at NPPD’s Broken Bow substation. The final route and types of structures will be major factors in determining the final cost.
WHOLESALE CUSTOMER INVOLVEMENT
Q: Is the local power utility aware of this project?
A: Yes. NPPD has provided information to the management and Board of the Custer Public Power District on the need to build a transmission line in support of the wind farm.
PROJECT TIMEFRAME
Q: When will the transmission line project begin and be completed?
A: Construction in support of the 115,000 volt transmission line is anticipated to begin mid 2012, with an in-service date in the fall of 2012.
LINE ROUTING / OWNERSHIP
Q: Where will the line be constructed?
A: The new 115,000-volt transmission line is expected to be approximately 9 miles in length. It will run from a substation that will be located in the northeast corner of the study area to NPPD’s Broken Bow substation, located south of Highway 2 southeast of Broken Bow.
Q: Is a line route known?
A: Yes, a line route has been selected (please see the map on our web site).
Q: What type of structures will be used?
A: Single pole and H-frame structures will be used for this project. H-frame structures will be used for the east-west section. A combination of single pole and H-frame structures will be used for the north-south section.
Q: What are NPPD’s routing criteria?
A: NPPD looks at a number of criteria (about three dozen) when siting a transmission line. These criteria range from land use, to number of and proximity to residences, to environmental sensitivities, to cultural or historical areas. Public involvement is a key part of the routing process, and feedback from property owners is gathered throughout the line-routing process to help determine a final line route. NPPD’s transmission line routes must follow section or half-section lines in agricultural areas unless a voluntary easement is granted by the landowners.
Q: Who will own the line?
A: NPPD will own and maintain the transmission line.
Q. Will a new substation be built?
A. Yes. The substation will be located in the northeast corner of the established study area. The substation will be owned and constructed by Edison Mission and will serve as a collector facility for the wind farm. NPPD will upgrade its existing substation near Broken Bow to accommodate the new line.
Q: What precisely makes up the substation? Are these generators, electrical coils, etc.?
A: A substation is a facility typically made up of transformers, circuit breakers, switching equipment and control equipment.
Q: What is the process NPPD will use to work with landowners?
A: First, NPPD develops a study area for a project and presents it to the public, which was done in Broken Bow in March. This is the entire area that is studied for routing the transmission line. NPPD reviewed the study area using high-definition aerial mapping, in-the-field observations, and public comments. Second, NPPD narrowed the options to alternative line routes, including a preferred route that was shown at the open house in November. All comments from both open houses are evaluated as part of the line route determination process. A public hearing will be held to present a proposed route, and NPPD will invite specific landowners along the proposed route to attend. After the hearing and a 30-day public comment period, NPPD will announce a Final Route and begin meeting with landowners along the route. Surveys of proposed easement areas will be conducted as will property valuation appraisals. After engineering is completed, right-of-way agents will meet with landowners to fully explain the project as it relates to their property and explain terms and conditions of the easement needed for the line. NPPD strives for fair and respectful treatment of affected landowners.
RIGHT-OF-WAY / EASEMENTS
Q: If my property ends up in the final line route, how much land will NPPD need to construct the line?
A: For this project, the right-of-way width needed will depend on the structure type that is used, and should range from a minimum of 30 feet (single-pole construction) to a maximum of 50 feet (H-frame construction) on each side of the centerline of the transmission line.
Q: What is the size of a structure’s footprint and the distance between structures?
A: The typical footprint for H-frame construction requires approximately 16 feet from the outside of the two poles with the distance between structures approximately 700 feet. If single pole construction is used, the pole diameter would be approximately 1.5 feet with a distance between poles of approximately 350 feet.
Q: Will I still be able to use my property near the line?
A: General limitations within the right-of-way are to prohibit activities such as construction of buildings, structures, grain bins, planting of trees, hay stacks, dirt mounds, etc., due to public safety concerns, and to ensure the safe operation of the transmission line. NPPD will occupy the area where the transmission line structures are physically located; however, property owners will be able to resume normal agricultural operations in the unoccupied areas.
Q: How do you arrive at the payment method used for easements?
A: Easement compensation will be 80 percent of the appraised value of the easement area (where applicable).
Other payments could include:
- Single pole – $100 per pole;
- 2-pole H-frame located in crop or hay land- $500 per 2-pole H-frame;
- 2-pole H-frame located in pasture land – $250 per 2-pole H-frame;
- Payment for any special considerations on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What access to the structures will be required both during and after construction?
A: If your property is included in the route of the new transmission line, access will be needed during three different time frames: prior to construction, during construction and any future inspection and maintenance activities.
Prior to construction, NPPD may ask you to sign a “Right-of-Entry” document requesting permission to conduct initial design work such as surveying and inspecting for any environmental issues. During the easement acquisition process, right-of-way agents will work with landowners to inform them of the project schedule and determine the best access routes. Following construction, NPPD regularly inspects its lines by means of periodic air and annual ground patrols. If re-entry for maintenance work is necessary, it is NPPD’s practice to contact the property owner prior to construction/maintenance activities. The exception may be under emergency conditions when time constraints may not allow this to happen; however, contact will be made as soon as possible.
Q: How will NPPD settle any property damages due to construction?
A: Landowners are reimbursed for property repairs resulting from work associated with the line both during and after construction. Payments for these repairs are made after review by the landowner/tenant and NPPD.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Q: Has an environmental impact study been conducted for this project?
A: Specific triggers may require the preparation of an environmental impact assessment in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifically, an environmental evaluation is needed under NEPA if a project involves federally managed or owned lands, if federal funding is used for the project, or if the project will require a major federal decision (major permit). At this time, it is not believed an environmental impact study is required for this project. However, a full environmental evaluation is conducted as part of the routing/siting process resulting in preparation of an Environmental Report for the project.
Q: Why are endangered species important?
A: Federally threatened and endangered species (plants and animals) and the habitat in which they occur are protected by federal Endangered Species Act and must be considered under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). When locating, constructing, or maintaining a transmission line, NPPD must abide by federal laws that protect the specific species and their habitat. In addition to the legal necessity to protect endangered species, NPPD feels it has a moral obligation to be good stewards toward the environments in which we work. NPPD worked with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since the beginning of the project to determine potential impacts this project may have on any threatened or endangered species present in the project study area. NGPC and USFWS have both determined that the project is not likely to adversely impact any threatened or endangered species.
