Welcome! EnergizeEastsideEIS.org. Agenda. Phase 1 Draft EIS Public Hearing

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1 Welcome! Agenda Open House minutes Presentation minutes Public Comment Period* minutes * The order of speakers will be selected randomly. Phase 1 Draft EIS Public Hearing Ask about the implications and potential impacts of programmatic alternatives evaluated in the Phase 1 Draft EIS on PSE s Energize Eastside project. Tell lead and partner agencies the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Newcastle, Redmond and Renton what you think about the analysis provided in the Phase 1 Draft EIS on PSE s Energize Eastside project. 1 EnergizeEastsideEIS.org Feb/Mar 2016 Programmatic Draft EIS Public Hearings

2 What is Energize Eastside? PSE proposes to construct a new 230 kilovolt (kv) electrical transmission line and substation connecting two existing bulk energy systems to supply future electrical capacity and improve electrical grid reliability for Eastside communities. Technical Issues Projected Eastside load growth is outstripping PSE s capacity to deliver reliable electricity On cold winter and hot summer days 4 transformers and several 115 kv lines operate near capacity These components could exceed their capacity as early as the winter of Regulatory Issues Projected system overloads do not comply with minimum reliability requirements* A new 230 kv transmission line and a new substation is PSE s proposed option The Phase 1 Draft EIS evaluates PSE s proposed option, a no-action and 2 additional alternatives After the EIS is completed, permits are required from all affected jurisdictions Study Area Seattle SeaTac Tukwila Yarrow Hunts Point Point Lake Washington Kirkland Clyde Hill Clyde Hill Medina Mercer Island Beaux Arts Renton Kent * as mandated by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Bellevue Hazelwood Newcastle Talbot Hill Miles U:\GIS\GIS\Projects\14xxxx\D140548_EastsidePSETransmisisonCoor\MXD\CombinedAlts.mxd Redmond Lakeside Ardmore Berrydale Lake Covington Pickering Issaquah Maple Valley Novelty Hill Lake Tradition Existing Substation Roadway Unincorporated King County Alternative 1 (waterside) Alternative 3 Water bodies City Limit 2 Station #1 Overview

3 Phased Review Process SCHEDULE FOR DEVELOPING THE EIS 2015 January 28, 2016 We are here Phase 1 Programmatic Screening Summary Publish Phase 1 Scoping Notice 45-day Comment Period Determine Scope of EIS from Comments Scoping Summary Evaluate Phase 1 Elements of the Environment Issue Phase 1 Draft Non- Project- Level EIS 45-day Comment Period Respond to Comments Phase 1 Draft EIS Comment Summary Phase 2 Project-specific Publish Phase 2 Scoping Notice 45-day Comment Period Scoping Summary Determine Scope of EIS from Comments Evaluate Phase 2 Elements of the Environment Issue Phase 2 Project- Level Draft EIS 45-day Comment Period Respond to Comments Issue FINAL EIS 2017 Phase 1: Programmatic Review Examination of various ways to address capacity deficiency in Eastside electrical transmission network Evaluation of environmental impacts associated with alternative solutions to deficiency problem Potential mitigation measures for significant unavoidable impacts Phase 2: Project-specific Review Examination of project-level alternatives, including possible alternate routes for transmission lines Evaluation of project-level environmental impacts Potential mitigation measures for significant unavoidable impacts 3 Station #1 Overview

4 Power Delivery 101 GENERATION WATTS UP: A guide to energy-speak Reservoir Dams generate 80% of the electricity used in Washington State DAM Generator Powerhouse Spillway Transformer Substation Electrons: Moving from one atom to another Wire: Metals such as copper and aluminum are used because of their flexibility and conductivity TRANSMISSION Amps (amperage) measure the AMOUNT of electricity used. Volts (voltage) measure the pressure, or FORCE of electricity. Watts (wattage) = amps x volts and measure the WORK that electricity does. Ohms measure the RESISTANCE to the flow of current Penstock Turbine Water from penstock turns shaft Control room River Copper wire atoms Plastic insulation over copper wire Power delivered to the substation DISTRIBUTION Protons + Atom nucleus Electrons Outer shell of atom Positively charged protons need missing electrons Negatively charged electrons fill empty spots in atoms ENLIGHTENING: How a light bulb works Electricity excites the electrons in the tungsten wire. One electron bumps another and this bumping releases photons (light) and energy (heat). The tungsten would quickly burn out in oxygen, but lasts when surrounded by the inert gas, argon. Higher-watt bulbs have a bigger filament, so they produce more light. Heat produced SOURCE OF POS ELECTRICITY NEG Incandescent Light Bulb Tungsten wire Power leads Sealed glass bulb (light-diffusing coating inside) Argon gas inside bulb Metal base Flow of electricity Light fixture Gas inside excited by electricity Compact Fluorescent Bulb A CFL is more efficient because it does not waste energy by putting out excess heat. It also lasts longer than an incandescent bulb. A meter measures how much electricity is used by customers KILOWATTHOURS SUBSTATION 8 9 MAIN Fuse boxes prevent overloads and short circuits from doing harm. HIGH VOLTAGE Substation : Electricity is transformed into manageable voltages CUSTOMERS Vault Power delivery for residential and commerical customers Underground vaults (Transformers and Protective Devices) Illustration provided by Seattle City Light and created by Stepherson & Associates Communications 4 Station #2 Electrical System 101

5 Purpose & Need FOR PSE S ENERGIZE EASTSIDE PROJECT Transmission capacity deficiency Increase in electrical demand more people and jobs, larger buildings, more air-conditioned spaces, changes in consumer behavior ELECTRICITY (MEGAWATTS) System capacity range 600 Customer demand forecast with 100% of conservation goals met Customer demand forecast with 75% of conservation goals met Source: PSE Needs Report, May 2015, available at EnergizeEastside.com Close transmission gap to increase reliability Add substation to increase capacity Changes in federal regulations that require a higher level of reliability to prevent widespread system failure Without additional capacity and redundancy, during periods of peak use PSE may be required to implement rotating 2-hour outages to maintain system integrity Area potentially affected by rotating 2-hour outages Source: PSE Energize Eastside Outage Cost Study, October 2015, available at EnergizeEastside.com Documents Reviewed Eastside Needs Assessment Report, Transmission System, King County, October 2013 (PSE/Quanta Technologies) Supplemental Eastside Needs Assessment Report, Transmission System, King County, April 2015 (PSE/Quanta Technologies) Eastside Transmission Solutions Report, King County Area, October 2013 (PSE/Quanta Technologies) Supplemental Eastside Transmission Solutions Report, King County Area, April 2015 (PSE/Quanta Technologies) Independent Technical Analysis of Energize Eastside for the City of Bellevue (Version 1.3) April 28, 2015 (Utility System Efficiencies, Inc.) Energize Eastside Project Memorandum from Keith DeClerck to Mark Johnson, July 31, 2015 (Stantec) 5 Station #2 Electrical System 101

6 What is an EIS? What is SEPA? The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires agencies to consider the likely environmental consequences of governmental decisions with rules providing detail for the environmental review process. What is an EIS and why is it being prepared? An environmental impact statement, or EIS, provides an impartial discussion of: significant environmental impacts reasonable alternatives mitigation measures that would avoid or minimize adverse impacts The Energize Eastside EIS is being prepared because the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Newcastle, Redmond and Renton have determined that the PSE proposal has the potential to result in significant adverse impacts. The City of Bellevue is leading the SEPA EIS process in cooperation with partner cities. The Final EIS is not a permit The EIS is only one of many sets of information permitting agencies will consider as they decide whether to approve the project and issue necessary permits. How will the Final EIS assist decision makers? The Final EIS will include: likely significant adverse environmental impacts of PSE s proposal and alternatives mitigation measures to reduce impacts all comments received on the Phase 1 Draft EIS all comments received on the Phase 2 Draft EIS responses to Phase 1 and Phase 2 comments additional analysis needed based on comments received and new information learned Agency decision-makers will consider information in the Final EIS as they decide whether or not to approve permits for the proposal. They can also condition the approval with requirements to address specific adverse environmental impacts identified in the EIS. 6 Station #3 SEPA Review

7 Heard During Scoping ~365 participants at scoping meetings 450+ comments received Need for the Project Adequacy of PSE s needs analysis Potential for demand-side reductions to address the need Capacity solution exceeds stated need of Eastside growth scaled to address cut-through load between California and Canada Importance of reliable power acknowledged PSE s motivation for the project Proposed Route Alignment Concerns & Questions Concerns about locations in residential areas near community and recreation facilities along pipeline corridor across major earthquake fault along the lakefront in areas considered for other public purposes (i.e., light rail) Potential to reuse existing utility infrastructure corridors Potential to use corridors further east Mitigation for negative impacts Process Requests Transparent and equitable decision making that addresses community concerns Access to all un-redacted project data and documentation Third party evaluations of need assessment Need for review under National Environmental Policy Act Alternative Solutions Proposed Batteries Demand-side reductions (more conservation and efficiency measures) Distributed generation and other new technologies Underground lines Underwater lines Upgrades to existing system Environmental Concerns Loss of trees Loss of wildlife habitat Impact on environmentally sensitive areas: steep slopes, aquifers, streams, wetlands, etc. Decreased soil stability from installation of tall poles Residential Property Impacts Reduced quality of life Reduction in property values Loss of views Increase in electrical discharge noise from overhead wires Loss of trees that buffer views and noise from highways and other high-intensity land uses Having to provide easement access for utility vehicles Compensation for impacts incurred for regional benefit Long-term Community Character Impacts Tall poles Tree removal Views Industrial blight Increased noise Public Health & Safety Health impacts of EMF on people and animals Safety of building electrical infrastructure in the same location as 50-year-old pipelines Safety of building electrical infrastructure along an earthquake fault line Ability of tall poles to withstand earthquakes and severe weather Financial Concerns Rate increase to pay for project combined with loss in property value places a double burden on adjacent property owners Property tax rate increase due to decrease in adjacent property values High impacts to Eastside residents for benefit of foreign investors Evaluate costs of alternative solutions vs. proposed solution 7 Station #4 Phase 1 Programmatic Alternatives

8 No-Action Alternative BASELINE Required under SEPA as a baseline against which the action alternatives can be compared Kirkland Redmond Novelty Hill Yarrow Hunts Point Point Clyde Hill Medina Lake Washington Clyde Hill Bellevue Ardmore Lake Beaux Arts Lakeside Seattle Mercer Island Hazelwood Newcastle Pickering Issaquah Lake Tradition SeaTac Tukwila Renton Talbot Hill Existing Substation Roadway Unincorporated King County Kent Miles U:\GIS\GIS\Projects\14xxxx\D140548_EastsidePSETransmisisonCoor\MXD\CombinedAlts.mxd Berrydale Covington Maple Valley Alternative 1 (waterside) Alternative 3 Water bodies City Limit Maintenance, conservation and certain other activities that do not require state or local government approvals could continue. No new 230 kv line, substation, major battery storage or generation facility would be built. 8 Station #4 Phase 1 Programmatic Alternatives

9 Alt 1 PSE s Proposal NEW SUBSTATION, TRANSMISSION LINE & CONSERVATION PSE s proposed solution Hunts Point Yarrow Point Kirkland Redmond Novelty Hill Add a new transformer at one of three potential substation sites located between SR 520 and I-90 Clyde Hill Medina Lake Washington Mercer Island Vernell Westminster Bellevue Beaux Arts Lakeside Lake Install a new 230 kv transmission line connecting the and Talbot Hill substations with one of the potential substation sites Newcastle Issaquah Lake Tradition Continue energy conservation measures Renton Talbot Hill 0 2 Miles U:\GIS\GIS\Projects\14xxxx\D140548_EastsidePSETransmisisonCoor\MXD\Alternative1_230kV_location.mxd Proposed Substation Existing Substation Proposed 230 kv Transformers Options A+C - Overhead or Underground 230kV Transmission Line Corridor Option B - Existing 230kV Seattle City Light Corridor Option D - Underwater 230kV Transmission Line Corridor Roadway Water bodies City Limits Unincorporated King County Transmission Line Options A. New Overhead 18 or more miles within existing or new utility easements on poles typically feet tall B. Existing Overhead completely rebuilt Seattle City Light 230 kv line, structures and conductors and a new line to a new transformer at substation C. Underground in alignments considered for Option A or B or other rightsof-way with vaults every ¼ mile or so D. Underwater along eastern shoreline of Lake Washington with overhead or underground connections to 1 new and 2 existing substations 9 Station #4 Phase 1 Programmatic Alternatives

10 Alt 2 Integrated Resourcess A POTENTIAL MIX OF APPROACHES TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CAPACITY Energy efficiency promote the installation of more efficient appliances change incandescent to LED light bulbs update windows and insulation and many others Demand response specialized devices that control customers electrical uses to better accommodate and manage peak usage Distributed generation gas turbines waste digesters reciprocating engines microturbines fuel cells Energy storage large scale battery systems ~42 MW substantially expanded and accelerated voluntary customer participation to achieve 3-fold increase of existing PSE program ~32 MW substantially expanded and accelerated to achieve 3-fold increase requires voluntary customer participation ~100 MW solar and wind would contribute minimally to winter peak loads must include energy storage system for peak loads requires voluntary participation ~121 MW requires 6 acres close to center of Eastside Peak power generators single-cycle gas-fired with heat recovery units at 3 locations ~60 MW located at 3 existing substations 10 Station #4 Phase 1 Programmatic Alternatives

11 Alt 3 New Transformers AT EXISTING SUBSTATIONS Seattle Lake Washington Tukwila SeaTac Yarrow Hunts Point Point Clyde Hill Medina Mercer Island Kirkland Beaux Arts Renton Kent Clyde Hill Bellevue Hazelwood Newcastle Talbot Hill Redmond Lakeside Ardmore New 115kV line to Berrydale substation includes a 120ft wide study area corridor Berrydale Lake Covington Miles U:\GIS\GIS\Projects\14xxxx\D140548_EastsidePSETransmisisonCoor\MXD\Alt3Substation_New115kV_location.mxd Issaquah Pickering Maple Valley Novelty Hill Lake Tradition Existing Substation New 230 kv/115 kv Transformers New 115 kv Transmission Lines Roadway Unincorporated King County Alternative 3 Water bodies City Limit Add three new 230 kv 115 kv transformers and security measures at substation and expanded Talbot Hill substation and Lake Tradition (Issaquah) substation Install around 60 miles of new 115 kv overhead transmission lines on new poles feet high Expansion with added security at 5 substations Modifications to 2 other substations Continue energy conservation measures 11 Station #4 Phase 1 Programmatic Alternatives

12 Impacts During Construction COMPARISON OF IMPACTS ACROSS ALL ALTERNATIVES All of the alternatives have some potential for significant impacts. Impacts vary by alternative. No Action Alternative Alternative 1: New Substation and 230 kv Transmission Lines Alternative 2: Integrated Resource Approach Alternative 3: New 115 kv Lines and Transformers Element of the Environment PSE would continue to manage its system as they do at present. Option A: New Overhead Transmission Lines Option B: Existing Seattle City Light 230 kv Transmission Corridor Option C: Underground Transmission Lines Option D: Underwater Transmission Lines Energy Efficiency Demand Response Distributed Generation Energy Storage Peak Power Generation 60 miles of 115 kv single circuit lines and 3 new 230 kv to 115 kv transformers installed at existing substations (Lake Tradition, Talbot Hill, and ). Earth Green House Gas Emissions Water Plants and Animals Energy and Natural Resources Environmental Health Noise Land Use and Housing Views and Visual Resources Recreation Historic and Cultural Resources Transportation to to Public Services Utilities to to to to to Impact Categories Impacts, if any, would be inconsequential Noticeable but infrequent and temporary (such as a noise or emission), or limited in extent (such as a small change in appearance); typically not disruptive or destructive Adverse but limited in scope or effect; within an average range (such as non-impact construction noise like saws and drills, or periods of congestion typical during construction); not exceeding any regulatory standards More than a moderate impact 12 Station #5 DEIS Analysis

13 Impacts During Operation COMPARISON OF IMPACTS ACROSS ALL ALTERNATIVES All of the alternatives have some potential for significant impacts. Impacts vary by alternative. No Action Alternative Alternative 1: New Substation and 230 kv Transmission Lines Alternative 2: Integrated Resource Approach Alternative 3: New 115 kv Lines and Transformers Element of the Environment PSE would continue to manage its system as they do at present. Option A: New Overhead Transmission Lines Option B: Existing Seattle City Light 230 kv Transmission Corridor Option C: Underground Transmission Lines Option D: Underwater Transmission Lines Energy Efficiency Demand Response Distributed Generation Energy Storage Peak Power Generation 60 miles of 115 kv single circuit lines and 3 new 230 kv to 115 kv transformers installed at existing substations (Lake Tradition, Talbot Hill, and ). Earth Green House Gas Emissions to Water Plants and Animals Energy and Natural Resources Environmental Health Noise Land Use and Housing Views and Visual Resources Recreation Historic and Cultural Resources Transportation to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to Public Services to to to to Negligbile to Utilities to to to to to to Impact Categories Impacts, if any, would be inconsequential Noticeable but infrequent and temporary (such as a noise or emission), or limited in extent (such as a small change in appearance); typically not disruptive or destructive Adverse but limited in scope or effect; within an average range (such as non-impact construction noise like saws and drills, or periods of congestion typical during construction); not exceeding any regulatory standards More than a moderate impact 13 Station #5 DEIS Analysis

14 Public Health & Safety NAVIGATING THE PHASE 1 DRAFT EIS Topics Studied Earthquakes and lightning Corona ionization Electric and magnetic fields Hazardous materials Petroleum pipelines Learn More Chapter 3 Earth describes how earthquakes could affect the project. Chapter 8 Environmental Health describes potential impacts to human health. Chapter 15 Public Services describes how fire departments prepare for and respond to electrical fires, substation fires and explosions, and petroleum pipeline fires and explosions. Chapter 16 Utilities describes the location of the Olympic Pipe Line Company s petroleum pipeline system, regulations the company is subject to, and potential for damage to their system during construction of the alternatives. Key Findings All alternatives could be located near natural gas or petroleum pipelines. All pipeline safety regulations and procedures would be followed, including local land use requirements for siting facilities. Close coordination with other utilities would occur. These safeguards minimize the probability of a pipeline disruption causing an explosion, but if this unlikely event were to occur, the magnitude of the impact is potentially significant. In the unlikely event of a petroleum pipeline incident, the Olympic Pipe Line Company (OPLC) Facility Response Plan and emergency response plans adopted by communities along the corridor would be followed. Existing local and regional emergency services are expected to be adequate to address increased demand for response services. No adverse impacts relative to EMF or corona ionization are expected. 14 Station #5 DEIS Analysis

15 Views & Visual Resources NAVIGATING THE PHASE 1 DRAFT EIS Topics Studied Changes to visual character due to introduction of new electrical infrastructure (e.g. transmission poles and substations) Loss of tree canopy and creation of clear zones Obstruction of views or changes to the visual resource due to location of new infrastructure Key Findings All action alternatives could cause significant adverse impacts. Overhead transmission lines have the greatest potential to affect residential views. Of all overhead options, 230 kv lines in a new corridor (Alt. 1, Option A) would have the greatest visual impact while using the existing Seattle City Light 230 kv corridor (Alt. 1, Option B) would have a lower impact. Using existing corridors for 230 kv lines (Alt 1) could affect fewer residential properties than using 115 kv lines (Alt 3), but the taller poles used in Alternative 1 would have a greater contrast with the visual setting. Energy storage facilities (Alt. 2) could result in significant impacts. Peak generation plants or distributed generation facilities could have moderate impacts depending on the size and location of the facilities. Existing 115 kv overhead lines in Bellevue affecting views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline, from approximately 500 feet east and uphill of the lines. Learn More Chapter 6 Plant and Animals provides additional information on loss of tree canopy and creation of clear zones. Chapter 11 Views and Visual Resources identifies potential impacts to views and visual resources. Chapter 12 Recreation provides additional information on parks and recreational resources, which are often considered visual resources or viewpoints. 15 Station #5 DEIS Analysis

16 Property Values & Taxes Concerns regarding property values were raised during the scoping process. Although economic impacts are outside the scope of SEPA (WAC ), due to public concern about the topic, Bellevue considered how the project could affect City tax revenue and in turn affect the City s ability to provide public services. Key Findings According to City of Bellevue Tax Division, property taxes comprise about 20% of the City s operating revenue. The King County assessor confirms that property values can be negatively affected by proximity to transmission lines in some cases. Based on a preliminary assessment of potential effects on property values, the project is unlikely to affect the local governments ability to provide public services. A number of economic factors other than property value and property taxes are important for decision-makers to consider for this project, including economic costs of outages, and other revenues cities would collect. Wooded neighborhood in Bellevue Learn More Chapter 10 Land Use and Housing discusses economics to the extent that a change in property values could result in a change in land use (for example, a single-family residential use becoming vacant or substantially changed resulting from loss in property value) as well as regional planning strategies including economic development. Chapter 11 Views and Visual Resources includes a programmatic-level evaluation of assessor s data to identify a potential correlation between a view of a power line and lower property valuations. Chapter 16 Utilities notes that PSE develops both short-range and long-range infrastructure plans based upon economic, population, and load-growth projections, as well as information from large customers and government stakeholders. For more information refer to the Economic Considerations Report (FCS Group, 2015) available in the EnergizeEastsideEIS.org library. 16 Station #5 DEIS Analysis