Black Mountain Substation Project - Report on Consultation Activity

Transcription

1 B-4 Brian Parent Manager, Revenue Requirements FortisBC Inc. Regulatory Affairs Department 5 th Floor, 1628 Dickson Avenue Kelowna BC V1Y 9X1 Ph: Fax: regulatory@fortisbc.com March 22, 2007 Via Original via mail Mr. R.J. Pellatt Commission Secretary BC Utilities Commission Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Box 250 Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3 Dear Mr. Pellatt: Re: Black Mountain Substation Project - Report on Consultation Activity On February 22, 2007, the BC Utilities Commission ( Commission ) by Order G requested that FortisBC convene a field trip to the proposed substation site and invite, on a timely basis, intervenors, directly affected residents and attendees at the October 26, 2006 public information session. The Commission also suggested that this time would provide FortisBC, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the City of Kelowna, if the City so desires, the opportunity for consultation on the new distribution line as proposed by FortisBC and that FortisBC may also have other consultations it considers important to engage in by March 16, The consultation activity report dated March 22, 2007 is attached. Yours truly, Brian Parent Manager, Revenue Requirements

2 Black Mountain Substation Project Consultation Activity Report March 22, 2007 Background On December 19, 2006 FortisBC Inc. ( FortisBC or the Company ) applied (the Application ) to the British Columbia Utilities Commission ( BCUC or Commission ) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) for the Black Mountain Substation Project ( the Project ). As noted in the CPCN, the Project is required to serve the growing load in the Black Mountain area and to maintain regional reliability. The Project consists of a new distribution substation, transformer and three distribution feeder circuits. A pre-hearing conference was held in Kelowna on Monday, February 19, 2007 to hear submissions on the regulatory process for the review of the Project. Following the conference, the Commission issued Order G under which the Company was directed to convene a field trip to the proposed substation site by March 16, The Company was to invite intervenors, directly affected residents and attendees at the October 26, 2006 public information session to the field trip. In addition, FortisBC was to provide the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the City of Kelowna, if the City so desired, with the opportunity for consultation on the new distribution line as proposed by FortisBC and that FortisBC may also have other consultations it considers important to engage in. Summary of Site Visit A letter of invitation was sent via post, or fax to each of the parties identified in Appendix A attached to this report. This distribution list consists of intervenors, directly affected landowners and attendees at the October 26, 2006 public information session. The letter is attached as Appendix B. The site visit was conducted on March 14, 2007 beginning at 9:00 am and lasted for approximately one hour. Twenty-two people attended the site visit, representing individual land owners, registered intervenors and FortisBC. The attendees are noted in Appendix A. The original site proposed by FortisBC and potential locations advanced by intervenors and FortisBC were discussed. Attendees were provided with a map of the prospective sites (Appendix C) and the Company discussed the relative advantages and disadvantages of each site. Appendix C includes both the sites given consideration by FortisBC prior to the CPCN application as well as sites suggested by stakeholders since that time. The substation site rendition (Appendix D) was provided to attendees to provide an indication of what the substation may look like, but they were told that it was a generic rendition and was not representative of the topography and vegetation of the Black Mountain project. The Company has engaged a landscaping company to provide suggestions on practical screening opportunities that may be considered for this project. The attendees were given an

3 Black Mountain Substation Project Consultation Activity Report March 22, 2007 Page 2 opportunity to ask questions and have their interests and concerns heard by FortisBC representatives. Stakeholder comments are summarized in Appendix E. In light of the input received during the site tour and the Company s ongoing discussions with landowners, the Company will once again review the suitability and availability of a certain number of the substation sites set out in Appendix C. Should the Company conclude that based on its further review, site 8 is no longer the preferred site the Company will inform the stakeholders and the Commission. Distribution Line Consultation In addition to the consultation regarding the substation site, FortisBC representatives also met with interested parties regarding the routing of the distribution feeder in the area of Gallagher s Canyon and Layer Cake Mountain. These groups included the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the City of Kelowna, the Westbank First Nation, and the Gallaghers Canyon Property Owners Association. FortisBC has reviewed the proposed distribution line and has made adjustments to the plan for the line by removing the distribution line crossing in front of Layer Cake Mountain. If the CPCN Application is approved, FortisBC proposes to place the new distribution line alongside the existing transmission corridor that crosses Gallagher s Canyon. FortisBC will place new structures as close to the existing transmission structures as is reasonably possible to make every effort to reduce the visual impact to the users of the park area. The parties were informed of this plan and were supportive of these proposed changes. FortisBC will file the new line routing and design as well as any changes to the overall project costs resulting from this change with the Commission prior to the hearing.

4 Appendix A Invitees and Attendees Name Interest in the Project Attended the field visit - notes Kitty & Peter Green Yes - Peter Dennis Matthews H. & E. Colius Clare Cassan Rebecca Sandberg Yes - Russ and Rebecca Doreen Large Yes - Mike attended Valerie Swaby Mathias Hulten Bonnie Friesz Ted Lester Peter Gregg Yes David Koivukangos Ron Vanden Brink Joan Morgan Yes Una Mak Yes Alvina Waskeiwich Don & Amy Kirschner Yes Mike Chisholm Ernie Mazzahn Yes Gillian Hayward A. Kosiorek Carina Strong Wili Lange Barb & Ken Redlick Yes - Barb Ken & Marina Doege Yes - Marina Janet McCoy Gallaghers Canyon Property Owners Association Yes - with Jim Jecks Murray Kopp Joe Creron Regional District Central Okanagan City of Kelowna Parks Howard & Judith Johnson Gallagher s Canyon Resident Marilyn Foster Friends of the Mission Park Greenway Tom Wisebeck BC Ltd. Emily Gardner Black Mountian Irrigation District Yes Terry Barton attended on his behalf Yes - with Kathie Jones, Peter Dill and David Swanzey

5 Appendix B FortisBC Inc. 5 th Floor, 1628 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y 9X1 (250) March 21, 2007 Mr. Tom Wisebeck BC Ltd West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3 Dear Sir: On February 22, 2007 the British Columbia Utilities Commission established a Regulatory Timetable for the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Application for the Black Mountain Substation Project. As part of the order FortisBC was directed to invite interested parties to the proposed substation site. This will provide an opportunity for local area residents and stakeholders to obtain information on design, potential screening and the location of the proposed site. As an interested party in the Black Mountain Substation Project, you are invited to attend a site visit to the proposed substation location. Date: Time: Location: Wednesday, March 14 th 9:00am Proposed Substation Location intersection of our transmission line with Old Joe Rich Road. Please feel free to contact me directly at (250) if you have any questions. Yours truly, Ameera Shivji Corporate Communications

6 Project Proposal New Substation Highway 33 Appendix B Meeting location Existing Transmission and distribution lines Proposed Substation Old Joe Rich Road 1

7 Black Mountain Substation Investigated Sites Appendix C AM/FM GIS Data Integrity Section 1290 Esplanade, Box 130, Trail BC V1R 4L Legend 1 Investigated Sites Lots (from RDCO and COK) FortisBC Transmission Line Meters Created March 13, 2007

8 Appendix D Substation Rendition (with 50% of equipment) 1

9 Appendix E Summary of Comments from Black Mountain Site Tour Attendees Follow-up phone calls from Black Mountain Residents Barb Redlick Supports any site, but site 8 which is the worst possible site for her She also prefers site 5 over site 8 She would like to see renderings of the site with screening Peter Green Not directly impacted by either site Supportive of building the station under transmission lines on site 5, better looking Not supportive of site 8 because it impacts too many residents Doesn t want the station to be right on the highway Mike Large Prefers site 5 over site 8. Site 5 would be the best scenario in the event that site 1 and 2 are not technically feasible Understands the need in the area Would like to see better renderings in the area Janet McCoy, Gallagher s Canyon Resident s Association No preference regarding the substation Main concern about the line over Layer Cake Mountain, satisfied that this issue has been resolved Russ Sandberg Would prefer the site to go across the valley, but understands the technical constraints Isn t bothered by site 8 or site 5, but would not favour the substation to be close to the highway because it s the entrance of Kelowna Will be able to see the site at most of the locations, but has accepted that fact Ernie Mazzahn: - Does not support site 8 - Thinks sites 3 or 4 would be more appropriate or any other option across the highway - Feels the additional cost should not be a factor Excerpt of from Peter Dill March 17, 2007 I spoke with you during the field trip last Wednesday regarding the location of the Black Mountain Substation. At that time I suggested Investigated Site 5. I was at the meeting as a representative of Friends of Mission Creek with regard to Feeder #3. I would like to expand on my reason for this suggestion. Firstly, it is away from existing housing and this location is unlikely to be developed since it is so close to the highway and the overhead transmission lines. It is simpler to avoid the EM suggestions if possible.

10 Secondly, I think that with removal of fill back from and at the same elevation as the highway, a good site can be generated at 5. After good drainage has been provided then the point of contact with the highway needs to be bermed high enough so that highway travelers will not see the substation. At the east end of site 5 quite a high hill will have to be filled in order that highway travelers cannot see the station as they come down the hill into Kelowna. This large berm could be contoured and planted in a natural fashion so it looks quite respectable. As an alternative, perhaps the City of Kelowna would like to see a Welcome to Kelowna feature at this location. It could look something like the sign out at Old Vernon Rd when entering Kelowna from the North. It would also pull the eyes of travelers down, taking attention away from the power lines above. Such a contribution by Fortis might be an expression of goodwill, or compensation (you spin that). Coming out of Kelowna on Highway 33, the substation would probably not be visible. I think access to the substation could then be from the side-road that we met on at the Eastern end of site 5, alone the back (up hill side) of the large berm. Regards, Peter Dill P.S. A am a retired biologist (PhD) with experience in environmental assessments. As I no longer have a professional registration my contribution should be seen as voluntary and with no legal responsibility. I am just using my experience to try and help. If you are interested in a further look at the area I would come on another site visit (on a warmer day).

11 Excerpt From Peter Gregg I attended your site meeting held on Old Joe Rich Road yesterday. Sorry I was not able to submit my comments yesterday. After listening to the discussion, I would choose site number 5 as my first choice. It appears that the substation would be more suited to staying along the Highway 33 corridor. It would be less intrusive on the Black Mountain Golf Community Development and any other development on the Walker Hill slopes in the future. It also provides you, I think the least cost for road access and site preparation, although I have not considered the cost of the land. As you show a burmed area around the substation with zeroscape landscaping would make it esthetaclly pleasing to the public. It also is close to your new line proposals for Big White and the Gallagher's area. My second choice would be site number 10, which I believe it was said that Black Mountain Irrigation was willing to negotiate with Fortis. Currently. It places the substation away from any residences for some time and is also hidden from the Hiway 33 corridor. The disadvantage I see would be the road cost and site preparation cost, which I believe would be significantly higher that site 5. Thank you for the opportunity to participate. -- Peter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peter Gregg and Assoc Hume Ave. Kelowna, BC V1P 1P2, Canada