Pennask & Westbank Wind Power Projects

Response to the March 5, 2012 Open House

Comments and Questions

ZED is very pleased to provide a response to the comments and questions received during the March 5, 2012 Pennask & Westbank Wind Power Projects (PWPP & WWPP) Open House in West Kelowna regarding the following topics:

Comments and Questions / Response /
Interest in opportunity to purchase power as a result of the Project to serve nearby Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) settling ponds including onsite treatment (at MoTI expense). / ZED must secure Electricity Purchase Agreements with BC Hydro in order for each Project to supply its power to BC Hydro’s grid (via a direct, independent and separate Point of Interconnect onto a BC Hydro Transmission line).
Query regarding the necessity of a substation. / A small-scale substation is proposed immediately adjacent to the Point of Interconnect onto a BC Hydro Transmission line.
Interest in the Project lifespan and Decommission plans. / The lifespan of each Project is estimated at a minimum of 25 years. Lifespan, Retrofit and Decommission processes will be addressed in the Development Plans.
Interest in investment opportunities. / ZED welcomes discussion regarding potential investment opportunities. Please feel free to contact KPMG, via ZED’s website:
www.zeroemissiondevelopments.com
Interest if the electricity produced will be AC or DC. / The electricity produced is AC (– Alternating Current).
Interest in the length of the Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA). / Each EPA term will be either 20 or 40 years.
Concern regarding the potential impact of increased access to the area. / ZED is using existing service roads and previously logged areas to access each Project wherever possible.
Concern regarding the potential impact on hunting. / ZED will consult with recreational user groups and clubs wherever possible to identify and address each Project’s access and security. These groups are being notified of proposed Project activities.
Concern regarding the potential impact on the fishing in the area. / ZED will consult with recreational user groups and clubs wherever possible to identify and address each Project’s access and security. These groups are being notified of proposed Project activities.
Interest in the ZED relationship with the project previously proposed for Mt. Kathleen. / ZED has no relationship to the previously proposed Mt. Kathleen project.
Concern regarding potential impact on nearby Pennask Creek Protected Area. / The Projects’ environmental assessments identify any potential impact each Project may have on protected areas within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding the potential impact on nearby Hatheume Lake Resort / The Projects’ socio-economic assessment identifies any potential impact each Project may have on recreation and tourism within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in Project footprint sizes. / Each Project’s location, including planned turbine layouts, are currently being finalized and will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in turbine spacing. / Turbine layouts are currently being finalized and will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in maintenance schedule. / Project maintenance is being finalized and will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding the potential impact of noise/acoustic setbacks. / PWPP & WWPP are in remote locations and therefore minimal noise impact is anticipated. However, ZED will identify and address any potential impact in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding potential visual impacts. / PWPP & WWPP are in remote locations and therefore minimal visual impact is anticipated. However, ZED will identify and address any potential impact in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding potential impact on wildlife and migratory birds. / The Projects’ environmental assessments identify any potential impact each Project may have on wildlife, wildlife habitat and migratory birds within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in Sandhill crane migratory patterns. / The Projects’ environmental assessments of wildlife and wildlife habitat identify any potential impact each Project may have on migratory birds within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding potential impact on owls and Lynx seen in the area. / The Projects’ environmental assessments identify any potential impact each Project may have on wildlife and wildlife habitat within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in the extent of debris fields in the event of catastrophic failure and related safety concerns. / The Projects’ effects assessments identify and predict the likelihood of catastrophic failure and the extent of any resulting debris field within the local study areas. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Concern regarding potential impact of air flow/pressure on agriculture and/ or viticulture. / The Projects are located in remote areas. The Project’s’ socio-economic assessments identify any potential impact each Project may have on tourism and agriculture within the local study area. These assessments will be included in the Development Plans as part of the General Area License of Occupation applications to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Interest in height of turbines and length of blades. / The proposed turbines will be between 80 and 105 metres to their hub, and will have blades between 45 and 50 metres in length.
Interest in the status of First Nations engagement. / Over the past three years ZED has engaged in notification activities and/or consulted on the proposed Projects’ developments with the following First Nations:
· Westbank First Nation
· Coldwater Indian Band
· Nooaitch Indian Band
· Shackan Indian Band
· Upper Nicola Indian Band
· Lower Nicola Indian Band
· Penticton Indian Band
· Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council
· Nicola Tribal Association
· Okanagan Nation Alliance

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