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Electric Transmission Siting, Permitting and Land Acquisition Energy and the Economy Summit June 26, 2013 The Reason….. Our Lifestyles Depend on Electricity Being There When We Need It ….. • Electricity can't be effectively stored • It has to be produced and delivered when it is needed • This requires a complex system to produce and deliver electricity Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Non-profit G&T cooperative operating in four states Governed by a 44member board, representing TriState’s 44 member cooperatives 200,000 square mile member service territory The Grid….. Tri-State Wholly or Jointly Owns, Operates and Maintains About 5,200 miles of High-Voltage Transmission Network Throughout Four States Transmission Process • Siting • Permitting • Right-of-Way Acquisition What is “SITING”? - The act of finding a place for any permanent use or occupation. There is a Process….. Siting Analysis • Define a “Study Area” • Collect and Map Resource Data • ID Opportunities and Constraints • ID Alternative Routes • Solicit Public Input • Field inspection • Select Preferred Alternative Siting Analysis • High Priorities in NE Colorado Avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to existing land use • Pivot irrigation • Agricultural production • Proximity to homes • Oil and gas production • Environmental constraints Endangered Species • Our service area contains plants and animals that have been listed as threatened or endangered • If these listed species are present seasonal restrictions or area avoidance may be necessary • Surveys may be required prior to work being done to ensure compliance with ESA • Seasonal – avoid nesting timeframe • Avoidance – plants • Non-compliance can result in fines, potential loss of permits/Grants of ROW, and substantial mitigation/reclamation costs. Colorado hookless cactus Federally Threatened Montrose County Penland Beardtongue Federally Endangered Route County Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse Federally Threatened El Paso County Gunnison Sage-Grouse Candidate Ute Ladies’ Tresses Orchid Federally Threatened Morgan County Communications Success Can Depend Upon Effective Public Involvement and How and When You Engage the Public Approach – Open and Transparent Format – Workshops Flush Out Issues Early Audience Landowners Stakeholders Agencies Engaging Landowners Landowners are first engaged through public involvement process Survey permission sought • Land survey • Environmental inspection • Fatal flaw inspection Individual contact following identification of preferred route Permitting • State – CPCN Process • Federal – NEPA Process – Projects crossing federal land – Federal funding • Local Land Use Permit – 1041, SUP, CUP – Separate permit process in each local jurisdiction Permitting • Overhead vs. Underground – Cost of Construction • Underground costs 10-15 times what overhead costs – $350,000/mile vs. $3.5-5 million/mile – Construction impacts • Continuous trench vs. one structure per span – Maintenance issues • Problem areas not readily identifiable underground • Potential need for re-excavation • Repair time extended for underground Right-of-Way • After permitting – Obtain rights to construct, operate and maintain transmission lines within a designated location (may include access) • Transmission line ROW typically consists of perpetual easements – “Right” in the land but not complete ownership Right-of-Way • ROW widths vary depending on voltage – 115kV – 100 feet – 230kV – 150 feet – 345kV – 200 feet • Line typically centered in the easement, with the remainder remaining unoccupied Right-of-Way • Typical Provisions – Perpetual easement – Non-exclusive – Owner can grant easements to others – Farming operations can continue – No structures in ROW – No stockpiling or storage in ROW – No trees Right-of-Way • Compensation – Determination of Value • Market Data Analysis • Appraisals – Good Faith Negotiations are Conducted – Typical offer equals 100% of fee value Tri-State Approach….. • “Not for Profit” Association Committed to Reliable Service at Affordable Cost – Responsible to Overall Membership • Follow and Adhere to Applicable Laws • Negotiate in Good Faith and with Respect • Treat Affected Landowners Fairly Following Construction….. • • • • Repair Construction Damages Ongoing Relationship with Landowners A Presence Throughout Our Service Territory Working For and Through our Membership to Ensure Reliable Service at Affordable Price