In re Application of Shepard, 012021 VTPSBD, 20-3382-NM

• Docket Nº: 20-3382-NM
• Opinion Judge: ANDREA POPPITI, HEARING OFFICER
• Party Name: Application of Ralph Shepard for a certificate of public good for a 25.0 kW wind net-metered electric power system in Ferrisburgh, Vermont
• Attorney: Matt Chapman, General Counsel Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (for Vermont Agency of Natural Resources) James Porter, Director of Public Advocacy Vermont Department of Public Service (for Vermont Department of Public Service) Net-Metering Notices Green Mountain Power Corporation (for Green Mo...
• Judge Panel: Anthony Z. Roisman, Margaret Cheney, Sarah Hofmann Judges
• Case Date: January 20, 2021

Application of Ralph Shepard for a certificate of public good for a 25.0 kW wind net-metered electric power system in Ferrisburgh, Vermont

No. 20-3382-NM

State of Vermont, Public Service Board

January 20, 2021

Parties:

Matt Chapman, General Counsel Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (for Vermont Agency of Natural Resources)

James Porter, Director of Public Advocacy Vermont Department of Public Service (for Vermont Department of Public Service)

Non-Party Recipients:

Net-Metering Notices Green Mountain Power Corporation (for Green Mountain Power Corporation)

ORDER GRANTING CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC GOOD

ANDREA POPPITI, HEARING OFFICER

In this Order, the Vermont Public Utility Commission ("Commission") adopts the following proposal for decision.

Proposal for Decision

I. Introduction

In this Proposal for Decision, I recommend that the Vermont Public Utility Commission ("Commission") approve, subject to conditions, an application filed by Ralph Shepard ("Applicant") on November 6, 2020, requesting a certificate of public good ("CPG"), pursuant to 30 V.S.A. §§ 248, 8007, and 8010 and Commission Rules 5.100 and 5.700, for a 25 kW wind-powered generation system in Ferrisburgh, Vermont (the proposed "Project").

On November 23, 2020, the Commission issued a memoradum notifying the Applicant that the application was complete. On the same date, the Commission issued an order determining that the Project is a separate plant from a pre-existing 10 kW wind net-metering system (CPG # NM-1304) and a pre-existing ground-mounted 3.3 kW solar net-metering system (CPG # NMR-4256) located on the same parcel.

Notice and copies of the application were provided pursuant to Commission Rule 5.100. The application stated that any person wishing to submit comments or request a hearing in this matter must file comments with the Commission by December 24, 2020.

On December 21, 2020, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation ("DHP") filed comments on the Project stating that the Project will have no adverse effect on historic properties.

No other comments on the application were received by the Commission.

The Commission has reviewed the application and accompanying documents and has determined that, pursuant to 30 V.S.A. §§ 248 and 8010 and Commission Rule 5.100, a CPG should be issued without further investigation or hearing. No party has requested an evidentiary hearing or objected to the materials submitted. Accordingly, the following evidence is admitted as if presented at a hearing: Application; Amended Application; Aesthetic Impact Statement; Wetlands Delineation Information, Description of Preparation of Wetlands Delineation Map, Advance Notice Correspondence, Revised Site Plan (filed 11/12/20), Shepard Wetland Map, Photo Simulation 1 through 3, Shepard Sound Map, Shepard Sound Analysis, and Letter from DHP and USDA, filed 12/21/20.

II. Findings

Pursuant to 30 V.S.A. §...