Petition of GMP-Essex Solar/Storage LLC, 011619 VTPSBD, 18-2902-PET
| Opinion Judge | John J Cotter, Esq. Hearing Officer |
| Party Name | Petition of GMP-Essex Solar/Storage LLC for a certificate of public good, pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 248, authorizing the installation and operation of a 4.5 MW solar electric generation facility and 2 MW battery storage facility in Essex, Vermont |
| Attorney | Gregory Boulbol, Esq., Vermont Natural Resources Board. Daniel C. Burke, Esq. and Alexander Wing, Esq. Vermont Department of Public Service. Donald J. Einhorn, Esq. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Andrew N. Raubvogel, Esq. and Victoria Westgate, Esq., Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Han... |
| Judge Panel | Present: John J. Cotter, Esq., Hearing Officer. |
| Case Date | January 16, 2019 |
Hearings at Montpelier, Vermont December 20, 2018
Gregory Boulbol, Esq., Vermont Natural Resources Board.
Daniel C. Burke, Esq. and Alexander Wing, Esq. Vermont Department of Public Service.
Donald J. Einhorn, Esq. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
Andrew N. Raubvogel, Esq. and Victoria Westgate, Esq., Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand, PLLC for GMP-Essex Solar/Storage LLC.
Alison Milbury Stone, Esq., Vermont Attorney General's Office for Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
Present: John J. Cotter, Esq., Hearing Officer.
FINAL ORDER GRANTING CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC GOOD
John J Cotter, Esq. Hearing Officer
In this Order, the Vermont Public Utility Commission ("Commission") adopts the findings, conclusions, and recommendations made in the Hearing Officer's proposal for decision.
Proposal for Decision
Table of Contents
I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3
II. Procedural History ................................................................................................................... 3
III. Public Hearing and Comments ................................................................................................ 4
IV. Findings ................................................................................................................................... 5
Description of the Project ........................................................................................................... 5
Orderly Development of the Region ........................................................................................... 8
Municipal Screening Requirements ............................................................................................ 9
Need for Present and Future Demand for Service ...................................................................... 9
Impact on System Stability and Reliability .............................................................................. 11
Economic Benefit to the State .................................................................................................. 13
Aesthetics, Historic Sites, Air and Water Purity, the Natural Environment, ............................ 15
The Use of Natural Resources, and Public Health and Safety ................................................... 15
Outstanding Resource Waters ................................................................................................... 15
Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Impacts .............................................................................. 15
Water Pollution ......................................................................................................................... 16
Headwaters ................................................................................................................................ 17
Waste Disposal ......................................................................................................................... 17
Water Conservation .................................................................................................................. 18
Floodways ................................................................................................................................. 18
Streams ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Shorelines .................................................................................................................................. 19
Wetlands ................................................................................................................................... 19
Sufficiency of Water and Burden on Existing Water Supply ................................................... 19
Soil Erosion ............................................................................................................................... 20
Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 22
Educational Services ................................................................................................................. 22
Municipal Services ................................................................................................................... 22
Aesthetics, Historic Sites, and Rare and Irreplaceable Natural Areas ...................................... 23
Aesthetics .............................................................................................................................. 23
Historic Sites ......................................................................................................................... 23
Rare and Irreplaceable Natural Areas ................................................................................... 24
Necessary Wildlife Habitat and Endangered Species ............................................................... 24
Development Affecting Public Investments ............................................................................. 25
Public Health and Safety ........................................................................................................... 25
Primary Agricultural Soils ........................................................................................................ 26
Consistency With Company's Least Cost Integrated Plan ....................................................... 27
Compliance with Twenty-Year Electric Plan ........................................................................... 27
Waste-to-Energy Facility .......................................................................................................... 28
Existing or Planned Transmission Facilities ............................................................................. 28
Woody Biomass Facilities ........................................................................................................ 28
Minimum Setback Requirements .............................................................................................. 28
V. Decommissioning Cost Estimate and Letter of Credit .......................................................... 29
VI. Memoranda of Understanding ............................................................................................... 31
VII. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 33
VIII. Order ................................................................................................................................. 35
I. Introduction
This case involves a petition filed by GMP-Essex Solar/Storage LLC ("GESS" or the "Petitioner") with the Vermont Public Utility Commission ("Commission") requesting a certificate of public good ("CPG") under 30 V.S.A. § 248 authorizing the construction and operation of a 4.5 MW solar electric generation facility and a 2 MW battery storage facility off River Road in Essex, Vermont (the proposed "Project").
In this Proposal for Decision, I recommend that the Commission approve the Project and issue a CPG, subject to conditions.
II. Procedural History
On August 13, 2018, the Petitioner filed a petition with supporting testimony and exhibits (the "Petition") requesting a CPG to install and operate a 4.5 MW solar electric generation facility and a 2 MW battery storage facility off River Road in Essex, Vermont.
On August 14, 2018, the Commission issued a memorandum finding the Petition administratively complete.
On September 4, 2018, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission filed public comments on the Project.
On September 24, 2018, I convened a prehearing conference. Appearances were entered at the prehearing conference1 by Daniel Burke, Esq. for the Vermont Department of Public Service ("Department" or "DPS"); Donald J. Einhorn, Esq. for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources ("ANR"); Alison Milbury Stone, Esq. for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets ("AAFM"); and Andrew N. Raubvogel, Esq. for the Petitioner.
On October 9, 2018, a site visit and public hearing were held. No members of the public attended either the site visit or public hearing.
On October 16, 2018, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation ("DHP") filed comments on the Project.
On October 16, 2018, the Vermont Natural Resources Board ("NRB") filed comments on the Project and a motion to intervene. I granted NRB's motion to intervene by order dated October 22, 2018.
On November 30, 2018, GESS filed supplemental testimony and exhibits, and the DPS filed testimony.
On December 3, 2018, GESS filed a revised version of exhibit GESS-WV-11, a stipulation between the Petitioner and ANR.
On December 7 and 17, 2018, GESS filed additional supplemental testimony.
An evidentiary hearing was held on December 20, 2018, in the Susan M. Hudson hearing room in Montpelier, Vermont.
III. Public Hearing and Comments
On October 9, 2018, I convened a public hearing at the town offices in the Town of Essex, Vermont. No members of the public attended the hearing.
However, public comments were filed by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission on...
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