3.8 hazards and hazardous materials - acgov.org and hazardous materials ... , and airport‐related...
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐1
October 2014ICF 00323.08
3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials Thissectiondescribestheregulatoryandenvironmentalsettingforhazardsandhazardousmaterialsintheprogramandprojectareas.Itdescribesimpactsinvolvinghazardsandhazardousmaterialsthatwouldresultfromimplementationoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojects.Italsoaddressesgeneralissuesofpublicsafetyrelatedtopotentialaccidents,upsetconditionsincludingtransportofmaterials,andairport‐relatedsafetyhazards.Mitigationmeasuresareprescribedwherefeasibleandappropriate.
AsdefinedbySection25501oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode(HSC),hazardousmaterialsarethose“that,becauseoftheirquantity,concentration,orphysicalorchemicalcharacteristics,poseasignificantpresentorpotentialhazardtohumanhealthandsafetyortotheenvironmentifreleasedintotheworkplaceortheenvironment.”
Hazardouswasteisasubsetofhazardousmaterialsanddefinedas:
[W]astesthat,becauseoftheirquantity,concentration,orphysical,chemical,orinfectiouscharacteristics,mayeithercause,orsignificantlycontributeto,anincreaseinmortalityoranincreaseinseriousillness,orposeasubstantialpresentorpotentialhazardtohumanhealthortheenvironmentwhenimproperlytreated,stored,transported,disposedof,orotherwisemanaged(HSC101075).
Hazardousmaterialscanbecategorizedasnonradioactivechemicalmaterials,radioactivematerials,andbiohazardousmaterials.Nonradioactivechemicalmaterialstypicallyfallwithinthedefinitionsofhazardousmaterialsandhazardouswaste,asdefinedabove.
3.8.1 Existing Conditions
Regulatory Setting
Federal
Hazardous Materials and Waste Handling
ThefederalResourceConservationandRecoveryActof1976(RCRA)establisheda“cradle‐to‐grave”regulatoryprogramgoverningthegeneration,transportation,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardouswaste.UnderRCRA,individualstatesmayimplementtheirownhazardouswasteprogramsinlieuofRCRAaslongasthestateprogramisatleastasstringentasfederalRCRArequirements.InCalifornia,theDepartmentofToxicSubstancesControl(DTSC)regulatesthegeneration,transportation,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardousmaterialwaste.Thehazardouswasteregulationsestablishcriteriaforidentifying,packaging,andlabelinghazardouswastes;dictatethemanagementofhazardouswaste;establishpermitrequirementsforhazardouswastetreatment,storage,disposal,andtransportation;andidentifyhazardouswastesthatcannotbedisposedofinlandfills.Theseregulationsalsorequirehazardousmaterialsuserstopreparewrittenplans,suchasaHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan,thatdescribehazardousmaterialsinventoryinformation,storageandsecondarycontainmentfacilities,emergencyresponseandevacuationprocedures,andemployeehazardousmaterialstrainingprograms.Anumberofagenciesparticipateinenforcinghazardousmaterialsmanagementrequirements,includingDTSC,the
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RegionalWaterQualityControlBoards,andtheAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth’sHazardousMaterials/WasteProgram.
Transportation of Hazardous Materials and Oversized Loads
TheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationregulateshazardousmaterialstransportationonallinterstateroads.WithinCalifornia,thestateagencieswithprimaryresponsibilityforenforcingfederalandstateregulationsandforrespondingtotransportationemergenciesaretheCaliforniaHighwayPatrol(CHP)andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans).Together,federalandstateagenciesdeterminedriver‐trainingrequirements,load‐labelingprocedures,andcontainerspecifications.Althoughspecialrequirementsapplytotransportinghazardousmaterials,requirementsfortransportinghazardouswastearemorestringent,andhazardouswastehaulersmustbelicensedtotransporthazardouswasteonpublicroads.
Caltranshasthediscretionaryauthoritytoissuespecialpermitsforthemovementofvehicles/loadsexceedingstatutorylimitationsonthesize,weight,andloadingofvehiclescontainedinDivision15oftheCaliforniaVehicleCode.RequestsforsuchspecialpermitsrequirethecompletionandapplicationforaTransportationPermit.
Aviation Hazards
FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)Regulations(14CFR77)establishstandardsforwhatconstitutesanobstructiontonavigableairspace.Obstructionsincludeanyobjectifitis:(1)500feetabovegroundlevel;(2)200feetabovegroundlevelorabovetheestablishedairportelevation,whicheverishigher,within3nauticalmilesofanairport;and(3)aboveaheightwithinaterminalobstacleclearanceareaorenrouteobstacleclearancearea.Inaddition,CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCodesection21659prohibitshazardsnearairports(asdefinedby14CFR77)unlessapermitallowingtheconstructionisissuedbytheCaltransDivisionofAeronautics.FAArequiresadevelopertofileaNoticeofProposedConstruction(Form7460)foranystructuregreaterthan200feetabovegroundlevel.Theformrequiresaproposalformarkingandlightingofwindturbinesandtowers.FAAdeterminesiftheproposedprojectwouldcreateahazardtonavigableairspaceandissueseitheraDeterminationofNoHazardoraNoticeofPresumedHazard.
State of California
Californiahazardousmaterialsandwastesregulationsareequaltoormorestringentthanfederalregulations.TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasgrantedthestateprimaryoversightresponsibilitytoadministerandenforcehazardouswastemanagementprograms.Stateregulationsrequireplanningandmanagementtoensurethathazardousmaterialsarehandled,stored,anddisposedofproperlytoreduceriskstohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Severalkeystatelawspertainingtohazardousmaterialsandwastesarediscussedbelow.
Worker Safety
Occupationalsafetystandardsexistinfederalandstatelawstominimizeworkersafetyrisksfrombothphysicalandchemicalhazardsintheworkplace.TheCaliforniaDivisionofOccupationalSafetyandHealth(Cal/OSHA)andthefederalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministrationaretheagenciesresponsibleforassuringworkersafetyintheworkplace.
Cal/OSHAassumesprimaryresponsibilityfordevelopingandenforcingstandardsforsafeworkplacesandworkpracticeswithinthestate.Atsitesknowntobecontaminated,asitesafety
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planmustbepreparedtoprotectworkers.Thesitesafetyplanestablishespoliciesandprocedurestoprotectworkersandthepublicfromexposuretopotentialhazardsatthecontaminatedsite.
Fire Protection
TheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode(Section4101etseq.)includesfiresafetyrequirementsforwhichtheDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE)hasadoptedregulations(forexample,Chapters6and7ofChapter1.5of14CCR)thatapplytostateresponsibilityareas(SRAs).Asthenameimplies,SRAsareareaswhereCALFIREhasprimaryresponsibilityforfireprotection.Duringthefirehazardseason,theseregulations:(a)restricttheuseofequipmentthatmayproduceaspark,flame,orfire;(b)requiretheuseofsparkarrestors1onequipmentthathasaninternalcombustionengine;(c)specifyrequirementsforthesafeuseofgasoline‐poweredtoolsinfirehazardareas;and(d)specifyfire‐suppressionequipmentthatmustbeprovidedonsiteforvarioustypesofworkinfire‐proneareas.
SRAsincludemuchofthewildlandsinunincorporatedAlamedaCounty.AccordingtoCALFIRE’shazardsareamapping,theprogramareaislocatedinazonethathasamoderatetohighriskforwildlandfirehazardswithintheSRA(CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2007).
Local
Alameda County General Plan
TheSafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty2013)containsgoals,policies,andactionstheCountymighttakerelatedtononnaturalhazardsandfirehazards.Manyoftheprinciplesandactionsrefertonewdevelopment.Thoserelatingtotheproposedprojectasanexistingfacilityareexcerptedbelow.
Goal2.Toreducetheriskofurbanandwildlandfirehazards.
P3.Developmentshouldgenerallybediscouragedinareasofhighwildlandfirehazardwherevegetationmanagementprograms,includingthecreationandmaintenanceoffuelbreakstoseparateurbanuseswouldresultinunacceptableimpactsonopenspace,scenicandecologicalconditions.
Goal4.Minimizeresidents’exposuretotheharmfuleffectsofhazardousmaterialsandwaste.
P1.Usesinvolvingthemanufacture,useorstorageofhighlyflammable(ortoxic)materialsandhighlywaterreactivematerialsshouldbelocatedatanadequatedistancefromotherusesandshouldberegulatedtominimizetheriskofon‐siteandoff‐sitepersonalinjuryandpropertydamage.Thetransportofhighlyflammablematerialsbyrail,truck,orpipelineshouldberegulatedandmonitoredtominimizerisktoadjoininguses.
East County Area Plan
TheECAPcontainsthefollowinggoals,policies,andimplementationprogramsrelatedtofireprotection.
1Asparkarrestorisadevicethatprohibitsexhaustgasesfromaninternalcombustionenginefrompassingthroughtheimpellerbladeswheretheycouldcauseaspark.Acarbontrapcommonlyisusedtoretaincarbonparticlesfromtheexhaust.
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Hazard Zones
Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoenvironmentalhazards.
Policy134:TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialnaturalhazards(flooding,geologic,wildlandfire,orotherenvironmentalhazards)unlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.
Environmental Health and Safety
Program117:TheCountyshallworkwiththeCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtectiontodesignate“veryhighfirehazardseverityzones”inconformancewithAB337(1992).TheCountyshallensurethatallzonesdesignatedassuchmeetthestandardsandrequirementscontainedinthislegislation.
Program118:TheCountyshallprepareacomprehensivewildlandfirepreventionprogramincludingfuelbreaks,brushmanagement,controlledburning,andaccessforfiresuppressionequipment.
Alameda County Department of Environmental Health
TheAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth(ACDEH)istheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)forAlamedaCounty.ThiscertificationbytheCaliforniaSecretaryofEnvironmentalProtectionauthorizestheACDEHtoimplementtheUnifiedHazardousWasteandHazardousMaterialsManagementRegulatoryProgramspecifiedinHealthandSafetyCodeChapter6.11ofDivision20(beginningwithSection25404).AstheCUPA,ACDEHoverseestheregulatoryprogramsforHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlans,undergroundandabovegroundstoragetanks,onsitetreatmentofhazardouswaste,hazardouswastegenerators,andCaliforniaAccidentalReleasePrevention.
Alameda County Construction and Debris Management Ordinance
TheAlamedaCountyConstructionandDebrisManagementOrdinancespecifieshowproject‐relatedconstructionanddemolitionwasteishandled.Theordinancecoversanyprojectrequiringademolitionpermitandspecifiestheminimumrequirementsfordiversionorsalvageofwaste.ProjectscoveredunderthisordinancearerequiredtosubmitadebrismanagementplantotheAlamedaCountyBuildingDepartment.
Contra Costa County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
TheContraCostaAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan(ALUCP)isdesignedtopromotecompatibilitybetweentheairportsinContraCostaCountyandsurroundinglanduses.TheALUCP,asadoptedbytheContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCommission(ALUC),designatescompatibilitycriteriaapplicabletolocalagenciesintheirpreparationoramendmentoflanduseplansandordinancesandtolandownersintheirdesignofnewdevelopment.
TheALUCPisprimarilyconcernedwithlandusesnearthetwopublic‐useairportsinthecounty,BuchananFieldAirportandByronAirport.
Policiesapplicabletotheprogramareexcerptedbelow(ContraCostaCounty2000).
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6.5 Compatibility Zone “C1” Criteria
6.5.4HeightLimitations–Unlessspecificexemptionisgranted(seeCountywidePolicy4.3.2),theheightofobjectswithinCompatibilityZoneC1shallbelimitedinaccordancewiththeByronAirportAirspaceProtectionSurfacesdrawing(Figure4A).
(a)Generally,thereisnoconcernwithregardtoanyobjectupto100feettallunlessitislocatedonhighgroundoritisasolitaryobject(e.g.,anantenna)morethan35feettallerthanothernearbyobjects.
(b)ALUCreviewisrequiredforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.
6.7. Compatibility Zone “D” Criteria
6.7.4.HeightLimitations—SeecriteriaforCompatibilityZoneC1.
6.8 Height Exception Overlay Zone
6.8.1.HeightLimitations—Unlessaspecificexemptionisgranted(seeCountywidePolicy4.3.2),theheightofobjectswithintheHeightExceptionOverlayZoneshallbelimitedinaccordancewiththeByronAirportAirspaceProtectionSurfacesdrawing(Figure4A).
(a)Objectswithinthiszonemayexceedtheheightlimitsestablishedinaccordancewithfederalairspaceprotectionstandardsiftheheightislessthanthatofnearbyobjectsorterrain.
(b)Generally,thereisnoconcernwithregardtoanyobjectupto50feettallunlessitislocatedonhighgroundoritisasolitaryobject(e.g.,anantenna)morethan35feettallerthanothernearbyobjects.
(c) ALUCreviewisrequiredforanyproposedobjecttallerthan50feet.
6.8.2.OtherDevelopmentConditions
(a) DedicationofanavigationeasementtoContraCostaCountyshallberequiredasaconditionforapprovalofanydevelopmentinthiszonehavingaheightinexcessof50feet.SeeCountywidePolicy4.3.3.
(b) Allothercriteriaoftheunderlyingcompatibilityzoneshallapply.
Best Management Practices
AsdiscussedunderChapter3.6,GeologyandSoils,anyfutureprojectthatwoulddisturb1ormoreacresofsoil,orwoulddisturblessthan1acrebutispartofalargercommonplanofdevelopmentmustobtaincoverageunderGeneralPermitOrder2010‐0014‐DWQ.CoverageundertheGeneralPermitrequiresdevelopmentandimplementationofaStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP).TheSWPPPmustincludeplansforerosionandsedimentcontrolandwouldadheretotheCounty’sgradingordinanceandBMPs.TypicalconstructionerosioncontrolBMPsarelistedbelow.
Performclearingandearthmovingactivitiesonlyduringdryweather.
Limitconstructionaccessroutesandstabilizedesignatedaccesspoints.
Prohibitcleaning,fueling,andmaintainingvehiclesonsite,exceptinadesignatedareawherewashwateriscontainedandtreated.
Properlystore,handle,anddisposeofconstructionmaterials/wastestopreventcontactwithstormwater.
Trainandprovideinstructiontoallemployees/subcontractorsonconstructionBMPs.
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Controlandpreventdischargeofallpotentialpollutants,includingpavementcuttingwastes,paints,concrete,petroleumproducts,chemicals,washwaterorsediments,rinsewaterfromarchitecturalcopper,andnon‐stormwaterdischargestostormdrainsandwatercourses.
Alameda County Wind Farm Standard Conditions
AsdiscussedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,thereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty.SetbackrequirementsoriginallydevelopedforAlamedaCountywindfarmsinthe1980sand1990sweretypicallyappliedtowindprojectsusingoldergenerationturbines;however,theserequirementshavebeendeemedinappropriateforthefourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepowering.Accordingly,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofupdatedstandardstobeusedforproposedrepoweringprojects.TheseareshowninTable2‐2.
Professional Standards for Environmental Site Assessments
TheAmericanSocietyofTestingandMaterials(ASTM)establishedASTME1527‐00StandardPracticeforEnvironmentalSiteAssessments:PhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentProcess(PhaseIESA).ThepurposeoftheASTMstandardsistoidentify,totheextentfeasible,recognizedenvironmentalconditionsinconnectionwithasubjectproperty.ASTMdefinesrecognizedenvironmentalconditionasthepresenceorlikelypresenceofhazardoussubstancesasdefinedbythefederalComprehensiveEnvironmentalResponse,Compensation,andLiabilityAct,aswellasconditionsthatindicateanexistingrelease,apastrelease,oramaterialthreatofareleaseofpetroleumproductsintotheground,groundwater,orsurfacewater.
AccordingtoASTM,thePhaseIESAisacomprehensiveassessmentandistobeperformedbyanenvironmentalprofessional.Thedutiesoftheenvironmentalprofessionalincludethreetasks:interviewsandsitereconnaissance,reviewandinterpretationofinformation,andoversightofwritingthereport.
Anenvironmentalprofessionalisdefinedassomeonewithatleastoneofthequalificationslistedbelow.
AcurrentProfessionalEngineer’sorProfessionalGeologist’slicenseorregistrationfromastateorU.S.territorywith3yearsequivalentfull‐timeexperience.
ABaccalaureateorhigherdegreefromanaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducationinadisciplineofengineeringorscienceand5yearsequivalentfull‐timeexperience.
Theequivalentof10yearsfull‐timeexperience.
Environmental Setting
Blade Throw
Onepotentialhazardofwindturbineoperationisbladethrow.Bladethrowcanoccurifallorpartofarotorbladedetachesfromtheturbine,typicallyasaresultofequipmentfailureoranextremeeventsuchaslightningstrikeorhighwinds.Thedistanceabladeisthrowndependsonseveralfactors:turbineheight,topography,bladeorbladefragmentlength,rotorspeed,windspeed,anddepartureangle(LarwoodandvanDam2006).Bladefragmentshavethepotentialtoflyfartherthancompletebladesbecausetheinitialvelocityatfailuretendstobehigherforafragmentthanforafullblade.Ingeneral,bladethrowtakesplacepredominantlyintheplaneofrotation,not
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downwind;however,becauseturbinenacellesturntofacethewind,thepotentialhazardzoneisconsideredasaradiusofthepotentialbladethrowdistancewiththetowerascenterpoint.
Theaveragewindturbineheightintheprogramarearangesfrom18to55metersforexistingfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesandfrom65to88metersforthird‐generationturbines.Theturbineheightoffourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementsabove,theminimumdistancetoensuresafetyfrombladethrowhazardwouldbe459metersfrombuildingsitesand918metersfromI‐580forthetallerwindturbines.
Examinationoftheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarelessthanthreetimestheturbineheightfromhumanstructures(e.g.,countyroadsandresidences).
Nearby Schools and Airports
ThenearestschooltotheprojectisMountainHouseElementary(3950MountainHouseRoad,Byron),approximately0.48mileeastoftheAPWRA.SanJoaquinDeltaCollege(2073SouthCentralParkway)isapproximately0.5mileeastoftheAPWRA.
ThenearestpublicuseairporttotheprojectareasisByronAirport,1.26milenorthoftheAPWRA,andthenearestprivateairstripisMeadowlarkAirfield,3.16milessouthoftheAPWRA.
Fire Protection
Fire Protection Providers
TheclosestCALFIREstationtotheprojectareaistheCastleRockStationat16502SchulteRoadinthecityofTracy,approximately3mileseastoftheeasternprogramareaboundary.TheCastleRockStationispartoftheCALFIRE’sSantaClaraUnit.Thisisaseasonalstationgenerallyoperatingduringfireseason,whichtypicallyextendsfromthemiddleofMaythroughtheendofOctober.
CrewsandequipmentfromseveraldifferentlocationsrespondtowildlandfiresintheAPWRA.AccordingtoMikeMartin(pers.comm.2013),BattalionChiefofCALFIREBattalion4,SantaClaraUnit,atypicalCALFIREresponsetoafullwildlanddispatchwouldinvolvetheresourceslistedbelow.
Six4‐wheel‐driveenginesdispatchedfromTracy,EastContraCosta,Sunol,andPatterson,eachcapableofholding500gallonsofwater.
Twoairtankers,eachcapableofholding1,200gallonsofwater.
OnehelicopterfromtheSantaClaraUnitwitha6‐personcrew.
Onebattalionchief.
Onetothreewatertendertrucks,eachcapableofholding2,000gallonsofwater.
Twobulldozers.
21five‐personhandcrewsdispatchedfromDeltaCampinFairfield.
Oneairtacticalaircraft,afixed‐wingaircraftusedasaerialcommandandcontrolofaircraftonwildlandfires,dispatchedfromHollister.
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AlthoughtheAPWRAisunderCALFIREjurisdiction,theAlamedaCountyFireDepartment(ACFD)wouldalsorespondtoanywildlandfireintheprogramarea.TheACFDisaConsolidatedDepartmentwithatotalof30firestationsservingtheunincorporatedareasofAlamedaCounty;thecitiesofSanLeandro,Dublin,Newark,UnionCity;theLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratory;andtheLawrenceLivermoreNationalLaboratory.Servicesincludefiresuppression,arsoninvestigation,hazardousmaterialsmitigation,paramedicservices,urbansearchandrescue,fireprevention,andpubliceducation.
Stations20and8arethetwoACFDstationsclosesttotheprogramarea.Station20islocatedattheLawrenceLivermoreLaboratoryat7000EastAvenueinLivermore,approximately3milesfromtheprogramarea’swesternboundary.Station20employstwocrewscomprisingeightfirefighters,oneTypeIIIengine,twoTypeIVapparatus(patrols),ahazardousmaterialsunit,andanambulance(AlamedaCountyFireDepartment2012).InadditiontotheLawrenceLivermoreLaboratory,areasofresponsibilityincludetheAltamontPassareatothecityofTracyboundariesandtheeasternedgeofthecounty(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[a]).
Station8,at1617CollegeAvenueinthemiddleofLivermore,servesabout250squaremilesofunincorporatedruralareaineastAlamedaCountyandisresponsible,inpart,forthevastunincorporatedareaoftheAltamontPass.Typically,Station8woulddispatchfourengines,a3,000‐gallonwatertender,andabattalionchief.
Engineshold500–700gallonsofwaterandrefillfromthewatertender(Berdanpers.comm.).Ifmorewaterisneeded,thewatertenderwouldlocatethenearestfirehydrantwhich,dependingofwherethefireislocated,couldbeasfarasthecityofLivermore(Berdanpers.comm.).Therearealso5,000‐gallonwatertanksonsomeofthepropertiesintheAltamontPass(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[b]).Finally,ifnecessary,helicopterscouldretrievewaterfromseveralreservoirs(e.g.,Bethany,CliftonCourtForebay,LosVaqueros)inandneartheAPWRA(Berdanpers.comm.).
TheACFDhasanautomaticaidagreementwiththeLivermore/PleasantonFireDepartment(LPFD),whichwillrespondtogetherwiththeACFDifneeded(Berdanpers.comm.).ThereisalsoamutualaidagreementbetweentheACFDandtheTracyRuralFireDepartment(TRFD)fortheareaseastofGrantLineRoadontheeasternedgeofthecountyline(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[b]).
Fire Hazards
Fivegeneralcategoriesoffireoriginareassociatedwithwindgenerators:hardwareandconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,construction‐relatedaccidents,andavianrelatedincidents.
Wildfiresrelatedtopowercollectionlinesandmalfunctionormechanicalfailureofturbinescanresultfromturbineoverload,bearingoverheating,orpendantcablefailure;suchincidentsoccurprimarilyonolderunits.(Apendantcableisacollectionoflow‐voltageandcommunicationcables,whichdropthroughthetopoftheturbinesupportstructureandconnecttoaweatherheadorjunctionboxatalowerlevelonthetower.)Ifnotproperlymaintained,thesecablesmaytwistandbindorrubandcauseanelectricalshort,emittingsparksorflames.Onun‐enclosedtowersthesparkscanescapethestructuremoreeasily.Avian‐relatedincidents(i.e.,electrocutedbirds)involvingbirdscatchingfireandfallingtothegroundhavealsobeenasourceofwindgenerator–relatedfiresintheprogramarea.
FirepreventionisrequiredundertheexistingCUPs.ExhibitCofthe2005CUPsdescribestheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirements.Themainmechanismforfirepreventionisthe
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maintenanceofa30‐foot‐widefirebreakaroundbuildingsandstructures,includingturbines,riserpoles,andsubstations.Firebreaksaroundturbinesmaybeconstructedaroundaturbinestringratherthanindividualturbines.Electricallinesrequirea20‐footclearanceofflammablevegetation.InAlamedaCounty,thisisaccomplishedbyapplicationofherbicideinOctoberorNovember.Amechanismforfirepreventiononturbinesistheprovisionofayawdamperorotherapprovedmethodtopreventtheover‐twistingofpendantcablesandtheuseofinsulatedandconductivematerialstopreventavianelectrocution.ExhibitCalsorequiresyear‐roundwatersuppliesofatleast5,000gallonstobeprovidedforfirefightingpurposesinstrategiclocationsthroughoutthesubjectprojectareaaswellasthepreparationofanannualfirepreventionplan.Thefirepreventionplanincludesamapoffacilities,watersupplylocations,andaccessroutes.
Inviewofthefirehazardzoningandthestate’sjurisdictionovertheprogramarearelatedtofireprotection,thestatutoryandregulatorypublicsafetyrequirementstominimizetheriskofwildlandfirethataredescribedabovewouldapplytotheprogram.
3.8.2 Environmental Impacts
Methods for Analysis
Evaluationofhazardsandhazardousmaterialsisbasedoninformationfrompublishedmaps,reports,AlamedaCountygeneralplandocuments,theCounty’supdatedsetbackrequirements,telephoneinterviewswithfireprotectionagencies,andotherdocumentsthatdescribethepotentialforhazardsandhazardousmaterialsoccurrenceintheAPWRA.Nofieldworkorhazardousmaterialssitesdatabasesearcheswereconductedfortheproposedprogram.Theanalysisassumesthatexistingturbinefacilitieswillcontinuetobeoperatedconsistentwiththe2005CUPs(andthe2007CUPAmendments)untilsuchtimeaseachsiteisrepoweredordecommissioned.
Determination of Significance
InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,programAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.
Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials.
Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment.
Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool.
BelocatedonasitethatisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.
Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,bewithintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,andresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.
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Belocatedwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.
Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.
Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands.
Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Thissectiondescribespotentialimpactsrelatedtohazardsandhazardousmaterialsthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheproposedprogramandprojects.
ImpactHAZ‐1a‐1:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)
ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative1wouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.
Themajorityofhazardousmaterialstobeusedduringoperations,decommissioning,andremovalandreclamationactivities—fuels,oils,andlubricants—areoflowtoxicity.Asthesematerialsarerequiredforoperationofconstructionvehiclesandequipment,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialfororexposuretoaccidentalspillsinvolvingtheuseofhazardousmaterials.
Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thisprocedurewillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposurelevelsingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.
Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwithprogramAlternative1.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Accordingly,underthisalternativethepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificantandnomitigationisrequired.
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ImpactHAZ‐1a‐2:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)
ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative2wouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.
Themajorityofhazardousmaterialstobeusedduringoperations,decommissioning,andremovalandreclamationactivities—fuels,oils,andlubricants—areoflowtoxicity.Asthesematerialsarerequiredforoperationofconstructionvehiclesandequipment,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialfororexposuretoaccidentalspillsinvolvingtheuseofhazardousmaterials.
Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thisprocedurewillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposurelevelsingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.
Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwithprogramAlternative2.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.
Accordingly,underthisalternativethepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificantandnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐1b:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.
Duringconstruction,hazardousmaterialswouldbestoredatoneofthestagingareas(useofextremelyhazardousmaterialsisnotanticipated).Stagingareaswouldbeclearedofvegetation,graded,andcoveredwithgravel.Tominimizethepotentialforharmfulreleasesofhazardousmaterialsthroughspillsorcontaminatedrunoff,thesesubstanceswouldbestoredwithinsecondarycontainmentareasinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocalrequirementsandpermitconditions.Storagefacilitiesforpetroleumproductswouldbeconstructed,operated,andmaintainedin
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐12
October 2014ICF 00323.08
accordancewiththeSPCCplanthatwouldpreparedandimplementedfortheproposedproject(40CFR112),includingengineeringstandards(e.g.,secondarycontainment);administrativestandards(e.g.,trainingwithspecialemphasisonspillprevention,standardoperatingprocedures,inspections);andBMPs.
AHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlanwillbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsassociatedwithprojectactivities,aswellastheirproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposal.
Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thiswillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposureingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.
Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwiththeproject.Lubricantsusedintheturbinegearboxarepotentiallyhazardous;however,thegearboxwouldbesealedtopreventlubricantleakageandwouldbesampledandtestedperiodicallytoconfirmthatitretainsadequatelubricatingproperties.Whenthelubricantshavedegradedtothepointwheretheynolongerprovidetheneededlubricatingproperties,thegearboxwouldbedrained,newlubricantwouldbeadded,andtheusedlubricantswouldbedisposedofatanappropriatefacilityinaccordancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.
Transformerscontainoilforheatdissipation.ThetransformersaresealedandcontainnoPCBsormovingparts.Thetransformeroilwouldnotbesubjecttoperiodicinspectionanddoesnotneedreplacement.
O&Mvehicleswouldbeproperlymaintainedtominimizeleaksofmotoroils,hydraulicfluids,andfuels.Duringoperation,O&MvehicleswouldbeservicedandfueledattheexistingO&Mbuilding(usingfueltrucks)oratanoffsitelocation.Nostoragetanksarelocatedattheexistingwindfarm,andnoneareproposedfortheproposedproject.Accordingly,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐1c:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstruction
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐13
October 2014ICF 00323.08
BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.
Themajorityofhazardousmaterialstobeusedduringoperations,decommissioning,andremovalandreclamationactivities—fuels,oils,andlubricants—areoflowtoxicity.Asthesematerialsarerequiredforoperationofconstructionvehiclesandequipment,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialfororexposuretoaccidentalspillsinvolvingtheuseofhazardousmaterials.
Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thisprocedurewillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposurelevelsingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.
Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwiththeprogram.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Accordingly,thepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐2a‐1:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)
Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredinindividualprojectareas.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.
However,thehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCleanWaterActrequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐14
October 2014ICF 00323.08
ImpactHAZ‐2a‐2:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)
Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredinindividualprojectareas.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.
However,thehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCleanWaterActrequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐2b:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredintheprojectarea.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.
However,aspreviouslydiscussed,anHMBPwouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellasproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposalofsuchmaterials.ThehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCWArequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐15
October 2014ICF 00323.08
ImpactHAZ‐2c:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprojectareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredintheprojectarea.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.
However,aspreviouslydiscussed,anHMBPwouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellasproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposalofsuchmaterials.ThehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCWArequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐3a‐1:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—programAlternative1:417MW(noimpact)
TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprogramarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐3a‐2:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—programAlternative2:450MW(noimpact)
TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprogramarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐16
October 2014ICF 00323.08
ImpactHAZ‐3b:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—GoldenHillsProject(noimpact)
TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprojectarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐3c:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—PattersonPassProject(noimpact)
TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprojectarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.50mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐4a‐1:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
Priortoconstruction,theprojectproponentwillconductaPhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentinconformancewiththeAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialsStandardPracticeE1527‐05.Allenvironmentalinvestigation,sampling,andremediationactivitiesassociatedwithpropertiesintheprojectareawillbeconductedunderaworkplanapprovedbytheregulatoryoversightagencyandwillbeconductedbytheappropriateenvironmentalprofessionalconsistentwithPhaseIsiteassessmentrequirementsasdetailedbelow.Theresultsofanyinvestigationand/orremediationactivitiesconductedintheprojectareawillbeincludedintheproject‐levelEIR.
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Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐17
October 2014ICF 00323.08
APhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentshould,ataminimum,includethecomponentslistedbelow.
Anonsitevisittoidentifycurrentconditions(e.g.,vegetativedieback,chemicalspillresidue,presenceofabove‐orundergroundstoragetanks).
Anevaluationofpossiblerisksposedbyneighboringproperties.
Interviewswithpersonsknowledgeableaboutthesite’shistory(e.g.,currentorpreviouspropertyowners,propertymanagers).
Anexaminationoflocalplanningfilestocheckpriorlandusesandanypermitsgranted.
Filesearcheswithappropriateagencies(e.g.,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,firedepartment,Countyhealthdepartment)havingoversightauthorityrelativetowaterqualityandgroundwaterandsoilcontamination.
Examinationofhistoricalaerialphotographyofthesiteandadjacentproperties.
Areviewofcurrentandhistorictopographicmapsofthesitetodeterminedrainagepatterns.
Anexaminationofchain‐of‐titleforenvironmentalliensand/oractivityandlanduselimitations.
IfthePhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentindicateslikelysitecontamination,aPhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwillbeperformed(alsobyanenvironmentalprofessional).
APhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwouldcomprisethefollowing.
Collectionoforiginalsurfaceand/orsubsurfacesamplesofsoil,groundwater,andbuildingmaterialstoanalyzeforquantitiesofvariouscontaminants.
Ananalysistodeterminetheverticalandhorizontalextentofcontamination(iftheevidencefromsamplingshowscontamination).
IfcontaminationisuncoveredaspartofPhaseIorIIenvironmentalsiteassessments,remediationwillberequired.Ifmaterialssuchasasbestos‐containingmaterials,lead‐basedpaint,orPCB‐containingequipmentareidentified,thesematerialswillbeproperlymanagedanddisposedofpriortoorduringthedemolitionprocess.
AnycontaminatedsoilidentifiedonaprojectsitemustbeproperlydisposedofinaccordancewithDTSCregulationsineffectatthetime.
HazardouswastesgeneratedbytheproposedprojectwillbemanagedinaccordancewiththeCaliforniaHazardousWasteControlLaw(HSC,Division20,Chapter6.5)andtheHazardousWasteControlRegulation(Title22,CCR,Division4.5).
If,duringconstruction/demolitionofstructures,soilorgroundwatercontaminationissuspected,theconstruction/demolitionactivitieswillceaseandappropriatehealthandsafetyprocedureswillbeimplemented,includingtheuseofappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(e.g.,respiratoryprotection,protectiveclothing,helmets,goggles).
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐18
October 2014ICF 00323.08
ImpactHAZ‐4a‐2:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
ImpactHAZ‐4b:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionoftheproposedproject,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
ImpactHAZ‐4c:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionoftheproposedproject,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐19
October 2014ICF 00323.08
AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
ImpactHAZ‐5a‐1:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately2.08milesnortheastoftheprogramareaboundary.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.
However,thenortheasterncorneroftheprogramareaiswithintheByronAirportinfluenceareainCompatibilityZonesC‐1andDandtheHeightExceptionOverlayZone.Applicablepoliciesaspreviouslydescribedspecifyheightlimitationsforthisarea.ThesepoliciesstipulateconsultationwithandreviewbytheContraCostaALUCforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.Constructionofstructuresmorethan100feetabovegroundlevelwithintheairportinfluencezonescouldcauseanobstructionorhazardtoairnavigation.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐5,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐5:CoordinatewiththeContraCostaALUCpriortofinaldesign
IfwindturbinesareproposedtobeconstructedwithintheByronAirportinfluenceareazones,theprojectproponentwillcoordinateandconsultwiththeContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCommissionandrequestreviewandobtainapprovalofthefinaldesignandplacementofwindturbines.Inaddition,theprojectproponentwillincorporateanyALUCrecommendationsintothefinaldesign.
ImpactHAZ‐5a‐2:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately2.08milesnortheastoftheprogramarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettalland
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐20
October 2014ICF 00323.08
mustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.
However,thenortheasterncorneroftheprogramareaiswithintheByronAirportinfluenceareainCompatibilityZonesC‐1andDandtheHeightExceptionOverlayZone.Applicablepoliciesaspreviouslydescribed,specifyheightlimitationsforthisarea.ThesepoliciesstipulateconsultationwithandreviewbytheContraCostaALUCforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.Constructionofstructuresmorethan100feetabovegroundlevelwithintheairportinfluencezonescouldcauseanobstructionorhazardtoairnavigation.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureHAZ‐5:CoordinatewiththeContraCostaALUCpriortofinaldesign
ImpactHAZ‐5b:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,approximately6.5milesnortheastoftheprojectarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.
ImpactHAZ‐5c:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately6.5milesnorthoftheprojectarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.
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CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactHAZ‐6a‐1:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)
Theprogramareaboundaryisapproximately2.43milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip,thenearestknownprivateairstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationofprogramAlternative1wouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactHAZ‐6a‐2:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)
Theprogramareaboundaryisapproximately2.43milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip,thenearestknownprivateairstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationofprogramAlternative2wouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactHAZ‐6b:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
Theprojectareaisapproximately8milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationoftheprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
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ImpactHAZ‐6c:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Theprojectareaisapproximately3.42milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationoftheprogramwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactHAZ‐7a‐1:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—programAlternative1:417WM(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ExistingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeunderprogramAlternative1.Accordingly,operationoftheprogramwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.
AsspecifiedinSection3.15,Transportation/Traffic,aTrafficControlPlan(TCP)wouldbepreparedforeachproposedrepoweringprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.
ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.
Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
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ImpactHAZ‐7a‐2:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—programAlternative2:450WM(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ExistingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeunderprogramAlternative2.Accordingly,operationoftheprogramwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.
AsspecifiedinSection3.15,Transportation/Traffic,aTrafficControlPlan(TCP)wouldbepreparedforeachproposedrepoweringprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.
ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.
Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ImpactHAZ‐7b:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Existingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeundertheproposedproject.Accordingly,operationoftheprojectwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.ATrafficManagementPlanwouldbepreparedfortheproposedprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergency
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evacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towersandothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldoccuratanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaltransregulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprojectarea.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ImpactHAZ‐7c:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Existingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeundertheproposedproject.Accordingly,operationoftheprojectwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.ConstructiontrafficroutingwouldbeestablishedinaConstructionTrafficPlan,whichwouldincludeatrafficsafetyandsigningplanpreparedbytheprojectengineersincoordinationwithAlamedaCountyandotherrelatedagencies.Theplanwoulddefinehours,routes,andsafetyandmanagementrequirements.EDFwouldobtainallnecessarypermitsandregulatoryapprovalssubjecttoreviewunderapplicablelaw.Theproposedprojectwouldthereforenotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towersandothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldoccuratanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaltransregulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprojectarea.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ImpactHAZ‐8a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—programAlternative1:417WM(lessthansignificant)
Theprogramareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.
ProgramAlternative1wouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheindividualprojectareas.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.
Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprogramareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprogramarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexisting
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facilitiesareinplace.TheprogramwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐8a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—programAlternative2:450WM(lessthansignificant)
Theprogramareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.
ProgramAlternative2wouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheindividualprojectareas.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.
Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprogramareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprogramarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheprogramwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐8b:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
Theprojectareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.
Theproposedprojectwouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheprojectarea.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.
Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprojectareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheproject
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area,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheproposedprojectwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐8c:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Theprojectareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.
Theproposedprojectwouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheprojectarea.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.
Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprojectareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprojectarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheproposedprojectwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐9a‐1:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)
Generally,setbackrequirementsforwindturbinesarebasedontheturbineheight.AccordingtoareportpreparedforCEC(LarwoodandvanDam2006),severalstudieshavebeenconductedinthelast25yearsusingvariousmethodstodeterminethefrequencyofbladethrow.Definitivedata,however,arelimited—particularlyforthecurrentgenerationofwindturbinesintermsofbladethrowdistances—becausetypicalfailurereportsdonotdifferentiatebetweenbladethrowandothertypesoffailures.
ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine,oreighttimesthe
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totalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.
Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidenceswithintheprogramarea,recreationalistsinandaroundBethanyReservoir,andmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprogramareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.
Thebladethrowhazarddistancefortheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarecloserthanthreetimestheturbineheighttocountyroadsandthreeresidences.Theseinconsistenciesmaybebecausetheturbinesarelocatedonvariedtopographyandthedistancemeasuredalongthegroundsurfaceisthroughspaceor“asthecrowflies.”Table3.8‐1showsthedistanceoftheclosestwindturbinestofacilitieswherepeoplearemostoftenpresentintheAPWRA.Elevationrangesarenotconsideredinthesenumbers.
Table 3.8‐1. Facilities within Specified Setback Distances from Existing Turbines
FacilityType DistancefromClosestWindTurbine(meters[feet])
Interstate580 150(492)
DyerRoada 173(568)
AltamontPassRoada 95(312)
PattersonPassRoada 116(381)
VascoRoada 404(1,325)
Residence1a 163(535)
Residence3a 245(804)(GoldenHillsprojectarea)
Residence25a 213(699(GoldenHillsprojectarea)
BethanyReservoir 674(2,211)(GoldenHillsprojectarea)a Closerthanthreetimestheturbineheighttosensitivereceptor.
AsdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,theturbineheightforfourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementabove,theminimumsafedistanceinthecontextofbladethrowhazardzoneis,conservatively,459meters(1,506feet)forthetallerwindturbinesand918meters(3,012feet)fromI‐580.Ifexistingturbinesarereplacedwithfourth‐generationturbinesinthesamelocations,thebladethrowhazardzonecouldpossiblyencroachintosensitiveareasofhumanoccupancy.However,sitingofwindturbineswouldcomplywiththeStandardConditions,ensuringthatnonewwindturbineswouldbesitedwithinthebladethrowhazarddistance.Consequently—inrelationtotheseventurbinesmentionedabove—theprogramwouldhelpreduceimpactsrelatingtobladethrow.
Bladethrowrisksarealsoreducedasaresultofnewtechnologiesandengineeringdesigndevelopedoverthepastdecades.Mostcommerciallyavailableturbines,includingthoseproposedfortheprogram,areequippedwithsafetyandengineeringfeaturestoreducetheriskofbladefailureandaredesignedtoensuresafeoperationundernormalconditions.Fourth‐generationrotorsincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind,andredundantbrakemechanismsthatcancontrolspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed.
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Repoweringwouldreducethetotalnumberofwindturbinesintheprogramareabecauseofthevastlygreaternameplatecapacityoffourth‐generationturbines.Thereducednumberofturbineswouldalsoreducethepotentialforwindturbine‐relatedhazards.
Inmostoftheprogramarea,duelargelytothesetbackstandards,anypotentialforbladethrowwouldoccurwellwithinwindfarmboundaries—notinareasaccessibletothepublic.Individualwindfarmcompaniesstrictlycontrolaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentrybythewindfarmoperatorsorlandowners.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprogramarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐9a‐2:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)
Generally,setbackrequirementsforwindturbinesarebasedontheturbineheight.AccordingtoareportpreparedforCEC(LarwoodandvanDam2006),severalstudieshavebeenconductedinthelast25yearsusingvariousmethodstodeterminethefrequencyofbladethrow.Definitivedata,however,arelimited—particularlyforthecurrentgenerationofwindturbinesintermsofbladethrowdistances—becausetypicalfailurereportsdonotdifferentiatebetweenbladethrowandothertypesoffailures.
ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine),oreighttimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.
Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidenceswithintheprogramarea,recreationalistsinandaroundBethanyReservoir,andmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprogramareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.
Thebladethrowhazarddistancefortheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarecloserthanthreetimestheturbineheighttocountyroadsandthreeresidences.Theseinconsistenciesmaybebecausetheturbinesarelocatedonvariedtopographyandthedistancemeasuredalongthegroundsurfaceisthroughspaceor“asthecrowflies.”Table3.8‐1showsthedistanceoftheclosestwindturbinestofacilitieswherepeoplearemostoftenpresentintheAPWRA.Elevationrangesarenotconsideredinthesenumbers.
AsdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,theturbineheightforfourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementabove,theminimumsafedistanceinthecontextofbladethrowhazardzoneis,conservatively,459metersfor
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thetallerwindturbines—918metersfromI‐580.Ifexistingturbinesarereplacedwithfourth‐generationturbinesinthesamelocations,thebladethrowhazardzonecouldpossiblyencroachintosensitiveareasofhumanoccupancy.However,sitingofwindturbineswouldcomplywiththeStandardConditions,ensuringthatnonewwindturbineswouldbesitedwithinthebladethrowhazarddistance.Consequently—inrelationtotheseventurbinesmentionedabove—theprogramwouldhelpreduceimpactsrelatingtobladethrow.
Bladethrowrisksarealsoreducedasaresultofnewtechnologiesandengineeringdesigndevelopedoverthepastdecades.Mostcommerciallyavailableturbines,includingthoseproposedfortheprogram,areequippedwithsafetyandengineeringfeaturestoreducetheriskofbladefailureandaredesignedtoensuresafeoperationundernormalconditions.Fourth‐generationrotorsincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind,andredundantbrakemechanismsthatcancontrolspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed.
Repoweringwouldreducethetotalnumberofwindturbinesintheprogramareabecauseofthevastlygreaternameplatecapacityoffourth‐generationturbines.Thereducednumberofturbineswouldalsoreducethepotentialforwindturbine–relatedhazards.
Inmostoftheprogramarea,anypotentialforbladethrowwouldoccurwellwithinwindfarmboundaries—notinareasaccessibletothepublic.Individualwindfarmcompaniesstrictlycontrolaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentrybythewindfarmoperatorsorlandowners.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprogramarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐9b:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine),oreighttimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.
Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.PeoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidencesintheprojectareaandmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprojectareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.
NextErastrictlycontrolsaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentry.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprojectarea.Residencesintheprojectareaaremorethan424
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meters(1,391feet)fromthenearestproposedturbine.Moreover,compliancewiththeminimumsetbacksestablishedintheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionswouldensurethatnoturbineisplacedwithinthespecifieddistancefromanyresidenceorotheridentifiedfeature.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactHAZ‐9c:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—PattersonpassProject(lessthansignificant)
ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine),oreighttimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.
Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludemotoriststravellingalongcountyroads;therearenoresidenceswithinsetbackdistancesintheprojectarea.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprojectareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.
EDFREstrictlycontrolsaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentry.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprojectarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
3.8.3 References Cited
Printed References
AlamedaCounty.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.
———.2013.SafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan.AdoptedJanuary8,2013.Available:http://acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/index.htm.
AlamedaCountyFireDepartment.2012.FireStationsandFacilities‐ACFDStation20.Available:<http://www.acgov.org/fire/about/station20.htm>.Accessed:April22,2013.
———.n.d.(a)CompanyOfficerReferenceGuide―Station20.DivisionofTraining,AlamedaCounty,California.
———.n.d.(b)CompanyOfficerReferenceGuide–Station08.DivisionofTraining,AlamedaCounty,California.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
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CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2007.FireHazardSeverityZone.MapAdoptedNovember2007.Available:http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fhsz_maps_alameda.php.Accessed:April22,2013.
ContraCostaCounty.2000.ContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan.December.
Larwood,S.,andC.P.vanDam(CaliforniaWindEnergyCollaborative).2006.PermittingSetbackRequirementsforWindTurbinesinCalifornia.CaliforniaEnergyCommission,PIERRenewableEnergyTechnologies.CEC‐500‐2005‐184.
Personal Communications
Berdan,Chuck.DispatchManageroftheAlamedaCountyRegionalEmergencyCommunicationsCenter.AlamedaCountyFireDepartment,California.May15,2013—telephonecallwithTinaSorvari,ICFInternational.
Martin,Mike.BattalionChiefofCALFIREBattalion4,SantaClaraUnit.CalFire,California.May23,2013—telephonecallwithTinaSorvari,ICFInternational.