Site Selection Studies / Due Dilligence

Mid-West Site Selection Study
ERL was retained by a merchant power plant developer to evaluate three regions in two mid-western states for the selection of suitable sites for merchant power plant development. The developer was searching for sites that could be used for either a peaking facility and/or a base-load facility. ERL identified specific criteria to use to evaluate potential sites within each region. Some of the criteria used in the study included proximity to electric transmission and gas supply lines, availability of water and sewer, surrounding land use and presence of adverse "political" issues.

ERL used the latest digital and GIS technology to gather data on potential sites. In addition, ERL visited each potential site to gain an "up close and personal" appreciation of the characteristics of each site. Numerous officials at the state, county and local level were interviewed by ERL staff to obtain a better understanding of the regulatory requirements associated with project development and to get a better sense of the political climate within each region.

Based upon a careful evaluation of all data collected, ERL selected and ranked five sites in one state and six sites in the second state. ERL's final report provided the developer with critical information which the developer could then use to commence negotiations with local officials, property owners and utility representatives regarding the development of a major merchant power facility.

Environmental Permitting Issues Analysis

Proposed Merchant Power Development
Because of its depth of experience with the permitting issues facing a proposed power plant developer, ERL was retained to prepare an analysis of the host of environmental permitting issues that would potentially face the project planned for development on an existing site in Connecticut. Analysis and evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of several critical environmental issues were performed including: existing power generating site, the range of issues to be addressed with the Connecticut Siting Council from aesthetics to endangered species to noise impacts, water supply and discharge, land use and public perception, potential citizen intervention, air emissions, air and water permitting issues, possible permit application timetables, backup fuel usage issues, gas pipeline issues, and the status of other proposed power plant developments in the state. Armed with this extensive information, a merchant power plant developer was enabled to make an informed decision about the feasibility of initiating a project of this kind.

Air Permits To Construct And Operate

New 520 MW Natural Gas Electric Generating Facility
ERL was retained to prepare air permit applications to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and obtain permits to construct and operate a new natural gas-fired 520 MW electric generating facility adjacent to an established utility. The most unique feature of this project was the schedule. Within a twelve-month period, the owner intended to obtain all environmental approvals, complete construction, and have Phase I of the new plant operational. In order to accomplish this objective, ERL was allotted four weeks to prepare and submit a complete permit application package to the DEP. Not only did ERL meet this tight schedule but it improved upon it by completing the permit application package within three weeks. Construction was initiated based on the accelerated tentative determination and the plant was operational and supplying electricity to the grid within thirteen months of the beginning of permit preparation.

Permit Applications and Operational Support Services

Cogeneration Plant
This facility is a 60 MW (net) gas-fired cogeneration facility with distillate oil backup, consisting of a General Electric model PG6541B combustion turbine and two package boilers. The facility generates all of the steam and electricity demands of the company's adjacent manufacturing facility and supplies excess electricity to a regional utility company. ERL prepared the applications and successfully obtained all required permits, including a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air permit, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permit, and Connecticut Siting Council approval. ERL also performed an air compliance audit at the facility and developed a compliance strategy for a tested exceedance of a permit limit for sulfuric acid emissions. Post-operational services ERL has provided include water diversion and NPDES thermal, biological and benthic studies, permit renewal applications, and Title V permitting. Ongoing work includes fish studies on a quarterly basis in the Connecticut River.

Biomass — Environmental Permitting