HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.UP23-0009_Project_NarrativeButte County Department of Development Services
TIM SNELLINGS, DIRECTOR | PETE CALARCO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
(530)552-3701 Telephone
(530)538-7785 Facsimile
PROJECT SETTING DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicant Name: ________________________________________Project Number:________________
Please address the following in the space provided. Attach a separate sheet of paper, if needed:
1. Identify any applicable proposed development schedule, including anticipated, incremental, or phased development and all associate projects.
2. List and describe any other related permits and other public approvals required for this project, including
those required by city, regional, state and federal agencies.
3. Describe the site as it exists before the project, including information on topography, soil stability, plants,
animals, and any cultural, historical, or scenic aspects. Describe any existing structures on the site and the use
of the structures.
4. Describe the surrounding properties, including information on plants, animals and any cultural, historical, or
s scenic aspects. Indicate the type of land use (residential, commercial, etc.), intensity of land use (one-family,
apartment houses, shops, department stores, etc.), and scale of development (height, frontage, setback, rear yard,
etc.).
5 5. Include any special studies prepared for the project site including, but not limited to traffic, biology, wetlands d delineation, archaeology, etc.
Project Narrative
Feather Reliability Project
OCTOBER 2023
For Submittal to:
BUTTE COUNTY
25 County Center Dr
Oroville, California 95965
Prepared and Submitted by:
853 Lincoln Way #208
Auburn, CA 95603
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material.
14182 i OCTOBER 2023
Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE NO.
1 Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Project Location ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Project Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 3
3 Project Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Land Use and Zoning ............................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Biological Resources & Wetlands .......................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Noise ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Visual Resources .................................................................................................................................... 6
3.5 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.6 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................................... 7
4 Project Characteristics ........................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Battery Energy Storage System ............................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Project Substation ............................................................................................................................... 11
4.3 Operations and Maintenance ............................................................................................................. 11
4.4 Generation Transmission Line ............................................................................................................ 12
4.5 Perimeter Fencing, Landscaping, Signage, and Lighting .................................................................. 12
4.6 Construction......................................................................................................................................... 12
4.7 Traffic ................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.8 Water Use............................................................................................................................................. 13
4.9 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................................ 13
5 Representative Project Photo ........................................................................................................................... 15
6 References ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
FEATHER RELIABILITY PROJECT / PROJECT DESCRIPTION
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1 Summary
Feather Reliability Project, LLC (Applicant) is proposing to construct and operate the Feather Reliability Project
(Project), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) within Butte County, California (the “Project”). Utilizing similar
battery technology used in electric vehicles, the Project would provide additional capacity to the electrical grid to
assist with serving load during periods of peak demand by charging when demand is low and discharging when
demand is high. This accommodates the integration of additional intermittent renewables such as wind and solar
and reduces the need to operate natural gas power plants. The Project would also serve as an additional local
capacity resource that would enhance grid reliability. The Project will include construction of an onsite substation,
which will connect to the adjacent Pacific Gas & Electric’s Palermo Substation via a generation transmission (gen-
tie) line.
This Project Description has been prepared to provide an overview of the facilities that are proposed to be
constructed and operated as part of the Project. The Project site is shown in Figure 1.
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2 Introduction
2.1 Project Location
The Project site is within the unincorporated community of Palermo in the southcentral portion of the County,
approximately 3.9 miles east of State Route 70. The Project site is bound by Stageline Road to the north and west,
Drescher Tract Road to the east and is directly adjacent to Pacific Gas & Electric’s Palermo Substation to the
northwest. The Project encompasses a single parcel, designated by Assessor’s Parcel Number 027-040-098-000
(See Figure 1). The Project site mostly consists of land designated for rural residential development, and there is a
single residential home onsite with a dirt driveway extending from Drescher Tract Rd. There are also multiple utility
poles and tall trees onsite. The parcel is currently zoned as Rural Residential - 5 in the Butte County Zoning
Ordinance.
2.2 Project Objectives
California’s electric grid is a complex system providing reliable power to California residents. The state relies
increasingly on renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectricity, and biomass.
California has installed 22,250 megawatts of utility-scale renewable energy systems, and is home to some of the
largest solar, wind, and geothermal power plants in the world (CEC 2018). Grid energy storage technologies provide
for multiple applications, such as energy management, backup power, load leveling, frequency regulation, voltage
support, and grid stabilization. Importantly, not every type of storage is suitable for every type of application,
motivating the need for a portfolio strategy for energy storage technology. As noted by the U.S. Department of
Energy, “energy storage can reduce the need for major new transmission grid construction upgrades as well as
augment the performance of existing transmission and distribution assets.” Furthermore, “energy storage will also
play a significant role in emergency preparedness and increasing overall grid resilience” (USDOE 2013).
Operation of the California electric grid involves management, regulatory oversight, and participation from
numerous stakeholders. The grid is managed by the non-profit public benefit corporation California Independent
System Operator (CAISO). Although utilities still own transmission assets, the California Independent System
Operator (“CAISO”) controls the dispatch of generating facilities and operation of the transmission system.
Battery storage technology allows the energy generated by renewables to be stored and discharged back to the grid
when the need arises. The technology is advancing rapidly as a grid resource and will support system load balancing
by CAISO when sun and wind resources are intermittently not available. Power from these renewable generation
sources often is produced at different times of day, which may not align with peak use (CAISO 2014).
Construction of the Project would accomplish the following:
▪ Enhance grid reliability in Butte County by providing an incremental capacity resource that can be utilized
by CAISO to minimize reliance on the transmission system during periods of peak demand or transmission
contingencies.
▪ Accommodate increasing amounts of intermittent renewable energy generation that often isn’t available
during the early evening when energy demand is often highest.
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▪ Provide economic benefit to the County, the region, and the state, through construction jobs, property and
sales taxes, construction and maintenance services, and increased energy efficiency and reliability.
▪ Use a commercially proven and established energy storage technology that is efficient, has low
maintenance requirements, and is recyclable.
▪ Assist California in meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals by 2030 as required by the
California Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32), as amended by Senate Bill 32 in 2016.
▪ Assist California in achieving its switch from fossil-fueled generation by allowing electricity from renewables
to be stored and discharged back to the market when necessary.
In addition to these benefits to the region and California, specific benefits to Butte County are shown below:
▪ Annual property tax revenues would be payable to Butte County from the Project.
▪ A sales tax benefit may accrue during construction of the Project.
▪ Local benefits would accrue to the County from having the storage facility located within the County. While
this helps the entire region, it would also benefit the County by maintaining the reliability and resiliency of
the grid locally.
▪ The Project would provide significant economic benefits without burdening local transportation
infrastructure, sewage infrastructure, or the local public services.
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3 Project Setting
The approximately 23-acre Project site is located immediately west of the intersection of Drescher Tract Rd & Sam
Lynn Way. The Project site is located approximately 3.9 miles east of State Route 70 and 3.63 miles south of State
Route 162. Surrounding land uses consist of rural residential, although the adjacent parcel that contains the Palermo
substation is designated for public facilities.
3.1 Land Use and Zoning
The Project site was selected because of its proximity to the Palermo substation, which is a suitable place to
interconnect an energy storage project. Per a review of the PowerButte GIS Mapping Tool, which helps determine
parcel suitability for utility-scale solar facilities, the Project site is designated as having high to very high suitability
for utility-scale solar facility development (Butte County 2022). The tool contains eight separate designations
ranging from low to very low suitability to very high suitability; the Project site’s designation is the second highest
suitability rate assigned by the County. The PowerButte GIS Mapping Tool also designates the Project site as an
opportunity area for the following reasons:
• Areas with Limited Opportunities for Other Uses
• Proximity to Transmission Lines (i.e., within 500 feet or less of a transmission line)
• Proximity to Substations (i.e., within 1 mile or less of a substation)
Zoning: The Project site is currently zoned as Rural Residential, in the Butte County Zoning Ordinance. The parcels
surrounding the Project site are also all zoned as Rural Residential, with the exception of the parcel to the northwest,
which is zoned for Public.
General Plan Land Use: Under the County General Plan, the Project site has a land use designation of Rural
Residential. The purpose of the RR designation is to allow for the appropriate development of large-lot single-family
homes, small farmsteads, and related uses in the rural and agricultural areas of the county. Standards for the RR
zone are intended to preserve and protect the character of existing rural residential areas and ensure that future
rural residential development is compatible with adjacent agricultural uses. Permitted residential uses in the RR
zones include a single-family home, small residential care home, and a second unit. However, the RR zone also
conditionally permits non-residential uses compatible with a rural residential setting, including public and quasi-
public uses such as an energy storage facility. Land use designations surrounding the Project site consist of Rural
Residential and Public. There is currently a residential home located on the Project site, with several others within
a 0.3 miles radius.
County Zoning Ordinance: In a preliminary meeting with the County, the Project has been classified as a Major Utility
per the definition in the County’s Zoning Ordinance. Tier 4 Solar Energy Systems are ground-mounted and deliver
most or all generated power off-site with little or no on-site use. Major Utilities can be permitted within the Rural
Residential zoning through a Conditional Use Permit.
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3.2 Biological Resources & Wetlands
Habitat within and surrounding the Project consists primarily of grazing land that includes residential development,
with the exception of the Palermo substation to the northwest, which is entirely developed land. Within the larger
vicinity there is more grazing land, concentrations of tall trees, and a few residential homes scattered throughout.
A Biological Resources Assessment (Dudek, August 2023) and Aquatic Resources Delineation Report (Dudek,
August 2023) has been prepared for the Project site and submitted under separate cover to the County.
3.3 Noise
The Project site is located over 3 miles away from the nearest major freeway, and given the rural nature of the area,
there are no major intersections nearby. Noise-sensitive land uses include residential dwellings; transient lodging;
hospitals and other long-term care facilities; public or private educational facilities; and libraries, churches, and
places of public assembly. Sensitive receptors located in proximity to the site that could be impacted by construction
noise include the low-density residences both on and surrounding the Project site. Construction of the BESS will
likely raise the noise levels of the surrounding area, but the increase is not anticipated to exceed acceptable levels.
Butte County declares noise sources associated with construction within 1000 feet of residential uses exempt from
standard noise requirements, provided construction does not take place between the following hours:
• Sunset to sunrise on weekdays and non-holidays;
• Friday commencing at 6:00 p.m. through and including 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, as well as not before 8:00
a.m. on holidays;
• Saturday commencing at 6:00 p.m. through and including 10:00 a.m. on Sunday; and,
• Sunday after the hour of 6:00 p.m.
Following construction, the proposed BESS will be housed in storage systems that may consist of containers or
purpose-built enclosures. The Project Applicant worked with Dudek to complete noise modeling and determined
that in order to meet the Noise Control Standards within the Municipal Code, a 16-foot perimeter noise barrier will
need to be included as part of the project design. The Project has included a 16-foot perimeter noise barrier as part
of the Use Permit filing to ensure compliance with the County noise standards. A Noise Technical Study has also
been submitted to the County under separate cover (Dudek, October 2023).
3.4 Visual Resources
Project-related actions could result in potential impacts to aesthetic and visual resources if they substantially alter
scenic resources within a scenic corridor or state scenic highway; substantially affected views from a scenic vista,
hillside, or ridgeline; or altered the area in a way that substantially changed, detracted from, or degraded the visual
quality of the Project area.
The Project site is not located near a designated state scenic highway nor any designated scenic landscapes. The
Project’s potential impact on the visual character or quality of the site would depend on the degree to which it would
result in a visual contrast with the area’s landscape elements, dominate views relative to other landscape features,
or block or obscure views of the landscape. Due to the adjacent substation and utility lines that traverse the Project
site, a battery energy storage facility would not result in a substantial change to visual character or quality. In
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addition, the Project will include landscaping and a perimeter wall around the perimeter of the proposed facilities
to minimize direct views of the Project components.
3.5 Air Quality
The Project would not increase long-term operational criteria air pollutant emissions. The Project would collect
and store energy but would not itself be a source of air pollutant emissions. The Project would not increase
operational mobile source emissions as minimal vehicle trips would be added by the Project. Emissions of criteria
pollutants during construction would be minimal for all construction phases for all pollutants and construction
activities would be required to implement standard measures as required by County grading permits to minimize
air emissions during construction.
3.6 Geology and Soils
Seismic risk in California is related to geological fault activity. Seismic damage potential is related to proximity to
active or potentially active fault zones, and on the type of geologic structures. Consolidated formations like
bedrock are generally less likely to be impacted compared to unconsolidated material such as alluvium. The
quadrangle is underlain by several geological formations that consist of relatively weak strata such as siltstone
and shale. The combination of dissected hills and weak rocks has produced widespread and abundant
landslides. These conditions contribute to an earthquake-induced landslide zone that covers about 35 percent
of the quadrangle (DOC 2001). Compliance with standard building code requirements generally minimizes
potential geologic risk.
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4 Project Characteristics
The Project is designed to charge or discharge electricity to and from the grid via battery storage cabinets with
associated on-site support facilities consisting of a Project substation, inverters, collector lines, fencing, access
roads, operations and maintenance building, supervisory control, a SCADA system, and other ancillary facilities or
equipment. The Project would also include an onsite substation that will allow interconnection to the adjacent PG&E
Palermo Substation via a generation transmission line.
The Project is expected to create approximately 75 jobs during construction, many of which can be sourced from
Butte County and adjacent cities. The Project would be operated remotely but would require periodic maintenance
to be performed by regional employees and contractors.
The Project would generate tax revenue for the County during construction and operations; however, the total tax
revenue has not been calculated at this time but will be based on the total Project cost during construction.
4.1 Battery Energy Storage System
The Project would include placement of battery energy storage enclosures and associated electrical equipment,
including medium voltage transformers and power conversation systems.1 Each unit will consist of a storage
enclosure/non-occupiable steel cabinet that houses battery modules and power conversion system equipment. The
battery storage units are pre-fabricated off-site and arrive to the site ready to be installed and operated. The actual
number of energy storage enclosures and types are approximate and subject to change based on available battery
technology at the time of construction. Each battery energy storage enclosure would have insulation, a module
cooling system, a battery management system, fire detection equipment, PCS equipment containing the electronic
controls, inverters, and a medium voltage step-up transformer. The primary storage components would consist of
self-contained electrochemical battery systems using conventional storage technologies with proven safety and
performance records. The BESS enclosures would be designed such that the periodic maintenance and
replacement of underperforming battery components can be easily performed on an as-needed basis without
replacing the entire module.
Fire detection measures are intrinsically incorporated in the Project design in accordance with National Fire
Protection Association safety standards. It should be noted that selection of batteries that would be used are not
yet finalized; as such, the capacity and size of the containers may change, as may the ratings of the conversion
equipment (inverters and transformers). The number of containers, inverters, and transformers and expected total
megawatt capacity are an estimate based on currently available technology. While the components and total
megawatts of the Project may change, the overall size of the area for the Project will remain consistent.
Individual lithium-ion, or similar technology, battery cells form the core of the BESS. Cells are assembled either in
series or parallel connection in sealed battery modules. The battery modules would be installed in self-supporting
racks electrically connected either in a series or parallel to each other. The individual battery racks are connected
in series or parallel configuration to deliver the BESS power rating. The battery racks would be fused. At this time,
the battery technology for the Project has not yet been finalized; Feather Reliability Project LLC will determine battery
type based on the technology available at the time of construction.
1 The battery energy storage enclosures are manufactured by Tesla, Fluence, LG Chem, and a number of other manufacturers.
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The BESS facility would be unstaffed and would include remote operational control; inspections/maintenance
would be performed as necessary. The BESS facility would be uninhabited with no bathroom facilities, running
water, or office space. Project operations would be monitored remotely through the SCADA system that would be
housed in an enclosure adjacent to the Project substation. Periodic inspections and maintenance activities would
occur on the Project site.
4.1.1 Fire Protection System
Should a thermal event occur, the BESS units are designed and certified so that fire will not propagate from one
cabinet to the neighboring cabinet. Any exhaust created by a thermal event would be similar to a Class A Fire, which
is a fire that consists of ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, fabric, and plastic. In addition, electrolyte
added to the cells during manufacturing is fully absorbed into the cell material and enclosed within the cell casing
which eliminates the risk of material leaking from the cell even if water is applied for fire suppression.
Fire protection would also include multiple fire detection systems on-site and within the individual BESS units. The
site would utilize infrared cameras for security and thermal deviation detection. In addition, each BESS unit
contains an onboard battery management system that monitors the appropriate state of individual battery cells and
relays information 24-7. In the event of an anomaly, the system is designed to remove power from the affected
cells.
Pursuant to manufacturer specifications, the BESS units are fully certified to the most rigorous international safety
standards. This includes the following select certifications:
• UL 1642 – Standard for Lithium Batteries (cell level certification).
• UL 1973 – Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary Applications (module level certification).
• UL 9540 – Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment (system level certification).
• UL 9540A – Standard for Inverters, Controllers, Converters, and Interconnection Equipment for DER.
• IEC 62619 – Standard for Battery Safety in Stationary Applications
The Butte County Fire Department/Cal Fire (the authority having jurisdiction) would have review and approval rights
for the facility fire protection and suppression plans.
4.1.2 Battery Energy Storage System Enclosures and Controller
The BESS batteries, battery racks, cooling system, direct-current disconnect, and other ancillary equipment would
be housed in outdoor-rated enclosures. BESS enclosure height is not expected to exceed 12 feet. The structures
may also have a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for optimal performance and safety. Power
for the HVAC system, lighting, and other electrical systems would be provided through a connection to the on-site
station service transformer with connection lines installed above and/or below ground.
The BESS controller would provide a system of controls for the battery modules, PCS, medium-voltage system, and
up-to-the-point of connection with the electrical grid. The controllers would ensure that the BESS effectively
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responds to grid emergency conditions and would provide a secondary safety system designed to safety shutdown
the facility.
4.1.3 Power Conversion System
The PCS would consist of an inverter, protection equipment, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuit
breakers, harmonic filters, equipment terminals, and connection cabling system. Electric energy would be
transferred from the existing power grid to the Project batteries during a battery charging cycle, and from the Project
batteries to the power grid during a battery discharge cycle. The PCS would convert electric energy from AC to DC
when the energy is transferred from the grid to the battery, and from DC to AC when the energy is transferred from
the battery to the grid. The energy conversion is enabled by a bi-directional inverter that connects the DC battery
system to the AC electrical grid. The PCS would also include a transformer that converts the AC side output of the
inverter to medium AC voltage to increase the overall efficiency of the BESS and to protect the PCS in the event of
system electrical faults.
4.2 Project Substation
The Project substation would be the termination point of the collection system of 34.5 kV AC electricity. The power
to and from the BESS would be passed through a final interconnection step-up transformer to convert it from
34.5 kV to 115 kV, which is the operating voltage of the PG&E Palermo Substation. The open-air Project substation
is anticipated to be constructed along the western boundary of the Project site adjacent to the PG&E Palermo
Substation property. The specific size and equipment for the substation would be finalized at the detailed
engineering stages as the Project progresses.
4.3 Operations and Maintenance
Once constructed, the Project would operate 7 days per week, 365 days per year. The facility would be remotely
monitored by the original equipment manufacturer and Feather Reliability Project LLC or an affiliated company.
Project operations would be monitored remotely through the SCADA system. The Project would include one single
story control enclosure for the SCADA system (approximately 400 to 700 square feet and a height of about 15
feet) near the Project substation. Periodic augmentation of batteries within the Project site would occur to
maintain the capacity over an approximate thirty-year life. Occasionally, on-site maintenance would be required,
which would include replacement of inverter power modules, filters, and miscellaneous electrical repairs on an
as-needed basis. No permanent sanitary facilities would be required.
During operation of the Project substation, operation and maintenance staff would visit the substation
periodically for switching and other operation activities. Maintenance trucks would be utilized to perform routine
maintenance, including but not limited to equipment testing, monitoring, repair, routine procedures to ensure
service continuity, and standard preventative maintenance.
Routine operations would require one or two workers in a light utility truck to visit the facility on a weekly basis.
Typically, one major maintenance inspection would take place annually.
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4.4 Generation Transmission Line
The energy would be transported to and from the Project substation to the adjacent PG&E Palermo Substation through
a proposed gen-tie line. The 115 kV gen-tie line would include steel poles up to approximately 100 feet tall. The number
and height of the poles, as well as the type of conductor, would be finalized during detailed design.
4.5 Perimeter Fencing, Landscaping, Signage, and
Lighting
The perimeter of the Project would be enclosed by a 16-foot-tall perimeter wall. Low-elevation (less than 14 feet)
controlled security lighting would be installed along Stageline Rd and Drescher Trat Rd, the Project substation, and
the entrance to the BESS structure. Lighting would only be switched on when personnel enter the area through a
manual activation (switch). Lighting would only be in areas where it is required for safety, security, or operations,
and would be directed on site and include shielding as necessary to minimize illumination of the night sky or
potential impacts to surrounding viewers.
4.6 Construction
Construction would be primarily composed of the following activities:
▪ Site Preparation: The site would be prepared for construction. For example, rough grading may be performed
where required to accommodate the support structures and access roads. Access roads would be gravel or
aggregate base depending on the final site geotechnical report. A temporary staging area would be constructed
to hold materials and construction equipment.
▪ Perimeter Wall: A 16-foot-tall perimeter wall would be installed around the BESS facility.
▪ Electrical Work: A concrete pad for the step-up transformer would be poured, followed by the installation of the
medium-voltage transformers, wiring of the modules through combiner boxes, and construction of the Project
substation and grid interconnection. The medium-voltage transformers would sit on concrete foundations or
driven piles, pending final design.
The Project is anticipated to be built over an approximately six – nine-month period from the onset of site
preparation activities through testing and commissioning of the facility. It is anticipated that construction crews
would work 8 or 10 hours per day, with work occurring Monday through Friday. Overtime and weekend work would
be used only as necessary to meet scheduled milestones or accelerate schedule and would comply with applicable
California labor laws. Estimated durations of construction activities are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Estimated Construction Activity Duration and Workforce
Construction Activity Duration
Expected Construction
Workforce (Number of
Employees)
Site Preparation 8 Weeks 20
Project Substation Site Preparation 2 Month 5
Grading 4 Months 20
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Table 1. Estimated Construction Activity Duration and Workforce
Construction Activity Duration
Expected Construction
Workforce (Number of
Employees)
Project Substation Site Grading 6 weeks 5
Battery/Container Installation 10 Months 60
Project Substation Installation 3 Months 15
Gen-Tie Line Foundation and Tower Erection 6 Weeks 10
Gen-Tie Line Stringing and Pulling 4 weeks 10
The enclosure modules would be off-loaded and installed using cranes, boom trucks, forklifts, rubber-tired loaders,
rubber-tired backhoes, and other small- to medium-sized construction equipment, as needed. Construction
equipment would be delivered to the site on low-bed trucks unless the equipment can be driven to the site (e.g.,
boom trucks).
4.7 Traffic
Access to the Project site would be from the any of the surrounding paved roads such as Drescher Tract Rd, Sam
Lynn Way and/or Stageline Rd. Delivery of material and supplies would reach the site through on-road truck
delivery through State Route 70 or State Route 162. The majority of the truck deliveries would be for the
containers with batteries, as well as any aggregate material that may be required for site preparation. The
heaviest delivery loads to the site would consist of rock truck deliveries, concrete trucks, and the step-up
transformer. Typically, the rock is delivered in “bottom dump trucks” or “transfer trucks” with six axles. Low-bed
transport trucks would transport the construction equipment to the site as needed. The size of the low -bed trucks
(axles for weight distribution) would depend on the equipment/materials transported.
4.8 Water Use
Water consumption during construction would be required for dust suppression and earthwork. Construction and
operational water would be provided by on-site groundwater through an improved existing well, a new well permitted
and drilled (if necessary), or through off-site source delivered by truck. It is anticipated that approximately 60 acre-
feet of water would be used for construction activities.
4.9 Decommissioning
In general, the BESS would be recycled at the expiration of the Project’s life (30 years). Most parts of the proposed
system are recyclable. Batteries include lithium-ion, which degrades but can be recycled or repurposed. Site
structures would include steel or wood and concrete. All of these materials can be recycled. Concrete from
deconstruction would be recycled. Local recyclers are available. Metal and scrap equipment and parts that do not
have free-flowing oil may be sent for salvage.
Fuel, hydraulic fluids, and oils would be transferred directly to a tanker truck from the respective tanks and vessels.
Storage tanks and vessels would be rinsed and transferred to tanker trucks. Other items that are not feasible to
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remove at the point of generation, such as smaller container lubricants, paints, thinners, solvents, cleaners,
batteries, and sealants, would be kept in a locked utility structure with integral secondary containment that meets
Certified Unified Program Agencies and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements for hazardous waste
storage until removal for proper disposal and recycling. It is anticipated that all oils and batteries would be recycled
at an appropriate facility. Site personnel involved in handling these materials would be trained to properly handle
them. Containers used to store hazardous materials would be inspected regularly for any signs of failure or leakage.
Additional procedures would be specified in a Hazardous Materials Business Plan closure plan submitted to the
Certified Unified Program Agencies. Transportation of the removed hazardous materials would comply with
regulations for transporting hazardous materials, including those set by the Department of Transportation, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Highway Patrol,
and California State Fire Marshal.
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5 Representative Project Photo
Photo 1: Aerial view of typical Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) containers. Note the above photo does
not include perimeter landscaping or perimeter wall that is proposed as part of the Project. The proposed
landscaping and perimeter wall around the Project perimeter would limit direct views of the BESS containers.
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6 References
Butte County GIS Portal. ArcGIS web application. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://gisportal.buttecounty.net/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e8ee08e0672d48c8862fd
3233e394027
Butte County. 2022. PowerButte Utility-Scale Solar Guide Mapping Tool. Retrieved from
http://gis.buttecounty.net/Public/index.html?viewer=PowerButteSolar
CAISO (California Independent System Operator). 2014. “Advancing and Maximizing the Value of Energy Storage
Technology: A California Roadmap.” December 2014.
CAISO. 2021. “Understanding the ISO.” http://www.caiso.com/about/Pages/OurBusiness/Default.aspx.
CEC (California Energy Commission). 2018. “Toward A Clean Energy Future, 2018 Integrated Energy Policy Report
Update, Volume I.” August 2018.
General plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.buttecounty.net/dds/Planning/Butte-County-General-Plan
Municode Library. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://library.municode.com/ca/butte_county/codes/
USDOE (US Department of Energy). 2013. “Grid Energy Storage.” December 2013.
Zoning districts, land uses, and development standards. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/10/Docs/Zoning/Part_2_Amended2015-06.pdf
FEATHER RELIABILITY PROJECT / PROJECT DESCRIPTION
14182 18 OCTOBER 2023
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Citru
s
A
v
eOdie Way
Lake Bl
v
d
S e ifL n
Fulton AvePerkins AveSawwali
CtK a t i e CtSilver Bar Dr
Fletcher Rd
Esperanza Ave
Ma and Pa Ln
Kusel Rd
CarmelAveHewitt AveKenilworth Ave CountryClubRdFo rtuneWayBaldwin Ave
Alverda Dr
Melvina AveWindfall Way
Wheeler Ave
BeaverRdMessina Ave DrescherTract R d
CynthiannLn
SummitAveSelf Ln
Irwin AveRabbitRdN Villa Ave
Palermo Rd
BohemiaAve
S ta g e lineRdDi
stri
ct
CenterDrPinecrest Rd
GrubbsRdLincoln BlvdLower W
y
a
n
d
o
t
t
e
R
d
Foothill
Blvd
Upper Palermo RdOphir Rd
Palermo Sub
Station
Project Location
Feather Reliability Project
SOURCE: ESRI Imagery 2023, Open Street Maps 2019Date: 7/24/2023 - Last saved by: tfriesen - Path: Z:\Projects\j1418205\MAPDOC\DOCUMENT\ARDR\Figure01_ProjectLocation.mxdProject Boundary
GenTie
FIGURE 1
Biggs
Chico
Colfax
Colusa
Corning
GrassValley
Gridley
Live Oak
Marysville
Nevada City
Orland
Oroville
Paradise
Red Bluff
Susanville
Tehama
Williams
Willows
Yuba City
Colusa
County
Glenn
County
Nevada County
Placer
County
Plumas County
Sierra
County
Sutter
County
Tehama County
Yuba
County
70
70
149
172
147
191
174
32
49
89
162
45
20
99
36
80
5
BUTTE
COUNTY
0 2,0001,000 Feet
Project Site