REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Considering the Information in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Program Environmental Impact Review and on the CEQA Checklist Prepared for the
Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 30, 2016, Council approved a power purchase and sales agreement and a ground lease for wind park facilities at the City's existing Altamont Pass property (
Rooney Ranch).
Rooney Ranch, LLC, a subsidiary of sPower, will install new technology wind turbines, referred to as a re-powering project, at the
Rooney Ranch site.
The 578-acre
Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project area, an existing wind project in the Alameda County portion of the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA), comprises two parcels, both owned by the City, south of Altamont Pass Road ("Project Site"). The Project Site and the surrounding APWRA's land use consists largely of cattle-grazed land which supports operating wind turbines and ancillary facilities.
Under the terms of the power purchase agreement,
Rooney Ranch, LLC is proposing to install seven new wind turbines on the
Rooney Ranch site and is seeking a Notice to Proceed with construction of the project. The proposed project would entail installation of up to seven new wind turbines and is expected to utilize turbines with generating capacities between 2.3 and 4.0 megawatts (MW), all similar in size and appearance, to develop up to 25.1 MW. The final layout of the site would be selected on the basis of site constraints (i.e., avian siting considerations), data obtained from meteorological monitoring of the wind resources, and turbine availability. Existing roads would be used where possible, and temporary widening and some new roads would be necessary.
Because the
Rooney Ranch Project Site is City-owned and is being used for the public purpose of power generation, the City of Santa Clara is exempt from Alameda County land use regulations. This report describes the pro...
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