Presentation by Downeast Wind to Columbia and Washington County Maine residents - 2.5.20

1. Follow Downeast Wind at www.downeastwindfarm.com
or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DowneastWind/

2. 6:00pm - Welcome and Introductions
6:05pm - Project Overview and Development
6:20pm - Sound
6:35pm - Shadow Flicker
6:45pm - Project Visibility from Scenic Resources
6:55pm - Environmental/Wildlife
7:10pm - Safety
7:20pm - Audience Q&A
8:00pm - Closing
Program

3. Downeast Wind
Project Overview

4. Confidential
Downeast Wind
Project Highlights
Name Downeast Wind
Location Town of Columbia and
Washington County, Maine
ISO Hub/Zone Maine Hub
Technology Wind
Turbine Vestas V150 4.2 MW
Nameplate Capacity 126 MW
Net Capacity Factor 38%
COD October 2022
• 100% site control, including TROW
• Strong wind and good constructability drive competitive LCOE
• One of the few utility-scale, competitive and permittable sites in
ISO-NE not requiring major transmission project upgrades
• Minimal environmental risks
• Strong local support; project will provide
income diversity and stability for landowners,
at a time when blueberry prices and wood
fiber are at an all-time low.
4

5. Downeast Wind Public Outreach
Outreach Dates
Open House May 17, 2016
Local Business Project Network reception June 8, 2016
Safety coordination meeting - Regional Fire, Safety, First Responders May 15, 2017
Public Open House and BBQ October 16, 2017
Community Mapping Meeting December 15, 2017
Schoodic Lake Project Information Meeting February 6, 2018
Public Information Meeting & Survey on Project Impacts/Benefits (23
respondents).
February 7, 2018
Community Update Meeting February 8, 2018
Public Meeting: Survey of public feedback for Community Benefits and
investments
August 9, 2018
Columbia Approval for underground utilities October 15, 2018
5/21-29/19 Individual meetings with Schoodic Lake owners for lake owner
improvement investments
May 21-29, 2019
Public Open House June 11, 2019
Door to door outreach to get feedback on TIF and Community Benefits June 11-14, 2019
3

6. Downeast Wind Public Outreach (continued)
Outreach Dates
December 2019 Public Information Meeting December 19, 2019
Post-Meeting Survey of Public Meeting Attendees January 2020
Washington County Commission Public Hearing Presentation on TIF
Agreement
January 9, 2020
February 2020 Public Information Meetings February 5 & 6, 2020
Schoodic Lake Visual Simulation Open House (upcoming) February 12 & 13, 2020
Ongoing outreach:
• Annual Airball Kids Basketball Tournament (March 2016-present)
• Attendance at Columbia Selectmen Meetings, Annual Town Meetings, and Washington County
Commissioner Meetings.
• Windblade Challenge and Narraguagus School educational events.
• Events were publicized with direct mailing to local stakeholder, local flyers, ads in newspapers, and
display on 4 Corners Shop ‘n Save Sign.
3

7. Confidential
Project Evolution
• Original concept used the edge of the esker and
open barrens along Baseline Road in Columbia and
Cherryfield.
• Project moved to western Columbia, and north with
Phase 2 into T-18.
• Original Project sought to maximize the generation
within the leased space ~200 MW, 55-57 turbines.
• Current Project design
• 30 Turbines, 126 MW
• Turbines relocated to reduce view shed on Schoodic Lake
and reduce use of grassland habitat.
7

8. Confidential
Previous Project Layout (#18)
8

9. Confidential
Current Project Layout (#34)
9

10. Confidential
Project Design Elements
• 30 4.2 MW Turbines, 125M (410 ft) Hub Height, 200M (656 ft) Tip Height.
• Consolidation of turbines north and south of Schoodic Lake to reduce
visual impact and use of grassland habitat.
• Radar-activated lighting system, no blinking lights when no local air traffic
(As expected requirement of MDEP)
• Reduced and controlled lighting on other facilities.
• All setbacks and sound standards meet Town of Columbia and MDEP
sound and setback standards.
• Schoodic Lake dwellings:
• No Turbine closer than 3,500 ft (.66 miles).
• Nearest visible turbine 7,500 ft (1.4 miles) from nearest dwellings.

11. Confidential
Decommissioning. An applicant must demonstrate adequate financial
capacity to decommission the proposed wind energy development if
required at any time during construction or operation of the development,
or upon termination of development operations. This must include a
demonstration that this financial capacity will be unaffected by any
future changes in the applicant’s financial condition.
1. Full decommissioning plan must be submitted and approved.
2. Site restoration and turbine removal to minimum of 2 ft depth.
3. Plan and Financial assurance must be re-valuated every 2 years.
4. Decommissioning obligations transfer to any new or future project owner.
Chapter 382: WIND ENERGY ACT
STANDARDS
Decommissioning

12. Confidential
Taxes and Community Benefits $19.8M – 30 yrs
Town of Columbia:
• $280,000 payment at time of construction for use for town
infrastructure.
• $246,000 first full-year payment (not including onetime payments).
• $280,000 average annual payment over 20 years.
• $7.4M in payments for life of project.
• Will not have any impact on state aid and revenue share.
WaCoCBAdistribution 23T
Annualpayment 328,440.00$
Scholarship fund 50,000.00$
SmBus Loan Fund 75,000.00$
Health Infraimprovements 113,440.00$
Emergencyrecusecapital 50,000.00$
Health and emergency 20,000.00$
Watershed 20,000.00$
Road use agreements: road improvements as a result of repair and restoration
of roads post construction.
Washington County:
• $500,000 payment at time of construction for use
for county infrastructure.
• $350,000 to Schoodic Lake for property
improvements.
• $428,700 first full-year payment (not including
onetime payments).
• $482,000 average annual payment over 20 years.
• $12.4M in payments for life of project.
• Will not have any impact on state aid and revenue
share.
THESE ARE
DIRECT
BENEFITS TO
THE
COMMUNITIES
AND LOCAL
RESIDENTS

13. Confidential
Economic Development
13
Downeast Wind is likely to bring more than $240 million in direct economic
benefits to the region over 30 years.
 Local Vendor and jobs fair prior to construction.
 Downeast Wind will produce enough clean energy to power 36,000 Maine
homes.
 During development and construction phases:
o $215,000 in annual landowner payments
o 104 direct construction jobs - $5M in payroll earnings*
o 171 local induced jobs - $8.4 M in payroll earnings*
o $85.3M in local spending through installation*
 Through operations (30 years):
o $4.2M in annual landowner payments
o 10 onsite jobs - $500,000 annual payroll*
o 84 induced jobs created by local revenue and spending impacts - $4.2M
annual payroll *
 (induced impact) total local and regional jobs to be created and/or
maintained through direct and “multiplier effects” (economic activity
induced by local spending of new wages generated by the project)*
*Calculated by NREL The Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) models

14. Confidential
Next Steps
14
• Public information meetings,
gather public comment and
feedback.
• Finalize project design
• Schoodic Lake Visual Sim Open
House February 12 & 13
• Complete tax and Community
Benefit agreements with town and
county.
• Prepare and submit Maine Site
Law Permit Application Q1 2020.
• MDEP Project Public Meeting.
• Interconnect process complete Q4
2020.
• Permit process complete Q1-2
2021.
• Construction Q4 2021-Q4 2022

15. Confidential
Comments from Social Media:
15
• There are other places to locate this project far away from
where people live.
• The project will have a negative impact on property values.
• Project roads will be 40 yards wide.
• Power will be sold out of state.
• This project is only being done because the company
receives large subsidies and federal dollars up front to
build the project.

16. Turbine Siting and
Modeling

17. Confidential
Agenda
• Setbacks
• Meteorological Siting
• Sound
• Shadow Flicker
17

18. Confidential
Creating the Layout—Setbacks
Example 5-square-mile project area:
18
3

19. Confidential
Creating the Layout—Setbacks
Example 5-square-mile project area:
19
Apply municipal and infrastructure features—roads,
electricity, power lines, etc.

20. Confidential
Creating the Layout—Setbacks
Example 5-square-mile project area:
20
Apply environmental features: streams, wetlands,
bird flyways, etc.

21. Confidential
Creating the Layout—Setbacks
Example 5-square-mile project area:
21
Apply setbacks from property lines, homes, barns,
structures, etc.

22. •Site Suitability
•Turbulence
•Wakes
Why We Study Wind Data
22

23. Confidential
Meteorological Data
On-site wind data
23

24. Confidential
Takeaways
• A turbine is sited due to a combination of physical,
environmental, and meteorological reasons.
• Moving one turbine impacts every other turbine in the
project
24

25. Confidential
Sound
R. Scott Bodwell, P.E
Bodwell EnviroAcoustics, LLC

26. Sound & Decibels
26
• Sound is a wave
• Amplitude
• Determines how loud
• Wavelength
• Determines frequency
𝜆 = 𝑐/𝑓, where c = speed of sound

27. Confidential
Sound & Decibels
27
• Sound Pressure Level describes the amplitude of the
sound.
• Sound Pressure range: 20 to 20,000,000 micropascals.
• Compressed using a logarithmic function to convert to
sound pressure level denoted by dB or decibel.
• Sound Pressure Level range: 0 to 120 dB
20 µPa Sound Pressure (p) 20,000,000 µPa
0 dB Sound Pressure Level (Lp) 120 dB
𝐿 𝑝 = 20 × log10( 𝑝 𝑝 𝑟𝑒𝑓)

28. Confidential
Common Sound Pressure Levels
28
Image Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
http://www.nonoise.org/library/sndbasic/sndbasic.htm

29. Confidential
Decibel Addition
29
• Two of equal sources added together increase the sound
level by 3 dB:
30 dB + 30 dB = 33 dB
= 10 x log[10^(30/10) + 10^(30/10)] = 33 dB
• If the sound level difference is more than 9 dB, there is
minimal change:
30 dB + 40 dB = 40.4 dB
dB Change Perception
3 dB Just Perceptible
5 dB Noticeable
10 dB Twice as Loud
20 dB Four Times as Loud

30. Confidential
Sound Metrics
30
Energy Based: LAeq (time-based energy average/equivalent sound level -
commonly applied by noise standards)
Percentiles: LA10 = 10% above (high range)
LA90 = 90% above (low range)

31. Frequency Weighting
31

32. Sound Over Distance
32
Sound Source: Expressed as Sound Power Level, LwA
At Distance: Measured as Sound Pressure Level, dBA
6 dB per doubling of distance

33. Wind Turbine Sound
33
WIND TURBINE SOUND POWER LEVELS
• Wind Turbine Testing per IEC 61400-11
• Establish Turbine Sound Power Level & Uncertainty
• Purpose – for community sound level assessments
• Prominent – mid frequencies
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
16 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 All
SoundPowerLevel,dBA
Frequency, Hz
Vestas Wind Turbine Sound Power Levels
14 m/s
7 m/s
10 m/s

34. Noise Standards
34
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Chapter 375.10 – Control of Noise
Major Rulemaking – Adopted 1989
SOUND LEVEL LIMITS – ALL DEVELOPMENTS
• Limits apply at “protected locations” – noise sensitive areas such
as residential properties and conservation areas
• Quiet area limits – 55 dBA daytime/45 dBA nighttime (within 500
feet of sleeping quarters)
• 5 dBA penalty applied to specific types of sound – tonal and
impulse (short duration repetitive or SDR)

35. Noise Standards
35
Maine DEP Chapter 375.10 – Control of Noise
Section I – Wind Energy Facilities
Major Rulemaking – Adopted 2012
SOUND LEVEL LIMITS – ALL PROTECTED LOCATIONS
• Reduced nighttime sound limit to 42 dBA nighttime
• 5 dBA penalty if types of sounds produced
• Based on annual sound levels of operating wind project in Maine
• Meet nighttime noise guidelines of World Health Organization
TOWN OF COLUMBIA – WIND TURBINE ORDINANCE
• Applies Maine DEP 375.10 Section I by reference

36. Noise Standards
36
Maine DEP 375.10 Section I – Wind Energy Facilities
SOUND LEVEL PREDICTION MODEL
• International sound propagation
standard
• Turbine and Model uncertainty
• Full rated sound level all turbines
• Terrain-based (three dimensional)
• Predictable Worst Case
• No foliage attenuation
• All receptors downwind
• Proven methodology by wind
turbine sound testing in Maine

37. Noise Standards
37
Maine DEP 375.10 Section I – Wind Energy Facilities
TECHNICAL SUBMISSIONS
• Location of all proposed sound sources – wind turbines and
substation
• Mapping of all protected locations – parcels/dwellings,
conservation areas, residential subdivisions
• Compliance evaluation of sound levels from construction
and operations
• Sound performance data and rated sound power for
proposed wind turbines
• Assessment of tonal and short duration repetitive sounds
• Sound Complaint Protocol

38. Noise Standards
38
Maine DEP 375.10 Section I –
Wind Energy Facilities
OPERATIONS SOUND TESTING
• Measure under conditions when
wind turbine sound is most
prominent – Full Sound Output &
Low Ambient Sound
• Specific measurements for tonal
sounds – 1/3 Octave Band
• SDR sounds - amplitude
modulation based on 50 ms sound
levels
• Year 1 and every 5 years
10-Meter Wind Sensor

39. Noise Standards
39
Maine DEP 375.10 Section I – Operations Sound Testing
HIGH
WIND
LOW
WIND
HIGH
WIND
STABLE ATMOSPHERE - NIGHTTIME
•High Upper Winds
•Low Surface Wind
UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE - EXCLUDE
•High Upper Winds
•High Surface Wind

40. Noise Standards
40
Maine DEP 375.10 Section I – Operations Sound Testing
SOUND TEST REPORT
• Wind turbine operations data – hub wind speed & direction, and
kW power output
• Surface wind speed measurements
• Numerous sound metrics
• Analysis of tonal and SDR sounds
30
35
40
45
50
55
2340 2345 2350 2355 2360 2365 2370 2375 2380 2385 2390 2395 2400

41. Sound at Downeast
41
Apex Internal Modeling to be verified
by 3rd party for permit application
submission

42. Confidential
Takeaways
• Sound is a pressure wave with a variety of frequencies
and amplitudes
• Specifically regulated by Maine DEP to protect noise
sensitive land uses
• Rigorous protocols for sound modeling, operations
testing and sound complaints
• Detailed Sound Level Assessment reports with
predictive sound model based on international
standards
• Modeling and sound testing proven at numerous wind
projects in Maine
42

43. Confidential
Shadow Flicker

44. •Shadow Flicker is caused by sunlight passing through the
rotor sweep area of the wind turbine
•Modern Wind Turbines have a light flickering frequency
below 1Hz.
•The amount of shadow flicker diminishes rapidly with
distance from the turbine, and should be minimal at
10RD from a turbine
What is Shadow Flicker?
44

45. Confidential
Why do the Lengths of Shadows Change?
45
L
0H
Image Source: Mamia, I. & Appelbaum, J. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 55, 713–718 (2016).
𝐿 = 𝐻/tan(𝛼)
Where, L is the Total Shadow Length
H is the height of the object
α is the sun elevation angle
Geometry of the Sun!

46. Confidential
Angle between the Earth and Sun
46
𝐿 = 𝐻/tan(𝛼)
sin 𝛼 = cos 𝛿 cos 𝜙 cos 𝜔 + sin 𝛿 sin 𝜙
Where,α is the sun elevation angle
δ is the declination of the earth axis
φ is the latitude
ω is the sun hour
𝛿 = 23.45 sin 360
284 + 𝑛
365
n is the day of the year
Image Source: Illinois Institute of Technology, D. Maslanka

47. Confidential
Sun Path Diagram
47

48. Confidential
Modeling a Turbine
48
500m
Minutes

51. Confidential
What Does this Assume?
• No Clouds or Fog
• Turbine Continuously Operates
• Turbine Perpendicular to the sun at all times
• No trees or buildings obscuring the shadow
• House windows in all directions
• Sun very diffuse at low angles
51

52. Confidential
Shadow Flicker at Downeast
52
50 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
20 hrs
10 hrs
Annual Shadow Flicker
(8760 hrs)
Apex Internal Modeling to be
verified by 3rd party for permit
application submission

53. Confidential
Takeaways
• We understand how to model where shadow flicker
could occur very accurately
• Shadow flicker is very specific to certain times of day
and months of the year.
53

54. Comments from Social Media:
• Homes and camps will always experience flashing shadows
and light.
• People will not be able to come out of their homes and
camps.
• People will become sick and disoriented from the project
shadow flicker.
54

55. Downeast Wind
Visual Impacts

56. Visual Impact
Assessment
Yarmouth, Maine
Completed over 25 VIAs
35 years of experience in Maine
• Visual Impact Assessment
• GIS Mapping and Analysis
• 3D Computer Modeling
• Mitigation Planning
• Scenic Inventories and Assessment
• Site Planning and Design
• Master Planning
• Recreation Planning
• Permitting

57. Standard of Scenic Impact: determine whether the
development significantly compromises views from a
scenic resource of state or national significance such that
the development has an unreasonable adverse effect on
the scenic character or existing uses related to scenic
character of the scenic resource.
MAINE Wind Energy Act
57

58. • Significance of scenic
resource
• Existing character of
surrounding area
• Scope / scale of potential
effect on scenic resource.
• Expectations of the
typical viewer.
• Extent, nature and
duration of public use.
• Potential effect on
continued use and
enjoyment
Evaluation Criteria
58

59. • Review project data
• Research – SRSNS,
recreational use data,
locally sensitive resources
• Viewshed Mapping
• Fieldwork/Photography –
leaf on and leaf off
• 3D Computer Modeling
• Model Overlays
• Photosimulations
• Visual Impact Assessment
• Appendices: Mapping, Study
Area Photos,
Photosimulations
VIA Methodology
59

60. Scenic Resources of State or National Significance
60
An area or place owned by the public or to which the public has a
legal right of access that is…
A) National Natural Landmarks, federally designated wilderness areas, and other
outstanding natural and cultural features, such as the Orono Bog or Meddybemps
Heath. There are 14 NNL in Maine, designated primarily for their scientific (and not
scenic) value. NONE IN THE PROJECT AREA
B) A property on the National Register of Historic Places pursuant to the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (e.g., the Rockland Breakwater Light,
Fort Knox).
16 NRHP Structures and 1 Historic District WITHIN 8 MILES,
NONE WILL HAVE PROJECT VISIBILITY
C) A National Park or State Park, There are 3 units of the National Park System and
32 designated State Parks in Maine. NONE IN THE PROJECT AREA
D) Great Ponds that have been rated as Outstanding or Significant
Lakes and ponds previously identified as having highly significant scenic value in the
Maine’s Finest Lakes study, or designated as “outstanding” or “significant” from a
scenic perspective in the Wildlands Lakes Assessment.
Two rated great ponds within 8 miles: Mopang Lake and Upper Cranberry Lake.
NO PROJECT VIEWS FROM EITHER POND.

61. Scenic Resources of State or National Significance
61
E) A Scenic River or Stream identified as having unique or outstanding scenic
attributes, listed in Appendix G of the Maine Rivers Study.
Machias River, rated an ‘A’ River, including Scenic Resources.
Schoodic Brook is identified in the MRS, but not listed in Appendix G.
NO PROJECT VIEWS FROM EITHER WATERBODY
F) A scenic viewpoint located on state public reserved land or on a trail that is
used exclusively for pedestrian use, such as the Appalachian Trail, that the
Department of Conservation designates by rule adopted in accordance with section
3457.
Great Heath is Public Reserve Land but there are no designated scenic
viewpoints
NONE IN THE PROJECT AREA
G) A scenic turnout on a scenic highway constructed by the Dept of
Transportation.
There are two Scenic Byways within 8 miles: Blackwoods and Bold Coast.
NO PROJECT VIEWS FROM EITHER BYWAY
H) Scenic viewpoints located in the Coastal Area that are ranked as having
statewide significance or national importance in terms of scenic quality .
NONE IN THE PROJECT AREA

62. PROJECT STUDY AREA

63. VIEWSHED ANALYSIS
Landcover with Blades

64. National Register Historic Places
16 Structures and 1 Historic District
64

65. National Register of
Historic Places
Col. Samuel Campbell House
Gen Alexander Campbell House
Cherryfield Academy
Patten Building
Cherryfield Historic District
Ruggles House
Union Church
Columbia Union Church
Union Church
Columbia Falls
Gallison Memorial Library

66. NRHP: Columbia Union Church
Project screened by intervening vegetation

67. Columbia
Union Church
Proposed
Downeast Wind
turbines
Columbia
Union Church
NRHP: Columbia Union
Church

68. NRHP: Columbia Union Church
View of from front of church looking southwest

69. NRHP: Columbia Union Church
View of from front of church looking west

70. NRHP: Columbia Union Church
Computer Overlay

71. NRHP: Columbia Union Church
View of Project Area from Epping Road in front of church

72. Great Ponds Rated for Scenic Resources and
Scenic Rivers and Streams
72

73. UPPER CRANBERRY LAKE: Great Pond rated as ‘Outstanding’ for scenic resources.
MOPANG LAKE: Great Pond rated as ‘Significant’ for scenic resources.

74. UPPER CRANBERRY LAKE: Viewpoint 1
No Project views.

75. MOPANG LAKE: Viewpoint 1
No Project views.

76. MOPANG LAKE: Enlargement of Viewpoint 1
No Project views.

77. MOPANG LAKE: Viewpoint 2
No Project views.

78. MOPANG LAKE: Viewpoint 3
No Project views.

79. MACHIAS RIVER
No Project views.

80. SCHOODIC BROOK
Project screened by intervening vegetation

81. View looking north
8 turbines will be visible
1.5 to 3.6 miles
View looking south
7 turbines will be visible
2.1 to 4.25 miles
SCHOODIC LAKE – Not a SRSNS

82. How do we know?
If Aspect ratio to the tree is greater than aspect ratio to tower the
tree obstructs the view of the tower.
Aspect Ration Tree line = (E-B)/F
Aspect Ration Tower = (D-B)/G.

84. Downeast Wind
Project Environmental Studies

85. Agency Feedback and Considerations
• Project contains Upland Sandpiper (USPA) habitat and they were
observed during surveys.
• Possible foraging stopover for Whimbrels (WHIM) to use blueberry
barrens along Maine’s coastal plain (July 15 – September 15). No
observations of WHIM during surveys.
• Like other Maine locations, the Coastal Plain is an important
migration route for passerines, which migrate at night.
• Proximity of an eagle nest and potential use of the site by bald eagles
• Fatalities of bats during operation documented in Maine and
throughout US.
85

86. Studies Completed to Date
86
Study Dates
Upland Sandpiper/ Grassland Bird Surveys June – Sept 2016, April – Oct 2017
Nocturnal Migration Radar Survey Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016
Acoustic Bat Activity Surveys
Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring
2017
Diurnal Raptor Migration Surveys
Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring
2017, Spring 2019
Eagle/Avian Use Surveys Sept 2015 – Sept 2016
Aerial Bald Eagle Nest/Heron Rookery Survey Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2019
Schoodic Lake Eagle Nest Survey April 2019 – August 2019
Breeding Bird Surveys May and June 2016
Vernal Pool Surveys April and May 2019
Botanical Surveys Summer 2016 and Spring/Summer 2019

87. Studies Recently Completed or in Progress
87
Study Dates
Wetland Surveys September - December 2019
Eagle/Avian Use Surveys January 2019 – December 2019
Analysis of Dwellings and Structures December 2019
Archaeological, Cultural and Historic Resource
Assessment
November 2019 – February 2020
Soil Survey October – December 2019
Visual Assessment November 2019 – February 2020
Flicker Assessment December 2019 – January 2020
Noise Assessment November 2019 – January 2020

88. Agency Feedback and Considerations
In direct response to agency concerns:
o Project size reduced from 57 turbine locations, 200 MW to 30 turbine
locations,126 MW.
o Turbines in open barrens that are used by UPSA and WHIM reduced from 25 in
2016, to 10 in 2018, to currently 6, 3 of which are in marginal habitat.
 Avoids large, expansive habitats and areas with high levels of UPSA use.
 No impact on areas with the most UPSA observations.
 Removes turbines from path between WHIM observed locations and
Harrington Flats.
o Turbines pushed to fringes of the barrens to avoid habitat. No northern turbines
in open barrens.
o All turbines directly south of Schoodic Lake removed. Also reduced visual
impact from Schoodic Lake.
Current Layout includes alternative turbine locations to allow final
shifts to avoid conflicts.
88

89. Previous Project Layout (#18)
89

90. Confidential
Current Project Layout (#34)
90

91. Additional Minimization for UPSA and WHIM
• Project access roads and collection lines have been sited away
from suitable UPSA breeding habitat to the extent practicable.
• Curtailment during courtship behaviors in the rotor swept zone for
turbines located in UPSA habitat.
• May 15 – June 15 from 30 minutes before sunrise to 10 AM and 4 PM
to 30 minutes after sunset
• Turbines have been located outside of the WHIM flight path from
Harrington Bay to the blueberry barrens near Schoodic Lake
(where the MDIF&W has documented whimbrel use).
91

92. Minimization: Nocturnal Avian Migrants
• Implement FAA-approved flashing lighting on turbines
• No nighttime lighting on nacelles
• Motion activated lighting will likely be installed on the
substation and O&M
• Unguyed permanent met towers due to the known mortality
risk associated with guyed communication towers
92

93. Bald Eagles
• No eagle carcasses have been found at wind projects in Maine to
date.
• As of 2018, 55 bald eagles carcasses found at wind project comprising
the 57,000 wind turbines in the US since the early 1990s.
• Eagle use surveys were completed for 2 years as per USFWS
recommendation.
• Eagle use at the Project was comparable to other wind projects in
Maine.
• Known eagle nests were taken into consideration for Project siting.
• 1 mile setback of turbines
93

94. Bald Eagles
94

95. Bat Fatality Minimization Measures
Highest risk to bats during the fall migration and three species
of bats most likely to be impacted:
• Eastern red bat, silver-haired bat and hoary bat.
Exploring the possibility of combining curtailment and acoustic
deterrents to aim for the highest reduction in bat fatalities or bat
acoustic monitoring to determine periods of most risk and focus
operational avoidance strategies during that period.
Acoustic deterrents are effective in reducing bat fatalities, and
the combination of curtailment and deterrents has been shown
to reduce fatalities by over 70%.
95

96. Mitigation Concept
96
• The potential sites are located near the Project and proximal to
already preserved land to add to the value of the mitigation land.
• Identified natural communities within the mitigation area include
grassland, scrub-shrub/barren habitat, early successional forest,
deciduous forest, coniferous forest, mixed deciduous-coniferous
forest, emergent wetland, scrub-shrub wetland, and riparian habitat.
• The habitat quality at the sites and proximity to already preserved
habitat more than offsets any potential habitat loss.
• Sites will benefit both birds and bats and other wildlife.
• Project proposes to put this land into a conservation easement and
complete a land management plan.

97. Summary
• Project design avoids impacts to grassland birds and plans to
mitigate for any potential habitat loss or displacement.
• Measures taken to reduce threat to avian migration.
• Project designed to avoid eagle nests and fatality threat to
eagles is very low.
• Propose to use a combination of curtailment and the most
advanced technology available (deterrents) to reduce threats to
bats.
• Conservation easement will create net benefit for wildlife.
97

98. Comments from Social Media:
• Project will damage waterbodies, water quality and wild
runs of Atlantic Salmon.
• Roadways and excavation will cause erosion into Pleasant
River and Schoodic Lake.
• Harm the Great Heath and local bogs: Salmon, Bog
Bedstraw, Canadian Mountain Rice Grass, Jacobs Ladder.
98

99. Wind 101- Safety

100. 100
Safety

101. 101
410 feet up

102. 102
Emergency Drills

103. 103
Emergency Response

104. 104
Apex Equipment

105. 105
Emergency Response- Patient Care
• Rescue Trained
o Advanced First Aid
o AED/CPR
o Ropes
• Towers Rescue Equipped
• We Will Bring PT to You
• GPS For All Towers
• Self Rescue

106. 106
Environmental Response
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Spill Control Plans
• Evaluate Local Footprint
• Covered Containment Areas

107. 107
Emergency Response- Turbine Fires
• Extremely Rare
• Sterile Zone
• 200-300ft
• Stage Away From the
Turbine
• Hit the Hot Spots

108. 108
Emergency Response- Transformers
• Local Utility
• No Water On the Hot Stuff
• Pressurized Oil

109. 109
Safety and Community Relationships

110. 110
Moving Forward With Apex
• Strengthen the Relationships
o Fire/PD
o Hospitals
o Community
• Mutual Training
o Equipment
o Response Plans
• Annual Drills
o Announced
o Unannounced

111. 111
Remote Operations Center- “The ROCC”
• Located In Charlottesville, VA
o Apex Head Quarters
• 24/7/365 Monitoring
o Wind
o Turbines
o Comms
• Talented Staff
o Veterans
o Always Vigilant!

112. 112
Apex- Safety, A Core Value
• Our Employees
• Award Winning Approach
• Our Contractors
• Pride in Influencing the Industry
• Our Owners
• Managing Risk
• Our Land Owners
• Relationships
• Quarterly Meetings
• Our Community
• Constant Engagement
• Our Emergency Responders
• Enhance Mutual Aid
• Drills and Collaboration

113. 113
Apex Safety
Thank You!

114. Question &
AnswerPlease raise your hands and wait to be recognized
before asking your question to ensure all attendees
have an opportunity to ask questions and deliver
comments on the project.
If questions remain after 8:00pm Project Developer
Paul Williamson will remain afterwards to directly
answer any
Downeast Wind Public Meeting

115. 115
Contact
ROBERT GEE
Public Engagement Organizer
cell: 207-631-1502
robert.gee@apexcleanenergy.com
Linda Belfiore
Development Associate
PO Box 219
Columbia, ME 04623
(207) 598-5434
Paul Williamson
Senior Development Manager
Apex Clean Energy, Inc.
207-242-3521
paul.williamson@apexcleanenergy.com
Downeast Wind LLC
PO Box 219
Columbia, ME 04623