We welcome your thoughts and want to hear from you. Our focus is making sure you have the information you need to understand this project fully.
Wind power is an advanced technology that has been reliably supplying clean, affordable electricity into the utility grid for decades. Yet, a number of misconceptions persist about clean energy projects like Riverbend Wind Project.
DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT BELOW to get your questions answered on a variety of topics, including: property values, shadow flicker, turbine safety lights, access roads, water quality, sound emission, electromagnetic, wildlife management and more.
PROJECT OVERALL
Who is the developer of the proposed wind project?
Liberty Power is the owner of the Riverbend Wind Project (“Project”) and is responsible for all aspects of Project construction and operation. Liberty Power intends to continue to own and operate the Project throughout its life.
What is the proposed wind project?
Liberty Power is proposing to develop, construct, and operate the Project within Sanilac County in eastern Michigan, to the west of Croswell.
Where is the wind project being proposed?
The Project is planned to be located in two (2) Townships in Sanilac County: Fremont and Speaker Townships.
What are the proposed timelines for the Project?
The table below provides an overview of the estimated projected dates associated with the Project.
| Milestone | Anticipated Timeline |
| Project Origination | 2020 |
| Consultation & Land Acquisition | Early 2020 to Late 2021 |
| Interconnection Application MET Tower Installations Ongoing Community Engagement | Early 2020 to Late 2021 |
| Permitting Geotechnical Surveys Environmental Surveys | Early 2020 to Late 2024 |
| Notice to Proceed & Construction | 2026 |
| Anticipated Commercial Operation Date | Late 2027 |
Who do we contact for more information? / Where can I access more information?
Website: www.riverbendwind.com
Email Address: RiverbendWind@algonquinpower.com
Mailing Address: 354 Davis Road, Oakville, ON L6J 2X1
Phone Number: 833-631-1059
What are the basic project components?
Basic Project components include:
– Turbines;
– Electrical power collector system (will be buried where possible);
– Buried collection lines;
– Temporary public road intersection improvements (if required) to facilitate the transportation of turbine/project equipment. In addition, there is a potential for public road upgrades to be required to accommodate the transportation of equipment;
– Meteorological Tower;
– Construction of turbine access roads (approximately 60 feet wide for construction and then reduced to approximately 16 feet for operation) and foundation area (with temporary laydown area around the proposed turbine locations) in order to facilitate the construction;
– A temporary construction laydown yard, which will be used for construction office trailers, vehicle parking, material storage and a potential concrete batch plant;
– Project substation
Temporary infrastructure during construction may include staging areas for the turbines, access roads, met tower(s), preparation areas for collector lines and transmission line, as well as crane paths, and construction site office(s).
ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION
Collection System
Riverbend Wind Project will include underground collection systems, located on private land, from the turbines to the substation.
Project Substation
A new substation will be constructed for the Project. At a minimum, the equipment to be installed in the new substation will be a main power transformer, a high voltage circuit breaker, four medium voltage circuit breakers, a capacitor bank, a control enclosure, and associated steelwork and concrete foundations. The substation will be surrounded by a security chain link fence.
Transmission Line
A new transmission line may be required for the Project.
Point of Interconnection
The Point of Interconnection is unknown at this time and is still be investigated.
adequacy of the wind source & physical land mass to support the project
Liberty Power has undertaken the appropriate due diligence with respect to determining that the wind resource is sufficient for the construction of the Project.
NOISE
Will I hear the turbines at my residence?
Riverbend Wind commits to complying with the American National Standard Institute and noise requirements stated by the Township ordinance regarding noise emitted from the project.
health and safety
Will there be impacts from stray voltage during operations of the Project?
Stray voltage is an extraneous voltage that is related to the transmission of electricity, not the production of electricity. Stray voltage appears on grounded surfaces in buildings, barns, and other structures. Stray voltage is a direct result of poor grounding practices, improper or inadequate wiring, or the breakdown of insulation in old wires or electrical loads. The Project’s electrical collection system will avoid these causes of stray voltage by incorporating all new construction in accordance with standard utility practice and meeting the required stringent design and inspection requirements.
visual impacts
Will the aeronautical obstruction lights be used?
Yes, as per FAA requirements, aeronautical lighting will be installed, which will conform to current FAA regulations.
PROPERTY VALUES
Liberty Power acknowledges public comments and concerns related to potential property value impacts. Multiple studies have found wind farms have no significant long-term impacts on property values. While some potential property purchasers may be hesitant to purchase land near wind turbines, academic studies show that the positive impacts of a wind energy project either balance or outweigh any negative impacts. A study of more than 50,000 home sales among 27 counties in 9 states found no statistical evidence that home prices near wind farms were affected by the wind farm. (Wind Farm Proximity and Property Values: A Pooled Hedonistic Regression Analysis of Property Values in Central Illinois. Jennifer L. Hinman, (May 2010))
traffic and impacts to roads
What measures will be used to control traffic and maintain public safety?
A Traffic Management Plan (which would include public safety) would be developed in consultation with local authorities by the Construction Contractor for the protection of public safety during the construction. The Traffic Management Plan may include site access restrictions. The effect of constructing and operating the project is anticipated to have a limited, short term effect on traffic.
CONSTRUCTION
What impacts will there be from construction of the Project?
Each permit application addresses different potential impacts during construction (e.g., erosion and sediment control, stormwater, grading, etc.). The Project will be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the permits issued by the regulatory agencies. Construction is a short-term event, lasting approximately 10-12 months.
How will the Project be constructed?
The project will be constructed in a staged approach with pre-site grading, foundation work, turbine erection, and then reclamation.
The construction sequence for the Project will be developed in consultation with the contractor(s), and Liberty Power will follow all applicable rules and regulations. Land clearing and grading activities will be minimized by keeping disturbance and construction activities within the permitted limits of disturbance, by following the sequence of construction, and by providing immediate temporary or permanent stabilization in accordance with the permit requirements.
Who is paying for the construction of the Project?
Liberty Power is the proponent for the Project and is paying for the construction of the project.
OPERATIONS
Can the wind turbines withstand extreme weather events?
Project components will be designed to withstand the effects from extreme weather events, including high winds and icing events. Considering the design features of the turbine which act to reduce or eliminate the potential for damage from extreme events, no adverse net effects from extreme weather events are anticipated during operation of the Project.
Will ice build-up on the wind turbines?
The meteorological conditions that would cause the formation of ice on wind turbine blades in the Project area is a rare occurrence. Even under those conditions however, ice concerns is controlled in modern wind turbines through the use of sophisticated controls that stop the operation of the wind turbine under such conditions.
complaint response protocol
Liberty Power will continue its pre-construction contact with Project stakeholders during construction and operations as long as this seems an effective two-way channel for communication. Liberty Power and/or the Construction Contractor and/or the Operations Contractor will develop and implement a Complaint Response Resolution Protocol for the construction and operation phase to address any reasonable concern from the public. Any issues brought forward will be assessed and addressed on a case by case basis. All reasonable commercial efforts will be made to take appropriate action as a result of concerns as soon as practicable.
decommissioning
Who is responsible for decommissioning the Wind Project?
Liberty Power will repower or decommission the project. Liberty Power is responsible for the decommissioning of the Project including the cost of component removal and has committed to returning the site to a safe and clean condition after decommissioning in accordance with requirements to be determined prior to decommissioning. A site restoration plan will be developed based on the standards and best practices at the time of decommissioning.
Decommissioning would include the dismantling and removal of facility components, including foundations to a depth of 4 feet below grade, and restoring the land. Components would be recycled or reused wherever possible.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
How is the natural environment being taken into consideration during the Project?
The Project is being designed with several main objectives:
– Maintain the natural drainage patterns of the site where possible.
– Avoid stream, wetland, and riparian buffer crossings wherever possible.
– Maximize the protection of existing drainage features and vegetation.
– Limit the disturbed area and minimize erosion within the disturbed areas.
– Minimize sediment transport and prevent potential pollutants from leaving the site.
– Stage the earth disturbance to minimize the extent and duration of areas of un-stabilized soils.
– Minimize soil compaction.
– Implement an effective inspection and maintenance plan to ensure the proper functioning of the Best Management Practice construction details (BMPs).
How has the presence of species at risk been considered in the development of the preliminary layout?
Liberty Power will initiate consultation with the regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction of species at risk. Environmental studies will be utilized in the siting process to avoid potential impacts, and best management practices will be implemented to minimize impacts to species of risk during the construction and operation of the Project.
How has the risk to migratory birds and bats been considered?
Pre-construction bird and bat surveys will be initiated in 2021. The results of these surveys will be used to prepare a site-specific bird and bat conservation strategy.
water
How are water bodies being taken into consideration during the project?
Environmental studies will be utilized in the siting process to avoid or minimize potential impacts to wetlands, streams, and riparian buffers.
What potential effect will the Project have on ground water and/or water wells?
Appropriate measures will be applied to minimize the impact (on drinking water / to groundwater) as a result of the Project. Before excavation commences, a geotechnical study is completed at all potential sites for groundwater depth, as well as to determine the necessary parameters required for foundation design. For stability reasons, turbine foundations cannot be built in areas where the groundwater is too close to the surface. If water is encountered at any time, good construction practices will be used such as minimizing the length of time that the excavation is open and monitoring seepage during excavation.
AVIATION SAFETY
Will the Project be required to provide information to the FAA?
One of the most important milestones in any wind project is securing a determination from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the project does not adversely affect air traffic or radar systems, thereby protecting public safety.
What are the turbine setbacks to private airstrips?
The Project will submit the necessary information to the FAA, as per the regulatory requirements. In addition, documentation will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation – Aviation Division as well. Liberty Power will follow and meet the requirements presented by these regulatory bodies, as related to aerodromes.
miscellaneous
Will the Project interfere with TV and/or internet signals?
The Special Use Permit application contains several consultant studies regarding impacts to communication system. If there is an impact to communication (i.e. TV, radio, or telephone) that is directly connected to or attributable to the wind farm, Liberty Power will work with the stakeholder (service provider and/or complainant) involved to come to a mutual and commercially reasonable solution.
Compatibility of Wind Turbines and Land Use
The amount of land area that the wind turbines occupy (turbine pads with access roads) is small compared to the overall acreage that participating landowners have optioned to lease for the Project. The participating landowners can still use the remaining property for recreational use or other purposes. The Project is a compatible use. The placement of wind turbines adjacent to non-participating property does not prohibit the use (building of homes, or other structures) of the land.