Minnesota Administrative Rules

7849.1500 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT CONTENT.

Subpart 1.

Content of environmental report.

The environmental report must include the items described in items A to H.

A.

A general description of the proposed project and associated facilities.

B.

A general description of the alternatives to the proposed project that are addressed. Alternatives shall include the no-build alternative, demand side management, purchased power, facilities of a different size or using a different energy source than the source proposed by the applicant, upgrading of existing facilities, generation rather than transmission if a high voltage transmission line is proposed, transmission rather than generation if a large electric power generating plant is proposed, use of renewable energy sources, and those alternatives identified by the commissioner of the Department of Commerce.

C.

An analysis of the human and environmental impacts of a project of the type proposed and of the alternatives identified.

D.

An analysis of the potential impacts that are project specific.

E.

An analysis of mitigative measures that could reasonably be implemented to eliminate or minimize any adverse impacts identified for the proposed project and each alternative analyzed.

F.

An analysis of the feasibility and availability of each alternative considered.

G.

A list of permits required for the project.

H.

A discussion of other matters identified by the commissioner.

Subp. 2.

Impacts of power plants.

At a minimum, the commissioner shall address in the environmental report the following impacts for any large electric power generating plant and associated facilities:

A.

the anticipated emissions of the following pollutants expressed as an annual amount at the maximum rated capacity of the project and as an amount produced per kilowatt hour and the calculations performed to determine the emissions: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, mercury, and particulate matter, including particulate matter under 2.5 microns in diameter;

B.

the anticipated emissions of any hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds;

C.

the anticipated contribution of the project to impairment of visibility within a 50-mile radius of the plant;

D.

the anticipated contribution of the project to the formation of ozone expressed as reactive organic gases. Reactive organic gases are chemicals that are precursors necessary to the formation of ground-level ozone;

E.

the availability of the source of fuel for the project, the amount required annually, and the method of transportation to get the fuel to the plant;

F.

associated facilities required to transmit the electricity to customers;

G.

the anticipated amount of water that will be appropriated to operate the plant and the source of the water if known;

H.

the potential wastewater streams and the types of discharges associated with such a project including potential impacts of a thermal discharge;

I.

the types and amounts of solid and hazardous wastes generated by such a project, including an analysis of what contaminants may be found in the ash and where the ash might be sent for disposal or reuse; and

J.

the anticipated noise impacts of a project, including the distance to the closest receptor where state noise standards can still be met.

Subp. 3.

Impacts of high voltage transmission lines.

At a minimum, the commissioner shall address in the environmental report the following impacts for any high voltage transmission line and associated facilities:

A.

the typical right-of-way required for construction of a transmission line;

B.

the anticipated size and type of structures required for a line;

C.

the electric and magnetic fields usually associated with a line;

D.

the anticipated noise impacts of the transmission line; and

E.

the anticipated visual impacts of the transmission line.

Subp. 4.

Incorporation of information.

In preparing an environmental report, the commissioner may incorporate information and data from other documents in accordance with part 4410.2400.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 116D.04

History:

28 SR 951; L 2005 c 97 art 3 s 19

Published Electronically:

October 13, 2009