Power Generation Projects
Multiple Services, Repowering Project - A New England-based power company requested that ENSR provide consulting support for a repowering project in Rhode Island. The project entailed the addition of three 100-MW natural gas or distillate oil-fired turbines to the existing station, increasing its capacity from 132-MW to 452-MW. Associated modifications to the electric transmission system included the construction of 7 miles of dual underground 345-kV lines to a newly created substation in Johnston, RI.
ENSR provided the following environmental permitting and compliance services:
- Prepared the PSD air quality permit application, including negotiations with existing major emission sources currently consuming available increment.
- Completed a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment in support of the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) waiver/assent application.
- Implemented a comprehensive estuarine quality and ecological sampling program in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, in addition to thermal discharge modeling.
- Prepared the Rhode Island Pollution Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) permit application using collected and modeled aquatic data to fulfill the requirements of 316(a) and (b) of the Clean Water Act.
- Managed extensive historical structure and archaeological reconnaissance work to develop programs for preserving and enhancing the historic Manchester Street Station as well as ensuring no impact to archaeological resources through construction of the proposed underground transmission line and substation.
- Prepared state and local waterways and freshwater wetland permit applications.
ENSR consultants also conducted a groundwater availability investigation to locate a supply of process water adequate to support operation of the expanded facility. This entailed installation of test wells, groundwater quality analyses, and in-situ permeability tests, followed by installation of production and observation wells, pump tests, and groundwater modeling to establish a safe yield limit.
