Community Wind and Commercial Wind Projects

Commonwealth Wind

application:Development Grant

Community Wind and Commercial Wind Projects

Posted:March 2015

NOTICE: This Development Grant Application is offered under the Commonwealth Wind Program Manual for Community and Commercial Wind Projects (“Program Manual”) and the Development Grant Solicitation (“Solicitation”). All applicants must comply with the provisions stated in the Program Manual. Many terms used in this Application are defined in the Program Manual and Solicitation. All documents are available on the Development Grant Solicitation page.

APPLICANT:______

PROJECT NAME:______

1. Funding Request

Please select the Program Offeringsbeing applied for and insert the amount requested for each offering. Note: Applicants may only apply for Programs Offerings consistent with the eligibility criteria defined in the Solicitation and Program Manual.

Total Request $______

Applicant Type

/

Project Type

Public Entity
Non-Public Entity / Community Wind
Commercial Wind

2. Authorized Applicant’s Signature and Acceptance

The undersigned is a duly authorized representative of the Applicant listed below. The Applicant has read and understands the Solicitation requirements. The undersigned acknowledges that all of the terms and conditions of the Solicitation are mandatory.

The Applicant specifically acknowledges the application of the procedures regarding submission of sensitive information as set forth in the Commonwealth Wind Program Manual for Community and Commercial Wind Projects, and specifically agrees that it shall be bound by those procedures. The Applicant understands that all materials submitted as part of the application are subject to disclosure under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified at Chapter 66 of the Massachusetts General Laws; and acknowledges and agrees that MassCEC has no obligation, and retain the sole discretion to fund or choose not to fund the application set forth herein, and that MassCEC’s receipt of the application does not imply any promise of funding at any time.

The undersigned agrees to the terms and conditions of the General Terms and Conditions and has:

Included an original, signed copy of the General Terms and Conditions with its application

The Applicant understands that, if selected by MassCEC, the Applicant and MassCEC will detail and execute a Task Order that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the parties.

Furthermore, the Applicant understands that (check all that apply):

MassCEC grantsare paid on a milestone/deliverable basis and the Applicant is financially prepared to carry the necessary cash balance for this project during the period between paying the consultant and receiving the MassCEC grant payment.

MassCEC requires a cost share for all funding activities and the Applicant is financially prepared to pay for their cost share.

The Applicant understands the importance of public outreach and stakeholder engagement and agrees to engage the community and relevant stakeholders during development and construction of the project.

I certify that the statements made in this application, including all attachments and exhibits, are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Printed Name of Applicant Entity:

Signature of Authorized Representative:

Name:

Title:

Date:

3. Contact Information

Applicant

Entity Name
Applicant Legal Status and State of Jurisdiction
(i.e. MA corporation)
Primary Contact Name
Title
Street Address
Town, State, ZIP
Phone Number(s)
E-mail Address

Primary CONSULTANT(If Applicable)

Firm Name
Primary Contact Name
Title
Phone Number(s)
E-mail Address

Other CONSULTANT(If Applicable)

Role
Firm Name
Primary Contact Name
Title
Phone Number(s)
E-mail Address

Other cONSULTANT(If Applicable)

Role
Firm Name
Primary Contact Name
Title
Phone Number(s)
E-mail Address

4. General Project Information

Project Site information

Site Address or identifying landmarks
Type of Buildings or Facilities on the Site / Public Commercial Industrial
Institutional Agricultural None
Turbine Site(s) GPS Coordinates (specify coordinate system)
End User of Electricity
Onsite Electricity Load, if Applicable (annual kWh consumed)
Utility and Rate Class
Previous MassCEC/MTC Funding or Services Received (include date and grant amount)

Wind Energy Project Technical Information

Project Type / On-Site Generation Net Metered
Wholesale Power Municipal Light Plant Self-Generation
Proposed Number of Turbines
Power Capacity per Turbine
Total Project Power Capacity
Turbine Hub Height
Proposed Turbine Rotor Diameter
Wind Speed at Hub Height
(__m/s at __ m) / P50:
P90:
Wind Monitoring Conducted / Technology:
Period of Measurement:
Location:
Estimated Annual Energy Production
Estimated Capacity Factor
Estimated Capital Cost
Estimated Annual Operating Costs
Expected Commercial Operation Date

Wind Project Siting Summary

List and describethe number, type and proximity of existing or proposed occupied buildings, facilities, critical infrastructure, or public ways within six times the blade tip height of any proposed wind turbine location.
List the setbacks from nearby existing or proposed non-participating residences or other sensitive receptors within six times the blade tip height of any wind turbine location.
Describe the worst-case expected increase in sound levels above ambient at residential locations.
Describe worst-case and realistic case number of shadow flicker hours per year on residence.
Summarize the distance and direction toabutting property lines.
Summarize the distance and direction to nearby residential property lines.

5. Application Narrative

When filling out this section,please provide concise answers, quantitative data when available, and cite the information source where applicable.

1. Project Summary

Summarize the proposed project, including the project site and technology description, project team, proposed scope of work, timeline, and total budget. This summary may be used by MassCEC for publicity.

Please indicate any significant project changes that have occurred since the feasibility study was completed.

1. Applicant Commitment

Provide a description of the applicant and the level of commitment to the project.Include any past or pending formal decisions by a controlling entity.

Describe the nature of the applicant’s business or organization and financial resources.

Summarize overall objectives of the project including the reasons a Wind Project is being considered.

1. Host/Partner Commitment

If the project owner and/or site owner will differ from the Applicant, describe the terms and conditions of the transaction and the commitment of involved parties and their understanding of the nature of the project and transaction.

1. Team Description and Qualifications

The Applicant must either be an experienced wind project developer or have a consulting team in place by the time of submittal. Provide a list of the project team in the table below, including all partners and identified contractors. Provide concise qualifications of the proposed project team, including any technical service providers. Summarize prior experience with development of wind projects.

Name / Company / Role in Project

1. Appropriate Project Siting

List all prior community impact studies completed for the project. Include site assessment, feasibility, acoustic and flicker studconfiies. For each study, provide the name of the individual or firm that performed the study and the completion date.

Explain how the proposed project will meet MassCEC’s Project Review Criteria for Appropriate Siting in Section 5.1 of the Program Manual. Include any information related to waivers from nearby residences. Include a detailed description of the results of shadow flicker and acoustic impact analyses. Describe how risk of changing MassDEP acoustic policy is being managed reference Section 3.1 of the Program Manual regarding Detailed Acoustic Study Requirement.Submit copies of completed studies.

1. Prior Technical Studies; Site Suitability

List all prior technical studies completed for the project. Include site assessment, feasibility, airspace, electrical and environmental impact studies. For each study, provide the name of the individual or firm that performed the study and the completion date.

Drawing upon studies completed to date, describe the overall suitability of the proposed site and site vicinity for the proposed wind project from technical, ecological and wildlife impacts perspectives. Describe the interconnection strategy and any needs for upgrades. Indicate if the site has any conservation restrictions. Indicate whether proposed construction activities have been approved by the appropriate permitting authorities.

1. Financial Suitability

Summarize various ownership structures or business models that are under consideration for the project.

Provide a summary of the financial analysis that illustrates the project’s financial viability.

Describe plans for selling the electricityand RECs of the project.

Provide detail on the sources and amounts of incentives, funding, and/or financing for this project.

1. Project Risks

Summarize project development risks and anticipated strategies for risk mitigation. Address applicable site specific risks associated with site lease terms, community acceptance, financing, technology, siting and permitting, interconnection, required easements, electricity off-take agreements, etc.

1. Public Outreach

Such outreach should include a thorough identification and assessment of stakeholder groups, important issues for each group, and a description of how these issues have been addressed or are being addressed.

Describe public outreach performed to date.

Provide information regarding the project’s plan for future public outreach. Include a description of the specific methods the Applicant intends to use to coordinate withlocal stakeholders, e.g. nearby residents and businesses, regarding the project. Examples of methods include but are not limited to: newsletters, public meetings, workshops, public notices, media, 101 sessions, developer meetings, meet your developer night, etc.)Indicate an approximate timeline for implementation of outreach plans.

1. Development Work Plan

Option to use Gantt chart format.

Summarize progress in the development of the project to date.

List all permits and approvals that need to be obtained and the status of each.

Clearly identify below (or in an attachment) all remaining steps in the development and construction of the project whether or not the step would be funded by MassCEC. Describe the projected timeframe for the development and installation of the proposed Wind Project. Include projected start date, end date and total time per milestone. More detail can be provided beyond the timeline.Consider including a Gantt chart.

1. Project Programmatic Benefits

Describe how the project provides benefits to the Massachusetts ratepayers that contribute to MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust and represents an efficient and effective use of ratepayer funds. This can be demonstrated by describing how the project provides direct economic benefits to Massachusetts governmental entities, landowners, companies or institutions, or by describing how the project provides geographic distribution throughout the Commonwealthand leverages any previously awarded funds. Discuss how the project contributes to the Commonwealth’s economic development objectives, such as use of locally manufactured products and/or labor, etc.

Identify any potential for replication in future projects and for public education, visibility, and access.

1. Energy Efficiency Steps Taken (for Community Wind projects only)

Implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures is an important first step to take before pursuing a clean energy project. Where applicable, please describe the steps that have been taken to reduce energy consumption at the project site and host customer facilities. For example, a municipal project should describe town-wide efforts. For a private company, efficiency efforts at that facility should be documented.

6. Budget

1. Development Budget

Please complete the relevant budget tables or attach a separate budget sheet. Include each activity presented in the work plan. Do not include costs associated with project construction, e.g. civil and electrical work, procurement and turbine installation. Note activities for which funding is being requested in the column MassCEC Grant Portion.Among the activities include filing permit applications, completion of conceptual design, RFP issued, contract execution, and interconnection/commissioning.

Development Grant Budget
Task / Company (if known) / Proposed Budget / MassCEC Grant Portion
Filing Permit Applications
Completion of Conceptual Design
RFP Issued
Contract Execution
Interconnection & Commissioning

1. Community Wind Development Grant Calculator

The maximum available incentive levels for Community Wind DevelopmentGrants can be calculated using the Community Wind DevelopmentGrant Calculator. Double click on the Calculator to activate it in Microsoft Excel.

7. Attachments

Please also submit the following required attachments, relevant to this application.

Signed General Terms and Conditions

Completed Feasibility Study (if not on file at MassCEC)

Completed Acoustic Impact Study (if finished)

Completed Shadow Flicker Study (if finished)

Site Control Documentation

FAA Determination of No Hazard

Stakeholder support letters from any non-participating onsite entities

Copy of local bylaw (if one exists)

Resumes for key members of project team (if not on file at MassCEC)

Image of proposed turbine location noting property lines, zoning, and blade tip height fall zone.

Plan or aerial map indicating the distance from the turbine using concentric circles of distance eg.500’, 1,000’.Identify all existing or proposed residences or other sensitive receptors within six times the maximum tip height of a turbine.

For Commercial Wind Development Grant applications, a detailed proposed scope, timeline, and budget for each development study.

For site(s) owned by a municipality or other Public Entity, a letter from Town Counsel confirming that there are no conservation (e.g. Article 97) or other restrictions that would preclude building a project on the proposed site.

For Community Wind Development Grant applications, first page only of electricity bill (or estimates for new construction) (if applicable).

Optional Attachments

Site owner commitment letter

Additional stakeholder support letters

Commonwealth Wind: Development Grant Application

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