Opinion ID: 1258678
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: General Preconstruction and Construction Certificate Issues

Text: (1) Prior to commencing construction, Beech Ridge must file a verified statement indicating that all pre-construction conditions and requirements of the certificate have been met. (2) Beech Ridge shall require all contractors to use standard noise buffers on all equipment and trucks. (3) Beech Ridge shall require contractors to use pile driving equipment which have the least noise impact and restrict pile driving, during the weekdays, to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (4) All construction activities should take place mostly during daylight hours. (5) Construction activities should be limited during church hours. (6) If dynamiting should become necessary, it should be limited to daylight hours and should follow all State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws. (7) Beech Ridge must dispose of all contaminated soil and construction debris in approved landfills in accordance with appropriate environmental regulations. (8) Beech Ridge must design, install and implement a fire protection system, using industrial best practices, in accordance with all applicable fire safety codes. (9) Beech Ridge must coordinate with fire, safety and emergency personnel during all stages of the project to promote efficient and timely emergency preparedness and response. (10) The siting and support transmission facilities certificates shall become invalid if Beech Ridge has not commenced a continuous course of construction within five years of the date the final certificate is granted or has not completed construction by the tenth year without petitioning the Commission for approval to expand these time frames, provided there are no material changes to the project that necessitate a reopening. (11) Beech Ridge must file with the Commission evidence of any necessary environmental permits and/or certifications prior to commencing construction (including any letters from U.S. Fish & Wildlife, WVDNR, W.Va. Division of Cultural and History and West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office indicating either that Beech Ridge does not need to take further action or outlining what action Beech Ridge needs to take to be in compliance with that agencies rules/laws). (12) Beech Ridge must file evidence of approval and/or acceptance of the wetlands delineation (Beech Ridge needs to file with the Commission written evidence of the Wetlands survey being completed and approved); the final endangered species study with any required mitigation plans; and the historical/archeological significance study with any required mitigation plans prior to commencing construction. (13) Beech Ridge must file copies of the final Interconnection Agreements between Beech Ridge and PJM prior to commencing operation. (14) Beech Ridge must comply with the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq. ), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. ), and, if applicable, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. ) in both the construction and operation of the Project. Should any authorized governmental agency or court with competent jurisdiction find that Beech Ridge is not complying with any one of the above three acts in either the construction or the operation of the Project, then Beech Ridge must notify the Public Service Commission in writing in this case of any such finding within ten (10) days of any such finding being made. Furthermore, the Commission may seek any legal remedies it has authority to seek, including injunctive relief, to address any such findings. (15) Beech Ridge must file evidence of its EWG status from FERC prior to commencing operation. (16) Beech Ridge must have a decommissioning fund in place prior to commencement of operation. The fund will cover dismantling of the turbines and towers, as well as land reclamation. The fund should be an escrow account, or a bond or a surety that is held by an independent party, such as the County Commission. This fund shall not be a part of Beech Ridge's assets. Beech Ridge must hire an expert to assess, from time to time, the size of the fund that would be needed, taking into consideration resale or salvage value. Beech Ridge must obtain the Commission's approval of the evaluative expert, as well as Commission approval of the periodic reports. The Commission reserves the right to also hire its own evaluative expert to evaluate any of the periodic reports. (17) The construction of the I lines of turbines shall not occur unless all property owners agree to participate in the project. (18) Beech Ridge should provide, if it has not already, a copy of the guaranty agreement between Beech Ridge and the Greenbrier County Commission whereby Beech Ridge agrees to pay at least $400,000 a year to the County. The Greenbrier County Commission may designate a fund for this minimum payment.