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1.2. How is the request consistent with City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan? <br />The proposed project supports the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan (Adopted May 19, 2014) in <br />several ways: <br />Preserve and maintain the environment (pg. 7) <br />Elk River seeks to promote clean air and water in the management, development, and delivery of <br />municipal services. <br />The proposed project is integral to Great River Energy's plan to increase the share of our energy <br />supplied from renewable energy resources while ensuring reliable electric services. The project <br />can produce electricity when renewable power production is low to ensure that the lights can <br />stay on. Emissions from, and water use by, the proposed combustion turbine will be lower than <br />those from the former ERERS. <br />Development must be served by well maintained and reliable infrastructure. <br />Great River Energy has a long track history of maintaining our facilities to ensure that when <br />electric power demand increases, we have the power sources available. <br />Development seeks to incorporate and blend the built and natural environments. <br />Great River Energy's Elk River Campus has a long and prominent history in Elk River, including <br />electricity production. The proposed project is consistent with this history and will ensure the <br />local families and businesses have a local and reliable power supply. Reliability is a main tenant <br />of our corporate mission. Additionally, the proposed project will not impact the pollinator - <br />friendly habitat or other vegetated areas Great River Energy has created on the campus. <br />As Energy City, Elk River seeks to promote sustainable and energy efficient forms of <br />development. <br />As noted above, one of the drivers for the proposed project is to facilitate an increase in power <br />being provided by sustainable and renewable resources such as wind and solar while retaining <br />the high reliability. <br />Promote the expansion of industrial uses in those areas identified in the Land Use Plan. Ensure that the <br />expansion complements existing uses, protects the natural environment, and respects the surrounding <br />neighborhoods. (pg. 43) <br />The subject parcel is currently zoned as Light Industrial and this zoning classification is maintained in the <br />Future Land Use Map. The proposed project is consistent with this zoning classification. Great River <br />Energy will continue to operate as a neighbor in good standing with the businesses, residences, and <br />municipal operations that are near the campus. <br />2. Hours of Operation <br />The proposed combustion turbine will be available 24 hours per day and 365 days per year for MISO to <br />call upon to run. <br />3. Number of Employees <br />Existing staff who operate and maintain the existing 200 MW combustion turbine may be sufficient to <br />operate and maintain the proposed new combustion turbine. As discussions progress with the <br />equipment vendors, we will explore staffing needs. If additional staff are determined to be necessary, <br />we presently anticipate needing no more than two new staff. <br />Currently seven full-time equivalent, permanent staff are assigned to operate and maintain the existing <br />200 MW combustion turbine. Approximately 130 staff are off iced within the Elk River Campus. <br />Project Narrative <br />Great River Energy — Proposed Combustion Turbine Addition <br />