5.1. SR 06-18-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Benefits to the community Improve area transmission reliability Transmission improvements associated with Elk River Peaking Station will help improve transmission system reliability. The plant will provide substantially greater voltage stability and increase electric transmission reliability for Elk River, Sherburne County, and the surrounaing area. Reliability also will be enhanced by upgrading three area 69-kV transmission lines that have dated equipment, which currently provides liUle prolection from lightning strikes. The updated lines are designed to survive more extreme ice and wind conditions, and the design will service surrounding communities into the future. Elk River Peaking Station is strategically located, so that interconnection to these lines easily can be easily accomplishea. Minimize impact to neighbors & the environment Elk River Peaking Station utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel and ultra low sulfur diesel as its alternate fuel. These are relatively clean fuels which, in combination with state of the art combustion technology, have minimal impact to the environment. Peaking facilities have a lower environmental impacf than other types of generating facilities due to their lower operating hours (peaking facilities typically operate between 5 and 10 percent of the timet during periods of extreme heating or cooling needs). The natural gas pipeline which will be construcled to service the Elk River Peaking Station will be routed through existing developed lots, and thus will provide negligible environmental impact. Additionally, fhe grojecl will be constructed on land already ownedoy Great River Energy. This land is the site of GRE's existing refuse-to-energy facility in ElK River. Improve the region's energy supply Maintaining the economic health of a region is degendent on having reliable, low-cost electricity. This project is the best alternative to provide Great River Energy's member coogeratives, including Connexus Energy, with the peaking resources to meet energy needs of the city of Elk River, Sherburne County and the surrounding region. Bring ggod jobs to the community ihe aay-to-day operation of Elk River Peaking Station will require two to three full-time employees. During construction of thep1an:t aQProxlmately 100 skilled craft workers will work at the site, most of them for about one year. The t.Ik River community will benefit by the revenues generated during construction ana operation of the plant. Help the city of Elk River grow As a part of the hos1 agreement with the city of Elk River, GRE will transfer approximately 1.5 acres of lana to allow the most economical expansion of the city's wastewater treatment facility when the need arises. Pay taxes Elk River Peaking Station and th~ associated natural gas line and transmission upgrades for the ~acility will generate approximately ~310,000 in property taxes. annually, provide9 the project receives a personal property tax exemption from the State. Great River Energy also Will pay a nost fee to the city of Elk River and Sherburne County during the projects first five years of operation. Bring a good neighbor to the community We're a good neighbor. Great River Energy has partnered and will continue to partner with the city of Elk River. We hold ourselves to high ethical standards, and we promote trust and social and environmental responsibility. We also value open and honest communication. We take our role as a neighbor seriously; just ask them. 17845 East Highway 10 P.O. Box 800 Elk River, MN 55330-0800 Phone: 763-241-2200 www.GreatRiverEnergy.com 1\ T~duilnw: Ener,.C'...(()pC'J::\Ti\"C ~ GREAT RIVER ENERGY@ 6/14/07