MOOSE CREEK WIND PROJECT

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, proposes to construct the Moose Creek Wind Project (Project) in Barnes County, North Dakota.  The Project would involve construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) wind farm generating facility that includes approximately 30 to 45 turbines (between 2.5 and 4.2 MWs each) and associated pads and would interconnect to the Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA’s) existing Valley City 115-kilovolt substation.

WAPA’S INVOLVEMENT

If there is available transmission capacity on the federal transmission system, WAPA provides open access to transmission services so that energy producers can transmit power to their customers.  Any entity requesting transmission services must submit an interconnection application.  For more information about the interconnection process, visit WAPA’s website here.  The federal interconnection process is separate from any state, county, or local permitting and approvals that may be required.

The proposed interconnection of the Project to WAPA’s transmission system is a federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  As a result, an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared to evaluate the environmental effects of the Project.  The EA will tier from the analysis conducted in the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS).  The PEIS can be viewed he​re​.  If WAPA finds there are no significant environmental impacts, WAPA will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and issue a decision.  Together, the EA and the PEIS would comprise the NEPA documentation for this proposed federal action.  If significant impacts are identified, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process would be initiated.  An EIS provides a more thorough evaluation of impacts and alternatives, as well as a more formal public involvement process.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

​One of the first steps in the NEPA process is public scoping.  During the scoping process, input is requested from the public, government agencies, Tribal governments, and others to identify issues and alternatives that will help WAPA define the scope of the EA.

WAPA is announcing the public scoping period for the Project. A public scoping meeting will be held virtually over Zoom Webinar on Monday, October 30, 2023, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm CDT.  The virtual scoping meeting will be held to provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the Project from resource specialists and to submit written and verbal comments. During the meeting, WAPA will give a short presentation about the Project and NEPA scoping process and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

To learn more about this Project and to share your ideas, join us at:
Zoom: https://swca.zoom.us/j/93851450557
Webinar / Meeting ID: 938 5145 0557
One Tap Mobile: +17209289299,,93851450557# US (Denver)
+16027530140,,93851450557# US (Phoenix)
Telephone: +16513728299 

Disclaimer: To remain anonymous, call in or insert the Meeting ID in the Zoom application.  

The public meeting will be recorded and made available for the public on WAPA’s website.

Comments may also be submitted by:

Mail to:
Western Area Power Administration
Attn: Mr. John Russell
Environmental Manager
2900 4th Avenue North
PO Box 35800
Billings, MT 59101-1266

Email to: NEPA@wapa.gov with Moose Creek Wind Comment in subject line

Comments should be provided or postmarked no later than November 17, 2023. 

The next step in the NEPA process will be to prepare a draft EA to analyze environmental impacts of the proposal.  Once prepared, a draft of the EA will be available for public review and comment.  If you wish to be notified when the draft EA is available, please contact WAPA using one of the methods listed.

PROJECT LINKS

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Western Area Power Administration
    UGP NEPA Coordinator
    2900 4th Avenue North
    Billings, MT 59101-1266
    (406) 255-2810
    nepa@wapa.gov

     

    Last modified on November 3rd, 2023