PHILIP WIND PROJECT

Philip Wind Partners LLC proposes to construct the Philip Wind Project (Project) in Haakon County, South Dakota.  The Project would involve construction of a 300-megawatt (MW) wind farm generating facility that includes approximately 90 turbines (up to 6.1 MW each) and associated pads and would interconnect to WAPA’s existing New Underwood to Oahe 230-kV transmission line.

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 application for interconnection.  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, or 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 here.  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 general 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 Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm MT (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm CT).  The 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:

Video (preferred)

https://swca.zoom.us/j/96789099356

Meeting passcode: 354618

Call-in only:

Phone: (888) 475-4499 (Toll Free)

Webinar ID (access code): 967 8909 9356

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

Comments may be also submitted by:

  • Email to nepa@wapa.gov with Philip Wind EA in the subject line
  • Hard-copy letter to:

Western Area Power Administration

6th Floor Attn: Mr. John Russell

2900 4th Avenue North

Billings, MT 59101-1266

​​​​​​By voicemail hotline to (605) 409-5116

Written comments should be postmarked no later than February 13th, 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

nep​a@wapa.gov

Last modified on August 7th, 2023