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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 4, 2023 SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION MINUTES rJ� as'S'4 '�F CAS! Is) < ° as) 9 � � 6 of oR FAjofi' VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia May 4, 2023 Mayor Robert M. Dyer called to order the SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 6.30 P.M. Council Members Present: Michael F. Berlucchi, Mayor Robert M. Dyer, Dr. Amelia N. Ross-Hammond, Barbara M. Henley, N. D. "Rocky" Holcomb, Robert W. "Worth" Remick, Jennifer Rouse, Joashua F. "Joash"Schulman, Chris Taylor, Sabrina D. Wooten and Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson Council Members Absent: None 2 MAYOR'S CALL FOR SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION ITEM#74198 "HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code, Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach,I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL: Thursday,May 4, 2023 at 6:30 P.M. City Council Chamber Building 1-2nd Floor 2401 Courthouse Drive The purpose of this SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION is to conduct a PUBLIC BRIEFING by a representative of Avangrid Renewables LLC whose project includes requesting approval for a deed of easement for up to six power cables to make landfall under the beach and extend to the municipal parking lot(GPIN:2434-10-6904) located south of the Sandbridge Seaside Market. At the conclusion of the public briefing, City Council will take PUBLIC COMMENT. Avangrid representatives will have displays of the project available in advance of the meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall and residents are encouraged to come early to view materials and meet directly with project representatives. If you wish to make comments during the meeting and participate virtually, please follow the two-step process provided below: 1. Register for the WebEx at: https://vbgov.webex.com/weblink/register/rc35b88d555aa9eae7a57620eba4c024d 2. Register with the City Clerk's Office by calling 757-385-4303 prior to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023. This Special Session will be broadcast on Cable TV, www.vbgov.com and Facebook Live. Citizens are encouraged to submit their comments to the City Council prior to the Special Formal Session via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com. Sincerely, '' ''Idifrt"46-e-c-J Robert M. Dyer Mayor" cc: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Deputy City Managers FOIA Officer Communications Office May 4, 2023 ,. City of Vi rpi ni a. Beach V c z - 4. �,• 9,� e� S OF OUR NA-0°14S VBgOV.COM MUNICIPAL CENTER ROBERT.M.'BOBBY'DYER BUILDING 1 MAYOR 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH,VIRGINIA 23456-9000 (757)385-4581 CELL:(757)749-4659 bdver@vbgov.com April 28, 2023 HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code, Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL: Thursday,May 4, 2023 at 6:30 P.M. City Council Chamber Building 1 -2nd Floor 2401 Courthouse Drive The purpose of this SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION is to conduct a PUBLIC BRIEFING by a representative of Avangrid Renewables LLC whose project includes requesting approval for a deed of easement for up to six power cables to make landfall under the beach and extend to the municipal parking lot(GPIN: 2434-10-6904) located south of the Sandbridge Seaside Market. At the conclusion of the public briefing, City Council will take PUBLIC COMMENT Avangrid representatives will have displays of the project available in advance of the meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall and residents are encouraged to come early to view materials and meet directly with project representatives. If you wish to make comments during the meeting and participate virtually, please follow the two-step process provided below: 1. Register for the WebEx at: https://vbgov.webex.com/weblink/reqister/rc35b88d555aa9eae7a57620eba4c024d 2. Register with the City Clerk's Office by calling 757-385-4303 prior to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023. This Special Session will be broadcast on Cable TV, w w.vbgov.com and Facebook Live. Citizens are encouraged to submit their comments to the City Council prior to the Special Formal Session via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com. Sincerely, Robert M. Dyer Mayor cc: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Deputy City Managers FOIA Officer Communications Office 3 PUBLIC BRIEFING A VANGRID RENEWABLES LLC ITEM#74199 6:33 P.M. Mayor Dyer welcomed Steve Romine, Legal Representation for Avangrid Renewables— Williams Mullen and Megan Higgins, Senior Director of New Project Development — Avangrid Renewables, LLC. Mr. Romine expressed his appreciation to City Council for their continued support and distributed the presentation, attached hereto and made a part of the record. May 4, 2023 ., \ , iF ......_. Kitty „ .,......./.....L 4- AVANGRID y , • Briefing for Virginia Beach City Council May 4, 2023 ,-----.--4.5 ' • `• Vas .A,..., ,,,..: ,.:,..,„... - • •;''''' .: J. .•e' _._ _,.._. '�, �'. /✓� � _ �, '� �.," 1 �1/_ jprl.f � 1 K, Topics of Discussion , ,, • Introduction to AVANGRID and Kitty Hawk Wind Project o Designed as Virginia project sa4Boy • Project Overview - - -.._.... o Utility construction project i 0 Regional economic benefits o Stakeholder engagement North [: :1 Carolina• Project Details ii N o Status t o Technical Design �\ Landfall, routing, construction schedule, post- construction plans Kitty Hawk Winds Location V) C) CZ (75 ++ CZ C 2 0 U Ln L... Q) c Q -^ u ' C o cV o E W 2, Ov ac cL a� O a 0 j ---- 2.1 Ct .1!!8 iE 8 0 ... at c • Iovl (I) 3 V 4— J W 2 MO 2 y 4., 0 - 0 oI l�o 42' �co C re 2 epl Yf N A N t, ` - \ •C N A fOV W pN mt N y O =0 C� W §u 3u ao8 uuL • Ii• • I 1 ; -,1 i , 0 cr,) SliOir .4.- ,= • .oi W N V 3 W M 3 a o sQ •— _ N v F3 L , ! '� s r+ Qs o z 4 N o ao en 4 . sa - ry COX x .. cNCv 0. rm �Wa. ' C es, Q es, Q es, Z N 2 C� _ U 8 NO „8 -0 C j • Q) 2 3► e, Q c - 4� 3 l O W L m ._ Z ` W d A - i ,1 L., alLt 11Z 0 oO 1A (n ~ er O C :: CIO 4- Cm g ,'N § - Q �� raao " u o ‘+- W Q �� =o R o O Z t^ r ,,,(.+ 2 N r QC �OO c3� w OU. u z u Y u •+ L. C - 1- ali W 2 X W L... sit a L IVI VI OP �,I b.A L C U w A Id soO id A p V(f) Aso o op id o IId s VI rt 0 q a3 VI, 1111 all a) 0 v) P n ell 0so ail ail is 0 A c ail O a) cu C. X w _ Ti c�i) .� U ce bA O >> cO Q G1 - co > O 3 + O' er z M O 0+0 > O O 2 FO E 4 > ED -• 0lj Q Kitty Hawk Wind Project Overview %,- Kitty Ha`kAw�R,o Kitty Hawk Wind is designed to deliver electricity to Virginia's grid and is like any other utility construction project, such as a road expansion or a sewer installation. While utility projects often cause brief disruptions to the local community, once completed, the projects typically benefit all Virginia Beach residents. This project will pose no health or safety issues while delivering significant clean energy to Virginia. Other recent construction projects in Virginia Beach include: • Lesner 3ridge replacement (districts 8 and 9) • Witchduck Road widening (District 4) • 1-264/64 interchange project (Districts 1 and 4) • Laskin oad service road removal (District 6) Request to Virginia Beach City Council: approval of deed of easement at cable landing location in Sandbridge. ;1— Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk Wind - Lease Area Overview AVANGRID W nd USA Virginia/N h Carolina ain _ / ;V '�����=;�-';" KittyHawk Wind offshore wind lease area is capable of at least 3.5 GW, imme enough to power over 1 million homes. \ A • Lease acquired in 2017 federal auction for $9M k‘ '7" • Federal government named lease area "Kitty Hawk" . _ • 36 miles from Virginia Beach 36 ��i. • Major federal permit application (Construction and Operations Plan) engineered to deliver cables and electricity to Virginia, ," not North Carolina • Relatively shallow depth to seabed (30-50 meters) 1.00,0 1,n0 • Strong, consistent wind speeds (9.4 m/s) fY Electric Power Transmiwon Unes 9`. Project to be built in phases —_!L W = • Kitty Hawk North--Phase 1 (1.4GW) nlY.a v.o.ryy a ,��In..� .dwb�..H. Ivy(WAR UtC.f.Ear.NM Cay...n fMK.r.CI�fnn f/(tIM.fA.IKGf fM.NK • Kitty Hawk South--Phase 2 (2.1GW) Onshore and Offshore Project Components 0 Offshore Wind Turbine Generators Switching Station and interconnection to electric grid 0 Electrical Service Platform h. °Kitty Hawk Onshore Substation — Transition Joint Bays (TJB) • ` l et Onshore �n Export Cable / Foundations ' Kitty Hawk Wind X 4 B 0 AVANGRID ..,__....___._ Q Offshore Export CableY 0 Inter-array Cables Representative Diagram-Not to Scale w. , ...._-_•�,:r.� k"— ' — ,.(4,140414_, _,,eici.\- •-thrwt ,rr - Ir ....:. ,,.. .,,, , , ,,,, , w Y ,„,:. . ... 4.. , .... . A , 4.\ ., 1.Onshore Substation 4. Subsea Export Cables . Transforms the voltage used to transmit the power from the WTG to meet the voltage . Offshore export cables buried beneath the seabed to transmit power from the ESP to required to connect to the electric grid.The power is then placed on the electric grid the TJB. by a switching station. 5. Electrical Service Platform(ESP) 2. Onshore Export Cables . The ESP collects power from the inter-array cables and transforms power to subsea . Transmits power from the TJB to the onshore substation. export cables. 3.Transition Joint Bay(TJB) 6. Inter-Array Cables(IAC) . An underground vault that separates subsea export cables to onshore export cables. . Captures kinetic energy from the wind to turn into electricity. The TJB has a manhole cover for access. 7.Offshore Wind Turbine Generator(WTG) . Subsea cables linking offshore wind turbines to one another and to the ESP. Kitty Hawk Will 7 Why Sand bridge? - Meets responsible development criteria - - Iii, AVANGRID '•' " ,-, .F1"—*..141b i -State Sorter OM Loral Go a nment Own.Property MI rate cape State P k Ell De.Neck Neva,Anrc. a c,"" Bark 9q'NWf Rupwty Landfall Constraints SantlbKlge Bea fi Nou Mnrnt Sane R<sou<e Nip • Department of Defense assets at Dam Neck (green) r7 - _prevent cable landfalls north of Sandbridge .ti(-. • Y • Avoidance of conservation areas - Back Bay National Wildlife ,-A--g .,_ all `�0 Refuge (yellow), False Cape State Park (red), and sand �'' ��0 g p ( e ), ne �0 `, borrow/beach renourishment areas • Requirement of approximately 2 acres of land adjacent to shore , • Input from residents and City engineers resulted in removing e e Little Island (blue) as an option for landfall pen , 0 1 2 a MJes 411,,, wn.Sae✓G�api CNriTe.lwOkn)rs. �Www uses.tnn nvs.uSea Kitty Hawk Wi- Minimizing Impacts at Sandbridge Landfall ., AVANGRID Our goal to install cables in municipal parking lot one time Figure depicts easement boundary and six during the of f-season (October 1 through May 15); cable landings ( ' North and 4 South) Alopprr--- 471%, construction would begin no earlier than 2026. - , During Temporary Tem orar Construction: k• , . • Cables to be installed using horizontal directional drilling �_ • 3usinesses will remain open66,4 `'` �, :27-�— • The beach will remain open but access to parking lot south :y ��.. _ ;�,. „„. _ }\� \, \\ of the market will be restricted N ,r ,s '- %:. \ \ . ,, , \ • No disturbance to beach and dunes �� j 4. After Construction: !1°4' 1: "k% `. • Cables will 3e purled u to 85 feet under the beach p t • Transition joint bays will be buried up to 9 feet deep ' \'• Parking lot will be restored to better than /OD Mmt(KittylY.M tbtn• current conditions _ �..(. -.n. g Exhibit A —T,X.Axt unKa(KMyHnN/�nth) Sandbridge Market Easement T1E.oFnOUrAM • KittyHawk Project ect • No aboveground infrastructure o so tooF.,son +oo A '!"ANC3P,o Perces 'Ynw..b MNMv..✓pme,any F,M MAtton..4 t.at.wwf1 S..C.,V Arta to ronq.vt... ...... 2013-APR-27 A-- Kitty Hawk Wir Cable landing to minimally impact parking lot & beach - AVANGRID During Construction Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) will minimize the impacts to Paved Dunes arking Lot igh. Beach _ beach and sand dunes. Additionally, placing cables under the beach will not impact future Horizontal Directional Drilling(HDD)Proposed to Limit Work to Paved Parking Lot beach renourishment (Avoid Work in Sensitive Areas) projects. Burial depth of up to 85 feet After Construction /1— Kitty Hawk Wind Post-Construction Example: Barnstable, MA ,4 Av NGRID Beach Parking Lot (site of cable landfall for Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm) Before Construction After Construction .. - J ' i' • Avangrid has a proven track record of leaving the cable landfall location better than before construction /1-- Kitty Hawk Wit Road Construction ....,„„... ii, AVANGRID Example locations of duct banks and splice vaults along route Nimmo Parkway/Upton Drive Newly-Aligned Sandbridge Road ier :, .:,,,,-...4,,,,i,...., ,•‘ 7yrsil 'IN t .„.43$ - 4—'. i 6, , 40.e .,, iv 1444‘ i ..., . - L'AL„..t., ..-,,,,,O, 7:5, 'tigt-' i •,':, • r. *.-4, 4;- 1 41/.1 * ,i • - .4 (' 2, ' , i V'i ,fir ' A �u� 41 0. 4 a ,; . . `'.* / -,,.: 1,10,:ilk,-I-- ..0.a ti• Y � r' (p.— ,.i +I yN /mow -. . . -. f . ."�s }. -`�"- --�+�way..,-- '�if, ,., , ",.... ,--.,../ • V litte."iiit . . .. vft-- i • i r (4- -- _ . .,. ., , .. .. ., v ..- -`'^yam` r .v -g• ,,,, , 4. .. ..... . , . . ,. . , . ..,,,.. _ , . , ..... , . ,• . ..__ „, „. ir _I , �F f .. y,'l�{ (am r. r/ +,+!, - �, i t • - :.New Sandbvdge Road Alignment � "r...1C d T y(rf �.y lalK ,� ... —Kitty Hawk North Duct Bank • ',-- — • �N.a• , i K,.tr Nawk Souh Dot Bank Kitty Hawk South Duct Bank rt(r, ` J2 kid, / t 1 '�` p ,I f. + / 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 MUes •' L --_--1—__ 1 --i �...f A �' . J. I , , 1 , , , / Kitty Hawk Wind Mul ti p l e onshore cable routes were considered 1116 AVANGRID r Sandbridge Route = most viable option Kitty Hawk North Dam Neck Rd Wind Project 4 0 .pf a Preferred Route: '''� / --. \ Red Route- Sandbridge Route oCnr poral.,and nR propo ed Sub.talu.n •� Ar�'� Sandbndlte Rroposcd Landfall Culvej/n •�' Onshore Export Cable A1111b Alternatives • 5.6 miles and within City rights-of-way D , '` w SandbndRt Rote!Preferred Alternat ve) .7' -Oam Neck Route ANernanve 0 • 60%engineering design currently under �Wedb Route Aternative p Sandbrid a Route Altrnatve review byCityr t b ICorpprate tandmR opt on) ° r, �Sendbr.dRe Rd Route Alternative y..."F 'ti �' eel fi ..'`i .. Evaluated and Eliminated Routes: °°� • 4' :;: ' 41 Blue Route-Western Route �, x ate 49rl=4201t ' 4 1 Fol�on haf119[3101]UTM lone IXM • traffic concerns along General Booth Blvd ' • 'rq,we wepa.en t„Tetr.Tecn Tor onnei • existing utilities along General Booth Blvd .` A 1 ".. 0 07 0a 06 0[ 1 Mikes ay� I ` 0 0 2 0 a 06 0.[Naubul Mon. Green Route- Dam Neck Route • not compatible with mission of the base .1`5'0e W b REFERENCE MAP • removed from consideration liseltAH'S ; ` Purple Route- Sandbridge Road Route VA • not constructable due to need / , of Sandbridge Road closure ., �` ,..I.n.r 1,.a I NC \ •r A .1..Mr bur•1vi.Mwrlwrn.rwr...yrpryr.,ry IN 411 u...trv..wv.•. `44•S • road closure not permittabie by City MVO A— Kitty Hawk Wind Addressing specific residents' concerns AVANGRID Residents' Concerns Project Facts No. No study has demonstrated a definitive link between exposure to power line Does the project generate dangerous levels of magnetic fields and a human disease outcome such as cancer. Magnetic EMF conditions? fields from the underground cables are less than those found in household items such as electronic toothbrushes, Iightbulbs, and hair dryers. Will it cause continuous traffic No, the construction of the Sandbridge portion of the onshore transmission cable disruptions for 6 years? will be limited to a single year of construction only in the off-season (Oct- May). Will the cables impact future beach No, through discussions with BOEM,the offshore export cable route was designed renourishment projects and/or to not interfere with the designated sand borrow resource areas. degrade the beach? Will the cables adversely impact the No, the most direct route was chosen to connect to the electric grid, minimizing environment? impacts to the environment to the maximum extent possible. 27 federal and state agencies are consulted in the project design process. Will the cables overburden the City's Like any utility placed in City rights-of-way, Public Works and Utilities must review rights-of-way? and approve the cable design and placement of duct banks and splice vaults. Will this impact house values? The installed underground infrastructure will not devalue properties. Additional information on EMF Kitty Hawk Wind AVANGRID 1. All power lines/cables, house wiring, and Average magneticgenerated electrical devices produce EM F. � g g by household appliances: 2. Buried cables and transmission lines pose no health risks to residents and visitors. Fluorescent light 100 mG 3. The magnetic fields from the underground cables are less that those found in household . items we use every day such as electronic Hair dryer 700 mG toothbrushes, lightbulbs, and hair dryers. Power saw 1,000 mG 4. World Health Organization and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation VS. Protection limits EMF to 2,000 milligauss (mG). 5. Kitty Hawk Wind will have a value of less than .X,11 100 mG at the edge of the right-of-way. Kitty Hawk cables < 100 mG Kitty Hawk Wind will deliver significant economic \_ Kitty Hawk Wind benefits to region 4 AVANGRID UMP- OVER TEN YEARS, KITTY HAWK WIND WILL JUMP-STARTING G NEW INDUSTRY, BRINGING IN GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURING & $100 MILLION IN TAX REVENUES. LEVERAGING THE REGION'S MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE $2 Billion ,(V • • • I • . $ line of economic impact generated by Kitty Hawk Wind in the next decade $20.6M $58.0M $21.5M Sales Tax Revenue Property Tax Revenue directly Income Tax Revenue IApprox. to City of Virginia Beach 800 Jobs ,,, Created annually on average in up Virginia These totals come from a conservative economic analysis conducted in 2019 by an industry leading organization for the development,construction,and maintenance of the entire Kitty Hawk Wind project /1— Kitty Hawk Wind Engagement with the community is a key priority 414, AVANGRID . "4 `"% 4 c y .,Since2019 team has been in continuous contact ; t , .. �_ -[KIttYHawkWudm�-�-�� , ,4• , lrI7! with local and state officials and the community. I� ► _ , `,e, , ti,/ - r. ••r i 0' /1),V„.. 7, - /1,1 1 In 2020, Avangrid opened an office in Virginia Beach ;" � iA / , - K ,,► Enr to increase our team's ability to actively engage `4`=`"` .7.. TWV with stakeholders and be responsive to requests • for information. Since then, we have: 4' b 2111—/—.3 • Presented to local NGO's, agencies, civic organizations and at District 2 monthly meetings • Virtual open house available since July 2021 r ,. s • Mailed invitations to 7,000+ residents along the corridor for in- r i ,. person open house at Princess Anne Recreation Center and m rii project updates ` « R4 ( • Sponsored various tournaments, festivals, and competitions iMil ' • Served on panels with Virginia Beach Economic Development Department & Hampton Roads Alliance -,. - Upcomingcommunityinvolvement j' ttyHawkWd _I__ 4 AVANGRID On-going informational sessions Today June 3rd June 21-24th August 23-26th Sept 29-Oct 1 Chesapeake Bay - Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Neptune Beach Clean Bay Day Tuna Tournament Billfish Tournament Festival _ _. . ,,� .:. .. Throughout the year: , ', _:r • - , .d , , , .) o We sponsor the Kid 1 ", - 'N Wind Challenges and 3; * ' k ,cF :1111X11147:"46 ` engage with the VBCPS IJJ I . �, �"� •:: jc. = - L } II .. Environmental Studies 4 Academy 4, -4 . -t--.._ ,___41 - . i. ... , N. ( 'IW l®Beach Cia rd ! �— -- ' - .'[ re-iirz • .,. `_ Kitty Hawk Wind team at Clean the Bay Day in 2022! , _ , s • l _` t - _ . Leadership and Key Personnel • I , . ,t • y , , a . • I _ ;, ri•111S\ te ti A 414 Eric Thumma, Megan Higgins, Amanda Mayhew, Ashley McLeod, John Harker,Fisheries Christopher Morris, PE Vice President, Senior Director, Permitting Manager OSW Public Affairs Lead Outreach Coordination Director of Engineering Offshore New Business New Project Development Ashleyengageswith John is the Lead for Amanda Mayhew is the Chris is the Engineering Eric Thumma is Vice As Senior Director,Megan community and civic leaders. Fisheries Outreach g Permitting Manager for the businesses,state,and locallyLead at Avangrid; President for New oversees the development Kitty Hawk Wind Project. Coordination at Avangrid.A coordinating the Business Offshore Wind of the Kitty Hawk Wind Amanda's experience has elected officials in Virginia to proven leader,project p provide project development engineering disciplines and for Avangrid Renewables. project for Avangrid.She been in siting and permitting p p developer,and oversees the technical In this role he leads the U.S. has more than 17 years of updates and gain community multidisciplinary electric transmission lines p y inputs of the Kitty Hawk offshore businesses' experience in and substations in Virginia insight.Prior to joining Kitty coordinator,John bridges Project. He is focused on commercial activities environmental resource and eastern North Carolina Hawk Wind,she was the Vice his 20+years of maritime leveraging our global including RFP responses, management,planning,and for 6 years and previously President of communications experience into the offshore experience to ensure the offtake agreements,lease regulatory permitting working on electric and membershipfor a wind industry.Serving as Kitty Hawk Project is using auction bids as well as related to ocean transmission projects in Virginia trade association, the lead for fisheries Executive Director for the most relevant external communications governance and renewable Connecticut for the 10 years communication and information in the industry. and state policy, energyprojects in New several non-profits,and engagement lannin he p yp 1 prior.Amanda is focused onplanning, Chris has managed the and regulatory affairs. England and alongthe served two terms as an deliveries effective and g y the onshore facilities for the development and execution Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. interconnection to the grid. elected member of the long-term outreach efforts of more than 1,000 MW of Virginia Beach School Board. to the Avangrid portfolio. wind projects in the U.S. IIMININI 19 /` Kitty Hawk Wind Questions . Please contact us. AVANGRID Our team would be happy to discuss any question you may have. Megan Higgins, Sr. Director, New Project Development q` megan.higgins@avangrid.com , ;$, L' 971.346.0051 t p;; '.. i I.'S ,*N\I .'s 4 z- , t T.,„ . .,,.. , ..„ Ashley McLeod, Lead Offshore Wind Public Affairs ,; ,' ,,r , - ' `` IP f r ashley.mcleodPavangrid.com . . + 'I• 111 11° " r .��IN tiii,,,. * ,." 757.748.7084 ' A i -41116 Amanda Mayhew, Permitting Manager ♦ - �" " hi amanda.mayhew�avangrid.com .. � 804.997.5043 v' ° ' . RE , , .0 f4' W s- r p y. {.x John Harker, Lead Fisheries Outreach Coordination . - - M . µ,_ john.harker@avangrid.com • .. ' . i � F { % i, + i� +t K k 857.216.8611 „: ?r�,,L . }p, !•'" ��M .'fr R,r , Yp .A .�Fr ,� � ti +R p ,% ' •`✓ ,4, h , y -t, :'<'r, ,.rti_ , , j , -• ?,,,,..1: ,.a is .f,+vf,7:rtr l" '0.', +, t, `-n ,i" r ,,� •, 'P. ,v.."- ^�' ' ...,'4" ,V ,', Avangrid representatives at Virginia Beach open house (April 6, 2022) 4 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM#74200 Mayor Dyer DECLARED A PUBLIC HEARING: The following registered to speak: Joe Bourne, 2572 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 804-363-9880, spoke in OPPOSITION and presented a list of questions to City Council, attached hereto and made a part of the record by direction of Mayor Dyer Will Fediw, 952 Michaux Court, Phone: 418-4413, spoke in SUPPORT Joan Davis, Phone: 714-2304, spoke in spoke in OPPOSITION James Home, 2800 Blue Bill Drive, Phone: 540-809-1238, spoke in OPPOSITION Pat "Patricia"Burns, 325 Whiting Lane, Phone: 435-6131, spoke in OPPOSITION Hatcher Jeter, 3700 Sandpiper Road#315, Phone: 804-334-4750, spoke in OPPOSITION Russell G. Smith, President Sandbridge Dunes Unit Owners Association, 204 Sandbridge Road#211, Phone: 717-658-3286, spoke in OPPOSITION Charles Kelly, 321 Back Bay Crescent, Phone: 355-2233, spoke in OPPOSITION Jane Stilley, 3700 Sandpiper Road A123, Phone: 609-238-3150, spoke in OPPOSITION Jean Davis, 2972 Sand Bend Road, Phone: 703-216-1335, spoke in OPPOSITION Fran Dennis, 2245 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 641-5815, did not respond David Dennis, 2245 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 641-5815, spoke in OPPOSITION Fred Staudenmayer, 3356 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 703 304-8516, spoke in SUPPORT Karen Waterval, 204 Sandbridge Road, Phone: 831-1634, spoke in OPPOSITION Pat Barton, 308 Back Bay Crescent, Phone: 478-8264, spoke in OPPOSITION Janet Meyer, 312 Spot Lane, Phone: 617-3612, spoke in OPPOSITION Elizabeth Belcher, 2453 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 804-731-5041, spoke in OPPOSITION Jim Belcher, 2453 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 804-731-5829, spoke in OPPOSITION John Spallone, 324 Sea Scape Road, Phone:203-300-8954, spoke in OPPOSITION Bob McMillan, 333 Sea Scape Road, Phone: 644-7748, spoke in OPPOSITION Michael Mendelson, 304 Sunfish Lane, Phone: 804-307-4236, did not respond Bobby Melatti, 4500 Holland Office Park, Phone: 615-0830, spoke in SUPPORT Joel Rubin, 1213 Heathcliff Drive, Phone: 287-0361, spoke in SUPPORT A Petucci-did not respond Gretchen Heal, 2116 Fairway Drive, Phone: 635-6055, spoke in SUPPORT Susan Kellam, 317 Sage Road, Phone: 377-0902, did not respond Martin Joseph, 2404 Edenton Court, Phone: 435-9818, spoke in SUPPORT Rick Rowland, 3990 West Stratford Road, Phone: 804-641-9669, spoke in SUPPORT Gregory Lewis, 4237 Battery Road, Phone: 385-4303, spoke in SUPPORT Maeson Peterson, 3264 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 381-5997, spoke in OPPOSITION Emilie Palmer, 3048 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 646-6032, spoke in OPPOSITION Walter Parsick, 2216 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 286-9185, spoke in OPPOSITION Terry Stevens, 312 Shad Lane, Phone: 647-4705, spoke in OPPOSITION Gabriele Mack, 204 Sandbridge Road#308, Phone: 314-409-1457, spoke in OPPOSITION May 4, 2023 5 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM#74200 (Continued) Serena Amerson, 3880 Thalia Drive, Phone: 472-1766, did not respond SunTemple Helgren, 2309 Bobtail Court, Phone: 434-3945, spoke in SUPPORT Erin Peterson, 3264 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 703-943-9294, spoke in OPPOSITION Sierra Stalnaker, 2161 Mill Crossing Drive, Phone: 619-806-9454, spoke in OPPOSITION Kathy Owens, 2113 East Kendall Circle, Phone: 679-8591, spoke in SUPPORT Enders Dickinson, 3353 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 734-516-0155, spoke in OPPOSITION Elaine Fekete, 3012 Sand Bend Road, Phone: 435-6965, spoke in OPPOSITION Mark Fekete, 3012 Sand Bend Road, Phone: 435-6965, did not respond Jay Leach, 2116 Creek Edge Drive, Phone: 724-4254, spoke in SUPPORT Alan Mancusi-Ungaro, 318 Sea Scape, Phone: 315-727-2289, spoke in OPPOSITION James Kim Crutchfield, 3665 Sandpiper Road#218, Phone: 609-949-4308, spoke in OPPOSITION Cynthia Roye, 2328 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 703-400-3332, spoke in OPPOSITION Arthur W. Moye,Jr., 5312 Rosaer Place, Phone: 771-4226, spoke in SUPPORT Chris Petrakos, 2581 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 678-656-9629, spoke in OPPOSITION Karen Forget, 3712 Holland Road, Phone: 472-0406, spoke in OPPOSITION Ray Jalkio, 2508 Dehart Court, Phone: 779-3166, spoke in SUPPORT Arketa Howard, Phone: 571-241-8416, did not respond George Hagerman, 6005 Oceanfront Avenue, Phone: 703-200-7185, spoke in SUPPORT Daniel Heatwole, 1825 Templeton Lane, Phone: 544-2691, spoke in SUPPORT April Christensen, 300 Rock Lane, Phone: 703-978-6201, spoke in OPPOSITION Joseph Kinley, 332 Whiting Lane, Phone: 837-3001, spoke in OPPOSITION David Driscoll, 3609 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 508-446-5032, spoke in OPPOSITION Deborah Jeter, 3700 Sandpiper Road#315, Phone: 804-467-6039, spoke in OPPOSITION Anne Kozoyed, 3064 Sandpiper Road, spoke in OPPOSITION Lawrence Kozoyed, 3064 Sandpiper Road, spoke in OPPOSITION Mark Johnson, 1087 Horn Point Road, did not respond David Nevelsteen, 3120 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 910-578-3317, did not respond Colin Arnold, 274 Mayo Road, Phone: 434-426-8267, spoke in SUPPORT Summer Lane, did not respond Tom Haser, 525 Water Street SW, #406, Washington DC, Phone: 202-494-0930, did not respond Collin Sloan, did not respond Jake Ciuccio, 2636 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 301-793-5253, did not respond Tracy Thornton, 4553 Duffy Drive, Phone: 314-749-2482, did not respond There being no additional speakers,Mayor Dyer CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING May 4, 2023 Avangrid Public Briefing — May 4- Questions Safety and Health Impact • During the June 2022 meeting with the Sandbridge Beach Civic League,Avangrid presented EMF modeling results and expected levels of approx 650mG. The levels are nearly 7 times lower than those presented in DCVOSW COP for their cable landing and Right of Way. Several months later we learned from Avangrid that they did not model the levels over the transition joint bays, and furthermore did not disclose that omission when they presented the information to the community. a. When will we get an accurate and complete projection of EMF levels over and around the transition joint bays along with any other sensitive areas in Sandbridge? • Avangrid has been dismissive of questions about EMF and therefore have not answered the specific questions raised about the EMF we might experience at the transition joint bays buried in public parking. Medical device manufacturers issue warnings to their clients to avoid proximity to high power transmission lines. a. Will warning signs need to be posted as people enter the parking lot? b. Will property management companies be required to warn guests to potential exposure if they go to the market area? If not, why not? c. If something did happen to a guest related to this issue,would Avangrid and the City be liable? • When we try to get safety information about the project,we find that the public records are redacted as confidential or proprietary information. a. What is confidential about your plans for protecting public safety and health? b. Why is that information not openly and proactively shared with the community? c. If there is something that is legitimately confidential,why would you not provide a public version that can be shared? • The safety of personnel in and around construction sites is a direct indication of your commitment to the safety of the surrounding community. a. What is your safety record on your job sites—injury and incident rate? b. Have there been any fatalities on your construction sites? c. What types of injury are most prevalent on your construction sites? • The work that is planned for the marketplace parking lot near homes and businesses. a. What will be the noise level around the parking lot when digging? b. What will be the noise level around the parking lot when drilling? c. What noise abatement measures are planned for the worksite? d. What hours of operation will you be working? e. Is there a possibility that your work schedule could be a combination of day and evening shifts? 1 • Construction activity typically restricts access to the public for safety reasons. a. How will the work zone be marked off? b. In some documentation,you have marked off the public beach area in yellow squares. Does this imply that the public beach will be considered a construction zone all the way out to the ocean?Will this area be cordoned off? c. Will Sandfiddler Road be accessible in the area between the public parking area and the beach? • You will be hiring contractors as part of your project. Their safety performance will directly affect our safety as a community as the work proposed is in the central hub of Sandbridge. a. What do you do to oversee safety of all your subcontractors? b. Do you have minimum standards for acceptable demonstrated safety performance from your contractors? c. Can those standards be shared? • Due diligence is an expectation of the public review process. a. Has anyone on Virginia Beach City Council asked you these safety questions to date?If so, please provide the councilmember's name and evidence of your responses. b. Has Virginia Beach economic development asked you these safety questions to date?If so, please provide the requestor name(s)and evidence of your responses. Environmental Impact • For comparison,the Kitty Hawk, NC Option 4 Landfall is a 1km run and there is already a ROW for the Dominion transmission lines.The Sandbridge landing carries you through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.This is an extremely sensitive environmental zone. a. Why would you choose options that create greater environmental impact? • Avangrid has suggested in documents submitted to the city that they are avoiding passing through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.The projected route does cross through the refuge. a. Is that a mistake or did Avangrid intend to communicate this misinformation? • The COP includes an option for installing overhead lines from the Sandbridge Water Tower to Lago Mar, but this option has not been mentioned in any public communications. a. Why is there an option for installing overhead lines from the water tower to Lago Mar b. Why is that option not being disclosed during public engagements? c. Which option is the more likely over that length of the proposed cable route and what is the engineering plan? d. Have you provided mock-up photos to show what the above ground installation would look like?If not, when will those be provided? • There have been many reports about the threat offshore wind presents to endangered species and marine bird species. a. What is the long-term impact of the rapid development of offshore wind on the offshore ecosystem? b. What studies can Avangrid cite to back any claim(s) made? c. How can Avangrid remedy any permanent negative effects if they are mistaken? 2 • The parking lot is currently a paver design to address drainage and runoff issues.This is a major issue at the intersection of Sandbridge and Sandfiddler Roads.The pictures you have shared with the city show a paved lot. a. Is that the final product? Does that pass city code? b. If you had to use pavers, does that change the assumptions around EMF protection? • Due diligence is an expectation of the public review process. a. Has anyone on Virginia Beach City Council asked these environmental questions to date? If so, please provide the councilmember's name and evidence of your responses. b. Has Virginia Beach economic development asked these environmental questions to date? If so, please provide the requestor name(s) and evidence of your responses. Economic Impact • Experience and references are an important feature in any proposed business relationship. a. How many offshore wind projects has Avangrid completed?Where are they? b. Who would Avangrid recommend we contact in those locations to test the merits of these promised benefits?This list should include city officials, citizens groups and local advocacy groups that were engaged in the approval process. c. Has Avangrid ever constructed an offshore wind farm of this size and complexity? d. What is Avangrid's market share of OSW compared to the top 3 in that industry? e. What is Avangrid's most successful wind farm project of any type?Who can we contact in that city/community to gain an understanding of Avangrid's economic impact there? f. What is Avangrid's longest operating offshore wind farm?Who can we contact to provide a local view of jobs created and economic benefits secured? • Avangrid's economic impact report makes some very bold claims about the impact of this project on the Virginia Beach economy. a. What independent agency did you contract to provide this analysis? b. What model(s)was used to generate the results? c. What are the limitations associated with that model? d. What assumptions were used in generating the results from the model? e. Were any negative economic consequences included in your model assumptions?If so, please specify those negative impacts and how they were captured? For example,was the higher cost of electricity and the consequent effects of that considered? f. Are the findings subject to independent audit? g. Has this audit been performed? If so, by who and how do we request a copy? h. If not, can an independent audit be arranged to confirm that the negative financial consequences are rightly considered? 3 • It would be expected that Avangrid O&M facilities, management facilities and training facilities would be sited near the best port/transportation services, laydown areas for wind turbine generator components and any growing critical mass of wind farm support services. a. How does siting decision for your permanent installations relate to your landfall selection and grid connection point? • You are not a business unless you have a customer that will be buying your product. a. Where do you have a PPA to sell this electricity? b. If you do not have a contract,where are you planning to sell this electricity? c. If you claim Virginia and we call Dominion Energy,will they agree with you? d. If you are not providing energy to Virginia,why should we go through the negative economic impact of this proposed landfall and transmission line installation? • Avangrid's representative to Virginia Beach(Ashley McLeod)also sits on the NCTowers task force advising NC Governor Cooper on how to invest in offshore wind support infrastructure to support job growth in that state.Avangrid has participate in meetings with the task force providing detailed advice on this topic. Duke Power has now developed a plan to make the grid there more amenable to a connection from offshore wind.Governor Cooper has announced $20 million dollars in upgrades to Radio Island to expand laydown areas and improve services for offshore wind. It is obviously in your best interest as a business to have multiple sources of services so competitive bids can be issued. a. In the end, Is Avangrid not going to bid out your services and go with the lowest price? b. In your estimation, how is work in North Carolina progressing and do you see them as a viable alternative for windfarm support services in the future? • Sandbridge is a key tourism asset for Virginia Beach. It has taken 25 years and over$150 million in Special Service District and TIF funds to rebuild Sandbridge beach to create the flourishing tourism and increased property values that we are experiencing today. During the proposed construction period,Sandbridge stands to lose approximately$500 million in property values, tourism related income and tax revenues for the city.This does not include any other property value losses or business impacts along the cable route.This will directly affect the City of Virginia Beach as rental and tourism spending stays local.According to your economic impact report, direct spending for your project is projected to bring$663 million in impact to Hampton Roads. Of this total, approximately$340 million is associated with the offshore cable,onshore cable and grid upgrades. a. For the grid connection portion of the project, Hampton Roads is projected to benefit by $340 million of which Virginia Beach will only see a portion.At the same time, Sandbridge along stands to lose$500M that 100% impacts Virginia Beach. Why is cable landfall in Virginia Beach a good idea for the city? 4 • Avangrid is running a business model that no one would invest in if consumers were not being forced to pay the higher prices that will surely come as a result of offshore wind. a. Where does that inefficiency show up in you modeling of the economic impact? b. Does your model consider the higher rates for electricity and the consequent on consumers, business and industry? c. What is the nature of any government subsidy or incentive you are receiving? d. How does that translate into tax dollars for the state of Virginia? e. Are you receiving any federal funding to support your project? If so,what is the nature of that support? f. How does that translate into US tax burden? • In Europe,there are reports citing a decline in offshore windfarm efficiency of 4.5%/year.The drop in efficiency increases with the size/output of the units installed. a. What is the escalation rate in Avangrid's proposed PPA to cover this yield loss? b. How much will that cost ratepayers over time? • The Dominion Offshore Wind Project has already claimed a lot of economic benefits from offshore wind and their investment will generate the base of offshore wind services in the Hampton Roads area. a. How is Avangrid's project benefiting from this? b. Has Avangrid claimed any benefits that are already claimed by Dominion? c. Has an independent audit of Avangrid's financials been provided to the city to confirm true net benefit vs.gross benefit and to confirm that there is no double counting? • Avangrid's economic impact report notes that they are displacing existing sales in certain supplies or services. a. What are those supplies and services? b. How will the strain on capacity impact consumers and businesses already using those supplies or services?Are there possible issues with availability? c. Have you provided any projections on how this will impact pricing for these goods and services? 5 • Horizontal drilling, pulling submarine high voltage lines, running high voltage transmission line and building electrical substations are all specialized construction jobs that Avangrid will almost certainly put out for regional bids. In reviewing the lberdrola website,the company makes the following statement regarding contracts supporting the Vineyard Wind 1 Project off Nantucket. Vineyard Wind 1 will be utilizing GE Renewable Energy's industry leading Haliade-X wind turbine generators, the most powerful in operation to date, with up to 13 megawatts of power and a height of 248 metres. Each of these turbines can save 52,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and in a single rotation—of 38,000 m2—they can generate the energy needed for a home for more than two days. Meanwhile. Windar Renovables will be responsible for manufacturing the wind turbine foundations. The contract is worth around 100 million euros and will create approximately 400 jobs (500 at peak times) at the plant in Asturias (Spain). Vineyard Wind has entered into an agreement with Italian company Prysmian Group worth 200 million euros to design, manufacture, install and commission the submarine cabling system that will connect the offshore wind farm with the Continental US power transmission grid. The project will require a total of 134 kilometres of high voltage alternating current electric cable. Lastly, US company Southwire has been selected as the main supplier to design. manufacture and install the terrestrial cables. It will install more than 51 kilometres of high voltage cable during the first quarter of 2023. The cable will be manufactured at the Southwire plant in Huntersville (North Carolina), which will use avant-garde technology to produce high and extra-high-voltage cables ranging from 69 kV to 500 kV. a. The work being done is very specialized, so I am not surprised to see this. Why would we expect to see a different approach associated with grid connection in Virginia Beach? b. What temporary and/or permanent jobs will be provided as a direct result of the cable portion of the Kitty Hawk Wind Project? c. Who can we speak with at the Vineyard Wind project that is currently underway to sample their experience to date? • The offshore cable corridor shown in the KHW COP runs between the Sandbridge borrow shoals and almost parallel to the shore. In the Sandbridge EA, NOAA and DEQ have pointed out that the shoals will NOT support renourishment through the life of the Sandbridge project. The KHW corridor blocks potentially new borrow areas near Sandbridge,which will drive up cost and risk for future replenishment cycles. a. How will Avangrid mitigate potential cost and risk to the vital and highly successful beach nourishment program? b. If future surveys demonstrated that your proposed cable routing was over future borrow areas,would you reroute your cables accordingly? c. Will Avangrid cover any additional costs associated with the ongoing beach renourishment program in Sandbridge? 6 • Due diligence is an expectation of the public review process. a. Has anyone on Virginia Beach City Council asked Avangrid these economic impact questions to date?If so, please provide the councilmember's name and evidence of your responses. b. Has Virginia Beach economic development asked Avangrid these economic impact questions to date?If so, please provide the requestor name(s)and evidence of your responses. Construction and Operation Impact • The Kitty Hawk, NC landfall is a much shorter cable run and the onshore cable run is much less impactful to the community. a. Why have you chosen to put our community through a more impactful disruption to life, business and environment? b. What technical advantages do you see in your siting assessment that makes Sandbridge the more attractive alternative? • The Construction and Operation plan includes an appendix H for Sandbridge landfall design. That section is redacted from public view citing confidentiality. a. Why? b. Has anyone from City Council or the Economic Development Office seen these plans? c. We request an unredacted copy of Appendix H be provided. • Cable and transmission line maintenance can be an unplanned occurrence. a. How often do you expect repairs to be required on the cable you are proposing? b. What does repair typically entail? c. How long does repair usually last? d. What is the exact path and depth of the underground line over the full installation? Where are the connection boxes going to be located? e. From the design drawing in the COP,there is only 3 feet of headroom in the transition joint bays. If a joint failure occurs,will excavation be required in the parking lot to make repairs • The Sandbridge Beach Renourishment program is an essential component of our overall beach management efforts. Without it, Sandbridge will return to its earlier state of massive shoreline loss. a. How will your installation impact the Sandbridge renourishment program both during and after construction? b. If your answer is none, why is the Army Corps of Engineers still assessing the potential impact? c. The average erosion rate in Sandbridge Beach is higher than the erosion rate in Kitty Hawk. Shouldn't that be a problem for offshore cable exposure? If not,why not? 7 • Avangrid has been trying to get out of your contracts that were agreed to in Massachusetts because costs escalated and you wanted more favorable terms. a. Why should we believe Avangrid won't do the same thing here when the economics turn south? b. Will Avangrid threaten to leave half way through the job like you did there? • Avangrid will be running high voltage cables under existing Sandbridge utilities. a. How does this installation impact future upgrades and/or maintenance to those utilities? b. Will the cost of maintenance be increased? c. Who have you worked with in Public Works to conclude this? d. Will Avangrid need to be consulted and on site whenever Virginia Beach public utilities perform repairs? • It is understood that Avangrid's Construction and Operations Plan assumes that all cables and substations will be abandoned in place, but there is no certainty that will be approved or if the regulatory environment won't require full removal at that time. a. What are the decommissioning costs of your project and will you be posting surety bonds to cover that cost? b. In the absence of these guarantees,what prevents Avangrid from walking away from your obligations when the government subsidized economics no longer suits them? • Due diligence is an expectation of the public review process. a. Has anyone on Virginia Beach City Council asked Avangrid these construction and operations questions to date? If so, please provide the councilmember's name and evidence of your responses. b. Has Virginia Beach economic development asked Avangrid these construction and operations questions to date? If so, please provide the requestor name(s)and evidence of your responses. We request release of Appendix H:Sandbridge Export Cable Landfall Conceptual Design Study from the Construction and Operations Plan submitted by Avangrid to BOEM. It is redacted from public view. 8 6 ADJOURNMENT ITEM#74201 Mayor Robert M. Dyer DECLARED the City Council SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION ADJOURNED at 10:19 P.M. Terri H. Chelius Chief Deputy City Clerk Amanda Barnes, MMC Robert M. Dyer City Clerk Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia May 4, 2023