HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning April 18 20001
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
April 18, 2000
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Committee Chair in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford
Dan McShane
None
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
17 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
18 ORDINANCE TEXT 20.90 — AMENDMENTS SECTION, TITLE 20.92 —
19 HEARING EXAMINER SECTION, AND TITLE 2.33 — PERMIT REVIEW
20 PROCEDURES (A62000 -159)
21
22 Kraig Olason, Senior Planner, stated this proposal seeks to do a number of
23 things to reorganize the Title 20.90 amendment process. One of the key things it
24 does is removes the requirement for docketing of zoning amendments. Currently,
25 they are required to wait until the Planning Commission is done with all of them,
26 and then bring them all to the Council at once. This amendment proposes to
27 eliminate the long pause between the Planning Commission review and the Council
28 review. One of the key timelines is the 60 -day comment period that the state
29 requires. They will try to get it to the state before or at about the time it goes to
30 the Planning Commission. They will move it through the Planning Commission and
31 then move it on to the Council within two to three weeks. They will be able to
32 make a final decision after that 60 -day period is over.
33
34 Hoag stated it is a big improvement. She talked about this with Sylvia
35 Goodwin. They need this desperately. She talked about different timelines with
36 Sylvia Goodwin. The information she read in the packet didn't match what they
37 discussed. She questioned whether the :. ` ordinane- they
38 discussed a different ordinance.
39
40 Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated the ordinance that
41 Councilmember Hoag was concerned about was the Comprehensive Plan
42 amendment docket. That was where it didn't come to the Council until June, and
43 there was a concern about it conflicting with the budget process. That ordinance is
44 before the Planning Commission right now. The Council will see it soon.
45
46 Olason stated they also changed the annual docketing process and included a
47 regular docket process. Even though they will not proceed together, the June 30
48 deadline would still be in effect for suggested amendments and for zoning map
49 amendments. Other amendments, such as citizen - initiated text amendments, site
50 specific rezone, or emergency amendment, would go on the regular docket and
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 1
1 could be received at any time. They looked at the types of projects that may have
2 time sensitivity. That is in section 20.90.040 of the Whatcom County Code (WCC).
3
4 Hoag stated there are changes regarding area -wide rezones on packet page
5 142 and 143. On packet page 142, section 2.33.020(E), area wide rezones are
6 eliminated and replaced with standard map amendments. On page 12, section
7 20.90.020(1), it makes the same language change. She questioned the reason for
8 the change. Also, the second sentence in section 20.90.020(1) still talks about an
9 area -wide reclassification. Olason stated they had a lot of confusion this last year
10 as they described area -wide rezones. Essentially, they are just standard map
11 amendments. It is an amendment of the zoning map designation. Some people
12 thought they had to have a huge proposal to satisfy that requirement. An
13 individual could come in with it. The language itself was misleading. They should
14 change the language in the second sentence of section 20.90.020(1), "Afl-areaa-
15 wide Feel a ssif* at*e ' standard map amendment is generally comprehensive in
16 nature...." They need to replace the term. Originally, when they modified the
17 language to include site - specific areas, they wanted to clearly call those two out.
18 The site - specific was clearly for one person or a group of owners with a project for
19 a site, versus a general map amendment. In trying to do it, they ended up giving
20 the impression that a person couldn't come in for a standard map amendment.
21
22 Hoag stated the second sentence describes something that is area -wide. She
23 questioned whether all standard map amendments are area -wide. Olason stated
24 they are not. Typically, it is difficult for someone to get a zoning map amendment
25 if he or she becomes an individual island parcel. Most often, they are looking at a
26 larger area or are looking to add on to an existing zone.
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28 McShane moved to change the language in the second sentence of section
29 20.90.020(1), "An area ide reel assifi eati en standard map amendment is generally
30 comprehensive in nature...."
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32 Motion carried unanimously.
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34 Hoag stated the bottom of packet page 143 is regarding site - specific rezones.
35 She questioned whether the language was clear enough to distinguish it from a
36 standard map amendment. Olason stated there is an entire section that describes
37 the requirements for that in there. There is a check box on the application form.
38
39 Hoag read section 20.90.050(4) on packet page 147 regarding receipt of the
40 staff's findings and recommendations. She questioned what goes to the Hearing
41 Examiner. Olason stated site - specific rezones go to the Hearing Examiner.
42
43 Hoag noted typographical errors on packet page 148. She would provide
44 those to the staff.
45
46 Hoag read from section 20.90.062(4) on packet page 150 regarding review
47 of docketed items for amendments. She questioned whether the County Council
48 has the ability to add items to the docket as amendments. Olason stated the
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 2
1 County Council could initiate amendments for the annual docket. That would be a
2 suggested amendment.
3
4 Hoag stated they've been unclear about how the Council makes suggested
5 changes in the past. Olason stated the Growth Management Act (GMA) requires
6 that the County have a list that is compiled annually of citizen suggested
7 amendments. The Planning staff requires them and others to be in by the end of
8 June. At that time, they are evaluated. The Council and the Planning Commission
9 could suggest an amendment to be incorporated into the work program. They are
10 trying to get all the suggested amendments from everyone in June so they can go
11 through the list and determine which ones they have to spend time on. WCC
12 20.90.030(3) on packet page 145 is the provision for Council- initiated
13 amendments. It is a timeliness issue.
14
15 Hoag questioned whether the Council has any opportunities to see the
16 suggested revisions. Olason stated the Planning staff has provided the Council with
17 a work program that they've screened.
18
19 Goodwin stated that last year they had a list of suggested amendments.
20 There were about 21. She sent them to Council and scheduled them for four
21 meetings in a row to get input on the priorities. The Council never had time to look
22 at them because there was a lot of other stuff on the agenda. Planning staff made
23 a decision on what they thought was a priority and then processed them. It was
24 just about all of them, and that was too many. They would appreciate Council
25 input. If they pass the ordinance, there may be time in June for the Council to look
26 at them. They need to make a point to find time.
27
28 Hoag suggested that they have the list of suggestions, with staff's input on
29 what they think should come forward. Send that information to the Council
30 informally so that councilmembers could make comments if they wish. If not, the
31 priorities that are listed would go forward. It doesn't require formal action.
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33 Goodwin stated they listed them all as high, medium, and low priorities.
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35 Crawford stated he wanted to have a map amendment. On packet page 146,
36 section 20.90.030(4), it says a citizen may initiate an amendment by making an
37 application and paying a fee. On packet page 147, section 20.90.052, the process
38 is described further. He questioned what the Council went through in January.
39 Olason stated that was the Comprehensive Plan amendments. This is zoning
40 amendments. If citizens pay, then they play. If they want to only make
41 suggestions, then the citizen takes the chance of not being made a priority by staff
42 and Council. If one puts down the money and gets the map amendment in by June
43 30, he or she is automatically docketed.
44
45 Crawford stated the items they called Comprehensive Plan amendments were
46 map changes. Olason stated they are sometimes combined. Zoning amendments
47 associated with Comprehensive Plan amendments are attached to the
48 Comprehensive Plan application and have to get docketed.
49
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 3
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Crawford stated he was not overly concerned that the current process is
wrong. He wondered if section 20.90.030(5) should say something about the
possibility of a person's item being kicked out by the Council before it ever gets a
hearing if it involves a Comprehensive Plan change. Olason stated that they way
they do it in- house, they have a Comprehensive Plan application. On that
application, it says that one would be considered through the docketing process.
They are not required to pay fees until such time that the Council decides to go
forward with the amendment. Applicants know that information.
McShane stated one of the findings was that the GMA does not require that
all zoning amendments be reviewed concurrently. These could be approved
individually as they come forward. They don't need to be held for any time. The
Comprehensive Plan amendments are not affected. Olason stated that is correct.
Crawford moved to approve as amended with the typographical errors noted.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPEN
SPACE /OPEN SPACE AND OPEN SPACE /TIMBER APPLICATIONS
(AB2000 -169)
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated the first application is for
Warren and Sharon Aller. It is an open space /timber application of 9.78 acres.
Seven and a half acres would be in the open space.
Hoag stated there are no questions on that one.
Goodwin stated the next application is on page 311 for Breakspear /Knott.
Hoag questioned the tax implications and development implications.
Goodwin stated there is not much difference. The only difference is if one no longer
has 20 acres, he or she can no longer be in Designated Forest. It has to be in Open
Space /Timber. There is a slight difference in the way the tax is calculated.
Goodwin stated the next item is for Chambers.
Hoag questioned the harvest plan. Goodwin stated they don't ask how the
trees are going to be cut.
Hoag stated this is an area where there is salmon habitat. She questioned
why they were given two points for a harvest plan when there isn't a harvest plan.
Goodwin stated she didn't know, but the reality is that the County has no authority
of timber harvest. The state Department of Natural Resources issues those
permits.
Hoag stated the County has the authority over whether or not to give them a
tax break. Goodwin stated the County does have authority over that. The purpose
is for commercial growing of timber that will be harvested. That is the reason for
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 4
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the tax break. The Council needs to look at whether there is commercial timber on
the property and whether it would be harvested as commercial timber.
Hoag stated it doesn't say. There isn't a harvest plan to give her that
information. It was discussed during Planning Commission, but she doesn't have
the information the Planning Commission had. She didn't agree with approving the
application.
Goodwin stated that if they remove the two points, the applicant would still
have enough points to be approved.
Hoag questioned where the comment came from at the Planning Commission
that their timber management plan was a good one. She questioned whether the
Planning Commission was looking at a different application because there is no
thinning program and she didn't see a good timber management plan. Goodwin
stated she couldn't answer that question. The plan they have on file is the correct
one, and it has all the elements of a timber management plan, including a soil
inventory, and the types of timber. They are planning on doing a harvest. The
forest practice application has the stream buffer and habitat information dependent
on the stream type. That is where the concerns about the streams would be
addressed. Unfortunately, the County won't address it. The Department of Natural
Resources would address it.
Hoag questioned whether they only give the tax break if they know that the
timber would be harvested. That is the point of the open space /timber tax break.
Goodwin stated it is supposed to be harvested when it is a mature forest, which
could be many years down the road. It doesn't have to be harvested as a
sustainable crop. There are other public benefits to having timber besides just
harvesting it. It puts oxygen in the air and provides open space for the wildlife.
There are many benefits. The Council is looking at the overall benefit to the County
of having trees here versus having houses or something else other than trees.
Dave Grant, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor, stated the open space element is
there as well.
Crawford stated that based on the scoring system, it more than meets the
qualifications. He questioned whether the applicant has to pay an additional fee if
the Council sends it back for more clarification.
Hoag suggested sending it back for a thinning program and a harvest plan
that tells them when they plan on cutting the trees and how.
McShane stated the applicant did address it. The applicant stated that the
timing of harvest would be whenever they want. That is okay. It says they are
harvestable now, but they don't have to be harvested now. They can be harvested
when the market is right or when the feel like cutting the trees. They still have to
follow forest practices. Sending the application back costs the applicant undue
anguish, plus additional cost because they hired a consultant.
Crawford agreed with McShane.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 5
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Hoag stated she would support it, but she was concerned about a clear -cut in
salmon habitat.
Dawson stated those issues are addressed by the state Department of
Natural Resources (DNR).
Hoag stated she didn't know whether or not they are adequately addressed.
McShane stated he approved of the application.
Hoag stated the next item was Zender Logging Co. Inc.
Crawford questioned whether he should assume that any timber harvest plan
would include planting and restocking. Goodwin replied that a timber harvest plan
should include planting and restocking unless they are intending to do a conversion
and convert the acreage out of forestry. In that case, it shouldn't be eligible for a
tax break.
Crawford stated the sixth element of any open space /timber application,
which is planting and restocking, would be a fundamental element to any timber
management plan.
Hoag stated the applicant talked about selective harvest in 50 or 60 years,
subject to market and /or the owner's needs. That doesn't sound like development.
Dawson stated this property has already been logged.
Goodwin stated the application said it was replanted with 300 Douglas Fir per
acre in 1996. The reforestation has already occurred and it probably wouldn't be
harvested again for some time.
Hoag stated the next item was Bruce and Lynne Shelton. There was no
forest health noted, but they were given two points. Goodwin stated it means that
no problems were noted.
Hoag stated she didn't have any problems on open space /open space for
Gomez.
Crawford questioned why nothing has to be submitted except the photo.
Goodwin stated there isn't a forest management plan, so they use the public benefit
rating system.
Crawford questioned how important it is to protect the headwaters of
California Creek. It is pretty important. He was surprised it received five points out
of ten.
Hoag questioned whether the percentage determines the amount of the tax
break. Goodwin stated it does. By the time it gets to the headwaters, it is narrow
and there are a lot of wetlands that feed into California Creek
Crawford stated he approved of it as it is.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 6
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McShane agreed.
Crawford moved to approve all the open space applications.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. PRESENTATION/ DISCUSSION REGARDING HIGH VOLTAGE POWER
LINES (AB2000 -174)
Ron Forester, Puget Sound Energy, stated his specialty is transmission
planning.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Forester stated he would focus on questions that were sent to him.
McShane stated he wanted to have information on the way that the
transmission lines come into the city and is broken up into 115 kV lines through the
city. He has 115 kV lines in his yard.
Crawford stated there are big lines that are by his house.
Forester stated there are a lot of internal sources and generation in Whatcom
County. There are four different voltage levels of transmission lines, 500 kV, 230
kV, 115 kV, and 55 kV. He referenced a transmission line map. Their distribution
voltage is 12.5 kV. A standard distribution pole would have a wooden cross arm
that is horizontal to the pole. The poles are typically about 40 to 45 feet tall. The
insulators are small on the distribution lines and large on the transmission lines.
There are two 500 kV lines that go through the County. They start in Canada.
Those lines are connected to a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) station in
Custer. Two lines leave Custer and go to BPA in Monroe. That is the backbone of
the system. It continues south to Olympia.
Brenner asked about the red east -west line. Forester stated it goes along
Badger Road.
Hoag questioned whether those are the 115 kV lines that come from the
current cogeneration plant in Sumas. Forester stated they are.
Forester stated the two 230 kV lines begin in Custer, where there is a 500 to
230 kV step -down transformer, and goes to the BPA Bellingham station. They are
in the same corridor as the 500 kV lines. One 230 kV line loops around from
Bellingham. The other 230 kV line goes straight through. They both end up in
Skagit County. The only other 230 kV lines in the county are the two lines that go
from Custer to Intalco. They are on rights -of -way and are not along roads.
Another source of generation is at Sumas, of 115 megawatts. There is generation
at White Horn, of 140 megawatts.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 7
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Brenner questioned whether there are any 115 kV distribution lines. Forester
stated there are not, the way his company defines transmission, which is 55 kV and
above. Below that level is distribution. Some people refer to 55 kV and 115 kV as
sub - transmission lines.
Forester continued to state that Tenasca has 245 -250 megawatts of
generation. Enco -gen has 160 megawatts of generation.
Brenner asked about lines near Ferndale. Forester stated the lines run along
Slater Road. The Public Utility District (PUD) line is along a right -of -way, off the
road.
Hoag asked if the Sumas Energy 1 plant generates 115 megawatts. They've
always been told it was 125 megawatts. Forestry stated the maximum allowed is
125 megawatts.
Forester continued to state that the lines tie in to the south and Skagit
County. Transmission system is a network system, so all the lines are tied
together. There are breaker stations. If there is a line that overloads or has a
short circuit, the breakers on either end would open and protect the system from
that short circuit.
Brenner asked how transmission and distribution lines are different. Forester
stated the purpose of transmission lines is to move power from point A to point B.
Distribution lines go from source to load. The wires are the same. There are larger
wires on transmission lines than on distribution lines. The towers are capable of
carrying more weight.
Brenner questioned the difference in transmission /distribution lines regarding
electromagnetic fields (EMF). Forester stated EMF is a function of the voltage level.
With transmission lines, the voltages are higher. Distribution voltages are lower.
Current levels might be very similar.
Brenner asked if there would be more EMF on transmission lines. Forester
stated not necessarily. EMF is a function of a conductor with current flowing
through it and a voltage across either end.
Dirk Petty, Electromagnetic Task Force, stated it is how the lines are used at
the time. They can get huge EMF from any line, but it is how the line is used at
that particular time. If they are pushing a large amount of electricity through a
small conductor, then the EMF is larger. If a 115 kV line from
a power generation station, then the would field strength t4m will be
extremely high.
Hoag asked Mr. Forester if he agreed that the larger the load on a line, the
greater the EMF. Forester stated it is proportional to the current level, whether it is
a distribution or transmission line.
Brenner questioned whether there is a limit on the load that could go through
a 115 kV line. She questioned whether that load would be a lower limit than the
load that could go through a 230 or 500 kV.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 8
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Hoag stated sh@ would rath@r address th@ qu@sti@ns sh@ mail@d t@ Mr.
they are getting ahead of where she would like to get. They would start,
and then move on.
Forester stated one question was the total miles of 115 kV lines in Whatcom
County carrying a load of more than 100 megawatts per line. There are four 500
kV lines, five 230 kV lines, twenty 115 kV lines, and three 55 kV lines in the
County. If they focus in on the 115 kV lines, there is a total length of 223 miles.
Of that, about 40 miles of 115 kV lines have a load greater than 100 megawatts.
Hoag questioned where those lines are located and what the loads are.
Forester stated he didn't have the exact load figures.
Brenner questioned whether the load changes. Forester stated they created
the tally from a winter peak in 1999. In the summertime, some loads are actually
heavier than in the winter because they are importing power from Canada and
serving the greater Puget Sound area. Loads depend on where they are talking
about the level of generation that is running.
Hoag questioned the location of the 40 miles of lines greater than 100
megawatts. She asked if these are all Puget Sound Energy (PSE) lines. Forester
stated they are all PSE lines. He would talk about the specific lines.
The first line is short. It goes between Arco Central station and Arco North
station. There are three switching stations along the roadway by Arco. There are
lines connecting all three stations. One of those lines is 1/5 of a mile, and goes
between two of the stations. He didn't have the exact load information. In
general, the loads are between 100 and 150 megawatts.
Crawford questioned whether the wintertime has a heavier load than the
summer because of the energy use. Forester stated the use load is heavier in the
wintertime. In the wintertime, the use load is about 55 percent of the
winter's use load. In the summertime, Canada has a lot of water in their
reservoirs, so they like to generate and export power. PSE has an exchange with
Canada to send power back and forth during various parts of the year. In the
summertime, there is a lot of generation that is occurring to serve the load in the
Puget Sound region, Oregon, and beyond. There is a lot of flow- through on the
high voltage lines, and some of it impacts the 115 kV lines. Also, the generators
run in the summertime and sell their power then, which also loads up the lines.
The local load is produced, and more power has to go on the transmission to get
out of the area. Usually, the system limits occur in the summertime. Each line has
a specific loading limit.
Hoag stated she wanted to get back to discussing the 40 miles of lines that
are over 100 megawatts.
uses.
Petty questioned whether Whatcom County generates more power than it
Forester stated it does.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 9
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Hoag stated they would get to that question.
Forester stated the second line is Ensearch Bellingham 2. It is 2.5 miles
long. Enco -gen is a co- generation plant by Georgia- Pacific (G -P) and goes to the
Bellingham PSE station. The next one is Portal Way, Arco Central. It is 5. 9 miles
long. All the loads are between 100 and 150 megawatts. It could be higher than
that in the summertime. The next is Sumas /Lynden. It is 10.8 miles.
Hoag stated that M company said they were only running about 60
megawatts, and split the 125 Megawatts they are producing into two lines, each 60
to 65 megawatts. Forester stated it doesn't split evenly.
Hoag questioned whether there :�s are over 100 megawatts on one line.
Forester stated the transmission system is a network system. Not all the wires are
the same size. That isn't how the power flows.
Forester continued to state that the next line is the Terrell Bellingham 1. It
goes from the PSE Bellingham station, through the Bakerview /La Bounty substation,
and out to Terrell. It is 18.1 miles. The last line is the Whitehorn /Arco central,
which is the line that comes from the Whitehorn plant to Arco Central. It is a radio
line that has to carry the whole 140 megawatts when both units are running. It is
2.3 miles.
Hoag stated her second question was the average load on the 115 kV lines in
Whatcom County. Forester stated he didn't have time to add them up, and they
vary all the time. The average range is 50 to 100 megawatts.
Hoag asked for more specific information at a later date. Forester stated
they would have to pick a day in the year because they vary.
Hoag stated the lines are designed to carry a certain amount of load. The
wires are sized accordingly. She is looking for information on what they are
designed to carry.
Forester stated the question was the average load, not the capacity.
Hoag stated she didn't want the average load on any given day, but the
average megawatts of all the lines. Forester stated the quote of 100 megawatts
that they just talked about has nothing to do with capacity of the line. It is a load
level snapshot in the winter of 1998 -1999.
Hoag stated she was trying to find out what the 115 kV lines in Whatcom
County typically carry as a load. She didn't need it to be so precise to reflect the
daily variance. She questioned the typical average of what a 115 kV line carries.
There are some that carry more and some that carry less. &The reason she was
asking was because the lines from the proposed plant are being proposed to carry
330 megawatts on a 115 kV line. She wanted to know how that compared with
what they are already looking at in the county. Forester stated he would have to
do some work and develop a range between the summer and winter.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 10
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Hoag asked him to define the information he would provide. She questioned
the amount of power used in Whatcom County, the amount of power used by
Intalco, and the source of Intalco's power. Forester stated the PSE load is
approximately 370 megawatts in Whatcom County. Intalco uses 470 megawatts.
Brenner stated the maps don't match. Forester stated they wouldn't. One
came out of the Growth Management Act (GMA) electrical facilities book. They
come from different backgrounds. They should be similar as far as the number of
lines.
Brenner stated the lines are not in the same place. The Northwest Road line
is not on one of the maps.
Hoag stated the Birch Bay- Lynden Road is not on the map either. She asked
for a reduced color copy of Mr. Forester's map. They are trying to get educated,
and it is a complex subject.
(Clerk's Note: McShane left the meeting at 4:20 p.m.)
Andy Swayne, Puget Sound Energy Land Use Planner, stated Kathy Larsen
recently provided the Council with a set of 11 -inch by 17 -inch maps of the PSE
transmission system. That was a complete set of all their maps. It is the best
compilation of information available.
Hoag asked for the maps in color. Swayne stated he would provide color
maps.
Forester stated there was a question regarding transportation of a load of 50
megawatts compared to 300 megawatts on a 115 kV line.
Hoag stated she wanted to know the different impacts. She asked him to
define current. Forester stated the current is the amperage. Power over a period
of time is energy. Kilowatt hours is the measure of the number of kilowatts used
per one hour, and is the measure of energy. Kilowatts is the measure of power.
The transmission line transmits power. They use the term megawatts. The word
megawatts means one million watts. The word kilowatts means one thousand
watts. If they stick to 115 kV as the discussion point for transmission, all
transmission lines have three -phase conductors to run three - phased loads. If one
amp is put through each of the phases, A through C, the total power is 1/5 of a
megawatt, or 200 kilowatts. One amp on each of the three phases is 200 kilowatts
of power. Five amps run through each of the three phases and is one megawatt.
To get up to 50 megawatts, it takes 250 amps on each phase. Three hundred
megawatts would take about 1,500 amps on each phase. It is six times higher.
When one designs a transmission line, there are several things to look at. The
structure itself has to be designed to hold up the weight of the conductors. The
span length could be varied, so more structures built closer together could hold up
more weight. The structure design is one element. Another element is the wire
size. Each utility has different sets of wire size. There isn't a standard across the
nation. BPA has a bigger set of conductors than PSE because PSE doesn't want to
stock as many connectors. PSE has certain sizes they use.
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Brenner questioned whether there is a way they can put the wires together
to not create a broad EMF field. Forester stated an EMF on a three -phase line is a
function of the spacing, so they could change the configuration. A line could have a
double- circuit, and put three conductors on one side and three on the other side.
That would change the EMF level. They use a program that calculates the EMF for
each configuration.
Hoag stated it doesn't get rid of the EMF, it only alters it.
Brenner questioned whether it could be reduced. Forester stated it could be
increased or reduced, depending on how it is designed.
Petty stated it is in everyone's best efforts to configure the lines for the
lowest EMF. Since the use of the lines change, the EMF changes. It is a variable.
Power companies want low EMF because it is more efficient.
Brenner questioned whether there is a way to consistently keep EMF levels
down. Petty stated there is not. They are configured the best they can, but it is
not good enough.
Forester stated the spacing of the conductors on the pole could be reduced,
and it reduces the EMF field, but there is a limit to how close the phases can get.
There are electrical clearances they have to abide by. They can optimize the design
to a point.
Hoag questioned a typical design for a 115 kV line carrying 50 megawatts.
Forester stated the PSE standard design for 115 kV is about 300 and 350 feet
between poles, on a straight road.
Hoag questioned the wire size on that size of a load. Forester stated that if it
is a radial line to a line, and doesn't go anywhere, they might use a 397 KC mill
conductor, which is about one inch in diameter. There is one conductor per phase.
It has a rating of about 100 megawatts in the summertime. When they talk about
line ratings, there are four seasons. Spring and fall are similar, but summer and
winter are the two extremes. The ratings of a line are the lowest in the
summertime. That has to do with the ambient temperature of the conductor and
how much it will sag between the structures.
Hoag questioned the distance between poles for a 115 kV line with 330
megawatts. Forester stated the typical line that PSE would build would have a
single 1272 KC mill conductor. That is good for 270. To get up to 330, they could
jump to the next conductor size. The next single conductor size that PSE uses is
1590. That is big, close to 1.75 inches in diameter. Another alternative is to use
bundled conductors, which is two conductors within nine inches of each other
hanging on the same insulator. They are hung on a spacer. Bundled conductors
would be 795, which would be too big, but 397 would be too small. They are
between 1.25 and 1.375 inches in diameter. All of the conductors are twisted
aluminum on the outside and steel on the inside.
Hoag questioned the pole spacing with that size of a wire. Forester stated a
wood structure along a street is down to 250 to 300 feet between poles.
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Brenner questioned the reason for the concern about the distance between
the poles.
Hoag stated people who are concerned about the impacts to their property
would have that many more poles on their property, that much more obstruction of
view, and that many more poles that could go down in the wind. Forester stated
there are several ways to mitigate that. Steel poles and steel poles on a foundation
could be used.
Hoag stated those are more expensive. Forester stated they are, but there
are fewer of them.
Hoag stated the proposed line is taller wooden poles.
Brenner stated she was talking in generalities. She heard one of the reasons
for the distance is because of all the roads in Whatcom County that aren't straight.
Forester stated that as a road goes around a curve, the span length has to be
shortened as the line steps its way around the curve. The Intalco lines use a two -
pole wooden structure called an "H" frame structure. They can get much longer
span lengths, carry the same heavy conductor, and are not limited to the side of a
roadway. It is on a 100 -foot right -of -way.
Hoag stated they like transmission to be limited to existing corridors and
rights -of -way, because that is where it could be done efficiently. Forester stated
the 500 kV BPA lines are on steel towers that have spans over 1,000 feet. There
are few structures, but they are each very large.
Hoag stated the 330 - megawatt on wooden poles would be spaced 250 to 300
feet apart. They would have one large size on each phase, or bundle two of the
smaller on each phase, for a total of six wires with two on each conductor. Forester
stated that was correct. They could be hung horizontally or vertically, depending
on the design.
Hoag questioned the spacing of the different phases for a 330 - megawatt
load. Forster stated it was probably ten to twelve feet.
Brenner questioned whether a 330 - megawatt load could be on a 115 kV line.
Hoag stated it could be done physically.
Brenner stated she wanted to know the absolute limit on the 55 kV line, the
230 kV line, and the 115 kV line.
Hoag stated there isn't a limit.
Brenner questioned whether there is a limit. Forster stated there could be
steel structures with larger conductors to handle more power.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side 8.)
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Forster continued to state that the 500 kV lines have different limits in
summer and winter.
Brenner questioned why the limits are lower in one season than in another
season. Forster stated it has to do with the ambient temperature of the
conductors. In the summertime, each 500 kV line is good for 3,500 megawatts. In
the wintertime, the limit is approximately 4,400 megawatts.
Hoag questioned whether that limit is based on the wire size. Forster stated
it is, and also the voltage. At 230 kV, the capacity doubles.
Brenner questioned the limit on a 230 kV line. Forster stated the limit for a
230 kV line in the summertime is 570 megawatts. In the wintertime, it is about
700 megawatts.
Brenner questioned the limit on the 115 kV lines. Forster stated the Portal
Way - Bellingham line is a 115 kV line. It has a rating of 270 megawatts in the
summer and 330 megawatts in the winter.
Brenner questioned whether that is an average rating. Forster stated that
would be a brand new standard 115 kV line for PSE. They are just for serving
substations. There are all kinds of transmission lines. If they are built for
generation, it is built differently. A smaller size 115 kV conductor, the next stop
down, is 200 megawatts in the summer and 245 megawatts in the winter. There
are smaller ones than that. A line from Sumas to Kendall is a small wire size. The
summer rating is only 40 megawatts.
Hoag stated 115 kV is the measure of the voltage, not the megawatts. The
amperage times the voltage equals the wattage. If the voltage is small, and a big
load is on the line, the amperage is increased. It is the amperage that creates the
magnetic fields. The higher the amperage, the greater the magnetic field. That is
the reason for the concern about putting large loads down smaller transmission
lines. Forster stated that a designer looks at the cost of the conductor and the cost
of the steel or wood pole. The total costs are factored with the losses, which is the
resistance of the line based on the amount of the load they are trying to pass
through it.
Brenner questioned whether a higher voltage line could produce less EMF.
Forster stated that was correct. It reduces the current. If one buys a smaller line,
one has less current. Depending on the wire, there could be lower losses. It could
be a cheaper design because the insulators don't cost as much as the wire.
Hoag stated that is why they would typically send a 330 - megawatt down a
230 kV line. The only reason the lines are proposed to be 115 kV is because there
is a County ordinance that says that kind of power has to be in existing corridors.
They are trying to get around that.
Crawford questioned whether it was misguided for the people of Whatcom
County to limit power lines to 115 kV because there are benefits to going to 230
kV, such as lower EMF. Forster stated that is a loaded question. They have 500
kV, 230 kV, 115 kV, and 55 kV now. They all have very specific reasons why those
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voltages are chosen. They do different functions. The 500 kV line does not serve
any distribution substations, but it does step down to 230 kV. The 230 kV line in
turn steps down to 115 kV at BPA Bellingham. That 115 kV goes out to
neighborhood substations, which in turn goes down to the distribution feeder level
to the homes. All the lines are intended for a specific purpose. Grand Coulee,
PSE's main source of hydroelectric power, is 500 kV and 345 W. The reason for
that kV is because it is 200 miles away and there is no practical way to do it on a
low- voltage line because the losses are too great.
Brenner questioned whether it would be in a company's economic benefit to
put higher amperage on a smaller line. Forster stated it would generate more
losses.
Hoag stated that is probably why they are proposing to build it as a 230 kV
line, but only size it for 115 kV line. After everyone complains about it, they can up
it to 230 kV, and they've established a new power corridor.
Brenner stated they couldn't because there is already an ordinance in place.
Forster stated that if all they are going to do is serve the substations, it
works fine. There is an economic break point.
Crawford stated he was trying to understand the intent of the people in
passing the County ordinance ten years ago. He questioned whether that intent is
being served, or if there are loopholes that need to be corrected. He questioned
whether this is a worthy cause and if they should eliminate power line sizes.
Hoag stated the people who were involved in that effort were available to
answer that question. Forster stated the GMA intent was to put higher voltage
facilities in common corridors, which seems to make sense from a development
standpoint.
Mike Kaufmann, Neighbors Opposed to Power Encroachment (NOPE), stated
they chose 115 kV on the initiative because of the way power was distributed
around the county. Being above 115 kV did not affect distribution within the
County, except in the corridor where it existed. That is where the 230 kV lines lie,
which is all under industrial zoning and in existing corridors. The 115 kV lines are
the way they move power around the county from substation to substation. Being
above that didn't affect distribution in the county.
Petty stated that was correct. The intent was that there was a very large
power producer that had much electricity to sell. To the south of the county were
power users that wanted to buy that excess power. To connect those two, the local
power companies were asking to run transmission lines outside the corridor so they
could achieve wheeling monies to do that. They weren't using that power. They
were moving it through Whatcom County. Once the companies said it was not for
local use, the citizens said the power needed to move through the existing corridor.
By doing that, they saved the power company $11 million.
Hoag stated the point of the initiative was to keep the transmission of power
in existing corridors. Petty stated that was correct. They said they didn't want
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lines going everywhere. If they are moving power through the County, it needed to
be in the corridor.
Hoag stated the line that NOPE was formed to fight is not much different in
megawatt amounts than what is being proposed in this project.
Crawford questioned who proposed that effort at that time. Kaufmann stated
Puget Sound Energy proposed that project. They did not want to affect the existing
system in Whatcom County and the distribution of power.
Swayne stated PSE would agree with Mr. Petty's and Mr. Kaufmann's
comments. By enacting the restriction on voltages, the County foreclosed some
options which, all factors considered, might be better options at higher voltages for
moving power, if its decided that is what needs to happen. He wasn't saying that
any particular project should or shouldn't go. He said that, if it comes to be a
situation in which a large amount of power needs to be moved through any given
corridor, any transmission company such as Puget Sound Energy is restricted to a
given voltage. Some of their better options for moving that power more efficiently,
with lower EMF, are foreclosed.
Hoag stated they are not foreclosed. The ordinance requires that they be
kept to existing corridors. There is a big difference. It didn't say the power
couldn't be moved on 230 kV lines. That is the point. If they are moving this kind
of power outside of existing corridors, the intent of the ordinance and the initiative
was to block that. Swayne stated he did not question the ordinance. He was trying
to answer Councilmember Crawford's question, which was whether they foreclose
options by limiting voltages, which may be desirable. He was not suggested that
they change the ordinance.
Hoag stated she wanted to clarify what he thought of as desirable. It is more
desirable to move that kind of a load on a 230 kV line than on a 115 kV line.
However, the citizens of this county said that when that kind of power is moved, it
has to be in existing corridors. Swayne stated he didn't challenge that.
Brenner questioned whether an alternative to building a corridor would be to
put the plant where they want the power.
Hoag stated yes, or to tie into the grid and then move it through the county.
The proposal to go to Canada and tie into the Clayburn substation would accomplish
that. They talked about going straight north from Sumas into the Clayburn
substation in British Columbia. It would be in the power grid. From there, they
could run the power down the 500 - megawatt lines.
Brenner questioned where the lines in the county would end up.
Hoag stated there were going to be two lines. One line comes from Sumas,
goes west along Halverstick Road, and over to Custer.
Brenner questioned the location of the final destination.
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Hoag stated Custer was the final destination of one. The other final
destination was the Bellingham substation.
Petty stated there were four liens. They ended at the Custer substation, the
Dewey Valley substation, and the Bellingham substation.
Brenner stated they are being told the power is not for Whatcom County.
Hoag stated that is correct. The company is tying into the power grid at
those locations.
Swayne stated that in a perfect world, a generator would be sited right next
to a transmission system, so they minimize the length of additional line needed. It
is up to the citizens to gauge where it is appropriate to put a station like this.
Kaufmann questioned whether the County has eliminated any 230 kV
projects that Puget Sound Energy proposed in Whatcom County in the last ten
years and with the initiative.
Swayne stated no.
Kaufmann questioned whether any are proposed in the future.
Swayne stated he was not aware of any proposed 230 kV lines for Whatcom
County. Based upon what they know today, they don't forecast a need for 230 kV
lines.
Kaufmann stated they spoke of 370 megawatts of power used by the county,
not counting the 470 megawatts Intalco uses. He questioned how many of the 370
are used for industry and how many are used for homes.
Swayne stated he didn't have that information.
Forster questioned how industry is defined.
Brenner stated industry is anything that is not residential. Forster stated he
didn't have that breakdown. That would be difficult to determine.
Hoag stated it wouldn't be difficult because there is a residential energy
credit.
Tom Anderson, Public Utility District #1, stated 300 megawatts of the total
use is industrial. The rest of it is commercial and smaller. Arco uses 80
megawatts. Georgia- Pacific uses 50 megawatts. Western Washington University
uses 30 megawatts. Tosco uses 20 megawatts.
Brenner questioned the total industrial usage. Anderson stated it is about
200 to 250 megawatts that go to industrial use. The rest is commercial and
residential.
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Kaufmann stated there is a corridor from the Bellingham substation to the
waterfront, the 115 kV lines running down State Street. He questioned who owned
the corridor. Forster stated they are on franchise right -of -way. They are along city
streets. They don't have private corridors.
Swayne stated many of their facilities are located in public rights -of -way
from the City and County, which are referred as franchise rights -of -way. PSE has
to sign an agreement with each jurisdiction. It is non - exclusive. It is a common
practice by many utilities.
Kaufmann questioned PSE's projected power use in Whatcom County over
the next five to ten years. Forster stated the GMA electrical facility plan goes to the
year 2010. The book has population and employment forecasts through 2010.
Hoag questioned whether that is in the County's Comprehensive Plan.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated she has it.
Hoag thanked the people for attending and presenting information. They
would continue to do this until they have an answer.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
2. ORDINANCE ADOPTING NEW WHATCOM COUNTY LAND DIVISION
REGULATIONS (TITLE 21) REPEALING THE EXISTING WHATCOM
COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS (TITLE 21), AND MAKING
MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO TITLE 2 AND TITLE 20 (AB2000 -160)
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Connie Hoag, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 4/18/2000, Page 18