Environmental Impact Assessment in the Operation of a Wind Farm Close to Bulgana - Case Study Example

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: SCREENING AND SCOPING REPORT By (Name) Institution Instructor Class/Course City Memorandum: Wind Farm The purpose of this memorandum is to act as a synopsis of the planned development, construction, and operation of a wind farm close to Bulgana in the north western Victoria by the Enerfin Energy Company of Australia. Still at the proposal stage, the project would be an important portion of development considering the growing demand for additional energy supply in Bulgana area. Apart from growing demand for energy supply, considering the growing population in Bulgana, the area is very close to an existing high voltage electricity transmission line and a strong wind resource, thus the potentiality of Bulgana for the wind farm. Among other potential benefits to the community, the topographical feature of the area is well suited for the project since the area is an open farmland that is very favorable. Currently, the area is basically open (cleared) for that matter, for farming sheep and cropping. Through the current feasibility analysis of possibility of constructing a wind farm in this area, the Enerfin Company is positive that with their modern innovative wind energy technology, the area is very potential to provide a remarkable amount of power because it has a strong wind resource. This paper therefore assesses the potency of an environmental effects statement (EES) process by evaluating the previous statements. In this case, by appraising the components and the need of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the paper looks deeper into the environmental effects statement in order to bring up the relevance of the project. Thus, the wind farm project is examined and other related developments in the area are to be reviewed. This memo acts as conclusive information to the minister for the environmental impact assessment of the wind farm, and as a ground for more analysis of the environmental impact of the project. Summary of the Environmental Effect Statement (EES) The major aim of the Environmental Effect Statement (EES) as far as this project is concerned is to provide extensive information to the decision maker (the minister) concerning the potential effects on the environment should the project advance in its plans and developments. In providing the relevant environmental information to the relevant authorities, this Environmental Effect Statement acts as a mirror for the various pros and cons of the project, and allowing the public to put in their thoughts of the project. In this case, therefore, an EES is required in the event that the project may have comprehensible impacts on the environment, as required by the 1978 Act on Environmental Effects. Under the general information of the EES, the Wind Farm project information is contained therein and the concerned stakeholders of the project are extrapolated (Acharibasam, & Noble, 2014). More importantly, based on the scooping criteria, the project description as discussed below has all the factors (current environmental), expectations of the impacts with plans to counter the negative impacts, and finally monitory components of the project. Project Description Development projects are the evidences of a growing economy. This means that policies and the macroeconomic policies of any government must be geared towards project developments. The Australian economy had an excellent projection by 2009 that would see amendments of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) so that it would accomplish some target. One of the targets was to deliver electric supply through natural sources. One of the sources would be renewable sources of energy, that would account for 2o per cent of the Australian electric supply. With the vision, projects like the wind farm project would receive a big boost in order to realize its objectives to the Bulgana people as well as the Victorian government. According to the energy facts Lyhne & Byriel (2013), the renewable energy technologies are expected to be in a position to generate over 45,000 GWh by 2020 in order to achieve the 20% generation of renewable energy for the whole Australian economy. AS at 2012, the renewable energy contributed to just 13.4% to the Australian national grid as wind generated power accounting to only 3.4 percent. In order to meet the 2020 year electricity supply ambitions, the government has rewarded many technological companies to contract most of the project as the wind farm project. In order to achieve success in a project development, it is mandatory to examine all the possible factors that may hinder the development and thus, the success of the project. Within the Great Western districts of the South-West Victoria, is the Bulgana area, where the project is supposed to be sited. The area presents an optimal position, with many better characteristic positions for wind farm to be constructed in the best way possible that would be also beneficial to the nearby neighborhood as well as the other activities of the area. As stated by Lyhne & Byriel (2013), the Victorian Heritage Act 1995, Heritage Regulations Act 1996 and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 will be relevant to this development when determining the historical significance of the site (Acharibasam, & Noble, 2014). Additionally, the proponent will have to acquire planning permits when developing on these areas because of the aforementioned acts. According to Vanclay (2014), the area is basically farmland and the houses would be located as far away from the wind driving turbines as possible. This would create a great deal of safety and reduced danger to the community. The analysis of the area reveals that apart from being an open area, the farmland seem to have been cleared for many years and thus the broader ecological, heritage, as well as landscapes that would be affected by the wind farm are not there. In this case, therefore, the area seems to have a strong wind resource (base) as argued by Geißler (2013) and is also very close to an existing high voltage electric transmission source. Moreover, there are excellent vehicles that would access the site in the event of the need for service transportations. The growing population increases the need for other human developments. One of these developments that have been manifested in the Bulgana area is the increasing need for electricity. An area like Bulgana must assess all the benefits in consideration of the costs (loss to the society) before inviting a project like the wind farm in the area. The wind farm would little or no risk to the community, but on the other hand will invite other developmental activities such as jobs, financial support to the community, among others. Primarily, the Wind Farm project analysis was done by the interested stakeholders, among them the Victorian government. The sole aim of that examination was linked to the need to assess the basic concepts of the wind farm within Bulgana and to develop some of the strategic development plan that would see the project benefit the community. One of the standing analyses was based on the identification of the key issues and opportunities of the project deemed positive to the wind farm and also the community. After the first step of examining the facts and details of the project, the recommendations would be very vital to the government and the contracted company to advance in the project. Considering the potential benefits of the wind farm project, the following advantages of the project would befall the Bulgana community in the event the project makes a break through; i. Businesses would increase during the construction phase since the demand for the regional goods and services would increase ii. The construction phase of the project would create more job opportunities in the mean time and a final permanent job opportunity would be available as the project continue its operations after establishment iii. Some of the local development in terms of social activities, environmental development and enhancements, educational support and other economic development would be greatly moralized by the financial contributions from the proposed wind farm iv. As the population grows, demand for social amenities grows. The wind farm would be a lee way for additional supply of electric energy to supplement the enormous demand of the local communities v. Projects like the proposed wind farm project are very rare project that are very beneficial to the communities. One of the first positive impacts of the project would be the potential attraction to the visiting people in the area as well as the nearby urban centers that surround Bulgana. With time, this would be an important source of revenue The structure of the Wind Farm project Currently, there are many renewable energy technologies that are feasible and economic. These technologies, currently in Australia, are expected to use wind technology to contribute a significant portion of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) objective and target. The government has contracted Enerfin technological company to construct and develop the wind farm project in the area. According to Geißler (2013), the proposed wind farm would run in phases, including the construction phase. This phase would look into improving the local roads in the surroundings as well as the new on-site access tracks. The phase would also look into the electrical cabling systems, the building infrastructure that would be onsite, as well as the temporary compounds of constructions. The analysis of the EES should contain the statutory framework affecting the development. This should include any relevant major overarching environment and planning acts (such as the Planning and Environment Act 1987). Furthermore, other relevant planning frameworks such as the Municipal Strategic Strategy, local planning scheme amendments and the State Planning Provision Framework must be acknowledged. Considering matters of conveniences and safety, the electrical cables would be placed to run underground. This would exclude only the line that runs above the ground section line from the station at Joel South Rd and that connects with the existing lines of transmissions. The Enerfin Company contracted to this project uses technically modern wind energy skills and expects the turbines to be almost 3 MW capacities each as the nacelle being positioned at 140 meters above the ground. With modern blade lengths of up to 128 meters in diameter, the tip height of the turbine blades would be up to 196 meters from ground at maximum height. The company’s on-going analysis of the area has revealed detailed information concerning landscapes and visualization impacts, noise standards, the environment, as well as the traffic situation among others in Bulgana. It makes sense that the EES should detail the local environment where the project is to be constructed. More than that, any other environment that is likely to be affected by the presence of the project should also be included. Significantly, the use of the land and adjoining land should be discussed. A list of the existing structures on the land needs mention. Any relocation required must be addressed by the proponent of the development. As stated by Vanclay (2014), a schedule of activities to be performed during the development of the project must be included; this should contain details of the construction, number of staff, proposed activities, customers/ public usage, hours of operations, vehicle types that would be used, machinery to be used, any raw materials or resources to be used, disposal of waste especially during construction, handling of hazardous material, etc. Additionally, environmental management plans that address the pollution created through these activities should be included by the proponent. According to the Wind Farm project, wind energy is one of the most feasible, clean, and economic renewable energy technology that is considerately available in Australia. It basically decentralizes energy supply and also reduces the concentration of fossil fuels being generated daily into the atmosphere. This would ultimately generate a favorable climate to ecosystem. Such environmental concerns and mitigate proponent of the project to local the ecological systems, as well as the sensitive and regionally/state significant fauna should be included within the scope of the EES. Sources of data Data, especially environmental, would be sourced through the various tests on the environment components such as water, air, and soil. The noise level would also be assessed. Other sources of data would be secondary, such as land records, published data, maps, photos, previous documents, previous EIA's located nearby and any previous projects that had significant environmental impact should also be collected. Conclusion A careful planning that is very critical on the environmental facts and awareness can help reduce some of the negative effects of a project. Development projects like the Wind Farm project would benefit the Bulgana community only if effective technologies and proper designed are taken into consideration. The wind farm project is therefore a s sure project that will help the community into very deep onto the future and provide a bigger boost to environmental and economic growth of the Victorian government. References Acharibasam, J, & Noble, B 2014, 'Assessing the impact of strategic environmental assessment', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 3, pp. 177-187. Cashmore, M, & Morgan, R 2014, 'The impact assessment ‘arms race’ and visions for the future', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 1, pp. 25-26. Gachechiladze-Bozhesku, M 2014, 'Learning from transboundary environmental impact assessment under the Espoo Convention: a case of the Neman Hydropower Plant, Belarus', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 1, pp. 81-86. Geißler, G 2013, 'Strategic Environmental Assessments For Renewable Energy Development - Comparing The United States And Germany', Journal Of Environmental Assessment Policy & Management, 15, 2, p. -1. González, A, Keneghan, D, Fry, J, & Hochstrasser, T 2014, 'Current practice in biodiversity impact assessment and prospects for developing an integrated process', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 1, pp. 31-42. Larsen, S 2014, 'Is environmental impact assessment fulfilling its potential? The case of climate change in renewable energy projects', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 3, pp. 234-240. Lion, H, Donovan, J, & Bedggood, R 2013, 'Environmental Impact Assessments from a Business Perspective: Extending Knowledge and Guiding Business Practice', Journal Of Business Ethics, 117, 4, pp. 789-805. Lyhne, I, & Byriel, I 2013, 'Environmental Assessment Of R&D Programmes: The Case Of The Danish Forskel Programme', Journal Of Environmental Assessment Policy & Management, 15, 2, p. -1. Pereira, G, Ganser, R, Wood, G, & De Conto, S 2014, 'Environmental impact assessment and the planning process of major sports events in Brazil: a case study of the Rio 2007 Pan American Games', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 1, pp. 55-65. PR, N 2011, 'Ballast Nedam Signs Large Contract for Butendiek Offshore Wind Farm', PR Newswire Europe TODWire, 2 September, Regional Business News. PR, N 2012, 'Tri Global Energy, LLC, Floyd County Wind Farm, LLC and Westerly Wind, LLC Enter Joint Development Agreement and Close on Initial Funding to Form South Plains Wind Energy, LLC', PR Newswire US, 5 March, Regional Business News. Research and, M 0007, 'Research and Markets: A 2011 Deep Research Report on China's Wind Farm Operators - Providing a Detailed Analysis of the Top 15 Wind Farm Operators and Forecasts to 2015', Business Wire (English), 7, Regional Business News, EBSCOhost, viewed 17 August 2014. Vanclay, F 2014, 'Integration and focus from the perspective of social impact assessment: a response to Morrison-Saunders et al', Impact Assessment & Project Appraisal, 32, 1, pp. 11-13. Read More