NSSEP: Power and Jobs for the Precision Valley Public Information Meeting Springfield High School February 23, 2012

1. NSSEP: Power and Jobs for the Precision Valley Public Information Meeting Springfield High School February 23, 2012

2. Agenda WELCOME! • Introductions • Mission • Overview of the Project • Technical Aspects • Public Comments & Questions

3. Meeting Guidelines • Be Civil • Be Concise • Avoid Repetition • Share “Air Time”

4. Our Mission When you leave tonight, we hope you understand… The NSSEP Team has worked in Vermont for over 20 years and is committed to supporting the community by: • Generating renewable power for Vermont in a manner consistent with the state’s energy plan and using natural resources in a sustainable manner • Providing significant economic benefit through job creation, tax generation and business attraction

5. Local Commitment • Winstanley Enterprises LLC is a family-owned and operated real estate development company with a successful track record of investing and creating jobs in Springfield and Brattleboro, Vermont. • Weston Solutions Inc. is a consulting, green development and construction firm with 1800 employee-owners in 60 offices. Its commitment to solving complex environmental challenges and improving physical, social and economic conditions throughout the world continues to define the company as it has since its inception in 1957. • With mutual regard for core values of ethics, sustainability, and making a difference, Winstanley and Weston formed a partnership to bring a biomass plant to Springfield.

6. NSSEP: Power and Jobs for the Precision Valley The North Springfield Sustainable Energy Project • 25 to 35 MW co-generation plant • Proposed in the North Springfield Industrial Park adjacent to 36 Precision Drive • Will generate electricity for the region and hot water for heat and cooling processes for businesses in the industrial park • Only wood biomass recovered through sustainable forestry practices will be purchased

7. SITE

8. SustainablePractices • Design & operate in a manner consistent with Vermont’s Energy Planand help to achieve its intended objectives • Adhere to all applicable local, state and federal regulations • Procure wood from sustainable forestry operations, typically supplied within a 75-mile radius • Produce hot water (District Energy) for heat as well as cooling processes for the industrial park to reduce operating costs and provide incentives for attracting new businesses

9. Protecting Resources • Air: emissions are strictly regulated • Only clean wood chips will be accepted • Design stipulates the latest and best available technology to meet standards and prevent particulates from escaping • Only steam will be visible but only under certain atmospheric conditions

10. Protecting Resources • Visual: upper portions of the stack and boiler building will be visible from a few nearby residential areas • Building will be a neutral- earth tone color • Stack lights required by the FAA will be shielded and directed upwards • The facility will be within an industrial park and will not be obtrusive or out of context

11. Protecting Resources • Water: 576,000 to 716,000 gallons per day will be needed for cooling. • Ground water is ample and will serve as the primary source but withdrawal will be carefully monitored • Rain water will be harvested from the roof of the biomass plant and the 9-acre roof of the Fellows Building’s to provide 10% of the demand • An existing, abandoned 750,000 gallon water storage tank will be purchased from the Town and used to store water and then made available to the fire department as needed • Public water will be purchased from the Town during off-peak hours and stored

12. Addressing Local Concerns • Traffic: a 25% increase in current traffic at the North Springfield Industrial Park • Restricted 12-hour delivery window during the day, no weekends • Wood supply will come from multiple sources/directions • Noise: levels will be below state and local regulations but measures will be taken to reduce operational noise • Use of two unloading stations to minimize truck deliver waiting times • Site design and scheduling to reduce truck back up signals • Enclosure  of processing operations

13. Benefitting the Local Economy • Creation of 600 construction jobs with intent to hire from the local workforce, 28 full-time permanent jobs at NSSEP and stimulate the need for 130 additional jobs related to wood supply • Procure at least $12 million in wood supply per year • Retain and attract businesses to the North Springfield Industrial Park by providing low cost heat through a hot water loop (District Energy) • Infuse at least $100 million of investment capital into the Springfield region • Provide much needed stimulus through secondary spin-off business

14. Regulatory Framework Before ANY site preparation or construction proceeds, a rigorous approval process must be followed that results in the issuance of a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board

15. PSB Technical Hearing 45-Day Letter • Places evidence into the record • Allows for cross examination • Can range from days to weeks in duration PSB Decision North Springfield Sustainable Energy Project Certificate of Public Good 248 Process (30 V.S.A 248) Discovery • •Petition for CPG • •Town Notification • - Springfield/Chester • - Select Boards & Planning Commissions • - SWRPC • (6-27-11) • Conditions • Compliance • - Other permits • Typically Two Rounds (6 weeks) • Two week response time • Parties may enter stipulations or MOUs Findings PSB Site Visit (2-28-12) PSB Prehearing Petition • Findings of fact • Legal briefs PSB Public Hearing (2-28-12) • Pre filed expert testimony • Notification of Abutters • (12-22-11) • Set Docket Schedule • Identify Issues • Docket management • (1-31-12) Deadline for intervention (3-7-12) Project Plans & Technical Analysis Other Relevant Permits Response to interveners Certificate of Public Good

16. NSSEP: Power and Jobs for the Precision Valley The NSSEP Project will be executed by a locally based team committed to: • Generating renewable power for Vermont in a manner consistent with the state’s energy plan and using natural resources in a sustainable manner • Providing significant economic benefit through job creation, tax generation and business attraction

17. What’s Next • February 28:PSB Site Visit/Public Hearing • Open House: 36 Precision Drive Every Tuesday & Thursday 2-6 PM (We usually have refreshments) • Organizations/Business Groups: NSSEP Team Members welcome the opportunity to make a presentation or discuss our project with you • PSB continues the CPG process

18. For More Information www.northspringfieldbiomass.com Suite 150 36 Precision Drive North Springfield, VT 05150 Dan Ingold Project Technical Director Dan@northspringfieldbiomass.com (802) 886-6100 Chan Morgan Project Manager Chan@northspringfieldbiomass.com (802) 886-6100 (917) 856-1327 (anytime)