6.3. SR 01-05-09~(,~ ~ ~ s
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Jeff Gongoll, Community Development Director
Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: January 5, 2009
SUBJECT: Great River Energy Presentation
Representatives from Great River Energy will be present to provide an update to the
Council and the City concerning recent and planned activities at their Elk River facility. This
information will include the implementation and operation of the peaking plant currently
under construction, and the announcement of an Open House for the public to obtain
additional facts regarding the entire GRE Elk River Station operation. This Open House is
scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2009, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Elk River City Hall in
the Uppertown Conference Room. Attached please find the letter that will be sent out to
approximately 500 residents who live in close proximity to the Elk River Peaking Station
regarding the upcoming pipe cleaning procedure.
Attachment
^ Letter to residents from Great River Energy
January 14, 2009
NAM E
STREET
CITY, STATE ZIP
Subject: Pipe Cleaning at Great River Energy and Open House
Dear Neighbor:
Great River Energy will be performing a pipe cleaning procedure on Saturday, January
24, 2009 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during which you may hear a few loud,
intermittent noises. We are sending this letter to simply inform you that you need not be
alarmed by the noises, and that we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
In addition, please join us for an Open House and Tour
The new natural gas peaking facility we are building next to our existing Great River
Energy waste-to-energy plant in Elk River is really starting to take shape. As we move
nearer to operation, we would like to meet our neighbors, tell you what is happening, and
even give you a tour of the campus if you would like. Please stop by to have your
questions answered and say hello.
You will benefit by learning about:
• Construction of the new natural gas peaking facility
• How the new peaking facility is different than the existing waste-to-energy plant
• How these two electric generation facilities support your electric system in
different ways
• Technical details about the pipe cleaning procedure
Open House
Elk River City Hall
13065 Orono Parkway
(763) 635-1000
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Tours of Great River Energy's Elk River campus will be offered prior to the Open House
from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in the tour, please call Brenda Hoskyns at
(763) 241-2318 or email her at BHoskvns(a)_GREnerQV.com.
More about the upcoming pipe cleaning procedure
The cleaning is essential to the safe and reliable operation of the natural gas combustion
turbine being constructed for our new peaking facility (see map). For the cleaning, we
will send natural gas through the pipe at high velocity to remove any debris in the pipe
prior to connecting it to the combustion turbine. This cleaning procedure is common with
all new gas turbine installations. We do not expect to have to repeat the cleaning
process during the 30-year life of the plant.
During the cleaning, a loud, low-pitched sound much like that of a hot air balloon burner
will be produced and it may sound as loud as the train horn as it passes through Elk
River. There will be approximately 15-20 intermittent flushes, each lasting between 30
seconds and 4 minutes, with most of flushes lasting about 1 minute.
Again, this is a very common procedure and there is no need for concern. The natural
gas that will be released into the air during this process will rise and dissipate very
quickly. As an added safety precaution, we will collect and monitor air samples
throughout the process.
If the pipe cleaning is delayed due to weather or other causes, the cleaning may be
rescheduled to one of the following dates:
• Alternate 1: Saturday, January 31St, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Alternate 2: Saturday, February 7th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Alternate 3: Saturday, February 14th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
If you have any questions about the pipe cleaning or open house, please contact Mark
Strohfus at (763) 445-5210 or MStrohfus(a~GREnergy.com.
Sincerely,
Wayne Hanson,
Director, Minnesota Generation
cc: Rebecca Haug, Elk River Environmental Administrator
bcc: Wayne Hanson
Tim Steinbeck
Vince Herda