FERC No. 2206 Progress Energy APPLICATION FOR LICENSE Exhibit A Project Description 2006 Progress Energy
TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Page No. EXHIBIT A - PROJECT DESCRIPTION...1 1.0 Regulation Defining the Content of Exhibit A...1 2.0 General Project Description...2 2.1 Project Overview...2 2.2 Project Location...2 3.0 Description of Primary Project Works...5 3.1 Tillery Development...5 3.1.1 Dams, Spillways, and Reservoirs...5 3.1.2 Powerhouse...6 3.1.3 Turbines and Generators...7 3.1.4 Accessory Electrical Equipment...8 3.1.5 Accessory Mechanical Systems...8 3.1.6 Proposed Modifications to the Project Works of the Tillery Development...8 3.2 Blewett Falls Development...9 3.2.1 Dams, Spillways, and Reservoirs...9 3.2.2 Intake and Powerhouse...10 3.2.3 Turbines and Generators...11 3.2.4 Accessory Electrical Equipment...12 3.2.5 Accessory Mechanical Systems...12 3.2.6 Proposed Modifications to the Project Works of the Blewett Falls Development...13 4.0 Description of Other Project Facilities...14 4.1 Transmission...14 4.1.1 Tillery Transmission Facilities...14 4.1.2 Blewett Falls Transmission Facilities...14 4.2 Recreation Facilities...14 4.2.1 Tillery Recreation Facilities...14 4.2.2 Blewett Falls Recreation Facilities...15 4.2.3 Proposed Recreation Facilities...15 5.0 Federal Lands Within the Project Boundary...17 6.0 References...18 A-i
LIST OF FIGURES Figure Title Page No. Figure A-1 Project location map....3 A-ii
LIST OF TABLES Table Title Page No. Table A-1 River mile locations and drainage areas of hydropower facilities...4 Table A-2 Summary of Tillery turbine-generator equipment....7 Table A-3 Summary of Blewett Falls turbine-generator equipment...11 A-iii
Exhibit A - Project Description 1.0 Regulation Defining the Content of Exhibit A The following excerpt from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 18 CFR 4.51(b) describes the required content of this exhibit. Exhibit A is a description of the project. This exhibit need not include information on project works maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, or any other department or agency of the United States, except for any project works that are proposed to be altered or modified. If the project includes more than one dam with associated facilities, each dam and the associated component parts must be described together as a discrete development. The description for each development must contain: (1) The physical composition, dimensions, and general configuration of any dams, spillways, penstocks, powerhouses, tailraces, or other structures, whether existing or proposed, to be included as part of the project; (2) The normal maximum surface area and normal maximum surface elevation (mean sea level), gross storage capacity, and usable storage capacity of any impoundments to be included as part of the project; (3) The number, type, and rated capacity of any turbines or generators, whether existing or proposed, to be included as part of the project; (4) The number, length, voltage, and interconnections of any primary transmission lines, whether existing or proposed, to be included as part of the project (see 16 U.S.C. 796(11)); (5) The specifications of any additional mechanical, electrical, and transmission equipment appurtenant to the project; and (6) All lands of the United States that are enclosed within the project boundary, described under paragraph (h) of this section (Exhibit G), identified and tabulated by legal subdivisions of a public land survey of the affected area or, in the absence of a public land survey, by the best available legal description. The tabulation must show the total acreage of the lands of the United States within the project boundary. A-1
2.0 General Project Description 2.1 Project Overview Progress Energy s Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project (Project) is located on the Yadkin-Pee Dee River in the State of North Carolina and consists of the upstream 84 megawatt (MW) Tillery Development and the downstream 24.6 MW Blewett Falls Development. Each development consists of a dam, powerhouse, impoundment, substation, structures used in connection with the Project, water rights, rights-of-way (ROW), lands, and interest in lands necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Project. The Blewett Falls and Tillery developments were constructed in the early 1900s. Blewett Falls was placed in operation in 1912, and the Tillery Development commenced operations in 1928. The primary purpose of the Project is to generate electricity and meet other important electrical system needs for the benefit of Progress Energy s ratepayers. The Project is used for critical load-following and on-peak generation and its economic viability is dependent on serving these specific purposes. Both Tillery and Blewett Falls also have the capability to black start, meaning the ability to come online under system blackout conditions to support local loads and aid in overall control area restart and recovery. The Project has provided valuable service as a peaking and load-following electrical generation resource throughout its entire history. From the period 1984 to 2003, the Project generated an average annual output of 326 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) of renewable energy, while providing significant recreational opportunities, supporting healthy reservoir fisheries, and protecting significant natural areas. 2.2 Project Location Progress Energy s Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project (Project) is located on the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers in south-central North Carolina (Figure A-1). The Project consists of two developments, the upstream Tillery Development and the downstream Blewett Falls Development. The Yadkin-Pee River basin is the second largest in North Carolina covering 7,186 mi 2 measured at the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. The Yadkin River originates near the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina and flows northeasterly for approximately 100 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Piedmont physiographic region. As the river turns southeast, it enters an area in central North Carolina that has experienced considerable urban growth. This growing urban area extends from Charlotte to Raleigh/Durham and is known as the Piedmont Crescent. Just to the south of the Piedmont Crescent, the region enters an area known as the Uwharrie Lakes Region. This region is named for the chain of six reservoirs located along this reach of the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers, the lowermost two of which are Lake Tillery and Blewett Falls Lake. It is in this region that the Uwharrie River joins the Yadkin River at the upper end of Lake Tillery to form the Pee Dee River (Progress Energy 2003). The flow of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River is affected by a federal flood control development and six hydroelectric developments on the main stem of the river. The first development (traveling downstream from the headwaters) is W. Scott Kerr Dam, a flood control project operated by A-2
Figure A-1 Project location map. A-3
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The next four downstream developments make up the Yadkin Project (FERC No. 2197), owned by Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. (APGI 1 ). These four hydroelectric developments High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls are located along a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River (river miles [RM] 272 to 234 2 ). High Rock Reservoir serves as the primary storage and water regulation facility for the lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River (APGI 2002). Progress Energy s Tillery and Blewett Falls facilities are the next two hydroelectric developments on the river, located at approximately RM 218 and 188, respectively. The North Carolina-South Carolina state line is located at RM 173, approximately 15 miles downstream of Blewett Falls Dam. Table A-1 provides the location and drainage area of each of the six FERC-licensed facilities. River flows to Progress Energy s Tillery and Blewett Falls developments are largely dependent on releases from APGI s Yadkin Project. Flow releases from APGI s Yadkin Project to Progress Energy s Tillery Development are governed by a FERC-approved agreement between the parties. This agreement requires APGI to operate in a manner that allows Progress Energy to meet its continuous flow requirements. Yadkin s seasonal operations are managed in accordance with a rule curve that guides the operation of High Rock Lake. The current rule curve, referred to as Yadkin s Operating Guides for Operation of Badin Works, is provided in Figure B-4. Table A-1 River mile locations and drainage areas of hydropower facilities. Facility River Mile Drainage Area (mi 2 ) Blewett Falls 188.2 6,839 Tillery 218.0 4,600 Falls Dam 234.0 4,190 Narrows Dam 236.5 4,180 Tucker Dam 244.3 4,080 High Rock Reservoir 253.0 3,973 1 2 The FERC license for APGI s Yadkin Project expires the same date as the FERC license for the Tillery and Blewett Falls developments, April 30, 2008. River miles are measured in an upstream direction from Winyah Bay in South Carolina. Blewett Falls Dam is located 188 river miles above Winyah Bay. A-4
3.0 Description of Primary Project Works 3.1 Tillery Development The Tillery Dam and its powerhouse (see photo below) are located in Montgomery and Stanly counties, four miles west of Mount Gilead, North Carolina. The Tillery impoundment (known as Lake Tillery) extends upstream 16 miles to the tailrace of APGI s Falls Development powerhouse. Construction of the Tillery Development began in 1926 and the plant was placed in service in 1928. The facilities have operated safely and reliably for 78 years. The Tillery Development consists of a concrete gravity dam with 18 gated spillways; a four-unit indoor-outdoor powerhouse; electrical switchyard; associated auxiliary electrical and mechanical equipment; and recreational facilities located on the 16-mile-long reservoir. 3.1.1 Dams, Spillways, and Reservoirs 3.1.1.1 Dams and Spillway Tillery Dam (also known as Norwood Dam) consists of approximately 1,200 ft of earthen embankment and 1,550 ft of concrete gravity structures. The concrete works include a 758-ft-long spillway consisting of a 62-ft-high ogee section, a concrete stilling basin, a 310-ft-long powerhouse intake structure, and 485-ft-long east and west non-overflow segments. The spillway at Tillery is controlled by 18 radial gates, each 34 ft wide by 24 ft high. Six of the gates can be partially operated remotely from the powerhouse control room. The other gates can be operated by means of controls located at the gates on the spillway deck. A 14-ft-wide bottom-drop trash sluice gate is located between the powerhouse intake and spillway. A-5
Two non-overflow structures form the abutments of the concrete gravity spillway and powerhouse structures. The 176-ft-long west bulkhead has a top width of 6 ft and maximum height of 88.5 ft. It is located between the gated spillway structure and the westerly earthen embankment. The east abutment is 308 ft long with a top width of 20 ft and a maximum height of 88.5 ft. It is located at the east end of the powerhouse intake structure and extends to natural ground on the east abutment. 3.1.1.2 Reservoir The Tillery Dam creates the impoundment known as Lake Tillery. The impoundment extends approximately 16 miles to the tailwater of APGI s Falls Development. At the normal maximum reservoir elevation of 277.3 ft 3, Lake Tillery has a maximum depth of about 72 ft and a surface area of approximately 5,697 acres. The lake is widely used by the public for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and other recreational activities. The lake has approximately 118 miles of shoreline (Carolina Power & Light [CP&L] 2001) with approximately 55 percent being in residential or commercial development. The Tillery reservoir currently has a FERC-licensed usable storage capacity of 84,150 ac-ft at the normal water surface elevation of 277.3 ft 4. Two municipal water supply intakes are located on Lake Tillery (see Figure E3-5 in Exhibit E3, Water Use and Quality, for intake locations). These intakes are for the Town of Norwood and for Montgomery County. The intake structure for the Norwood Water Treatment Plant is located on the west shoreline, directly east of the Town of Norwood and approximately 2.5 miles upstream of Tillery Dam. The intake is located downstream of the Cedar Creek tributary arm of the lake. The intake pipe is situated approximately 25 ft below the normal reservoir level. The Montgomery County Water Treatment Plant s water intake is located on the east shoreline of Lake Tillery approximately 500 yards upstream of the Tillery intake structure and dam (Figure E3-5). Two intakes on the east shoreline serve the water treatment plant. Only one intake is used at any one time. The lower intake pipe is located at elevation 255 ft or 22 ft below the normal reservoir water surface elevation. It can be operated when the lake is too low to permit use of the upper intake. 3.1.2 Powerhouse The Tillery powerhouse is a concrete, indoor-outdoor structure containing four generating units, each with a dedicated penstock and headgate, and Moody-type draft tubes. Each turbine drives a direct-connected vertical-shaft generator. The turbine flow exits directly to the Pee Dee River. The gross head is 72 ft. The powerhouse is integral with the dam. 3 4 All elevations are NAVD 88 datum. This usable storage capacity is based on the maximum drawdown of 22 ft allowed under the current license. In practice, Progress Energy has, by informal agreement with lakeshore owners, agreed to try to limit drawdowns to 1 to 2 ft during prime recreational periods. A-6
3.1.3 Turbines and Generators 3.1.3.1 Turbines The Tillery Development houses three Francis turbines and one fixed-blade propeller turbine. The powerhouse also contains a small Francis auxiliary turbine for driving a house generator. A summary of the turbine-generator equipment at the Tillery Development is presented in Table A-2. Table A-2 Summary of Tillery turbine-generator equipment. Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Auxiliary Turbine: Manufacturer I.P. Morris I.P. Morris I.P. Morris Allis-Chalmers J. Leffel Type Vertical, Francis Vertical, Francis Vertical, Francis Vertical, Propeller Vertical, Francis Rated Power (hp) 31,100 25,600 31,100 33,000 650 Rated Head (ft) 70 70 70 70 70 Speed (rpm) 90 75 90 128.6 600 Discharge Capacity (cfs) 4,456 3,627 4,456 5,145 100 Generator: Manufacturer Allis-Chalmers Allis-Chalmers Allis-Chalmers Westinghouse Westinghouse Rated p.f. 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Rating (kva) 27,500 22,500 27,500 27,500 450 Units 1 through 4 have headcovers that serve as the pressure boundary for the interface with the powerhouse. For all four units, water is delivered from the reservoir and is discharged from the turbines to a symmetrical, Moody-type draft tube with a high cone. The cone extends from the floor of the draft tube to just below the turbine runner. The purpose of the high cone is to prevent formation of draft tube vortices and to help mitigate whirl coming off the runner. The overall purpose of the draft tube is to recover velocity head at the runner discharge. This configuration of draft tube allows a relatively short distance from draft tube exit to the vertical centerline of the generating unit, thereby reducing powerhouse size. For Units 1 through 3, the turbine distributor centerline is set approximately 7 ft above the normal tailwater level of 205.5 ft. Unit 4 turbine distributor centerline is also set at the same elevation as Units 1 through 3 but the five fixed blades of this axial flow, propeller-type turbine are at a centerline elevation of approximately 204 ft. This setting reduces the likelihood of cavitation forming on the turbine blades or in the clearance between the blades and the turbine discharge ring. 3.1.3.2 Generators The generators for Units 1, 2, and 3 are Allis-Chalmers three-phase, 60-cycle units. Units 1 and 3 are rated at 27,500 kva at 0.8 p.f., 22 MW, and 13,800 V. Unit 2 is rated at 22,500 kva at 0.8 p.f., 18 MW, and 13,800 V. Unit 4 is a Westinghouse three-phase, 60-cycle generator rated at 27,500 kva at 0.8 p.f., 22 MW, and 13,800 V. A summary of the generator equipment is provided in Table A-2. The generators for Units 1 through 3 were rewound in 1966, and Unit 4 was rewound in 1993. The house generator is rated 563 kva, 550 volts AC. All four main generators are cooled using water-to-air heat exchangers. The fire protection system is CO2. All four units are provided with static exciters. The generator voltage of 13.8 kv is A-7
stepped-up to a transmission voltage of 115 kv at the station transformers located on the powerhouse deck. 3.1.4 Accessory Electrical Equipment 3.1.4.1 Main Power System The Tillery power system is designed with two parallel three-phase, step-up transformers dedicated to each of the four main units. Each unit has a 115 kv circuit breaker on the high side of the step-up transformers for protection and synchronizing. Each unit is provided with static excitation, voltage regulation, and protective relay system. 3.1.4.2 Electrical Auxiliary Systems Unit control logic and metering are integrated within a programmable logic controller (PLC) for each unit. This facilitates the monitoring and operation of the units from either the local control room or remotely. Primary station auxiliary power is provided by a 550 volt AC system. Each unit auxiliary transformer feeds a shared ring bus. The house generator, noted above, feeds into this 550-volt ring bus. Station control power is provided by a battery-backed DC system. 3.1.5 Accessory Mechanical Systems Typical auxiliary mechanical systems include cooling water, lube oil, HVAC, and governor hydraulic system. The original low-pressure governor servomotors and associated governor systems were upgraded in 1991 with new high-pressure equipment. These high-pressure systems are interfaced with the PLC systems noted above. The original low-pressure hydraulic system is still used for the governor function on Unit 4. A 150-ton gantry crane, including various auxiliary hooks, is located outdoors to facilitate maintenance on the units. 3.1.6 Proposed Modifications to the Project Works of the Tillery Development Progress Energy has no current plans to upgrade the existing power generation equipment. Modification of Project facilities and/or operations will occur over the term of the next license as a result of implementation of the following proposed environmental resource enhancements. Water Quality - Progress Energy has developed a detailed program for meeting State of North Carolina water quality dissolved oxygen (DO) standards at Tillery within three years of issuance of a new license. Depending on the preferred DO enhancement technology, Project operation and facilities may be subject to minor modifications. If facility modifications are required, revised Exhibit F drawings will be submitted to FERC for approval. Fish Passage - Progress Energy, in consultation with resource agencies, has proposed a fish protection and passage plan that will consist of a phased approach based on a multi-year program during the term of the next license period in order to meet the goals and objectives of the Pee Dee River Diadromous Fish Restoration Plan. Implementation of this plan may result A-8
in changes to Project facilities (e.g., construction of upstream fish passage facilities) and operations (e.g., diverting flow through fishways). After facility modifications are completed, revised Exhibit F drawings will be submitted to FERC for approval. 3.2 Blewett Falls Development Construction of the Blewett Falls Development began in 1905. Financial problems prevented the original builders from completing the Project. The Yadkin River Power Company acquired the rights to the Blewett Falls Development and finally brought the plant into service in June 1912. Progress Energy acquired the Yadkin Power Company in 1926. The Blewett Falls Dam and powerhouse (see photo above) are located at RM 188 approximately 15 miles upstream of the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. The Blewett Falls Development consists of a concrete gravity ungated spillway with 4-ft flashboards, easterly and westerly earthen embankments, a forebay canal, concrete intake, powerhouse with six units, a tailrace which rejoins the Pee Dee approximately 900 ft downstream of the dam, and a 12-mile-long reservoir. 3.2.1 Dams, Spillways, and Reservoirs 3.2.1.1 Dam and Spillway The Blewett Falls Dam is a 3,168-ft-long structure consisting of a 1,700-ft-long earthen embankment and a 1,468-ft-long concrete spillway and abutments. The 300-ft-long powerhouse intake is separated from the spillway by a portion of the westerly earthen embankment. The spillway is a concrete gravity ogee-type structure topped by 4 ft of wooden flashboards which are designed to fail at about 3 ft of overtopping. The permanent concrete crest is at elevation A-9
173.2 ft. Training walls adjacent to the spillway have a top elevation of 197.2 ft. Additional concrete gravity overflow sections are adjacent to the spillway and are approximately 150 ft long with a top elevation of 181.2 ft. Earthen embankments with concrete core walls are located on both ends of the spillway. The easterly earthen embankment is approximately 870 ft long with a top elevation of 197.2 ft. The westerly earthen embankment is approximately 850 ft long with a top elevation of 197.6 ft. 3.2.1.2 Reservoir The Blewett Falls Dam creates the 12-mile-long Blewett Falls impoundment. The normal pool elevation is 177.2 ft. The surface area of the lake at the normal operating pool is approximately 2,866 acres. The Blewett Falls shoreline is largely undeveloped. The lake is available to the public for boating, fishing, and recreation. The lake shoreline is largely undisturbed, and the lake supports good populations of game fish, especially crappie and largemouth bass. The Blewett Falls reservoir has a usable storage of 30,893 ac-ft, corresponding to the 17 ft of drawdown currently allowed by its FERC license. Under normal daily operations, the reservoir fluctuates 2 to 4 ft to regulate flows coming from Lake Tillery and the Rocky River. Two municipal water supply intakes are located in Blewett Falls Lake, one each for Anson and Richmond counties (see Figure E3-6 in Exhibit E3, Water Use and Quality, for intake locations). The intake structure for the Anson County Water Treatment Plant is located on the west shoreline in the lower portion of Blewett Falls Lake in the Smith Creek arm of the lake approximately 1.5 miles upstream of the dam (Figure E3-6). The invert for this intake is at elevation 166.3 ft. Progress Energy notifies the water treatment plant if they will be drawing down the reservoir below 170.7 ft. The Richmond County intake structure is located on the east shoreline of Blewett Falls Lake less than 1,000 yards upstream from the dam (Figure E3-5). 3.2.2 Intake and Powerhouse The 300-ft-long Blewett Falls powerhouse is a concrete gravity structure with a brick-masonry and steel superstructure. It is located at the downstream end of an approximately 300-ft-long forebay canal. The gross head is approximately 52 ft. The Blewett Falls powerhouse contains six generating units, each with its own penstock. Each of the turbine units drive a direct-connected, horizontalshaft generator. The turbines discharge via steel-conical draft tubes into a 900-ft-long tailrace channel which reconnects to the Pee Dee River. Flows are delivered from the forebay canal to an intake structure containing headgates, trashracks, and penstocks. The intake delivers water to the six penstocks which house the turbine units. Two small auxiliary units are also contained in the powerhouse. On the downstream side of the powerhouse, a fishing platform extends across the entire building providing ADA-accessible tailwater fishing. A-10
3.2.3 Turbines and Generators 3.2.3.1 Turbines The six Blewett generating units were commissioned in June of 1912. Each generator is driven by two identical hydraulic turbines operating in tandem. Each turbine consists of two runners; therefore, each unit contains four separate runners. This configuration is referred to as a quadrunner alignment. Each of the 12 hydraulic turbines, manufactured by S. Morgan Smith, is of a horizontal-shaft, double-opposed runner, single-discharge configuration. A summary of the generating equipment at the Blewett Falls Development is presented in Table A-3. Table A-3 Turbine: Summary of Blewett Falls turbine-generator equipment. Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Manufacturer S. Morgan S. Morgan S. Morgan S. Morgan S. Morgan S. Morgan Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Rated Power (hp) 5,350 5,350 5,350 6,400 6,400 6,400 Rated Head (ft) 47 47 47 47 47 47 Speed (rpm) 164 164 164 160 160 160 Maximum Discharge Capacity (cfs) 1,351 1,351 1,351 1,715 1,715 1,715 Generator: Manufacturer General General General General General General Electric Electric Electric Electric Electric Electric Rated p.f. 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.75 0.75 0.75 Power Rating (kva) 4,000 4,000 4,000 6,500 6,500 6,500 The units are typically synchronized to the system and loaded to best-efficiency output when operated. For Units 1 to 3, this occurs at a generator output of approximately 3,500 kw each at the normal operating gross head of approximately 52 ft. The corresponding best-efficiency load for Units 4 to 6 is approximately 4,200 kw. The units are run at maximum output during periods of high inflows. Water passing through the intake works is directed to the two turbines for each unit via a short 17-ftdiameter section of steel penstock. This short section of penstock attaches to an 18-ft-diameter pressure case, which houses both turbines. The pressure boundary for the interface with the powerhouse is achieved by a single headcover per unit. The turbine discharge is then directed to the tailrace by a single draft tube per turbine (therefore two draft tubes per unit). The turbine shaft centerline of each generating unit is located approximately 20 ft above the normal tailwater level of 126 ft. The draft tube allows recovery of head which would otherwise be lost. This does, however, significantly reduce the pressure on the low-pressure side of the turbine runners. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the turbines were refurbished and new stainless steel runners were installed. When the turbines were refurbished, new wicket gate and wicket gate bushings were installed. Also, new wicket gate pins made from stainless steel were installed to address corrosion problems. New draft tubes were installed on all units in the early 1990s. Originally, there were two hydraulic turbine-driven DC generators that provided the field for excitation of the main generators. These units were retired when the new static exciters were A-11
installed in 1985 to 1986. The 4-ft-diameter penstocks, turbine pressure cases and at least part of the turbines remain. 3.2.3.2 Generators The original six generators were built by General Electric and are all 3-phase, 60-cycle, directconnected, indoor-type, horizontal-shaft generators. The generators for Units 1, 2, and 3 are nameplate rated at 3,200 kw with a p.f. of 0.8, 4,800 V at full load. They are 164 rpm with 396 coils. Generators for Units 4, 5, and 6 indicate ratings of 5,000 kw at a p.f. of 0.75. A summary of the generators is provided in Table A-3. Unit 1 generator was rewound in 1982, Units 2 and 4 were rewound in 1990, Unit 3 was rewound in 1986, Unit 5 was rewound in 1975, and Unit 6 was rewound in 1973. Field current for each generator is provided by respective static excitation systems. 3.2.4 Accessory Electrical Equipment 3.2.4.1 Main Power System The electrical main power system for Blewett Falls is such that the generators are protected and synchronized to the system with indoor, medium-voltage, vacuum switchgear breakers. Station output from all units is stepped up to the 115 kv transmission system using three single-phase, indoor, water-cooled, transformers operating as a single bank. The transformers are provided with a water spray fire protection system. Current limiting reactors are installed between the step up transformer bank and the switchgear bus. Control design is such that units can be started from the plant control room. The units have black start capability. A single 115 kv circuit breaker is located electrically on the high side of the step-up transformer bank. This breaker is located physically within the powerhouse in an upstairs high tension room. 3.2.4.2 Electrical Auxiliary Systems AC and DC auxiliary power systems are typical, except for power to various DC motors. A 250 VDC rectifier system, with 480 VAC input, has been installed for feeding power to crane motors and flood pumps. 3.2.5 Accessory Mechanical Systems Typical auxiliary mechanical systems are provided for cooling water, lube oil, HVAC, and governor hydraulics. The original governors were modernized and converted to gate positioners in the 1980s. Unit speed is now regulated by the electrical inertia of the large power system grid once the units have been synchronized. The gate positioners are then used only to control turbine power output by varying wicket gate opening. A 40-ton crane is located within the powerhouse s generator room to facilitate teardowns and maintenance. A-12
3.2.6 Proposed Modifications to the Project Works of the Blewett Falls Development Progress Energy has no plans to modify the existing power generation equipment. However, modification of Project facilities and/or operations will occur over the term of the next license as a result of implementation of the following proposed environmental resource enhancements. Water Quality - Progress Energy has proposed a detailed program for meeting State of North Carolina water quality DO standards at Blewett Falls within three years of issuance of a new license. Depending on the outcome of the different enhancement options analyzed, Project operations and facilities may be subject to minor modifications. If facility modifications are required, revised Exhibit F drawings will be submitted to FERC for approval. Fish Passage - Progress Energy, in consultation with resource agencies, has proposed a fish protection and passage plan that will consist of a phased approach based on a multi-year program during the term of the next license period in order to meet the goals and objectives of the Pee Dee River Diadromous Fish Restoration Plan. Implementation of this plan will result in changes to Project facilities (e.g., construction of upstream fish passage facilities) and operations (e.g., diverting flow through fishways). After facility modifications are completed, revised Exhibit F drawings will be submitted to FERC for approval. A-13
4.0 Description of Other Project Facilities 4.1 Transmission 4.1.1 Tillery Transmission Facilities An outdoor switchyard is located within the Project Boundary just east of the powerhouse. The switchyard operates at 115 kv. It is arranged, electrically, in a single-bus, single-breaker configuration. Each of the four generating-unit, step-up transformers feed a single 115 kv bus through dedicated circuit breakers. Each of the four 115 kv transmission lines that exit the switchyard has its own circuit breaker. 4.1.2 Blewett Falls Transmission Facilities A single 115 kv line exits the Blewett Falls powerhouse and feeds into a small outdoor switchyard located just north of the powerhouse within the Project Boundary. This yard contains 115 kv circuit breakers for three circuits: one for an incoming line from adjacent combustion turbines, and two for transmission lines that provide ties to other switchyards that are part of Progress Energy s system. 4.2 Recreation Facilities The Project is located in the Uwharrie Lakes region of south-central North Carolina. The Uwharrie Lakes consist of six manmade lakes created as a result of the construction of hydroelectric facilities, including the Tillery and Blewett Falls developments. The Uwharrie Lakes provide a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and most other water sports. Detailed discussions regarding recreation resources and the facilities present at each lake are provided in Exhibit E7. 4.2.1 Tillery Recreation Facilities Progress Energy leases all of its public access areas to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), which provides operation and maintenance for the recreation facilities. Public Boat Access - Lake Tillery has four public access areas 5 - the Lilly s Bridge boating access area which includes two boat ramps, approximately one mile upstream of the dam, the Swift Island boating access area which offers a large parking area and two paved boat ramps, the Stony Mountain boating access area which offers a large parking lot and two paved boat ramps, the Norwood boating access area which offers two paved ramps and a parking area. Developed Fishing Area - The Lilly s Bridge fishing pier is located directly across from the Lilly s Bridge Access Area. Canoe Portage - Progress Energy maintains a canoe portage located on the west shore of the dam. There are numerous privately-operated recreation facilities and marinas on Lake Tillery as well. 5 Public access to the lake is also provided at Morrow Mt. State Park. This access is managed by the State of North Carolina, Division of Parks and Recreation. A-14
4.2.2 Blewett Falls Recreation Facilities Progress Energy also leases all of its public access facilities on Blewett Falls Lake to the NCWRC. Public Boat Access - A total of two public access areas (Pee Dee and Grassy Islands) are located at Blewett Falls Lake. There is also a small developed access site at the put-in area at the end of the canoe portage route just below the dam. This site has a boat ramp and a gravel parking area. Grassy Islands offers boating access via a paved ramp and has a small parking area. The Pee Dee recreation area offers boating access and a large parking area. Developed Fishing Area - Blewett Falls Development provides an accessible fishing pier for the general public and persons with disabilities at the tailrace just below the powerhouse. This concrete fishing platform is attached to the powerhouse, and was cooperatively built with the NCWRC. A paved parking area and walkway allows for easy access to the site. Canoe Portage - Progress Energy maintains a canoe portage located on the eastern shore of the dam. 4.2.3 Proposed Recreation Facilities Since the issuance of the Initial Consultation Document (February 2003) and Joint Public Meeting (March 2003), Progress Energy has worked closely with stakeholders to evaluate potential protection, mitigation and enhancement (PM&E) measures to be implemented for the future operation of the Tillery and Blewett Falls developments. After the completion of stakeholder consultation and recreational studies (including a recreation survey), Progress Energy analyzed the Project record and study findings to determine the need for recreational PM&E measures. Having completed this evaluation, Progress Energy proposes certain recreational PM&E measures for the Tillery and Blewett Falls developments. The PM&E measures will provide the public with additional access and improved recreational opportunities at the Project during the next license term. According to the recreation studies performed as part of relicensing, overcrowding at public access areas was not generally perceived as an issue of concern by recreational users visiting facilities at either of the Project lakes. Issues identified by recreational users were more related to misuse of the facilities and less to boater use levels. Detailed site plans for recreational enhancements, the proposed implementation dates, and the responsibilities of the involved parties will be filed with FERC after issuance of the new license. 4.2.3.1 Tillery Development Progress Energy proposes to make several improvements at four public boating access areas located on Lake Tillery: the Lilly s Bridge, Swift Island, Norwood, and Stony Mountain access areas. Generally, improvements to these areas include the addition of public sanitary facilities, trash receptacles, improved parking areas, additional public information signage, and updating the Project public information kiosks. Progress Energy proposes to relocate the existing informal public boating access area located in the tailrace immediately below the Tillery Plant (Figure E7-1). Progress Energy, in consultation and partnership with the NCWRC, will develop and construct a new public boating access area located at the mouth of Clarks Creek, approximately one-half mile below the power plant and one-quarter mile from the current access area. Public access to the Clarks Creek boating access area will be from the A-15
power plant access road (i.e., Tillery Dam Road) which is located off State Road 1103 and NC Highway 731. The boating access area will have a gravel parking lot with designated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking places. Progress Energy proposes to work with the NCWRC in co-funding with matching dollars for the construction of a boat house and access ramp for use by enforcement personnel on Lake Tillery. This facility will permit the NCWRC to respond more effectively to boating emergencies on the lake and serve as a central point for safe boating enforcement activities on the lake. The proposed location is on the main lake side of the Project lands on the peninsula located adjacent to and south of the Stony Mountain boating access area (Figures E7-1 and E7-5). Progress Energy will consult with the NCWRC on effective means to discourage public use of the informal public access area at State Roads 1740 and 1745, locally known as the Steel Bridge Area (see Figure E7-1). The development of the public fishing pier at the nearby Stony Mountain boating access area will provide additional public fishing opportunities that may be eliminated with the closure of this informal access area. 4.2.3.2 Blewett Falls Development Progress Energy proposes to build a new public boating access area on the Richmond County side of Blewett Falls Lake within five years of issuance of the new license, if a suitable site can be identified. Suitability will depend upon identifying a buildable site and obtaining the necessary access across private lands. The new boating access area would be located in the lower lake area in the general vicinity of the opposite shore of the existing Pee Dee access area located on the Anson County side of the lake (Figure E7-2). Progress Energy will work with local county officials and interested landowners to site the new public boating access area. Progress Energy proposes to include several improvements at the two public boating access areas currently located on Blewett Falls Lake. At the Pee Dee Access Area, Progress Energy will provide public sanitary facilities and trash receptacles; update the public information signage including a new Project information kiosk; and improve parking facilities for vehicles and boat trailers. At the Mountain Creek (Grassy Islands) Access Area, Progress Energy will provide trash receptacles; update the public information signage including a new Project information kiosk; and improve parking facilities for vehicles and boat trailers. At both sites, Progress Energy will also work with the NCWRC to improve the boat ramps to permit effective boating accessibility over the range of lake levels proposed for the new license term. Progress Energy proposes to upgrade the canoe portage facility located on the east shoreline of Blewett Falls Lake at the dam to applicable state recreational standards. Progress Energy will provide an electronic link on its external Company internet web site that will allow the public to access real-time Pee Dee River streamflow data at the USGS Rockingham gage station (USGS Gage No. 02129000). A-16
5.0 Federal Lands Within the Project Boundary The Project Boundary for the Tillery Development and the Blewett Falls Development are identified on the Project drawings located in Exhibit G. There are no federal or Tribal lands located within the Project Boundary. A-17
6.0 References Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. 2002. Yadkin River Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2197 NC. Project Relicensing Initial Consultation Document. September 2002. Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., Yadkin Division, Badin, North Carolina. ASU. 1999. North Carolina s Central Park: Assessing Tourism and Outdoor Recreation in the Uwharrie Lakes Region. Appalachian State University, September 1999. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 18 CFR 4.51(b). Carolina Power & Light. 2001. CP&L A Progress Energy Company. Shoreline Management Plan for the Tillery Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2206). Submitted by Carolina Power & Light A Progress Energy Company, December 30, 2001. Prepared by The Louis Berger Group, Inc. Gorp. 2002. Destinations: Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. [Online] URL: http://www.gorp.com/gorp/resources/us_nwr/nc_peede.htm. (Accessed May 24, 2002.) National Park Service. 2001. National Park Service Nationwide Rivers Inventory. [Online] URL: http://www.ncrc.nps.gov/programs/rtca/nri/states/nc.html. (Accessed June 17, 2002.) North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. 2002. Morrow Mountain State Park. [Online] URL: http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momo/history.html. (Accessed June 18, 2002.) North Carolina Division of Water Quality. 1998. Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin wide water quality management plan. May 1998. North Carolina Department of Environmental Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, North Carolina. Progress Energy. 2003. Initial Consultation Document. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project FERC No. 2006. Submitted by Progress Energy, Raleigh, North Carolina, February 2003. U.S. Department of the Interior. 1983. Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. RF-42550-5. May 1983. A-18