Xcel Energy Inc. · NASDAQ:XEL
Xcel Energy — Technical Presentation (April 2018)
18 slides from Xcel Energy's technical presentation, Apr 2, 2018
Slide 1: Annual Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Meeting for CCR Rule
Annual Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Meeting for Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Rule Xcel Energy Sherburne County Generating Plant Becker, MN April 2, 2018 4/3/2018 1
Slide 2: Why is Meeting Necessary?
Why is Meeting Necessary? • CCR Rule [40 CFR 257.73(a)(3)(E)] requires: “Include provisions for an annual face‐to‐face meeting or exercise between representatives of the owner or operator of the CCR unit and the local emergency responders.” 4/3/2018 2
Slide 3: Sherco CCR Emergency Action Plans
Sherco CCR Emergency Action Plans • Written by Carlson McCain Engineers and placed in Xcel Energy’s CCR web‐site (April 2017). – https://www.xcelenergy.com/environment/respon sible_operations/coal_ash_management • Web‐site also contains other reports on the design, operation, permitting and inspecti
Slide 4: Sherco CCR Ponds
Sherco CCR Ponds • Bottom Ash Pond (1975) • Scrubber Solids Pond 3 (2004) • Both Ponds: – Were permitted by MPCA and MDNR at time of construction – Have bottom liners – Have an 8 ft (min) wide clay barrier in the dikes 4/3/2018 4
Slide 5: Location of Bottom Ash Pond
Location of Bottom Ash Pond Gates BAP Pond 3 4/3/2018 5
Slide 6: Bottom Ash Pond
Bottom Ash Pond • 18 Acres • 1 Million cubic yard capacity • Ash varies from coarse (class 5) to fines • Ash is excavated annually – Used on‐site, primarily in Pond 3 – Water level cycles annually, between 964 to 986 ft – Top of dike at 1000 ft • Needed until shut down of all 3 units 4/3/2018 6
Slide 7: BA Pond – East Dike looking West
BA Pond – East Dike looking West 4/3/2018 7
Slide 8: BAP Possible Safety Emergencies
BAP Possible Safety Emergencies • Water Level Overtopping Dikes – Very unlikely because water level is controlled by stop logs – which we have to place by crane – Excess water drains to Recycle Basin • Sudden Dike Failure – Not likely due to engineered design • 2009 EPA inspection rating ‐ Satisfact
Slide 9: Bottom Ash Pond Potential Breach Flooding Areas
4/3/2018 Carlson 5 McCain ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING » SURVEYING EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN BOTTOM ASH POND @Q XcelEnergy’ ‘Sherbume County Generating Plant Becker, Minnesota FIGURE 2 POTENTIAL BREACH FLOODING AREAS
Slide 10: BAP EAP – Dike Failure Impacts
BAP EAP – Dike Failure Impacts • N & W dike failure impacts – Water and ash would flow primarily N & W • Any flow to E would be captured in borrow pit • Would not expect any off‐site impacts – Unit 1 Cooling Tower – Recycle & Holding Basin • Some water could reach River via the Holding Basin Dischar
Slide 11: Location of Pond 3
Location of Pond 3 Gates BAP Pond 3 4/3/2018 11
Slide 12: Pond 3
Pond 3 • 100 Acres • 7 Million cubic yards capacity • 5.5 Million cy of ash and water (currently) • More fines and water than BA Pond – Water level gradually increases, currently at 997 ft – Dike top 1006 ft (will be raised to 1012 this year) • Needed until shut down of all 3 units • Fill from S to
Slide 13: Pond 3 - South Dike Looking North
Pond 3 ‐ South Dike Looking North 4/3/2018 13
Slide 14: Pond 3 Possible Safety Emergencies
Pond 3 Possible Safety Emergencies • Water Level Overtopping Dikes – Not likely ‐ excess water is pumped to Pond 3 • Stop pumping or hold water on‐site • Construct new pond capacity • Sudden Dike Failure – Not likely due to engineered design • 2009 EPA inspection rating ‐ Satisfactory • Ash Transpor
Slide 15: Pond No. 3 Potential Breach Flooding Areas
Viwtain Gate ca eoier | 1. SPRING 2015 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY SHERBURNE COUNTY ere 4 2 LIDAR CONTOURS PROVIDED BY MN TOPO FROMA 2011 SURVEY. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN (Carlson POND NO. 3 ahi 4/3/2018 McCain @Q XcelEnergy’ POTENTIAL BREACH 15 ‘Sherbume County Generating Plant FLOODING AREAS Becke
Slide 16: Pond 3 EAP – Dike Failure Impacts
Pond 3 EAP – Dike Failure Impacts • Would impact a larger area than BAP failure – finer ash particles and more water • S dike less likely to fail ‐ as it fills with ash • Flow from N & E dikes limited by: – Large borrow pits on N and E sides – Screening berm along Sherburne Ave – E/W center dike has
Slide 17: Notification Procedure
Notification Procedure • Xcel Personnel will contact Sherburne County Emergency Response Office Dispatcher (911) • 911 Dispatcher will dispatch emergency resources (e.g., Police and Fire) to Sherco • Xcel Staff will meet Emergency Responders at Main Gate and escort them to the site of the emergency.
Slide 18: Follow-up
Follow‐up • Future annual “face‐to‐face” meetings or exercise with local emergency responders • Questions? – – 4/3/2018 18