Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

Environmental Consequences
The operation and maintenance of the utility-scale and residential-scale wind turbines would
result in the use of hazardous materials (i.e., solvents, hydraulic fluid, oil, and paint) and
generation of hazardous wastes for maintenance of the turbine engine and parts. Each turbine
model has different specifications for lubricating oil and hydraulic fluid quantities. There are
three main types of fluid in a wind turbine: cooling fluid for the generator (a mix of glycol and
water, similar to that used in automobile radiators), lubricating oil for the gearbox (typically a
synthetic lubricating oil), and hydraulic oil for operating the blade pitch system, yaw mechanism,
and brakes.
The wind turbine generators would be equipped with sensors to automatically detect loss in fluid
pressure and increases in temperature and would shut them down in case of a fluid leak. The
turbines would also be equipped with fluid catch basin and containment systems to prevent any
accidental releases from leaving the nacelle.
Based on the limited quantities of fluids contained in the wind turbine generators and the leak
detection and containment systems engineered into their design, the potential for an accidental
spill from a wind turbine generator malfunction is extremely limited. Furthermore, any
accidental gear oil or other fluid leaks from the wind turbines would be contained inside the
turbine towers, which are sealed around the base.
The wind turbine generator fluids would be checked periodically and must be replenished or
replaced infrequently (generally less than once per year and sometimes only once every 5 years).
When replacing these fluids, operations staff would climb up to the nacelle and remove the fluids
in small (typically 19-liter [5-gallon]) containers and lower them to the ground using a small
maintenance crane built into the nacelle itself. The containers would be transferred to a vehicle
for transport to a facility for temporary storage (typically less than one month) before being
picked up by a licensed transporter for recycling. Replacement fluids are added in the same
method, only in reverse. Small quantities of replacement fluids, typically no more than a few
189-liter (50-gallon) drums of lubricating oil and hydraulic oil may be stored in existing facilities
for replenishing and replacing spent fluids. These fluids would be stored indoors in appropriate
containment. All operations staff would be trained in appropriate handling and spill prevention
techniques to avoid any accidental spills. Because only small quantities of fluids would be
transported, added, or removed at any one time and would be stored for short periods of time, the
potential for an accidental spill during routine maintenance would be extremely limited.
Additionally, NASA would ensure implementation of WFF’s ICP safety procedures, training,
and mitigation measures, including spill prevention and response. Therefore, no impacts on
human and environmental health due to hazardous materials and wastes are anticipated.
Alternative One
The types of construction and maintenance impacts for the wind turbines described under the
Proposed Action would be the same for Alternative One. Maintenance of the solar panels, which
primarily involves periodic cleaning, would involve the use of soap concentrates and water,
which are not hazardous. Although small amounts of harmful toxins like arsenic and cadmium
compounds are present inside the solar cells, they cannot cause adverse effects unless they enter
the human body in high doses, which would not occur during normal installation, operation, and
maintenance. At ambient temperature and pressure conditions, there would be no vapors or dust
generated by the normal operation of PV systems (Markvart and Castaner, 2003). The only
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