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<strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong>, <strong>Engineering</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Constructability</strong><br />
Considerations in Wind Power Development<br />
Anntonette Alberti, JD<br />
Tetra Tech, Inc.<br />
Wind Energy Services
Goals of the Presentation<br />
Provide an overview of the wind generating facility<br />
development process<br />
Describe the inter-relation of environmental, engineering<br />
<strong>and</strong> constructability data on each phase of wind farm<br />
development<br />
• Site Screening<br />
• Conceptual Design<br />
• Final Design<br />
• Permitting<br />
• Construction<br />
• Operations <strong>and</strong> Maintenance<br />
Stress the importance of designing <strong>and</strong> permitting<br />
constructable <strong>and</strong> economic wind projects<br />
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Integrated Approach to Tt Wind Energy<br />
Services<br />
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Overview of the Development Process<br />
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Site Selection/Screening<br />
Two most basic questions:<br />
• Is the site windy?<br />
– Choose reputable met firm with track record of success<br />
– At least 18 months of wind resource study prior to conceptual<br />
layout<br />
• Is the site near adequate “take away” transmission?<br />
– “Str<strong>and</strong>ed Resources”<br />
– Initial feasibility study<br />
– Transmission System Electrical Engineer conducts initial internal<br />
Electrical Analysis of local transmission system to determine<br />
lowest cost interconnection to existing transmission system<br />
(generally, closest substation or transmission line)<br />
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Site Selection/Screening<br />
If you pass the basic questions then:<br />
• Investigate availability of l<strong>and</strong><br />
– Public/private<br />
– Is there competition for l<strong>and</strong> rights<br />
– Split estates or other complications<br />
• Investigate public <strong>and</strong> local government acceptability<br />
– “Home rule” nature of wind<br />
• Investigate environmental <strong>and</strong> engineering considerations<br />
– Critical Issues Analysis<br />
– Regulatory Strategy<br />
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Critical Issues Analysis<br />
Critical Issues Analysis is a study that:<br />
• Identifies conditions at the proposed project site<br />
• Identifies likely siting issues<br />
• Projects impacts on schedule/budget<br />
• Provides management strategies to reduce impacts on<br />
schedule/budget<br />
Components include:<br />
• Phase I - Desktop studies<br />
- Available a la carte (Biological, Cultural, Aesthetics,<br />
Geotechnical, Telecommunications, Aviation, L<strong>and</strong> Use <strong>and</strong><br />
Permitting, etc.)<br />
• Phase II – Reconnaissance-level Field Studies<br />
• Critical Issues Analysis Report<br />
- Documents key issues that warrant special consideration<br />
- Provides: permit matrix, recommendations, <strong>and</strong> schedule<br />
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Common Critical Issues Analysis Omissions<br />
Aviation Screening<br />
Telecommunications Screening<br />
<strong>Engineering</strong>/<strong>Constructability</strong> Issues<br />
• Steep slopes<br />
• Unstable geotechnical conditions<br />
• Inadequate work space<br />
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Moving on to the Conceptual Layout<br />
You now know you have a potential wind site!<br />
Client should have an idea of the turbine technology that<br />
should be used in subsequent studies<br />
Move on to the conceptual layout<br />
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What is the Conceptual Layout?<br />
Initial layout that includes turbine locations, access<br />
roads, electrical collection system, switchyard(s) <strong>and</strong><br />
substation(s), transmission lines, O&M building, <strong>and</strong><br />
construction work areas.<br />
Necessary for obtaining l<strong>and</strong> rights, performing<br />
preliminary studies, beginning the regulatory process,<br />
etc.<br />
Typically the developer or the meteorological firm will<br />
take a first cut at the conceptual layout of turbines on a<br />
constraint map.<br />
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Defining the Conceptual Layout<br />
Preliminary Selection of Turbine Technology<br />
• Important for turbine spacing<br />
• Important for defining setbacks<br />
Define Project Constraints<br />
• Wind<br />
• L<strong>and</strong><br />
• Setbacks from Homes/Infrastructure<br />
• <strong>Engineering</strong>/Access<br />
• <strong>Environmental</strong><br />
• Cultural<br />
• Political<br />
Create Conceptual Layout<br />
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Constraints Map<br />
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Typical Setbacks <strong>and</strong> Constraints<br />
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Setbacks from sensitive buildings such as residences, schools, hospitals <strong>and</strong><br />
churches;<br />
Setbacks from outbuildings such as barns, garages, <strong>and</strong> hunting camps;<br />
Setbacks from roads, trails, <strong>and</strong> recreational areas;<br />
Setbacks from transmission lines, oil <strong>and</strong> gas wells, oil <strong>and</strong> gas transmission,<br />
gathering <strong>and</strong> service lines, sub-surface mining operations <strong>and</strong> other such<br />
infrastructure/facilities;<br />
Setbacks from non-participating parcel boundaries;<br />
Wetl<strong>and</strong>s, surface waters, <strong>and</strong> any regulatory buffers around them;<br />
Sensitive cultural resources <strong>and</strong> any regulatory boundaries around them;<br />
Locations of special status wildlife or vegetation species <strong>and</strong>/or critical habitat;<br />
Areas of known geotechnical instability;<br />
Fresnel zones <strong>and</strong> other communication/radar related constraints;<br />
Areas impacted by air traffic (both civilian <strong>and</strong> military); <strong>and</strong><br />
Any other environmental <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> use constraints identified for the site.<br />
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Setbacks - continued<br />
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Often setbacks are prescribed by-law.<br />
When they are not prescribed by law,<br />
the developer needs to set them.<br />
A good source for setbacks is the<br />
turbine manufacturer.<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Agricultural Siting Considerations<br />
Locate structures along field edges where possible<br />
Locate access roads along ridge tops where possible to<br />
eliminate the need for cut <strong>and</strong> fill <strong>and</strong> reduce the risk of<br />
creating drainage problems<br />
Avoid dividing larger fields by locating access roads along<br />
the edge of agricultural fields<br />
All existing drainage <strong>and</strong> erosion control structures such<br />
as diversions, ditches, <strong>and</strong> tile lines shall be avoided or<br />
appropriate measures taken to maintain the design <strong>and</strong><br />
effectiveness of the existing structures<br />
Minimize loss production, crop damage <strong>and</strong> top soil<br />
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Wind Energy Services
<strong>Engineering</strong> Tasks for Conceptual Layout<br />
Perform desktop study to evaluate subsurface conditions<br />
<strong>and</strong> geologic hazards<br />
Desktop Transportation Analysis<br />
Initial Road/collection system Layout<br />
Initial <strong>Constructability</strong> review<br />
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Moving from the Conceptual Layout to the<br />
Final Layout<br />
Wind projects have a lot of moving parts: wind resource,<br />
property, l<strong>and</strong>owner preferences, setbacks,<br />
environmental constraints, cultural resources,<br />
engineering constraints, transportation issues,<br />
constructability, etc. influence where project facilities<br />
will be sited<br />
There must be communication among team members<br />
<strong>and</strong> impact on layout must be understood <strong>and</strong><br />
incorporated<br />
The best team includes a meteorologist, a l<strong>and</strong> man, an<br />
environmental scientist, an engineer, a constructability<br />
expert, <strong>and</strong> a lawyer<br />
Data management with multiple team members can be<br />
a challenge<br />
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What is the Final Horizontal Layout?<br />
This layout depicts all project facilities for permitting <strong>and</strong><br />
l<strong>and</strong> acquisition purposes<br />
In many cases, permits must be obtained for exactly<br />
what will be built, so a certain amount of engineering<br />
must be done at an early stage<br />
In a perfect world, micrositing occurs prior to submitting<br />
major permit applications <strong>and</strong> conducting NEPA (or<br />
state equivalent) review<br />
• Failure to do so often means the need to do permit<br />
modifications, supplemental EISs, <strong>and</strong>/or variances during<br />
construction<br />
In the real world things aren’t that simple.<br />
• If possible, permit for flexibility<br />
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Studies that Support Final Horizontal Layout<br />
Field Studies<br />
• Site specific environmental <strong>and</strong> cultural fieldwork<br />
• Site specific engineering field work<br />
• <strong>Constructability</strong> considerations<br />
Adjust Horizontal Layout <strong>and</strong> Review for:<br />
• Wind resource<br />
• <strong>Constructability</strong><br />
• <strong>Engineering</strong><br />
• <strong>Environmental</strong>/cultural resources<br />
• L<strong>and</strong> owner acceptability<br />
Final Horizontal Layout<br />
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The Timing of Studies<br />
This is the hardest part of advising a wind client<br />
• Provide enough preliminary study for siting, but not<br />
waste money by providing detailed study on facilities<br />
that are not in their final location<br />
• If possible, only perform full wetl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
delineations on the exact locations of project<br />
facilities when they are in their final location<br />
• Consider timing when running visual simulation,<br />
shadow flicker analysis, writing up noise study, etc.<br />
• Because siting is an iterative process, there will<br />
always be some inefficiency in study<br />
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<strong>Engineering</strong> Tasks for Final Layout<br />
If topo exists, may need to commission a fly-over to<br />
perform digital photography from which a topographic<br />
base map can be prepared<br />
Perform site walkdown of all project facilities to assess<br />
access feasibility (slope <strong>and</strong> terrain issues, etc.)<br />
Perform geotechnical investigations needed for design of<br />
roadway cross-sections, collection system routing <strong>and</strong><br />
wind turbine foundations<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Transportation Study<br />
Perform traffic <strong>and</strong> transportation study, for oversized or<br />
heavy deliveries, to assess adequacy of existing offsite<br />
roadways, bridges, crossings over culverts, overpasses<br />
/underpasses, turning radii, utilities, etc.<br />
Within project boundary, determine whether turning radii<br />
at existing intersections along the delivery route need to<br />
be modified<br />
Assess whether surface replacements or upgrades will<br />
be required<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Wildlife Studies<br />
Typically include:<br />
• Avian use surveys<br />
• Raptor nesting surveys<br />
• Habitat inventory<br />
• Threatened, endangered, sensitive species focused surveys if<br />
appropriate<br />
• Bat habitat inventory <strong>and</strong>/or risk analysis<br />
• State Natural Heritage database/USFWS T&E species inquiries<br />
• Plant <strong>and</strong> noxious weed surveys, if appropriate<br />
Studies will vary geographically <strong>and</strong> by state<br />
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Wetl<strong>and</strong> Studies<br />
It often makes sense to start with reconnaissance level<br />
study, saving complete delineation until the layout is<br />
final<br />
All project facilities must be cleared for wetl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
• Public road improvements, especially public road culvert<br />
replacements, are often forgotten<br />
Good communication between wetl<strong>and</strong> staff <strong>and</strong> design<br />
engineers is critical<br />
Data management is critical<br />
Keep a change log<br />
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Cultural Resource Studies<br />
Consult with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)<br />
Define the Study Area for Archeology <strong>and</strong> for Historic<br />
Architecture<br />
Define the Area of Potential Effects (in consultation with<br />
SHPO) as Project is more precisely defined<br />
• Archeology<br />
• Historical Architecture<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Transmission Interconnection Studies<br />
Feasibility Study – estimates cost of interconnection<br />
<br />
<br />
System Reliability Impact Study – determines cost <strong>and</strong><br />
equipment for maintaining reliability of existing system<br />
Complete Facility Upgrade Study determines final cost of<br />
all interconnection <strong>and</strong> system upgrade equipment<br />
Negotiate Interconnection Agreement with transmission<br />
utility<br />
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Other Important Studies<br />
Noise<br />
Shadow Flicker<br />
Visual Assessment<br />
Property Values<br />
Conduct Phase 1 <strong>Environmental</strong> Site Assessment (ASTM<br />
AIA St<strong>and</strong>ards)<br />
Etc.<br />
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Permitting Phase -- Local<br />
Local<br />
• At most proposed wind energy project sites, one or more local<br />
approvals will be required.<br />
• The issuing authority may be a local planning commission,<br />
zoning board, town, city or village council, county board of<br />
supervisors or commissioners, or a similar entity.<br />
• Although some state siting boards are authorized to override<br />
local objections, most must first demonstrate that the proposed<br />
project would be consistent with local ordinances <strong>and</strong> that there<br />
is no reasonable objection to the development of the project.<br />
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Permitting Phase -- Local<br />
Local<br />
• Similar to the state regulatory process, the need for local<br />
approvals <strong>and</strong> the process for obtaining approvals vary<br />
throughout the country.<br />
• In some areas, the local approval process will be time<br />
-consuming <strong>and</strong> the project will be subject to close scrutiny.<br />
contrast, some municipalities require only a building permit.<br />
• The development team should assess which local approvals will<br />
be required <strong>and</strong> consult with local counsel.<br />
In<br />
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Permitting Phase -- State<br />
State<br />
• Numerous state regulatory programs are likely to be triggered by<br />
a proposed wind energy project. While such programs often<br />
mirror, implement (through delegated authority), or<br />
complement similar federal laws, the state version is typically<br />
more stringent than its federal counterpart.<br />
– Little NEPA<br />
– State Siting Statutes<br />
– Endangered Species<br />
– Wetl<strong>and</strong> Permits<br />
– Stream Crossing Permits<br />
– Use Authorizations for State Owned Aquatic L<strong>and</strong><br />
– Historic Preservation<br />
– Stormwater<br />
– Agricultural Protection<br />
– DOT (Roadway) Permitting<br />
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Permitting Phase -- Federal<br />
National <strong>Environmental</strong> Policy Act<br />
Federal Wetl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Waterbody Laws<br />
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System<br />
(NPDES) permits for stormwater during construction <strong>and</strong><br />
operation<br />
Endangered Species Act <strong>and</strong> other Wildlife Protection<br />
Laws<br />
National Historic Preservation Act<br />
Federal Aviation Administration Clearances<br />
Federal L<strong>and</strong> Use Authorizations<br />
Federal Transmission Line Interconnections<br />
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Final <strong>Engineering</strong> Design – Outline<br />
Establish Design Team including<br />
Professional Engineer / (Engineer of Record)<br />
Develop Design Criteria<br />
• These should capture design requirements for permits <strong>and</strong> plans<br />
• Client should review<br />
Preliminary (Draft) Design<br />
• Drawings<br />
• Technical Specifications<br />
• Calculations<br />
Final Design<br />
• PE Sealed<br />
• Issued for Construction<br />
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Design Disciplines<br />
Design Disciplines Capabilities - Civil<br />
• Site Civil<br />
– Site civil drawing is a base map which is topographic survey obtained from<br />
client, or TtEC commissions a survey to develop the base map<br />
– Usually perform a pre-design “constructability” walkdown of WTG locations<br />
<strong>and</strong> intended access road routes to consider site natural features <strong>and</strong><br />
l<strong>and</strong>owner impacts<br />
– Roadway design: layout / direction / cross section / radii<br />
– Perform stormwater drainage calculations: Size <strong>and</strong> locate new culverts <strong>and</strong><br />
identify soil erosion controls (e.g., silt fencing, stone rip-rap, etc.)<br />
– Geotextile Use<br />
• Structural<br />
– Foundation Design<br />
– Bridge Improvements<br />
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Design Disciplines<br />
Design Disciplines Capabilities<br />
• Geotechnical<br />
– May need to perform a geotechnical investigation, as a pre-design<br />
task, to obtain site specific information at WTG locations <strong>and</strong> some<br />
locations along access roads<br />
– Detailed geotechnical investigation report serves as a basis for<br />
access road <strong>and</strong> WTG foundation design<br />
– Field Investigations<br />
– Geotechnical Reports as design input<br />
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Design Disciplines<br />
Design Disciplines Capabilities<br />
• Electrical<br />
– WTG collector system,<br />
– Substation(s)<br />
– Transmission Line<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Final <strong>Engineering</strong> Design - PE<br />
Design requires supervision by licensed civil, structural<br />
<strong>and</strong> electrical PEs (if applicable)<br />
PEs typically need to be licensed in State where project is<br />
located<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Preconstruction<br />
Finalize Turbine <strong>and</strong> Long-Lead-Time Item Procurement<br />
• Identify <strong>and</strong> requisition long lead time purchased items, such as<br />
wind turbines <strong>and</strong> transformers<br />
Approvals for the later plans <strong>and</strong> permits (Storm Water<br />
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), Spill Prevention,<br />
Containment <strong>and</strong> Countermeasure Plan (SPCCP) <strong>and</strong><br />
State DOT <strong>and</strong> US Army Corps wetl<strong>and</strong>s permits)<br />
Final Construction Plans <strong>and</strong> Drawings<br />
Secure Construction Contractor<br />
Develop <strong>Environmental</strong> Construction Compliance Plan<br />
Develop Mobilization Plan<br />
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Construction<br />
Mobilization – Make sure you have obtained the right<br />
pre-construction permissions:<br />
Construction Trailers<br />
Initial Laydown Areas<br />
Sediment <strong>and</strong> Erosion Control<br />
Safety <strong>and</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> Training<br />
Send out construction start notifications as required in<br />
permits<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Construction<br />
After the Notice to Proceed --<br />
• Clearing <strong>and</strong> Grading<br />
• Access Roads <strong>and</strong> Public Road Improvements<br />
• Foundations<br />
• Electrical Collection System<br />
• Transmission Line<br />
• Substation <strong>and</strong> Interconnection Facilities<br />
• Tower <strong>and</strong> Turbine Erection<br />
• O&M Building/Visitor Kiosks<br />
• Commissioning<br />
• Mitigation Areas<br />
• Reclamation<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Construction<br />
<strong>Engineering</strong> support during construction<br />
• Provide home office support of construction activities following<br />
construction release of design drawings, to review contractor<br />
submittals <strong>and</strong> administer Field Change Requests (FCRs) <strong>and</strong><br />
/or issue Design Change Notices (DCNs)<br />
• Provide field engineer, preferably from the design team, to assist<br />
with construction activities <strong>and</strong> ensure compliance with the<br />
design<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Tetra Tech, Inc.<br />
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a leading, U.S.-based national <strong>and</strong><br />
international firm delivering solutions in, consulting,<br />
construction, engineering, remediation <strong>and</strong> restoration<br />
Publicly traded company (TTEK)<br />
– Chosen by Smart Money magazine as one of the “10 Stocks for the<br />
Next 10 Years”<br />
Annual revenues in excess of $1.4 billion; financial<br />
strength to st<strong>and</strong> behind large wind energy projects,<br />
including EPC & BOP<br />
Over 8,500 employees in 250 offices world-wide<br />
Consistently ranked in <strong>Engineering</strong> News Record as one<br />
of the top ten<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Tetra Tech, Inc.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Acquisition of The Delaney Group – a well-respected leader in<br />
renewable energy construction<br />
Experienced energy staff in all disciplines<br />
More than 6 million hours without a lost work day over past two<br />
years<br />
• Injury rate is ¼ the national average<br />
• 70+ National Safety Council awards<br />
• Employee health <strong>and</strong> safety perception rating in top 2% nation-wide<br />
ISO 14001 Certification for all services<br />
• First major full-service firm to earn certification with such broad<br />
coverage<br />
ISO 9001 Certification for Wind <strong>Engineering</strong><br />
• Documented quality procedures <strong>and</strong> systems to meet global st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
<strong>and</strong> expectations<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Full-Service Energy Solutions<br />
Wind Energy Services<br />
Wind Energy Services
Recognized Expertise<br />
Tetra Tech <strong>and</strong> Nixon Peabody chosen to write American<br />
Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Wind Facility Siting<br />
Manual<br />
Frequent speaker on energy topics at AWEA, World Wind<br />
Energy Association <strong>and</strong> other renewable energy industry<br />
events<br />
Papers on environmental compliance during construction<br />
• Included in New York Energy Research <strong>and</strong> Development<br />
Authority (NYSERDA) Wind Energy Tool Kit<br />
• Published in North American Windpower Journal<br />
Through our Energy Management Services Supporting<br />
Energy Programs at More Than 60 DoD Installations<br />
World-Wide<br />
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Wind Energy Services
Contact<br />
Anntonette Alberti, JD<br />
• 518-488-8588<br />
• Anntonette.Alberti@tteci.com<br />
Wind Energy Services<br />
Wind Energy Services