SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental Consequences5.4.14.1 Impacts from Cantonment ConstructionLess Than Significant ImpactsEnergy demand and costs. A slight increase in energy demand and costs would occur at FTC becauseof the additional personnel residing at FTC. The number of additional personnel would represent anincrease of less than 3 percent compared to the existing on-post population. FTC uses renewableenergy sources and is purchasing electrical power generated from renewable sources. In addition,upgrades to the electrical and natural gas systems are proposed under this alternative. Impacts toenergy use and costs are expected to be less than significant. No mitigation would be required.Based on the increase in population, a less than ten percent increase in energy use would occur atFTC. The number of additional personnel under this alternative would represent an increase of lessthan 8 percent compared to the existing on-post population. The current energy output is sufficient tomeet the energy demands of the SBCT as well as other future and ongoing activities on or near FTC.No mitigation is required because electricity demand on the cantonment would be met by theavailable electrical supply; demand in the training areas would be met with continued use of batteriesand portable generators. Impacts to energy use and costs are expected to be less than significant.The following measures are proposed to minimize potential energy demand and costs further:• Planned upgrades to electrical and natural gas systems and coordination with Colorado SpringsUtilities to provide additional capacity would satisfy increased demand.• Installation of an additional electric substation, transformer upgrades, and coordination withColorado Springs Utilities to provide additional capacity would minimize impacts from increaseddemand on the energy supply.• Installation of power distribution lines to provide electricity to training facilities located on thewest side of the training areas and installation of natural gas lines, new electrical distribution, andtransformer upgrade for the Cantonment to support increased demand for energy.5.4.14.2 Impacts from Range ConstructionLess Than Significant ImpactsImpacts to energy use and costs would be similar to those described for the cantonment area and areexpected to be less than significant. No mitigation would be required.5.4.14.3 Impacts from Live-Fire TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsLive-fire training would increase under this alternative; however, impacts to energy use and costs areexpected to be less than significant. No mitigation would be required.5.4.14.4 Impacts from Maneuver TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsManeuver training would occur at both FTC and PCMS. Increased maneuver training would beperformed at FTC, resulting in a slight increase in energy use. The frequency of maneuver training atPCMS is not expected to increase. The demand for electricity is below the existing capacity andFebruary 2008 5-182 2/25th SBCT Final EIS