Facilities Planning & Siting
Siting Electrical Facilities
Licensing and Litigation Support
Site Engineering and Design
Visual Impact Analysis
Siting Electrical Facilities
Pike FPS has sited more than 150 transmission lines and 300 electrical substations ranging
from 44 to 525 kV facilities over the past 30-years. The FPS siting methodology utilizes
cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive siting procedure that fully integrates
environmental, engineering, real estate, economic, regulatory, and community considerations
at the onset of projects and appropriately accounts for each throughout the siting effort.
The results are conclusive: Since 1989, complex transmission line projects sited by FPS have
met schedules and selected routes, in all cases, have been successfully permitted, licensed,
and when necessary, defended as “the best route” in court proceedings.
Licensing and Litigation Support
FPS has prepared Transmission Line Siting and Environmental Reports to satisfy the requirements
of the SC Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act and the NC Transmission Line
Siting Bill for more than 20 projects. Additionally, FPS has prepared more than 30 Borrower’s
Environmental Reports to comply with the Rural Utility Service’s Environmental Policies and
Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).
FPS engineers and landscape architects have provided expert
testimony (pre-filed written and oral) in more than 17 cases before the SC Public Service
Commission, the NC Utilities Commission, and the Arizona Corporation Commission.
In all cases, Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and Public Convenience and Necessity
were issued despite, in some cases, intense opposition to the proposed action.
Site Engineering and Design
FPS has successfully designed grading and erosion control plans for more than 400 electrical
substations and 100 transmission line projects. The FPS experience is unmatched in the
electric utility industry or in engineering consulting firms that provide services to the
industry.
The FPS approach combines the collective talents of civil engineers, landscape
architects, and environmental experts to develop site plans that fully comply with all erosion
control, stormwater management, and zoning regulations. Moreover, FPS engineers and landscape
architects have more than 30-years experience (more than 100-years combined experience) in
working with communities and interest groups to resolve opposition to new substation projects
based on aesthetics, electric and magnetic fields, noise, radio/television interference, and
public safety concerns.
Visual Impact Analysis
FPS landscape architects, engineers, and GIS analysts combine cutting edge computer technology
and more than 100-years of professional experience to accurately measure and predict the visual
effects of future electrical transmission and substation projects, electrical distribution line
projects, gas transmission projects, and electrical generation projects.
GIS software tools are used to determine areas of potential views based on land cover and
topography; AutoCad software tools are used to create perspective models (views) of future
facilities from selected viewpoints; imaging software is used to prepare photo-realistic
simulations; and a comprehensive rating model is used to assess the condition of future views.
Existing View Condition
|
Computer-Generated Terrain Model of the same viewpoint
|
Simulated Post-Construction View Condition
|
| VH | Very High |
| H | High |
| MH | Moderate to High |
| M | Moderate |
| ML | Moderate to Low |
| L | Low |
| VL | Very Low |