Return to Noise Assessment  Noise Assessment     Project Summary ::   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   Background The Northwest Reliability Project is the Vermont Electric Company’s (Velco) proposed upgrade of Vermont electric power distribution system. The project involves the construction and/or upgrading of approximately 70 miles of transmission lines and 12 substations. It is the first major changes to Vermont electric distribution system in over two decades. Project Scope RSG was retained to prepare design detail testimony on the noise impacts of two substations, and then to provide pre- and post-construction noise monitoring at all of the 12 substations that are affected by the project. The project scope included: Monitoring to determine transformer sound emissions in strict conformance with IEEE, IEC and NEMA standards; Property and fence line sound monitoring; Modeling to forecast changes in noise levels at nearby residences; Recommendation and modeling of noise mitigation to maintain reasonable noise levels in the community Project Results RSG prepared testimony to the Public Service Board which, in part, formed the basis of positive findings by the Board. Their order required Velco to conduct pre- and post-construction monitoring to assure that noise from the transformers, shunt reactors, phase angle regulators, and synchronous condenser units, which are the major noise-generating components of the existing and proposed substations, would not create undue adverse impacts on noise aesthetics in the community.