Project Number:

2720

Peaking Power Plant

SERVICE:

Air & Noise Services and Expert Testimony

DESCRIPTION:

A 300 MW electric generating station in Chelsea, MA needed air quality and noise consulting services to determine compliance with local regulations.

Tech performed baseline sound level monitoring using Type 1 (high precision) sound level analyzers to determine the “ambient level”.  Using project design information, acoustic modeling of maximum off-site sound levels during plant operation using the CadnaA model was performed.  The CadnaA model runs were conducted to identify a compliance case and any corresponding mitigation measures. Tech performed a Noise BACT analysis with alternatives for noise control, including the proposed mitigation plan.  Tech also responded to noise comments on the EENF. 

As part of the air quality analysis, a microscale analysis was performed.  Maximum concentrations of CO, NOx, (NO2), SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 at sensitive receptors were predicted using the MOBILE6.2 emission factor model and the EPA CAL3QHC dispersion model.    Tech also determined peak hourly truck volume necessary to result in air quality concentrations at a nearby sensitive receptor that would equal the predicted air quality impacts from the Chelsea Energy project and used the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM) to calculate the amount of truck traffic that would produce a sound level increase equal to the project's assumed impact.

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Key Points

  • A 300 MW electric generating station needed to determine compliance with local regulations.
  • Tech performed noise monitoring and modeling, along with a microscale air quality analysis, to determine compliance with applicable regulations.