barriers and challenges to developing renewable energy projects
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Barriers and Challenges to Developing Renewable Energy Projects. Eric R. Bjorkman Sustainable Energy Conference 2010 Powering Idaho's Future. Overview of Project Development Issues. Site Selection and Acquisition Permitting & Approvals Financing - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Barriers and Challenges to Developing Renewable
Energy Projects
Eric R. BjorkmanSustainable Energy Conference 2010
Powering Idaho's Future
Overview of Project Development Issues
Site Selection and Acquisition Permitting & Approvals Financing Power Sales / Transmission /
Interconnection Agreements Construction / Infrastructure Operation and Maintenance Agreements
Site Selection Issues
Availability of the Resource Transmission to the Grid Regulatory Approvals Public Opposition/Support Environmental Constraints
Site Selection – Location of resources
Wind, geothermal, biomass and solar resources are limited to specific geographic areas.
Site Selection – U.S. Wind Resources
Source: www. http://www.nrel.gov/gis/
Site Selection – U.S. Solar Resources
Source: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/
Site Selection – U.S. Geothermal Resources
Source: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/
Site Selection – U.S. Biomass Resources
Source: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/
Site Acquisition Issues
Fee, Lease or Combination Private State Federal
Access issues Lines and substations Roads
Siting & Permitting Bodies
Federal State Local
Federal Permits & Approvals
Federal Permits or Approvals Required? Federal nexus
Federal lands Accessing federally owned transmission lines Regulatory nexus (e.g., jurisdictional waters, incidental take, etc.)
Federal Permits & Approvals
Permit/Approval Agency ApplicabilityMigratory Bird Treaty Act U.S. Dept. of
InteriorDetermination of federally protected species or their critical habitat in the area.
Permit is required to remove species. Avoid kill, injury to protected species without a permit.
Bald and Gold Eagle Protection Act U.S. Dept. of Interior
Determination of federally protected species or their critical habitat in the area.
Permit is required to remove species. Avoid kill, injury to eagles without a permit.
Determination of Exempt Wholesale Distributor Status
Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission
Self-certification.
Federal Permits & ApprovalsCont.
Permit/Approval Agency Applicability
Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") Hazard Determination
FAA Applicable if structure height is at or above specific threshold and dependent upon distance to nearest airport.
Clean Water Act ("CWA") 402 Permit (Storm Water Discharge)
EPA R10 Potential discharge from construction or operation.
CWA 404 Permit (Dredge and Fill) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps")
Applicable if construction (dredge/fill) in jurisdictional wetlands or other waters of the U.S.; Activity may be covered under a Nationwide Permit ("NWP").
Federal Permits & ApprovalsCont.
Permit/Approval Agency Applicability
Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement
EPA/Corps Applicable if individual Section 402, 404 or other federal permit is required.
Endangered Species Act of 1973 ("ESA") Fish & Wildlife Service ("FWS")
Applicable if required in conjunction with federal permits (e.g. 404 permit) or if "take" or adverse modification of critical habitat for listed species appears likely.
Historical/Archeological consultation (National Historic Preservation Act)
Federal permitting agency and State Historical Preservation Office ("SHPO")
Applicable if required in conjunction with federal permits (e.g. 404 permit).
CERCLA IDEQ/EPA Applicable if storage or release on or from site of materials identified as hazardous substance.
State Permits & Approvals
No state facility siting authority in Idaho State considerations / requirements
Stream Channel Alteration Permit Well Drilling Permit Electrical Permit Over Legal Load Limit Permit Aeronautics Permit Air Quality Permit Water Rights
Local Permits & Approvals
Comp Plan/Zoning SUP Construction permits
Legal Challenges to Renewable Projects
Environmental challenges can be made to any renewable technology Wind: Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird
Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Solar: Large area requirements invite ESA and
Environmental Impact Statement challenges Geothermal: Waste water and underground injection
issues