Siting Decisions Involving Renewable
Energy Sources
May 16, 2013Paul Roberti, CommissionerRhode Island Public Utilities Commission
Overview of Presentation• State Siting Procedures
– Jurisdictional thresholds
– Criteria for review
–Process for review
• Local Jurisdiction
• Interconnection Into Regional Grid2
Jurisdiction – it depends• State level – most facilities are reviewed at state or
local level– State-wide body (siting council or public utility commission)– Local jurisdictions (county or municipal)
• All facilities or only facilities under a certain capacity
• Federal level– Most hydroelectric facilities – exclusive jurisdiction– Facilities on federally owned land (concurrent with state
process)
3
Criteria for Review• Varies by jurisdiction• General requirements:
– No adverse impact on stability and reliability of the grid– No undue adverse impact on environmental resources– Socio-economic impacts– Demonstration of the need for the facility
• For conventional generation – a regional perspective
• For renewables, focus is primarily on environmental impacts and consistency with state public policy (i.e., renewable energy mandates and carbon reduction technologies)
4
Process for Review• Applicant submits sufficient evidence to
demonstrate compliance with criteria• Ratepayer advocate and environmental agencies
typically automatic parties to any case• Intervention by individuals or groups• Public Hearings• Evidentiary hearing• Process may vary depending on size/type of
facility5
Rhode Island’s Energy Facility Siting Process
• The Energy Facility Siting Board (“EFSB”) has jurisdiction over alterations to “major energy facilit(ies)” that “will result in a significant impact on the environment, or the public health, safety, and welfare.”
• Serves as “the licensing and permitting authority for all licenses, permits, assents, or variances which, under any statute of the state or ordinance of any political subdivision of the state, would be required for siting, construction or alteration of a major energy facility in the state.”
6
Statutory Framework for Siting of Generation Facilities• “Major energy facility(ies)” are defined as:
– facilities for the extraction, production, conversion, and processing of coal;
– facilities for the generation of electricity designed or capable of operating at a gross capacity of forty (40) megawatts or more;
– transmission lines of sixty-nine (69) Kv or over;
– facilities for the conversion, gasification, treatment, transfer, or storage of liquefied natural and liquefied petroleum gases;
7
• “Major energy facility(ies)”
– facilities for the processing, enrichment, storage, or disposal of nuclear fuels or nuclear byproducts;
– facilities for the refining of oil, gas, or other petroleum products;
– facilities of ten (10) megawatts or greater capacity for the generation of electricity by water power;
– facilities associated with the transfer of oil, gas, and coal via pipeline; and
– any energy facility project of the Rhode Island economic development corporation.
Statutory Framework for Siting of Generation Facilities continued . . .
8
EFSB Members and Staffing
Rhode Island’s Siting Act creates a three-member BoardChair of the Public Utilities Commission (EFSB Chair)Director of Dept. of Environmental ManagementAssociate Director of Statewide Planning
Quorum consists of a majority, however, one Board member may conduct any authorized hearings
Board members and staff are not paid separately for their work
9
Application Guidelines
Project Applicants must address:Site PlansProject CostNumber of facility employeesFinancingRequired support facilitiesResearch on EMF impacts (transmission)Life-cycle managementA study of alternatives, including estimated costs
10
Process and Deadlines
Coordinator has 30 days to accept/reject filing and assign it a docket numbers
Board convenes a Preliminary Hearing within 60 days to designate agencies that must file an advisory opinion
Advisory agencies generally have 6 months to submit findings
Board required to schedule at least one public hearing in every community impacted by proposal
11
Designated Agencies
Includes political subdivisions which, absent the Act, would have the statutory authority to grant permits, licenses, variances, etc.
Town Councils, Building Inspectors, Planning Boards
Public Utilities Commission
Holds its own separate proceedings to render an advisory opinion on the need for the proposed facility
12
Designated Agencies
Statewide Planning
Addresses socio-economic impact and consistency with state guide plans
Other designated agencies often include:
State Historical PreservationDept. of Environmental ManagementDept. of HealthDept. of Transportation
13
Process and Deadlines
Final hearings commence within 45 days after advisory deadline
Final Decision and Order due within 120 days
Final decisions may be appealed to the State Supreme Court within 10 days of ratification
14
Public Participation
All hearings – Preliminary and Final – are open to the public. Board Rules specify notice requirements
One Public Hearing must be held in every community impacted by the proposal (i.e. transmission line through 3 towns)
Board generally gives the public an opportunity to comment before or after all hearings, which are transcribed
All filings and application materials are posted on the EFSB website, www.ripuc.org/efsb/index.html
15
Post Licensure Proceedings
Board may issue license conditionally upon applicant’s receipt of federal licenses
Although the Board retains final permitting authority, applicant still has burden to apply for, receive, and maintain all applicable permits
Board can hire consultants (up to $20k; paid by applicant) to visit plant during construction
May hold suspension hearings and issue “Show Cause” and “Cease and Desist” orders
16
Licensing Procedures for Facilities Not Subject to State Energy Facility Siting Board Jurisdiction
• Facilities Fall Under Local Jurisdiction – County or Municipal Zoning Procedures– Local Planning Commission Review– Consistency with Comprehensive Plan– Noise, height, aesthetics, construction impacts, etc.
• Potential Residual State Jurisdiction– Highway Crossings– Coastal and wetlands Impacts
• Federal Jurisdiction May Still Be Tiggered– Aviation and structure heights– Endangered Species – Interconnection with regional electric grid
17
Interconnecting Generation Sources
to the Grid
18
Interconnection of Generation Facilities Into Regional Electric Grid
• Governed By Rules and Procedures of Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE)
• ISO New England responsible for:– Ensuring regional reliability– Administering wholesale electricity
markets• Regulated by Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission Pursuant to Federal Power Act
19
Interconnection Queue
• All significant generation projects must complete necessary studies– ISO-NE establishes guidelines for studies– Studies conducted by independent contractors
• Entrance into the queue is first-come, first served
• ISO-NE determines who pays for necessary system upgrades
20
Interconnection Studies • New Generation Proponents are
responsible for conducting– Feasibility Study
– System Impact Study
–Facilities Study
21
Feasibility Study• High level review of:
– Existing Peak load and generation sources, including those with higher position in the queue
– Steady state analysis (voltage and thermal issues)– Short circuit analysis– Performance under normal operating conditions and
contingencies – Expected protective equipment and system upgrades
required– Approximate cost to interconnect
22
System Impact Study• More in-depth study than feasibility study• Examines conditions under a range of loads• If appropriate, may include additional contingencies• May include transient stability analysis in addition to
steady state analysis• Wind facilities must conduct one additional study (low
voltage ride through capability)• Provides further detail regarding protective
equipment and costs
23
Facilities Study• Provides the final determination of the
protective equipment needed• Provides a refined cost estimate of upgrades• Sets forth any operating protocols that may
be necessary
24
THANK YOU
Paul Roberti, Commissioner
Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
89 Jefferson Blvd.
Warwick, Rhode Island 02888
Tel: (401) 780-2101
Email: [email protected]
25