Presented to American Society of Civil EngineersOregon Section

Environmental & Water Resources Group

Dana SiegfriedDavid Evans and Associates, Inc.

dns@deainc.com(503) 499-0369

APRIL 25, 2007

Wind Power Development

& Permitting in Oregon

Wind Power Basics

Global Wind Power • 75,000 MW installed to date• 16,000 MW installed in 2006• Growing at 25% per year• Europe leading the world in % of power provided

by wind

Wind Power Basics

Wind power in the US • 11,600 MW installed nationwide – enough to

power 3 million homes• 2,400 MW installed in 2006 (650,000 homes)• Top 5 states are: Texas, California, Iowa,

Minnesota, Washington• Oregon is 8th, with over 400 MW. Currently, over

1000 MW is being reviewed by ODOE

Wind Power Basics

Wind Power Incentives

Federal• Production tax credit (expires 12/08) is

1.9 cents/kWh for first 10 years of production

State• Currently none in Oregon, but a Renewable

Portfolio Standard bill in this legislature for 25/25• Over 20 states have RPS

Wind Power Basics

Wind Power Benefits• No greenhouse gases (except for manufacturing

and construction)• Provides income to farmers• Provides tax base in rural communities• Provides short and long term employment

opportunities• Diversifies power supply; helps stabilize prices

United States Annual AverageWind Power

Wind Power Projectsin the United States

Wind Power Basics

Development• Land owner and developer hook up• Meteorological tower installed and at least one

year of data gathered• Control of land acquired, usually through leases

Wind Power Basics

Design – a typical wind project includes:• Towers and turbines (1.5 to 2.5 MW)• Collection system• Transmission to grid; interconnection; substation• Access roads• Laydown areas

Wind Power Permitting in Oregon

Energy Facility Siting Council is the decision maker in siting wind projects

They have “super-siting” authority; truly a one-stop permit shop

Coordinate closely with other state agencies and ensure compliance with all agency rules and statutes

Site certificate required for projects more than35 MW

Wind Power Permitting in Oregon

• Process begins with a Notice of Intent and Project Order

• Then an Application for Site Certificate (ASC) is prepared, demonstrating compliance with rules (more later)

• Council conducts hearings and renders decision, usually a Site Certificate, with conditions

• Process takes approximately one year

Wind Power Permitting in Oregon

Application must contain information on:• Scenic resources• Fish and Wildlife• Cultural resources• Noise• Recreation• Wetlands• Land use (farmland)• Geology/seismic, structural, applicant’s

expertise, soil, facility retirement, etc.

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power

Scenic• Gorge National Scenic Area• Key viewing areas• Wild and Scenic Rivers• Resources identified in local and federal plans

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power

Fish and Wildlife• Raptors• Washington ground squirrels• Rare and sensitive species• Limited habitat (native

grasslands and steppe)• Mitigation required

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power

Cultural resources• Prehistoric• Historic – Oregon Trail, old homesteads,

schools, cemeteries• Coordination with Tribes and SHPO

Noise• No more than 10dBa increase without a waiver• No more than 50dBa

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power

Recreation• Impacts typically minimal

Wetlands• Impacts typically minimal

Land Use• Goal 3 Exception required if more than 20 acres

of farmland will be removed from production

Questions?

More info

• www.awea.org

• http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/