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