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)

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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)

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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.”

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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;

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• “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 . . .

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Interconnecting Generation Sources

to the Grid

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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

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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

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Interconnection Studies • New Generation Proponents are

responsible for conducting– Feasibility Study

– System Impact Study

–Facilities Study

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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

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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

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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

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THANK YOU

Paul Roberti, Commissioner

Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission

89 Jefferson Blvd.

Warwick, Rhode Island 02888

Tel: (401) 780-2101

Email: proberti@puc.state.ri.us

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