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Announcements and Notices
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| Meetings of the Siting Council |
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NEXT MEETING
June 29, 2012
Location and time, TBA
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Materials
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| Council Rulemaking |
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At its meeting on May 11, 2012, the Council adopted amendments to Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 345, Divisions 1, 11, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27. The amended rules were filed and became effective on May 15, 2012. The Council rules are available from this link.
In addition, the Council requested that staff address further rulemaking for discussion at a future Council meeting, focusing on the definition of solar energy facilities, financial assurance requirements for energy facilities, and the site certificate amendment process.
Background
A Rule Review Matrix was presented to the Council in October 2011 and an addendum was prepared in December 2011. The matrix and the addendum describe proposed rule amendments later adopted by the Council on May 11 and other amendments that the Council may address in a future rulemaking process.
The Oregon Department of Energy hosted a workshop on January 13, 2012, to hear public comment on proposed changes to the Energy Facility Siting Council rules. In response to the workshop and comments received to date, the department prepared draft redline versions of the Council rules, showing the proposed amendments under consideration.
The Council held a public hearing on April 25, 2012 and accepted written comment on the proposed amendments until the close of the hearing. An additional opportunity for oral comment was provided at the Council meeting on May 11.
Council staff recommended that the Council adopt the rule amendments, with the changes discussed in the Hearing Officer’s Report and as further discussed at the May 11 meeting. |
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| Golden Hills Wind - Request for Amendment |
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The Oregon Department of Energy has issued a Proposed Order on a Request for Amendment No. 1 to Golden Hills Wind Project Site Certificate, requesting an amendment for a construction deadline extension.
Information on the Golden Hills Wind Project and this Request for Amendment can be found at http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/GHW.shtml. |
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| Rock Creek Wind Power Facility - Notice of Intent |
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On August 23, 2010, Rock Creek Wind Power LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of RES America Developments, Inc.) submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply for a site certificate for the proposed Rock Creek Wind Power Facility. The Department has issued a Project Order for the facility.
Public Notice on the NOI [91 kb pdf]
Notice of Intent [4.4 MB pdf]
Figure G1 (vicinity map) [345 kb pdf]
Figure G2 (preliminary facility layout) [857 kb pdf]
Project Order [188 kb pdf]
The NOI is available from the link listed above. Full copies of the NOI will be available for public inspection at the Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion St. NE in Salem; at the Gilliam County Library, 310 South Main in Condon; at the Arlington Public Library, 500 West First Street in Arlington; at the Boardman Library, 200 S. Main in Boardman; and at the Department’s Hermiston Field Office, 395 E. Highland Avenue in Hermiston (please call for an appointment, 541-567-3840).
The Proposed Facility
The proposed Rock Creek Wind Power Facility (RCWPF) would have a peak generating capacity of up to 550 megawatts. The applicant has not selected a turbine type, but the applicant is considering turbines ranging from 1.8-MW to 3.0-MW each. The RCWPF would consist of 183 to 305 wind turbines. Other facility components include two substations, an operations and maintenance facility, up to 3 meteorological towers, access roads, and aboveground and underground transmission lines. The proposed facility site is entirely on private lands located in Gilliam County approximately 3.5 miles north of Condon. The turbine micrositing area would lie approximately 17 miles south of Arlington. The NOI contains a more detailed description of the proposed facility.
The applicant intends to connect the RCWPF to the regional transmission system either through a proposed Bonneville Power Administration substation (the Diamond Butte Substation) adjacent to the existing 500-kV Slatt-Buckley transmission line or through a proposed Portland General Electric (PGE) substation (the Cedar Springs substation) adjacent to the proposed 500-kV Cascade Crossing transmission line. PGE has submitted a Notice of Intent to apply for a site certificate for the proposed Cascade Crossing transmission line. An aboveground 230-kV transmission line would connect the RCWPF substations to the selected interconnection site.
The Department held an informational meeting on the NOI on October 6, 2010, in Condon. At the meeting, the Department explained the site certificate review process and opportunities for public participation and answered questions about the process. The applicant described the proposed facility and answered questions about the facility.
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions about the proposed facility or the Council's permitting process, contact John White by e-mail (click this link) or by mail to: Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion Street NE, Salem Oregon 97301-3737, Telephone: 503-378-3194 or (800) 221-8035, extension 295 (toll-free in Oregon); Fax: (503) 373-7806. |
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| Saddle Butte Wind Park - Notice of Intent |
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On August 7, 2009, Saddle Butte Wind LLC submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply for a site certificate for the proposed Saddle Butte Wind Park. The applicant plans to submit a preliminary application in early 2012.
At a meeting on June 24, 2011, the Siting Council approved an extension of the NOI expiration for one year. The NOI will expire on August 7, 2012.
Order Granting an Extension of the Notice of Intent [63 kb pdf]
Notice of Intent
Notice of Intent, August 2009
(the main content is available for download from the following links)
Exhibits A - D [97 kb pdf]
Exhibits I - O [193 kb pdf]
Exhibit G, page G-2, site map [450 kb pdf]
Exhibit G, page G-4, study areas [522 kb pdf]
Exhibit G, page G-7, land capability map [325 kb pdf]
The main content of the NOI is available from the links listed above. Full copies of the NOI are available for public inspection at the Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion St. NE, Salem, Oregon, at the Gilliam County Library, 310 S. Main in Condon, at the Arlington Public Library, 500 W. First Street in Arlington and at the Boardman Library, 200 S. Main in Boardman.
The Proposed Facility
The proposed Saddle Butte Wind Park would be a wind energy facility consisting of up to 171 wind turbines and related facility components (including a substation, a field workshop, meteorological towers, access roads, and aboveground and underground transmission lines). The facility would have a peak generating capacity of up to 565 megawatts. The proposed facility site is entirely on private lands located in Morrow County and Gilliam County approximately 20 miles south of the Columbia River between Eightmile Canyon and State Highway 74. The NOI contains a more detailed description of the proposed facility.
The applicant intends to connect the facility to the regional transmission system through a Bonneville Power Administration substation adjacent to the Slatt Switching Station. The applicant has proposed a single transmission corridor running approximately 19 miles to the BPA Slatt interconnection facility. In the NOI, the applicant explains that alternate corridors are not proposed because the described corridor is the shortest route and reduces impacts by sharing transmission structures previously approved for the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm. In the site certificate application, the applicant may propose adjustments to the corridor.
Project Order
The Department has issued an amended project order for the proposed Saddle Butte Wind Park. The project order contains instructions to the applicant regarding the information to include in the site certificate application. The project order describes applicable statutes, administrative rules, related permits and approvals and local government ordinances as well as applicable requirements from OAR Chapter 345, Division 21. The Project Order summarizes public and reviewing agency comments on the applicant's Notice of Intent. First Amended Project Order, July 2011 [1.5 MB pdf]
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions about the proposed facility or the Council's permitting process, contact John White by e-mail (click this link) or by mail to: Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion Street NE, Salem Oregon 97301-3737, Telephone: 503-378-3194 or (800) 221-8035, extension 295 (toll-free in Oregon); Fax: (503) 373-7806. |
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| Antelope Ridge Wind Farm - Application |
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The Oregon Department of Energy (the Department) has received an Application for Site Certificate from Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project LLC (applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of EDP Renewables North America, LLC (EDP Renewables, formerly known as Horizon Wind Energy). The applicant is proposing to construct and operate a wind-powered electric generating facility near Union, Oregon called the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm. According to Oregon law, EDP Renewables must obtain approval (a Site Certificate) from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (the Council) before building and operating the facility. The Department deemed the application complete and filed on Dec. 30, 2010. From June through November 2011, the applicant was engaged in a mediation process with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to resolve issues concerning mitigation of the proposed facility’s potential impacts on fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, and wildlife habitat. On Nov. 10, 2011 the applicant and ODFW submitted a revised habitat mitigation plan and a wildlife monitoring and mitigation for consideration by the Energy Facility Siting Council. On Feb. 1, 2012, EDP Renewables notified the Department and the Council that it was waiving the one-year decision requirement of ORS 469.370(9)(d) so that the applicant could complete baseline wildlife studies and incorporate the information into its Application for Site Certificate. On Feb. 10, 2012, the Department responded to the EDP Renewables letter and acknowledged the applicant’s waiver of the statutory review timeline. However, the Department retains the authority to publish the Antelope Ridge Draft Proposed Order before the studies are completed and the reports submitted.
Where is the proposed facility located?
The proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm would be located about 10 miles southeast of La Grande on private and state land in Union County in eastern Oregon, in the area of Craig Mountain between Highway 237 and Interstate 84. A map showing the location can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/review.shtml
Description of the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm
Antelope Ridge would include up to 164 wind turbines and have a nominal generating capacity of about 300 megawatts (MW). The applicant proposes to use turbines in the range of 1.5 MW to 3.0 MW of generating capacity. Overall turbine tip heights would range from 328 to 475 feet tall. In addition to the wind turbines, the facility would include access roads, foundations, underground and overhead electrical collection systems, meteorological towers, and an operations and maintenance building. The facility would also include a communication system, power collection system, and a substation.
A transmission line will interconnect the facility with the electrical grid. The line would be an overhead 230 kV (kilovolt) line, on poles ranging from 80-120 feet tall. The applicant has identified three possible connections to the regional electrical grid: an existing Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) substation in La Grande, the Ladd Canyon substation operated by Idaho Power Company (IPCO) (adjacent to the BPA substation), and/or a connection through IPCO’s North Powder substation. The applicant has identified two potential transmission corridors, the Northern Alignment (about 13 miles long) and the Southern Alignment (about 8 miles).
Application Review Process
The Council's Site Certificate process is a consolidated permitting process that includes the review of applicable regulations of other state agencies. The Department serves as staff to the Council and conducts the application process for site certificates.
The proposed facility must meet Council standards and must comply with statewide land use planning goals. The Council will review the application for compliance with Union County land use ordinances. If the facility does not comply with local ordinances or with the applicable statewide planning goals, the Council may allow an exception. The proposed Antelope Ridge facility is located in an area zoned for agricultural and forest use. The facility must not cause significant interference with accepted farm practices on surrounding farmland.
What happens next?
The Department will review the application and comments from the public, state agencies, tribes, local governments and others interested in the project. After the close of the comment period on the application, the Department begins preparation of its recommendations to the Council in the form of a Draft Proposed Order. The Draft Proposed Order will include the Department's proposed findings and recommendations to the Council. If the Department recommends that the Council issue a site certificate, the Draft Proposed Order will include recommended site certificate conditions. In a letter dated Feb. 1, 2012, the applicant waived the statutory review times and requested that the issuance of the Draft Proposed Order be delayed until the results of ongoing wildlife studies could be compiled and considered in the Draft Proposed Order. Although the Department acknowledged the applicant’s request, the Department retains the authority to publish the Draft Proposed Order.
The final opportunity for public comment will be announced when the Department issues the Draft Proposed Order.
The Department will open a public comment period and conduct a public hearing on the Draft Proposed Order. You must provide oral or written comment on the Draft Proposed Order if you want to preserve your right to participate in the contested case proceeding. The Department's website describes the Council's site certificate review and approval process in detail. The website also describes the standards the applicant must meet to obtain a Site Certificate. Please see the Department's website at www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/process.shtml.
How do I get more information and review related documents?
You can review and download documents about the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm, on the Department's website at http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/review.shtml or at the Department's Salem or Hermiston offices (please call ahead for an appointment). The applicant has posted the entire application at http://www.horizonwindfarms.com/western-region/under-dev/antelope-ridge.htm.
The Department has also sent a copy of the application to the locations listed below. Please call the library or check the websites for operating hours:
Union Carnegie Public Library
185 N. Main Street
Union, Oregon 97883
541-562-5811
Web site
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F. Maxine and Thomas W. Cook Memorial Library
2006 Fourth Street
La Grande, OR 97850
541-962-1339
Web site
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Department of Energy Project Contact
The Department's Project Officer listed below can assist you with information about the Site Certificate process and the proposed facility. The Project Officer can also accept your written comments about the proposed facility.
Sue Oliver, Energy Facility Siting Officer
395 E. Highland Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838
Phone: 541-567-3840 (Ext. 225)
Fax: 541-567-6861
Toll-free in Oregon: 1-800-221-8035
E-mail: Sue.Oliver@odoe.state.or.us
How do I submit my comments?
You can submit your comments by writing, faxing, or e-mailing the Department’s Project Officer listed above. |
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| Baseline Wind Energy Facility - Application |
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On December 22, 2011, Baseline Wind LLC submitted a preliminary application for a site certificate for the proposed Baseline Wind Energy Facility. The Department is reviewing the preliminary application.
Full copies of the preliminary application will be available for public inspection at the Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion St. NE in Salem; at the Gilliam County Library, 310 South Main in Condon; at the Arlington Public Library, 500 West First Street in Arlington; at the Boardman Library, 200 S. Main in Boardman; and at the Department’s Hermiston Field Office, 395 E. Highland Avenue in Hermiston (please call for an appointment, 541-567-3840).
The Proposed Facility
The proposed Baseline Wind Energy Facility (BWEF) would have a peak generating capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW) and an average generating capacity of up to approximately 167 MW. The applicant requests flexibility in the site certificate so that the certificate holder may select the turbine type, generating capacity per turbine and final facility layout after a site certificate has been issued but prior to construction. Depending on the turbine type, the facility would contain approximately 166 to 219 wind turbines.
Other facility components include up to three collector substations, an operations and maintenance building, up to seven permanent meteorological towers, and approximately 57 miles of new access roads. Turbines would be connected to the collector substation by aboveground and underground 34.5-kV collector lines. An aboveground 230-kV transmission line (generator lead line), approximately 22.5 miles in length, would connect the BWEF to regional transmission facilities. The applicant requests flexibility in the site certificate to connect the BWEF to either of two new substations: the proposed Bonneville Power Administration Diamond Butte Substation or the proposed Portland General Electric Cedar Spring Substation.
The proposed facility site is entirely on private lands located in Gilliam County’s Exclusive Farm Use Zone, approximately 7 miles south of Arlington. The area within the proposed site boundary encompasses approximately 36,351 acres, although not more than 234 acres would be permanently occupied by facility components. As shown in the preliminary application, the BWEF site boundary overlaps portions of the already-permitted site of the Montague Wind Power Facility (MWPF). The applicant and the MWPF certificate holder are discussing possible site boundary adjustments between the two projects to reduce the roads, collector lines, transmission lines and other infrastructure for each facility.
The preliminary application contains a more detailed description of the proposed BWEF and its potential impacts.
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions about the proposed facility or the Council's permitting process, contact John White by e-mail (click this link) or by mail to: Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion Street NE, Salem Oregon 97301-3737, Telephone: 503-378-3194 or (800) 221-8035, extension 295 (toll-free in Oregon); Fax: (503) 373-7806. |
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| Carty Generating Station - Application |
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Portland General Electric Company has applied for an energy facility site certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council for the proposed Carty Generating Station. The Oregon Department of Energy deemed the application complete and filed on May 10, 2011.
On March 13, 2012, ODOE issued a Draft Proposed Order recommending that the Siting Council issue a site certificate for the Carty Generating Station, subject to the conditions included in the order. The Draft Proposed Order contains a description of the proposed facility and describes the potential impacts of construction and operation. The DPO also includes recommended Siting Council findings regarding compliance with Oregon energy facility siting standards, and recommended site certificate conditions. ODOE has scheduled a public hearing on April 5, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at the Port of Morrow in Boardman.
Information on the Carty Generating Station project can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/review.shtml#Carty_Generating_Station.
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| Klamath Falls Bioenergy Facility - Application |
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On January 9, 2012, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) issued a Draft Proposed Order (DPO) recommending that the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) issue a site certificate for the Klamath Falls Bioenergy Facility, subject to the conditions included in the order. ODOE has scheduled a public hearing on the DPO on January 31, 2012 at 6:00 pm in Klamath Falls.
Information on the Klamath Falls Bioenergy Facility and the Draft Proposed Order can be found at http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/review.shtml#Klamath_Falls_Bioenergy.
To see a copy of the Application for Site Certificate
Click here to see a list of the various ASC exhibits that you can download or print. Printed copies of the ASC are available for public review at the ODOE offices in Salem and Hermiston, Oregon and at the Klamath County Library (please call or check websites for operating hours):
Klamath County Library
126 South 3rd Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-882-8891
Web: http://www.klamathlibrary.plinkit.org/
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Oregon Department of Energy
395 E. Highland Ave.
Hermiston, OR 97838
Phone: 541-567-3840
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ODOE Project Officer for the Klamath Falls Bioenergy Facility:
Duane Kilsdonk
Energy Facility Siting Officer
Oregon Department of Energy
395 E. Highland Ave.
Hermiston, OR 97838
Phone: 541-567-3840
Toll free (Oregon only): 1-800-221-8035
Fax: 541-567-6861
duane.kilsdonk@odoe.state.or.us |
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| Helix Wind Power Facility - Amendment |
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The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has issued a proposed order recommending that the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) approve the request by Helix Wind Power Facility LLC (HW) for an amendment of the site certificate for the Helix Wind Power Facility (Amendment #2).
Approval of the Request for Amendment #2 would extend the deadline for beginning construction to August 5, 2014, and would extend the deadline for completing construction to August 5, 2017.
- Request for Amendment #2 (main text) [1 MB pdf]
- Exhibit A-1 (property owners) - Confidential
- Exhibit A-2 (residences) - Confidential
Copies of the proposed order and the amendment request will be available for public inspection at the Oregon Department of Energy (625 Marion St. NE, Salem), Pendleton Public Library (502 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton), Umatilla Public Library (911 7th St., Umatilla), Helix Library (119 Columbia Street, Helix) and Milton-Freewater Public Library (8 SW 8th Ave., Milton-Freewater). The document will also be available at ODOE’s Hermiston Office, 395 E. Highland Ave., Hermiston (please call for an appointment, 541-567-3840).
Deadline for Comments
ODOE is accepting public comments on the proposed order. Please submit your comments in writing by mail, fax or email. We must receive your comments no later than June 15, 2012. Please address comments to John White (see contact information below).
Public Notice on the Helix Wind Power Facility
In addition, EFSC will conduct a listening session at its next meeting for anyone who wishes to address EFSC members in person regarding the proposed amendment.
Listening Session
Thursday, May 10, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Oxford Suites
1050 N. First Street
Hermiston, OR 97838
To Request a Contested Case
Any person who disagrees with the proposed order may request a contested case proceeding. EFSC will consider the request under OAR 345-027-0070(7) and decide whether any issue identified in the request justifies a contested case proceeding.
As required under OAR 345-027-0070(6), a request for a contested case must be in writing and must include a description of the issues to be contested, a statement of the facts believed to be at issue and the requesting person's mailing address. A contested case is not automatic. EFSC will allow a contested case only if the request raises a significant issue of fact or law that may affect EFSC’s determination that the facility, with the change proposed by the amendment, meets an applicable standard.
To assist EFSC in making this decision, please use the Contested Case Request Form when submitting a request for a contested case proceeding. Please use a separate form for each issue that you want EFSC to consider.
Please submit requests for a contested case proceeding to John White, Oregon Department of Energy, at the address shown below.
To be considered, a request for a contested case proceeding must be received by ODOE no later than 5:00 PM on June 15, 2012.
EFSC Decision Process
If there are any requests for a contested case proceeding, EFSC will first decide whether any issue identified in a request justifies a contested case proceeding. EFSC may decide whether to approve the amendment request without a contested case proceeding. If EFSC conducts a contested case proceeding, EFSC will decide whether to approve the amendment request when the contested case proceeding is concluded.
EFSC will make all of its decisions at public meetings. ODOE will provide reasonable public notice of the dates, times and locations of all EFSC meetings.
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions about the facility or the Siting Council's permitting process, contact John White by e-mail (click this link) or by mail to: Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion Street NE, Salem Oregon 97301-3737, Telephone: 503-378-3194 or (800) 221-8035, extension 295 (toll-free in Oregon); Fax: (503) 373-7806. |
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| Klamath Generation Facility - Amendment |
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Klamath Generation LLC (KG) has submitted a request for an amendment of the site certificate for the Klamath Generation Facility (Amendment #3). The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (Siting Council) issued a site certificate for the Klamath Generation Facility (KGF) in September 2005. The deadlines for beginning and completing construction have been extended by amendments in 2007 and 2009. The facility has not been built. The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is reviewing the amendment request.
Request for Amendment #3 (main text) [444 kb pdf]
Attachment 1 (figures) [3.7 MB pdf]
Attachment 2 (redline site certificate) [186 kb pdf]
Attachment 3 (species inquiry) [45 kb pdf]
Attachment 4 (cultural resource report) (confidential)
Attachment 5 (traffic impact analysis) [608 kb pdf]
Attachment 6 (wetland assessment) [149 kb pdf]
Attachment 7 (property owner list) (confidential)
Amendment #3 would extend the deadline for beginning construction to November 16, 2013, and would extend the deadline for completing construction to November 16, 2016. In addition, the amendment would authorize modification of the design of the facility and expansion of the site boundary.
As currently permitted, the KGF would be a combined-cycle, combustion turbine system fueled by natural gas and would have a nominal electric generating capacity of approximately 500 megawatts. If approved, the amendment would authorize construction and operation of a steam turbine generator system fueled by biomass that would have a nominal electric generating capacity of 35 megawatts. The facility would consume up to 210,000 bone dry tons of woody biomass annually.
The KGF site is next to the existing Klamath Cogeneration Project (KCP) and Klamath Generation Peakers facility (KGP). The amendment would increase the area within the KGF site boundary from approximately 77 acres to approximately 143 acres (including areas of temporary disturbance in addition to the permanent facility footprint).
The electric output of the KGF would be routed through the existing KGP transformer and would interconnect with PacifiCorp’s 500 kV Captain Jack to Meridian transmission line, which loops through the switchyard of the KCP.
The KGF would receive natural gas through a connection with the Pacific Gas & Electric Gas Transmission Bonanza to Medford Lateral pipeline at the northern edge of the project site. The KGF would use natural gas only during startup of the boiler. The facility would include an emergency diesel-fueled generator to provide backup electrical generating capacity.
The proposed facility would obtain potable water through a connection to the city water system in West Klamath. The KGF would discharge wastewater to the Spring Street Wastewater Treatment Plant through an existing pipeline serving the KCP.
The existing access road serving the KCP and KGP would be improved to support increased truck traffic required to supply fuel to the KGF and carry ash offsite. Improvements may include widening the access at Highway 97 and widening Highway 97 to add acceleration/deceleration lanes.
Siting Council Decision Process
After reviewing the proposed amendment and any comments received, ODOE will prepare a proposed order that will recommend to the Siting Council the approval, modification or denial of the amendment request. Upon the release of the proposed order, ODOE will issue a public notice and will announce a 30-day period for comments or requests for a contested case proceeding. The notice will explain the right to request a contested case hearing on the proposed order and will provide further information about the schedule for Siting Council review and decision on the proposed order. At an announced public meeting following the comment period, Siting Council will act on any requests for a contested case proceeding and on the proposed order.
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions about the facility or the Siting Council's permitting process, contact John White by e-mail (click this link) or by mail to: Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion Street NE, Salem Oregon 97301-3737, Telephone: 503-378-3194 or (800) 221-8035, extension 295 (toll-free in Oregon); Fax: (503) 373-7806. |
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| Port Westward Generating Project - Amendment |
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Portland General Electric (PGE) has submitted a request for an amendment of the site certificate for the Port Westward Generating Project (Amendment #8). The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (Siting Council) issued a site certificate for the Port Westward Generating Project in 2002 that authorized construction of two combustion turbine units to be built in two phases. Construction on Unit 1 was completed in July 2007; construction on Unit 2 was deferred. Amendment #8 would extend the deadline for completing construction of Unit 2 to May 8, 2013.
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) issued a Proposed Order on the Request for Amendment #8 on June 9, 2011. The Proposed Order recommends that the Siting Council approve the amendment request, subject to revisions proposed in the order. ODOE is accepting public comment on the Proposed Order until July 9, 2011.
Port Westward Generating Project
The Port Westward Generating Project (PWGP) is a natural gas-fired combustion turbine electric generating plant located at the Port Westward Industrial Area, about 4.5 miles north of Clatskanie, Oregon. The original site certificate for the facility was issued by ODOE in November 2002 and authorized up to 650 megawatts of capacity.
The site certificate authorized construction of two combustion turbine units to be built in two phases. Construction on the first unit began in February 2005 and that unit was declared operational in July 2007. Construction on Unit 2 was deferred.
As originally proposed, Unit 2 was expected to be a base load, natural gas-fired, combustion turbine combined cycle plant. The amended site certificate issued on March 12, 2010 authorizes the certificate holder to change the remaining permitted capacity from a base load to a variable load generating plant. This variable power plant (Unit 2) would be permitted as a non-base load power plant as defined in OAR 345-001-0010 (38). The design for Unit 2 would be either a set of reciprocating engines, or a set of simple-cycle combustion turbines each having nominal capacity of 100 MW, or some combination of reciprocating and combustion turbines totaling 200 MW. The amended site certificate authorized expansion of the energy facility site by 8.5 acres.
Description of the Amendment Request
The amendment request would change Condition F.1 (6) of the Site Certificate to extend the deadline for completing construction from May 8, 2011 to May 8, 2013, a period of 24 months. The amendment request would also change Condition D.13 (2) to change the deadline for a Traffic Improvement Agreement between the Certificate Holder and Columbia County from six months after the date of the Amendment to prior to application for construction permits for the facility. The amendment would not increase the generating capacity of the facility or change the construction footprint. The amendment request describes the proposed changes in greater detail.
Right to Request a Contested Case
Any person who disagrees with any of ODOE’s proposed orders may request a contested case hearing. As required under OAR 345-027-0070 (6), a request for contested case must include: (1) a description of the issues that you contest, (2) a statement of the facts that you believe to be at issue and (3) your mailing address.
A contested case is not automatic. The Siting Council will allow a contested case only if the request raises a significant issue of fact or law that may affect the Siting Council’s determination that the facility, with the changes proposed by the amendment, meets an applicable standard. The Siting Council will allow a contested case only if the request raises a significant issue of fact or law that may affect the Siting Council’s determination that the facility, with the changes proposed by the amendment, meets an applicable standard. The Siting Council will consider the general standards in OAR 345, Division 22 and specific standards in Division 24. The Siting Council standards are described at www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/standards.shtml.
How do I submit my comments?
You can submit your comments by writing, faxing, or emailing ODOE’s Project Officer. You can also submit your comments to ODOE’s Salem office listed below. Written comments on the application may be submitted by mail, fax, or email any time from June 9, 2011 through July 9, 2011. We must receive your comments no later than July 9, 2011.
To see a copy of the Proposed Order on the Request for Amendment #8
Click here to see the Proposed Order. Printed copies are available for public review at the ODOE offices in Salem (please call ahead for an appointment) and at the Clatskanie Public Library (please call or check websites below for library operating hours):
Clatskanie Public Library
11 Lillich Street
Clatskanie, OR 97016
Phone: 503-728-3732
Web: www.clatskanie.com/library.html
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Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-378-5050
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Accessibility Information
ODOE is committed to accommodating people with disabilities. Please notify us of any special physical or language accommodations or if you need information in an alternate format. To make these arrangements, contact Meiko Kristiansen at (503) 378-3895, toll-free in Oregon at (800) 221-8035, fax to (503) 373-7806, TTY 800-735-2900, or e-mail to meiko.kristiansen@odoe.state.or.us.
ODOE Project Officer for the Port Westward Generating Project:
Duane Kilsdonk
Energy Facility Siting Officer
Oregon Department of Energy
395 E. Highland Ave.
Hermiston, OR 97838
Phone: 541-567-3840, ext. 224
Toll free (Oregon only): 1-800-221-8035
Fax: 541-567-6861
duane.kilsdonk@odoe.state.or.us
The Project Officer can assist you with information about the amendment process and the proposed facility. The Project Officer can also accept your written comments about the proposed facility.
The earlier you raise any concerns, the better the opportunity the agency and the applicant have of addressing them. |
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| Steering Committee Studies Oregon Wind Energy Facilities |
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Oregon’s Public Health Division is conducting a Health Impact Asssessment (click link for more information) to examine the potential health impacts, if any, that wind energy facilities may have on Oregon commuities. The Office of Environmental Public Health (OEPH) has completed a series of community listening sessions regarding Oregon wind farms. The listening sessions afforded people living near wind farms an opportunity to share their experiences.
The OEPH formed a steering committee to oversee the study process. The steering committee included representatives from communities near wind energy facilities, local and state agencies and decision makers and renewable energy developers.
The OEPH is working with a broad range of stakeholders to review feedback from those sessions. OEPH will release a draft report for public comment in the fall of 2011. |
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