Planning for Renewable Energy. Tammy Seale, Principal PMC November 19, 2014

Transcription

1 Planning for Renewable Energy Tammy Seale, Principal PMC November 19, 2014

2 Overview 1. Introduction 2. Regulatory Framework 3. Local RE Planning 4. Examples 5. Resources

3 Introduction Planning for renewable energy (RE)

4 Renewable Energy Sources can be sustained indefinitely Naturally occurring Resources Solar Wind Ocean Biomass Geothermal Hydropower*

5 Why Energy production and consumption are inextricably linked with the physical development of the land. General Plan Guidelines, Office of Planning and Research (2003) The basics of energy how it is generated, how it is used, and how much it costs may change dramatically in the not-so-distant future. Professional planners, by definition, need to be at the forefront of local and regional responses to changing energy and climate issues. Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the American Planning Association (2014)

6 Potential Benefits of RE Stimulates economy Reduces greenhouse gas emissions Bolsters resiliency to climate change Reduces electricity costs to homeowners and businesses Reduced impact to environment compared to traditional non-re facilities Promotes energy security

7 Motivators Increased incentives for large and small scale RE Grants, Loans, Rebates, Tax Credits Regulatory changes Remove barriers to entry Mandate RE portfolios Expand options (i.e. Community Choice Aggregation) Increased funds & programs Uncertainty about future of non RE sources and costs

8 President s Climate Action Plan Energy targets Source: President Obama s Plan to Fight Climate Change (2013).

9 State Renewable Energy Framework CA EPA Air Resources Board CA Independent System Operator Governor California Public Utilities Commission California Energy Commission Legislature Solar Rights Act Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) Renewables Portfolio Standard Title 24/CalGreen Energy Action Plan CA Solar Initiative Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan Demand Response Permitting* Research/Emerging Technology Smart Grid RE Transmission Initiative Bioenergy Action Plan Clean Energy Jobs Plan Grants, Rebates, Loans Rates and access

10 Renewables Portfolio Standard 33% of electricity from eligible renewable sources by 2020 (SB 2-1X) INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES PROGRESS TOWARDS 33% RENEWABLES Source: California Public Utilities Commission (2014) Quarter 4 Renewables Portfolio Standard Quarterly Report.

11 Electrification of Transportation ZEV Executive Order: 1 million ZEVs by 2020 ZEVs at 15% of all annual vehicle sales in ZEV FORECASTS & REGULATIONS Source: California Energy Commission (2013). Integrated Energy Policy Report.

12 Federal and State Partnerships Source: DRECP Source: Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (2014). Draft DRECP Presentation.

13 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Streamline renewable energy and protect resources 22.5 million acres 7 counties Source: DRECP

14 Local planning process

15 Planning tools 1. GENERAL PLANS 2. CLIMATE ACTION PLANS 3. OTHER PLANS 4. PROGRAMS & CODE UPDATES Stand-alone elements Integrated policies Strategic plan for energy and other sectors Energy or energy efficiency plans Zoning designation overlay Code and permit procedures

16 Local RE Framework Considerations for General Plan and Code Updates Identify Approach to Integrating General Plan Zoning Code Other Identify Stakeholders Community Industry Resource Agencies Design an engagement process Decide your level of engagement Use techniques and tools that work for your stakeholders Source: US Department of Energy

17 Local RE Framework Considerations for Project Applicants/ RE Developers Where is RE an allowed use? Are RE resources available where RE is allowed? What permits are required? What is the process for interdepartmental review and coordination? What type of environmental review is required? How long will permitting take? Who ultimately approves the permit? How many conditions will be applied? How much will it cost? How long will inspections and monitoring take? How long can I operate? Source: US Department of Energy

18 Local RE Framework Considerations for Definitions Type Size Use Solar, Wind, Biomass, Storage, other Acreage Production (MW) Distributed Generation Commercial/Utility Onsite only Onsite/offsite Offsite Source: US Department of Energy

19 Local RE Framework General Plan Framework: Vision Goals Policies Implementation Programs Two primary approaches Stand Alone Renewable Energy or Energy Element Integration of renewable energy into existing General Plan elements Land Use Conservation Safety Circulation Source: US Department of Energy

20 Local RE Framework Considerations for General Plan and Code Updates Prepare Community Energy Profile Existing and Future Demand Energy Efficiency Existing RE Conduct gap assessment/audit Relationship of RE to existing vision and goals Existing permitting process Assess suitability for RE RE Resources Existing/Planning Infrastructure Existing natural resources Source: Denis Schroeder/US Department of Energy (NREL)

21 Planning tool examples Energy at the community scale Source: San Luis Obispo County (2014).

22 Local RE Framework Considerations for General Plan and Code Updates Location Private lands Public lands Developed or disturbed lands Brownfields Rooftops Parking Lots Proximity to transmission infrastructure Zoning designation Source: US Department of Energy

23 Location and distribution Rural vs. urban

24 Local RE Framework Considerations for General Plan and Code Updates Environmental Compatibility Impact to listed plants, animals, habitats, and migration corridors Water use Dust Control Ground disturbance Cultural Resources Open space and public lands Source: US Department of Energy

25 Intensity and scale Distributed vs. Utility-Scale

26 Local RE Framework Considerations for General Plan and Code Updates Community Compatibility Viewsheds Glare & Lighting Proximity to established uses Consistency with community plans and character Short vs long term economic contribution Impact to services and infrastructure Tourism Source: David Hicks/US Department of Energy (NREL 19881)

27 Local RE Framework Considerations for Code Updates Definitions Zoning Designations Maps Siting Criteria Permit Requirements Performance Standards Conditions and Mitigations Easement Internal and External Coordination Source: Dennis Schroeder/US Department of Energy (NREL)

28 Streamlining for renewable energy San Luis Obispo County Source: US Department of Energy and Sandia National Laboratory

29 Planning process example San Luis Obispo County General Plan: Conservation and Open Space Element EnergyWise Plan (County CAP) Renewable Energy Streamlining Program

30 San Luis Obispo County Renewable Energy Streamlining Program Key project outcomes: Updates to the Land Use Ordinance (LUO, Title 22) Creation of a renewable energy combining designation Preparation of an environmental impact report Other supportive updates to the LUO and General Plan Source: San Luis Obispo County (2014).

31 San Luis Obispo County Renewable Energy Streamlining Program: Opportunities and Constraints Technical Study Aesthetics Resources Areas Likely to Streamline Renewable Energy Land Use Agriculture Resources Biological Resources Source: San Luis Obispo County (2014).

32 Renewable energy development opportunity areas Source: San Luis Obispo County (2014).

33 Stakeholder input Desire for flexibility and certainty 1 stakeholder roundtable 17 stakeholder interviews Recognition of opportunity for smaller, urban, distributed generation projects Source: Dennis Schroeder/US Department of Energy (NREL 22158) and Bill Eager/US Department of Energy (NREL)

34 Proposed Renewable Energy Combining Designation Outcome: up to 1,500 acres distributed generation solar PV with ministerial permit approval Source: San Luis Obispo County (2014).

35 Expanding the policy framework San Bernardino County Source: Sandia National Laboratory, Tom Stoffel/US Department of Energy (NREL 15561), and Dennis Schroder/US Department of Energy (NREL 30774)

36 Renewable Energy Context San Bernardino County Home to majority of the state s utilityscale solar energy facilities 919 MW supplying power to the grid within San Bernardino County General Plan goals and Countywide Vision Goal: Move the County s regulatory system into a new era of strategic renewable energy and conservation productivity.

37 Project Outcomes Draft Renewable Energy and Conservation Element (REGPE) CEQA Review Code Recommendations Collaborative, Transparent Engagement SPARCForum.org

38 Systems Approach Productivity Production and performance Technology type and location Size, scale, and design of facilities Consumption Demand and use Access and economic benefits Innovation Distribution Conservation Preserve biological resources, open space, and recreation Protect aesthetics and residential communities

39 Renewable Energy Framework Issues Supply Location Technology Type Economy Equity Independence and Resilience Resource Conservation

40 Local Examples Where are local governments requiring distributed generation? City of Lancaster Requires solar PV panels on all new single-family houses City of Sebastopol Requires solar energy facilities on all new buildings and major additions Source: Dennis Schroeder/US Department of Energy (NREL 31255)

41 Tools Source: Kent Bullard/US Department of Energy (NREL)

42 Resources Integrating Solar PV and Distributed Renewable Energy Policies and Programs into California City and County General Plans Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (September 2014). 4.pdf. California Solar Permitting Guidebook Governor s Office of Planning and Research (June 2012, First Edition). (Second addition forthcoming) Planning for Solar Energy (PAS 575). Promoting Energy Use Through Local Policy and Action APA Planning Advisory Service (2014). Solar Energy Facility Permit Streamlining Guide California County Planning Directors Association (2012). Energy Aware Planning Guide California Energy Commission, Commission Report (2011).

43 Resources Desert conservation planning Local energy and land use resources Utility reports on community-wide energy use Source: US Department of Energy

44 Thank you Tammy Seale PMC