Page 12 - North American Clean Energy November December 2019 Issue

solar energy How to Develop a If the project involves federal grants, loan guarantees, or permits, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) may apply. Many states also have their own environmental review requirements. If authorizations are needed for protected species or jurisdictional waters impacts, other agencies may be involved. Identifying and sequencing relevant permitting channels is essential to meeting project deadlines. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) www.seia.org is an excellent resource for solar market intelligence. 4. Cultivate relationships with governmental agencies. Developing a positive relationship with governmental agencies is invaluable during the permitting process; this includes submitting excellent biological studies, being responsive to agency concerns, demonstrating an understanding of agency processes, and presenting your plan for compliance. Take advantage of opportunities to work directly with agencies to assist in preparing underlying studies, or commenting on drafts of environmental documents. These agencies often have limited resources – supporting them not only creates goodwill, but it allows you to address difficult issues proactively. 5. Anticipate mitigation and prepare a realistic mitigation strategy. A large solar project may generate many mitigation conditions to reduce or compensate for its potential impacts. This can impede development and increase costs. Delays and cost overruns can be minimized when a project developer formulates proposed avoidance and minimization measures, along with a compensatory mitigation package. Create financial models that consider costs such as property endowments and monitoring expenses. This plan will likely evolve, so be prepared for modifications as permitting proceeds. 6. Environmental studies must be thorough and accurate. Regulatory agencies and other stakeholders require comprehensive and accurate environmental studies. Proper sequencing of studies is important to ensure timely permitting. Rigorous environmental studies will also help the developer understand and assess the financial impact of this critical phase. 7. Wetlands and endangered species often impact solar project development. If they are dredged or filled during site construction, wetlands - such as swamps and bogs - are subject to government oversight. Federal Clean Water Act Successful Solar Project Permitting Framework by Rick Haglund LAND IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET IN A RENEWABLE project. It doesn’t matter how much the sun shines - if you don’t have land, you don’t have a project. Likewise, if you can’t secure permitting, your project will fail. Most solar power plants today are located on privately held land. A recently introduced bipartisan bill, the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act (PLREDA) of 2019, aims to promote the development of wind, solar, and geothermal energy, on public lands. Solar energy is a critical component of a comprehensive climate action plan. Solar projects are subject to a vast number of approvals from governmental agencies. Permitting requirements can significantly impact the cost and development time of a project. Understanding the entities that may be involved in the permitting process, and determining the renewable energy commitments made by local governments, will be of tremendous importance in the due diligence phase of any project. Permits for power plants on federal land fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM (in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other state and local agencies) is authorized to issue permits for the development of solar energy projects. Environmental review of a proposed power plant on public land may take three to five years, unless the plant is located on previously distributed land. Federal, state, and local regulators must follow strict review processes and guidelines. Developers must provide detailed project construction plans, environmental studies, and proposals to ensure that environmental impact is minimized. Designing a strategic framework can help developers identify how to navigate the process, what may be involved in granting permits, and learn how to address potential obstacles. The following tactics can help ensure successful solar permitting: 1. Identify and cultivate dialogues with stakeholders. Engage thought leaders and champions of renewable energy projects within the public and private sectors. Collaborate with influential stakeholders such as labor unions, who recognize the economic impact of the project. Interact with potential opponents. Understanding their issues and concerns can be of value in formulating your proposed mitigation strategies. This will also prepare you to answer difficult questions during town hall meetings or press interviews. 2. Assemble an experienced project permitting team. Experienced environmental and engineering consultants are essential. Land use and environmental legal issues such as agricultural land conversion, irrigation district, or public utilities commission approvals, require specialized legal knowledge. An experienced team will ensure that your permitting strategy effectively addresses the concerns of the permitting authority. 3. Prepare an action plan for obtaining permits. Permits from federal, state, and local government agencies may be needed. Each agency may have unique processes, goals, and time frames. Develop a matrix that illustrates the requirements and procedures for each entity. This will ensure that permitting is granted within the critical development phase of the project. 12 NOVEMBER•DECEMBER2019 /// www.nacleanenergy.com