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The ‘Golden’ Rush A Western Saga

The ‘Golden’ Rush A Western Saga. Presentation Overview. Solar Technology Overview How We Got Here Overview of BLM The Players Some Issues Impression of BLM and NEPA Conclusion. Solar Technology: Photovoltaic (PV).

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The ‘Golden’ Rush A Western Saga

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  1. The ‘Golden’ RushA Western Saga

  2. Presentation Overview • Solar Technology Overview • How We Got Here • Overview of BLM • The Players • Some Issues • Impression of BLM and NEPA • Conclusion

  3. Solar Technology: Photovoltaic (PV) Utility-scale solar photovoltaic technologies convert energy from sunlight directly into electricity, using large arrays of solar panels. • Three Kinds of Technology: • Single or Poly-Crystalline • Thin Film • Concentrating PV • Use lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto high-efficiency silicon solar cells • Can be fixed, single, or dual axis DOE, 2010 http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/docs/NREL_PV_2.pdf

  4. Solar Technology: Concentrated Solar Parabolic Troughs How troughs work: Solar radiation is concentrated onto an absorber tube situated on the focal line of the trough. The trough is rotated east-west to track the sun. The receiver contains a fluid that is heated by the sun and used to operate a steam turbine to generate electricity. Solar Millennium, 2010

  5. Solar Technology: Concentrated Solar Power Tower Heliostats/reflecting mirrors redirect sunlight to the power. A heat transfer fluid (HTF) is heated as it passes through the receiver and then circulated through a series of heat exchangers to generate high pressure superheated steam. The steam powers a turbine/generator, which produces electricity. DOE, 2010 http://solareis.anl.gov/guide/photos/index.cfm

  6. Solar Technology: Concentrated Solar Dish Dish shaped mirrors “sun catchers” which track the sun and focus solar heat onto a power conversion unit (PCU) Heat piston engine converts the absorbed heat energy into electricity DOE, 2010 http://solareis.anl.gov/guide/photos/index.cfm

  7. How We Got Here • National • President Obama’s New Energy for America Plan • By 2010, 10% of U.S. electricity generated from Renewables • By 2025, 25% • Plan calls for rapid development of renewable energy, especially on America’s public lands.

  8. How We Got Here • Secretarial Order 3285, March 2009 • Make production, development and delivery of renewable energy one of the Department’s highest priorities Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar

  9. How We Got Here • The Money • American Recovery & Reinvestment Act passed February, 2009. • Economic stimulus funding to qualified renewable projects that begin construction by December 2010. • Recently revised guidance clarifies that off-site work may be taken into account.

  10. How We Got Here • State • SB 107, September 2006 • By 2010, 20% of electricity sold in CA from Renewable • EO S-14-08, November 2008 • By 2020, 33% • Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT) • “One-Stop" process • MOU with CEC, CDFG, BLM, USFWS • Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) • Identify transmission projects • Facilitate transmission corridor designation, generation siting and permitting.

  11. BLM Overview • California Desert District • Over 50 Solar Applications • To Meet Expedited Schedules (October 2009) • Renewable Energy Coordination Office (RECO) formed to expedite the leasing and production of renewable energy resources on public lands in the West. • Renewable Energy Coordination Office Program Lead Appointed

  12. Setting the Stage • BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office • Small Field Office • Primarily deals with • Fire • Grazing • Recreation • Wildlife • Wild Horses & Burros • Abandoned Mine Lands • Planning

  13. Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office Current Applications • Thermal (BLM & CEC Joint Process) • NextEra: Genesis – 250 MW • Solar Millennium/Chevron: Palen – 484 MW • Solar Millennium/Chevron: Blythe – 968 MW • Solar Reserve: Rice Airfield – 150 MW • EnXco: McCoy – 300 MW • NextEra: McCoy – 250 MW • Photovoltaic(BLM Process) • First Solar: Desert Sunlight – 550 MW • Sun Peak Solar: Chuckwalla – 200 MW • EnXco: Eagle Mountain – 100 MW • Bullfrog: Mule Mountain & Maria Vista – 500 MW • EnXco: McCoy – 300 MW • NextEra: Quartzite – 600 MW Identified as Department of Interior Fast Tract Projects

  14. Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office Current Applications BLM, 2010 http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/palmsprings/general_-_pssc.Par.42118.File.dat/Solar%20Energy%20Applications.pdf

  15. The Wagon…Unattached to the Horse • Solar PEIS • 24 Solar Energy Study Areas • Four in California, covering 351,000 acres.

  16. The Players • The Lessor • BLM • The New Era of 49ers • Solar Developers • Other Parties • CEC (Solar Thermal), CPUC • DOE, ACOE, USFWS • CDFG, RWQCB • Native American Tribes • Environmental Groups

  17. Some Issues SCE All projects need a gen-tie to a substation Where will it be? USFWS, CDFG, RWQCB, SHPO, Native American Tribes, Etc. All projects have the potential to impacts sensitive resources, habitat, etc. What is the approach for project mitigation? CEC, CPUC Solar Thermal, transmission and/or substations require permits from other agencies

  18. Impression of BLM and NEPA • Working hard to meet the Fast Track schedules without sacrificing the process. • Community Outreach • Agency Coordination • Tribal Coordination • Coordination with Anyone Interested

  19. Impression of BLM and NEPA • Focus on consistency between Projects • Approach to Analysis • Mitigation Approaches • Cumulative Effects • MOUs out to Wazoo • With CA, CEC, USFWS, CDFG, CPUC, etc.

  20. Conclusion • It is an Amazing Time to be Involved in Energy and Environmental Compliance

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