Policy & Regulation DOE eases environmental review requirements for transmission, storage, and solar projects Sean Wolfe 4.25.2024 Share Edwards & Sanborn Solar + Storage Project (Credit: Mortenson) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is simplifying the environmental review process for certain energy storage systems such as battery systems, transmission line upgrades, and solar photovoltaic systems. DOE is amending its list of categories of projects which, because they typically do not have significant environmental impacts, qualify for the simplest form of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DOE said it is taking these steps to reduce the cost and time for environmental analysis incurred by DOE, project developers, and the public for these projects. DOE based the proposed changes on evaluations of the environmental impacts of these types of projects through research, conducting environmental reviews, and engaging with industry, local communities, and other government agencies. DOE said it considered its experience with energy storage, transmission line upgrades, and solar energy projects before simplifying the environmental review process. DOE says the changes will allow it to still look closely at proposed projects, while completing environmental review responsibilities in a “faster and less expensive manner.” Join us at GridTECH Connect California, June 24-26, 2024, in Newport Beach, CA! With some of the most ambitious sustainability and clean energy goals in the country, California is at the cutting edge of the energy transition while confronting its most cumbersome roadblocks. From electric vehicles to battery storage, microgrids, community solar, and everything in between, attendees will collaborate to advance interconnection procedures and policies in California. Transmission DOE argues that upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines can extend their useful life, reduce the need for new power lines, and update the power grid with newer, more efficient, and more resilient technology. DOE’s changes remove existing limitations on the length of existing powerlines that are eligible for the simplest form of NEPA review, give developers the option to relocate within land already allocated to or developed for their power line, and require that upgrades or rebuilds of the line incorporate best practices to protect the local environment. Energy storage The changes DOE is announcing promote the development of storage systems by simplifying the environmental review process for building, operating, upgrading, or decommissioning battery or flywheel energy storage systems within or near areas that have already been developed. Solar DOE’s changes increase the size of solar projects that qualify for the simplest environmental reviews under NEPA. Related Posts How the Inflation Reduction Act is playing out in one of the ‘most biased’ states for renewables Massachusetts Senate approves bill to expand reliance on renewable energy N.C.’s ratepayer advocate: Duke Energy ‘failed’ to consider incentives that would cut costs & enable more clean energy The ‘Wild West’ of hooking up large solar projects in New Hampshire
