Steve Irwin Public Outreach Coordinator

What is the Board’s role? Before any company can build a major utility facility, OPSB assures that it benefits Ohio’s citizens, promotes the state’s economic interests, and protects the environment and land use Issues certificates of environmental compatibility and public need for the construction, operation, and maintenance of each facility Board certificate supersedes local jurisdiction Monitors construction and first two years of operation

Certificate Criteria The probable environmental impact Whether the facility represents the minimum adverse environmental impact, considering available technology and the nature and economics of alternatives The need for any transmission facility The facility’s consistency with regional plans for the expansion of the electric power grid of the electric systems serving Ohio and interconnected systems and that the facility will serve the interest of electric system economy and reliability That the facility will comply with all air and water pollution and solid waste disposal laws and regulations That the facility will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity The facility’s impact on the continued viability of any land in an existing agricultural district The facility incorporates maximum feasible water conservation practices

Board Jurisdiction Generation Facilities 50 Megawatts and greater (natural gas, coal, biofuel)

Board Jurisdiction Generation Facilities Wind Facilities 5 MW and greater (Economically significant clause)

Board Jurisdiction Natural Gas Transmission Intrastate transmission lines

Board Jurisdiction Electric Transmission 125 Kilovolts (kV) or greater

OPSB Public Participation OPSB process emphasizes public input Public Informational Meetings Local public hearings Local residents and organizations may intervene in cases

Outreach State Fair Farm Science Review OFBF Meetings News Releases Social Media

Natural Gas Pipeline Jurisdiction Project TypeSitingSafety Intrastate gas pipeline OPSBPUCO Interstate gas pipeline FERCPHMSA (PUCO acts as “agent” in Ohio) Production facilitiesODNR Gathering linesLocal ZoningPUCO Liquids linesLocal ZoningPHMSA Compressor stationsCertified local building departments

Natural Gas Pipeline Jurisdiction Senate Bill 315 was signed into law in June 2012 SB315 clarified pipeline definitions OPSB Jurisdictional Natural Gas Transmission – More than 500 feet long and nine inches in outside diameter and capable of transporting gas at pressures in excess of 125 psi (w/ exceptions)

Natural Gas Pipeline Jurisdiction Senate Bill 315 clarified pipeline definitions Gathering Pipeline – upstream from processing facility, any line carrying gas from a processing facility to a fractionation plant and any line carrying natural gas from a processing plant to an interstate or intrastate pipeline

Natural Gas Pipeline Jurisdiction Senate Bill 315 clarified pipeline definitions Liquids Pipeline – liquids are defined as an individual finished product produced by a natural gas liquids fractionation plant and generally include ethane, propane, butanes, etc. Ex: Blue Grass Pipeline, ATEX Express Pipeline

Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Over 100 unique pipeline operators in Ohio with over 56,000 miles of distribution line, 10,000 miles of transmission lines, and 1,100 miles of gathering lines Includes safety jurisdiction over gathering lines from the Utica and Marcellus shale fields

Biomass Energy Program provides policy and program information, resource referrals and business connections to promote the development and use of biomass energy resources in Ohio Biogas sources may include landfills, livestock manure, food processing waste, etc.

Biomass may be used as an on-farm source of natural gas through anaerobic digestion Generators may use biogas fuel or electricity on- farm, and create renewable energy credits (REC) within Ohio’s renewable electricity standard Ringler Energy in Morrow County Photo Credit: Farm & Dairy

For more information about the PUCO or OPSB: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio PUCO [7826] The Ohio Power Siting Board OPSB [6772] 180 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215