Environmental Data Task Force Carl Zichella, Chair—EDTF W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Overview Ocean and coastal data EDTF Charter EDTF work plan update 2 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

The Challenge—Unexpected Impacts 3 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Ocean and Coastal Data Why is the EDTF concerned with ocean and coastal data? – Increasing off-shore energy development (wind off of Oregon) – Developmental projects (wave energy off of the Pacific Coast) – Increasing interest in offshore transmission— California project 4 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

EDTF Exploration of Offshore Environmental Risks Webinars during 2014 to inform members – Bureau of Ocean Energy Management – Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development WECC environmental risk layers applied to Offshore Area Types (risk of encountering environmental sensitivities) 5 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL Category 1Category 2Category 3Category 4 Lowest RiskLow-to-Medium Risk High RiskExclusion Areas

Ocean and Coastal: Category 4 Areas All Canadian Marine Protected Areas and US Marine Protected Areas Subject to No Impact or No Access – Marine Protected Areas include a broad array of parks, wildlife areas, sanctuaries, and designated habitat – Leverage existing NOAA system that categorizes Marine Protected Areas based their management restrictions Restricted Areas for Military Use – Includes naval bases, target ranges, and other hazard areas 6 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Ocean and Coastal: Category 3 Areas Coastal Wetlands and Estuaries (US and Canada) US Marine Protected Areas Subject to No Take Restrictions – Development potentially allowed, but subject to additional scrutiny and siting requirements Kelp Forests and Seagrass Beds Habitat Areas of Particular Concern – Fish habitat areas that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation 7 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Ocean and Coastal: Category 3 Areas Commercial Benthic Fishery – Areas where commercial fishing for bottom-dwelling species occurs (potential transmission compatibility issue) Pinniped Rookeries and Haulouts – Coastal areas where seals and sea lions repeatedly haul out and breed 8 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Ocean and Coastal: Category 2 Areas US Marine Protected Areas Managed for Multiple Use or with an Undetermined Level of Protection – Lowest level of restrictions and greatest likelihood of success siting transmission Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Areas – Areas of bottom-dwelling fish habitat 9 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Ocean and Coastal: Informational Include other Area Types as “Informational” layers – Areas with other public safety concerns – Rocky Reefs and Hard Benthic Substrate areas – Vessel Density and Anchorage Areas – Dredge Material Disposal Sites – Submarine Cables Informational layers would not affect ocean and coastal risk layer, but would appear in the Data Viewer 10 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Decision Item The EDTF recommends that the SPSG approve including the ocean and coastal risk layers prepared by ICF into WECC’s Preferred Environmental Data Set and making them available through WECC’s Environmental Data Viewer. 11 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

EDTF Charter Key considerations in proposed EDTF Charter: – Name change to “Environmental Data Work Group (EDWG)” Reflects permanent nature of a “work group,” rather than temporary “task force” Some favor keeping “EDTF”—brand recognition – Purposes Identify preferred environmental and cultural data sets Recommend ways to include in transmission planning Support other WECC reliability activities 12 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Key Considerations in Charter Membership – Continues to be appointed by SPSG chair – Serve staggered two-year terms and are available for reappointment Decision making – Seek consensus on any decision item – Non-consensus items referred to SPSG for resolution 13 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Next Steps Form Charter drafting/review task force Recommend final document to SPSG in May 14 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL

Cultural Resources 15 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL Five states currently committed to sharing cultural resource data Others in negotiations 15 NV UT CO WY WA

Other Activities Transmission line analysis—Hoober-to-SONGS – Collaborating with IID – Test case for applying WECC’s environmental analysis tools Informational webinars – January 16: Golden eagle protection 16 W ESTERN E LECTRICITY C OORDINATING C OUNCIL