E BDS Wind Energy Development Issues for Local Governments and Municipal Utilities Presented to: International City/County Managers Association Presented by: Amy Ellsworth, CH2M HILL

Employee Owned –13,000 professionals –200 offices worldwide –Over $2 billion annual revenues Pre-Development Services for the Wind Industry include: –Resource assessment –Transmission planning –Siting, permitting & licensing –Environmental Studies –Engineering & Design

Key Elements of Wind Project Development A good site with –Validated wind resource –Transmission path –Land use and environmental permits –Land control Power purchase agreement Appropriate technology Construction contract

Siting/Permitting Issues for Wind Development Local, state & federal permits –Varies according to land ownership Land control Land use permitting may vary by project element Environmental study needs vary by the project location

Siting in Urban & Rural Residential Areas Urban –Building height limitations –Setbacks –Typical siting analyses Rural –Siting on cropped farmland –What ranchers call “grazed land,” wildlife agencies call “habitat.” –Required environmental studies for permitting

Federal Support for Wind Tax Incentives –1.8 cent/kWh PTC currently expired, renewal expected (when?) –Not available to publicly owned utilities –Requires significant tax appetite to utilize Public Power Renewable Energy Production Incentive: –1.5 cent/kWh (indexed for inflation) for first 10 years of operation, subject to availability of funds –Expired on September 30, 2003; 10 year extension included in house and senate versions of energy bill –appropriation issue and qualifying technology issues

Alternative Financial Support for Wind Utility Green Pricing & Tradable Renewable Certificates Farm bill funding Grant funding State policy provisions for renewable energy development –tax breaks –production incentives –subsidies –technical support –Renewable Energy Funds

What can local jurisdictions do to encourage wind energy development? Understand wind energy technology and educate your citizens Assess your local wind energy resources Eliminate obstacles to wind energy in land use code and zoning ordinances –Height restrictions –Define wind as “utility” –Standards for siting and design Include wind in city/county development plans and environmental objectives Establish dialog with local utility Talk to developers

Case Study: Planning for Wind Power Alameda County Area Plan –Specifically permits wind power development, redevelopment and expansion within a Wind Resource Area –Calls for mitigation of various kinds of impacts, including avian –Protects existing uses from impacts from windfarms –Protects designated wind power area from encroachment by incompatible uses –Permits for 20 year period with 5-year review

Resources Amy Ellsworth, Renewable Energy Marketing & Sales – CH2M HILL Alternative & Renewable Energy Services: –