ENVIRONMENTAL DATA IN
TRANSMISSION PLANNING
AUGUST 3, 2015Carl Zichella
DIRECTOR OF WESTERN TRANSMISSION
• NRDC Overview• WECC Overview• Environmental Resource Data• Zoning and Master Panning
Presentation Overview
Who is NRDC?
http://www.nrdc.org
NRDC uses law, science and the support of 1.3 million
members and online activists to protect the planet's
wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy
environment for all living
things.
System Adequacy at WECC
• Lead transmission expansion planning for the Western Interconnection
• Annual study program• Congestion studies
Transmission Expansion Planning
Policy Committee
(TEPPC)
• Technical analysis• Studies• Data• Scenarios
Subcommittees and Work
Groups
TEPPCMembers
Transmission
Stakeholders
State & Provincial Entities
Environmental
Stakeholders
Tribes
Other Stakeholder
s
Who Does TEPPC Serve?
7
Environmental Data Work Group
• Environmental Data Task Force (Now the Environmental Data Work Group EDWG)
• Formed in June, 2010• Includes representation by broad
stakeholders• Provides input to transmission
expansion planning process
Primary EDWG Products
• Available• Reviewed for Quality• Relevant to Transmission Planning
Preferred Data Sets
• Four Risk Levels• Low Risk (1) to Exclusion Area (4)Risk Classification System
• Compares relative risks of transmission alternatives
• Alternatives identified in long-term study cases
• Available for use outside of WECC
Comparison Methodology
• Considers “environmental risk contours”• Also considers cultural risks• Considers capital costs of “bending lines”
Review of Study Case Results
Environmental/Cultural Data (Samples)
Preferred Data
Sensitive Species Areas
Tribal Lands
Conservation Areas
Wilderness Areas
Scenic Manageme
nt Areas
Historic Trails
Risk Classification
Category 4• Exclusion Areas
Category 3• High Risk
Category 2• Low-to-moderate risk
Category 1• Lowest Risk
11
Benefits of Environmental Data
• Decrease cost and conflict• Avoid delaysUse of Data at
Planning Stage
• Avoid or mitigate risks at planning levelEnsure Data
Quality
• Use by federal/state/provincial/ regional entities
Public Availability of
Tools
12Example of Use: WECC Long-
Term Planning ToolCreates transmission expansion options based on study case inputs
• Loads, resource costs, fuel prices, carbon cost
Options are “point-to-point”• Need to “bend the lines”
13
Environmental Risk Classes 1-4
Blue line connects endpoints
Darker areas = higher risk category
14
LTPT With Environmental Overlay
Semi-transparent EDWG overlay on terrain map
Semi-transparent corridor over EDWG and terrain maps
15
How Can You See the Data?
ZONING AND MASTER PLANNING
• Goals long term/ Plan Long Term• Orderly development over time• Renewable Resource Zoning
• Low Impact Lands (ex. Parts of Central Valley)
• Scalable Infrastructure• Avoid unnecessary ROWs• Reduce costs
Planning for Present and Future Needs
• Plan together with Generation• RETI-style Zones
• Scale Transmission to meet expected needs
• Use Risk Methodology to avoid conflicts
• Realign Transmission Planning• Prioritize Transmission that meets
System Needs
Transmission Planning
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Carl Zichella
Natural Resources Defense Council
(415) 875-6100
(916) 837-7127
QUESTIONS?
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