Geothermal Technologies Program
Public Service of Colorado Ponnequin Wind Farm
Geothermal Regulatory Roadmap
Project Review
April 25, 2013
1 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Doug Hollett
Geothermal Technologies Program
Manager
Kate Young
NREL Principal Investigator
eere.energy.gov
Meeting Agenda
Status Update
• Roadmap Content
• Analyses
• Web Interface
• White Papers
Moving Forward
2 | US DOE Geothermal Program
eere.energy.gov
GRR Content
Colorado
• Colorado agency/industry review: March 6, 2013
• Completed  through agency and legal review
• Now available online
Texas
• Texas agency/industry review: planned June 12, 2013
• Content currently under development
Roadmap
3 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
GRR Content:
Colorado Permitting Concerns
Uncertainty
Since geothermal is so new to this state, state agencies (e.g. Department of Water
Resources) aren’t quite sure how they will handle every situation. This causes angst and
misunderstanding with the general public (they think there are requirements that may or
may not be there, and are insisting the developer follow these "ideas”)
Leasing
State Land Board has not formalized their renewable energy leasing process - there are no
resources online or guidance for how to obtain a lease. Plan to present recommendations
to the State Land Board soon (in April?).
Geothermal
Resource
is the heat, but does not include water - for example, EGS heat okay. Water rights must be
obtained independently.
Tributary vs.
Nontributary Status
DWR and CGS have suggested that a developer WANTS their resource to be tributary
because a nontributary source is limited by surface ownership, and by total volume
available by law (calculated 100-year life). There would never be enough water in a nontributary water right that is tied to land ownership for an ecumenically viable power plant.
Geothermal Well
Permitting
current process assumes non consumption of the tributary (see previous bullet) water. If
any of it is consumptive, DWR is not yet sure how it will be handled - how to obtain a water
right. NREL is working with DWR to flesh out that portion of the flowchart.
County Regulations
(1041 Permits)
• Allows the counties to develop their own geothermal permitting and regulations - relates to
siting and zoning.
• The state has received grant money for suggested guidelines which are in process and
scheduled for draft release March 15, 2013. Flow charts will be developed as part of 1041
regs and could be incorporated into the geothermal road-mapping effort.
• In some areas, while 1041 permits are in the process of development a moratorium on
development has been adopted. (e.g. Chaffee County)
Roadmap
4 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Permitting Analyses
FY12
FY13
Industry
Agencies
NREL/DOE
Bring People
Together
Develop
Framework
• Centralized location
for all permitting
OUTCOMES
Enact
Law/
Policy
Lower
LCOE
Increase
# of
Projects
Increase
Deployment
Analyze effectiveness of
currently operating centralized
permitting
Collect NEPA data and conduct
analysis
• Cost Recovery/
Permit Fees
Provide analysis of successful
cost recovery programs
5 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Congress
Agencies
Conduct
Analyses
• Reduce NEPA
permitting time
Roadmap
Beyond
Reduce Permitting
Time
Develop
Language
Identify
Game
Changers
and
Collect Data
Industry
Agencies
Congress
Agencies
FY14
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Permitting Analyses:
Permit Coordination Office
Jurisdiction
Agency
Year
Started
Technology
Statute/Policy
Comments
Hawai’i
Hawai’i
Department of
Business,
Economic
Development, and
Tourism (DBEDT)
2008
Renewable
Energy as
defined in HRS
269-91
HRS 201N
Statute has 14
sections; plus 19
sections of
administrative
rules
The DBEDT creates a permit
plan with the developer and
makes themselves the accepting
agency for HEPA to help
circulate the information in the
Final EIS to all relevant agencies
more quickly.
Alaska
Alaska
Department of
Natural Resources
Office of Project
Management and
Permitting
1980
Large Natural
Resource
Projects
AS 38.05.020(b)(9)
Statue receives
one line within one
section of the
statute.
DNR Commissioner can
coordinate the permitting and
review of large natural resource
projects. DNR recently began to
explore using the process for
“alternative energy.”
California
California
Renewable
Energy Action
Team (REAT)
2008
Solar and Wind
Executive Order #
S-14-08
Primarily for Mojave and
Colorado Desert regions to help
meet California RPS.
Federal BLM
Regional BLM
Renewable
Energy Offices
Varies by
office
Renewable
Energy
Policy Documents
Office is established and
implemented individually by each
BLM regional office.
Federal BLM
Regional BLM Oil
& Gas Pilot
Program Offices
2005
Oil and Gas
EPAct 2005
Started 7 offices. They have
been so successful, that they are
developing 2 additional offices.
Roadmap
6 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Analysis Suggestions?
• Suggestions for current analyses?
• Other ideas for analyses?
• Anything else?
Roadmap
7 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Permitting Analyses:
Cost Recovery Mechanisms
Statute/Policy
Authority
Agency
Resource Programs
Independent Offices
Appropriations Act
of 1952
Federal Agencies are authorized to Charge processing
costs
All
All
Federal Land Policy
Management Act of
1976, Sec. 304
Specific Authorities to charge fees for processing
applications and other documents related to public lands
BLM
Reality (Solar , Wind),
Geothermal, Oil and Gas,
Coal, Nonenergy leasable
minerals, Mineral materials,
Mining law
Energy Policy Act of
2005, Sec. 234
Provides for 25% of geothermal revenues made available to
DOI for implementation of Geothermal Steam Act
amendments for a period of 5 years, without FY limitation or
appropriations for a period of 5 years
DOI
Geothermal
Department of
Interior
Appropriations, FY
2010
Requires BLM to collect a $6,500 APD Processing Fee
BLM
Oil and Gas
43 CFR 3000-3870:
annually adjusted
Oil and Gas Leasing; Geothermal Resources Leasing; Coal
Management; Management of Solid Minerals other than
Coal; Mineral Materials Disposal; and Mining Claims Under
the General Mining Laws
BLM
Geothermal, Oil and Gas,
Coal, Nonenergy leasable
minerals, Mineral materials,
Mining law
Roadmap
8 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Analysis Suggestions?
• Suggestions for current analyses?
• Other ideas for analyses?
• Anything else?
Roadmap
9 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Permitting Analyses: NEPA Data
NEPA Data
• Populating a catalog of more than
150 recent geothermal NEPA documents
• NEPA documents collected from:
BLM, USFS, BOR, DOE
• Includes all phases of development:
Land Use Planning
Exploration
Well Field
Power Plant
Transmission
• Information can be sorted, analyzed and compared by
different criteria, such as by type of planned activity,
by state or field office, by type of NEPA document
Roadmap
10 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
NEPA:
List of Suggested Data to Collect
Administrative Data
• Agency (State, Office, Document
Number/Serial Number, leases)
Project Data
• Applicant, Project Name, Project
Type (Exploration, Drilling/Field
Development, Utilization)
• Scope (brief narrative)
Type of Analysis
• Casual Use
• Determination of NEPA
Adequacy
• Categorical Exclusion
• Environmental Assessment
• Environmental Analysis
Roadmap
11 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Consultation, Special Interest and
Concerns
• Wildlife: Critical Habitat, Special
Status Species
• Cultural Resources
• Visual Resources
Timelines/Action Dates
•
•
•
•
Application date
Public Notice
Decision
Processing Time
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
1. Provide data for
future NEPA Analyses
User Story
BLM field office receives application for a reflective seismic survey. Agency personnel,
including geothermal permit processing agent, specialists (biologist, cultural specialist,
etc.) are unfamiliar with reflective seismic surveys or their potential impacts.
Database Input
• Users search for “reflective seismic survey.”
• Basic information is provided about the survey, including how it is conducted,
timeframes, output information, etc.,
• Links are provided for further information and potential “training” (videos,
presentations, papers, etc.)
• Lists of previous NEPA analyses conducted for reflective seismic surveys are listed,
including dates, timeframes, locations, impacted species and stipulations
Impact
The collection of this information helps to:
• Reduce misunderstanding about potential activity impacts
• Provide consistency among NEPA analyses conducted for similar activities
• Potentially reduce time required to determine impacts and stipulations
Roadmap
12 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
2. Aid in Development of
Categorical Exclusions
Definition
Categorical exclusion means a category of actions
which do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment ... and
... for which, therefore, neither an environmental
assessment nor an environmental impact statement
is required.
40 CFR 1508.4
Note that a categorical
exclusion can significantly
reduce NEPA time requirements
Typical CE
Typical EA
3 months
10 months
Categorical exclusions (CEs) are actions which meet the definition contained in 40 CFR
1508.4, and, based on past experience with similar actions, do not involve
significant environmental impacts. They are actions which: do not induce significant
impacts to planned growth or land use for the area, do not require the relocation of
significant numbers of people; do not have a significant impact on any natural, cultural,
recreational, historic or other resource; do not involve significant air, noise, or water quality
impacts; do not have significant impacts on travel patterns; and do not otherwise, either
individually or cumulatively, have any significant environmental impacts.
23 CFR 771.117(a)
Roadmap
13 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
2. Aid in Development of
Categorical Exclusions
• Categorical exclusions (CX) are developed based on previous
experience, so collecting information from existing geothermal NEPA
documents for similar actions (e.g. specific exploration or drilling
activities) can be the basis for development of categorical exclusions for
geothermal.
• CXs can be:
• Implemented by administrative policies
• Mandated by congress (Sec. 390 EPAct of 2005 for O&G) or through
agency regulations.
• Developed during land use planning process and within NEPA
documents for multiple well and development projects, that provides
for the use of individual CXs or determination of NEPA adequacy
(DNA).
• Providing the upfront data collection and analysis can provide the federal
agencies the data needed for development of categorical exclusions.
Roadmap
14 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Permitting Analyses: NEPA
BLM
Activity
O&G
USFS
Geothermal
O&G
Geothermal
DOE
USGS
Geothermal
---
Agency Activities
Land Use Planning
Leasing
EIS
EIS
---
---
EA/DNA
EA/DNA
---
---
CX1
CX3
CX4
CX6
EA/DNA1
CX3
EA/DNA
??
Geophysical Exploration (including TGWs)
No new roads
Up to 1 mile of new roads
Drilling Permits (into the reservoir)
Exploration wells
EA/DNA
CX2
EA/DNA
EA
---
Development wells
CX2
EA/DNA
CX2
EA/DNA
NA
---
Infill wells
CX2
EA/DNA
CX2
EA/DNA
CX4
---
CX2
EA/DNA
CX2
EA/EIS
---
---
Utilization/Operation
EA/EIS
EA/EIS
EA/EIS
EA/EIS
CX4,5
---
Minor Maintenance
CX2
EA/EIS
CX2
EA/EIS
---
---
Other Activities
Off-lease Pipeline
1
DOI Department Manual 516 11 (6)
EPAct 2005, Title III-Oil and Gas, Sec. 390-& BLM IM 2005-247
3 32 CFR 220.6(e)(8)
4 10 CFR 1021 (b)
5 Small facilities only
6 DOI Department Manual 516 6.5
Roadmap
Technology White Papers
Permitting Analysis
2
15 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
GEOTHERMAL POWER
NEPA Document: EA at Brady Hot Springs (DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2012-0057-EA)
Proposed Action
General NEPA Document Info
Technology Geothermal Energy
Ormat’s well 15-12, located north of the Hot Springs Mountains, approximately 50 miles
northeast of Reno, in Churchill County, Nevada; T. 22 N., R. 26 E., sec. 12 (Figure 1), was
installed in April 2007 to serve as a production well; however, further testing revealed that the
well does not have sufficient hydraulic connections with the geothermal reservoir and it has
since remained inactive. Ormat proposes to implement a hydro-stimulation program (EGS) to
increase energy production by enhancing natural hydraulic connections within the existing
hydrothermal system. Hydro-stimulation involves creating better hydraulic connections by
injecting cool geothermal water (temperatures ranging from 90-140°F) to further open the
existing network of minute cracks in the rocks deep underground, where natural fractures
already occur. During the process, geothermal water produced from the geothermal production
wells and processed at the geothermal plant would be injected at wellhead pressures less than
1,400 pounds per square inch at depths ranging from approximately 4,245 to 5,096 feet below
ground surface. The stimulation plan outlines the injection of cool geothermal water into three
vertical intervals at varying pressures over a period of approximately three weeks. The increase
in pressure would also accompany a pulsing of the rate of injection. Tracer compounds would
be injected at specific times during the stimulation to identify movement of geothermal fluid in
real time. Additional details are provided in the Tracer Testing section of the report.
Document Type
Environmental
Assessment
Applicant Brady Power Partners
Consultant Agency
Geothermal Area
Brady Hot Springs
Geothermal Area
State NV
Project Phase
Well Field
Development
Techniques Hydro-Shearing
Comments DOE/BLM Staff
Time Frames (days)
Lease to Application
Application Time
Process Time
Total Time
Participating Agencies
Applicant-Proposed Environmental Protection Measures
Lead Agency BLM
Managing Field Office Winnemucca
Funding Agencies DOE
Impacts
Mitigation
Surface Manager BLM
Mineral Manager BLM
Conditions of Approval
Selected Dates
Lease Date
Link to Document: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/34003/42110/44613/2013-1-11_Brady_Hydro-Stimulation_EA.pdf
Pre-Application Meeting Date
Application Date
Roadmap
Permitting Analysis
What
links
here Program
Related changes
16 | US
DOE
Geothermal
Technology White Papers
16
Upload file
Special pages
Web Interface
Application Document Future Plans
NOI Date (EIS) Federal Register
Printable version
Permanent link
Revised Application Date
Browse
eere.energy.gov
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal Technique: Hydro-Shearing
Details
Activities (9)
Areas(2)
Regions(0)
NEPA (2)
Document #
Document
Type
Project Phase
Project
Activities
Applicant
Decision Date
Total Time
(days)
DOI-BLM-NV-W0102012-0057-EA
EA
Well Field
Development
Hydro-Shearing
Brady Power
Partners
11/20/2012
320
Roadmap
Permitting Analysis
What
links
here Program
Related changes
17 | US
DOE
Geothermal
Technology White Papers
Upload file
Special pages
Web Interface
Printable version
Future Plans
Permanent link
Browse
eere.energy.gov
Analysis Suggestions?
• Suggestions for current analyses?
• Other ideas for analyses?
• Other ideas for displaying results?
• Anything else?
Roadmap
18 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Technical White Papers
Task Description:
Develop technology characterizations of geothermal technologies to help
educate agency personnel on the technical details, field operations,
environmental impacts and permitting issues.
General Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Technology Description
2.1 Technology Overview
2.2 Technology Features
3.
Environmental Impacts and Permitting Issues
3.1 Environmental Impact Screening Criteria
3.2 Potential Environmental Consequences
3.3 Permitting Requirements and Issues
Roadmap
19 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technical White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Technical White Papers - Topics
FY13 White Paper Topics
FY14 White Paper Topics
Hydraulic Stimulation:
•
•
•
•
Reservoir Engineering:
•
•
•
•
Multi-Stage Stimulation
Zonal Isolation
Diverters
Chemical Stimulation
Downhole Fluids:
•
•
•
•
Exploratory Drilling:
•
•
•
Stimulation Fluids
Tracers
Working Fluids
Nanotechnologies
•
•
•
Drilling Muds
Casing
Cementing
BOPs
Injection Wells
Advanced Drilling Techniques
Step-Outs
Lateral/Horizontal Drilling
•
•
•
•
20 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Geological
Human Observation
Geochemical
Remote Sensing
Other Stimulation:
•
•
•
•
Seismic
MT
Gravity
Roadmap
Re-Injection
On-Site Treatment
Shipment for Treatment
Geoscientific Surveys
Geophysical Surveys:
•
•
•
Temperature Gradient Holes (TGH)
2M Probe Surveys
Slimhole Drilling
Produced Fluids
Production Drilling and
Well Completion:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Well Characterization Techniques
Flow Tests
Down-hole Methods
Induction of Fluid Flow
Technical White Papers
Chemical Stimulation
Explosive Stimulation
Rock Mechanics
Fracture Propagation
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Technical White Papers Schedule
Task
Team Kick Off Meeting
Time
Frame
1 day
Develop Technical
Working Paper Construct
Finalize List of Paper
Topics
3 Weeks
Data Collection and
Analysis for Paper #1
Draft Technical Working
Paper #1
DOE and partner agency
review of Paper #1
Incorporate Comments
and Finalize Paper #1
Data Collection and
Analysis for Papers #2-5
Draft Technical Working
Papers #2-5
DOE and partner agency
review of Papers #2-5
Incorporate Comments
and Finalize Papers #2-5
Publish and Distribute
Papers #1-5
2 Weeks
3 Weeks
5 Weeks
2 weeks
3 Weeks
5 weeks
8 weeks
3 weeks
2 weeks
3 week
Due
Date
Responsible Entity
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
Week of All entities
1/22/2013
2/15/2013 New West with support from
NREL
2/15/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM,
USFS, and DOD, and with
support from New West and
NREL
3/1/2013 New West with support from
NREL
4/5/2013 New West with support from
NREL
4/19/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM,
USFS, and DOD
5/10/2013 New West with support from
NREL
5/24/2013 New West with support from
NREL
7/19/2013 New West with support from
NREL
8/9/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM,
USFS, and DOD
8/22/2013 New West with support from
NREL
9/12/2013 DOE with support from New
West/NREL
April 25, 2013
21 | US DOE Geothermal Program
eere.energy.gov
White Paper Suggestions?
• Suggestions for current topics?
• Other ideas for outlines?
• Anything else?
Roadmap
22 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technical White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Web Interface: Updates
Recent Updates to OpenEI
• Link to roadmap from Geothermal Gateway
• Roadmap pages now are available: by state, by
technology
• Makes documents more accessible
• New pages will be the support behind the new
web interface
• Wizard interface (Turbo-Tax-like interface) – in
process; plan to have mock-ups by next
quarterly meeting
Roadmap
23 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Web Interface: State Pages
Roadmap
24 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Web Interface: Technology Pages
Roadmap
25 | US DOE Geothermal Program
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Future Plans
eere.energy.gov
Upcoming Plans
Roadmap
• Finalize Texas roadmaps
• Meet with Texas agencies/industry
• Legal review with BHFS
Analysis
• Finish agency personnel interviews
• Draft papers for GRC
• Clean and upload NEPA document metadata
• Collect similar information for oil & gas
• Analyze data and draft GRC papers with results
NEPA
White
Papers
Web
Interface
Roadmap
26 | US DOE Geothermal Program
•
•
Finalize paper #1 (Hydraulic Stimulation)
Draft and finalize papers #2-5
• Continue to add general information for each of the roadmap areas
• Add data to the state pages to query on each technology page
• Continue development of wizard interface, walking users through permit
trigger questions
Permitting Analysis
Technology White Papers
Web Interface
Upcoming Plans
eere.energy.gov