Environmental Data Update and Review Process
1.
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2
2.
Overview of the Environmental Data Task Force ................................................................ 2
2.1.
3.
EDTF Data Products and Use ......................................................................................... 3
Environmental Data Update and Review Process ............................................................... 4
3.1.
Open Biennial Process .................................................................................................... 4
3.2.
Identification of Data Workarounds .................................................................................. 5
3.3. Review of Comparison Process Results and Updates to Risk Classification Category
Designations .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.4.
Ongoing Updates to Existing Data Sets ........................................................................... 6
3.5.
Data Set Update Finalization ........................................................................................... 6
Appendix A—Data Update Process Flow ................................................................................... 7
Appendix B—Glossary ............................................................................................................... 8
Appendix C—Referenced EDTF Documents ............................................................................11
Environmental Data Update and Review Process
1. Introduction
This document describes the Environmental Data Task Force’s (EDTF) process for updating its
inventory of environmental and cultural data (referred to as the Data Sets) appropriate for use in
long-term, regional transmission planning for the Western Interconnection. Data in this case are
defined as Geographic Information System (GIS) files for spatially explicit polygon areas.1 The
data determined as suitable for use in transmission planning based on the standards outlined in
the EDTF Data Quality Process are referred to as “preferred” data. Section 2 provides an
Overview of the Environmental Data Task Force, including its function within the Western
Electricity Coordinating Council’s (WECC) Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee
(TEPPC) and a description of its current Data Set-related products. Section 3 describes The
Environmental Data Update and Review Process, focusing on the procedural steps the
EDTF uses to update and maintain its Data Sets2. Outlined within each step in Section 3 is:

Responsible party,

Anticipated product of the step,

Timeline,

Next steps in the process.
All EDTF documents referenced in this document can be accessed through the hyperlinks in the
text and the footnotes or through the URLs provided in Appendix C.
2. Overview of the Environmental Data Task Force
WECC created TEPPC to manage the Regional Transmission Expansion Planning (RTEP)
process for the Western Interconnection. Among TEPPC’s work products are biannual 10-Year
Regional Transmission Plans (10-Year Plans) and 20-Year Regional Transmission Target Plans
(20-Year Plans).
The Scenario Planning Steering Group (SPSG), a group created by TEPPC that was tasked
with developing future scenarios for the Western Interconnection, formed the EDTF in June
2010 to “develop recommendations on the type, quality, and sources of data on land, wildlife,
cultural, historical, archaeological, and water resources (in coordination with work conducted via
the State-Provincial Steering Committee), exploring ways to transform that data into study cases
and into the models.”3 Since the 2011 publication of the EDTF report “Environmental
Recommendations for Transmission Planning,” the EDTF has continued its efforts to:

Identify a catalog of existing spatially explicit (GIS) environmental and cultural data sets
for the purpose of planning and evaluating potential transmission alternatives;
1
This is also referred to as data layers
Implementation of this Environmental Data Update and Review Protocol hinges upon WECC approval
and sufficient WECC funding. If funding is not available to implement the entirety of the Protocol, WECC
will work with the EDTF to revise the Protocol appropriately.
3 Scope of Work for SPSG Environmental Data Task Force Version 1.1
2
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process

Develop a process for ensuring that the catalog is managed and updated as appropriate;
and

Incorporate the data into the WECC long term planning tools (LTPT).
This document outlines an efficient update process to ensure the quality and usability of the
data over time. The process relies heavily on stakeholder input, ensuring that the EDTF data is
obtained from and vetted through a variety of sources and is applicable to the needs of the
RTEP planning process.
2.1.
EDTF Data Products and Use
The EDTF data products consist of the preferred Data Sets, catalogued in the Data Inventory
Spreadsheet, and the Land Classification System. The EDTF recommended that these
products be used in the TEPPC’s 10-year and 20-year biennial transmission planning process,4
in particular as inputs to the LTPT. The Land Classification System assigns a Risk
Classification Category of 1 (lowest risk) through 4 (highest risk) to each data layer, which
describes the relative risk of developing transmission in that area based on the environmental or
cultural resources present. The EDTF User’s Manual details the method for combining the
EDTF’s preferred data sets and risk classifications to create a single, spatial data layer showing
relative risk across the Western Interconnection.
The EDTF has developed, and the SPSG has approved, a Comparison Process for evaluating
transmission alternatives. The Comparison Process applies the risk metrics (derived from the
Risk Classification Categories) to transmission alternatives, resulting in a set of relative risk
scores for each alternative.5 The Comparison Process applies to both the 10- and 20-year
planning horizons.
4
Environmental Recommendations for Transmission Planning
Transmission alternatives are transmission options that result from the RTEP process, see Glossary for
detailed definition
5
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
3. Environmental Data Update and Review Process
The Environmental Data Update and Review Process (referred to herein as the “Update
Process”) ensures that the environmental and cultural data used in the RTEP process is up to
date, is in a usable form, and is of acceptable quality. The Update Process process addresses:

Incorporating data from new sources into the Data Sets;

Updating existing data in the Data Sets;

Assigning and updating risk classifications to new and existing data in the Data Sets;
and

Archiving outdated data or data that are not preferred.
There are three situations which require revising the Data Sets:
1. Identification of new data from stakeholder input or other sources;
2. Modification of existing data based on stakeholder input; and
3. Updates of existing data from data providers.
Once new or updated data are identified, they are reviewed by the EDTF (with expert guidance,
if appropriate). The data are vetted through the Data Quality Validation Process; if the data are
preferred, the EDTF assigns risk classifications using the EDTF Land Classification System.
Finally, the preferred data are added to the Preferred Data Sets in the Data Set Inventory and
described, along with their associated risk classifications, in the User’s Manual.
The following section outlines the Update Process, which integrates with the biennial TEPPC
RTEP process.
The Update Process ensures that the Preferred Data Sets and associated risk classifications in
the RTEP process contain the most current and appropriate data. A graphic describing the
information flow of the Update Process is presented in Appendix A. A Glossary of Terms is
included for reference in Appendix B.
3.1.
Open Biennial Process
Biennially, WECC publicizes and manages an open
process to solicit updated or new environmental and
cultural data sets and associated risk classifications.
This process is supported by a stakeholder feedback
form and a guide detailing the purpose of the EDTF
data and the type of data needed for each Data Set
and associated Risk Classification Category, and is
outlined in the Comparison Process, Appendix D. As
part of the open process, WECC reaches out to
stakeholders, owners of potential data sources, and
providers of data already included in the Data Sets.
WECC collects submissions and provides them to
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When?: Open Process November 1 of
even years through January 31 of odd
years; internal processing February 1 –
June of odd years
Who?: Stakeholders, EDTF, Data
Manager
What’s the product?: Data layers,
Risk Classification Categories, Area
Types
Next steps?: Data Set Update
Finalization step
Environmental Data Update and Review Process
the Data Manager for processing with the Data Quality Validation Process. The EDTF reviews
preferred-quality data sets to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the list of EDTF
Data Sets. The selected data sets are added to the Data Inventory Spreadsheet, and noted in
the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page 6). The Data Manager
archives any data that is not preferred, including a rationale for why the data was not added to
the list of EDTF Preferred Data Sets.
Any proposed data submissions received by WECC outside of the Open Process time window
are logged and held for consideration until the next Open Process.
3.2.
Identification of Data Workarounds
In some cases, the EDTF has identified gaps in its
list of preferred data sets. Where preferred-quality
data are not available for given topics, the EDTF
convenes broadly knowledgeable experts to
identify ways to fill the data gaps or in some way
incorporate relevant information into the regional
transmission planning process. These workshops
are not conducted on a set schedule, but when the
EDTF identifies data gaps to be filled. The data
workarounds process is outlined in detail in the
Comparison Process, Appendix D.
When?: As necessary
Who?: EDTF, Stakeholders, Experts,
Data Manager
What’s the product?: Data
workarounds or suitable data for gaps
Next steps?: Data Set Update
Finalization step
The EDTF reviews the results from these data workaround workshops and selects potential
workarounds or suitable data to fill gaps. If appropriate, the Data Manager processes potential
data with the Data Quality Validation Process. Preferred data is added to the Data Inventory
Spreadsheet and noted in the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page
6). The Data Manager archives any data that is not preferred.
3.3.
Review of Comparison Process Results and Updates to Risk Classification
Category Designations
In September to December annually, after the
When?: September-December
Comparison Process is run, the EDTF convenes a
Who?: EDTF, Stakeholders,
stakeholder meeting to review Comparison
Experts, Data Manager
Process results and identify instances in which the
assigned risk classification categories do not
What’s the product?: Risk
appropriately capture levels of environmental and
Classification Categories
cultural risk. Where issues are identified, meeting
designation changes
participants propose modifications to the assigned
Next steps?: Data Set Update
risk classification categories and document the
Finalization step
rationale for any changes (see Comparison
Process, Step 3). The EDTF reviews the changes,
and provides approved Risk Classification Category updates to the Data Manager. Changes to
the Risk Classification Category assignments are noted in the Change Log for the Data Set
Update Finalization Step (see page 6).
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
3.4.
Ongoing Updates to Existing Data Sets
The Data Manager will periodically be in contact with
When?: Ongoing
existing data providers to identify updates to existing
preferred data sets and potentially appropriate new
Who?: EDTF, Data Manager
data sets. In coordination with the EDTF, the Data
What’s the product?: New data and
Manager processes these data sets through the
updates to existing data in the Data
Data Quality Validation Process, incorporates the
Sets
updates into the Data Inventory Spreadsheet, and
Next steps?: Data Set Update
notes them in the Change Log for the Data Set
Finalization step
Update Finalization Step (see page 6). The Data
Manager archives any outdated data or new data
that is not preferred. The Data Manager ensures
that updates to preferred data sets are incorporated into the LTPT.
3.5.
Data Set Update Finalization
From April-June of the odd year of the biennial
RTEP process, the EDTF finalizes a set of
recommended changes to the EDTF Data Sets and
risk classifications using the Change Log updates
from each of the above steps. The Data Manager
then:
1) Revises the User’s Manual with the data
additions/revisions adopted by the EDTF
When?: April - June
Who?: EDTF, Data Manager
What’s the product?: Finalized Data
Sets, risk classifications, User’s Manual
Next steps?: To WECC for use in
LTPT
2) Submits the completed Data Sets, associated
risk classifications, and User’s Manual to WECC for use in the LTPT.
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
Appendix A—Data Update Process Flow
FIGURE 1: ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE AND REVIEW PROCESS FLOW CHART
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
Appendix B—Glossary
Term
Acronym Definition
Area Type
A land area with specific geospatial, environmental
and/or cultural characteristics.
Data Inventory Spreadsheet
A document that identifies the environmental and
cultural data that comprises all data that have been
reviewed and considered by the EDTF, including
both “preferred” and non-preferred data.
Data Manager
The person identified as the central point for
receiving and processing recommended additions,
deletions or changes to the EDTF Preferred Data
Sets.
Data Quality Validation
Process
An EDTF document that contains criteria for
evaluating data sets to determine whether they are
“preferred,” or suitable for use in WECC regional
transmission planning
EDTF User’s Manual
A document that explains how to apply the EDTF
Data Sets and associated Risk Classification
Categories.
Environmental Data Task
Force
EDTF
A task force created by the SPSG to develop
recommendations on the type, quality, and sources
of data on land, wildlife, cultural, historical,
archaeological, and water resources, exploring
ways to transform that data into a form usable in
WECC’s study cases and 10-year and long-term
planning models.
Geographic Information
System
GIS
A tool that integrates hardware, software, and data
for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying
all forms of geographically referenced information.
Long-Term Planning Tool
LTPT
A tool developed for WECC that identifies
transmission expansion alternatives in the 20-year
planning horizon, based on inputs of resource, load
and transmission characteristics.
Network Expansion Tool
NXT
One of two primary components of the LTPT. The
NXT optimizes outputs from the SCDT to create a
recommended transmission expansion plan for
each long-term study case.
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
Term
Acronym Definition
Preferred Environmental /
Cultural Data
Environmental and/or cultural data that meets
criteria specified in the EDTF Data Quality
Validation Process
Risk Classification
Category
One of four categories identified by the EDTF to
define the relative risk that a transmission
alternative may encounter environmental and/or
cultural risks.
Scenario Planning Steering
Group
SPSG
A 25-member stakeholder body that provides
strategic guidance to TEPPC on (1) scenarios to be
modeled in transmission planning studies, (2) the
modeling tools to be used, and (3) key
assumptions to be used in creating and reviewing
the scenarios.
Study Case Development
Tool
SCDT
One of two primary components of the LTPT. The
SCDT creates technically feasible transmission
expansion segments, based on resource, load and
transmission inputs.
Transmission Alternative
A potential wire solution to a transmission
challenge that involves two or more substations,
and may or may not involve defined transmission
corridors or WECC Paths.
Transmission Expansion
Planning Policy Committee
TEPPC
A committee created by the WECC Board of
Directors to (1) oversee database management, (2)
provide policy and management of the planning
process, and (3) guide the analyses and modeling
for Western Interconnection economic transmission
expansion planning.
Western Electricity
Coordinating Council
WECC
The Regional Entity responsible for coordinating
and promoting bulk electric system reliability in the
Western Interconnection
Western Interconnection
WI
One of the two major alternating current (AC)
power grids in North America, stretching from
Western Canada to Baja California, Mexico, within
which the high-voltage electric transmission grid is
electrically connected during normal operations.
Regional Transmission
Expansion Planning
RTEP
The summation of WECC’s activities, managed by
TEPPC, that evaluate long-term regional
transmission needs. RTEP evaluates needs based
on many variables including electric demand,
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
Term
Acronym Definition
generation resources, energy policies, technology
costs, impacts on transmission reliability, and
emissions.
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Environmental Data Update and Review Process
Appendix C—Referenced EDTF Documents
The EDTF documents referenced in this process can be accessed at the following locations:
Document
URL
Change Log
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/Change%20Log%20%20Environmental%20Recommendations%20for%20Transmission%20Pl
anning.pdf
Data Inventory
Spreadsheet
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/Data%20Inventory%20Spreadsheet.xlsx
Data Quality
Validation Process
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/EDTF%20Data%20Quality%20Protocol.p
df
Environmental
Recommendations
for Transmission
Planning
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/Environmental%20Recommendations%20
for%20Transmission%20Planning%20-%20Revised%2005-27-2011.pdf
Land Classification
System
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/Tables%20D-1%20to%20D4_Revised_2011_0725.pdf
Process for Using
Environmental and
Cultural
Information to
Compare Electric
Transmission
Alternatives at the
Planning (not
siting) Level
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/120807/Lists/Minute
s/1/120801_ComparisonProcess_v9_Clean.pdf
User’s Manual
http://www.wecc.biz/committees/BOD/TEPPC/SPSG/EDTF/Shared%20Do
cuments/Environmental_Recommendations_for_Transmission_Planning/F
inal_Recommendations_Report/EDTF_Data_Sets_Users_Manual.pdf
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