Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis

Young, Katherine

doi:10.15121/1678730

Title: Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis

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Abstract

In this analysis, we outline the types of NEPA-related analyses and approvals (e.g., environmental assessment), and we provide examples of geothermal development activities (e.g., well drilling) that might require each type of approval, including an overview and discussion of the specific permits. We conducted an in-depth analysis of timelines specific to each NEPA analysis type, and we analyzed a sample of geothermal projects to identify factors that increased NEPA review timelines. Based on that analysis, we identified proven and potential strategies that can assist geothermal projects by lowering the time necessary to navigate the NEPA process, while maintaining the efficacy of the federal environmental review intact. We also identified areas of potential improvement in NEPA efficiency within each phase of geothermal development. Shortening project timelines can effectively decrease the perceived risk profiles of geothermal development projects. This submission includes a paper, poster, and presentation for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) summarizing geothermal permitting and NEPA timeline analysis. Also included are two spreadsheets detailing the NEPA timeline analysis and environmental assessments (EA).

Authors:

Young, Katherine

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date:: Tue Sep 30 04:00:00 UTC 2014

Other Number(s):: 1258

Research Org.:: DOE Geothermal Data Repository; National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Geothermal Technologies Program (EE-2C)

Collaborations:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Subject:: 15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; CE; CX; Categorical Exclusion; DNA; Determination of NEPA Adequacy; EA; EIS; Enviromental Impact Statement; Environmental Assessment; NEPA; NEPA Database; National Environmental Policy Act; OpenEI; Permit; Permitting; Species; Timeline; energy; geothermal

OSTI Identifier:: 1678730

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730

Citation Formats


                    Young, Katherine. Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis.  United States: N. p., 2014. 
        Web.  doi:10.15121/1678730.

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                    Young, Katherine. Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis.  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730

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                    Young, Katherine. 2014.  
"Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis".  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1678730. Pub date:Tue Sep 30 04:00:00 UTC 2014

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@article{osti_1678730,

  title        = {Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis},

  author       = {Young, Katherine},

  abstractNote = {In this analysis, we outline the types of NEPA-related analyses and approvals (e.g., environmental assessment), and we provide examples of geothermal development activities (e.g., well drilling) that might require each type of approval, including an overview and discussion of the specific permits. We conducted an in-depth analysis of timelines specific to each NEPA analysis type, and we analyzed a sample of geothermal projects to identify factors that increased NEPA review timelines. Based on that analysis, we identified proven and potential strategies that can assist geothermal projects by lowering the time necessary to navigate the NEPA process, while maintaining the efficacy of the federal environmental review intact. We also identified areas of potential improvement in NEPA efficiency within each phase of geothermal development. Shortening project timelines can effectively decrease the perceived risk profiles of geothermal development projects. This submission includes a paper, poster, and presentation for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) summarizing geothermal permitting and NEPA timeline analysis. Also included are two spreadsheets detailing the NEPA timeline analysis and environmental assessments (EA).},

  doi          = {10.15121/1678730},

  journal      = {},

  number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Tue Sep 30 04:00:00 UTC 2014},

  month        = {Tue Sep 30 04:00:00 UTC 2014}

}

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730

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