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1 | US DOE Geothermal Program eere.energy.gov

Public Service of Colorado Ponnequin Wind Farm

Geothermal Technologies Program

Geothermal Regulatory Roadmap Project Review

Doug HollettGeothermal Technologies Program Manager

Kate Young

NREL Principal Investigator April 25, 2013


Status Update• Roadmap Content• Analyses• Web Interface• White Papers

Moving Forward

Meeting Agenda


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

GRR Content

Technology White Papers Web InterfaceRoadmap Future PlansPermitting Analysis


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 non-tributary 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)

Technology White Papers Web InterfaceRoadmap Future PlansPermitting Analysis


NREL/DOE IndustryAgencies

CongressAgencies OUTCOMES

Develop Framework Collect Data

Conduct Analyses

Develop Language

Enact Law/Policy

Reduce Permitting Time

Lower LCOE

Increase # of

Projects

Increase Deployment

FY12 FY13 FY14 and Beyond

Identify Game

Changers

• Reduce NEPA permitting time

• Centralized location for all permitting

• Cost Recovery/Permit Fees

Analyze effectiveness of currently operating centralized

permitting

Collect NEPA data and conduct analysis

Provide analysis of successful cost recovery programs

IndustryAgencies

CongressAgencies

Bring People Together

Permitting Analyses

Technology White Papers Web InterfacePermitting Analysis Future PlansRoadmap



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 201NStatute 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.


Analysis Suggestions?

• Suggestions for current analyses?

• Other ideas for analyses?

• Anything else?




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





• Anything else?




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:

• 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

Land Use Planning Exploration

Well FieldPower Plant

Transmission


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

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



1. Provide data for future NEPA Analyses

User StoryBLM 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

ImpactThe 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



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 3 monthsTypical EA 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)



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.



BLM USFS DOE USGS

Activity O&G Geothermal O&G Geothermal Geothermal ---

Agency Activities

Land Use Planning EIS EIS --- ---

Leasing EA/DNA EA/DNA --- ---

Geophysical Exploration (including TGWs) No new roads CX1 CX3 CX4 CX6

Up to 1 mile of new roads EA/DNA1 CX3 EA/DNA ??

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 ---

Other Activities Off-lease Pipeline 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 --- ---

1 DOI Department Manual 516 11 (6)2 EPAct 2005, Title III-Oil and Gas, Sec. 390-& BLM IM 2005-2473 32 CFR 220.6(e)(8)4 10 CFR 1021 (b)5 Small facilities only6 DOI Department Manual 516 6.5 Technology White Papers Web InterfacePermitting Analysis Future PlansRoadmap

Permitting Analyses: NEPA


Technology White Papers Web InterfacePermitting Analysis Future PlansRoadmap 16 What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent link Browse properties

NEPA Document: EA at Brady Hot Springs (DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2012-0057-EA)

General NEPA Document Info

Technology Geothermal Energy

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 AgenciesLead Agency BLM

Managing Field Office WinnemuccaFunding Agencies DOESurface Manager BLMMineral Manager BLM

Selected Dates

Lease Date

Pre-Application Meeting Date

Application Date

Application Document

NOI Date (EIS) Federal Register

Revised Application Date

Comments

Date Scoping Initiated

Preliminary EA/EIS

Final EA/EIS

Decision Document

Relevant Numbers

Lead Agency Document Number DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2012-0057-EA

Funding Agency Document Number

DOE/EA-1944

Funding Number DE-PS36-08GO98008

Serial Number/Case File Number

N-65561

Lease Numbers NVN 065558

CX Reference NA

Tiered DocumentDOI-BLM-NV-020-05-07-EA

Proposed Action

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.

Applicant-Proposed Environmental Protection Measures

Impacts

Mitigation

Conditions of Approval

GEOTHERMAL POWER

Link to Document: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/34003/42110/44613/2013-1-11_Brady_Hydro-Stimulation_EA.pdf

https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/34003/42110/44613/2013-1-11_Brady_Hydro-Stimulation_EA.pdf

https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/34003/42110/44613/2013-1-11_Brady_Hydro-Stimulation_EA.pdf


Areas(2) Regions(0)Activities (9)

17 What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent link Browse properties

Details

Geothermal Technique: Hydro-Shearing

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

NEPA (2)

Document # Document Type

Project Phase Project Activities

Applicant Decision Date Total Time (days)

DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2012-0057-EA

EA Well Field Development

Hydro-Shearing Brady Power Partners

11/20/2012 320






• Other ideas for displaying results?

• Anything else?



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 Overview2.2 Technology Features

3. Environmental Impacts and Permitting Issues

3.1 Environmental Impact Screening Criteria3.2 Potential Environmental Consequences3.3 Permitting Requirements and Issues

Future PlansRoadmap Permitting Analysis Technical White Papers Web Interface


Technical White Papers - Topics

FY13 White Paper Topics FY14 White Paper TopicsHydraulic Stimulation:

• Multi-Stage Stimulation• Zonal Isolation• Diverters• Chemical Stimulation

Downhole Fluids:• Stimulation Fluids• Tracers• Working Fluids• Nanotechnologies

Production Drilling and Well Completion:

• Drilling Muds• Casing• Cementing• BOPs• Injection Wells• Advanced Drilling Techniques• Step-Outs• Lateral/Horizontal Drilling

Geophysical Surveys:• Seismic• MT• Gravity

Reservoir Engineering:• Well Characterization Techniques• Flow Tests• Down-hole Methods• Induction of Fluid Flow

Exploratory Drilling: • Temperature Gradient Holes (TGH)• 2M Probe Surveys• Slimhole Drilling

Produced Fluids • Re-Injection• On-Site Treatment• Shipment for Treatment

Geoscientific Surveys• Geological• Human Observation• Geochemical• Remote Sensing

Other Stimulation:• Chemical Stimulation• Explosive Stimulation• Rock Mechanics• Fracture Propagation



Task TimeFrame

Due Date

Responsible Entity J F M A M J J A S

Team Kick Off Meeting 1 day Week of 1/22/2013

All entities

Develop Technical Working Paper Construct

3 Weeks 2/15/2013 New West with support from NREL

Finalize List of Paper Topics

3 Weeks 2/15/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM, USFS, and DOD, and with support from New West and NREL

Data Collection and Analysis for Paper #1


Draft Technical Working Paper #1


DOE and partner agency review of Paper #1

2 weeks 4/19/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM, USFS, and DOD

Incorporate Comments and Finalize Paper #1


Data Collection and Analysis for Papers #2-5

5 weeks 5/24/2013 New West with support from NREL

Draft Technical Working Papers #2-5


DOE and partner agency review of Papers #2-5

3 weeks 8/9/2013 DOE, in consultation with BLM, USFS, and DOD

Incorporate Comments and Finalize Papers #2-5


Publish and Distribute Papers #1-5

3 week 9/12/2013 DOE with support from New West/NREL

Technical White Papers Schedule

April 25, 2013


White Paper Suggestions?

• Suggestions for current topics?

• Other ideas for outlines?

• Anything else?



Web Interface: Updates

Technology White Papers Web Interface Future PlansRoadmap Permitting Analysis

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


Web Interface: State Pages



Web Interface: Technology Pages



• Finalize paper #1 (Hydraulic Stimulation)• Draft and finalize papers #2-5

Upcoming Plans

Technology White Papers Upcoming PlansRoadmap Permitting Analysis Web Interface

• Finalize Texas roadmaps• Meet with Texas agencies/industry• Legal review with BHFS

Roadmap

• Finish agency personnel interviews• Draft papers for GRCAnalysis

• Clean and upload NEPA document metadata• Collect similar information for oil & gas• Analyze data and draft GRC papers with results

NEPA

White Papers

• 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

Web Interface

1 | us doe geothermal programeere.energy.gov public service of colorado ponnequin wind farm...

Documents

geothermal permitting

us doe geothermal

geothermal resource

state agencies

geothermal roadmapping

non tributary water

water rights

analysis slide