Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) In a section
entitled "Project Description," the notice shall contain:
(1) A map indicating the location or
tentative location of the geothermal leasehold and the location or tentative
location of each proposed power plant site and related facility, along with a
description by section, township, range, and county of the leasehold.
(2) The location or tentative location of
production and reinjection well sites, resource conveyance lines, access roads,
and waste disposal sites in relation to each geothermal power plant.
(3) Photographic and/or other suitable
graphic representations of the geothermal leasehold and each proposed
geothermal power plant, and the visual appearance and general surroundings of
such proposed power plant.
(4) A
description of the process by which the tentative site was selected within the
geothermal leasehold and the consideration given to site geology and ease of
engineering, physical environmental impact, socioeconomic impacts, resource
conveyance constraints, electric transmission constraints, land use
constraints, and any other factors considered by the applicant and not listed
herein.
(5) A preliminary
description of the type, quality, and characteristics of the geothermal
resource encountered or expected, including, to the extent known, pressure and
temperature, flow rates, concentrations of non-condensible gases,
concentrations of dissolved solids, and descriptions and concentrations of any
substances potentially harmful to the environment or to the public health and
safety.
(6) Where a notice is filed
early in the resource development process, and where the pressure, temperature,
flow rate, and constituency and concentration of dissolved solids in the
geothermal resources are uncertain, an estimate of the probable range of the
various resource parameters based upon nearby development, leasehold
exploration if it has occurred, or any other information sources available to
the applicant and resource developer. In addition, the basis for such
estimations shall be clearly identified.
COMMENT: The 18-month certification process is particularly
appropriate for the instances described in this subsection.
(7) The maximum estimated generating capacity
of each proposed power plant.
(8) A
tentative project schedule including permit approvals from the commission and
other agencies from which permits must be issued prior to construction or
operation, construction lead times, anticipated date of commercial operation,
and anticipated operating plant life.
(9) For each of the following facilities
and/or systems a general description, which includes dimensions, surface area
requirements, and typical operating data, performance and design criteria for
protection from impacts due to geotechnical hazards, flood hazards, and
meteorological extremes, performance and design criteria for assurance of
public health and safety and protection of the environment.
(A) Power generation system;
(B) Heat dissipation system;
(C) Cooling water supply system;
(D) Reinjection system;
(E) Atmospheric emission control
system;
(F) Waste disposal systems
and disposal sites;
(G) Geothermal
resource conveyance lines;
(H)
Pre-plant cooling water treatment systems, where applicable;
(I) Switchyards/transformer systems;
and
(J) Other significant
facilities, structures or system components proposed by the applicant not
listed above.
COMMENT: The term "performance criteria," when used in these
regulations, refers to performance goals which the applicant proposes to use in
designing the proposed facilities. For example, a component of the seismic
performance criteria would be designing a turbine generator so as to allow
continued operation of the proposed facility at full load after the occurrence
of a design basis earthquake at the site. Performance criteria are an alternate
statement of acceptable risk and are usually semi-quantitative in
nature.
The term "design criteria" refers to the limiting criteria
used for detailed design of a structure or component. The design criteria
produce a design which will meet or exceed the desired performance criteria.
For example, design criteria include design loads and the methods for
determining loads.
(10) A list of all project participants and
their legal interests in the power plant facilities, the geothermal leasehold,
the geothermal resource conveyance lines, the geothermal reinjection system,
and the electric transmission facilities.
(b) In a section entitled "Need for Project,"
the notice shall contain:
(1) A discussion of
the conformity of the proposed facilities with the level of statewide and
service area electrical demand adopted by the commission pursuant to Section
25309
of the Public Resources Code. The discussion shall specify the reasons why the
applicant has concluded that the facilities should be added to the applicant's
electrical system, including a discussion of whether the facilities are being
proposed to meet projected capacity or energy deficits, to displace existing
units scheduled for retirement, or to meet requirements for additional
reserves.
COMMENT: In the discussion of need, the applicant may
incorporate by reference any other relevant filings or submittals to the
commission and must include a summary of the referenced material and a
discussion of the relevance of such filings or submittals.
(2) An energy and capacity balance showing
the forecast of electricity demand as adopted pursuant to Section
25309(b)
of the Public Resources Code and generating resources expected to be available
to the applicant when the proposed plant is scheduled to begin
operation.
(3) The anticipated
generating capacity of each proposed facility or facilities, and:
(A) The expected annual capacity factor from
the date of initial operation through the 12-year forecast period;
and
(B) The expected average annual
capacity factor over the anticipated operating life of the facility.
(4) The applicant may demonstrate
need for a geothermal facility by reference to the most recent Biennial Report,
and in making such demonstration the applicant may cite any findings and
conclusions resulting from any generic proceedings conducted by the
commission.
(c) In a
section entitled "Financial Impacts," the notice shall contain:
(1) A discussion of the preliminary financial
requirements for constructing and operating the proposed facilities, including
a table summarizing capital requirements and operating expenses, and their
principal components. The discussion shall indicate and explain the basis for
any assumed escalation rates and costs of capital, fuel, or other principal
components. If more than one site is proposed, significant cost differences
between alternative sites should be identified.
(2) A preliminary summary of the cost of the
installed generating capacity (expressed in $/kw) and of the cost of energy at
the busbar (expressed in H/kwhr). A list of principal cost components, an
explanation of the source of derivation of each, and the calculations used to
arrive at the summary costs above shall be provided. Any major uncertainties in
the cost figures used or assumptions relied upon shall be explicitly identified
and their significance shall be discussed.
(3) In situations where electric transmission
facilities serve more than one geothermal power plant, the notice shall
identify costs associated with such transmission facilities in a manner which
recognizes the allocation of such costs over more than one unit.
(4) A general discussion of the estimated
impact of the proposed facilities on customer rates during construction and
after commencement of operation.
(d) In a section entitled "Applicable Laws,
Ordinances, Standards, Permits, and Approvals," the notice shall contain tables
which identify:
(1) Laws, regulations,
standards, adopted local, regional, state, and federal land use plans, permits,
and approvals applicable to the proposed project, and a discussion of the
applicability of each.
(2) The
agency with jurisdiction to issue applicable permits and approvals or to
enforce such identified laws, regulations, standards, and adopted local,
regional, state, and federal land use plans, or agencies which would have
permit approval or enforcement authority but for the exclusive authority of the
commission to certify geothermal sites and related facilities.
(3) The name, title, and address, if known,
of an official within each agency who will serve as a contract person for each
respective agency.
(4) References
to the text of the notice wherein the compatibility of the proposed project
with each identified law, regulation, standard, adopted local, regional, state,
and federal land use plans, permits and approvals, is discussed.
COMMENT: The information requirements set forth in portion IV
of Appendix A applies only to facilities to be constructed by the applicant,
and not to the geothermal field. The applicant's discussion in this portion
shall give particular consideration to those county hydrologic elements, county
solid waste management laws, state water use plans, and water basin plans
identified in Appendix A.V.B.
(e) In a section entitled "Environmental
Description and Project Effects," the notice shall identify potential physical,
biological, social, economic and cultural effects of the proposed project and
contain:
(1) With respect to air quality:
(A) Available baseline air quality data
including concentrations of pollutants, and a comparison of air quality data
with applicable ambient air standards.
(B) Available meteorological data, including
wind speed and direction, ambient temperature, relative humidity, stability and
mixing height, and available upper air data.
(C) A discussion of the extent to which the
data in subsections
1 and
2 above are typical of conditions
at the proposed site and the KGRA; also, provide a description of the
monitoring program, if any, used to obtain required data, including the
location and elevation of monitoring stations, parameters measured, and
duration of monitoring.
(D) A worst
case air quality impact analysis for each proposed site and related facility
and source of air emissions, assuming worst case meteorological conditions and
emissions consistent with applicable emission standards, including the
cumulative effect of wells and pipelines in normal and shutdown modes of
operation, in order to determine the worst case impact on potential sensitive
receptors. Such analysis shall include the basis of the worst case and consider
topography, meteorology, and contributions from other sources in the
KGRA.
(E) A general description of
normal and shutdown modes of operation for the proposed facility or facilities
that affect the release of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere for existing
and proposed sources or groups of sources that would have additive effects,
including estimated frequency of occurrence, duration, location, and estimated
emission rate for each pollutant of interest.
(F) A general discussion of expected or
confirmed chemical constituencies of gaseous and particulate pollutants from
the proposed project including wells and resource conveyance lines.
(G) For facilities using an external water
supply, an estimate of cooling tower particulate and gaseous emissions
associated with each alternative cooling water source considered.
(H) A discussion of applicable rules,
including but not limited to standards, new source review, and significant
deterioration rules established pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with # 39000)
of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, and the methods proposed to
satisfy these rules.
(2). With respect to hydrology, water supply,
and water quality:
(A) A description of
surface waters which may be a source of cooling water or which may be
potentially impacted by the proposed project. Such description shall indicate
the proximity of such surface waters to the geothermal field and power plant
site, availability of cooling water for the project, competitive uses for the
cooling water supply, quality of cooling water supply, and available data on
existing quality of surface waters potentially impacted or any programs
proposed to identify and monitor water quality.
(B) A description of local and regional
groundwater aquifers and related geologic formations, structures, recharge
areas, and major groundwater uses.
(C) A description of existing regional and
local precipitation and storm runoff data, including maximum probable
precipitation and flood potential.
COMMENT: If the applicant proposes to use other than maximum
probable precipitation for flood hazard mitigation design criteria, other
historical extreme precipitation values used for design criteria shall be
provided.
(D) A general
discussion of any liquid discharges, permitted or accidental, or disposals of
solid waste materials which could impact the quality of surface or
groundwater.
(E) A general
discussion of potential project impacts on local hydrologic flows and
runoff.
(F) A general discussion of
the potential for flood hazard to the proposed facilities.
(G) A general discussion of potential
mitigation measures to protect surface and groundwaters from project impacts,
including the identification of any spill clean-up contingency plans proposed
or under consideration at the time of filing of the notice.
(H) A discussion of potential project impacts
on the temperature, mineral content, rate of flow, and other aspects of nearby
utilized thermal springs.
(3) With respect to geology and seismicity:
(A) A general description based on existing
data, including maps, of the tectonic history, fault activity, and historical
seismicity within 50 km of the site, including all known or inferred
potentially active and active faults, an estimate of the magnitude of MCE and
MPE derived for each active fault, and the epicenter and date of any earthquake
with a magnitude equal to or in excess of M4 or which could be reasonably
inferred to have caused ground acceleration of greater than 0.1 G at the
site.
(B) The MCE and MPE peak
bedrock or ground accelerations derived for the proposed site.
(C) A brief discussion of the known
stratigraphic units and significant geologic structures within 10 km of the
site with emphasis on those potentially associate with geotechnical
problems.
(D) A map and detailed
description, based on existing data, of all recognized stratigraphic units,
geologic structures, and geomorphic features or processes within the leasehold
boundaries or two km of the site, whichever is greater, with emphasis on those
associated with geotechnical problems in the site area. The discussion should
include the following anticipated site conditions: ground rupture from
faulting, mass wasting and slope stability, liquefaction or settlement,
subsidence and associated ground rupture, expansion or collapse of soil
structures, cavities, and other adverse site or foundation
conditions.
(E) A description, with
maps, of commercially developed mines, gem, mineral, and fossil collecting
localities, fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, or other geologic resources of
unique recreational or scientific value which may be affected by the proposed
project.
(F) A detailed
description, including maps showing location, of potential impacts to the
geological environment resulting from construction, operation, or failure of
the proposed facilities including inducement or acceleration of mass wasting,
subsidence seismicity, and fault rupture.
COMMENT: The geological environment includes, but is not
limited to, developed mines, gem, mineral and fossil collecting localities,
fumeroles, geysers, and thermal springs.
(G) A general description of typical
mitigation measures, if any, under consideration to eliminate or reduce
identified geologic hazards and impacts to the geologic environment.
COMMENT: The 2, 10 and 50 km distances in items 4, 3, and 1
respectively, are intended as guidelines, and may decrease, if reasons are
given, or increase, as geologic conditions warrant.
COMMENT: Also, for purposes of the proceedings on the notice,
the MCE, MPE and associated accelerations requested in items 1 through 7 above
are intended to establish a common data base with respect to seismic setting
and are not meant to imply proposed levels of seismic design.
Furthermore, where an applicant pursues a certification
process pursuant to Section
1803(a) and files
a notice early in the resource development process information related to the
geologic environment may be based on existing information without performing
original research and investigation.
Finally, the geotechnical information requested above is
consistent with the policy adopted by the State Board of Registration for
Geologists and Geophysicists on July 17, 1978.
(4) With respect to agriculture and soils:
(A) A map of soils at the site and within
geothermal, the leasehold based on available soils information, and a
description of mapped soils including soil erodability, soil taxonomy, and
physical and chemical characteristics. The description of soils shall be
sufficient to allow an evaluation of soil erodability, infiltration rate,
permeability, and of the potential for leaching of pollutant deposition and
cycling of pollutants in the soil-vegetation system.
(B) An assessment of the general effects of
construction and operation of each proposed geothermal power plant facility on
soils including, but not limited to, accelerated soil loss, soil dispersal and
deposition patterns and quantities, the effects of power plant emissions on
surrounding soil-vegetation systems, and the methods used to determine such
effects.
(C) A discussion of the
effects of construction and operation of each proposed geothermal power plant
facility on agricultural resources, including the effects of cooling tower
drift on crops and the removal of prime agricultural land from production. The
discussion of these effects should be based on land capability classifications
and storied ratings for all soil series of the proposed site.
(D) A discussion of mitigation measures under
consideration to minimize effects on agricultural resources and soil-vegetation
systems and to prevent off-site sediment transport.
(5) With respect to biological resources:
(A) A description of vegetational
communities, general wildlife and aquatic resources, and dominant species
within the area potentially impacted by the proposed project.
(B) An identification on a map and a
description of the known probable distribution of fully protected, rare,
threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and commercially or
recreationally valued species and habitats that may be adversely affected by
the project.
(C) An identification
of biological species of special concern and areas of critical biological
concern.
COMMENT: In the notice, an attempt shall be made to identify
species of special concern and areas of critical concern that may be, or are
known by the applicant to be, of special interest to: (1) local, state, and
federal agencies responsible for biological resources within the area
potentially biologically impacted by the project; and/or (2) educational
institutions, museums, biological societies and members of the public that
might have specific knowledge of the biological resources within the
area.
(D) A description of
the potential effects of the proposed project on legally protected and
commercially and recreationally valued biological resources, species of special
concern, and areas of critical biological concern.
(E) A discussion of measures proposed or
under consideration to mitigate impacts to identified biological
resources.
(F) A general discussion
of the effects of the proposed project upon timber and forest land.
(6) With respect to noise:
(A) A land use map which identifies noise
sensitive receptors or groups of receptors in the vicinity of the proposed site
and related facility, and geothermal leasehold, which includes future land uses
identifiable from adopted land use plans and filed development plans at the
time of filing the notice.
(B) A
discussion of either the results of daytime and nighttime ambient noise surveys
at the site and at sensitive receptors, including the general weather
conditions during the surveys, or any plans to conduct such surveys.
COMMENT: If noise concerns are likely to be a significant
consideration for site acceptability due to the proximity of the proposed
facilities to sensitive noise receptors, the applicant should conduct ambient
noise surveys for inclusion in the notice; without such information, no
conclusive findings shall be made during the proceedings on the notice
regarding the acceptability of project noise impacts.
(C) A description of major plant noise
sources and the estimated range of noise emission levels and
characteristics.
(D) An estimation
of the plant construction and operational noise levels at sensitive receptors
potentially impacted by project noise.
(E) A discussion of applicable noise
standards and ordinances and the general conformance of the proposed project
therewith.
(7) With
respect to cultural resources:
(A) A
description of all cultural resource properties (archaeological, historical,
paleontological, and areas of unique religious or scientific value) within the
area potentially impacted by the project identifiable from a literature and
reconnaissance survey.
(B) A
discussion of those cultural resources listed in, declared eligible for, or
nominated to the National Register of Historic Places; those resources that are
listed as state or local landmarks or points of historic interest; and those
resources that are otherwise protected by existing law.
(C) A description of the methodology and
techniques used to identify and evaluate site area cultural resources and any
plans for future studies.
(D) A
description of potential impacts on identified cultural resources from
construction and operation of each proposed geothermal power plant, and the
measures under consideration for mitigation of such impacts.
(8) With respect to social and
economic effects:
(A) A general description,
with an accompanying map, of the existing and proposed future land uses of the
proposed power plant site and geothermal leasehold as designated by applicable
land use plans or guidelines of local, regional, state, and federal agencies;
of the present and proposed land use classifications for the site, leasehold
and adjoining areas which are potentially impacted by the project; and the
location of municipal, county, regional, state and federal parks, recreational
areas, scenic areas, wildlife sanctuaries, religious sanctuaries, or natural
areas in the vicinity of the site and leasehold.
(B) A general description of the social and
economic setting of the area subject to impact from the proposed
project.
(C) An estimation of labor
required during construction and operation of the proposed geothermal power
plant and the geothermal field.
(D)
An estimation of the level of temporary and permanent project-related
immigration to the local area.
(E)
An estimation of the impact of construction activities and project operation on
the local economy and on the availability of public services and facilities
fixtures.
(f)
In a section entitled "Public Health Impacts," the notice shall contain the
following information on the potential public health effects from the
construction and operation of the proposed power plant and geothermal field:
(1) An identification, to the extent known,
of solid gaseous, and water-borne emissions, such 2S, SO2, NH3, and B, total
suspended and respirable particulates, trace metals, and radioactive materials,
which may cause adverse health effects in the surrounding population.
(2) An estimation of the ambient
concentrations for the pollutants identified in subsection A of this section,
and the worst case incremental increase expected as a result of project
emissions.
(3) A general discussion
of concentrations, to the extent known, required for the creation of
potentially significant adverse health effects from identified pollutants as
disclosed in available literature. The discussion shall include variables due
to differing age groups within the general population and portions of the
general population which may be particularly affected by any identified
emissions. The discussion shall also include the age distribution and size of
the population which may be potentially affected by these emissions.
(4) A discussion of all existing federal,
state, and local health standards for identified project emissions.
(g) In a section entitled "Power
Plant Reliability" the notice shall contain the following information on site
dependent reliability-related factors:
(1) A
general discussion of the impact on plant reliability from potential hazards to
each proposed facility caused by, but not limited to, ground rupture by
faulting, mass wasting, and slope stability, liquefaction or settlement,
subsidence and associated ground rupture, expansion or collapse of soil
structures, cavities or other adverse foundation conditions, flooding,
meteorological and climatic extremes, and cooling water supply
reliability.
(2) A general
discussion of performance and design criteria for protecting the facilities
from potential hazards.
(3) A
general description of the basis for formulation or selection of performance
and design criteria discussed in subsection B of this section.
(h) In a section entitled
"Electric Transmission Facilities," the notice shall contain the following
information:
(1) A description of any
electric transmission facilities, lines, stations, or other equipment, whether
or not within the exclusive permit authority of the commission, which will be
required to carry electrical power from each proposed geothermal power plant at
each of the sites presented in the notice to the principal load centers to be
served by the new power plant. Such description shall include the width of
rights-of-way and the physical and electrical characteristics of towers,
conductors, and insulators. For electric transmission facilities outside the
exclusive permit authority of the commission, response to this subsection may
be limited to information, such as capacity and voltage levels and right-of-way
widths, which will allow the commission staff to perform an electric
transmission system planning analysis and to assess the cumulative
environmental impacts.
(2) A
discussion of the need for the additional electric transmission lines,
stations, or other equipment referred to in the notice, the basis for selecting
principal points of junction with the existing electric transmission system,
and the capacity and voltage levels of the proposed lines along with the basis
for selection of the capacity and voltage levels.
(3) A discussion of the extent to which the
proposed electric transmission facilities have been designed, planned, and/or
routed to meet the transmission requirements created by additional generating
facilities planned by the applicant or any other entity in the same general
area.
COMMENT: A precise definition for "general area" as used here
cannot be provided. In some instances the KGRA in which the proposed geothermal
power plant is to be located would comprise the "general area." In all cases
the applicant should acknowledge whether or not power plants proposed in an
area which could be served by common transmission to the main transmission grid
where considered in determining the capacity and general route of the proposed
electric transmission facilities.
(4) An identification of the owners and
operators of the proposed electric transmission facilities and their legal
interest in the proposed route or corridor.
(5) A discussion of alternative methods of
transmitting power from each proposed geothermal power plant that were
considered by the applicant, and the basis for selection of such
methods.
(6) A map or maps showing
the potential corridor or corridors proposed or alternative points of
interconnection, and existing and proposed land uses at and adjoining the
corridor(s) as designated by local, regional, state, and federal
agencies.
(7) A description of the
corridor or route selection process.
(8) A discussion of the physical, biological,
social and cultural, environmental, and engineering advantages and
disadvantages of the alternatives considered.
(9) A preliminary estimate of the costs of
lines, stations, and other equipment that would be required.
(10) If the applicant does not or will not
have an ownership interest in those electric transmission lines proposed to
transmit power from the power plant to a point of junction with an
interconnected system, a discussion of contracts executed or arrangements
contemplated for the transmission of electric power from the proposed
geothermal power plant.
COMMENT: Where tap lines are proposed, the discussion may be
route-specific due to their limited length.
Note: Authority cited: Section 25218(e), Public Resources
Code. Reference: Sections 25001, 25006, 25110, 25502, 25504, 25506 and 25506.5,
Public Resources Code.
