DOE eases environmental review requirements for transmission, storage, and solar projects

The Edwards & Sanborn Solar + Storage Project features the largest PV array and BESS in the United States, but two proposed California projects could soon claim the crown. Courtesy: Mortenson

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is simplifying the environmental review process for certain energy storage systems such as battery systems, transmission line upgrades, and solar photovoltaic systems.

DOE is amending its list of categories of projects which, because they typically do not have significant environmental impacts, qualify for the simplest form of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DOE said it is taking these steps to reduce the cost and time for environmental analysis incurred by DOE, project developers, and the public for these projects.

DOE based the proposed changes on evaluations of the environmental impacts of these types of projects through research, conducting environmental reviews, and engaging with industry, local communities, and other government agencies. DOE said it considered its experience with energy storage, transmission line upgrades, and solar energy projects before simplifying the environmental review process.

DOE says the changes will allow it to still look closely at proposed projects, while completing environmental review responsibilities in a “faster and less expensive manner.”


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Transmission

DOE argues that upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines can extend their useful life, reduce the need for new power lines, and update the power grid with newer, more efficient, and more resilient technology.

DOE’s changes remove existing limitations on the length of existing powerlines that are eligible for the simplest form of NEPA review, give developers the option to relocate within land already allocated to or developed for their power line, and require that upgrades or rebuilds of the line incorporate best practices to protect the local environment.

Energy storage

The changes DOE is announcing promote the development of storage systems by simplifying the environmental review process for building, operating, upgrading, or decommissioning battery or flywheel energy storage systems within or near areas that have already been developed.

Solar

DOE’s changes increase the size of solar projects that qualify for the simplest environmental reviews under NEPA.  

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