Obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility

Process and Best Practices

October 15, 2024 | Online :: Pacific Time

1024-certificates-environmental-compatibility

The Obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility conference will focus on the regulatory and practical aspects of renewable energy development in Arizona. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the statutory framework for power plant and transmission line siting, recent updates to regulations, and strategies for compliance and obtaining and amending CECs. The conference will feature expert-led presentations, real world case studies, and a discussion on challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector, providing valuable insights for navigating Arizona’s evolving energy landscape.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and evaluate locations for clean energy development
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the statutory framework governing power plant and transmission line siting in Arizona
• Review the legislative history, key provisions, and current regulatory requirements for obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility (CEC)
• Explore the evolution of statues and regulations related to electric infrastructure projects in Arizona
• Examine the processes and criteria for amending existing CECs, including case studies and practical examples
• Gain insights into strategies for maintaining compliance with CEC requirements and addressing compliance challenges
• Discover best practices and strategies used by utilities in planning and executing renewable energy projects

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 : Mountain Standard (Pacific) Time

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. :: Overview and Instructions

9:05 – 9:50 a.m. :: The Power of Place

This presentation will cover the Power of Place study from The Nature Conservancy that outlines where and how we can cost-effectively use land to deliver clean energy solutions while minimizing impacts to biodiversity and people.

Nicole Hill, Arizona Climate Program Director, The Nature Conservancy 

9:50 – 10:35 a.m. :: Statutory Framework for Transmission Siting in Arizona and CEC Considerations

The regulatory framework that governs the siting of new transmission facilities varies from state to state. In Arizona, transmission siting is governed by a 1971 statute that established the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee. The key provisions of the siting statute applicable to transmission siting will be covered in this presentation. Topics covered will include:

• Legislative history of the Siting Statute
• Organization and membership of the Committee
• Obligation to file an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for a transmission line
• Transmission line definition
• 90-day plan requirement
• Application shall be in a form prescribed by the Commission
• Publication of notice of hearing and notice to affected jurisdictions
• Hearing process before the Committee
• Factors to be considered by Committee in considering whether to grant a CEC
• Review and approval of Committee decision by the Commission
• Commission’s balancing of interests upon request for review

Matt Derstine, Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP

10:35 – 10:45 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. :: Complying with Arizona State Historic Preservation Act

The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (AZ SHPO) reviews CEC applications under the State Historic Preservation Act (State Act). During this session, the AZ SHPO will provide information regarding their office, including who they are and what they do, and the State Act, including the triggers for compliance review, the review process, potential obstacles (e.g., land jurisdiction, historic properties within the project area, schedules), and what happens next. They will also provide an overview of the information they are looking for during their review, the guidance available, and tips to help them streamline your review.

Caroline Klebacha, M.A., Archaeological Compliance Specialist, State Historic Preservation Office

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. :: Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Requirements

In 1971, the Arizona Legislature created the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to review construction of new major electric facilities in Arizona and make recommendations to the Arizona Corporation Commission. Today, the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee has before it a robust slate of electric infrastructure projects looking to enter Arizona. Due to the surge in new technology and infrastructure, the relevant statutes and regulations no longer operate effectively and efficiently in reviewing projects and are being updated to accommodate the evolution of the energy industry. This session will provide attendees with an overview of the power plant and line siting process, discuss the evolution of the applicable statute and regulations, and provide tips for ensuring compliance with this regulatory regime.

Elias Ancharski, Associate, Osborn Maledon

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. :: Lunch Break

1:30 – 2:15 p.m. :: Siting in a Volatile Place

This session will cover:

• An overview of the power plant and line siting process
• The evolution of the applicable statute and regulations
• How to prepare for Arizona’s regulatory climate
• Ways to improve the potential outcome

Paul Walker, Energy Markets & Regulation Consultant, Theseus

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. :: Continuing Compliance and CEC Amendments

This session will discuss case studies for when a CEC amendment is needed, the available processes to amend a CEC and examples of the methods being used to raise compliance challenges.

Bert Acken, Founder, Acken Law

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. :: Case Study: Utility’s View of Line Siting and CEC Amendments: Case Study on Biscuit Flats Project

The planning, strategies, and behind the scenes work that goes into deciding to file for a new CEC, amending an existing CEC, or both. This case study will walk you through a real project that APS completed in 2021 that involved two CEC amendments heard by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee.

• Decision on CEC amendment or new filing
• Strategy on evidentiary hearing options (ALJ vs. Siting Committee)
• Experience being a witness
• Error traps
• After the hearing

Jason Spitzkoff, T&D Manager – Transmission Xpansion, Arizona Public Service

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. :: Renewable Energy Development at Arevon Energy

This presentation will cover the development of renewable energy in Arizona from the viewpoint of Arevon Energy.

Jonathan Pagnussat, Senior Interconnection Manager, Arevon Energy, Inc.

Elias Ancharski, Associate, Osborn Maledon

Bert Acken, Founder, Acken Law

Matt Derstine, Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP

Nicole Hill, Arizona Climate Program Director, The Nature Conservancy 

Caroline Klebacha, M.A., Archaeological Compliance Specialist, State Historic Preservation Office

Jonathan Pagnussat, Senior Interconnection Manager, Arevon Energy, Inc.

Jason Spitzkoff, T&D Manager – Transmission Xpansion, Arizona Public Service

Paul Walker, Energy Markets & Regulation Consultant, Theseus

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility

October 15, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before September 13, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for this event.

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must long on and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations, Q&A and open discussion

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 7.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

• Renewable Energy Developers
• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Policy Analysts
• Project Managers
• Transmission Engineers
• Consultants
• Environmental Compliance Specialists
• Legal counsel
• Zoning and Permitting Coordinators
• Land Rights Specialists