Welcome to the California Energy Commission

Acronyms & Definitions used in Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) Cases

Applicant

The person or entity seeking approval to construct and operate a power plant or transmission line that falls within the Energy Commission's jurisdiction.

California Code of Regulations (CCR)

A compilation of regulations adopted by state agencies. The regulations pertaining to siting are contained in Title 20.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA - pronounced SEE-kwah)

CEQA (commencing with Section 2100 of the Public Resources Code) is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible. The Energy Commission's review of Small Power Plant Exemption is subject to CEQA.

Committee

Two commissioners designated by the Energy Commission to preside over an individual siting case.

Data Request

Process used to obtain information from another party that is reasonably available and relevant to the proceeding.

Discovery Period

This is a phase where the Energy Commission staff, agencies and intervenors begin gathering information. Staff workshops may be held during this period.

Docket

The Docket Unit of the Energy Commission. The Commission Docket has the responsibility of receiving, protecting, maintaining, retrieving, distributing and archiving all original, duplicate and confidential materials which are the official records for all energy policy, rulemaking, regulatory and administrative proceedings held by the Commission.

Docket Number

The Docket number represents the coding system used to identify siting and other proceedings held before the Commission. The Docket number assigned by the Docket staff consists of the year initiated, the proceeding acronym, and the consecutive proceeding number within each year (i.e., for SPPE siting cases, YY-SPPE-NN).

Evidentiary Hearing

A hearing to establish the factual record necessary to reach a decision in the case. The committee takes written, oral, and documentary testimony and exhibits from the parties.

Expert Witness

A person is qualified as an expert if he has special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education sufficient to qualify him /her as an expert on the subject to which his/her testimony relates. To qualify the expert witness, a biography including the educational background, qualifying experience, and a list of relevant circulated writings should be filed and served along with the prepared testimony.

Health Risk Assessment (HRA)

Defined in Health & Safety Code Section 44306, it means a detailed comprehensive analysis prepared pursuant to HSC Section 44361 to evaluate and predict the dispersion of hazardous substances in the environment and the potential for exposure of human populations and to assess and qualify both the individual and population wide health risks associated with those levels of exposure.

Hearing Officer

An Energy Commission attorney designated to assist a committee in conducting the siting proceeding.

Hearing Record

The materials that the committee or commission accepts at a hearing.

Impact Area

The area which is potentially affected by the construction, modification, or operation of a proposed power plant and related facilities.

Intervenor

Any person who has been granted leave to intervene (become a party) by the presiding member in a siting proceeding. Any person may file a petition to intervene in the siting proceeding.

Lead Agency

As defined in the California Environmental Quality Act is the public agency which has principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a project that may have a significant effect on the environment. The Energy Commission serves as the lead agency under CEQA for Small Power Plant Exemption.

LORS

Laws, ordinances, regulations and standards.

Megawatt (MW)

One million Watts. One megawatt will provide electricity for approximately 1,000 homes.

Party

The applicant, the staff of the commission, and any intervenor.

Peaker Power Plant

A power generating station that is normally used to produce extra electricity during peak load times.

Presiding Member

A Commissioner designated to lead a committee. Title 20 CCR Section 1702(k).

Project Manager

Energy Commission staff assigned to the siting case with the overall responsibility for directing staff activities, organizing workshops and overseeing staff's technical proficiency.

Proof of Service

Is a statement, made by a neutral person (non-party) attesting that a document was properly served (delivered) to the appropriate parties. The signed original Proof of Service must accompany the original paper filed with the Docket Unit of the Energy Commission and list the parties served.

Public Adviser

An attorney appointed by the Governor to serve as adviser to the public and to the commission to ensure that full and adequate participation by members of the public is secured in the commission's proceedings.

Siting Process

The chain of events leading to a decision by the five-member commission to approve or disapprove construction of a power facility.

Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE)

The process that exempts applicants proposing thermal power plants with a net generating capacity of 50 megawatts or greater but less than 100 megawatts from the requirement of filing an Application for Certification.

Testimony

Any oral or written statement offered by any party, under oath in any proceeding before the commission. Whereas, Comment means any oral or written statement made by any person, not under oath, in any proceeding before the commission.

Warren-Alquist Act (WAA)

The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act created the Energy Commission in 1974. The statutes are found in the Public Resources Code beginning at Section 25000.

Workshop

An informal meeting of interested parties to facilitate the full and open exchange of information and the discussion and informal resolution of issues in a public forum. Commissioners do not attend workshops.