Facilities Siting Division
Power Plant Siting
- Main Licensing Page
- List of all projects
- Status of all Projects
- Renewable Energy Facilities
- CEC/BLM Solar MOU
- BLM/DOE Solar PEIS
- Database of California Power Plants
- Energy Facility Maps
- Distributed Generation
- AB 1632 Nuclear Assessment
- Siting Data Adequacy Forms
Power Plant Compliance
Information For Developers
Information For Public
Environmental Protection
- Environmental Programs
- Once-Through Cooling
- Avian Guidelines for Wind Project Development
- Greenhouse Gasses
Engineering and Transmission
- Transmission Line Initiatives and Programs
- Strategic Transmission Investment Plan (PDF file)
- SB 1059 Transmission Corridors Designation
- 2005 EPAct Section 368 Federal Energy Corridors
- Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI)
Special Projects
Siting Division Reports & Publications
About the Energy Facilities Siting Division
The mission of the Energy Facilities Siting Division is to ensure that needed energy facilities are authorized in an expeditious, safe and environmentally acceptable manner. In addition, the division prepares environmental documentation for the Commission as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). To attain its objectives, the division maintains a staff of experts in more than 20 environmental and engineering disciplines. The division's range of technical expertise allows it to perform balanced, totally independent evaluations of complex and controversial projects.
Prior to 1975, utilities were required to go through a multi-year process to obtain permits from numerous federal, state and local agencies before constructing new power plants. The Legislature established the California Energy Commission in 1975 and mandated a comprehensive siting process for new power plants. The Legislature gave the Energy Commission the statutory authority to license thermal power plants of 50 megawatts or greater along with the transmission lines, fuel supply lines, and related facilities to serve them.
The Energy Facilities Siting Division has a Siting and Compliance Office, Environmental Protection Office, Engineering and Corridor Designation Office, Strategic Transmission Planning Office , Administration and Special Projects Office, and the Commission Dockets Unit.
Power Plant Siting, and Compliance Office
The Power Plant Siting and Compliance Office manages the individual power plant siting (licensing) cases, compliance monitoring program, and public review process for, and preparation of, CEQA documents. Its responsibilities include meeting legally required schedules, procedures, and ensuring coordinated and objective interdisciplinary analysis for power plant licensing, so that approved power plants are constructed, operated and eventually decommissioned in compliance with the Energy Commission's certification.
Environmental Protection Office
The Environmental Protection Office houses the Commission's experts in biological resources, water resources, air quality, public health, socioeconomics, land use, and related disciplines. In conjunction with siting cases and local government assistance, these experts perform independent field investigations, coordinate with various local, state and federal agencies, prepare in-depth analyses, and present expert testimony at hearings.
Engineering and Corridor Designation Office
The Engineering and Corridor Designation Office contains experts in engineering, geology, power plant efficiency, reliability and facility design, transmission corridor designation, seismicity, systems analysis, and related disciplines. The office provides a unique assemblage of engineers capable of evaluating and presenting expert testimony on all aspects of energy facility design, construction and operation.
Strategic Transmission Planning Office
The Strategic Transmission Planning Office is composed of electrical engineers who conduct transmission system planning and transmission engineering analyses. The office examines statewide electric transmission issues, assesses the value of proposed in-state and interstate transmission expansion projects, represents the state in various in-state and interstate transmission planning forums, and presents expert testimony on transmission engineering.
Administration and Special Projects Office
Administration and Special Projects Office handles the administrative functions for the division as well as special projects, such as siting regulations proceedings, tracking siting-related legislation, and evaluation of environmental trends for California's generation facilities.
Docket Unit
The Docket Unit keeps the documentation for all Energy Commission proceedings. All public and agency correspondence for siting cases is sent to the Docket Unit.