Power Plant Siting Lessons Learned

Docket # 10-SIT-OII-1

Robert B. Weisenmiller, Chair

Karen Douglas, Commissioner

On December 1, 2010, the California Energy Commission adopted an Order Instituting an Informational (OII) Proceeding on issues that are critical to the licensing of thermal power plants. Over the course of the next several months, this proceeding will examine the lessons learned in the review of both the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) solar projects, and the natural gas-fired power plants reviewed during 2009 and 2010.

In the OII Proceeding, the Siting Policy Committee will assess the Energy Commission's siting processes, and examine critical issues common among solar-thermal and/or conventional power plants. The Committee will use the information gathered during this proceeding to prepare a report which describes the topics examined, their significance in the licensing process, their priority of importance, and actions needed to avoid or address any problems identified. Based upon the outcome of the OII Proceeding, the Committee may recommend changes to its siting regulations through an Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) proceeding beginning in 2011.

For More Information Contact: