Renewable Energy Streamlining Program(RESP)

California Energy CommissionAugust 3, 2015

James Caruso, Senior Planner

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

What is the RESP?

A program to encourage and streamline development of renewable energy projects

Based on policies in the Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE)

Revised Elements, Rules and Ordinances: Conservation and Open Space Element Agriculture Element Land use Element/Land Use Ordinance Williamson Act Rules of Procedure

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

What is Streamlining?

Streamline the land use permit process for defined renewable energy projects:

Ministerial v. Discretionary Shorten permitting time frames Decrease uncertainty of the result Focus on Distributed Generation (< 20 MW) Less than 40 acres (started at 160 acres) Programmatic EIR

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

Features of the RESP

Renewable Energy (RE) combining designation

Large 10-mile radius circles around substations Streamline approvals (ministerial process) for

distributed generation projects up to 40 acres

Must meet performance standards

Alternative to a Use Permit

RESP applies in inland areas only

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

RE designation does not include: Federal Lands (National Forest) State Lands (parks) Coastal Zone

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

Accessory Renewable Energy Facilities Provide energy for on site uses

If ground-mounted, under 3 acres

Not on Class I or II soils

Large accessory solar facility

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

Large Accessory Solar Facility

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

What Did We Learn?

Policy Alignment Agriculture Biological Resources

CEQA < streamlining and > resource protection Adds uncertainty/time

Protect Prerogatives

Landscape scale limitations

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND BUILDING

Promoting the wise use of land Helping build great communities

What Did We Learn?

Infrastructure limits (approx 70 MW)

Cast a wide net

EIR for future projects

Accessory Uses (Agriculture)

Williamson Act lands

Renewable Energy Streamlining Program(RESP)

California Energy CommissionAugust 3, 2015