Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet May 26-27, 2022

SALEM — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council will be held virtually and in person on Thursday and Friday, May 26-27, 2022. The meeting will begin at 5:15 Thursday evening and reconvene at 8:30 Friday morning.

The main items on the Council’s agenda are:

Nolin Hills Wind Power Project, Public Hearing on Draft Proposed Order on Application for Site Certificate (Hearing) – A 600 megawatt (MW) wind and solar facility in Umatilla County proposed by Nolin Hills Wind, LLC.

  • Proposed Facility Overview: Kathleen Sloan, Senior Siting Analyst, will provide an overview of the siting process, proposed facility components and location.

  • Public Hearing Overview: Kate Triana, Senior Administrative Law Judge at the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings, will explain the legal requirements for providing comments on the record and will facilitate the hearing.

  • Public Hearing: Interested individuals will have an opportunity to provide oral testimony on the Application for Site Certificate and Draft Proposed Order. Written comments may also be submitted to the Department through the close of the public hearing.

Port Westward Renewable Fuels Project, Council Review of Site Certificate Exemption Request (Action Item) – Wally Adams, Operations and Policy Analyst, will present the Proposed Order on a request for an exemption from the requirement to obtain a Site Certificate for NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon, LLC.

Protected Areas, Scenic Resources, and Recreation Standards Rulemaking (Action Item) Christopher M. Clark, ODOE Senior Siting Analyst and EFSC Rules Coordinator will provide staff’s analysis of issues related to Historic Properties of Cultural and Religious Significance to Indian Tribes raised by Council members at the April meeting, and will request Council’s authorization to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and initiate formal proceedings to adopt proposed amendments to the Protected Areas, Scenic Resources, and Recreation Standards and associated rules.

Wildfire Prevention and Response Rulemaking – Consideration of Proposed Rules (Action Item) Christopher M. Clark, Senior Siting Analyst and EFSC Rules Coordinator will request Council’s authorization to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and initiate formal proceedings to adopt new rules to address wildfire prevention and response at energy facilities.

There will also be an opportunity for public comment.

The full meeting agenda and other meeting materials are available on ODOE’s website: www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/facilities/Pages/Council-Meetings.aspx.

This meeting will be held virtually using the online Webex platform, and in person in Pendleton, OR. Please see the meeting agenda for detailed instructions on how to participate.

To request an interpreter for the hearing impaired or accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact the department at least 72 hours before the meeting at 1-800-221-8035 or fax 503-373-7806. TTY users should call the Oregon Relay Service at 711.