Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet November 17, 2023

SALEM — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023. Attendance will be open to the public both in person and virtually using the online Webex platform. Please see the meeting agenda for more detailed information, including meeting time, location, and instructions on how to attend virtually.

The main items on the Council’s agenda include:

Radioactive Material Enforcement Rulemaking Decision, Council Review of Public Comments and Consideration of Permanent Rules (Action Item) – Thomas Jackman, Siting Policy Analyst & Rules Coordinator. Council will review public comments and consider the adoption of permanent rules on the proposed revisions to OAR Chapter 345, Division 050, related to enforcement of rules and laws governing the transport and disposal of radioactive materials and waste in Oregon.

Standby Rulemaking Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Action Item) – Thomas Jackman, Siting Policy Analyst & Rules Coordinator. The Council will receive a presentation on a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for proposed revisions to OAR 345-015-0360. These proposed changes implement recent legislation stating that an exemption under OAR 345-015-0350(6) for a standby generation facility is not required.

Obsidian Solar Center Request for Site Certificate Amendment 1 – Council Possible Material Change Hearing and Public Notice of Hearing to Adopt Final Order (ORS 469.370(7)) (Action Item) – Kathleen Sloan, Senior Siting Analyst, will present an overview of the approved 400 MW solar PV facility, and the changes proposed in Request for Amendment 1. The proposed changes include adding approximately 169 acres to the site boundary to allow siting of a generation step-up substation in an alternate location; and increase length (2 miles to 3.2 miles) and voltage (115 kV to 138 kV) of aboveground transmission line. The Council will either adopt, modify, or reject the Proposed Order as the Final Order. If the Council modifies the Proposed Order as the Final Order, and any of those modifications constitute material changes, there will be a hearing on those material changes before the Council issues its final decision.

The full meeting agenda and other meeting materials are available on ODOE’s website.

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.