SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAY June 17, 2014, 1pm RENEWABLE ENERGY IN HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY Gina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA) ENERGY MANAGEMENT: FINANCING SUSTAINABILITY Noel Lafayette, SHR Energy Management (CT/NY) HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY USE FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION, BIOMASS PRODUCTION, AND ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING David Ponder, Good Company LA METRO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECTS Cris Liban, D.Env., P.E., LA Metro (CA) UTILIZING RIGHT-OF-WAYS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS Ned Codd, P.E., Assistant Secretary for GreenDOT, MassDOT

SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAY Renewable Energy in Highway Rights-of-Way By: Gina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA) The U.S. DOT Volpe Center has worked with the Federal Highway Administration and select State DOTs to explore the feasibility and implications of implementing renewable energy technologies in highway rights-of-way. Early adopters of these types of projects have encountered a variety of economic, ecological, legal, and political challenges related to whether accommodating renewable energy technologies can be a practical highway land management practices. This presentation will describe permitting options for these types of projects, highlight projects currently underway, and outline potential future research areas. Gina Filosa is an Operations Research Analyst with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center, a unique Federal agency focused on advancing transportation innovation for the public good. Ms. Filosa provides technical research and policy and planning support to Federal agencies in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental streamlining, and long-range transportation planning. Her recent work includes an analysis of the implications of accommodating renewable energy technologies and alternative fuel facilities along highways. Ms. Filosa holds an M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Providence College.

3 Renewable Energy in Highway Right-of-Way Transportation Research Board Committee ADC60 Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Workshop Tuesday, June 17, 2014 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Office of Real Estate Services The National Transportation Systems Center Solar Array on State Route 44 in Carver, MA

4  2012 “Alternative Uses of ROW” Report  2013 Briefing book and pilot projects  Arizona and Colorado DOTs FHWA and Volpe’s recent activities Federal Highway Administration Office of Real Estate Services Michigan DOT: Grid-connected PV at rest areas

5 Website Federal Highway Administration Office of Real Estate Services

6 Carver, MA: Solar Project Source: Jack Hunter Ohio DOT: Veteran’s Glass City Skyway Bridge Source: Ohio DOT Oregon DOT: Solar Highway Projects Source: Oregon DOT

7 Missouri DOT: I-44 Welcome Center Wind Project Photo: Windspire Energy, MoDOT Texas DOT: Culberson County Rest Area Photo: Texas DOT

8  Utility Accommodation  Utility Accommodation Policy (23 CFR 645 Subpart B)  Airspace lease (23 CFR 710 Subpart D)  Control of Access to Interstate (23 CFR h)  Use and Occupancy Permit (23 CFR )  Environmental  Local government permitting Permitting/Regulatory Requirements Federal Highway Administration Office of Real Estate Services

9 Potential Business Models  Utility/developer installs and operates facility in ROW  DOT purchases electricity  DOT does not purchase electricity  DOT acquires ownership or Renewable Energy Credits  DOT owns and operates facility Public Private Partnership – DOT Purchases Electricity

10 Other considerations  Siting criteria  Lease agreements  State energy regulations:  Interconnection standards  Net metering policies  Renewable Portfolio Standard Photo: Gary Weber, ODOT Photo: Carver, MA

11 Research Questions/Needs  What are the environmental, safety, operational trade-offs? Do they vary by region?  Solar glare impacts?  Does snow deposition on solar present unique maintenance issues?  Crosswinds or ice throw from, or bird mortality caused by wind turbines?  Options to balance trade-offs or alleviate impacts?

12 Research Questions/Needs (cont.)  Value-based selection criteria  Life-cycle assessments  More information on European experience  Integration with noise barriers UK example Source: Germany example Source:

13 Contact Gina Filosa U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center FHWA Renewable Energy in ROW website: way/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm way/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm Federal Highway Administration Office of Real Estate Services