ENVIRONMENTAL DATA IN TRANSMISSION PLANNING AUGUST 3, 2015 Carl Zichella DIRECTOR OF WESTERN TRANSMISSION

NRDC Overview WECC Overview Environmental Resource Data Zoning and Master Panning Presentation Overview

Who is NRDC?

System Adequacy at WECC Lead transmission expansion planning for the Western Interconnection Annual study program Congestion studies Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee (TEPPC) Technical analysis Studies Data Scenarios Subcommittees and Work Groups

TEPPC Members Transmission Stakeholders State & Provincial Entities Environmental Stakeholders Tribes Other Stakeholders Who Does TEPPC Serve?

Environmental Data Work Group Environmental Data Task Force (Now the Environmental Data Work Group EDWG) Formed in June, 2010 Includes representation by broad stakeholders Provides input to transmission expansion planning process 7

Primary EDWG Products Available Reviewed for Quality Relevant to Transmission Planning Preferred Data Sets Four Risk Levels Low Risk (1) to Exclusion Area (4) Risk Classification System Compares relative risks of transmission alternatives Alternatives identified in long-term study cases Available for use outside of WECC Comparison Methodology Considers “environmental risk contours” Also considers cultural risks Considers capital costs of “bending lines” Review of Study Case Results

Environmental/Cultural Data (Samples) Preferred Data Sensitive Species Areas Tribal Lands Conservation Areas Wilderness Areas Scenic Management Areas Historic Trails

Risk Classification Category 4 Exclusion Areas Category 3 High Risk Category 2 Low-to-moderate risk Category 1 Lowest Risk

Benefits of Environmental Data 11 Decrease cost and conflict Avoid delays Use of Data at Planning Stage Avoid or mitigate risks at planning level Ensure Data Quality Use by federal/state/provincial/ regional entities Public Availability of Tools

Example of Use: WECC Long-Term Planning Tool Creates transmission expansion options based on study case inputs Loads, resource costs, fuel prices, carbon cost Options are “point-to-point” Need to “bend the lines” 12

Environmental Risk Classes 1-4 Blue line connects endpoints Darker areas = higher risk category 13

LTPT With Environmental Overlay Semi-transparent EDWG overlay on terrain map Semi-transparent corridor over EDWG and terrain maps 14

How Can You See the Data? 15

ZONING AND MASTER PLANNING

Goals long term/ Plan Long Term Orderly development over time Renewable Resource Zoning Low Impact Lands (ex. Parts of Central Valley) Scalable Infrastructure Avoid unnecessary ROWs Reduce costs Planning for Present and Future Needs

Plan together with Generation RETI-style Zones Scale Transmission to meet expected needs Use Risk Methodology to avoid conflicts Realign Transmission Planning Prioritize Transmission that meets System Needs Transmission Planning

FOR MORE INFORMATION Carl Zichella Natural Resources Defense Council (415) (916)

QUESTIONS?