ORS 469.373
Expedited processing for certain natural gas energy facilities


(1)

Notwithstanding the expedited review process established pursuant to ORS 469.370 (Draft proposed order for hearing), an applicant may apply under the provisions of this section for expedited review of an application for a site certificate for an energy facility if the energy facility:

(a)

Is a combustion turbine energy facility fueled by natural gas or is a reciprocating engine fueled by natural gas, including an energy facility that uses petroleum distillate fuels for backup power generation;

(b)

Is a permitted or conditional use allowed under an applicable local acknowledged comprehensive plan, land use regulation or federal land use plan, and is located:

(A)

At or adjacent to an existing energy facility; or

(B)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.
(i)
At, adjacent to or in close proximity to an existing industrial use; and
(ii)
In an area currently zoned or designated for industrial use;

(c)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Requires no more than three miles of associated transmission lines or three miles of new natural gas pipelines outside of existing rights of way for transmission lines or natural gas pipelines; or

(B)

Imposes, in the determination of the Energy Facility Siting Council, no significant impact in the locating of associated transmission lines or new natural gas pipelines outside of existing rights of way;

(d)

Requires no new water right or water right transfer;

(e)

Provides funds to a qualified organization in an amount determined by the council to be sufficient to produce any required reduction in emissions as specified in ORS 469.503 (Requirements for approval of energy facility site certificate) (2)(c)(C) and in rules adopted under ORS 469.503 (Requirements for approval of energy facility site certificate) for the total carbon dioxide emissions produced by the energy facility for the life of the energy facility; and

(f)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Discharges process wastewater to a wastewater treatment facility that has an existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, can obtain an industrial pretreatment permit, if needed, within the expedited review process time frame and has written confirmation from the wastewater facility permit holder that the additional wastewater load will be accommodated by the facility without resulting in a significant thermal increase in the facility effluent or without requiring any changes to the wastewater facility National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit;

(B)

Plans to discharge process wastewater to a wastewater treatment facility owned by a municipal corporation that will accommodate the wastewater from the energy facility and supplies evidence from the municipal corporation that:
(i)
The municipal corporation has included, or intends to include, the process wastewater load from the energy facility in an application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit; and
(ii)
All conditions required of the energy facility to allow the discharge of process wastewater from the energy facility will be satisfied; or

(C)

Obtains a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or water pollution control facility permit for process wastewater disposal, supplies evidence to support a finding that the discharge can likely be permitted within the expedited review process time frame and that the discharge will not require:
(i)
A new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, except for a storm water general permit for construction activities; or
(ii)
A change in any effluent limit or discharge location under an existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or water pollution control facility permit.

(2)

An applicant seeking expedited review under this section shall submit documentation to the State Department of Energy, prior to the submission of an application for a site certificate, that demonstrates that the energy facility meets the qualifications set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The department shall determine, within 14 days of receipt of the documentation, on a preliminary, nonbinding basis, whether the energy facility qualifies for expedited review.

(3)

If the department determines that the energy facility preliminarily qualifies for expedited review, the applicant may submit an application for expedited review. Within 30 days after the date that the application for expedited review is submitted, the department shall determine whether the application is complete. If the department determines that the application is complete, the application shall be deemed filed on the date that the department sends the applicant notice of its determination. If the department determines that the application is not complete, the department shall notify the applicant of the deficiencies in the application and shall deem the application filed on the date that the department determines that the application is complete. The department or the council may request additional information from the applicant at any time.

(4)

The State Department of Energy shall send a copy of a filed application to the Department of Environmental Quality, the Water Resources Department, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the State Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land Conservation and Development, the Public Utility Commission and any other state agency, city, county or political subdivision of the state that has regulatory or advisory responsibility with respect to the proposed energy facility. The State Department of Energy shall send with the copy of the filed application a notice specifying that:

(a)

In the event the council issues a site certificate for the energy facility, the site certificate will bind the state and all counties, cities and political subdivisions in the state as to the approval of the site, the construction of the energy facility and the operation of the energy facility, and that after the issuance of a site certificate, all permits, licenses and certificates addressed in the site certificate must be issued as required by ORS 469.401 (Energy facility site certificate) (3); and

(b)

The comments and recommendations of state agencies, counties, cities and political subdivisions concerning whether the proposed energy facility complies with any statute, rule or local ordinance that the state agency, county, city or political subdivision would normally administer in determining whether a permit, license or certificate required for the construction or operation of the energy facility should be approved will be considered only if the comments and recommendations are received by the department within a reasonable time after the date the application and notice of the application are sent by the department.

(5)

Within 90 days after the date that the application was filed, the department shall issue a draft proposed order setting forth:

(a)

A description of the proposed energy facility;

(b)

A list of the permits, licenses and certificates that are addressed in the application and that are required for the construction or operation of the proposed energy facility;

(c)

A list of the statutes, rules and local ordinances that are the standards and criteria for approval of any permit, license or certificate addressed in the application and that are required for the construction or operation of the proposed energy facility; and

(d)

Proposed findings specifying how the proposed energy facility complies with the applicable standards and criteria for approval of a site certificate.

(6)

The council shall review the application for site certification in the manner set forth in subsections (7) to (10) of this section and shall issue a site certificate for the facility if the council determines that the facility, with any required conditions to the site certificate, will comply with:

(a)

The requirements for expedited review as specified in this section;

(b)

The standards adopted by the council pursuant to ORS 469.501 (Energy facility siting, construction, operation and retirement standards) (1)(a), (c) to (e), (g), (h) and (L) to (o);

(c)

The requirements of ORS 469.503 (Requirements for approval of energy facility site certificate) (3); and

(d)

The requirements of ORS 469.504 (Facility compliance with statewide planning goals) (1)(b).

(7)

Following submission of an application for a site certificate, the council shall hold a public informational meeting on the application. Following the issuance of the proposed order, the council shall hold at least one public hearing on the application. The public hearing shall be held in the area affected by the energy facility. The council shall mail notice of the hearing at least 20 days prior to the hearing. The notice shall comply with the notice requirements of ORS 197.797 (Local quasi-judicial land use hearings) (2) and shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(a)

A description of the energy facility and the general location of the energy facility;

(b)

The name of a department representative to contact and the telephone number at which people may obtain additional information;

(c)

A statement that copies of the application and proposed order are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost; and

(d)

A statement that the record for public comment on the application will close at the conclusion of the hearing and that failure to raise an issue in person or in writing prior to the close of the record, with sufficient specificity to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue, will preclude consideration of the issue, by the council or by a court on judicial review of the council’s decision.

(8)

Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, the applicant may request an opportunity to present additional written evidence, arguments or testimony regarding the application. In the alternative, prior to the conclusion of the hearing, the applicant may request a contested case hearing on the application. If the applicant requests an opportunity to present written evidence, arguments or testimony, the council shall leave the record open for that purpose only for a period not to exceed 14 days after the date of the hearing. Following the close of the record, the department shall prepare a draft final order for the council. If the applicant requests a contested case hearing, the council may grant the request if the applicant has shown good cause for a contested case hearing. If a request for a contested case hearing is granted, subsections (9) to (11) of this section do not apply, and the application shall be considered under the same contested case procedures used for a nonexpedited application for a site certificate.

(9)

The council shall make its decision based on the record and the draft final order prepared by the department. The council shall, within six months of the date that the application is deemed filed:

(a)

Grant the application;

(b)

Grant the application with conditions;

(c)

Deny the application; or

(d)

Return the application to the site certification process required by ORS 469.320 (Site certificate required).

(10)

If the application is granted, the council shall issue a site certificate pursuant to ORS 469.401 (Energy facility site certificate) and 469.402 (Delegation of review of future action required by site certificate). Notwithstanding subsection (6) of this section, the council may impose conditions based on standards adopted under ORS 469.501 (Energy facility siting, construction, operation and retirement standards) (1)(b), (f) and (i) to (k), but may not deny an application based on those standards.

(11)

Judicial review of the approval or rejection of a site certificate by the council under this section shall be as provided in ORS 469.403 (Rehearing on approval or rejection of application for site certificate or amendment). [2001 c.683 §15; 2011 c.298 §1]
Note: 469.373 (Expedited processing for certain natural gas energy facilities) was added to and made a part of 469.300 (Definitions) to 469.563 (Court orders for enforcement) by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 469.373 — Expedited processing for certain natural gas energy facilities, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors469.­html.

469.010
Policy
469.020
Definitions
469.030
State Department of Energy
469.040
Director
469.050
Limitations on subsequent employment of director
469.055
Authority of department to require fingerprints
469.059
Biennial comprehensive report
469.080
Energy resource information
469.085
Procedure for imposing civil penalties
469.090
Confidentiality of information submitted under ORS 469.080
469.097
Duty to monitor industry progress in energy conservation
469.100
Agency consideration of legislative policy
469.110
Dealings with federal government
469.120
State Department of Energy Account
469.135
Energy Conservation Clearinghouse for Commerce and Industry
469.137
Biogas and renewable natural gas inventory
469.150
Energy suppliers to provide conservation services and information
469.155
Advisory energy conservation standards for dwellings
469.229
Definitions for ORS 469.229 to 469.261
469.233
Energy efficiency standards
469.238
Sale of products not meeting standards prohibited
469.239
Installation of products not meeting standards prohibited
469.255
Manufacturers to test products
469.261
Department to review standards
469.300
Definitions
469.310
Policy
469.320
Site certificate required
469.330
Notice of intent to file application for site certificate
469.350
Application for site certificate
469.360
Evaluation of notice of intent, site application or expedited review request
469.370
Draft proposed order for hearing
469.373
Expedited processing for certain natural gas energy facilities
469.375
Required findings for radioactive waste disposal facility certificate
469.378
Land use compatibility statement for energy facility
469.401
Energy facility site certificate
469.402
Delegation of review of future action required by site certificate
469.403
Rehearing on approval or rejection of application for site certificate or amendment
469.405
Amendment of site certificate
469.407
Amendment of application to increase capacity of facility
469.409
Amendment of site certificate to demonstrate compliance with carbon dioxide emissions standard
469.410
Energy facility site certificate applications filed or under construction prior to July 2, 1975
469.413
Power generation from fossil fuels
469.421
Fees
469.424
Energy resource suppliers
469.426
Advisory group
469.430
Site inspections
469.440
Grounds for revocation or suspension of certificates
469.441
Justification of fees charged
469.442
Procedure prior to construction of transmission line in excess of 230,000 volts
469.450
Energy Facility Siting Council
469.460
Officers
469.470
Powers and duties
469.480
Local government advisory group
469.490
Adoption of rules
469.501
Energy facility siting, construction, operation and retirement standards
469.503
Requirements for approval of energy facility site certificate
469.504
Facility compliance with statewide planning goals
469.505
Consultation with other agencies
469.507
Monitoring environmental and ecological effects of construction and operation of energy facilities
469.520
Cooperation of state governmental bodies
469.525
Prohibitions on radioactive waste disposal, arrangements for disposal, transportation for disposal and disposal facilities
469.530
Review and approval of security programs
469.533
State Department of Energy rules for health protection and evacuation procedures in nuclear emergency
469.534
County procedures
469.535
Governor may assume control of emergency operations during nuclear accident or catastrophe
469.536
Public utility to disseminate information under ORS 469.533
469.540
Reductions or curtailment of operations for violation of safety standards
469.550
Order for halt of plant operations or activities with radioactive material
469.553
Active uranium mill or mill tailings disposal facility site certification required
469.556
Rules governing uranium-related activities
469.559
Cooperative agreements authorized between council and federal officials and agencies
469.560
Records
469.561
Property insurance required
469.562
Eligible insurers
469.563
Court orders for enforcement
469.564
Records or information for enforcement
469.566
Legislative findings
469.568
Construction of ORS 469.566 to 469.583
469.569
Definitions for ORS 469.566 to 469.583
469.571
Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board
469.572
Compensation of board members
469.573
Purpose of Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board
469.574
Duties of Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board
469.575
Duties of chairperson of Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board
469.576
Review of Hanford as site selected for long-term disposal of high-level radioactive waste
469.577
Lead agency
469.578
Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board to implement agreements with federal agencies
469.579
Authority to accept moneys
469.581
Advisory and technical committees
469.582
Cooperation with Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board
469.583
Rules
469.584
Findings
469.585
Activities of state related to selection of high-level radioactive waste disposal site
469.586
Findings
469.587
Position of State of Oregon related to operation of Hanford Nuclear Reservation
469.590
Definitions for ORS 469.590 to 469.595
469.593
Findings
469.594
Storage of high-level radioactive waste after expiration of license prohibited
469.595
Condition to site certificate for nuclear-fueled thermal power plant
469.597
Election procedure
469.599
Public Utility Commission’s duty
469.601
Effect of ORS 469.595 on applications and applicants
469.603
Intent to regulate transportation of radioactive material
469.605
Permit to transport required
469.606
Determination of best and safest route
469.607
Authority of council
469.609
Annual report to state agencies and local governments on shipment of radioactive wastes
469.611
Emergency preparedness and response program
469.613
Records
469.615
Indemnity for claims against state insurance coverage certification
469.617
Report to legislature
469.619
State Department of Energy to make federal regulations available
469.631
Definitions for ORS 469.631 to 469.645
469.633
Investor-owned utility program
469.634
Contributions for urban and community forest activities by customers of investor-owned utilities
469.635
Alternative program of investor-owned utilities
469.636
Additional financing program by investor-owned utility for rental dwelling
469.637
Energy conservation part of utility service of investor-owned utility
469.639
Billing for energy conservation measures
469.641
Conditions for cash payments to dwelling owner by investor-owned utility
469.643
Formula for customer charges
469.645
Implementation of program by investor-owned utility
469.649
Definitions for ORS 469.649 to 469.659
469.651
Publicly owned utility program
469.652
Contributions for urban and community forest activities by customers of publicly owned utilities
469.653
Alternative program of publicly owned utility
469.655
Energy conservation as part of utility service of publicly owned utility
469.657
Conditions for cash payments to dwelling owner by publicly owned utility
469.659
Implementation of program by publicly owned utility
469.685
Use of earlier energy audit
469.687
Title for ORS 456.594 to 456.599 and 469.631 to 469.687
469.700
Energy efficiency ratings
469.703
Home energy performance score system
469.710
Definitions for ORS 469.710 to 469.720
469.715
Low interest loans for cost-effective energy conservation
469.717
When installation to be completed
469.719
Eligibility of lender for tax credit not affected by owner’s failure
469.720
Energy audit required
469.730
Declaration of purpose
469.735
Definitions for ORS 469.730 to 469.745
469.740
Rules establishing energy conservation standards for public buildings
469.745
Voluntary compliance program
469.750
State purchase of alternative fuels
469.752
Definitions for ORS 469.752 to 469.756
469.754
Authority of state agencies to establish projects
469.756
Rules
469.802
Definition for ORS 469.802 to 469.845
469.803
Oregon participation in Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council
469.805
State members of council
469.810
Conflicts of interest prohibited
469.815
Status of members
469.820
Term
469.825
Prohibited activities of members
469.830
Removal of members
469.835
Salary of members
469.840
Northwest Regional Power and Conservation Account
469.845
Annual report to Governor and legislature
469.860
Definitions for ORS 469.860 to 469.900
469.863
Gas utility to adopt commercial energy audit program
469.865
Electric utility to adopt commercial energy conservation services program
469.870
Application of ORS 469.865, 469.870 and 469.900 (1) to electric utility
469.875
Fee for gas utility audit
469.880
Energy audit program
469.885
Publicly owned utility to adopt commercial energy audit program
469.890
Publicly owned utility to adopt commercial energy conservation program
469.895
Application of ORS 469.890 to 469.900 to publicly owned utility
469.900
Duty of commission to avoid conflict with federal requirements
469.930
Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management
469.950
Authority to enter into interstate cooperative agreements to control power costs and rates
469.990
Penalties
469.992
Civil penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date