Major Federal & State Approvals

1. Major Federal & State Approvals Environmental Business Council of New EnglandLand-Based Wind Energy May 29, 2008 Ruth H. Silman, Esq.

2. Major Federal & State Approvals - Overview • Federal Regulatory Framework • Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Federally Managed Lands • State Regulatory Framework • www.awea.org/sitinghandbook

3. Federal Regulatory Framework • Executive Order 13212 – May 18, 2001 • The Energy Policy Act of 2005 • National Energy Policy of 2001 Report • Federal Interagency Wind Siting Collaboration

4. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC 4321) • Federal agencies must assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. • Federal lands (BLM Programmatic EIS) • Federal permits • Categories for review • Categorical Exclusion • Environmental Assessment • Environmental Impact Statement

6. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531) • Prevent extinction of fish, wildlife and plant species • Implemented and enforced by US Fish and Wildlife Service • Fundamental terms: • Endangered Species • Threatened Species • Critical Habitat • Consultation, Incidental Take, Permits, Exceptions

7. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 703) • Protects over 800 species of migratory birds (not necessarily threatened or endangered) • Implemented and enforced by US Fish and Wildlife Service • Review may be concurrent with Endangered Species Act • Consultation required • No permit for accidental impacts – strict liability, even construed as criminal

8. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 USC 668) • Unlawful to “take, possess, sell, purchase, barter … transport, export or import” bald eagle or golden eagle, their parts, nests or eggs. • Implemented and enforced by US Fish and Wildlife Service • Review may be concurrent with ESA and MBTA • No permit for accidental impacts – strict liability • Golden Eagle Nest Take Permit is available

9. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Department of Interior – Interim Guidance on Avoiding and Minimizing Wildlife Impacts from Wind Turbines (May 13, 2003) • March 13, 2007 – DOI announced formation of Wind Turbine Guidelines Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) • Recommendations and advice to DOI and FWS on developing effective measures to protect wildlife resources and enhance potential benefits to wildlife that may be identified

10. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Cultural and Paleontological Resources • National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470) – Section 106 consultation • Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 USC 470aa) • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 USC 3001) • Federal Land Policy Management Act (43 USC 1701)

11. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Water Resources • Clean Water Act – Section 404 (33 USC 1344) • Regulates discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States • Rivers and Harbors Act – Section 10 (33 USC 403) • Regulates obstructions to navigable waters of the United States

12. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Water Resources (continued) • Clean Water Act – NPDES – Section 402 (33 USC 1342) • Regulates stormwater discharges into waters of the United States • Clean Water Act – Water Quality Certification – Section 401 (33 USC 1431)

13. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Federal Aviation Administration (49 USC 44718) • Jurisdiction over any object that may impact or interfere with the navigable airspace or communications technology used in aviation operations. • Notice of Proposed Construction (Form 7460-1) • Structure greater than 200’ AGL OR if close to runway • Determination of No Hazard OR • Notice of Presumed Hazard

14. Typical Federal Permitting Requirements • Electromagnetic Interference • Turbines may interfere with radar systems • Department of Defense issued a report – The Effect of Windmill Farms on Military Readiness – Sept. 27, 2006 • Wind farms located within radar line-of-sight of an air defense radar facility may degrade the ability of the radar to perform its intended function • Shadowing and increased “clutter”

15. Federally Managed Lands • Bureau of Land Management • Bureau of Reclamation • Bureau of Indian Affairs • Forest Service • Natural Resource Conservation Service • Department of Defense • Fish and Wildlife Service

17. State Regulatory Framework • Process varies widely from state to state • State Energy Facility Siting Commissions/Public Utility Commissions • CT Department of Public Utility Control; CT Siting Council • ME Public Utilities Commission • MA Public Utilities Commission; MA EFSB • NH PUC; NH OEP; NH Energy Facility SEC • RI PUC; RI DPUC; RI EFSB • VT Department of Public Service; VT Public Service Board

18. State Regulatory Framework • State Environmental Impact Review (“Little-NEPAs”) • Assess environmental consequences of project • CT – CEPA – www.ct.gov/opm/site/default.asp • MA - MEPA – www.mass.gov/envir/mepa • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy & Protocol

19. State Regulatory Framework • Hull Wind EEA #14161 - Secretary’s Certificate on ENF • Up to 4 off-shore wind turbines – Maximum of 15 MW • Project will displace approx. 26,050 metric tons/year of CO2 • Certificate requires EIR to indicate • How GHG emissions displacement was calculated and to do so in short tons/year • Provide information on data sources and/or models

20. State Regulatory Framework • Endangered Species • Wetlands and Waterways • Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources • Stormwater • Agricultural Production • State-Owned Lands

21. Questions? Ruth H. Silman, Esq. rsilman@nixonpeabody.com 617-345-6062