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Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis

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In this analysis, we outline the types of NEPA-related analyses and approvals (e.g., environmental assessment), and we provide examples of geothermal development activities (e.g., well drilling) that might require each type of approval, including an overview and discussion of the specific permits.

We conducted an in-depth analysis of timelines specific to each NEPA analysis type, and we analyzed a sample of geothermal projects to identify factors that increased NEPA review timelines. Based on that analysis, we identified proven and potential strategies that can assist geothermal projects by lowering the time necessary to navigate the NEPA process, while maintaining the efficacy of the federal environmental review intact. We also identified areas of potential improvement in NEPA efficiency within each phase of geothermal development. Shortening project timelines can effectively decrease the perceived risk profiles of geothermal development projects.

This submission includes a paper, poster, and presentation for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) summarizing geothermal permitting and NEPA timeline analysis. Also included are two spreadsheets detailing the NEPA timeline analysis and environmental assessments (EA).

Citation Formats

TY - DATA AB - In this analysis, we outline the types of NEPA-related analyses and approvals (e.g., environmental assessment), and we provide examples of geothermal development activities (e.g., well drilling) that might require each type of approval, including an overview and discussion of the specific permits. We conducted an in-depth analysis of timelines specific to each NEPA analysis type, and we analyzed a sample of geothermal projects to identify factors that increased NEPA review timelines. Based on that analysis, we identified proven and potential strategies that can assist geothermal projects by lowering the time necessary to navigate the NEPA process, while maintaining the efficacy of the federal environmental review intact. We also identified areas of potential improvement in NEPA efficiency within each phase of geothermal development. Shortening project timelines can effectively decrease the perceived risk profiles of geothermal development projects. This submission includes a paper, poster, and presentation for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) summarizing geothermal permitting and NEPA timeline analysis. Also included are two spreadsheets detailing the NEPA timeline analysis and environmental assessments (EA). AU - Young, Katherine A2 - Levine, Aaron A3 - Witherbee, Kermit A4 - Keller, Adam A5 - Balu, Jeremy A6 - Bennett, Mitchell DB - Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI) DP - Open EI | National Renewable Energy Laboratory DO - 10.15121/1678730 KW - geothermal KW - energy KW - NEPA KW - National Environmental Policy Act KW - Permitting KW - Permit KW - Timeline KW - NEPA Database KW - CE KW - CX KW - Categorical Exclusion KW - Determination of NEPA Adequacy KW - DNA KW - Environmental Assessment KW - EA KW - Enviromental Impact Statement KW - EIS KW - OpenEI KW - Species LA - English DA - 2014/09/30 PY - 2014 PB - National Renewable Energy Laboratory T1 - Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis UR - https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730 ER -
Export Citation to RIS
Young, Katherine, et al. Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 30 September, 2014, GDR. https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730.
Young, K., Levine, A., Witherbee, K., Keller, A., Balu, J., & Bennett, M. (2014). Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis. [Data set]. GDR. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730
Young, Katherine, Aaron Levine, Kermit Witherbee, Adam Keller, Jeremy Balu, and Mitchell Bennett. Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, September, 30, 2014. Distributed by GDR. https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730
@misc{OEDI_Dataset_7379, title = {Geothermal Permitting and NEPA Timeline Analysis}, author = {Young, Katherine and Levine, Aaron and Witherbee, Kermit and Keller, Adam and Balu, Jeremy and Bennett, Mitchell}, abstractNote = {In this analysis, we outline the types of NEPA-related analyses and approvals (e.g., environmental assessment), and we provide examples of geothermal development activities (e.g., well drilling) that might require each type of approval, including an overview and discussion of the specific permits.

We conducted an in-depth analysis of timelines specific to each NEPA analysis type, and we analyzed a sample of geothermal projects to identify factors that increased NEPA review timelines. Based on that analysis, we identified proven and potential strategies that can assist geothermal projects by lowering the time necessary to navigate the NEPA process, while maintaining the efficacy of the federal environmental review intact. We also identified areas of potential improvement in NEPA efficiency within each phase of geothermal development. Shortening project timelines can effectively decrease the perceived risk profiles of geothermal development projects.

This submission includes a paper, poster, and presentation for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) summarizing geothermal permitting and NEPA timeline analysis. Also included are two spreadsheets detailing the NEPA timeline analysis and environmental assessments (EA).}, url = {https://gdr.openei.org/submissions/1258}, year = {2014}, howpublished = {GDR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, https://doi.org/10.15121/1678730}, note = {Accessed: 2025-05-03}, doi = {10.15121/1678730} }
https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/1678730

Details

Data from Sep 30, 2014

Last updated May 17, 2021

Submitted Oct 13, 2020

Organization

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Contact

Katherine Young

303.384.7402

Authors

Katherine Young

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Aaron Levine

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Kermit Witherbee

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Adam Keller

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Jeremy Balu

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Mitchell Bennett

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Research Areas

DOE Project Details

Project Name Geothermal Regulatory Roadmap

Project Lead Tim Reinhardt

Project Number FY14 AOP 4.2.0.1

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