Siting and Permitting for Transmission Projects
May 20-21, 2019 | Indianapolis, IN
Overview
Siting new transmission lines is a daunting task with numerous regulatory hurdles in the process. These complications are compounded when projects have an impact on areas that have significant natural, rural, or urban resources. Successful project collaboration among agencies, community groups, and transmission developers is key to overcoming challenges, preserving sensitive areas, and getting projects built.
This conference will focus on siting and permitting lessons learned, necessary habitat restoration and mitigation, and successful community engagement in environments with sensitive botanical, cultural, wildlife and community resources while also diving into the integration of these projects from rural into urban environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Engage with Idaho Power’s strategy for public outreach for a controversial project
- Detail Omaha Public Power District’s siting and ROW process for a new transmission line and the resulting lessons learned
- Describe American Electric Power’s strategies for siting transmission across a multiple state regulation footprint
- Listen to solutions utilizing alternatives for ROW access for construction of lines
- Review Tampa Electric’s processes and methods for meeting the expectations in siting transmission
- Engage in a panel discussion on the challenges facing transmission siting and methods for meeting those
- Listen to the lessons learned by Xcel Energy in siting new transmission on federal, state, and private land where over 50 oil and gas operators were developing their infrastructure
- Discuss Ameren’s lessons learned and approach in effective public engagement
- Describe the more rigorous mitigation consultation approach taken with US Fish & Wildlife that resulted in a more accurate compensation for habitat replacement
Credits
EUCI has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, EUCI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, EUCI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.
EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event.
Requirements for Successful Completion of Program
Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.
Instructional Methods
Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and group discussion will be used in this event.
Agenda
Monday, May 20, 2019
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. :: Introductions
8:40 – 9:40 a.m. :: From Reactive to Proactive – Changing Idaho Power’s Approach to Engaging the Public
Idaho Power developed and took a new strategic approach to public outreach on a potentially controversial transmission rebuild and substation upgrade. Despite internal skepticism caused by past challenges, the success of one project is reinforcing a change in company culture and a more customer-focused way of doing business.
Joe Stippel, PE, Principal Project Manager, Idaho Power
Jeff Maffuccio, Facility Siting Coordinator, Idaho Power
Stephanie Borders, Public Involvement Coordinator, HDR
9:40 – 10:30 a.m. :: Elkhorn River Valley Transmission Project
The siting and resulting ROW acquisition process for this transmission project will be discussed. The detailed survey appraisals and delicate negotiations are taking place and being reviewed with landowners to reach a fair and mutually agreeable price for the easement area. Lessons learned so far during this process will be shared.
Jake Farrell, Supervisor Land Management, Omaha Public Power District
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Challenges and Strategies Siting Transmission over Multiple States
Siting transmission is a complicated process in any situation but taking on the challenges of siting transmission across thirteen different states adds additional layers of complexity to the process. This presentation will review and discuss American Electric Power’s challenges faced and their strategies for siting transmission across this multiple and varied state regulation footprint.
Timothy B Gaul, Director Transmission Line Siting, American Electric Power
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. :: Difficulties with ROW Access and Alternative Solutions
ROW access has been fraught with many obstacles such as landowner perceptions, agricultural access, wetlands and permitting. Solutions utilizing alternatives, such as composite matting and turnkey access, has proven to mitigate many of the obstacles. Case Studies to be discussed.
Joe Goodhew, Director T&D, Newpark Mats and Integrated Services
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. :: Meeting Expectations in the Siting of Transmission
Siting new transmission lines and renewable facilities requires a higher level of regulatory agency coordination, public outreach and stakeholder engagement than in the past. It now takes a more comprehensive look at the siting requirements and a keen awareness of a project’s impact to natural and cultural resources. Enhanced dialogue between the regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and project developers can lead to a better decision-making process and more sustainable transmission and renewable infrastructure deployment. In this presentation, we will look at:
- What are Florida’s siting requirements?
- Potential impacts to natural, cultural, wildlife and botanical resources in Florida
- What are stakeholders’ concerns about new transmission and renewable infrastructure?
- What actions can be taken to successfully address these concerns?
- What levels of participation are required?
Arlee Jones PgMP®, EVMP®, Project Manager II – ED Project Management, Tampa Electric
3:30 – 4:45 p.m. :: Challenges Facing the Siting/Permitting of Projects – Panel Discussion
Moderator: TBD
Timothy B Gaul, Director Transmission Line Siting, American Electric Power
Arlee Jones PgMP®, EVMP®, Project Manager II – ED Project Management, Tampa Electric
Bryant Coon, RWA, Senior Siting & Land Rights Agent, Xcel Energy
Jeff Maffuccio, Facility Siting Coordinator, Idaho Power
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. :: Large Scale Grid Expansion in the Permian Basin: New Approaches and Lessons Learned
No one thought siting, permitting, and constructing a historic $1B buildout of over 600 miles of transmission lines and a dozen substations throughout a landscape rich in cultural and natural resources would be easy; but doing it all on the same federal, state, and private land where over 50 oil and gas operators were developing their infrastructure at the same time called for some new approaches and resulted in plenty of lessons learned.
Bryant Coon, RWA, Senior Siting & Land Rights Agent, Xcel Energy
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: Finding the Right Balance Between Best Practices and Tailored Engagement
Over the last 10 years, the power industry has evolved to a standard of integrated public engagement strategy in the siting and routing process. During this transformation, most utilities have developed best practices and structure around siting and routing engagement. A standard practice is important; however, the ability to flex and adapt to the unique project and community is an art. During this presentation we’ll review lessons learned and talk about how using a flexible strategy during siting and routing engagement can build relationships and support a smooth permitting process.
Leah Dettmers, Stakeholder Relations Specialist, Ameren Transmission
Emily Hyland, Central Region Strategic Communications Manager, HDR
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Case Study: Successful Mitigation Consultation with US Fish & Wildlife
Dan Belin AICP, Principal, Energy Business Line, Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Speakers
Dan Belin AICP, Principal, Energy Business Line, Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Stephanie Borders, Public Involvement Coordinator, HDR
Bryant Coon, RWA, Senior Siting & Land Rights Agent, Xcel Energy
Leah Dettmers, Stakeholder Relations Specialist, Ameren Transmission
Jake Farrell, Supervisor Land Management, Omaha Public Power District
Timothy B Gaul, Director Transmission Line Siting, American Electric Power
Joe Goodhew, Director T&D, Newpark Mats and Integrated Services
Emily Hyland, Central Region Strategic Communications Manager, HDR
Arlee Jones PgMP®, EVMP®, Project Manager II – ED Project Management, Tampa Electric
Jeff Maffuccio, Facility Siting Coordinator, Idaho Power
Joe Stippel, PE, Principal Project Manager, Idaho Power
Location

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
1 South Capitol Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Reserve your room:
please call 1-317-632-1234
Room Block Reserved For:
Nights of May 19 – 22, 2019
Room rate through EUCI:
$179.00 single or double plus applicable taxes
Make your reservations prior to April 19, 2019.
Venue Information
Getting to and from the hotel:
Dining options
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/indiana/hyatt-regency-indianapolis/indri/dining
Register
Please Note: Confirmed speakers do not need to register and are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the event. If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact our offices at 1.303.770.8800
Event | Early Bird Before Friday, May 03, 2019 | Standard Rate | Attendees |
---|---|---|---|
Siting and Permitting for Transmission Projects | US $ 1195.00 | US $ 1395.00 | |
*Please note: all attendees of the conference will receive a link to downlaod all presentations that are made available by the presenters. If you cannot attend the conference but would still like a copy of these materials, please consider purchasing the proceedings package listed below | |||
I cannot attend but would like a copy of the proceedings | |||
Proceedings package | US $ 295.00 | ||
Register 3 Send 4th Free!
Any organization wishing to send multiple attendees to these conferences may send 1 FREE for every 3 delegates registered. Please note that all registrations must be made at the same time to qualify.
Cancellation Policy
Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before April 19, 2019 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800
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