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Pacific Southwest, Region 9

Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations

EPA Region 9: Renewable Energy Policy

EPA strongly supports the development of renewable energy resources such as these wind turbines

EPA Strongly Supports the Development of Renewable Energy Resources

Using renewable energy,1 such as solar, wind, and geothermal power, can help the nation meet its energy needs while minimizing the generation of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In carrying out our responsibilities under federal environmental laws, we will seek to advance environmentally sound and sustainable energy generation, including the use of distributed generation 2 wherever feasible and appropriate.

Appropriate siting and design of renewable energy projects are of paramount importance if the nation is to make optimum use of its renewable resources while protecting its water resources, wildlife habitats, recreational opportunities, and scenic vistas. A growing number of utility-scale renewable energy facilities are being proposed on federal lands, particularly in the Desert Southwest. Some renewable energy projects receive federal funding or require federal permits. Many will require the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and permits under the Clean Air Act and/or Clean Water Act. EPA is mandated to review all EISs and has direct or oversight responsibility for certain permits. To maximize environmental acceptability, EPA recommends:

  • Siting renewable energy projects on contaminated or disturbed land, rather than pristine land, whenever feasible and appropriate. See EPA's Re-powering America website;
  • Locating renewable energy facilities near existing transmission lines, substations, or designated energy corridors;
  • Conserving water and maintaining natural water flow. Projects in the desert should utilize technologies that use less water; aquatic resources, including ephemeral 3 drainages, should be avoided;
  • Protecting sensitive species and habitats, and maximizing habitat connectivity;
  • Utilizing renewable energy technologies most appropriate to site-specific conditions; 4
  • Avoid siting projects in high flood hazard areas (low-slope alluvial fans) and in areas with active eolian systems (wind-driven systems, such as sand dunes).

More information about Renewable Energy can be found at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory website Exiting EPA (disclaimer)

Footnotes

1. Renewable Energy - Any type of energy generated from natural resources that is constantly renewed, theoretically inexhaustible, excluding energy derived from fossil or nuclear fuel. Examples of renewable energy include biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.

2. Distributed Generation - Generation of electricity by small-scale power plants located close to the load they serve. Such small-scale projects reduce the need for additional transmission lines and losses associated with transmitting energy.

3. Ephemeral systems, characterized by infrequent, short-lived but high-volume flash flows, constitute a critical component of riverine systems throughout the United States, especially in the arid West. Ephemeral and intermittent tributaries serve as the filtering headwaters for many primary sources of drinking water across much of our region, as the coarse beds allow water infiltration that recharges groundwater aquifers. Healthy ephemeral systems, with characteristic plant communities, help control rates of sediment deposition and dissipate the energy associated with flood flows. Ephemeral systems also support diverse habitats for plant and wildlife communities unique to the region. The rarity and fragility of ephemeral flows only underscore how essential they are to the integrity and connectivity of the nation's arid ecosystems, and the importance of maintaining their traditional protection under the Clean Water Act. For more information on waters, please see EPA's Office of Water website.

4. For example, parabolic troughs require complete grading and leveling of land surfaces and may be more suited for previously disturbed agricultural areas. Conversely, SunCatchers and single panel PV arrays offer more flexibility in site design and layout and could be placed in more sensitive areas without as much impact, if the project is carefully designed.

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