Consolidated State Siting and Permitting Authority
Local governments can restrict or outright prohibit the siting of renewable generation or transmission, and local siting and zoning issues have been reported as the leading cause for cancellation of wind and solar projects. States can establish some form of statewide, consolidated siting and permitting entity — typically a council or board — for either renewables, batteries, or transmission to remove one of the most complex and least predictable impediments to interconnecting more renewables to the grid.
Many states have a state-level entity, including state agencies, responsible for siting and permitting of renewable energy and transmission projects. Often, local governments retain decision-making power for these projects, except when certain conditions are met. This page represents information on all state authorities that would preempt local siting rules — meaning the state has decision-making authority — and that apply to, at least, either conventional wind or solar projects of 50 megawatts (MW) or more. This definition distinguishes policies on two grounds: by the types of authority granted to states, and thresholds for invoking it.
Key Resources
Laws in Order: An Inventory of State Renewable Energy Siting Policies
Who reviews and approves renewable energy projects?
Warp Speed Clean Energy: Expediting Permitting and Equitable Grid Deployment Without Congress
Equity and Environmental Justice Considerations for Electric Power Delivery Infrastructure Siting
Model Rules
LPDD Model Law: State Law Expediting the Siting of Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Generating Systems
Model States
California
For projects over 50MW, the California Energy Commission (CEC) is allowed to oversee the permitting of clean and renewable energy facilities and facilities that produce clean energy technologies, if facilities opt into the CEC's jurisdiction. Environmental impact reports by the CEC must be completed within 270 days.
Counties can serve as lead agencies (instead of the state) for permitting and environmental review of geothermal energy projects.
In California, once a developer opts into the state's siting process, planners and local officials are relegated to the role of interested parties. State authorities will likely often give serious consideration to well-founded local concerns, but they aren't obligated to reject a project just because it doesn't meet local zoning requirements.
Connecticut
Facilities larger than 1 MW fall under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council. Municipal zoning commissions or inland wetland agencies may issue orders that regulate the proposed location of an electric generation facility. These orders may, however, be revoked by the Connecticut Siting Council. The Council is directed to “give such consideration to ... municipal regulations as it shall deem appropriate” and is authorized to affirm or revoke municipal orders concerning siting.
Connecticut
Facilities larger than 1 MW fall under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council. Municipal zoning commissions or inland wetland agencies may issue orders that regulate the proposed location of an electric generation facility. These orders may, however, be revoked by the Connecticut Siting Council. The Council is directed to “give such consideration to ... municipal regulations as it shall deem appropriate” and is authorized to affirm or revoke municipal orders concerning siting.
Connecticut
Facilities larger than 1 MW fall under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council. Municipal zoning commissions or inland wetland agencies may issue orders that regulate the proposed location of an electric generation facility. These orders may, however, be revoked by the Connecticut Siting Council. The Council is directed to “give such consideration to ... municipal regulations as it shall deem appropriate” and is authorized to affirm or revoke municipal orders concerning siting.