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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
10/15/2024

Chapter 302. Filing Requirements in Support of Applications for Authority to Construct and Operate an Electric Generating Facility

20VAC5-302-10. Applicability and scope.

Any application, except as noted herein, filed by a person planning to construct electric generating facilities and incidental or associated facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and who must apply for approval from the State Corporation Commission ("commission"), pursuant to §§ 56-46.1, and 56-580 D of the Code of Virginia must comply with the provisions of this chapter. Applications filed pursuant to this chapter shall set forth (i) the nature of the proposed facility, (ii) the applicant's technical and financial fitness to construct, operate and maintain the proposed facility, (iii) the effects of the facility on the environment and economic development, (iv) the effects of the facility upon reliability of electric service provided by any regulated public utility, and (v) why construction and operation of the proposed facility is not contrary to the public interest.

Construction of electric generating facilities with rated capacities of 5 MW or less may be undertaken without complying with the filing requirements established by this chapter. Persons desiring to construct such facilities shall (i) submit a letter to the Director of the Division of Energy Regulation stating the location, size and fuel type of the facility, and (ii) comply with all other requirements of federal, state and local law.

Where any application filed under these rules, including any supporting documents or prefiled testimony, contains information that the applicant asserts is confidential, the filing may be made under seal in accordance with 5VAC5-20-170 of the commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5VAC5-20. Any such filing shall be simultaneously accompanied by both a motion for a protective order or other confidential treatment, and an additional five copies of a redacted version of the filing to be available for public disclosure. Unredacted filings containing the confidential information shall, however, be immediately available to the commission staff for internal use at the commission.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13, 56-234.3 and 56-265.2 and 56-580 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Case No. PUE900044, eff. December 17, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 9, eff. December 14, 2001; Volume 25, Issue 10, eff. January 15, 2009.

20VAC5-302-20. General information, electric generating facility information and documents to be included in applications for (i) electric generating facilities ....

The following information shall be provided for all proposed (i) electric generating facilities with rated capacities in excess of 50 MW and (ii) renewable energy electric generating facilities with rated capacities greater than 100 MW. As used in this rule, "renewable energy" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia. In addition, an applicant proposing the construction, ownership or operation of a natural gas-fired electric generating facility shall serve a copy of its application for construction of the electric generating facility upon all natural gas local distribution companies in whose certificated service territories such electric generating facility or interconnected natural gas facilities will be constructed or operated, contemporaneously with the filing of such application.

1. Legal name of the applicant as well as any trade name.

2. A description of the applicant's authorized business structure, identifying the state authorizing such structure and the date thereof, e.g., if incorporated, the state and date of incorporation; if a limited liability company, the state issuing the certificate of organization and the date thereof.

3. Name and business addresses of all principal corporate officers and directors, partners, and LLC members, as appropriate.

4. Financial information for the applicant, or principal participant or participants in the project. If the applicant or principal participant or participants is a private entity, financial information should include an analysis of the entity's financial condition and audited financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years. If the applicant or principal participant or participants is a public company, financial information should include the entity's most recent stockholder report and most recent Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K.

5. Prefiled testimony in support of the application.

6. A discussion of the applicant's qualifications, including:

a. A summary of other projects developed and managed by the applicant. Include location, status, and operational history.

b. A detailed description of the organizational structure of the applicant. Include the division of ownership, if applicable.

c. A description of any affiliation or affiliations with an incumbent electric utility as defined in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia.

7. Specific information about the site for the proposed facility, including:

a. A written description of the location including identification of the city or county in which the facility will be constructed. Such description should be suitable for newspaper publication and be sufficient for identification of affected areas.

b. A description of the site, and a depiction on topographic maps of the proposed site.

c. The status of site acquisition (i.e., purchase option, ownership, etc.).

d. A description of any applicable local zoning or land use approvals required and the status of such approvals.

8. Specific information about the proposed facility, including:

a. Description of all major systems, facility configuration and expected suppliers of major components.

b. Nameplate capacity, gross dependable capacity, net dependable capacity and expected seasonal heat rates.

c. Estimated costs, and schedule for construction, testing and commercialization.

9. A description of the fuel supply arrangement for the proposed facility. The description should detail:

a. Fuel type, quality and source or sources.

b. Transportation and fuel storage arrangements for fuel delivery.

c. Identification of all new pipeline facilities, if any, needed to serve the proposed facility.

d. Ownership of any such facilities.

e. Plans for constructing such facilities.

f. The location and routing of any such facilities.

g. The size of such facilities.

h. Whether such facilities will be utilized to provide or enhance fuel supplies to other entities.

i. Identification of the pipeline or gas distribution company and the rate schedule the applicant intends to utilize in order to serve the proposed generating facility. Identification of whether the service is firm or interruptible.

j. If the applicant is to be served by firm capacity from an interstate pipeline, identification of whether the capacity is to be acquired through the construction of new facilities, via capacity that is currently unsubscribed or through capacity purchased on the secondary market.

k. If pipeline capacity is to be constructed, identification of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission docket number or any open season that has been held by the interstate pipeline.

l. If capacity is to be purchased on the secondary market, identification of the availability of secondary market capacity in the plant's market area during days that the plant intends to operate.

m. Identification of the proposed in-service date of any facilities to be constructed.

n. In general terms, description of the availability of fuel supplies required to serve the proposed facility.

10. A discussion of economic impacts (both positive and negative), of the project. The discussion should address the tax and employment implications of the project.

11. A list of other local, state or federal government agencies whose requirements must be met in connection with the construction or operation of the project and a statement of the status of the approval procedures for each of these agencies.

12. An analysis of the environmental impact of the project shall be provided sufficient to enable the commission to make the determinations required by §§ 56-46.1 and 56-580 D of the Code of Virginia. This analysis shall include, but is not limited to, the impacts on the environment and natural resources, analysis of alternatives considered, unavoidable adverse impacts, mitigation measures proposed to minimize unavoidable impacts, and any irreversible environmental changes. The information required by this subdivision shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, simultaneously with its filing with the commission, for coordination and review by state agencies responsible for environmental and natural resource protection. The information shall identify:

a. Required air permits, expected restrictions, expected emissions, rates of emissions, and any needed emissions offsets or allowances.

b. Required permits for water withdrawals, expected restrictions, the amount of water estimated to be used, the source of such water, identification of a backup source of water, if any, and identification of any facilities that need to be constructed to provide such water.

c. Required permits for water discharge and potential impacts on regional water flows.

d. Required permits related to the wetlands and an identification of any tidal and nontidal wetlands located near the proposed site and how such wetlands will be impacted by applicant's proposed facility.

e. Impact of solid and hazardous wastes on local water resources.

f. Impact on natural heritage resources, and on threatened and endangered species.

g. Erosion and sediment control measures.

h. Archaeological, historic, scenic, cultural, or architectural resources in the area.

i. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas designated by the locality.

j. Wildlife resources.

k. Agricultural and forest resources and federal, local, state or private parks and recreation areas.

l. Use of pesticides and herbicides.

m. Geology and mineral resources, caves, and sinkholes.

n. Transportation infrastructure.

13. A general discussion of reliability impacts including:

a. A description of transmission interconnection requirements and needed interconnection facilities.

b. A description of the potential impact of the proposed facility on the interconnected transmission system. Discussion should identify and summarize any system impact studies or proposed studies.

c. A description of anticipated services (ancillary services, re-dispatch, energy imbalance, etc.) that may be provided to any transmission service provider.

d. A discussion of existing and expected generation reserves in the region and the impact of the proposed facility on such reserves.

14. A discussion of whether the proposed facility is not contrary to the public interest. The discussion shall include, but is not limited to, an analysis of any reasonably known impacts the proposed facility may have upon reliability of service to, and rates paid by, customers of any regulated public utility for service in the Commonwealth, including water service, gas distribution service, electric distribution service, and electric transmission service.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 56-265.2 and 56-580 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Case No. PUE900044 §I, eff. December 17, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 9, eff. December 14, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 1, eff. August 21, 2002; Volume 25, Issue 10, eff. January 15, 2009.

20VAC5-302-25. General information, electric generating facility information and documents to be included in applications for (i) electric generating facilities ....

The following information shall be provided for all proposed (i) electric generating facilities with rated capacities of 50 MW or less but greater than 5 MW, and (ii) renewable energy electric generating facilities with rated capacities equal to 100 MW or less but greater than 5 MW. As used in this rule, "renewable energy" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia.

1. The legal name of the applicant as well as any trade name.

2. A description of the applicant's authorized business structure, identifying the state authorizing such structure and the date thereof, e.g., if incorporated, the state and date of incorporation; if a limited liability company, the state issuing the certificate of organization and the date thereof.

3. The name and business addresses of all principal corporate officers and directors, partners, and LLC members, as appropriate.

4. Financial information for the applicant, or principal participant or participants in the project. If the applicant or principal participant or participants is a private entity, financial information should include an analysis of the entity's financial condition and audited financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years, if available. If the applicant or principal participant or participants is a public company, financial information should include the entity's most recent stockholder report and most recent Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K. If such information is unavailable, provide evidence that applicant has the financial resources, or access to capital, necessary to complete the proposed project.

5. A discussion of the applicant's qualifications, including:

a. A summary of other projects developed and managed by the applicant. Include location, status, and operational history.

b. A description of any affiliation or affiliations with an incumbent electric utility as defined in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia.

6. Specific information about the site for the proposed facility, including:

a. A written description of the location including identification of the city or county in which the facility will be constructed. The description should be suitable for newspaper publication and be sufficient for identification of affected areas.

b. A description of the site, and a depiction on topographic maps of the proposed site.

c. The status of site acquisition (i.e., purchase option, ownership, etc.).

7. A general description of the proposed facility, type of facility, size and fuel type.

8. A general description of the fuel supply arrangement for the proposed facility.

9. A general discussion of the economic developments impacts of the project.

10. A list of other local, state or federal government agencies whose requirements must be met in connection with the construction or operation of the project and a statement of the status of the approval procedures for each of these agencies.

11. An analysis of the environmental impact of the project shall be provided sufficient to enable the commission to make the determinations required by §§ 56-46.1 and 56-580 D of the Code of Virginia. This analysis shall include, but is not limited to, the impacts on the environment and natural resources, analysis of alternatives considered, unavoidable adverse impacts, mitigation measures proposed to minimize unavoidable impacts, and any irreversible environmental changes. The information required by this subdivision shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, simultaneously with its filing with the commission, for coordination and review by state agencies responsible for environmental and natural resource protection. The information shall identify:

a. Required air permits, expected restrictions, expected emissions, rates of emissions, and any needed emissions offsets or allowances.

b. Required permits for water withdrawals, expected restrictions, the amount of water estimated to be used, the source of such water, identification of a backup source of water, if any, and identification of any facilities that need to be constructed to provide such water.

c. Required permits for water discharge and potential impacts on regional water flows.

d. Required permits related to the wetlands and an identification of any tidal and nontidal wetlands located near the proposed site and how such wetlands will be impacted by applicant's proposed facility.

e. Impact of solid and hazardous waste on local water resources.

f. Impact on natural heritage resources, and on threatened and endangered species.

g. Erosion and sediment control measures.

h. Archaeological, historic, scenic, cultural, or architectural resources in the area.

i. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas designated by the locality.

j. Wildlife resources.

k. Agricultural and forest resources and federal, local, state or private parks and recreation areas.

l. Use of pesticides and herbicides.

m. Geology and mineral resources, caves, and sinkholes.

n. Transportation infrastructure.

12. A general discussion of reliability impacts including:

a. A description of transmission interconnection requirements and needed interconnection facilities.

b. A description of the potential impact of the proposed facility on the interconnected transmission system. Discussion should identify and summarize any system impact studies or proposed studies.

c. A description of anticipated services (ancillary services, redispatch, energy imbalance, etc.) that may be provided to any transmission service provider.

d. A discussion of existing and expected generation reserves in the region and the impact of the proposed facility on such reserves.

13. Any other information the applicant wishes to include that will demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13, 56-265.2 and 56-580 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 1, eff. August 21, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 10, eff. January 15, 2009.

20VAC5-302-30. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Case No. PUE900044 §II, eff. December 17, 1990; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 9, eff. December 14, 2001.

20VAC5-302-35. Information required from electric utilities subject to § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Any incumbent electric utility as defined in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia and subject to the commission's ratemaking authority pursuant to § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia shall provide justification of the need for the proposed facility. In addition, the following information shall be included:

1. Initial feasibility and front end engineering design studies that support the specific plant design, plant type and site selected.

2. Initial fuel supply studies that demonstrate the availability and adequacy of selected fuels.

3. Detailed support for planning assumptions regarding plant performance and operating costs, including historical information for similar units, where available.

4. Economic studies that compare the selected alternative with other options considered, including sensitivity analyses and production costing simulations of the applicant's overall generating resources that demonstrate that the selected option is the best alternative.

5. Load and generating capacity reserve forecast information that demonstrates the need for the plant in the in-service year proposed.

6. Detailed cost estimate for the facility, including projected costs of construction, transmission interconnections, fuel supply related infrastructure improvements and project financing.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13, 56-265.2 and 56-580 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 1, eff. August 21, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 10, eff. January 15, 2009.

20VAC5-302-40. Waivers.

Requests for waivers of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be considered by the State Corporation Commission on a case-by-case basis and may be granted upon such terms and conditions as the State Corporation Commission deems appropriate in the public interest.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13, 56-234.3 and 56-265.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 9, eff. December 14, 2001.

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