Experience > Renewable Energy

33 Percent Renewable Electricity Standard Regulation Functionally Equivalent CEQA Document
California Air Resources Board
Role: Prime Consultant, CEQA Document Preparation
Ascent is assisting the California Air Resources Board (ARB) with the preparation of a Functionally Equivalent Document (FED) under ARB’s California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) certified regulatory program for the 33 Percent Renewable Electricity Standard Regulation. This regulation is a key strategy for California’s implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The FED examines the potential environmental impacts related to reasonably foreseeable compliance approaches by covered (i.e., regulated) utilities, such as effects of developing expanded renewable electricity generation and additional transmission capacities, much of which is expected to occur in the California desert. Key issues include landscape-scale assessment of biological and physical resources impacts. Also, the potential for out-of-state environmental impacts is examined. The Renewable Electricity Standard establishes the framework for the requirement for Independently Owned Utilities (IOU) and Publically Owned Utilities (POU) to achieve 33 percent of their electrical generation from qualifying renewable sources. The FED addresses the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts resulting from projects intended to provide Renewable Electricity Credits pursuant to the regulation.

Buena Vista Biomass Facility EIR
Amador County
Role: Prime Consultant, EIR Preparation
Ascent is preparing an EIR for Amador County for the Buena Vista Biomass Facility. The proposed facility is an 18 megawatt (MW) wood-to-energy plant that would produce indirect benefits related to fire fuels management and reduced potential for catastrophic wildfire. The facility would reuse and retrofit an existing coal-fired power plant adjacent to a landfill. Fuel for the plant would be provided from by-products of forest thinning for fire fuel management, agricultural waste, and green waste at the landfill. The EIR will assess impacts of construction and operation of the facility, including land use, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions (including whether the facility is carbon neutral), noise, truck traffic, water supply, sustainable forest practices, and biological resources.

Solar Development Site Biological Constraints Analysis, Northern California, CA
Confidential Client (Developer)
Role: Biological Consultant
Ascent prepared a biological constraints analysis of a proposed solar energy project site in Northern California. Ascent biologists assessed potential biological constraints and provided technical assistance in identifying opportunities for site planning that would minimize potential impacts to biological resources. An assessment of potential natural resources-related regulatory requirements was also provided.