Energy Facilities Spotlight: Compliance Program
Dozens of state-jurisdiction energy facilities across the state – including wind, solar, natural gas, and other energy generation facilities – help keep the lights on in Oregon homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings.
The governor-appointed and senate-confirmed Energy Facility Siting Council is responsible for overseeing the development of large electric generating facilities, high voltage transmission lines, gas pipelines, radioactive waste disposal sites, and other projects. This state-level oversight of energy facilities helps ensure that Oregon has an adequate energy supply while protecting Oregon’s environment and public safety.
The Oregon Department of Energy, which staffs the Energy Facility Siting Council, has provided overviews of the facility siting process, information about state jurisdiction and administrative rulemaking, and other areas of Oregon’s state siting process on our blog to help Oregonians better understand and get involved in facility siting.
So what happens after facilities are approved or built? Who makes sure the facilities are operating safely and meeting state requirements?
The Oregon Department of Energy’s energy facility compliance program ensures that state-jurisdiction facilities are constructed, operated, and retired in compliance with a facility’s Site Certificate – which outlines how a facility will meet Oregon’s siting standards – along with state law and administrative rules. Our team, on behalf of EFSC, monitors facilities to ensure they meet terms and conditions.
ODOE monitors facilities during each post-approval phase:
Preconstruction. ODOE’s team reviews, in consultation with local and state agencies, final mitigation measures and design requirements laid out in a Site Certificate.
Construction. ODOE’s team conducts site inspections and issues site inspection reports. The team also reviews and responds to semi-annual reports, and tracks and evaluates any non-compliance issues or facility incidents.
Operation. ODOE continues to conduct site inspections and issue reports. The team also reviews and responds to annual reports issued by the Site Certificate holder, and continues to track and evaluate non-compliance issues and incidents.
In addition to these proactive steps by ODOE, Site Certificate holders are also required to report incidents to ODOE, many within 72 hours. ODOE then works with the facilities to ensure issues are addressed and the site is returned to compliant working order.
Members of the public may also notify ODOE and request that we inspect a state-jurisdiction facility if they believe there’s a violation of an EFSC order, Site Certificate condition, or warranty, or if they believe there’s a risk of unnecessary exposure to hazardous materials or unsafe or dangerous conditions. ODOE staff will follow up on any issues to ensure facilities are operating safely and meeting their conditions.
These varied compliance efforts help ensure the safe operation of energy facilities in Oregon that balance energy needs and impacts and protect the environment and public health. Learn more on ODOE’s website.
Meet one of our Compliance Officers, Duane Kilsdonk, in this 2017 ODOE blog. Curious what happens when a facility reaches the end of its useful life? Check out our blog on facility decommissioning to learn more.