Facility: The applicant proposes to construct and operate a wind energy facility of up to 502 megawatts. The applicant anticipates a phased construction schedule based on demand. The facility may include up to 335 wind turbines. The facility also includes a 230-kilovolt transmission line up to 46 miles long to connect with the regional transmission grid at a proposed Bonneville Power Administration substation near Stanfield.
Status: (Proposed): The Oregon Department of Energy issued a project order on Sept. 10, 2012. The applicant is in the process of reviewing the project order requirements. On Jan. 24, 2014, the Energy Facility Siting Council approved the applicant’s request to extend the Notice of Intent expiration date to April 27, 2015.
Location: The proposed 61,000-acre facility is located east of Heppner. The transmission line will run from the northern portion of the facility to a new substation near Stanfield. (map)
Applicant: Heppner Wind Energy, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Invenergy Wind Development North America, LLC.
Contact Information
APPLICANT |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STAFF |
Laura Miner |
Maxwell Woods |
2580 West Main St. #200 |
625 Marion St. NE |
Littleton, CO 80120 |
Salem, OR 97301 |
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· To receive e-mail notices about this project, please click here.
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About Oregon’s siting process:
· For more information about Oregon’s siting process outlined in the table below, please go here.
Project Status (Table details will be updated as project progresses) |
PROJECT PHASE DETAILS |
DATE |
Notice of Intent: The notice of intent provides information about the proposed energy facility and its potential impacts. The NOI enables the department and other government agencies to identify issues and determine staffing needs for the review process. It provides the first opportunity for public participation in the process. |
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April 27, 2012
June 26, 2012 |
Deadline to submit public comments on the notice of intent |
July 18, 2012 |
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Project Order: The project order is issued by ODOE and identifies applicable statutes, rules, local ordinances and other regulations. It also describes any additional information needed for the application. The project order defines the analysis areas over which the applicant must assess the facility’s potential impacts. |
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Sept. 10, 2012 |
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Application Review: An application for a site certificate includes a detailed description of the proposed facility and the anticipated impacts on the site and surrounding area. The applicant must address the council’s application requirements and demonstrate how the proposed facility complies with the council’s standards. An application is preliminary until ODOE finds it complete. If the preliminary application is incomplete, ODOE will request additional information. A complete application is required for the council to make findings and impose conditions on all applicable council standards. ODOE may request additional information as needed during its review of the complete application. |
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Preliminary application received |
To be determined |
Complete application |
To be determined |
Public information meeting
Public notice |
To be determined |
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Draft Proposed Order and Public Hearing: The draft proposed order includes proposed findings of fact, recommended conclusions on compliance with council standards and recommended site certificate conditions for construction, operation and retirement of the facility. The DPO public hearing is usually held by EFSC and facilitated by an independent hearing officer. |
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Draft proposed order |
To be determined |
*Public hearing
Public notice
Agenda |
To be determined |
Deadline for public comments to be received by ODOE, to be included in the record at the Draft Proposed Order hearing |
To be determined |
*Please Note: Failure to raise issues in person or in writing at this hearing precludes participation in the subsequent contested case and the right to appeal council’s final decision. Issues must be raised with sufficient specificity to afford the council, the Department of Energy and the applicant an adequate opportunity to respond, and must include a statement of facts that support the person’s position on the issue. |
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Proposed Order: After the public hearing, the council reviews the draft proposed order in a public meeting. No public comments on the project are taken at this time. Based on the comments of the council, public comment on the record of the public hearing and consultation with other governmental agencies, the department then issues a proposed order. |
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Council meeting
Public notice
Agenda |
To be determined |
Proposed order |
To be determined |
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Contested Case: A contested case proceeding is mandatory under ORS 469.370(5). The council appoints an independent hearing officer to conduct the proceeding. Aside from the applicant and the Oregon Department of Energy, persons wanting to participate in the contested case proceeding must request party status from the hearing officer. Notice of proposed order and contested case is sent only to those who participated in person or in writing at the draft proposed order hearing. |
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Notice of proposed order and contested case |
To be determined |
Contested case hearing |
To be determined |
Proposed contested case order |
To be determined |
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Final Order and Site Certificate: Following the contested case proceeding, the council decides whether to grant a site certificate. The council grants a site certificate if at least four members of the council agree that the application meets all council standards. The council issues its decision to grant a site certificate in a final order. No public comment is taken on this project at the council meeting. |
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Council meeting
Public notice
Agenda |
To be determined |
Final order |
To be determined |
Site certificate |
To be determined |