Before a large energy facility is built in Oregon, the developer must apply for a site certificate
from the Energy Facility Siting Council. The types of energy facilities subject to Council jurisdiction are defined by statute
in ORS 469.300. Some types of energy facilities that would otherwise need a site certificate are exempt from Council jurisdiction
under Oregon statutes.
The following types of energy facilities must have a site certificate from the Council before construction:
- Electric power plants with a nominal electric generating capacity (see below) of 25 megawatts or more from thermal power or combustion turbines.
- Electric power plants with an average electric generating capacity (see below) of 35 megawatts or more if the power is produced from geothermal, solar or wind energy at a single energy facility or within a single energy generation area.
- Transmission lines of 230 kilovolts or more that are more than 10 miles in length and that are to be constructed in more than one city or county in the state.
- Surface facilities associated with underground natural gas storage facilities with capacity greater than 50 million cubic feet per day.
- Liquid fuel pipelines that are 6 inches or larger in diameter and 5 miles or more in length.
- Liquefied natural gas storage facilities with capacity of 70,000 gallons or more.
- Intrastate natural gas pipelines that are 16 inches or more in diameter and 5 miles or more in length.
- Synthetic fuel plants that produce gas, liquid or solid fuel capable of being burned to produce the equivalent of 2 billion Btu of heat per day (except plants that use biomass as the raw material).
- Plants that convert biomass to gas, liquid or solid fuel products if any one of such products is capable of being burned to produce the equivalent of 6 billion Btu of heat per day.
- Small generating plants within an energy generation area, as described in OAR 345-001-0200, if the accumulated effects of development are similar to a single plant with an average electric generating capacity (see below) of 35 megawatts or more.
- Radioactive waste disposal sites and nuclear installations.