Environmental Data Update and Review Process



Environmental Data Update and Review Process TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc332636060" 1.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc332636060 \h 22.Overview of the Environmental Data Task Force PAGEREF _Toc332636061 \h 22.1.EDTF Data Products and Use PAGEREF _Toc332636062 \h 33.Environmental Data Update and Review Process PAGEREF _Toc332636063 \h 43.1.Open Biennial Process PAGEREF _Toc332636064 \h 43.2.Identification of Data Workarounds PAGEREF _Toc332636065 \h 53.3.Review of Comparison Process Results and Updates to Risk Classification Category Designations PAGEREF _Toc332636066 \h 53.4.Ongoing Updates to Existing Data Sets PAGEREF _Toc332636067 \h 63.5.Data Set Update Finalization PAGEREF _Toc332636068 \h 6Appendix A—Data Update Process Flow PAGEREF _Toc332636069 \h 7Appendix B—Glossary PAGEREF _Toc332636070 \h 8Appendix C—Referenced EDTF Documents PAGEREF _Toc332636071 \h 11IntroductionThis document describes the Environmental Data Task Force’s (EDTF) process for updating its inventory of environmental and cultural data (referred to as the Data Sets) appropriate for use in long-term, regional transmission planning for the Western Interconnection. Data in this case are defined as Geographic Information System (GIS) files for spatially explicit polygon areas. The data determined as suitable for use in transmission planning based on the standards outlined in the EDTF Data Quality Process are referred to as “preferred” data. Section 2 provides an Overview of the Environmental Data Task Force, including its function within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council’s (WECC) Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee (TEPPC) and a description of its current Data Set-related products. Section 3 describes The Environmental Data Update and Review Process, focusing on the procedural steps the EDTF uses to update and maintain its Data Sets. Outlined within each step in Section 3 is:Responsible party, Anticipated product of the step,Timeline,Next steps in the process.All EDTF documents referenced in this document can be accessed through the hyperlinks in the text and the footnotes or through the URLs provided in Appendix C.Overview of the Environmental Data Task ForceWECC created TEPPC to manage the Regional Transmission Expansion Planning (RTEP) process for the Western Interconnection. Among TEPPC’s work products are biannual 10-Year Regional Transmission Plans (10-Year Plans) and 20-Year Regional Transmission Target Plans (20-Year Plans). The Scenario Planning Steering Group (SPSG), a group created by TEPPC that was tasked with developing future scenarios for the Western Interconnection, formed the EDTF in June 2010 to “develop recommendations on the type, quality, and sources of data on land, wildlife, cultural, historical, archaeological, and water resources (in coordination with work conducted via the State-Provincial Steering Committee), exploring ways to transform that data into study cases and into the models.” Since the 2011 publication of the EDTF report “Environmental Recommendations for Transmission Planning,” the EDTF has continued its efforts to:Identify a catalog of existing spatially explicit (GIS) environmental and cultural data sets for the purpose of planning and evaluating potential transmission alternatives;Develop a process for ensuring that the catalog is managed and updated as appropriate; andIncorporate the data into the WECC long term planning tools (LTPT). This document outlines an efficient update process to ensure the quality and usability of the data over time. The process relies heavily on stakeholder input, ensuring that the EDTF data is obtained from and vetted through a variety of sources and is applicable to the needs of the RTEP planning process. EDTF Data Products and UseThe EDTF data products consist of the preferred Data Sets, catalogued in the Data Inventory Spreadsheet, and the Land Classification System. The EDTF recommended that these products be used in the TEPPC’s 10-year and 20-year biennial transmission planning process, in particular as inputs to the LTPT. The Land Classification System assigns a Risk Classification Category of 1 (lowest risk) through 4 (highest risk) to each data layer, which describes the relative risk of developing transmission in that area based on the environmental or cultural resources present. The EDTF User’s Manual details the method for combining the EDTF’s preferred data sets and risk classifications to create a single, spatial data layer showing relative risk across the Western Interconnection. The EDTF has developed, and the SPSG has approved, a Comparison Process for evaluating transmission alternatives. The Comparison Process applies the risk metrics (derived from the Risk Classification Categories) to transmission alternatives, resulting in a set of relative risk scores for each alternative. The Comparison Process applies to both the 10- and 20-year planning horizons.Environmental Data Update and Review Process The Environmental Data Update and Review Process (referred to herein as the “Update Process”) ensures that the environmental and cultural data used in the RTEP process is up to date, is in a usable form, and is of acceptable quality. The Update Process process addresses:Incorporating data from new sources into the Data Sets;Updating existing data in the Data Sets;Assigning and updating risk classifications to new and existing data in the Data Sets; and Archiving outdated data or data that are not preferred. There are three situations which require revising the Data Sets: Identification of new data from stakeholder input or other sources;Modification of existing data based on stakeholder input; andUpdates of existing data from data providers.Once new or updated data are identified, they are reviewed by the EDTF (with expert guidance, if appropriate). The data are vetted through the Data Quality Validation Process; if the data are preferred, the EDTF assigns risk classifications using the EDTF Land Classification System. Finally, the preferred data are added to the Preferred Data Sets in the Data Set Inventory and described, along with their associated risk classifications, in the User’s Manual. The following section outlines the Update Process, which integrates with the biennial TEPPC RTEP process.The Update Process ensures that the Preferred Data Sets and associated risk classifications in the RTEP process contain the most current and appropriate data. A graphic describing the information flow of the Update Process is presented in Appendix A. A Glossary of Terms is included for reference in Appendix B.Open Biennial Process When?: Open Process November 1 of even years through January 31 of odd years; internal processing February 1 – June of odd yearsWho?: Stakeholders, EDTF, Data ManagerWhat’s the product?: Data layers, Risk Classification Categories, Area TypesNext steps?: Data Set Update Finalization?stepBiennially, WECC publicizes and manages an open process to solicit updated or new environmental and cultural data sets and associated risk classifications. This process is supported by a stakeholder feedback form and a guide detailing the purpose of the EDTF data and the type of data needed for each Data Set and associated Risk Classification Category, and is outlined in the Comparison Process, Appendix D. As part of the open process, WECC reaches out to stakeholders, owners of potential data sources, and providers of data already included in the Data Sets.WECC collects submissions and provides them to the Data Manager for processing with the Data Quality Validation Process. The EDTF reviews preferred-quality data sets to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the list of EDTF Data Sets. The selected data sets are added to the Data Inventory Spreadsheet, and noted in the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page 6). The Data Manager archives any data that is not preferred, including a rationale for why the data was not added to the list of EDTF Preferred Data Sets.Any proposed data submissions received by WECC outside of the Open Process time window are logged and held for consideration until the next Open Process.When?: As necessaryWho?: EDTF, Stakeholders, Experts, Data ManagerWhat’s the product?: Data workarounds or suitable data for gapsNext steps?: Data Set Update Finalization?stepIdentification of Data WorkaroundsIn some cases, the EDTF has identified gaps in its list of preferred data sets. Where preferred-quality data are not available for given topics, the EDTF convenes broadly knowledgeable experts to identify ways to fill the data gaps or in some way incorporate relevant information into the regional transmission planning process. These workshops are not conducted on a set schedule, but when the EDTF identifies data gaps to be filled. The data workarounds process is outlined in detail in the Comparison Process, Appendix D.The EDTF reviews the results from these data workaround workshops and selects potential workarounds or suitable data to fill gaps. If appropriate, the Data Manager processes potential data with the Data Quality Validation Process. Preferred data is added to the Data Inventory Spreadsheet and noted in the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page 6). The Data Manager archives any data that is not preferred.Review of Comparison Process Results and Updates to Risk Classification Category DesignationsWhen?: September-DecemberWho?: EDTF, Stakeholders, Experts, Data ManagerWhat’s the product?: Risk Classification Categories designation changesNext steps?: Data Set Update Finalization?stepIn September to December annually, after the Comparison Process is run, the EDTF convenes a stakeholder meeting to review Comparison Process results and identify instances in which the assigned risk classification categories do not appropriately capture levels of environmental and cultural risk. Where issues are identified, meeting participants propose modifications to the assigned risk classification categories and document the rationale for any changes (see Comparison Process, Step 3). The EDTF reviews the changes, and provides approved Risk Classification Category updates to the Data Manager. Changes to the Risk Classification Category assignments are noted in the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page 6). Ongoing Updates to Existing Data SetsWhen?: Ongoing Who?: EDTF, Data Manager What’s the product?: New data and updates to existing data in the Data SetsNext steps?: Data Set Update Finalization?stepThe Data Manager will periodically be in contact with existing data providers to identify updates to existing preferred data sets and potentially appropriate new data sets. In coordination with the EDTF, the Data Manager processes these data sets through the Data Quality Validation Process, incorporates the updates into the Data Inventory Spreadsheet, and notes them in the Change Log for the Data Set Update Finalization Step (see page 6). The Data Manager archives any outdated data or new data that is not preferred. The Data Manager ensures that updates to preferred data sets are incorporated into the LTPT.Data Set Update FinalizationWhen?: April - JuneWho?: EDTF, Data ManagerWhat’s the product?: Finalized Data Sets, risk classifications, User’s ManualNext steps?: To WECC for use in LTPTFrom April-June of the odd year of the biennial RTEP process, the EDTF finalizes a set of recommended changes to the EDTF Data Sets and risk classifications using the Change Log updates from each of the above steps. The Data Manager then: Revises the User’s Manual with the data additions/revisions adopted by the EDTFSubmits the completed Data Sets, associated risk classifications, and User’s Manual to WECC for use in the LTPT. Appendix A—Data Update Process FlowFigure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: Environmental Update and Review Process Flow ChartAppendix B—GlossaryTermAcronymDefinitionArea TypeA land area with specific geospatial, environmental and/or cultural characteristics.Data Inventory SpreadsheetA document that identifies the environmental and cultural data that comprises all data that have been reviewed and considered by the EDTF, including both “preferred” and non-preferred data.Data ManagerThe person identified as the central point for receiving and processing recommended additions, deletions or changes to the EDTF Preferred Data Sets.Data Quality Validation ProcessAn EDTF document that contains criteria for evaluating data sets to determine whether they are “preferred,” or suitable for use in WECC regional transmission planningEDTF User’s ManualA document that explains how to apply the EDTF Data Sets and associated Risk Classification Categories. Environmental Data Task ForceEDTFA task force created by the SPSG to develop recommendations on the type, quality, and sources of data on land, wildlife, cultural, historical, archaeological, and water resources, exploring ways to transform that data into a form usable in WECC’s study cases and 10-year and long-term planning models.Geographic Information SystemGISA tool that integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.Long-Term Planning ToolLTPTA tool developed for WECC that identifies transmission expansion alternatives in the 20-year planning horizon, based on inputs of resource, load and transmission work Expansion ToolNXTOne of two primary components of the LTPT. The NXT optimizes outputs from the SCDT to create a recommended transmission expansion plan for each long-term study case.Preferred Environmental / Cultural DataEnvironmental and/or cultural data that meets criteria specified in the EDTF Data Quality Validation ProcessRisk Classification CategoryOne of four categories identified by the EDTF to define the relative risk that a transmission alternative may encounter environmental and/or cultural risks.Scenario Planning Steering GroupSPSGA 25-member stakeholder body that provides strategic guidance to TEPPC on (1) scenarios to be modeled in transmission planning studies, (2) the modeling tools to be used, and (3) key assumptions to be used in creating and reviewing the scenarios.Study Case Development ToolSCDTOne of two primary components of the LTPT. The SCDT creates technically feasible transmission expansion segments, based on resource, load and transmission inputs.Transmission AlternativeA potential wire solution to a transmission challenge that involves two or more substations, and may or may not involve defined transmission corridors or WECC Paths.Transmission Expansion Planning Policy CommitteeTEPPCA committee created by the WECC Board of Directors to (1) oversee database management, (2) provide policy and management of the planning process, and (3) guide the analyses and modeling for Western Interconnection economic transmission expansion planning.Western Electricity Coordinating CouncilWECCThe Regional Entity responsible for coordinating and promoting bulk electric system reliability in the Western InterconnectionWestern InterconnectionWIOne of the two major alternating current (AC) power grids in North America, stretching from Western Canada to Baja California, Mexico, within which the high-voltage electric transmission grid is electrically connected during normal operations.Regional Transmission Expansion PlanningRTEPThe summation of WECC’s activities, managed by TEPPC, that evaluate long-term regional transmission needs.? RTEP evaluates needs based on many variables including electric demand, generation resources, energy policies, technology costs, impacts on transmission reliability, and emissions.Appendix C—Referenced EDTF DocumentsThe EDTF documents referenced in this process can be accessed at the following locations:DocumentURLChange Log Inventory Spreadsheet Quality Validation Process Recommendations for Transmission Planning Classification System for Using Environmental and Cultural Information to Compare Electric Transmission Alternatives at the Planning (not siting) Level?’s Manual ................
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