OAR 345-023-0005: Need for a Facility

This division applies to nongenerating facilities as defined in ORS 469.503(2)(e), except nongenerating facilities that are related or supporting facilities. To issue a site certificate for a facility described in sections (1) through (3), the Council must find that the applicant has demonstrated the need for the facility. The Council may adopt need standards for other nongenerating facilities. This division describes the methods the applicant shall use to demonstrate need. In accordance with ORS 469.501(1)(L), the Council has no standard requiring a showing of need or cost-effectiveness for generating facilities. The applicant shall demonstrate need: (1) For electric transmission lines under the least-cost plan rule, OAR 345-023-0020(1), or the system reliability rule for transmission lines, OAR 345-023-0030, or by demonstrating that the transmission line is proposed to be located within a “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor” designated by the U.S. Department of Energy under Section 216 of the Federal Power Act; (2) For natural gas pipelines under the least-cost plan rule, OAR 345-023-0020(1), or the economically reasonable rule for natural gas pipelines, OAR 345-023-0040; (3) For storage facilities for liquefied natural gas with storage capacity of three million gallons or greater under the least-cost plan rule, OAR 345-023-0020(1), or the economically reasonable rule for liquefied natural gas storage facilities, OAR 345-023-0040. (4) If the proposed facility is a non-generating facility for which the applicant must demonstrate need under OAR 345-023-0005, the applicant must submit information about the need for the facility, providing evidence to support a finding by the Council as required by (1) through (3), including identification of the rule in Division 23 of this chapter under which the applicant chooses to demonstrate need.