Renewable Energy Handbook 2010 - Department of Finance - The ...

3.4 EnvironmentalAssessment and Approvals3.4.1 INTRODUCTIONIt is important to assess the environmental risksof a renewable energy project proposal at an earlystage to ensure the minimisation of harm throughappropriate planning and design. An assessment ofthe proposal should consider, amongst other things,the following issues:Environmental, cultural and social values of the area;·Likely impacts and risks posed by the renewable·energy development to the environment and to thehealth, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenityof people affected by the project;The ability to avoid or appropriately manage·identifi ed risks and impacts; andThe likely level of public interest and the ability·to consult with stakeholders and interest groupsand respond to their issues (refer to Section 3.8for further details).Proponents are required to identify if there are anysignifi cant environmental impacts associated withtheir renewable energy development and ensurecompliance with the appropriate environmentallegislation and approvals processes.Local Government authorities and the Departmentfor Planning work closely with the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation and the EnvironmentalProtection Authority when processing applicationsfor planning approval. Where significantenvironmental issues need to be considered aspart of a proposed development, it is often benefi cialto prepare both the planning and environmentaldocumentation simultaneously.OFFICE OF ENERGYRENEWABLE ENERGY HANDBOOK 20103.4.2 STATE APPROVALSEnvironmental Impact Assessment by the EPAA proposal that is considered to have a signifi canteffect on the environment, whether it is of local,state or national signifi cance, must be referred tothe State’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)under Part IV (Environmental Impact Assessment)of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.Proposals should be referred to the EPA for adecision on whether or not it will be assessed,and if so, the level of assessment. The EPA expectsproponents to consider all development and siteselection options that would avoid direct and indirectimpacts on natural areas in the fi rst instance,before referring the proposal to the EPA.The EPA can determine not to assess the proposalbased on the potential impact(s) on the environment.Where the EPA decides to assess a proposal, it willadopt one of two levels of assessment; either anAssessment on Proponent Information (API) or aPublic Environmental Review (PER).The API level of assessment provides for an expeditedassessment of a proposal where the environmentalacceptability or unacceptability of the proposal isapparent at the referral stage. A public reviewperiod is not considered necessary either becausethe proponent has consulted with the stakeholdersduring the preparation of the proposal, or furtherconsultation through a public review process isunlikely to identify additional stakeholders orraise additional signifi cant environmental issues.The assessment procedure for an API level ofassessment is outlined within the Environmental ImpactAssessment Administrative Procedures 2010.Where a proposal has regional and/or State-wideimpact, several signifi cant environmental issues orfactors, some of which are complex in nature, or thelevel of interest in the proposal warrants a publicreview period, the EPA would apply a PER level ofassessment. This process is more involved,requiring additional documentation, and providesfor comment by the public. The PER assessmentprocess is outlined within the Environmental ImpactAssessment Administrative Procedures 2010.35DEVELOPING A RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA