The National Park Service has been actively engaged in renewable energy and transmission related planning, permitting/leasing, and project related decision-making at the Department, Bureau, and field level to support expansion of our nation's energy portfolio. The NPS is committed to joining renewable energy permitting/leasing lead agencies as a cooperating agency on those projects for which it has significant resource concerns, and working in-house to identify resource issues and solutions at the earliest possible stage in the process.
To better understand how cross-boundary impacts may be avoided and minimized the NPS is working with other federal and state energy and environmental protection agencies, local zoning boards, and research institutions. The National Park Service also participates in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Atlantic Wind state task forces and serves on the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture Rapid Response Team for Transmission.
NPS Renewable Energy Program
The National Park Service's Renewable Energy Team uses a combined technical and policy approach to help park managers protect park resources and values, and to provide support to NPS leadership. During 2012-2013 the NPS hired six term positions to assist on renewable energy and related electric transmission infrastructure work. These positions are responsible for working with NPS partners at the field and region level to improve siting, environmental review, and permitting processes for utility-scale projects.
Receiving Assistance
National renewable energy park managers may obtain direct support from the External Renewable Energy Team by submitting a technical assistance request or phone-in request. If assistance cannot be provided, the Renewable Energy Team will find outside assistance and funding possibilities. The Renewable Energy Team has provided assistance to numerous parks on a variety of resource impact issues related to energy development.
Related Resources
Last updated: April 20, 2016