Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse Reviews

Mission Compatibility Evaluation Process

The DoD has a structured process for developers to request a mission compatibility evaluation of a proposed energy project, as documented in Part 211 of Title 32 CFR.

Some states have incorporated notifying DoD about proposed energy projects into their requirements. The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is one example. PGRR047 FIS Department of Defense Declaration, passed in 2016, requires entities to notify the Clearinghouse of a proposed energy project and request an informal or formal review before submitting to ERCOT for a full interconnection study (FIS).

In accordance with 10 U.S. Code § 183a (c)(6), if an energy project proposed is known to be inside a military training route or in a radar surveillance line-of-sight that the DoD owns or operates in, then the project must be filed at least one year prior to construction.

Formal Review

The Clearinghouse formal review process applies to projects filed with the Secretary of Transportation, under Title 49 U.S.C., Section 44718 (Federal Aviation Administration obstruction evaluation process) and addresses all energy projects greater than 199 feet above ground level, proposed for construction within military training routes or special use airspace, whether on private, state, or Federal property, such as the Bureau of Land Management lands.

Calendar Year Formal Review Numbers 2011 (Partial Year) 502 2012 1,769 2013 2,075 2014 2,594 2015 3,325 2016 4,208 2017 4,224 2018 5,658 2019 5,141 2020 6,093 2021 6,096

Informal Review

The Clearinghouse encourages all energy proponents to seek informal reviews as early as possible to identify potential compatibility concerns. Developers of an energy project; a landowner; a State, Indian tribal, or local official; or other Federal agency should request a preliminary determination from the Clearinghouse in advance of filing an application with the Secretary of Transportation under Title 49 U.S.C., Section 44718 or where a preliminary DoD determination is desired.

Calendar Year Informal Review Numbers 2011 (Partial Year) No data 2012 86 2013 60 2014 27 2015 39 2016 122 2017 138 2018 171 2019 226 2020 215 2021 258

To request an informal review, please send the following information to the Clearinghouse at osd.dod-siting-clearinghouse@mail.mil.

Contact Information

• Company/Vendor/Developer:
• Project Point of Contact (First and Last Name):
• Address, City, State, and Zip code:
• Phone Number:
• E-mail:
• Project Name:
• County/Parish and State:

The geographic location of the project. Please include a shapefile and/or KMZ file for mapping the project. If necessary, you may submit coordinates in Decimal Degrees (preferred) or DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) for each component of the project (e.g., each wind turbine or transmission line tower) in Excel format. If the project does not yet have a defined layout, please provide coordinates to indicate the general footprint, such as boundary corners. Also, please include a map of the project in Microsoft PowerPoint and/or Adobe PDF format, if possible.

The nature of the project (e.g., wind, solar) and the following information:

Wind Turbine:

• Number of Structures:
• Turbine Type:
• Hub Height:
• Maximum Blade Tip Height at Top of Rotation:
• Associated Meteorological Evaluation Towers:
• Turbine Farm Layout (map and coordinates):

Solar:

• Proposed Solar Technology (photovoltaic/concentrated solar power):
• Solar Panel Height (at maximum tilt) or Tower Height:
• Solar Panel or Heliostat Array Acreage:
• Axis Tracking (yes/no - if yes, single or dual):
• Anti-Reflective Panels (yes/no):
• Solar Panel or Heliostat Array Layout (map and boundary corner coordinates):
• Associated Transmission Infrastructure (if applicable):
• Maximum Pole Height:
• Grid Point of Interconnection Coordinates:
• Rated Voltage (in kV) of Line:

Geothermal:

• Acreage
• Structure Heights
• Geothermal Layout (map and coordinates):

Energy Storage:

• Acreage:
• Structure Height:
• Energy Storage Layout (map and coordinates):
• Associated Transmission Infrastructure (if applicable):
• Maximum Pole Height:
• Grid Point of Interconnection Coordinates:
• Rated Voltage (in kV) of Line:

Transmission, Utility, and Power Lines:

• Type of Structures (wood, concrete, steel):
• Structure Heights (or maximum height):
• Length of Line:
• Substation(s) Tie-in (if known):
• Rated Voltage (in kV) of Line(s):
• Transmission Tower and Terminal Point Coordinates:
• Map of Route

BLM ID, NEPA number, or any Federal/State/Local identifiers, if applicable:

Provide as much additional information as possible, such as:

• Structure Heights AMSL (for Wind Turbines and Transmission Lines):
• Associated transmission/lines for project and obstructions to structure (e.g. guideline supports, lighting):
• Intended grid point of interconnection coordinates:

If the request for an informal review includes information that is proprietary or competition sensitive, we encourage that the documents be marked accordingly. Documents must be marked as "Proprietary" or "Business Sensitive" to ensure they are properly safeguarded upon receipt. Do not mark documents as "Confidential," as that can be easily mistaken for a national security classification. Properly marked proprietary information will be protected under exemption to the Freedom of Information Act and will only be used to assess potential impacts on military missions.