Page 230 - Sustainable On-Site CHP Systems Design, Construction, and Operations

CHAPTER 12

Obtaining a Construction

Permit

Karl Lany

onstruction and, therefore, design of a new CHP facility is typically dependent
upon the ability to obtain permits from a variety of regulatory agencies.
CMunicipal planning departments and commissions may have authority to
review project plans and specifications to determine consistency with land use ordi-
nances and land use plans, and project approval may require holding public hearings.
Project plans may also be subject to a review by local government agencies to determine
consistency with building codes as well as health and safety codes. Environmental
agencies that enforce air quality, water quality, and public health regulations often
operate independently of municipal governments and have permitting authority over
CHP projects.

Environmental Assessments and the Permitting Process
In regions of the world with mature environmental regulations, the process of issuing a
construction permit often includes consideration of a wide range of environmental impacts.
The environmental assessment process is becoming even more common as an increasing
number of communities grapple with global warming, deteriorating air and water quality,
increased noise and exposure to hazardous compounds. Even in cases where government
authorities do not issue permits or require an assessment of environmental impacts,
project developers may be faced with the challenge of demonstrating (to funding organi-
zations) that proposed projects result in acceptable environmental consequences.
For instance, the United Nations Development Program has adopted environmental
assessment protocol and performance standards for many projects in order to qualify for
funding through the organization. The United States Agency for International Develop-
ment (USAID) also conducts cross-media environmental assessments for foreign projects
that are funded by the agency. Environmental assessments for foreign projects that are
funded by USAID are similar to the assessments that are conducted for domestic projects.
USAID also applies minimum environmental standards for foreign projects that are simi-
lar to the environmental standards that would be applied to domestic projects. Many
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