Permitting Process
The permitting process for fueling stations, telecommunication backup power fuel cells and other hydrogen projects includes a number of steps, issues, codes, and standards that must be addressed by developers, permitting officials, fire safety officials, and other authorities.
The permitting process is designed to improve safety by reducing:
- The probability of an unintentional release of hydrogen
- The consequences of an accident if there is an unintentional hydrogen release
- The severity of a hydrogen-related fire.
Preliminary project preparation considerations include zoning, site selection, and garnering community support. Construction approval permits may address facility design, equipment, and construction requirements. Operation approvals may include a variety of permits, some ongoing on annual or other recurring bases. Although the major steps of the process are listed sequentially here, they may vary significantly by project. Some projects may include more steps, and there may be overlap among the steps, depending on the procedures used by the local permitting authority. In addition, the steps may vary based on the type of hydrogen project being developed. For example, the addition of hydrogen fuel to an existing fueling station or fuel cells to an existing telecommunications facility may have different zoning and site selection steps than a new standalone hydrogen fueling station or telecommunications tower. Similarly, fueling stations that produce hydrogen on-site and stations that have hydrogen delivered may have different processes and requirements.