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Commission says geographic distribution may be used as a tiebreaker for easement awards
Summary
Commissioners agreed that, when otherwise equal, geographic distribution may be considered when deciding among top‑ranked projects and instructed staff to incorporate that statement into solicitation guidance.
The commission voted to include a geographic‑distribution tiebreaker in solicitation guidance: when projects are otherwise equally prioritized, commissioners said they may consider geographic distribution to spread awards around the state.
"If all else is equal between highly prioritized projects, that geographical distribution may be considered," moved Sarah Evans Peters and seconded by Nancy; the motion carried. Staff indicated they will incorporate the motion language verbatim into applicant guidance for the upcoming solicitation.
Commissioners who had earlier voiced concern about limiting eligibility emphasized the wording was narrowly intended as a tie‑breaker, not a restriction on who may apply. Staff noted that geography is not an explicit evaluation criterion in the current rubric and that this statement is a supplemental policy preference to be included in guidance.
