Whether energy is developed from renewable resources such as wind, solar, biofuels, hydro and geothermal or from more traditional sources like coal, natural gas and nuclear, the energy-generation process can be challenging in the face of ever-changing regulations and market demands.
SWCA’s energy experts have in-depth knowledge of the many project phases and compliance hurdles that generation industry leaders face. Our comprehensive services guide clients through every step of the generation process — from initial Plans of Development and right-of-way applications to resource surveying and post-construction monitoring.
Association Involvement
• Gulf Coast Power Association
• Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (MI EIBC)
Power Generation Services
Relevant Services
SITE SELECTION
- Land and Site Development Services
- Critical Issues Assessments
- Preliminary Outreach
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)
- Site Suitability Assessments (per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Permitting Strategies
pre-construction
- Federal, State and Local Agency Coordination
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Biological Studies
- Avian and Bat Studies
- Terrestrial Wildlife and Plants
- Wetlands and Aquatic Resources
- Cultural Studies
- Indigenous Relations and Ethnography
- Paleontological Studies
- Visual Assessments and Simulations
- Geospatial Data
- Plans of Development and Land Use Applications
- Mitigation Planning
environmental permitting
- Air Permitting
- Federal, State, and Local Environmental Permitting
- Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies
- Species-Specific Conservation Plans
- Environmental Compliance Management Plans
- Worker Environmental Awareness Programs and Training
- Restoration, Invasive Species, and Revegetation Plans
- Unanticipated Discoveries Plans
- Site Design and Stormwater Management
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plans
CONSTRUCTION
- On-the-fly Planning, Permit Modifications, and Workarounds
- Permit Compliance Monitoring, Inspection, and Reporting
- Assistance Obtaining Variances
- Wetland Mitigation Implementation
- Compliance Issue Resolution
- Archaeological and Paleontological Artifact Recovery
post-construction
- Environmental Monitoring and Reporting
- Reclamation and Restoration
- Mitigation Monitoring
- Adaptive Environmental Management
- Vegetation Management and Invasive Species Control
- Environmental Audits
- Enforcement Resolution
Meet the Experts
Relevant Case Studies
Offshore Wind
Vineyard Wind SEIS: Lessons Learned for California Offshore Wind Projects
SWCA’s Offshore Wind Team prepared an article for the Offshore Wind California coalition on how the lesson’s learned from the Vineyard Wind NEPA process may be applicable to offshore wind development in California.
Eagle Conservation
How a Creative Solution Benefits Golden Eagles and Renewable Energy
Tom Koronkiewicz knows more about golden eagles than most of us know about our closest friends. Take Susan, a golden eagle he captured and fitted with a transmitter on Mother’s Day in 2015.
Wildlife Conservation
There’s No Grousin’ ‘bout Wind
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming is home to 37 percent of all sage-grouse found in the United States. Habitat fragmentation, land development, energy infrastructure, invasive plants, fire, predation, and climate change have been cited as threats to the species and their sagebrush-dominated habitat.
Planning
Got Species? Endangered Species Act Tools & Tips
Once a species is protected by the Endangered Species Act, activities that negatively impact those species could require authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SWCA tracks threatened and endangered species issues closely and offers the following tips for staying ahead of the game.