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Routing and Siting Studies

We help guide clients through siting challenges with smart routine strategies, environmental expertise, and a clear path to regulatory success.

Overview

SWCA holistically supports clients through the siting process by providing extensive cultural resource, natural resources, and land use data to develop proposed routes that can withstand regulatory challenges and stakeholder scrutiny.

Our team has extensive experience with FERC Order 1000 and regulated projects nationwide. We tailor our siting capabilities to the complexity of each project, whether it involves a rebuild or a greenfield transmission line. Utilizing GIS technology for constraint mapping and quantitative evaluation of routing alternatives, we balance this with qualitative assessments based on our practitioners’ expertise in routing transmission lines and navigating state public commission and siting board approvals.

Our goal is to assist our clients in navigating the constraints of the natural and built environment to identify and defend optimal routes. Our team has successfully presented and defended routing studies and analyses before utility boards and siting commissions nationwide and has provided expert testimony in associated proceedings in multiple state and local jurisdictions.

3,600+

Transmission Projects

5,900+

Renewable Energy Projects

6,000+

Generation Projects

Routing and Siting

We help clients navigate the complex routing and siting process by balancing regulatory requirements, environmental considerations, community needs, and project goals. Our team combines regulatory knowledge with technical expertise to support the development of sound, defensible route selections and site plans. Using advanced GIS technology, stakeholder engagement, and multidisciplinary collaboration, we identify and evaluate alternatives, manage constraints, and streamline the permitting process. We help clients achieve approvals while minimizing delays, costs, and environmental impacts.

Relevant Services

  • Constraint Mapping
  • Early Critical Issues Identification and Assessment
  • Expert Witness Testimony
  • FERC 1000 Competitive Bid Support
  • GIS Analysis and Site Suitability Modeling
  • Public Utility Commission Certification of Public Convenience & Necessity Reporting, Filing, and Hearing Support
  • Routing Evaluation and Alternatives Analysis for Linear Infrastructure
  • Siting for Transmission, Renewable Generation, and Traditional Generation Facilities
  • Site Selection Evaluation and Analysis for Substation & Renewable or Traditional Electric Generation Facilities

Biological and Ecological Services

SWCA’s experts bring practical knowledge and technical innovation to every stage of project development. We gather, analyze, and apply terrestrial and aquatic species data to meet environmental compliance requirements and conservation goals. Our team stays up-to-date on regulatory changes and agency expectations, developing actionable strategies to keep projects on track while protecting sensitive habitats. From field surveys and data analysis to restoration planning and agency coordination, we deliver solutions grounded in sound science and tailored to each project’s unique needs.

Relevant Services

  • Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies
  • Endangered Species Assessments
  • Restoration, Invasive Species, and Revegetation Plans

Community Engagement

Our team offers comprehensive community engagement services to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration throughout project planning and implementation. Our facilitators specialize in multi-stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and process design for both virtual and in-person settings. We support every step of the process including agenda development, facilitation, documentation, and follow-up, creating inclusive environments where all voices are heard. By managing group dynamics and facilitating constructive conversations, we help clients build community trust, mitigate risks, and achieve project objectives.

Relevant Services

  • Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting and Quantification
  • Professional Facilitation
  • Public Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Strategic Communications
  • Tribal Relations

Construction Compliance

We ensure environmental compliance throughout construction activities by providing on-the-ground monitoring, compliance planning, and adaptive management solutions. Our experts help clients anticipate and address environmental and regulatory challenges in real time, minimizing risks, delays, and costly violations. We collaborate with project teams to implement environmental commitments, monitor sensitive resources, and deliver thorough documentation. From pre-construction planning to post-construction restoration, our approach safeguards both project success and environmental stewardship.

Relevant Services

  • Assistance Obtaining Variances
  • Compliance Issue Resolution
  • Compliance Monitoring and Reporting
  • On-the-Fly Planning, Field-Staking, and Workarounds
  • Wetland Mitigation Implementation
  • Worker Environmental Awareness Programs and Training

Cultural Resources

With one of the nation’s largest teams of cultural resource professionals, SWCA delivers unmatched expertise in archaeology, historic preservation, Tribal relations, and cultural resource management. We support clients across various industries in navigating complex regulatory frameworks such as the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Our relationships with agencies, tribal governments, and local stakeholders enable us to provide tailored strategies that balance our clients’ goals with the protection of historic and cultural resources. From survey and documentation to permitting and consultation, our team offers full-service cultural resources support.

Relevant Services

  • Archaeological and Paleontological Artifact Recovery
  • Cultural Studies
  • Native American Consultation
  • Paleontological Studies
  • Tribal Historic Preservation Office/State Historic Preservation Officer Consultation

Environmental Permitting

Our experts help clients achieve project success by navigating complex regulations and securing timely approvals. We offer strategic guidance that aligns permitting pathways with project objectives, community needs, and environmental considerations. With extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal processes, our team proactively identifies potential challenges, streamlines applications, and facilitates regulatory coordination. We help clients manage environmental risk while meeting compliance standards—supporting project delivery from planning through implementation.

Relevant Services

  • Air Quality Permitting
  • Environmental Compliance Management Plans
  • Federal, State, and Local Permitting
  • Restoration, Invasive Species, and Revegetation Plans
  • Species-Specific Conservation Plans
  • Unanticipated Discoveries Plans
  • Wetlands Assessments

Right-of-Way Acquisition

SWCA supports right-of-way acquisition efforts by providing environmental expertise, regulatory guidance, and strategic planning. Our team helps identify environmentally sensitive areas, assess land use constraints, and engage with property owners and stakeholders. We collaborate closely with clients to ensure that acquisition strategies align with permitting requirements, project timelines, and environmental commitments. By integrating biological, cultural, and permitting considerations into right-of-way planning, we help clients reduce delays and avoid costly rework.

Relevant Services

  • Federal, State, and Local Permitting
  • Land Acquisition
  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance

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