As development of renewable energy sources expands use of land resources, the need for environmental and water quality protection services has increased amongst service providers. In current contracts with solar energy providers, our team has enabled new protective capabilities for solar and renewable energy sites through our environmental permitting work, utilizing the standards of the Clean Water Act, including sections 404 and 401. The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law which protects waters of the U.S., including wetlands.

The Impacts of Solar Energy

As part of a contract with a major solar energy provider, our on-site team is taking part in an ever-evolving process to analyze environmental permits and apply revised requirements to renewable energy sites. Most recently, the team supplied the permitting process management of federal and state environmental permits for a medium scale solar complex. This project, located in Henry County, Virginia, is built on 90 acres and generates 22 megawatts. To put this in context, the average homeowner uses approximately 10,000 watts to power a home. This means that this solar energy power plant has the capacity to supply almost 2,200 homes. The current development is supplying this power to local utilities as a measure to offset other sources of energy. 

Improvements to the Environmental Permitting Process

As a development project is proposed within a particular environment, we perform due diligence by evaluating the proposed site to assess the environmental constraints that exist based on the limits of the proposed development. This assessment enables us to identify what permits may be required based on those constraints. Typical required permits may relate to the streams, wetlands, marshes, and forested buffers present on the site. Following this process, our team submits a permit request to the appropriate federal, state, and local agency. If waters of the U.S. or wetlands may be impacted, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a state regulatory agency like the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will be consulted to address the Section 404/401 requirements, respectively. Additionally, Section 404/401 permitting needs to take into consideration other impacts such as cultural resources and threatened and endangered species.

Many states and jurisdictions are revisiting their permitting regulations due to the increase of climate change and aging infrastructure. With greater emphasis on environmental protection, especially in floodplains and river and stream systems, we are not only serving the client, but the ecosystem and community surrounding a project." Douglas Sullivan and Thaddeus Loucks

What is the Future of Environmental Permitting?

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry supports development of renewable energy projects and works with regulators through proactive insight and advocacy. Many states and jurisdictions are revisiting their permitting regulations due to the increase of climate change and aging infrastructure. With greater emphasis on environmental protection, especially in floodplains and river and stream systems, we are not only serving the client, but the ecosystem and community surrounding a project.

Over the past 30 years, the environmental planning and permitting industry has made significant strides. Previously, companies and contractors designed first and sought out constraints second. Today, we collaborate with our clients and the regulators to evaluate environmental constraints much earlier in the process. This involves our team of environmental specialists, including wetland delineators, being sent to the job site to fully assess the project area. 

Sustainability Considerations for Increasing Renewable Energy Infrastructure Growth

Renewable energy sources are becoming an increasingly prevalent aspect of infrastructure. With this addition, many ecosystems and environments may face an increased level of adversity. Our team is actively working to aid clients in managing these issues and collaborating with various stakeholders to obtain the appropriate permits, reduce impacts, and allow the improvements to be constructed.