NEPA is Nothing to Fear for Renewable Energy Developers

Terracon’s expertise helps clients set accurate, efficient timelines on the path to environmental compliance

Environmental permitting can be dense and nuanced, and the mere mention of NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) can bring anxiety to renewable energy developers. But much like that first childhood trip to the dentist – there’s nothing to fear if you’re working with an experienced professional.

“There are a lot of challenges in going through the NEPA process, but it’s still just a process. What I like to tell our clients is that NEPA is not a four-letter word. It is a four-letter acronym, and it is not so difficult to navigate with the help of an experienced team,” said Emily Kosmalski, environmental planning lead and Terracon national account manager.

Drawing from our experience with thousands of NEPA-related projects across the country, Terracon can be a trusted partner in guiding renewable energy clients through the process.

In-house expertise, no matter where the project leads

Complying with environmental regulations requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists. When a project calls for wetland delineations, threatened and endangered (T&E) species surveys, cultural resource services, or Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, we put our vast network of in-house resources to work for our clients.

“The importance of having a national network is that we can leverage it to bring specialists to bear on projects, whether that’s bat biologists, wetland scientists, archaeologists, historians, or noise specialists. With the ability to bring our national team and subject matter experts to those projects, as well as having over 175 offices nationally, we are in touch with any hyper-local issues,” said Jeremy Hanzlik, P.E., national director, environmental planning.

A little local knowledge goes a long way

Federal regulations are only half of the environmental compliance puzzle. State and local environmental regulations can sometimes be more stringent than the federal versions. Climate, habitat, environment, cultural resources, and T&E species can all vary greatly by region. Our environmental experts in locations across the U.S. help clients navigate specific local challenges and avoid delays.

Terracon has performed environmental work on nearly 3,500 power generation and transmission projects in 47 states between 2014-2023.

Terracon’s NEPA portfolio includes projects completed under the Western Area Power Authority (WAPA), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy (DOE), and more. In addition to federal agencies, Terracon is also familiar with state energy permitting requirements such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Permit by Rule (DEQ PBR). Each new project brings unique challenges to navigating speed to market while finding the path of least environmental impact. Our in-house resources allow us to anticipate familiar challenges associated with meeting different regulations as they arise, which makes for a smoother walk down that path.

“The benefit of being involved in these NEPA projects, for renewable energy in particular, is that we’ve been there before with these federal agencies. We’ve negotiated with them and we understand the NEPA process. So, we’re not starting over from the beginning – we’ve been there, we’ve lived it,” said Hanzlik.

Effective communication is another critical element to a successful NEPA project. The success of a project can depend on thorough documentation, familiarity with public and private stakeholders, and the ability to navigate both sensitive and common challenges. The NEPA process is a multidisciplinary one with many participants and project phases, so excellent organizational and communication skills are essential for success.

Terracon can be your trusted partner in guiding renewable energy projects through the NEPA process. Let’s connect to get you started down the right path.