Category Archives: Site Development and Construction

How to Reduce Noise from Battery Energy Storage System Operations through Effective Site Design

Nicole Flewellen

When designing a battery energy storage system (BESS) to meet local noise ordinance requirements, developers and engineers must address noise emissions, especially when located in proximity to noise-sensitive areas like residential communities, schools, and medical campuses. Unlike photovoltaic (PV) solar facilities that primarily generate noise from inverters, BESS facilities have multiple noise sources (sometimes three

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Everything You Need to Know to Complete a Phase I ESA in 2023

Nicole Flewellen

What is a Phase I ESA and when is it required? A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is conducted to identify potential contamination that impacts a property and presents an environmental risk. A Phase I ESA is required as part of the due diligence process during a real estate transaction, such as property purchase,

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Energized Work Plans Ensure Safety of Affected Workers during Solar Project Construction

Nicole Flewellen

From 2015–2019, total installed solar energy capacity in the United States nearly tripled from 23.44 gigawatts (GW) to 62.3 GW. While this solar energy boom is a positive sign of the country’s transition to green energy, it requires increased understanding of the hazards associated with solar energy project construction. Many contractors must contend with the

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Dudek Noise Tool Enables Streamlined Siting Decisions for Energy Storage Facilities

Nicole Flewellen

Energy storage facilities are often sited near electrical distribution substations in urban and suburban environments to capitalize on the energy demands in these areas. In such locations, noise-sensitive uses may exist nearby, such as residential neighborhoods, hospitals, churches, and schools. Introduction of a noise generation source, such as an energy storage facility, must take existing

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Understanding PFAS: How they’re Regulated and what that Means for your Projects

Nicole Flewellen

What are PFAS? Produced by industrial/commercial facilities and present in consumer goods, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a group of synthetic chemicals used in products that resist oil and water, control temperature, and prevent degradation of materials. Examples include non-stick cookware, pizza boxes and other paper-based food containers, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, fire-resistant clothing

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Environmental Awareness Training Avoids Project Delays

Nicole Flewellen

Thorough knowledge and understanding of a project site is essential to ensure construction occurs in compliance with agency regulations. Proper environmental awareness training (EAT) prior to construction activities can help avoid delays due to unexpected wildlife on site.Benefits of Environmental Awareness Training EAT can be conducted by the project biologist, and may include construction crews

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Ensuring Construction and Stormwater Compliance During Wet Weather Events

Nicole Flewellen

The potentially strong El Niño and exceptional rain this winter requires project owners pay special attention to Construction General Permit (CGP) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) regulations to ensure construction site compliance and avoid project delays and violations. Paul Walsh, a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) with Dudek, said “The most effective SWPPP designs utilize

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Managing Schools’ Hazardous Materials Risk

Nicole Flewellen

The $12,000 fine and administrative penalties levied in January against a Los Angeles County school district highlights a common problem—mishandling of chemical storage and disposal can lead to dangerous and costly consequences for schools. Improper Chemical Management Consequences Chemicals used in scientific laboratories; shop classes; art and photography classes; pool and healthcare facilities; and maintenance

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Tahoe Creek Restoration Project Wins Award

Dudek

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has awarded Dudek and its subsidiary, Habitat Restoration Sciences (HRS), the Best in Basin award for the firm’s work restoring Lower Blackwood Creek. Restoring native habitat was needed to correct over a century of disturbance that severely degraded the creek, a critical spawning area for rainbow trout living in Lake

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How Environmental Awareness Training Keeps Projects Moving Forward

Dudek

When a bulldozer operator working on the Sacramento light rail expansion spotted two burrowing owls fly out of a burrow on the project site, the value of environmental awareness training for construction crews became clear. The operator immediately started the protocol he learned in training, and the burrowing owls, a California species of concern, were

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