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
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
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
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
We are in the midst of the California rainy season, and construction project sites must be compliant with the Construction General Permit (CGP) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) regulations to avoid project delays and violations. “The most effective SWPPP designs combine environmental knowledge to ensure regulatory compliance while minimizing SWPPP implementation and maintenance
As a large, high-profile construction project, the Sacramento Regional Transit District’s (RT) $270-million Blue Line extension includes the challenge of melding environmental compliance and construction schedules to keep the project moving forward. First-stage construction includes an aerial structure spanning two creeks supporting habitat for the federally and state-listed threatened giant garter snake, the state-listed threatened
Success of a renewable energy project often starts with meeting stringent, complex environmental permitting and mitigation requirements. Dudek’s David Hochart, an environmental permitting specialist with expertise in California renewable energy sites, outlines below how a successful environmental permitting process begins with an effective due diligence plan: Environmental due diligence should be completed prior to substantial
