SWCA Main Navigation ABOUT US OUR WORK SERVICES CAREERS NEWS & INSIGHTS SEARCH Quick Links Navigation MEDIA INQUIRIESCONTACT US OUR WORK TRANSMISSION Electric power transmission has become central to policies relating to energy security, reliability, market access, capacity and grid resilience. Transmission owners, operators and developers are responding with programs and projects to address each of these considerations, and as they respond, they are often shifting and reprioritizing in a dynamic environment. Few industries have witnessed such flux. We have found it essential to understand and learn about our clients’ needs and priorities, adapt our services, and transfer learning and capabilities throughout SWCA. We have earned a reputation as a reliable and responsive team member who will provide quality work, and can scale to virtually any size transmission project or program. We get involved in every phase of the project, from the preliminary environmental analysis to long-term monitoring after project completion. SWCA’s transmission practice supports many of the largest electric utilities, transmission developers, and operators in the country. We have completed projects under on-call contracts, and supported and managed complex and large-scale programs, often as owner’s representative. We are experienced with projects at all levels of transmission and distribution voltage, and in almost any physiographic setting. Our teams complete challenging intra-state projects as well as larger multi-state projects. Our project managers are proven and recognized for their strategic thinking and proactive approach. Association Involvement • WIRES Group LATEST NEWS VIEW ALL Regulatory Alert: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Release Proposed Waters of the United States Rule NOVEMBER 22 Regulatory Alert: Alligator Snapping Turtle Proposed for Listing as Threatened NOVEMBER 12 Regulatory Alert: California District Court Ruling Pauses Some USACE Permit Verification NOVEMBER 10 RELEVANT SERVICES PROJECT TYPES WE SUPPORT Capacity Safety and Reliability Design Compliance Emergency Response Interconnections and Tie-lines New Construction: Green Field, Re-build, Upgrade PROGRAMS WE HELP IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE NERC and Other Grid Compliance Pole Replacement Vegetation Management On-call Services, including Rapid Response and Emergency Services Owner’s Environmental Representative for Large-scale Programs and Projects LICENSING, PERMITTING, AND DECISION DOCUMENTS Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) Federal Use Permits and Plans of Development State Public Utility Commission License and Permits Applications and Corresponding Environmental Assessments Federal, State, and Local Resources Permit Packages and Supporting Documentation Supporting Technical Studies and Reports Constraints, Routing, and Siting Studies and Corresponding Permit Requirements Analyses and Strategies CORRESPONDING SERVICES WE PROVIDE Project Management and Staff Augmentation Natural Resources Services Cultural Resources Studies Environmental Reporting Agency Consultations Planning and Land Use Studies GIS Analytics and Mapping Construction Environmental Compliance Management Plans, Training and Staffing MEET THE EXPERTS CO-LEAD STEVE STIELSTRA Steve is a proven leader, providing siting, routing, feasibility, and permitting expertise for major transmission lines and other linear projects nationwide. He brings more than 30 years experience to every project and demonstrates how quality front-end planning results in successful outcomes. CONTACT STEVE → CO-LEAD AND CENTRAL/EAST ERIC MYERS Eric has a long background in transmission work, having managed utility projects, development, public policy, and environmental compliance. CONTACT ERIC → RELEVANT CASE STUDIES NEPA COMPLIANCE SOUTHLINE TRANSMISSION PROJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT The desert southwest is undergoing substantial growth, and with it, there’s a growing demand for energy. The Southline Transmission project was proposed as a solution to both strengthen the regional transmission grid, and facilitate the development of renewable energy projects in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. READ MORE → TRANSMISSION SERVICES BEST PRACTICES FOR TRANSMISSION PROJECTS SWCA provides environmental consulting and planning services for electric transmission clients nationwide, including regulated utilities, independent transmission operators, and federal energy agencies. SWCA’s transmission practice easily scales to client needs, from a single site focused biological survey and report to playing key team roles in multi-state/multi-component transmission systems planning, management, permitting, and construction. READ MORE → REGULATORY COMPLIANCE GOT SPECIES? ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT TOOLS & TIPS Once a species is protected by the Endangered Species Act, projects that impact those species could require authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SWCA tracks threatened and endangered species issues closely and offers the following tips for staying ahead of the game. READ MORE → TRANSMISSION CASE STUDY WESTERN ELECTRICITY COORDINATING COUNCIL: ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION COSTS STUDY WECC hired SWCA to conduct a study that would substantiate WECC’s recommendations regarding how environmental mitigation costs might be applied generally for long-term transmission expansion planning efforts within the WECC region. SWCA was selected because our approach combined interviews with transmission project developers and our applied knowledge of the environmental regulations that typically have the greatest influence on the transmission project development process. READ MORE → TAKE THE NEXT STEP Request more information about our transmission capabilities. CONTACT US → SWCASOUND SCIENCE. 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