Utility and Energy Project Development
Hydroelectric Projects and Dams
The Johnson Company’s experienced engineers provide a full range of engineering services to design, permit, and supervise construction of concrete and earthen dams, as well as perform dam safety inspections, flood routing analyses, and prepare emergency action plans. Our environmental scientists perform hydraulic studies, wetland impact analyses, and geological and hydrological studies to support hydroelectric project development, permitting and operation.
Cogeneration and Electric Generating Plants
We provide multidisciplinary engineering, permitting, and environmental services to power project developers and utilities that start with the initial feasibility study continuing through final environmental agency and utility permitting. We perform site evaluations, provide site design, conduct aesthetic and noise impact analyses, obtain air permits, design water and wastewater systems, permit cooling water discharges, and do wetlands impact assessment and mitigation. During initial site selection, we can perform a “fatal flaw” analysis to identify environmental, zoning, or public acceptance issues that could stop a project. We obtain federal, state, and local environmental permits for these projects, and provide expert witness testimony on environmental impacts for public utility commission hearings.
Transmission Lines
Our teams work with utilities and regulators to solve the unique environmental problems related to the design and location of electric transmission lines and substations. Transmission line projects often involve many different landowners, public acceptance issues, and multiple town and county jurisdictions. The construction of transmission lines may require wetland delineation and wetland impact mitigation; protection of fish and wildlife habitat, and rare, threatened or endangered species; mitigation of aesthetic impacts; and plans for temporary traffic impacts. We address these and other issues to enhance the probability of obtaining federal, state, and local environmental and land use permits, as well as public acceptance.
Fuel Storage Facilities and Pipelines
Fuel storage facilities and pipelines have unique requirements, whether they are stand-alone facilities or part of a power generation project or industrial development. The extensive engineering and environmental experience and expertise offered by The Johnson Company addresses the many issues related to these projects.
In the case of major pipelines, we conduct corridor analyses of agricultural impacts, other underground utilities, stream crossings, wetland delineations, and right-of-way issues that affect the routing of these lines.
Our engineers design above ground fuel storage facilities providing adequate fire protection, containment in the event of tank failure, and storm water management to protect water quality. We also prepare Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plans, and obtain environmental and land use permits. In the event a fuel release occurs, we investigate the problem, manage the environmental enforcement issues, and design and supervise remediation.
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