EPA and US Army Amend Definition of Waters of the US
2 years ago · 2 minute read
In late August, the EPA and Department of the Army announced their updated definition of what qualifies as “waters of the United States,” and thus under their jurisdiction to protect and regulate. The definition was amended to remove the inclusion of a wetland that was considered a “significant nexus” to a waterway; now the federal […]
Utility-Scale Solar Development
2 years ago · 3 minute read
Solar power projects range in size and scope from installing a residential set of roof panels to building a solar power plant. In this post, we’ll be getting into the latter; let’s talk about all things utility-scale solar development! What is utility-scale development? The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) defines a utility scale solar project […]
11 Civil Engineering Considerations for Developing a Large Solar Array
2 years ago · 2 minute read
Landowners interested in developing a solar array on a 15–acre or larger site have several important civil engineering considerations to factor into their decision making. Below is an overview of the process and design considerations, taking into account factors like slope, topography, stormwater management, bedrock, soil, and grasses. Available Power – Assess the availability of […]
The Different Colors of Hydrogen and Their Environmental Impacts
2 years ago · 3 minute read
Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, has recently gained attention as a potential source of clean energy. When considering the application of hydrogen for energy, it is essential to recognize that hydrogen can be produced through difference processes, each of which has a different environmental impact. Each of these processes is assigned a […]
New Expanded Grant Program Supporting the Energy Needs of Rural America
2 years ago · 3 minute read
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a federal program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It provides financial assistance and technical support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for installing renewable energy systems, making energy efficiency improvements, and performing energy audits. The program is designed to help rural communities […]
Mining the Earth for Solar Panels?
3 years ago · 4 minute read
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released the final synthesis report of its Sixth Assessment Report (completed every 5 years). This report stated that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher now than they have been in the last two million years. Additionally, global greenhouse gas emissions between 2010 and 2019 were […]
History of Clean Water Standards
3 years ago · 4 minute read
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Water protection is a complex topic that involves a variety of approaches including regulations, wastewater treatment, hazard mitigation, land use controls, and public education (just to name a few). In the U.S., the first federal regulations of drinking water can be traced back to 1914. But […]
Renewables Up, Coal Down, Natural Gas Production Up in 2023
3 years ago · 2 minute read
In 2023, the share of U.S. electrical generation by renewable energy is expected to increase, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) January 2023 report. This increase is driven primarily by increased solar capacity and new wind projects. After representing 21 percent of electricity generation in 2022, the EIA is forecasting renewables (primarily wind […]
5 Reasons Why Interest in Solar Energy Is at an All-time High
3 years ago · 3 minute read
5 Reasons Why Interest in Solar Energy Is at an All-time High Business owners are expressing interest in solar energy for a number of reasons—important among these are the high cost of electricity, new government tax credits, and the ability to access solar without the need for capital expenditure. By adopting solar as part of […]