The developer of a small, rural wind energy project recently sought help from Snyder & Snyder after being issued a stop work order from a local town building inspector. The order halted construction of a single, 80-foot-tall wind turbine and directed the developer to apply for various local approvals, including a site plan, a special permit, and a building permit. This development was troubling, since some local politicians and community activists were opposed to the wind turbine. In the context of a land use proceeding, their opposition could translate into long delays, runaway costs, and an uncertain zoning outcome. (more…)

Solar arrays, wind turbines, and micro-antennas supporting next-generation wireless networks may enjoy a more favorable, more relaxed standard of zoning review, or potentially avoid local zoning restrictions altogether, if they incorporate as a public utility with a statewide franchise or locate in the state right-of-way (ROW). The law governing utility siting and access to the public ROW varies from state to state, but in many jurisdictions, obtaining a statewide utility franchise will provide options and strategies for deployment of physical facilities otherwise unavailable. (more…)

Construction permits for many projects, such as wind turbines, power plants, cell towers, and electric substations, are sometimes won only after a court battle. When an agency unreasonably delays, denies, or simply refuses to act on a permit application, a trip to court may be necessary. Regrettably, even when a project is approved, a trip to court may be required if a disgruntled activist group files a lawsuit to overturn the approval. (more…)

Public support was the key to securing local approval for the extension of a natural gas pipeline. The project was approved in just one night.

When our firm was retained to assist in securing approvals for this pipeline project, we asked the sponsor for any letters from potential customers who were unhappy with current oil heating options and who might want natural gas service. The engineers we were working with did not know if such letters existed. This was not surprising since in large companies the construction division does not regularly exchange information with the customer care division. The customer care division may have information vital to supporting construction of a proposed energy or telecommunications project. Customer complaints about spotty wireless coverage or letters from consumers to their local utility to request renewable energy options can provide the nucleus for grassroots project support. (more…)

Will your project require permits or approvals from federal, state, and local authorities? When three levels of government are involved in reviewing a project, any impact analysis prepared for the project should simultaneously satisfy the review criteria of all involved agencies. For example, if approval of your wind farm will require a computer-generated visual impact analysis, the initial scope of work for the analysis should include renderings that satisfy the requirements of all involved agencies. (more…)

Flexibility in the layout and design of a project can help minimize permit delays. Shifting a proposed communications tower a few feet may eliminate the need for a costly zoning variance. Moving a power plant 100 yards may remove it from a wetlands buffer. A slight reduction in the height of a wind turbine may avoid the need for an exhaustive viewshed analysis. Eliminating a discharge to a navigable waterway may avoid the need for a permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or a filing with state and local wetlands preservation agencies. (more…)

The Department of Homeland Security, the 9-11 Commission, the Katrina Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission have concluded that improved wireless communication among federal, state, and local public safety agencies is essential to national security. Washington understands that public safety radio networks must be upgraded so public and private safety, health, and emergency response personnel and all levels of government can seamlessly communicate with each other in real time. Significant federal funding for the construction of these next-generation public safety radio networks may be just around the corner. (more…)

Whether it is a renewable energy project, a cellular communications tower, or a public safety radio network, a project can often be designed to give the community a real economic stake in the project’s success. Giving the community a stake in the project may, in turn, speed project approvals. Here are two examples of how our clients have put this approach into practice. (more…)