Energy Industry

Selecting the right site is critical to the success of any energy project. MFA helps energy developers, utilities, and infrastructure owners identify and evaluate sites based on transmission access, available utilities, transportation networks, environmental constraints, permitting considerations, and development costs. Using custom GIS-based analysis, environmental due diligence, and engineering evaluations, we provide the insights needed to reduce risk, streamline permitting, and advance projects from concept to construction with confidence.

We facilitate permitting processes, including both local land use and SEPA and NEPA, that typically involve addressing specific site considerations and working with multiple agencies that may have many competing requirements. Our thorough land development planning process helps our clients move past permitting and into implementation. 

Our strategic communications specialists have helped developers, state agencies and utilities engage with rural and underserved communities across the PNW regarding the benefits of clean energy, transportation electrification, and the complex nature of project siting. 

Looking to build a clean energy facility? Don’t let belated community engagement derail your project. MFA can prepare a strategic communications plan that establishes a basis of trust with nearby communities and helps you comply with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements around community engagement. 

We leverage location intelligence and environmental site characteristics data to support energy project siting, planning, and permitting. Our team transforms complex datasets into clear insights that help clients evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and make confident decisions. 

We have an excellent track record of obtaining environmental permits for energy projects, based on our strong technical understanding and good relationships with regulators. We can help you obtain stormwater permits and can complete an air permit applicability analysis to understand your project’s permit requirements. When appropriate, we can advise on design elements that will ease permitting. We regularly perform dispersion modeling, demonstrate compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and conduct risk assessments related to air toxics program compliance.

We design infrastructure to meet your full buildout development needs, and we keep an eye on efficiency and value engineering to help ensure that your project matches your vision. Our team combines its skills and knowledge in sustainable site design, planning, low-impact development, natural systems, water quality, and infrastructure to develop cost-effective and creative designs for urban and rural environments. We also make the most of your resources by identifying opportunities to use existing on-site site infrastructure.

Looking to build a wind, solar, hydrogen, biogas, or other alternative fuel facility? Our decades of permitting and regulatory experience can help ensure the success of your renewable energy project. We can help you evaluate potential sites, design your facility, obtain permits, and get your operation up and running.

Our hydrogeology services include water supply evaluations and aquifer testing, hydrogeologic data review, and technical support for project reviews, permitting, and water rights applications.