Transmission and Distribution

ESA provides integrated environmental regulatory solutions across the full spectrum of electrical infrastructure—from high-voltage transmission siting to routine distribution operation and maintenance—alongside natural gas pipeline infrastructure and related facilities.

Developing well-sited electrical transmission infrastructure, natural gas pipeline infrastructure, and efficient environmental review processes is essential to maintaining a reliable and safe energy system that meets current demand and supports future advancements. ESA can quickly mobilize large field deployments to deliver high-priority projects that keep energy moving.

Our cross‑disciplinary teams provide comprehensive in‑house consulting services for electrical and natural gas infrastructure, including new or rebuilt transmission and subtransmission lines, substations, switching stations, and new and existing natural gas pipelines and associated facilities. We support projects through feasibility and site selection studies, site planning, environmental and cultural studies, impact assessment, licensing and permitting, agency coordination, construction compliance, monitoring, restoration, and public involvement.

Electric Distribution Systems

ESA supports transmission and distribution projects from planning through commissioning, through construction and impact management, to deliver feasible and reliable infrastructure. We provide comprehensive guidance for infrastructure projects—from emergency repairs to large-scale underground and overhead line construction—ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements. We take an integrated approach to siting and routing, aligning facility placement with corridor selection to minimize impacts, reduce risk, and improve project feasibility.

ESA also delivers specialized environmental compliance and field support tailored to the unique challenges of electric transmission and distribution systems, focusing on reliability and wildfire risk mitigation. We understand the heightened regulatory scrutiny facing utilities in high fire-threat areas, and we support Wildfire Mitigation Plan requirements, as well as provide environmental input for grid hardening projects (e.g., covered conductor installation, targeted undergrounding, and vegetation management support). We also facilitate rapid deployment of environmental compliance monitors for emergency repairs in sensitive areas, attaining minimal downtime while maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.

Natural Gas Transmission, Midstream, and Distribution

ESA supports natural gas transmission, midstream, and distribution projects in meeting compliance and sustainability standards. We provide regulatory compliance consultation, with a focus on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)‑regulated review, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetland and water resources permitting, and compliance related to federally and state-listed threatened and endangered species. Additionally, ESA mobilizes quickly to address natural gas infrastructure integrity issues by deploying experienced siting, permitting, and compliance staff to support integrity digs and repairs, providing environmental review, agency coordination, and permitting support to maintain compliance with FERC, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, USACE, and applicable state regulations.