CEC offers several multi-disciplined services required during Renewable Natural Gas project development.
Surveying Services
CEC offers a comprehensive range of professional surveying services tailored to support a wide variety of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects. These services include boundary, topographic, and utility surveys essential for pipeline and infrastructure projects. Additionally, we provide surveying solutions for property acquisition, access road design and construction, existing conditions assessments, and utility route development. Our team also offers construction stakeout and as-built services, ensuring accurate implementation and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
Geotechnical Services
CEC can perform a geotechnical investigation of the proposed facility location to characterize the underlying soils and to establish strength parameters for designing reinforced foundations, pipe supports, and other structures required for the handling and processing of gases and liquids. Where RNG pipelines need to go below grade or beneath roads and railroad crossings, our teams can provide geotechnical data to horizontal directional drillers and pipeline designers. We do not self-perform drilling in-house, but we are able to subcontract to local contractors for this work.
Environmental Permitting
CEC’s environmental group consists of experts in the fields of biology, environmental science, ecology, archeology, water resources, and related disciplines needed for the development of projects in sensitive areas. We can assist developers with wetlands delineation, identifying the presence of sensitive species and habitats, obtaining USACE 404 permits, performing biological surveys, conducting initial studies and preparing Environmental Impact Reports, and permitting pipelines and related equipment.
Ecological Services
CEC’s ecological team includes professional wetland scientists, biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, agronomists, GIS specialists, and wildlife biologists. We have knowledgeable, federally-permitted U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)-approved surveyors and biologists who maintain relationships with numerous USFWS regions while serving as advocates for clients. We also conduct threatened and endangered species surveys and consult with federal and state agencies under Sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
Air Quality Permitting & Emissions Calculations
CEC employs a team of air dispersion modeling scientists and engineers who use the latest versions of EPA-approved software such as AERMOD to perform required air impacts analyses. From screening-level air toxics evaluations to the refined modeling required for a PSD application. Our teams has the trained personnel, skills, and resources to develop and negotiate modeling protocols, refine modeling inputs through an iterative process, and prepare written modeling reports. In many cases where a RNG project is replacing a landfill gas flare as the primary gas utilization system, overall emissions are lowered. We can assist developers in performing these calculations, applying for and obtaining air quality permits in any state.
Structural Engineering
CEC’s structural engineering group performs services for projects across the U.S. The team can assist developers with the design of reinforced footings, pipe supports, buildings, anchoring, and related components to be installed for the handling and treatment of gases and liquids for the proposed project.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
CEC’s Manufacturing and Infrastructure Services (MIS) team specializes in designing complex electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems for industrial facilities. For RNG projects, many of the conditioning systems are packaged systems that require electrical and piping interconnections to integrate various components. MIS has the resources and state-of-the-art design software to assist developers with designing the interconnecting piping and electrical systems.
Landfill Gas System Assessment & Performance Optimization
For projects where renewable energy developers are looking to take on the responsibility of landfill gas recovery and compliance, CEC’s can assess entire wellfields and identify where deficiencies or bottlenecks exist, locate and remove water blockages, identify comprised wells, vacuum losses, and related items that impede the LFG recovery operations. Our project teams prepare recommendations for system improvements such as redrilling, piping enlargement, dewatering, and LFG mover equipment improvements to enhance the wellfield performance for the project success.
Site Layout, Grading, & Earthwork
CEC excels in delivering site layout, grading, and earthwork services tailored to the demands of each project. Our services encompass various aspects, including the preparation of site layout and grading plans essential for natural gas compression, processing, and other infrastructure facilities associated with RNG plant and pipeline operations. Additionally, we provide grading analyses and plans that aim to minimize site clearing and earth moving, thereby reducing development expenses and streamlining field operations. Furthermore, our expertise extends to developing alignment plans for gas pipeline construction, designing temporary and permanent access roads, and delineating workspace areas to ensure smooth project execution.
