SCS Engineers leaders are featured in this Biomass Magazine article on the regulatory challenges facing renewable natural gas (RNG) projects. SCS experts Pat Sullivan and Jeffrey Grill explain that permitting is not a final compliance step. It is a core development activity that can determine whether a project stays on schedule, remains financially viable, and avoids costly redesigns. Their strategy empowers industry stakeholders and manages risk.
They emphasize that developers often underestimate the combined effect of air permits, environmental reviews, land-use approvals, utility requirements, and pipeline interconnection agreements. SCS also highlights how project type and location shape permitting risk: landfill RNG projects may involve existing Title V permits and source aggregation issues, while dairy digesters and other greenfield projects often face scrutiny over odors, ammonia, traffic, and community impacts.
This article underscores SCS Engineers’ message that successful RNG development requires early due diligence steps, including comprehensive permitting checklists, stakeholder engagement, and preliminary environmental assessments, as well as local regulatory expertise, realistic emissions analysis, and parallel coordination with agencies and utilities from the start.
Originally published in Biomass Magazine, you may read and share the article using the icons at the bottom of the page.
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