Austin February 2015 Luncheon

“Siting Considerations Relative to Endangered Species, Eagles and Migratory Birds”

While compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has always been required, an increasing list of endangered species and increased enforcement actions by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in recent years have brought the need for compliance to a higher level in the siting process. The increased national need for power and grid improvements to move that power have also brought increased scrutiny under these Acts. Our speaker, Jim Jones, will discuss siting considerations and other compliance issues relating to these acts.

Jim Jones currently serves as the Director of the Power Generation Business Line for SWCA Environmental Consultants.  His responsibilities include the coordination of power generation projects nationally within SWCA including both traditional and renewable generation projects.  He also works closely with SWCA’s Director of Power Transmission. Jim began his career as a founding member of the regulatory program in the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has worked in consulting for 35 years.  He has led and consulted on power generation, transmission and distribution projects throughout his career, specializing in complex and difficult regulatory issues. SWCA specializes in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, regulatory compliance, air quality and sustainability services.  SWCA has over 750 natural and cultural resource scientists and planners company-wide in more than 27 offices.