RENEWABLE ENERGY
SummitWest has worked on renewable energy projects since 2010, serving solar and wind powered projects in California. Our work has largely focused on the field survey aspects of solar projects, including rare plant surveys, sensitive species surveys (general and protocol-level), habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, construction compliance and restoration monitoring post-work. Our team is also experienced in the permitting process and CPUC involvement surrounding renewable energy work.
EXPERIENCE
SummitWest Environmental has been supporting renewable energy projects since 2010, partnering with clients across California and Nevada to advance both solar and wind development. Our team brings over a decade of hands-on experience to the field, delivering reliable, science-based solutions for complex and high-profile projects.
SummitWest understands the unique environmental challenges these projects face—from sensitive species protection to regulatory compliance. Our longevity in this space means we know how to anticipate and overcome permitting hurdles, keep projects on track, and safeguard ecological resources while helping clients achieve their energy goals. Agencies and developers trust us to balance progress with environmental stewardship, even under tight timelines and across large project footprints.
WHAT WE DO
SummitWest has provided a full range of biological and botanical services for renewable energy projects of every scale. Recent highlights include:
Desert Tortoise and Sensitive Species Monitoring: have supported over 6 projects specifically for desert tortoise, of which several required Authorized Biologists and Zone of Influence Studies.
Botanical and Rare Plant Surveys: We have been performing rare plant surveys and plant mapping for renewable projects since 2010.
Wildlife Surveys and Endangered Species Surveys: Our work has included Mojave Ground Squirrel, Burrowing Owl and Desert Kit Fox surveys.
Environmental Compliance and Reporting: We deliver detailed biological reports and assessments to support permitting, including Conditional Use Permit applications, and work closely with agencies to ensure acceptance and smooth project approvals. Our reports have directly led to successful permitting outcomes for clients.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
ARIKA AND VICTORY PASS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
2022-2024. Between Blythe and Indio, CA
SummitWest, contracted by Ironwood, conduct comprehensive Desert Tortoise pre-construction surveys and subsequent construction compliance monitoring on a large solar array installation project. Deliverables included daily documentation of monitoring and work accomplished by field crews, as well as the associated environmental restrictions and mitigations that were enacted, and any special status species observations.
SUNRAY ENERGY LLC – FACILITY REPOWER DESERT TORTOISE & BURROWING OWL SURVEYS
2015. Daggett, CA
SummitWest performed a general biological assessment as well as focused desert tortoise and burrowing owl surveys on 330 acres at the Sunray Facility in Daggett, CA as part of their solar repowering project. SummitWest provided a Biological Report that aided Sunray in its Conditional Use Permit Application.
OBERON RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
2022-2024. Between Blythe and Indio, CA
SummitWest, contracted by Ironwood, conduct comprehensive Desert Tortoise pre-construction surveys and subsequent construction compliance monitoring on a large solar array installation project. Deliverables included daily documentation of monitoring and work accomplished by field crews, as well as the associated environmental restrictions and mitigations that were enacted, and any special status species observations.
EASLEY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
2025. Between Blythe and Indio, CA
SummitWest, contracted by Ironwood, to provide support services as-needed in the form of surveyors and environmental compliance monitors, focused on the detection and protection of desert tortoise (Gopherus agasizii), migratory birds, nesting birds, and other sensitive species and biological resources for a large solar project on BLM land. Deliverables included daily compliance monitoring logs, mortality forms, digital forms for pre-con surveys and new species observations and data input updates via ArcGIS Field Maps for cacti, burrows and nesting birds.
COBALT RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
2025. Between Blythe and Indio, CA.
SummitWest, contracted by Ironwood, to provide support services as-needed in the form of environmental compliance monitors, focused on the detection and protection of desert tortoise (Gopherus agasizii), migratory birds, nesting birds, and other sensitive species and biological resources for a large solar project on BLM land. Deliverables included daily compliance monitoring logs, mortality forms, presence absence forms, and new species observations and data input updates via ArcGIS Field Maps.
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE SILVER LAKES ASSOCIATION SOLAR PROJECT
2015. Helendale, CA
The Silver Lakes Association proposed a 6.7-acre solar farm on an 18-acre parcel near Helendale, CA. SummitWest was retained to perform a Biological Assessment. A records review indicated potential for several listed species, including Mojave ground squirrel (MGS), desert tortoise, burrowing owl, and several rare plants. SummitWest managed the survey efforts, which included a full round of trapping for MGS, a rare plant survey and a preconstruction desert tortoise and burrowing owl survey. SummitWest also monitored and verified the proper installation of desert tortoise exclusion fencing. SummitWest made several final recommendations based on the findings of the surveys. The report was accepted by the County of San Bernardino (County) and permits were issued to the Silver Lakes Association.
BATTLE BORN SOLAR PROJECT, RARE PLANT SURVEYS
2020. Clark County, NV
SummitWest was retained by Newfield’s Environmental & Engineering, LLC to perform rare plant surveys on the Battle Born Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. SummitWest provided a lead botanist to survey for potentially occurring sensitive status plants as well as create a full compendium of species observed. Arevia Power and Solar Partners VII, LLC, planned to develop an 850-megawatt (MW) facility on 9,200 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Mormon Mesa, roughly 45 miles northeast of Las Vegas in the Moapa Valley.
TERRA-GEN DEVELOPMENT, PROPOSED MANZANITA AND CAMPO WIND PROJECTS, QUINO CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY FOCUSED SURVEYS
2023. San Diego County, CA
Chambers Group, Inc. (Chambers Group), contracted by Terra-Gen Development Company, LLC, retained SummitWest Environmental, Inc. to conduct focused surveys for Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino; QCB) during the spring season of 2023 for the proposed Campo and Manzanita Wind Projects located on the Campo Kumeyaay Nation’s Reservation. The purpose of the surveys was to map suitable QCB habitat and determine the presence or absence of QCB at the project site. SummitWest supported these surveys with a team of three permitted QCB surveyors. The total survey area consisted of 1,086 acres (Campo) and 859 acres (Manzanita).
OCOTILLO WIND ENERGY FACILITY, RARE PLANT SURVEYS
2010, 2011. Ocotillo, CA
Pattern Energy Group retained HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. in 2010 to provide biological consulting services for the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility project, a 265-megawatt wind farm, located on approximately 12,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-administered land in western Imperial County, California.
In 2010 and 2011 HELIX retained SummitWest to assist with botanical surveys as part of the broader biological resource studies for the project. These surveys included mapping vegetation and performing focused assessments for rare plants, among other species, to evaluate potential impacts and develop mitigation strategies. Over 10,000 acres were surveyed, and all rare plants mapped and reported, including the endemic Cylindropuntia wolfii (CRPR 4.3), and other listed species such as Eucnide rupestris (CRPR 2B.2) and Malperia tenuis (CRPR 2B.3).
BLYTHE SOLAR POWER PROJECT BY SOLAR MILLENNIUM, RARE PLANT SURVEYS
2010. Blythe, CA
AECOM retained SummitWest botanist, Chez Brungraber, for rare plant and botanical surveys for the Blythe Solar Power Project, proposed in 2009 by Solar Millennium. The project site was initially envisioned as a 1,000-megawatt (MW) concentrating solar power (CSP) facility using parabolic trough technology, which would have made it the largest solar energy facility in the world at the time. The project was sited on approximately 7,025 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), about 225 miles east of Los Angeles. Botanical surveys were conducted in the spring of 2010 and included rare plant surveys and mapping.
IBERDROLA, TULE WIND PROJECT, RARE PLANT SURVEYS
2010. Jacumba, CA
Iberdrola retained HDR, who retained SummitWest’s lead botanist Chez Brungraber, to support rare plant surveys on the Tule Wind Project in Jacumba, CA, in 2010. Project deliverables were to determine the occurrence of all special status plant species with the potential to occur and map populations or individuals. Two rounds of surveys occurred in spring/early summer of 2010. The survey required 100% visual cover. Chez joined a team of botanists for a series of very rugged rare plant surveys totaling one month for work on a wind-project site. Host plants of the Quino checkerspot butterfly were also identified, noted, and GPSed. Hundreds of thousands of Linanthus bellus were identified and mapped, as well as numerous other rare species known only from that area.
IMPERIAL VALLEY SOLAR PROJECT, TESSERA SOLAR, RARE PLANT SURVEYS
2010. Seely, CA
The Imperial Valley Solar Project (Stirling Solar One), by Tessera Solar, retained URS in 2010 to perform natural resource surveys. URS retained lead botanist Chez Brungraber of SummitWest to perform field botanical and rare plant surveys. The project was located near Seeley, Imperial County, California, about 14 miles west of El Centro and roughly 25–30 miles northwest of Ocotillo, initially planned as a 709 MW SunCatcher project on 6,140 acres of BLM land. Deliverables included surveying for and mapping rare plant individuals and populations during spring surveys in 2010 and providing copies of field notes, maps, GPS track logs, GPS-linked photos, daily Log forms, and completed field forms.
IBERDROLA, TULE WIND PROJECT, RARE PLANT SURVEYS SURVEYS
2016. Jacumba, CA
Rare Plant Surveys. Summit West Environmental lead botanist Chez Brungraber and assistant Griffin Brungraber assisted HELIX with rare plant surveys for the Tule Wind project. Surveys were conducted for the 13 target plant species determined to have some potential to occur within the survey area or have been documented within the survey area. All plant species encountered during the surveys were identified to species, subspecies, or variety, as applicable. Locations of previously documented rare plant populations and locations were verified in the field. New sensitive plant locations were mapped as points (1 meter²) or polygons (1 meter²) GPS, in order to allow for the individuals to be relocated later for flagging and avoidance, if necessary. CNDDB data forms were completed for new sensitive plant populations documented during the survey.