Since 2016, Barr has provided a contracted employee and support team to assist MGU (a WEC Energy Group subsidiary), with day-to-day environmental compliance activities for natural-gas-distribution projects in southern Michigan. We have worked on more than 50 projects in seven counties.
Our work has included assisting with independent coordination of environmental reviews by using online databases and tools to assess the impacts of pipelines on wetlands, water bodies, floodplains, and protected species. We’ve also interpreted environmental regulations, assessed permit requirements and exemptions, and advised MGU on scope alternatives to mitigate risks to the environmentally sensitive receptors listed above. In addition, Barr conducts site visits as needed to identify and delineate wetlands, conduct habitat surveys for protected species, and perform erosion inspections.
All of this work helps the utility determine the best overall path to environmental compliance as well as obtain permits.