As we continue navigating an increasingly interconnected regulatory landscape, understanding cumulative impacts has never been more critical. I recently attended a webinar highlighting the National Academies of Sciences’ report on the State of the Science and the Future of Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIAs), a topic that is shaping how we approach projects and engage with communities.

CIAs evaluate community health and well-being by considering local resources and stressors to identify both positive and negative project impacts. While not always required, integrating a CIA into project planning informs design, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making — especially as environmental, historical, and social factors become more entwined.

The report recommends that the EPA update and finalize its CIA framework, outlining specific steps to strengthen implementation and improve monitoring and evaluation. These advancements will help address cumulative impacts thoughtfully and consistently.

At Brown and Caldwell, we combine our traditional technical services with strategic services to deliver solutions that meet these evolving expectations and support our clients in making informed, responsible decisions.

Questions? Reach out to Trung Le

Read on for the latest updates to environmental regulatory compliance and permitting.

Scientific Review Supports EPA’s Original Climate Assessment

The National Academies published a 2025 report reviewing the latest science on human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on the U.S. climate, health, and welfare. The committee examined research and data collected since 2009 and concluded that current scientific evidence more strongly support the EPA’s original conclusions from the “Endangerment Findings,” which state that rising greenhouse gases threaten public health and well-being.

It highlights that rising emissions are projected to lead to more extreme and rapid changes, and that mitigation and adaptation strategies are increasingly supported by scientific research. Scientific consensus continues to reinforce the severity of climate change and its impacts even in the presence of political discourse and the changing position of the US EPA.

Why it matters
This report emphasizes that climate-related risks—such as infrastructure stress, water supply challenges, and operational disruptions—are not future concerns but current realities and will result in increased system stress, unpredictability, and costs. For utilities and industry, this means planning for resilience and regulatory compliance is increasingly critical to protect assets, maintain reliability, and manage long-term costs.

Curious about how this tool could support your projects? Reach out to Melissa Boglioli

Empowering Projects from Day One: BC’s Early Engagement Permitting Tool

Brown and Caldwell’s Early Engagement Permitting Tool streamlines the identification of permitting and approval requirements for new projects and expansions. Using a GIS-based map and decision-tree logic, the tool generates a preliminary permit matrix tailored to project location and scope, covering local, state, and federal requirements.

This automated approach enables BC to deliver faster, more accurate results, reducing time and costs for clients while providing consistency across projects. It also enhances team efficiency by providing structured guidance for early career staff and minimizing delays caused by regulatory complexity.

Why it matters

Built to adapt to evolving regulations, the tool includes internal checks for website updates and broken links, giving project teams the ability to answer the critical client question of “What permits do I need?” quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively.