5 Major Environmental Compliance Requirements for New Manufacturing Facilities

Starting a new manufacturing facility comes with many regulatory hurdles, and ensuring compliance from the beginning is crucial to avoid costly delays and penalties. From environmental due diligence to environmental permitting, businesses must navigate complex regulations to successfully establish operations. Here are five major compliance requirements for new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and how Lord & Winter can help streamline the process, expedite environmental permits, and reduce construction time.

Planning, surveying, and assessing on construction site.

1. Environmental Due Diligence

Before breaking ground, businesses must conduct environmental due diligence to assess potential risks associated with site selection. This includes Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to identify contamination risks and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Industries that handle hazardous materials, such as bulk oil storage and printing operations, must be particularly diligent in this process. 

Our Services:

  • Conducting site assessments to uncover environmental liabilities. 
  • Advising on risk mitigation strategies to facilitate smooth project approval. 

2. Natural Resource Surveys

Manufacturers must evaluate the impact of their projects on streams, wetlands, endangered species, and other protected natural resources. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may require permits and impact assessments before development proceeds. Large-scale manufacturing plants, such as auto manufacturing plants and industrial developments, often face challenges related to land and water resource impacts. 

Our Services:

  • Planning strategically for required permits. 
  • Performing surveys, assessments, and land use analyses to avoid impacts. 
  • Providing consultations to meet state and federal regulations to ensure project compliance. 

3. Environmental Permitting

Navigating the environmental permitting process is one of the most significant challenges for new manufacturing plants. Permits may be required at federal, state, and local levels, depending on the project scope and location. Large data centers and power generation facilities must obtain permits related to impact to protected natural water resources and permitting planned air emissions. 

Our Services:

  • Planning permit requirements in the conceptual planning stage. 
  • Managing large-scale complex environmental permit applications. 
  • Coordinating with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to facilitate permit approvals. 

4. Air Emissions Compliance

New manufacturing facilities that emit regulated pollutants must obtain air permits to comply with the Clean Air Act. Minor Source Air Permits and Title V permits regulate emissions and set operational limits. Concrete plants, VOC-emitting paint manufacturers, oil terminals, and printing operations frequently require specialized air permits to manage their emissions effectively. 

Our Services:

  • Conducting air emissions calculations and compliance assessments. 
  • Identifying Best Achievable Control Technologies (BACT) to reduce emissions. 

5. Cultural Resources Compliance

Before development, facilities must evaluate potential impacts on historical and cultural resources. State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) and tribal consultations may be required to protect significant sites. Manufacturing plants expanding into previously undeveloped areas should be particularly mindful of these requirements. 

Our Services:

  • Conducting cultural resource assessments to meet regulatory requirements. 
  • Providing mitigation strategies to protect historical sites and expedite approvals. 

Supporting Industry Growth Through Economic Development 

Lord & Winter provides regulatory and permitting expertise across multiple states, including Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, and Texas. Many manufacturing plants enter new markets through state-level economic development agencies, which provide tax incentives and support to businesses.  

In Tennessee, for example, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) offers programs that attract industrial investment and create jobs. These agencies help businesses navigate the regulatory landscape while benefiting from state-level incentives. 

Lord & Winter team conducting site assessments.

Ensure Compliance with Lord & Winter

Valuable job opportunities and economic growth can be created while minimizing environmental impact. At Lord & Winter, we are dedicated to helping navigate the complexities of environmental permitting to expedite the permit process while meeting environmental regulations. By helping you navigate these five major environmental compliance requirements, we look forward to supporting your manufacturing facility’s success from the ground up.  
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