Planning vs. Permitting: What Your Project Really Needs

Your Project Doesn’t Just Need a Permit. It Needs a Plan.

In energy and infrastructure, a permit may look like progress—but it's only paper. If you want your project to move, you need more than approvals. You need a strategy that anticipates obstacles and keeps the timeline intact when things go sideways.

That’s where the right-of-way (ROW) process makes or breaks success.

A Signature Is Not All Ways Progress

Too often, people think once the permit is secured or a landowner signs, the work is done.

Here’s the truth:

• You can get approval and still hit delays.

• You can collect signatures and still miss deadlines.

• You can “check the box” and still fall behind.

Real progress is built on people, preparation, and the ability to pivot.

Real-World Example: Pivoting to Save a Transmission Line

We recently secured a critical easement for a private transmission line. Everything was lined up—until the landowner’s family got involved. They pressured him into backing out just days before our 100% signature deadline.

Instead of losing the entire corridor, we had to pivot fast. I located an alternate landowner, re-engineered the alignment, and pushed months of relationship-building into just a few conversations.

The result?
We saved the project, got the new easement signed in time, and kept construction on schedule.

This kind of success doesn't happen by accident—it comes from experience, trust-building, and having a real plan ready when things change.

What Separates Good Projects from Great Ones?

Good Projects Great Projects

❌ Chase signatures ✅ Build relationships that lead to signatures

❌ React to issues ✅ Anticipate and plan for them

❌ Check boxes ✅ Connect the dots between people and permits

❌ Push paper ✅ Push progress with purpose