With more than two decades of experience in Connecticut land development and over eight years of focused renewable energy work, Steve Kochis leads VHB’s Connecticut Energy team and has spent years developing relationships with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), helping the agency navigate numerous hurdles to renewable energy development. We spoke with Steve about the roots of this relationship and VHB’s approach to understanding and mitigating stakeholder concerns about developments.
VHB: How would you describe VHB’s approach to building relationships with clients and regulatory bodies like DEEP?
Steve: It’s about making connections and keeping things open and honest. We try to really understand what our clients and partners care about and work with them closely to achieve those goals. This way, when we're dealing with tricky permits and regulations, we can navigate them smoothly together. Having this network of relationships helps make us more effective and resilient as a company.
VHB: Can you tell us about the Tobacco Valley Solar project and its significance?
Steve: The Tobacco Valley Solar project was a pretty big deal back in 2017, both for our team and for Connecticut. It was one of the state’s early large-scale solar projects, started by D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments in Simsbury. With 135 acres and 26 megawatts (MW) of capacity, by 2020, it stood out as the biggest solar project of its kind in the state and is now really the project that opened the door to solar development in Connecticut.
VHB: What were some of the key challenges you faced during the Tobacco Valley Solar project, and how did you address them?
Steve: Erosion was a primary challenge flagged by DEEP. We worked closely with DEEP to confirm our design and construction methods mitigated these risks effectively. Additionally, we addressed community concerns in Simsbury regarding potential soil and water contamination. By conducting extra environmental and engineering studies and tailoring project plans to local expectations, we were able to win the support of the community and pave the way for future solar projects.
VHB: How has VHB's success with Tobacco Valley Solar influenced its reputation and service offerings?
Steve: The success of that project significantly boosted our reputation with DEEP and attracted attention from solar developers both nationwide and abroad. We’re now offering a wider range of services, from land surveys to niche offerings like bat acoustic surveys and Federal Aviation Administration consultations. And thanks to the relationships and trust we’ve built, we're often the first call for complex energy projects. Plus, we’ve also been instrumental in shaping energy policy advances, helping Connecticut emerge as a leader in solar energy production.
VHB: Given Connecticut's recent announcement about new clean energy projects, how do you see this impacting VHB and the state's solar landscape?
Steve: The selection of over 518 MW of new solar projects by DEEP is a huge advancement for the state. This momentum supports Connecticut's goals for zero-carbon electricity, as outlined in Governor Lamont's Energy Action Plan, making it an exciting time for VHB to continue contributing to the state’s clean energy future. Our Connecticut Energy team is currently overseeing a significant number of solar projects both in design and under construction.
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn or by email to learn more about VHB’s solar work in Connecticut.
