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2 min read

Unlocking the Mystical Frontiers of Renewable Energy

In an era where the quest for renewable energy sources grows ever more inventive, Transect takes a bold leap beyond the boundaries of the known world...

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3 min read

Top Three Concerns Facing Texas Renewable Developers

Don't Mess with Texas, they say. And while that slogan might have been designed for a littering campaign, it's pretty applicable to the state's...

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3 min read

Transmission Lines: Keys to the Clean Energy Kingdom

Energy does little good if it never leaves its birthplace. To serve its purpose, it must be moved to its final destination. Transmission lines are...

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2 min read

New Option For Renewable Energy Developers Who Want to Know What Locals Think

Among the nine big barriers to the clean energy transition, we think permitting is the one with the greatest potential as a transition killer.

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3 min read

2023 Environmental Regulations Recap

From the Clean Air Act (CAA) to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the directives that protect the earth come in many forms. Air...

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4 min read

Battery Storage for Grid Support

As the winter weather rolls in, Texans are reminded of deadly Winter Storm Uri. This 2021 storm saw widespread grid failure, exposing millions to the...

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3 min read

RE+ Midwest 2023 Recap

I've just returned from the RE+ Midwest 2023 conference held in Chicago, and I'm truly inspired by the remarkable developments I witnessed in the...

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1 min read

Reuters Energy Transition North America 2023 Recap

Our team has just returned from Reuters Energy Transition North America 2023, hosted in Houston, TX, by Thomson Reuters Events. Innovation was...

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3 min read

Three Problems Facing EPC Firms

Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms have their work cut out for them. Between completing major infrastructure projects on short...

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2 min read

GridTech Connect Forum 2023 Recap

Our team recently returned from exhibiting at the GridTECH Connect Forum Northwest 2023, hosted by Clarion Events, and had the privilege of being...

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1 min read

Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys are Now Available in the Transect Marketplace

Identify protected species earlier in your project development process to avoid costly delays.

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1 min read

Avoid Wetland Encroachment with Transect's Wetland Delineation Services

The Wetlands Delineation Services available in the Transect Marketplace are a game-changer for land developers. With the recent Supreme Court ruling...

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1 min read

ALTA Surveys Now Available in the Transect Marketplace

Know you parcel's boundaries with a few clicks. Proceed in your project with confidence.

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5 min read

Top 9 Challenges EPCs Face

If you’re an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Firm (EPC) or are frequently commissioning EPCS for land development projects, then you...

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4 min read

The Endangered Species Act Turns 50

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) turns 50 this December, and we’re here to celebrate.

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4 min read

Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was big news when the President first proposed it; Congress fought over it; it underwent innumerable edits and...

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1 min read

Transect Unveils Exclusive Beta of AI Solar Sentiment Feature for Solar Industry Clients

Transect Unveils Exclusive Beta of AI Solar Sentiment Feature for Solar Industry Clients

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4 min read

Green Hydrogen is In

Renewable energy technologies continue to emerge, and the latest edition is making waves...or dare we say, bubbles.

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4 min read

The Rise of State Environmental Regulations

The only constant is change, as they say. Throughout the last several administrations, we’ve seen tons of environmental regulations changed,...

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3 min read

AI solar sentiment: The Social Impacts of Solar Energy

Renewable energy generation isn't always welcomed with open arms.

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5 min read

Permitting's Impact on the People

People vs. Project development doesn't have to be the standard. Read More

2 min read

RE+ 2023 Recap

I just returned from an exhilarating experience at RE+ 2023, and I can't help but be awestruck by the tremendous growth and innovation in the ...

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3 min read

Recent Changes to Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Regulations: Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty

Sackett v. EPA leaves nearly half of the nation’s prior protected waters outside of the jurisdiction of the CWA. Recent regulation changes regarding...

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4 min read

Recovering America's Wildlife Act

The Endangered Species Act might get a friend..

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5 min read

The Great Land Grab and the Rules that Govern

The land grab just got more complicated. Welcome to the Wild West 2.0.

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4 min read

A New Era of the Phase 1 ESA

Phase 1 ESAs just got a makeover and can now be ordered with just the press of a button!

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2 min read

Unlocking Opportunities: $9.7 Billion Incentive for USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Borrowers through the IRA

In an exciting development for existing or former USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers, a game-changing $9.7 billion incentive has been...

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1 min read

Change the Game of Site Selection with Transect's Newest Disputed Wetlands Data Set

The Transect "Disputed Wetlands" feature is a game-changer for environmentalists and developers alike. With the recent Supreme Court ruling in...

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5 min read

Sackett v. EPA: CWA Changes (2023)

Sackett v. EPA leaves nearly half of the nation’s prior protected waters outside of the jurisdiction of the CWA. Federal permitting requirements are...

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5 min read

Renewable Energy Steals Coal's Crown

Renewable Energy is climbing up the food chain, and we can't get enough of this New Energy Era.

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6 min read

Changes to the Clean Water Act

New Year, New Waters: The Waters of the United States are rebranding.

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5 min read

PV Magazine's Take On Solar Siting

Clean energy is growing big and strong, but where do we find a place to put it?

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6 min read

How Our Current Economy Will Impact Renewable Energy Development

Keeping on trend with the back-to-back/simultaneous crises of the pandemic and lockdowns, diplomatic instability, and inflation, experts are warning...

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5 min read

The Inflation Reduction Act and Environmental Justice Grants

The Biden-Harris Administration is makin' it rain--$100M in grants, that is-- through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for environmental and climate...

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6 min read

7 Ways to Save Money in Renewables Development

Renewable energy is a two-thumbs-up proposition, and while it does have its detractors, most people want to see faster clean energy generation, like, 

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5 min read

Battery Storage for Climate Change

Battery storage technology is the new “it-girl” in the fight against climate change. Hear her latest hits about fighting climate change.

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3 min read

Ghost Waters and Other Scares That Can Kill Your Land Development

You’ve done everything right.

Wooed that landowner. Completed your due diligence. Gotten all the proper permits. You’re on the fast track to Success...

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7 min read

Environmental Justice and the IRA | Transect

Forty years ago, a protest in North Carolina sparked a movement that continues to influence national policy today. This is the environmental justice...

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4 min read

5 Things You Need to Know About Clean Energy Storage Today

Stealing power from the sun, wind, water, and other renewable energy sources is hardly stealing at all – yet it takes as much planning as any good...

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5 min read

What Role Does Battery Storage Play in Clean Energy?

Every kid over the age of 4 can tell you that flashlights need batteries to work.

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5 min read

Top 10 Best Places in the US for Solar Energy

If you’ve been around for a while, you know how much we at Transect care about making the development of clean energy easier. Whether we’re breaking...

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3 min read

The Problem With the New Climate Bill

Apparently, $369 billion isn’t enough to buy a fast pass.Listen, we hate to be the one to say, “we told you so,”….but if the shoe fits…

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4 min read

New Climate Bill Hacks for Solar & Wind Developers

There’s a new bill in town, and it’s stuffed with wind and solar incentives and credits. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know.

...

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3 min read

The Inflation Reduction Act: Our First Take

Cities are flooding, and avocado prices are drastically rising; here is how the Inflation Reduction Act will give us a sliver of hope in 2022.

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4 min read

Finding Solar Sites: Environmental Risks & Hacks

We make no secret of the fact that, here at Transect, we are very Into solar. And wind. And clean energy in general.

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6 min read

7 Steps to Securing a Wind Farm Development Site

It’s no secret that the world’s energy crisis is reaching epic proportions. From dependence on foreign powers for natural gas to skyrocketing prices...

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5 min read

The Amazing Solar Race Is On: Get Your Consultant Off Your Back

As we enter the second half of 2022, the race to find suitable greenfield solar sites is picking up speed. Pandemic-era supply chain issues are...

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3 min read

Supreme Court Ruling Blocks EPA’s Ability to Regulate Plant Emissions

Crisis of the day: The Supreme Court says, "let the people breathe carbon!"

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5 min read

How to Start a Solar Farm:  Building a Commercial Solar Farm

1-megawatt 2-megawatt red megawatt blue megawatt; some are ground-mounted, some are large-scale, some solar panels.....you get the point, right?...

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5 min read

Green Energy Project Risks: The Bad, the Worse, and the Ugly

Move over, Good, Bad and Ugly. The Bad, the Worse, and the Ugly are now in town – and they’ve got some dirty tricks up their sleeves.

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4 min read

Criteria for Survival When Selecting an Environmental Consultant

If we could jack into the Matrix, upload all available information on a potential wind or solar site into our brains, and make lightning-fast...

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4 min read

Our Story and How We Can Help Accelerate Yours

Sit down and take a deep breath. This isn’t a twelve-step meeting, don’t worry. But recovery is part of our story. Recovery from what, you’re...

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4 min read

Where Data Fails: The Low Success of Traditional Site Selection

Our civilization is built on science. Or at least, it ought to be. (Looking at you, Flat Earthers.)

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4 min read

Due Diligence for Green Energy Development Site Selection

Developing a new wind or solar farm is an incredible way to help your community and country. His recent executive order on the clean energy economy...

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5 min read

7 Hidden Costs of Choosing the Wrong Project Site

Nothing is more frustrating than spending time, money, and resources finding a site for your next development project, only to discover down the road...

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5 min read

Land Development Rush: The Land Grab of 2022 and Beyond

Hold onto your hats, cowpokes. You’ve entered the Wild West, where resources are scarce and justice scarcer, and the only thing you’re guaranteed at...

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9 min read

The Environmental Permitting Process is Broken: Time for Change

“I’ve been fortunate to work for quality clients and companies that have not asked me to do anything unethical or immoral,” said Bob White,...

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4 min read

Time Killer: Finding Greenfield Sites for Energy Development

Pop quiz: how many people love putting time, energy, and resources into a project, only to watch it fall through weeks, months, or even years later?...

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6 min read

How Climate Change Will Impact Environmental Permitting

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970, responding to mounting pressure from a public increasingly...

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8 min read

Renewable Energy & Fossil Fuels battle Environmental Permitting

In the United States, we used to build fast! We no longer do. Despite the advances in built world technology, environmental permitting is constantly...

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7 min read

Environmental Permitting Bottlenecks for Land Developers

We created environmental permitting to protect a way of life that we saw was at risk of irreversible harm. Rachael Carson did not write Silent...

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5 min read

The Future of  Migratory Bird Treaty Act Permitting

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. 703-712) is a federal regulation that has made national headlines multiple times in 2021. This...

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5 min read

Why is it Essential to Protect Ephemeral Streams?

What is an Ephemeral Stream?

Ephemeral streams are waters that only flow in response to precipitation and lack a clearly defined channel. These...

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5 min read

Renewable Energy VS Environmental Protection?

The Clean Energy Revolution is Tripped Up by Environmental Regulation

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3 min read

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Stops Processing CWA Permits

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced they are stopping processing Clean Water Act (CWA) permits. This change is just the...

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4 min read

EPA Officials to Change Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act

The definition of waters of the U.S (WOTUS) is changing again, and maybe the fourth time's the charm?

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1 min read

Engineers Quickly Identify Environmental Concerns

The Slay Engineering team boasts over 100 years of combined experience in the civil engineering industry. In response to the technological...
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5 min read

Poor Site Selection Threatens SpaceX

Space X is requesting liftoff to fill in acres of Texas wetlands, and environmentalists are striking back.

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4 min read

Environmental Due Diligence Software for Renewables Development

As renewables development increases with new green energy efforts such as the Infrastructure Bill, regulations are likely to change. Years of vague...

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2 min read

Distribution Line Data to Aid Future Energy Development Goals

With new renewable energy goals, electricity demand increasing, and development efforts such as the Infrastructure Bill, it's about to get busy in...

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4 min read

3 Ways Transect Can Benefit Every Solar Developer

The pandemic has negatively impacted many American industries, and the solar industry is no exception. According to the Solar Energy Industries...

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4 min read

NWP Reissuance, NWP 12 and the Energy Industry

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages the Nationwide Permit (NWP) Program. This streamlined process authorizes project proponents to...

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4 min read

2021 Nationwide Permits: Pre-Publication Notice

On January 5, the United States Army Corps of Engineers released a pre-publication of the final reissue of Nationwide Permits (NWPs), which reissues...

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5 min read

American Burying Beetle Conservation Status Change

The story of a bug’s life. Spoiler alert: it starts with a carcass, leads to a community-wide-near-death experience, and ends in triumph.

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2 min read

Project Impacts on Migratory Bird Species Made Illegal Under MBTA

On August 11, 2020, a United States district judge vacated a 2017 Department of Interior opinion related to migratory birds (M Opinion ). The Trump...

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3 min read

Update on Federal Protection for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

On July 16th, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced their 12-month plan to determine whether to list the Dunes Sagebrush...

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5 min read

Rule Limits States' Abilities Under CWA Section 401 Certification

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency released the final Clean Water Action Section 401 Certification Rule, clarifying the timeframe and...

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4 min read

Final Waters Rule: Ephemeral Streams Not Regulated Under CWA 404

Over the river and through the woods, developing without an NWP, we go.

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2 min read

NWP 12– Wetlands Permitting Changes for Utility Line Projects

In an April 15 ruling in Northern Plains Resource Council et al. v. USACE, a Montana judge vacated (canceled) Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 and enjoined...

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3 min read

Critical Issues Analysis Made Easy

History of the Critical Issues Analysis

The Critical Issues Analysis (CIA) is a prominent part of the renewable development world. Some industries...

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2 min read

Unintentional Harm to Migratory Birds May Now Be Lawful

From "mess with the birds, get the beak" to "mess with the birds, and you're totally fine if it was an accident; we are all friends here." Migratory...

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2 min read

Additional ESA Protections Possible for Northern Long-eared Bat

This week, a federal judge overturned the threatened status of the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) and ordered United States Fish and Wildlife Service...

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2 min read

Navigable Waters Protection Rule: A Clean Water Act Rollback

Yesterday, President Trump announced the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This action is the next step in this administration's goal to review and...

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2 min read

Transect & Drillinginfo Partner: Improving Environmental Due Diligence

Offering fast, actionable insights from data sources typically siloed across teams

San Antonio, Texas (February 27, 2019) – Transect, an innovative...

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3 min read

Trump to Change Reach of Clean Water Act Protection

On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, the Trump administration unveiled its plan to reduce the reach of federal oversight under the Clean Water Act (CWA) by...

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3 min read

Weyerhaeuser v USFWS : A Critical Habitat Should Be a Habitat

Background: The Weyerhaeuser Land and the Dusky Gopher Frog

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Dusky Gopher Frog as an...

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3 min read

What’s the Difference? Transect v. Phase I ESA

One common question about Transect is whether our reports are the same as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The short answer: NOPE....

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3 min read

Weyerhaeuser v. USFWS: Supreme Court Considers Critical Habitat

The case before the court is Weyerhaeuser v. USFWS. It addresses whether the government can designate a "critical habitat" to protect an endangered...

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4 min read

Updates to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

USFWS Announces Changes to Migratory Bird Treaty Act

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced they will be making changes to the

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4 min read

The Truth About Environmental Permitting

The Current State of Environmental Permitting

The Environmental Protection Minefield

The world of environmental protection is a confusing and...

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3 min read

USFWS Proposes Changes to the Endangered Species Act

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has announced its plan to change the federal Endangered Species Act(ESA or the act) under the Trump...

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