Project Types
Learn about the various project types for your Transect Report and when they should be used.
When creating a Transect Report, you'll be asked to provide the Project Type and Sub-Type. This table can be used as a reference to determine the best option for your project scope.
Project types are directly tied to the USACE Nationwide Permit Definitions—Click here for more information.
Have questions about selecting the right project type? Feel free to reach out to support@transect.com or schedule a time to review it with our Environmental Team.
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Project Type |
Project Sub-Type |
When it should be used… |
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Renewable Energy Generation |
Wind |
This option is used when building a project to harness wind power for electricity generation. |
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Solar |
This option is used when building a project to harness solar power for electricity generation. |
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Mixed Use |
This option is used when creating multiple renewable projects, such as battery and solar, wind and solar, etc. |
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Other Renewable |
This option is used when the project does not fit into any of the above categories, such as geothermal, green hydrogen, hydropower, wave, tidal, or biomass. |
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Oil & Gas |
Exploration and production |
This option is used when a developer is conducting oil and gas exploration and production activities on the surface. |
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Crude Oil Midstream Pipelines and Facilities |
This option is used when a developer is looking to transport and process crude oil through pipelines and storage facilities. |
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Crude Oil Downstream and distribution |
This option is used when there is a demand for refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and heating oil. |
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Natural Gas Midstream Pipelines and facilities/NGL pipeline |
This option is used when the developer will transport and process natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) through pipelines and storage facilities. |
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Natural gas downstream and distribution |
This option is used when the project scope uses natural gas for residential, commercial, or industrial use, including refinement, processing, and distribution. |
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Refined products |
This option is used when there is a demand for refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and heating oil. |
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Liquified natural gas (LNG) |
This option is used for the transport and storage of natural gas in a liquefied form, particularly for export or use in regions with limited pipeline infrastructure. |
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Utility Infrastructure |
(Above Ground) Electric, fiber, and telecommunication utility lines |
This option is used when the project scope is to construct or upgrade above-ground electric transmission/distribution lines or communication networks. |
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(Below Ground) Non-oil & Gas Pipeline (hydrogen, ammonia, CO2, water, etc.) |
This option is used when the project scope is to construct or upgrade subsurface pipelines that transport non-fossil fuel substances, such as hydrogen, ammonia, CO₂, or water. |
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(Below Ground) Electric, fiber, and telecommunication utility lines |
This option is used when the project scope is to construct or upgrade underground electric transmission/distribution lines or communication networks. |
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Data Center Infrastructure |
Standalone |
This option is used for building a data center that sources power directly from the grid, without a dedicated, on-site generation source. |
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With Solar Generation |
This option is used for building a data center that is powered either fully or partially by on-site solar panels. |
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With Nuclear Generation |
This option is used for building data centers that will be powered by on-site nuclear generation. |
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With Natural Gas, Diesel, or Alternate Fuels |
This option is used for building a data center that is powered by fossil fuels or other alternate on-site generators |
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Standalone Energy Storage |
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) |
This option is used for standalone BESS projects. |
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Other (pumped hydro, compressed air, etc.) |
This option is used for projects that are non-battery energy storage. |
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Nuclear |
n/a |
This option is used for projects that involve the generation of power from a nuclear source. |
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Residential Development |
n/a |
This option is used when a developer is planning to build or expand residential properties. This includes attendant features like renewable energy projects within residential properties, roads, and utility lines. |
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Commercial and Institutional Development |
n/a |
This option is used when building or renovating commercial and institutional properties. |
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Mining |
n/a |
This option is used for the extraction of mineral or natural resource deposits in the project area. |
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Linear Transportation |
n/a |
This option is used for transportation infrastructure like roads, railways, or pipelines. These projects are usually publicly funded and managed by DOTs. |
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Marina/Shoreline Development |
n/a |
This option is used when the project scope is to develop or maintain marinas, harbors, or coastal infrastructure. Transect is not optimized for marine development. |
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Other |
n/a |
This option is used when the project does not fit into any of the above categories, such as gray or blue hydrogen. |
Project Types October 2025 Update
- Where can I now locate the Battery Storage project type?
Battery Storage is now located under Standalone Energy Storage with project sub-type Battery Storage Energy Systems (BESS). - Why is Battery Storage a separate sub-type?
This shift aligns Transect with evolving industry standards, mirroring how federal and state agencies—and investors—are increasingly treating standalone storage as a separate asset class rather than a subset of renewables. Furthermore, the inclusion of the "Other Storage Systems" subtype allows Transect to flexibly accommodate future technologies beyond batteries, such as hydrogen storage or gravity-based systems, ensuring the platform remains relevant as these technologies mature. - How does the new project type classification improve the accuracy of the Permit Matrix?
The update streamlines the Permit Matrix by making it less likely that users will over-scope their environmental review or chase irrelevant renewable-specific permits. This increased accuracy ultimately helps reduce both project time and cost. - How does the project type feature help me track and organize my mixed portfolio?
Customers who manage mixed portfolios (including renewables, storage, and transmission projects) can now easily filter and compare permitting timelines, risks, and costs specifically by project type, which significantly improves organization and analysis. - Why have the Pulse results in reports changed for BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) projects?
To ensure greater accuracy, users will now only see Solar or Wind Pulse in reports if the BESS project is explicitly a mixed-use renewable project.