Deal Evaluation Scorecard
Rate any power project on fatal flaw risk in 15 minutes
๐ How to Use This Scorecard
- Score each factor 1-10: 10=Perfect, 7-9=Good, 4-6=Concerning, 1-3=Red Flag
- Be honest: Score what you KNOW, not what you hope
- Watch totals: They calculate automatically as you type
- Check interpretation: Your score will show green/yellow/red guidance
CATEGORY 1: TITLE & OWNERSHIP
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1.
TITLE CLARITY
Has comprehensive title examination been completed?
10: Full title examination complete, title insurance obtained
7-9: Preliminary review complete, minor issues with clear resolution path
4-6: Desktop review only, some concerns not fully investigated
1-3: No title work done or known defects with uncertain resolution
2.
CHAIN OF TITLE INTEGRITY
Is the chain of title complete with no gaps?
10: Unbroken chain 60+ years, all recordings verified
7-9: Chain complete with minor gaps easily resolvable
4-6: Gaps requiring curative work
1-3: Significant gaps or competing claims
3.
MINERAL RIGHTS STATUS
Are mineral rights addressed and secured?
10: Mineral rights owned or non-disturbance agreements in place
7-9: Severed but limited owners (1-5), acquisition in progress
4-6: Severed with 6-15 owners, or status unknown
1-3: 15+ fractional owners or active mining/drilling
4.
ACCESS RIGHTS
Is legal access documented and enforceable?
10: Fee simple or recorded permanent easements
7-9: Access in negotiation with path to permanent
4-6: Informal agreement or unrecorded
1-3: No legal access or landlocked
CATEGORY 2: ENVIRONMENTAL & SITE
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5.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Has environmental due diligence been completed?
10: Phase 1 & 2 complete, no contamination
7-9: Phase 1 complete, minor concerns with mitigation plan
4-6: Phase 1 only but Phase 2 needed
1-3: No work done or significant contamination
6.PROTECTED SPECIES
Are there endangered species concerns?
10: Desktop screening complete, no protected species
7-9: Species present but avoidance feasible
4-6: Species likely present, surveys not conducted
1-3: Listed species confirmed or take permit required
7.WETLANDS & WATER FEATURES
Are there wetlands or water issues?
10: No wetlands or all Section 404 permits secured
7-9: Wetlands present but impact avoidable
4-6: Wetlands present, permitting required but not initiated
1-3: Significant wetlands with uncertain permit outcome
8.GEOTECHNICAL/SITE CONDITIONS
Is the site suitable for construction?
10: Geotechnical studies complete, suitable conditions
7-9: Desktop assessment favorable, confirmatory needed
4-6: Unknown conditions or minor concerns
1-3: Known unsuitable conditions (flooding, slope, soil)
CATEGORY 3: PERMITTING & APPROVALS
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9.ZONING COMPLIANCE
Does zoning allow this project type?
10: Project permitted by-right, no variance needed
7-9: Conditional use permit required, precedent exists
4-6: Zoning unclear, variance or rezoning needed
1-3: Project type prohibited or extremely difficult
10.PERMIT PATHWAY
Are all required permits identified?
10: Complete permit matrix, agencies consulted
7-9: Major permits identified, preliminary discussions held
4-6: Requirements generally understood but not mapped
1-3: Requirements unknown or permits likely impossible
11.COMMUNITY & POLITICAL
What's the community sentiment?
10: Strong community support, no opposition
7-9: Generally positive, some concerns manageable
4-6: Mixed sentiment, political landscape uncertain
1-3: Organized opposition or hostile local government
CATEGORY 4: TECHNICAL & ECONOMIC
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12.INTERCONNECTION/OFFTAKE
Is grid connection or offtake secured?
10: Interconnection agreement signed or offtake executed
7-9: Study complete with favorable results
4-6: Queue position secured but study not complete
1-3: No position or uncertain grid capacity
13.RESOURCE/FUEL
Is energy resource adequate and secure?
10: Resource thoroughly characterized, supply contracts in place
7-9: Resource adequacy confirmed through studies
4-6: Resource assumed adequate but not verified
1-3: Resource uncertain or inadequate
14.PROJECT ECONOMICS
Do economics work with realistic assumptions?
10: Comprehensive model with conservative assumptions
7-9: Model developed, adequate returns with reasonable assumptions
4-6: Economics uncertain, dependent on optimistic assumptions
1-3: Economics marginal even with best-case assumptions
15.DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
Is the timeline realistic?
10: Detailed Gantt chart, critical path identified, buffers included
7-9: Timeline with major milestones, generally realistic
4-6: High-level timeline or aggressive schedule
1-3: Timeline unrealistic or not developed
YOUR TOTAL SCORE
0
out of 150 points
Enter scores to see interpretation
Score each of the 15 factors above to get your result.
๐ Notes & Follow-Up
Scored Below 120? Let's Talk.
Projects scoring below 120 have significant fatal flaw risk. Our desktop due diligence team can help you identify and resolve these issues before capital commitment.
2-4 week fatal flaw screening
$75K-$400K investment vs. $3M-$50M+ losses
Title, environmental, permitting & access expertise
Discuss your project with our team