Alternative & Renewable Energy

Highlights

• Multidisciplinary approach pulls together the right team for each project, matching client needs with specific expertise
• Scalable, time-sensitive solutions keep projects moving forward

Representative Experience

Site Acquisitions

• Negotiated leases and easements from dozens of landowners for wind farm project
• Represented timber company in negotiating the lease of rural timberland to wind developer
• Provided title insurance for the purchase of 2,000-acre+ hydroelectric facility with a recreational lake
• Negotiated property agreements for commercial and utility-scale solar arrays
• Handled solar facility lease/easement transactions for a client with projects in various states
• Assisted an international solar development company in the drafting and negotiation of solar facility ground leases, option to purchase agreements, easements, and other related documents in numerous states
• Assisted client with solar and development title related matters
• Prepared title analyses for geothermal projects
• Assisted a renewable energy developer in the drafting and negotiation of a surface use and cooperation agreement with mineral lessees
• Handled preparation of documents under Michigan law for the assignment of rights in a wind easement
• Prepared Utah and Nevada geothermal lease forms
• Assisted a carbon capture and sequestration project development team with drafting of carbon dioxide injection and monitoring well site easement agreements, pipeline easement agreements, and option agreements
• Represented an oil & gas company, handling leasing documents and providing legal advice in connection with a CCUS/S project in Montana
• Negotiated an agreement for the location and production of a methane gas power plant (landfill gas)
• Created land acquisition agreements for an energy storage project
• Drafted site acquisition agreements for utility-owned wind power projects in West Virginia

Permitting & Siting

• Advised solar developer on siting and environmental compliance requirements for utility-scale solar project
• Represented hydroelectric facility operator in enforcing covenants and local ordinances against adjacent property owners to comply with FERC mandate
• Represented developers in obtaining certificates of public convenience and necessity for biomass electric generating facilities
• Served as environmental compliance counsel to the purchaser of a 1,600-acre hydroelectric facility
• Provided guidance on title projects associated with conservation easements and associated tax credits
• Provided title abstracts and reports, opinions, and stand-up opinions; prepared and negotiated documents involving leasing and renewable development and design plans; assisted with GIS and mapping analytics; and performed environmental, permitting, and regulatory compliance work with regard to a solar facility/development park

Financing

• Represented bond underwriter in issuance to finance four renewable power plants
• Provided title services and title insurance to wind developer for $300M+ financing
• Advised client regarding capital investment to reclaim and process methane gas from municipal landfills
• Represented a solar developer on a project financing deal located in Texas with Michigan law lending documents
• Represented a client on a wind farm credit facility
• Lead transaction counsel for investment by a Fortune 100 company in a sustainable water bottling company

Power Purchase & Commercial Agreements

• Led team negotiating multi-million dollar supply agreement for production and sale of biomass to electric generating plant
• Advised utility in negotiations for proposed cogeneration FOG digester and electric production facility
• Negotiated PPAs and related agreements between IPPs, power purchasers, utilities, and RTOs
• Represented utilities in negotiating commercial agreements with large waste digestion facility
• General counsel to developer of commercial-scale pyrolysis system to convert plastic bottles into diesel fuel
• Outlined a business plan and drafted solar production PPA and related agreements

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

• Counseled clients on eligibility for RECs
• Negotiated REC purchase and sale agreements
• Represented client before state utility commission and FERC in REC ownership dispute
• Represented client in regard to carbon credits/offsets
• Assisted a mine operator with development of coal gas emission mitigation projects that generate tradable environmental attribute credits
• Outlined a business plan and drafted solar production PPA and related agreements
• Served as counsel for a producer of certified natural gas (production and marketing)

Energy Efficiency & Savings

• Represented purchaser of energy savings lease
• Represented municipality in financing construction of fire station with energy efficiency measures
• Negotiated energy savings transactions for large municipality

Net Metering

• Represented rural electric utility in net metering rate development
• Counseled clients on net metering eligibility

Rare Earth Elements

• Assisted client with solar leasing and development in connection with active mining operations and rare earth elements research materials
• Performed general corporate and entity formation for a company that will focus on rare earth elements development
• Assisted client with potential rare earth elements leasing and ownership-related questions
• Legal analysis of certain aspects of rare earth development involving leasing, ownership, development rights, and obligations in West Virginia