Renewable Energy Project Infrastructure and Buildout: Navigating Environmental, Regulatory, and Economic Challenges
Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
Intermediate
- work Practice Area
Energy
- event Date
Thursday, April 11, 2024
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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This CLE webinar will provide renewable energy counsel guidance on navigating the environmental, regulatory, and economic challenges of renewable energy project infrastructure and buildout. The panel will discuss critical federal and state law issues that must be considered, managing complex permitting and approval processes and inconsistent policy standards, overcoming technical barriers such as efficient energy storage and infrastructure requirements, financial support mechanisms, and other key issues.
Mr. Burns, Jr. is a member of the firm's Energy Section and focuses his practice on environmental law and its intersections with energy development, construction, commercial transactions, manufacturing, waste and natural resources issues, including coal, natural gas and other energy areas, including the environmental and developing regulatory framework affecting Marcellus Shale development and operations. He also advises clients regarding the acquisition, environmental permitting and development of renewable and alternative energy facilities, including hydropower, wind and solar projects. Mr. Burns counsels clients regarding the acquisition and financing of natural resource properties including coal, oil and natural gas. He also counsels clients with regard to the purchase, sale and remediation of brownfields and other environmentally-impacted and environmentally sensitive properties. Mr. Burns also provides counsel regarding construction and architectural contracts and concerning the purchase and development of "green" buildings. He has been certified as an accredited professional under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard issued by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mr. Burns has frequently lectured regarding the environmental and regulatory issues associated with Marcellus Shale development and operations.
Mr. Howland is head of the firm’s Environmental Group; co-leads its hydrogen practice; and has an active renewable energy-focused practice. During his 28 year tenure at EPA he worked at the intersection of land cleanup and energy development, and spent his last four months at the Agency in 2018 in the Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, working on Superfund Task Force implementation. Mr. Howland’s work focuses on providing practical advice in the acquisition and sale of facilities and the redevelopment of brownfield sites; regulatory issues associated with renewable energy projects; counselling, enforcement, and litigation matters involving facility cleanups under federal and state laws; risk management plan preparation and emergency release/spill reporting; crafting real estate and other commercial transactions to address environmental concerns; and helping businesses identify ways to advance their operations in accord with national and international sustainability initiatives. Mr. Howland is nationally known for his work helping to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects on environmentally impaired land.
Federal and state initiatives encouraging clean energy have substantially increased the need for renewable energy infrastructure and build-out in furthering those efforts. However, the development of these projects is riddled with environmental, regulatory, and economic challenges. Counsel, developers, and investors must have a firm understanding of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, application requirements, issuance of permits, real estate considerations, zoning and land use issues, and related transactions.
Many states have issued legislation to minimize obstacles to certain clean energy projects by streamlining permit application requirements, establishing timelines for acting on those applications, and limiting local discretion, among other key items. Despite this, many still struggle with navigating environmental challenges and permitting processes, inconsistent policy standards, and financial support, as well as the possibility of litigation over siting decisions.
Counsel must be able to assist clients in understanding federal and state regulations, acquiring necessary permits and approvals, and structuring transactions for renewable energy projects and build-out.
Listen as our panel discusses the current federal regulatory framework, state law considerations, navigating environmental issues, essential contract provisions and deal structures, and other key items for renewable energy infrastructure planning and build-out.
- Federal and state regulations
- Siting and permitting challenges
- Deal structures and key provisions
- Incentives and leveraging outside funding
- Best practices for counsel
The panel will discuss these and other key issues:
- Navigating applicable federal and state regulation of renewable energy project infrastructure and build-out
- Environmental considerations and pitfalls to avoid
- Acquiring permits and managing challenges in the application process
- Deal structures and key contract provisions
- Best practices for counsel in assisting clients in renewable energy project development
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