Energy & Telecommunications

Cleantech & Renewable Energy

Preti Flaherty's Energy and Environmental Law Groups provide Cleantech and Renewable Energy Law practice support to clients as they navigate the legal, technical and business aspects of cleantech ventures. Our Energy, Environmental and Government Affairs attorneys combine their deep understanding of the clean technology industry with experience working with cleantech and renewable energy companies around the world. We represent clients ranging from startups seeking to capitalize on their technology to Fortune 500 companies seeking to lower their costs and minimize their environmental footprint. We advise project developers, landowners, and other businesses on all aspects of project development, operation and transactions related to the development of a variety of clean technologies, including:

  • Traditional and advanced biomass energy conversion
  • Biogas, anaerobic digestion and advanced biofuels production
  • Traditional and advanced natural gas-fired electricity generation
  • Combined heat, power and cogeneration
  • Traditional and innovative hydropower production, including ocean and tidal energy
  • Solar photovoltaic and thermal energy production
  • Wind power
  • Geothermal and ground-source heat pumps
  • Demand response and energy storage
  • Energy efficiency
  • Water treatment and processing
  • Landfill gas-to-energy

We go beyond the traditional legal realm. Our Energy and Environmental Law attorneys assist clients with both legal and business consulting services to support cleantech and renewable energy ventures:

  • Permitting and Regulatory Issues – Representation throughout the local, state and federal permitting processes, including the process of securing expedited wind permits, Site Location of Development Act Permits, Natural Resource Protection Act Permits and Clean Water Act Permits (wastewater, stormwater and wetlands). Preti Flaherty also has the largest and most active LURC (Land Use Regulation Commission) practice of any Maine firm.
  • Interconnection Agreements – Negotiating and securing favorable terms for interconnecting electric generation projects to the grid.
  • Power Purchase Agreements – Negotiating and securing commitments to purchase electric generation projects' output.
  • Renewable Energy Certificates and Credits (RECs) – Securing state and non-governmental organization certification of renewable energy producing facilities, marketing RECs and maximizing the value of renewable energy generation.
  • Cleantech and renewable energy project finance – Working with traditional lenders and VC funds plus assistance with securing federal grant funding for energy efficiency projects.
  • Real estate and lease agreements – Negotiating and drafting documentation to allow project developers and landowners to find mutual benefit through cleantech project development.
  • Energy Policy Analysis – Shaping regional and federal energy policy related to renewable resources, energy efficiency, and demand response.
  • Project acquisition, operation and sale – Advising, developing strategies for and implementing due diligence, acquisition, operation and sale of renewable energy or cleantech facilities.
  • Business consulting – develop solid business plans to help cleantech clients achieve their growth objectives.

Firm Highlights

Publication

How to navigate the legal side of nondisclosure agreements

Preti Flaherty attorney Kristy Abraham has authored an article for  MaineBiz  on navigating the legal side of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), outlining six questions for organizations to review before entering into a NDA.

Press Coverage

Maine Media Organizations Oppose Foreign Electioneering Ban

Question 2 on Maine’s November ballot asserts that corporations owned or controlled by foreign governments do not have the same rights to political speech as companies here in the U.S. and that foreign governments should be prohibited...

News

Jeffrey Talbert Named to American College of Environmental Lawyers

Jeffrey Talbert, Chair of Preti Flaherty’s Environmental Law Group, has been invited to become a Fellow in the distinguished American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL). Membership in the premiere association of environmental lawyers is by...

Publication

Schutz and Harriman Author Article for MLRC on Mill's Veto of Constitutionally Fraught Legislation

In an article for the Media Law Resource Center's July 2023 Media Law Letter,  Preti Flaherty attorneys Sig Schutz and Alex Harriman explore Gov. Janet Mills' recent veto of L.D. 1610, “An Act to Prohibit Campaign Spending...

Event

2023 Maine Employment Law Summit

For nearly 30 years, Preti Flaherty's Employment Law team has provided Maine employers with practical guidance and best practices at our annual Employment Law Summit. Join us  Thursday, October 5  for the 2023 Employment...

Publication

Maine Law Amended to Require More Details When Public Employees Disciplined

Governor Mills recently signed a bill amending the public disclosure requirements for public employees who have been disciplined. Although widely reported as applying to police misconduct, the law applies to all government employees. The...

Publication

Municipal Update: Maine Legislature Acts to Clarify Sales of Tax-Acquired Properties

Early this week, in response to the  United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in  Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota  (598 U.S. (2023)) , the Maine Legislature passed emergency legislation establishing a new process for...

Press Coverage

Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting Wins Public Records Dispute with York County Jail

News

Matt Warner Named to Cannabis Law Journal Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers 2023

Preti Flaherty attorney and Cannabis Business Group member Matt Warner has been named to the list of Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers for 2023-2024. A joint publication of  Cannabis Law Report and  Cannabis Law...

News

Preti Flaherty Litigation Practice Group Adds Four New Attorneys

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce the addition of four experienced Associates to the firm’s Litigation Practice Group: Stephen Garvey, Michael Hanify, Hanna May, and Tiffany Ottenga. Stephen Garvey is a graduate of Boston...