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

Press Coverage

Portland law firm Preti Flaherty unveils renovated HQ space

Preti Flaherty has remodeled its Portland headquarters, spanning three floors and 41,000 square feet at One City Center. The update features hybrid workstations, collaborative areas, and an internal staircase that integrates flexible conference and...

Event

2024 Maine Employment Law Summit

Join us for Preti Flaherty's 2024 Maine Employment Law Summit! For almost three decades, Preti Flaherty's Employment Law team has delivered practical insights and best practices to Maine employers at our annual fall Employment...

News

Matthew C. Worthen Joins Preti Flaherty’s Real Estate and Finance Practice Group

Preti Flaherty is pleased to welcome Matthew C. Worthen as a Director in the firm’s Real Estate and Finance Group. Worthen previously served as a Shareholder and Chair of the Real Estate Group at...

Publication

Recent Massachusetts Appeals Court Decision Holds that Construction Defects Are Not Covered by CGL Policy

The recent Massachusetts Appeals Court decision in Lessard v. R.C. Havens & Sons, Inc. (August 2024) offers important clarification for contractors, subcontractors, and insurers regarding the coverage of construction defects under commercial general liability...

Publication

Copyright Litigation: Substantial Similarity

In copyright litigation, courts assess substantial similarity to determine if alleged copying constitutes infringement. This evaluation involves comparing works across different categories using objective measures and subjective impressions to weigh similarities and dissimilarities. Even when...

Publication

Supreme Court Clarifies Constitutionality of Outdoor Camping Bans

Earlier today the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the  City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson et al. , overturning a 2019 decision from the 9 th  Circuit Court, which held...

News

Preti Flaherty Names Michael S. Smith as Managing Partner

Preti Flaherty announced this week the election of Michael S. Smith as the firm’s new Managing Partner, effective July 15, 2024. He succeeds David Van Slyke, who is resuming his role as chair of...

Publication

Maine DEP Issues PFAS in Products Concept Draft Rule

The Maine DEP’s PFAS in Products Program has released its long-awaited Chapter 90 concept draft language (the “PFAS in Products Rule”) for implementation of Maine’s recently-amended “PFAS in Products Law.” The concept draft provides...

News

36 Preti Flaherty Attorneys, including 4 “Ones to Watch” Recognized by National Directory

Thirty-six Preti Flaherty attorneys, including four “Ones to Watch,” have been named to Best Lawyers in America 2025, a highly regarded directory of attorneys and law firms in the United States. The individual attorneys...

Press Coverage

Looking to 'new generation,' Preti Flaherty promotes 42-year-old litigator to managing partner

Effective July 15, Michael S. Smith has been named managing partner of the law firm Preti Flaherty. Michael succeeds David Van Slyke, who will resume his role as chair of the firm’s environmental practice...