Biography

Benji Borowski is a member of the firm's Energy & Telecommunications, Cleantech and Renewable Energy Law, and Climate Strategy groups working from the Portland office. He provides clients with effective solutions to complex energy problems and strategies to maximize energy opportunities. He blends sophisticated legal abilities with a comprehensive understanding of economics, engineering, and politics to help clients manage both the outsized energy implications of business and government decisions and business and environmental implications of energy decisions.

Benji has worked in the energy and climate sectors since 2011, providing guidance across a wide range markets, regulatory frameworks, energy sources, and technologies. Drawing on his experience with natural gas, hydro, and biomass at grid-scale power plants, as well as with AC and DC transmission, he has recently advised clients regarding conventional or distributed generation using onshore and offshore wind, solar, battery storage, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen electrolysis.

At the state level, Benji provides advice on legal and policy issues before regulatory bodies and legislatures in New England and beyond, including on beneficial electrification, net metering, long-term contracting and procurements, renewable energy certification, generator interconnection, cost allocation, certificates of public convenience and need, public utility regulation, and permitting. Benji also advises clients on energy issues during the development, purchase, sale, and financing of energy infrastructure, as well as drafting and negotiating commercial documents.

At the regional level, Benji regularly navigates the tariffs, market rules, and studies of RTOs, like ISO New England, to assist both consumers and generators on interconnection, market participation, and market re-formation. At the federal level, he advises generators and large manufacturers on aspects of FERC regulation, including interconnection, market-based rates, transmission, and rulemakings.

Benji often presents on energy topics and moderates expert panels. In 2020, he travelled to Denmark as part of foreign trade delegation led by Clean Energy New Hampshire to learn about the country's successful offshore wind industry and promote New Hampshire as a site for offshore wind supply chain development.

Benji enjoys being outdoors, playing sports and games, and DIY projects with power tools. He lives in Cumberland with his wife, Megan; their daughter, Adelaide; and their German Shepherd, Cleo.

Professional Activities

  • Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) - Board Member

Honors & Recognition

  • Listed as a Super Lawyers "New England Rising Star" for seven consecutive years in the areas of Energy & Natural Resources, Utilities, Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Listed in Chambers USA, America's Leading Business Lawyers for Business in the area of Energy & Natural Resources in 2017-2020

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Leadership Maine, Upsilon Class, Maine Development Foundation
  • Susan L. Curtis Foundation, pro bono legal services and Trustee, Board Development Committee

Firm Highlights

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

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...

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

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...

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

131st Maine Legislature End of Session Update

The First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature was expected to end on June 15th or soon after. Instead, the First Regular Session ended on March 30th, and the Governor signed the “continuing services&rdquo...

Press Coverage

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

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.

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...