Alternative Energy

Eaton Peabody’s Energy Industry Group combines the resources of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to address our clients’ diverse business needs in the State of Maine. Our Energy attorneys represent a broad range of clients including grid operators, commercial and industrial energy consumers, financial institutions, independent power producers, municipalities, and utility companies. Our experience in energy law extends to the development, financing, construction, operation, acquisition, and legislative lobbying aspects of electric power, as well as to the production, sale, purchase, distribution and transportation of natural gas, and related financing, legislation, litigation, and regulation.

Eaton Peabody’s Energy Industry Group encompasses all aspects of project development from conception to completion, including planning, partnership and corporate structuring; engineering; procurement; construction; financing; tax; operation and maintenance; fuel management; related contract drafting and negotiation; and due diligence for project financing/acquisitions. Our attorneys and consultants have identified unique approaches for the development of alternative energy projects. We recognize that each project, each business and each community is different. We have experience with all aspects of the environmental compliance requirements associated with the energy industry including permitting requirements for alternative energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar, biomass, and solid waste, and work with our seasoned real estate practitioners to ensure those interests are protected. Our environmental knowledge provides our clients with a full range of environmental and real estate counseling for the energy industry.

Eaton Peabody is a leader in assisting developers, businesses, and communities in developing alternative energy projects and programs. Working with clients to advance project development and financing options, we provide crucial guidance. For example, we represent private land owners negotiating with wind and solar power companies for option, easement and leasing rights. We also assist wind companies with respect to real estate and state permitting issues concerning the development and acquisition of wind projects, and are adept at identifying renewable energy financing options and tax benefits, negotiating tax increment financing (TIF) options for both communities and developers, and preparing ordinances to facilitate alternative energy development. Eaton Peabody also has extensive experience in negotiation and formation of community benefit agreements for alternative energy projects, for both project developers and host communities. Eaton Peabody’s affiliate, Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, also has key partners to assist our clients in seeking and implementing green energy strategies.

Whether our clients require legislative lobbying, regulatory and technical expertise, real estate and property rights acquisition, contract formation, host community benefit agreements, or due diligence for project financing or acquisition purposes, our depth of experience in the energy industry helps our clients to capitalize on our strengths when analyzing governmental issues, developing and executing successful strategies, and adding insight.

Eaton Peabody’s Energy Industry Group welcomes the opportunity to discuss your energy project or business and community needs, and how we may be of service.

Related projects:

Franklin County-Trans Canada Wind
Eaton Peabody played a key role in the State’s only TIF projects in unorganized territories (Franklin and Washington Counties). On behalf of Franklin County we secured a TIF agreement that assisted in the development of a $270M investment, producing 132 MW of green energy.

Washington County-Stetson I and II Wind
In Washington County, we provided guidance to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy in connection with over $160M of private investments in the Stetson Mountain wind projects. EPCG worked with the County and the countywide development organization to prepare a strategy that will fund nature-based tourism and economic development efforts for years to come.

Rollins Project-Four Communities, One Project
We developed unique programs to meet the needs of each community in this project which spans four towns. In these very rural communities we worked with volunteer committees and crafted creative programs to meet their future needs. Across all communities, we worked to negotiate a program that met stringent requirements while encouraging the new private investment.

Renewable Energy for Business
The consultants at EPCG are prepared to work with business to apply for renewable energy grants and loans to increase the firm’s efficiency. Working with teams of engineers, EPCG will prepare a loan\grant application and then manage the implementation of the renewable energy project.

Community Renewable Energy Projects
EPCG has a unique partnership in place to develop “community energy” projects. In this role, EPCG directly assists the stakeholders: residents and community leaders. Development and return on investment are managed cooperatively by the landowners and communities on a variety of scales.

To learn more about services specific to alternative energy, please contact Bill Ferdinand, Chair, Energy Industry Group at 207-622-3747.

Related Practices and Services