Peter C. Trimarchi

What do you focus on?

I help clients manage environmental risks and permitting challenges in the most efficient manner possible. I do this work in a variety of contexts, but most frequently in the following three areas:

Project development

I help project developers obtain environmental and land use permits applicable to their businesses.  I also assist lenders with the detailed environmental and permitting due diligence required for complex project finance transactions. I have represented both lenders and developers in the permitting due diligence for solar and wind projects, ethanol production facilities and natural gas facilities.  As the market for solar PV systems in New York has grown, I have assisted clients in the development and financing of those systems, representing both developers and customers in the negotiation of power purchase agreements, development services agreements and leases. 

Acquisitions and divestitures

I perform environmental due diligence for transactions involving the acquisition and divestiture of real estate, renewable and conventional energy projects and businesses of every variety. I have conducted the environmental due diligence on facilities ranging from high-rise commercial buildings to major industrial facilities. As just one example, I recently represented a large yieldco conduct the environmental and land use due diligence for a portfolio of 11 utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects located in Utah and Florida.

Regulatory compliance

I work with clients to help them remain in compliance with environmental laws. I help them anticipate upcoming regulations, interpret challenging regulatory requirements and, when necessary, represent them in enforcement proceedings. I have represented a major chemical manufacturer in connection with a joint EPA and DEC investigation into violations of the Clean Air Act and RCRA, helped a lead recycling facility improve their compliance with Clean Air Act requirements, and assisted a major automobile manufacturer obtain Clean Air Act permits for more than 60 dealerships throughout New York State.

What do you see on the horizon?

Major changes are coming to New York energy markets.  Between the creation of New York’s Green Bank and the State’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” proceeding, energy will be produced and transported in New York much differently five years from now than it is today.  This will mean new challenges for renewable energy development in the State, but also new opportunities.  Those companies that are able to understand the new paradigm, and work creatively within it, will have distinct advantages over their competitors, leading to greater market share and success. 

Representative Publications and Presentations

• “NYPSC Shakes Up Net Metering Projects In New York State,” Law360, April 28, 2017 (Author)
• “Project Development and Financing,” New York Executive Clean Energy Leadership Institute, Skidmore College, August 2014 and 2015
• “New York’s Solar Incentive Program: Lessons Learned from Other States,” Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable, August 2012 (Panel Moderator)
• “Environmental Issues in Business Transactions: 2012 and Beyond,” New York State Development Council’s Economic Development Course (Presenter)
• “Strategies for Distressed Properties: Environmental Risks and Opportunities,” Lorman Seminars, Albany  (Presenter)
• “Global Warming: A View from Main Street, New York,” Albany Law School Summer Seminar (Presenter)
• “Greenhouse Gas Regulation in the United States: It’s Closer Than You Think,” Wall Street Lawyer, Vol. 11, No. 1, January 2007

Representative Experience

• Represented a wind developer in the project financing of six wind farms currently operating in upstate New York; coordinated the due diligence for issuance of permitting opinions to both lenders and tax equity partners
• Represented a local college in the negotiation of a power purchase agreement and related lease for a 2-MW remote net-metered solar PV project in upstate New York
• Represented a national solar PV developer in the negotiation of several development services agreements with local solar PV developers
• Represented a utility in two separate offerings of debt securities backed by the operation of seven wind farms in five states; the engagement required performance of environmental and permitting due diligence on each of the wind farms, followed by drafting of securities disclosure statements and negotiation of the terms of permitting opinions with local counsel in each jurisdiction
• Represented various lenders in financing for the development of five separate ethanol production facilities; the engagement required conducting detailed due diligence on environmental and permitting matters, and coordinating that review among developers, the banks, and their respective environmental engineers