Today’s energy landscape is more complex and interconnected than ever before. Evolving regulations, increased connectivity and a global infusion of capital into new technologies present new challenges and opportunities for companies across the industry.
Nearly every sector of the energy industry is undergoing enormous change. At 18% of the power mix, renewable energy resources comprise as large a contribution to total U.S. electricity generation as the country’s nuclear fleet. Wind and solar capacity alone has increased over 471% since 2008, from 25 GW to 143 GW.[1] Regulators are contending with the rise of distributed energy resources (DER) such as behind-the-meter generation and storage technologies, and states are continuing to address resiliency, reliability and the DER grid integration.
Against this backdrop, the new administration is rescinding past climate change initiatives, which is impacting electric generation, as well as oil and gas production and transmission moving forward. As the largest contributor to the U.S. electricity portfolio, shale gas positions natural gas as the fuel of the future for baseload and peaking generation (in 2017, natural gas made up nearly 32% of overall U.S. generation).[2] However, transporting shale gas and oil from the shale regions to underserved parts of the country proves challenging.
Our firm is right in the middle of this transformation. Among our many other efforts, we helped draft the initial residential solar agreements back in 2008. In recent years, we were on the forefront of community and virtual net metering agreements. Today, we are helping to implement energy storage across the nation. We can help you keep pace with industry developments and provide strategic advice to help your business continue to thrive into the future. Our diverse experience in state and federal regulation and compliance, project development and finance, transmission and interconnection issues, permitting, finance, risk management and energy supply can help you navigate this new ecosystem.
Washington Post | May 11, 2018
Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this article. Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are quoted throughout this feature which highlights how this first-of-its-kind project benefits low-income residents in the DC community.
ABA Journal | May 11, 2018
Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are mentioned in this article about the NP Solar program, which uses solar panels placed atop DC-area buildings to produce electricity and cost savings for low-income residents.
Energy & Environmental News | May 11, 2018
Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this trade publication for energy and environment professionals. Washington, DC tax credit finance and syndication senior counsel Herb Stevens is quoted and partner Jeff Lesk is mentioned.
Law360 | May 07, 2018
In this roundup of promotions to partner and firm management positions, 14 attorneys from Nixon Peabody are highlighted. The 11 attorneys promoted to partner are Ellie Altshuler, Mark Beaudoin, Erik Birkeneder, Hannah Bornstein, Chris Browning, Barry Carrigan, Keri McWilliams, Matt Mullen, Steven Richard, Charles Tamuleviz and Alison Torbitt. In addition, Kenneth C. Lind was promoted to leader of the firms’ public finance practice group, Justin Thompson was promoted to office managing partner in LA, and Aaron Yowell was promoted to chief innovation officer.
The Boston Globe | February 11, 2018
Supply Chain Management Review | November 14, 2017
Albany energy and environmental associate Dana Stanton authored this overview of sustainability surveys that many companies send to suppliers to gauge their environmental efforts and performance.
Project Finance International | November 01, 2017
In an article on the expansion of off-grid solar power companies in Africa, Nixon Peabody is mentioned for advising PEG Africa in its $13.5M multi-currency syndicated loan.
Disrupt Africa | October 27, 2017
This article mentions Nixon Peabody for advising West African solar company PEG Africa on a multi-currency syndicated loan to develop solar energy and reliable electricity in the region.
Law360 | September 27, 2017
Boston office managing partner and energy and environmental partner Ruth Silman authored this article about Massachusetts’ plans and strategies for addressing climate change.
Inside EPA | September 15, 2017
This article about the pending New York legislation that would expand residents’ environmental rights quotes a recent Nixon Peabody blog post titled “What’s Trending: New York possible constitutional right to clean air and water,” authored by Albany Energy & Environmental partner Ruth Leistensnider and Rochester Energy & Environmental group professional specialist Libby Ford.
Solar Industry Mag | August 31, 2017
Nixon Peabody is mentioned as one of the firms that contributed to the creation of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) newly released model contract to encourage solar power development in the commercial and industrial sectors.
The National Law Journal | August 27, 2017
This article features the Washington, DC office’s solar program and mentions partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, who manage grants for the firm’s nonprofit New Partners Community Solar Corp.
Law360 | June 23, 2017
In this article about Millennium Pipeline Co.'s suit against New York environmental regulators, Washington, D.C. energy and environment partner Elizabeth Whittle is mentioned for representing CPV Valley Inc., a company that is building an energy facility that would receive natural gas from Millennium’s pipeline.
BBA Week | June 14, 2017
This profile features Boston office managing partner Ruth Silman. The article highlights her career, practice focus and vision for the Boston office.
Novogradac & Company | May 09, 2017
Boston tax credit finance and syndication partner Forrest Milder authored this column about the increasing use of back leverage in renewable energy tax credit projects and its implications.
Law360 | April 28, 2017
Albany energy & environmental counsel Peter Trimarchi contributed this article about the New York Public Service Commission’s (PSC) order related to compensation for renewable energy projects involving the state’s electric distribution system.
Earthtalk | March 20, 2017
Chief Innovation Officer Herb Stevens is quoted in this story discussing how the firm helped implement the community solar project as part of the Clean Energy DC plan, which aims to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and energy use in half by 2032.
NBC4 Washington | March 15, 2017
Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens were interviewed in this broadcast news segment about a green bank that could be created to help finance environmentally friendly projects similar to the solar panels installed on our DC office building.
Tax Credit Advisor | March 01, 2017
Washington, DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens are featured in this article about the Washington, DC office’s Community Solar project.
Bisnow | December 22, 2016
Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted in this feature story about DC’s first large-scale downtown commercial Community Solar project on the roof of Nixon Peabody’s Washington DC office. This article focuses on the innovation and uniqueness of the NP Solar project.
ClearWaters | December 21, 2016
A discussion of five cases that might impact wastewater permitting regulations for holders of SPDES permits, written by Rochester senior environmental health engineer Libby Ford, San Francisco Energy and Environmental associate Alison Torbitt, and Albany counsel Peter Trimarchi.
Law360 | December 15, 2016
This article highlights the latest development in a case involving New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s delayed approval of a permit to start building a natural gas pipeline, which impacts upstate New York power plant developer CPV Valley LLC’s facility operations. Washington DC Energy and Environmental partner Elizabeth Whittle is noted as representing CPV Valley LLC.
Tech Moran | November 01, 2016
This story is about Persistent Energy Ghana’s $1.5M debt round financing that will be used as capital to buy solar home systems for low-income households in Ghana. New York City public company transactions partners Dan McAvoy and Richa Naujoks, and Boston global finance partner Frank Hamblett are working on this matter.
The Boston Globe | October 25, 2016
This article highlights an energy deal with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Medical Center, and the Post Office Square Redevelopment Corporation. Boston office managing partner Ruth Silman is mentioned in the article for representing A Better City in facilitating this innovative solar power purchase agreement.
Law360 | July 29, 2016
This guest column authored by Rochester energy and environmental partner Jean McCreary and Rochester senior environmental health engineer Libby Ford focuses on final cooling tower regulations put into place by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to protect against legionella and other bacteria.
Law360 | July 11, 2016
Rochester senior environmental health engineer Libby Ford and San Francisco Energy & Environmental associate Alison Torbitt co-authored this column discussing the EPA’s national standards for industrial wastewater discharged to local publicly owned treatment works and how they affect breweries.
Power Finance and Risk | May 10, 2016
New York City Energy & Environmental partner Ellen Friedman is quoted in this article regarding Allianz Risk Transfer’s novel 10-year hedge product that will fund wind projects against the risk of intermittent wind resources.
Buffalo Business First | April 25, 2016
Partner and leader of the firm’s Energy & Environmental practice Scott Turner is quoted in this feature story that discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s agenda moving forward.
Finger Lakes Times | March 13, 2016
Rochester Energy & Environmental associate Amy Reichhart is mentioned as counsel for Seneca Meadows Landfill in this article about the recent appeal decision in favor of her client.
Project Finance & Infrastructure Journal | February 09, 2016
The following coverage highlights the arrival of New York City Energy & Environmental partner Ernie Chung.
Law360 | October 02, 2015
New York City Energy & Environmental partner Ellen Friedman is noted as counsel for NTE Ohio which has successfully closed $645 million in project financing for construction and operation of its Middletown Energy Center.
The Lumber Log | September 01, 2015
San Francisco Energy & Environmental associate Alison Torbitt authored this column discussing keeping mobile equipment in compliance with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) requirements.
Practice Group Leader, Energy & Environment
Phone: 585-263-1612
Partner
Office Managing Partner, Boston
Phone: 617-345-6062
Partner
Phone: 202-585-8318
Partner
Co-leader, Energy and Infrastructure Projects Team
Phone: 212-940-3053
Counsel
Phone: 518-427-2671
