Wind
Stoel Rives has built a strong reputation as a leading global wind energy law firm. We’ve worked with the developers of some of North America’s largest wind energy sites generating nearly one-quarter of wind energy production in the U.S. Our services are national and international, with clients throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, China and Southeast Asia.
Solar
The proliferation of solar power is one of the main drivers behind global renewable energy transformation. Technical improvements, climate change and favorable market conditions for utility-scale and distributed generation solar have evolved this market segment from a niche to a mainstream energy source. We’re proud to have numerous solar developers, owners, operators, manufacturers and contractors as clients, drawing upon our extensive experience with tax equity financing, renewable energy transactions and project development.
Hydropower
Licensing and relicensing hydropower projects involves a complex regulatory process made all the more difficult by the state of drought in the western U.S. These projects involve a complicated intersection of energy issues, water rights and water quality, the needs of the fisheries industry, and protected species regulation—all Stoel Rives strengths. We have significant experience advising clients on all aspects of FERC hydropower relicensing strategies and related federal and state proceedings and are second to none in providing necessary legal counsel for these projects regarding Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act section 401 compliance. We’ve represented power suppliers in licensing more than 50 hydropower plants in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah.
Bioenergy
We’ve helped finance and develop more biofuels production capacity than any other law firm. Our clients are involved with ethanol and biodiesel production, biomass projects and next-generation biofuels, and feedstocks such as cellulosic ethanol and algae. We have experience at all stages of the bioenergy project life cycle from conception and development through financing and operations.
Geothermal
Our footprint covers a vast area of the western United States that is geologically advantageous for development of underground heat sources. Among the projects we’ve worked on is the first-ever tax equity transaction to monetize PTCs generated by a geothermal project. Our experience spans permitting and financing for these projects, getting them built, selling the power they generate, and resolving O&M issues.
Ocean Tidal
Increasingly, we’re counseling ocean, tidal and in-stream energy developers, investors, utilities and project owners as this energy source becomes commercially viable. Along with our suite of renewable energy services, we offer unusual value because members of our team have experience working with and working at the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Justice Environmental & Natural Resources Section, the EPA and the Northwest Power Planning Council. We’re members of the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition and the National Hydropower Association’s Ocean, Tidal and New Technologies Committee. Another differentiator we possess is experience with the Minerals Management Service of the oil and gas sector, which translates directly to the processes and challenges of handling tidal energy leasing issues on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Litigation
Our cross-discipline team of litigators and trial attorneys is integrated with attorneys across our firm who counsel renewable energy businesses. Typical energy issues we resolve include disputes related to joint operating agreements, construction and supply agreements, natural resource leases, protected species take claims, processing agreements, land use and permitting challenges, and citizen suits. Our experience and reputation as a major energy industry law firm is a significant advantage when negotiating with regulators or presenting your case in any venue.
Commercial and Industrial Energy Management
Many businesses striving to meet sustainability objectives or execute a more cost-effective and efficient energy purchase strategy are buying energy directly from generators, investing in renewable energy projects, or co-locating renewable projects on their property. Our corporate energy services team provides the full range of legal counsel to companies wishing to permit, build, purchase and operate a utility-grade renewable energy plant. We also provide advice on load and storage bidding.
Renewable energy services
- Strategic business plan development and implementation
- Feasibility study review and assessment
- Special purpose entity and other strategic venture formation and structuring
- Initial round equity offerings, private placements and public offerings
- Debt financing, including development, bridge, construction and term loans
- Acquisition, leasing and use of public lands including eminent domain issues
- Environmental compliance and due diligence including ESA, Marine Mammal Protection Act, coastal zone protection and NEPA
- Siting, permitting and land use counsel
- Joint development agreements
- Tax credit financing and planning including PTC and ITC
- Green tag/renewable energy credit/RIN monetization, transfer and retirement transactions
- Project finance
- Mergers and acquisitions and strategic investments
- Construction, equipment procurement, and operations and maintenance
- Product and by-product marketing, distribution and sales, including power purchase agreements and steam supply agreements
- Process power, water, fuel, steam host and cogeneration arrangements
- Feedstock procurement, hedging and risk management agreements
- Distributed generation portfolio financing and securitization
- Interconnection and transmission agreements
- FERC compliance
- Taxation of utility property
- Intellectual property, patents and technology licensing agreements
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Legislation and rulemaking
- International transactions