Many people have asked me, “Just what is Energy Law?” I have quickly learned that to answer this question with precise details of the laws in place and tasks involved is a good way to make peoples’ eyes glaze over.
It is easier to explain what I do is by showing the results, so here are a few pictures. These are the types of projects I help people with:
Wind Energy
Solar Farms
Efficient Cogeneration Power Plants
LEED Certified Buildings
Other types of projects I work on that are not pictured above include replacing coal with biomass as a fuel for power generation, helping energy startup companies get off the ground (kind of like holding your hands around a newly struck match while starting a campfire on a windy day), and helping municipalities convert garbage and sewage into energy.
There are a host of legal issues wrapped up in the journey from start to finish on all of these types of projects. They include legal issues relating to raising money, protecting new ideas, getting government approvals, contracting for labor and materials, connecting to the electrical grid, putting together a financial package of grants, tax credits and other incentives and positioning the project for optimal use of renewable energy certificates and carbon credits it may produce.
My plan is to share a few of my stories from my practice. I’ll try to weigh in on some of the issues that people face when trying to change the energy status quo. If you have any comments I’d love to hear from you. I’ll do my best to answer questions, time permitting.
Notes from Energy Law Wisconsin 