Maalouf Ashford & Talbot provides a broad array of legal services to developers, investors, utilities and project owners in the renewable energy sector. Many of the world's largest producers of renewable energy turn to Maalouf Ashford due to our extensive experience in wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and ocean and tidal energy. We can bring together the right team of lawyers for each project, whether it be permitting a wind farm or drafting and negotiating a power purchase agreement. We can guide you through transmission interconnection issues or compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. We can assist with tax credits and other incentives, or handling the sale or purchase of renewable energy development assets and projects.   Our expertise extends to the following areas:


Solar Energy

At Maalouf Ashford, our renewable energy practice is among the most respected in the United States. We've been pioneers in renewable energy law for years and Solar Energy is a key part of this work.

For each matter, our lawyers are able to draw upon a deep well of experience in every aspect of solar project development and operation. We represent developers and operators of utility-scale and distributed-generation solar energy projects, as well as solar technology manufacturing companies, institutional investors, and large energy consumers.

We specialize in the "how-to" of the solar business. Utility scale and distributed generation solar projects, like other renewable ventures, are subject to a plethora of real property issues, regulatory complexities and permitting requirements. These projects involve interconnection, transmission, power purchase negotiations, financing, taxes and construction contracting. Conditions vary from state to state, and within the same state, from area to area: experience counts.

Clients value our combination of sustained practice, up-to-date knowledge and forward-looking advice about rapidly evolving industry dynamics. We have deep familiarity with all the stakeholders in the solar business, with the business models, with the regulatory compliance issues, as well as with potential government incentives. We negotiate the legal intricacies while maintaining a sharp focus on overall strategy. 

Wind Energy

Our Wind Energy practice has built an outstanding reputation for helping independent energy providers site and develop wind power projects.  Our experience in this arena and the strength and depth of Maalouf Ashford's energy practice enable us to cost-effectively help our clients get a wind project off the planning table and on-line. We can negotiate major project obstacles such as avian passage, wildlife impacts and aesthetic objections.

Our team approach to wind projects enables us to offer the most appropriate services to our clients. Our attorneys understand every step of the process – site assessment, wind leasing, permitting, interconnection, transmission, power purchase agreements, construction and design, and finance. Additionally, we are able as needed to draw on our highly skilled network of related industry professionals. From cooperation with regulatory staff to communicating effectively with key government decision makers, one of our most important functions is helping our clients make the right human connections for their projects.

BioEnergy

Our attorneys are recognized as leaders in the biofuels and biomass industry. We have represented numerous clients in connection with the financing and development of biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel production projects, biomass projects and next-generation biofuels and feedstocks, such as cellulosic ethanol and algae feedstock. We have deep knowledge and experience in private and public equity and debt finance, taxation, corporate and joint venture structuring, technology, construction, real estate, land use, water, transportation, environmental and regulatory law, including transportation fuel, transmission and other energy regulations.


Hydroelectric Projects

The Maalouf Ashford Hydroelectric Team has significant experience advising clients on all aspects of FERC hydropower relicensing and related federal and state proceedings. We have assisted clients in formulating relicensing strategies, and implementing traditional, alternative, and hybrid consultation and relicensing application procedures. We have successfully negotiated interim and comprehensive settlement agreements for hydroelectric projects and relicensing proceedings. We resolve issues effectively and identify cost-effective measures in such complex and precedent-setting proceedings as Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act section 401 compliance. 

We have represented power suppliers in licensing over 70 hydroelectric plants containing more than 100 units throughout the world. 

Climate Change

Navigating in a world of cap and trade, carbon emissions offsets, forestry or geologic sequestration, allowance valuation and allocation, energy efficiency standards, and renewable energy technology solutions requires experienced legal representation. Increased public awareness about Climate Change creates opportunities for creative solutions. The attorneys of Maalouf Ashford can help.

At Maalouf Ashford, our attorneys approach the topic of Climate Change with existing expertise derived from our strong multi-disciplinary practices. This multi-disciplinary approach acknowledges that Climate Change issues are integrated within traditional areas of law practice. For example, carbon credit valuation raises many of the asset valuation questions in any commercial transaction. Design and construction of a LEED and Green Globe certified building prompt the same contract issues as other construction projects. And new technologies targeting low or no carbon emissions deserve the same intellectual property protection as other technologies.