Firm Overview - Renewable Energy Project Development
Based in Middletown, Connecticut, Michaud Law Group, is a trusted name in the legal field, known for its exceptional client service and unwavering integrity. We serve clients in the Connecticut, Rhode Island Massachusetts, Maine, New York and New Jersey, including landowners, developers, investors, and finance clients. Our services span the entire spectrum of renewable energy project development, from providing advice on program incentives to handling siting and permitting and representing clients in regulatory and litigation matters. With our extensive experience representing solar, battery energy storage, fuel cell, and microgrid clients and our frequent role as regional and statewide counsel for renewable energy developers and financing clients, you can rest assured of our capabilities.
At Michaud Law Group, we don't just provide legal services; we build lasting relationships. We are deeply committed to understanding the unique needs of our landowner, developer, investor, and financing clients in the renewable energy industry. Our team of five attorneys and two non-attorney project administrators, with a combined 120 years of legal and business experience, is dedicated to providing personal attention, responsiveness, and building deep relationships. We strive to find practical, strategic solutions tailored to our client’s business operations, ensuring their renewable energy projects succeed. Whether you are a landowner, developer, investor, or financier, our team will use their talents, judgment, work ethic, and experience to exceed your expectations and help you successfully meet your renewable energy project goals.
Project Development:
From Conception to Commercial Operation
Michaud Law Group’s renewable energy team, comprising attorneys and non-attorney project administrators, plays a pivotal role in every phase of project development. From project conception to generation to off-take to sale or acquisition, our experienced legal and project administration team assists landowners, developers, and financier clients with their end-to-end project needs. We bring our deep understanding of the multifaceted legal and business issues facing renewable energy projects, helping protect our clients' business interests, manage risk, and keep viable projects moving forward. We partner with our clients throughout each phase of the renewable project development process, providing litigation and appellate legal services as needed.
Project Selection and Concept Plan
Civil and Site Preparation Work
Electrical Conduit and Pole Racking
Project Commerical Operation
Pre-Development
At the project pre-development stage, we assist our clients by identifying the risk factors that may interfere with attracting private financing, including market and demand indicators, operational issues, technology performance, and regulatory matters. Involving the Michaud Law Group legal and project administration team at the beginning of a project makes it possible to bring to the forefront and address potential issues before the client invests significant time and money. Michaud Law Group’s legal and project administration team works closely with clients to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring they are within their tolerance. Our team's expertise and experience in the renewable energy industry make us well-equipped to manage and minimize project risks, providing our clients with peace of mind and confidence in their renewable energy projects.
State Incentive Programs
The best states for installing renewable energy projects, such as solar, battery energy storage, and microgrids, are those with high electricity rates, grid congestion, and the most robust project incentives. Connecticut and New England rank among the most expensive states in the country for traditional fossil fuel electricity, making them excellent places to develop renewable energy projects. Michaud Law Group is well-versed in state and utility project incentive programs, tariffs, RFPs, and auctions in Connecticut and New England.
Project Selection and Site Control
Our renewable energy attorneys and project administrators are crucial in helping clients establish suitable project locations with appropriate access, rights, and interconnection characteristics – all essential for project viability and attracting initial investment. At the onset of this project milestone, the Michaud Law Group team is on location, advising on a wide range of real estate matters, including negotiating and drafting long-term ground leases, purchase and sale agreements, access and utility easements, and environmental assessments.
Project Siting and Permitting
Successfully siting and permitting renewable energy projects, particularly solar and battery energy storage systems, is essential to success. In recent years, securing siting approval for projects has become increasingly challenging in Connecticut and New England due to political opposition to alternative energy and NIMBYism. Michaud Law Group’s knowledge base and ingenuity in all areas of the engagement, particularly in siting and permitting matters, has resulted in the approval of a dozen projects by the Connecticut Siting Council and general permits by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. We have a strong track record in successfully securing siting and permitting approvals for our client’s projects, including approval of a dozen solar projects totaling more than sixty megawatts. This is because we approach project siting and permitting collaboratively, including extensive public and government official outreach to achieve success.
Project Finance or Acquisition
Michaud Law Group has an extensive renewable energy project investor and financier network. For our clients interested in selling or purchasing a renewable energy project or projects, we have an excellent track record of matching renewable energy projects and whole project portfolios with project investors and financiers. The firm regularly negotiates Asset Purchase Agreements (APA) and Membership Interest Purchase Agreements (MIPA) on behalf of our clients.