Matching Projects and Partners with Available Funding
Brownstein is among the nation’s most dedicated proponents of the new energy economy. Our practice group combines decades of traditional energy sector experience with substantial knowledge of the increasingly complex business, financial and regulatory environment facing renewable energy companies, whether in solar, wind, geothermal, smartgrid, or advanced biofuels. We assist clients in every aspect of their projects from assessing the feasibility of a project and securing financing from the private sector, to protecting intellectual property and obtaining all necessary permits and agreements for a project to promptly proceed.
In the current economic climate, finding additional and alternative funding streams is paramount to the development of renewable and clean energy technologies. We are a national leader in assisting clients in obtaining federal and state loan guarantees and grants for R&D research, establishing manufacturing facilities, or for developing pilot and commercial-scale projects. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 injected about $787 billion in new federal spending and tax incentives into the U.S. economy over two years. A substantial portion of this funding was dedicated to providing capital to the clean technology and renewable energy industries.
We have assisted clients in virtually every sector of clean technology in obtaining grants and loan guarantees from key federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. We have ample experience in identifying loan guarantee and grant opportunities, and helping companies apply for these opportunities. We also have unparalleled access to the highest levels of government, including funding agencies, to ensure that our clients' applications have the best possible chance of success.
Our group includes lawyers and legislative consultants with impressive backgrounds in federal and state government positions concerning alternative energy technologies and project financing. The group members include:
- The former Chief Counsel with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office in Golden, Colorado, responsible for overseeing the operations of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and program implementation for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as in overseeing DOE's loan guarantee and grant programs.
- The former Solicitor General of the Department of Interior, the third highest position in the agency, responsible for overseeing all legal issues at Interior.
- Current President of the Advanced Biofuels Association representing over twenty second and third generation biofuel companies on federal and state policy issues.
Services
Project Development Counsel. Our group works with clients at all stages of project development. We negotiate for the sale of power or fuel, help to clear regulatory and administrative hurdles, facilitate both public and private partnering opportunities, advocate with the relevant government bodies and handle legal details related to real estate transactions, development, engineering and construction, tax and public finance.
Policy Advisement and Lobbying. Our group includes seasoned policy advisors and legislative consultants with a long history of successful interactions with state and local governments. We help energy companies craft energy policies, public messages and lobbying approaches.
Project Finance. The group assists clean technology and alternative energy clients to secure project funding from private equity markets, federal and state loans, loan guarantees and grants. We advise clients with regard to industrial bonds, tax issues and financing incentives. We are also active in helping developers obtain financing opportunities under the increased federal funding levels for clean technology projects.
Energy Permitting. Our attorneys negotiate federal and state permitting requirements and provide general permitting assistance related to the development and implementation of energy projects. |