Renewable Energy
News & Updates
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The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently released their “
2019 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard,” highlighting increasing commitment by states to improving energy efficiency. For the ninth year in a row, Massachusetts was ranked number one nationwide, with the report citing the Commonwealth’s forward-thinking policies, including the 2008 Green Communities Act, which established building codes and efficiency targets for utilities, and the Global Warming Solutions Act, which calls for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions statewide by 2050. Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut also ranked in the top 10.
Meanwhile, a
September 2019 report commissioned by the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) estimates that between two and five GWs of new solar capacity will be needed annually in New England to meet the goal of 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This number is more than 10 times the amount of GWs per year than what is currently planned.
This report comes in the midst of discussions concerning expansion of Massachusetts’s solar development program, SMART. The
current proposal being discussed would expand the program to include an additional 800 MW, up from the initial 1600 MW, for a total of 2400 MW. The SMART program was launched in November 2018 and since then has received 1300 applicants for over 1000 MW of capacity, with waiting lists for large projects in Western MA.
Sherin and Lodgen will continue to monitor the industry outlook for renewable energy in New England and beyond. To learn more about the firm’s practice,
visit our website.
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Sherin and Lodgen represents the Renewable Power Group of Goldman Sachs Asset Management L.P. in acquisition of 17-site solar portfolio
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Sherin and Lodgen represented the Renewable Power Group of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. as local counsel in the acquisition of a portfolio of 17 operating solar sites, totaling 23.5 MW, across Massachusetts. Sherin’s role included coordination and review of all due diligence, including title, survey, tax agreements, leasing and real estate evaluation, and state solar incentives.
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Congratulations to our client, STAG Industrial, on launch of two rooftop solar systems in Minnesota
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Sherin and Lodgen congratulates our client, STAG Industrial, on the launch of its first two rooftop solar systems in Minnesota. The community solar projects will generate up to 1800 kW of solar on its rooftop, powering homes and businesses across the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Construction on the portfolio commenced in October and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year. The project was facilitated by Black Bear Energy.
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Sherin and Lodgen represented Cambridge Savings Bank in a portfolio construction bridge and term loan to Kearsarge Energy for the construction of three ground-mounted solar facilities in Massachusetts totaling 8.8 MW (DC) of energy. The transaction included syndicate partners Eastern Bank and Middlesex Savings Bank and includes both SMART program projects and net-metered projects with public off-takers.
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Sherin and Lodgen represents Wellesley Bank in financing for two solar facilities in Massachusetts
Sherin and Lodgen represented Wellesley Bank in the financing for two ground-mounted solar facilities in Massachusetts. The first is a 1.0 MW to-be-constructed SMART community solar project in Chelmsford, MA. The second is a 0.649 MW SREC-II operating project in Palmer, MA. Both projects are operated by Sea Oak Capital. The S&L team was led by Renewable Energy Chair
Bethany A. Bartlett
and included associates
Tyler N. Ballew
and
Daniel C. Johnston
.
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What’s Up With Offshore Wind?
By Tyler N. Ballew
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In August, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the branch of the Department of the Interior tasked with managing energy development on the outer continental shelf, changed its course on the permitting schedule for the Vineyard Wind project. What had been a smooth, thorough, and predictable process came to an abrupt halt when
BOEM “determined
that a greater build-out of offshore wind capacity is more reasonably foreseeable than was analyzed in the initial draft EIS [environmental impact statement],” and therefore “decided to supplement the Draft EIS and solicit comments on its revised cumulative impacts analysis.” Rampant speculation followed and the future process for approval of offshore wind projects seems unclear. So, what changed?
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By Tanya M. Larrabee
On September 19, 2019, in an effort to modernize the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) to address changes made to the renewable energy markets since PURPA’s enactment in 1980. Specifically, the NOPR focuses on updating PURPA to better integrate Qualifying Facilities (QFs) with wholesale energy markets.
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Sherin and Lodgen adds two attorneys to growing Renewable Energy Practice Group
Sherin and Lodgen is pleased to announce the addition of
Colleen V. Collins
and
Tanya M. Larrabee
to the firm’s growing Renewable Energy Practice Group. Colleen joins as Of Counsel and Tanya joins as an Associate.
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Beth A. Goldstein attends SPI North America Smart Energy Week
Beth A. Goldstein
attended
North America Smart Energy Week
in Salt Lake City, UT from September 23-26, 2019. North America Smart Energy Week is the largest gathering of solar, smart energy, energy storage and hydrogen fuel cell professionals in North America. Anchored by the flagship event,
Solar Power International (SPI)
,
North America Smart Energy Week brings together an extensive alliance of renewable energy leaders for four days of networking, education, and innovation that moves the industry forward.
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Tyler N. Ballew attends AWEA Offshore Windpower Conference
Tyler N. Ballew
attended AWEA's Offshore Windpower Conference, held in Boston on October 22-23rd.
AWEA
is the premier national trade association that represents the interests of America's wind energy industry. The annual event brings together
the global community of top developers and experts, making it the largest and most successful gathering of offshore wind energy professionals in the United States.
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Sherin and Lodgen Renewable Energy
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Sherin and Lodgen’s national renewable energy practice group represents lenders, developers, municipalities, and companies committed to sustainability through solar, wind, hydro, and energy storage initiatives. Clients rely on our experience in financing, development, leasing, environmental, zoning, and permitting to navigate this ever-changing market and accomplish their business goals.
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