Our Renewable Energy and Energy Transition Group is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services to clients navigating the dynamic shift from traditional energy sources to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives. As the global energy landscape rapidly evolves, we assist businesses, investors and government entities in adapting to the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative transition. Our attorneys are at the forefront of legal issues related to decarbonization, the adoption of renewable energy sources and the development of innovative technologies that will drive the future of energy.
Our experienced team provides the transactional, regulatory, policy, dispute, tax and trade guidance our clients need to execute on projects that are breaking new ground in the industry, including those involving utility-scale, commercial, industrial and distributed generation resources such as solar, battery storage, offshore and onshore wind, hydroelectric, biomass and biofuel power projects, carbon capture processes, hydrogen and its derivatives, low-carbon fuels, nuclear and others.
Duane Morris lawyers also have industry experience in the energy, infrastructure, real estate and manufacturing industries at the center of the global energy transition, with capabilities in project development and finance, tax and environmental law, M&A and capital markets across North America, South America and around the globe. Many of our attorneys also have engineering degrees and other certifications helpful to our clients’ pursuit of their energy-related business needs.
Our objective is to help our clients address the many issues raised by the renewable energy market and energy transition, including:
- Developing renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, battery storage, hydro, biomass and biofuel power projects, as well as renewable fuel projects.
- Licensing of renewable energy projects, including understanding regional electric power markets, market designs and state renewable portfolio standards.
- Extensive experience negotiating and drafting power purchase agreements (PPAs), engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, and operations and maintenance (O&M) agreements, ensuring bankability, regulatory compliance and alignment with project finance and sustainability goals.
- Securing various permits, including environmental permits and permits for water usage, as part of environmental compliance strategy needs.
- Participating in public policy debates associated with the ongoing renewable energy transition and water usage at both the federal and state levels.
- Developing and bringing energy efficiency technologies and mechanisms to market.
- Structuring investments to comply with corporate and tax objectives, including federal, state and local tax incentives and related financial programs.
- Structuring various forms of financing for renewable energy projects, including project finance, public-private partnerships and tax equity financing.
- Engineering, procurement and construction of renewable energy projects and infrastructure, including LEED-certified construction and government contract procurement.
- Protecting and licensing intellectual property rights and enforcing such rights when necessary in domestic courts and various arbitral tribunals.
Renewable Energy
This practice focuses on a wide range of issues, including the development, financing, regulatory compliance and operational aspects of renewable energy ventures. Our team is well-versed in the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and bioenergy.
We assist clients with the following services:
Project Development
From site acquisition and land use matters to environmental permitting and regulatory approvals, we help clients navigate the complexities of establishing renewable energy projects. Our attorneys work closely with government agencies to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
Financing and Mergers and Acquisitions
We provide guidance on financing structures, including tax credits, incentives, PPAs and joint ventures. Our team handles mergers, acquisitions, strategic divestitures and investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector, ensuring that transactions comply with applicable laws and achieve clients' business objectives.
Regulatory Compliance
We offer in-depth counsel regarding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state public utility commissions and independent system operators and regional transmission authorities (ISO/RTO) interconnection requirements, net metering, community solar and virtual power plant structures and compliance with renewable portfolio standards programs and grid access rules.
Energy Contracts and Agreements
Our team drafts and negotiates PPAs, interconnection agreements, build-transfer arrangements, land use agreements, master equipment supply agreements, EPC contracts, O&M agreements, renewable energy certificate purchases and sale agreements and other ancillary contracts essential to the development and operation of renewable energy projects, safeguarding clients’ commercial interests and ensuring long-term project success.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
When disputes arise, we provide litigation and alternative dispute resolution services, representing clients in matters related to contract breaches, regulatory challenges, counterparty and energy market disputes.
Policy and Advocacy
We stay ahead of emerging trends in renewable energy policy and work with industry stakeholders and lawmakers to advocate for our clients, seeking to further their renewable energy development efforts.
By combining our industry experience in energy law with an understanding of the technical and economic challenges faced by renewable energy stakeholders, our Renewable Energy Group is well-positioned to support clients throughout the life cycle of their projects—helping them achieve their sustainability goals while navigating legal complexities with confidence.
Solar
Our attorneys in our solar practice provide strategic legal guidance across the full spectrum of solar development and investment. We represent developers, investors, utilities, landowners, corporate offtakers and municipalities involved in utility-scale, distributed generation and community solar projects.
Our attorneys offer practical, forward-looking counsel on:
Project Development and Permitting
Supporting all stages of project siting and development, including land acquisition, easements, zoning, environmental compliance and permitting across jurisdictions.
Regulatory and Policy Compliance
Navigating evolving state and federal regulations, interconnection processes, grid access and public utility commission filings.
Community Solar Programs
Advising on legal frameworks for community solar initiatives, including subscriber agreements, utility coordination, ownership structures and compliance with state-specific program requirements.
Transactional Support
Drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements, PPAs, equipment supply and EPC contracts, land leases and joint venture or co-development agreements.
Financing and Incentives
Structuring tax equity investments and advising on federal and state tax credits, grants and renewable energy incentives to optimize financial outcomes.
Dispute Resolution
Representing clients in regulatory appeals, contract disputes and litigation related to solar project development and operations.
With a strong grasp of the solar industry’s legal, commercial and policy drivers, we help clients launch, finance and operate successful solar projects—whether grid-tied, behind-the-meter or community-based. We are committed to advancing clean energy solutions through practical, responsive legal service
Battery Storage
Our attorneys are equipped to provide specialized legal services to clients involved in the development, deployment and operation of energy storage solutions, with a particular focus on battery storage technologies. As the energy sector undergoes a transformation driven by the need for reliable, renewable energy sources, energy storage systems have become a critical component of grid stability and energy efficiency. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to navigate the legal complexities associated with battery storage projects, helping clients address regulatory, financing, environmental and operational challenges.
We assist clients with all aspects of battery storage project development, from site selection and land acquisition to obtaining the necessary permits and approvals. Our team is well-versed in the regulatory frameworks that govern battery storage, including local, state and federal environmental, zoning and safety regulations.
Our practice provides counsel on financing structures for battery storage projects, including tax incentives, government grants and private investment. We guide clients through the complexities of securing funding for storage systems and help structure joint ventures, partnerships and other investment models that align with project goals.
We draft, negotiate and review PPAs, service contracts and other agreements essential to the operation of battery storage projects. These agreements ensure the financial viability of storage systems and outline critical terms for project operation, including capacity, performance and service delivery.
Wind
Our wind energy practice supports clients across the life cycle of onshore and offshore wind projects, from early stage development through construction, operation and repowering. We provide strategic legal counsel tailored to the unique regulatory, commercial and technical demands of the wind energy sector.
Our team advises developers, investors, utilities and public agencies on:
- Project development and permitting
- Land use and leasing agreements
- Regulatory compliance and interconnection
- Power purchase agreements
- Tax equity and project finance
- M&A and joint ventures
- Environmental review and risk management
- Disputes related to wind development issues
With deep industry knowledge and cross-practice capabilities, we help clients navigate complex federal, state and local laws, secure financing and structure transactions that drive clean energy growth. We also stay engaged with evolving policy and market developments to provide forward-looking legal solutions in the dynamic wind energy space.
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
Our CCUS practice helps clients navigate the legal and regulatory complexities of developing carbon capture projects. From permitting and site acquisition to tax credits and liability management, we offer end-to-end legal support across the CCUS value chain.
We advise energy companies, industrial operators, investors and public entities on:
- Regulatory compliance (including EPA Class VI wells)
- Project development and land rights
- Tax incentives (e.g., U.S. 45Q credit)
- Carbon credit trading
- Commercial agreements and financing
- Risk and liability mitigation
- Dispute-related work in connection with CCUS issues
Our multidisciplinary team combines its environmental, energy, corporate and finance experience to support innovative, climate-focused solutions. We stay at the forefront of evolving CCUS policy and market trends to help clients seize new opportunities and manage long-term risks.
Data Centers and Sustainable Infrastructure
Our lawyers help clients navigate the legal and regulatory challenges of powering and developing energy-intensive digital infrastructure. We advise data center developers, operators, cloud providers and investors on clean energy procurement, site development, grid interconnection and sustainability compliance.
Our services include:
Power Agreements
Structuring PPAs, VPPAs, load ramp-up agreements and green tariffs for renewable energy sourcing.
Regulatory Compliance
Navigating FERC, ISO/RTO rules and utility interconnection processes.
Site Development
Managing zoning, permitting, environmental review and utility access.
Financing and Incentives
Securing tax credits, grants and green infrastructure financing.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Representing clients in regulatory challenges, contract disputes and compliance enforcement actions related to data center development.
With cross-sector experience in energy, real estate and infrastructure, we deliver practical legal solutions that align energy strategies with growth and sustainability goals in the digital economy.
Nuclear Energy
Our nuclear energy practice specializes in providing experienced legal counsel tailored to the emerging market of small-scale and advanced nuclear technologies. We represent developers, technology providers, investors, utilities and government entities navigating the complex regulatory environment for next-generation nuclear projects.
Our services include:
Project Development and Licensing
Assisting with site selection, environmental assessments and securing necessary permits and licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other regulatory bodies for small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors.
Regulatory Compliance and Policy Guidance
Advising on federal and state nuclear regulations, safety requirements, waste management and decommissioning obligations specific to small-scale nuclear facilities.
Transactional Support
Structuring and negotiating PPAs, technology licensing, joint ventures, supply contracts and financing arrangements tailored to the unique needs of advanced nuclear projects.
Funding and Incentives
Guiding clients through available federal and state incentives, grants, and research and development funding opportunities to support innovative nuclear technologies.
Stakeholder Engagement and Risk Management
Supporting community outreach, government relations and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate project acceptance and successful deployment.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Representing clients in regulatory challenges, contract disputes and compliance enforcement actions related to small-scale nuclear operations.
With deep knowledge of the evolving nuclear landscape, including SMRs and emerging reactor designs, we are dedicated to helping clients bring safe, reliable and scalable nuclear solutions to market. Our team’s experience ensures projects navigate regulatory complexities while advancing low-carbon energy goals.
For More Information
For additional information, please contact Brad Thompson, Justin A. Santarosa, Alexander W. Judd or any of the group members referenced in the Attorney Listing.