Energy

Verrill Dana recognizes that Energy projects face complex challenges requiring both precision and scope.  To provide our clients with the required combination of breadth and depth of expertise, Verrill Dana's Energy Group consists of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. 

Verrill Dana is the preeminent law firm for wind energy development in Maine. The Energy Law Group of Verrill Dana and its affiliate, Maine Street Solutions, bring together a broad range of expertise to meet the challenges and needs of today’s energy clients.  From environmental permitting, to public utility regulation, to Wind Energy Law, to right-of-way acquisition, to government relations, the Energy Group is able to assist energy clients every step of the way to bring their projects through to completion.

In the last few years, the Energy Group has successfully represented energy companies in the development and permitting in Maine of more than 367 megawatts of wind power, more than 200 miles of new interstate natural gas transmission pipeline, and more than 100 miles of new high voltage electric transmission lines. 

We have served as counsel in dozens of substantial Energy transactions ranging from sales of generation facilities, to mergers and acquisitions of energy companies, to electricity purchases and sales.  We regularly represent both generators and transmission providers before FERC and the Maine PUC in rate cases, certificate proceedings and consumer complaint cases, and before the Maine DEP and LURC in seeking siting approval.

The Energy Group works closely with its colleagues at Maine Street Solutions to provide public affairs and government relations support for our Energy Law clients.  Because of our depth of experience across a wide range of specialized areas -- including regulatory, environmental, real estate, finance, corporate and government relations, the Energy Group is able to coordinate and implement the full range of services required to represent Energy suppliers in today’s evolving energy markets.

Some of our recent projects include representation of:

• A European utility in its acquisition of a U.S. electric utility.
• The developer of a 132 MW wind energy project in Franklin County, Maine.
• A Canadian transmission company in a dispute before FERC over the transfer of electricity accross the international boundary. 
• A consortium of Energy companies in the permitting, construction and operation of 200 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline and five associated compressor stations across Maine.
• The developer of a 57 MW Wind Energy power project in Washington County, Maine.
• The developer of a landfill gas to Energy project in Norridgewock, Maine.
• Owner of downstream hydro-electric facilities in a FERC proceeding where an upstream hydro owner claimed compensation for headwater benefits.
• The developer of an 85 mile 345 kV transmission line in the permitting, construction and operation of an international transmission line from New Brunswick to Orrington, Maine.
• A task force of Maine utilities working with Maine Department of Transportation on facility location issues.
• A Maine electric utility before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court defending the PUC’s decision to authorize the creation of an unregulated marketing affiliate.
• A regional Energy company in its successful acquisition of a Maine electric utility.
• A Maine electric utility against charges it violated the Maine PUC’s Standards of Conduct in its dealings with its unregulated marketing affiliate.  
• 11 New England electric utilities in a dispute with the lead owner of a jointly owned generating unit.

The following is a list of representative clients served by the Group:

• Bangor Hydro-Electric Company
• DTE Energy
• Emera Energy Services, Inc.
• First Wind
• International Woodfuels, LLC
• Madison Electric Works
• Maine Power Options
• Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC
• New Brunswick Power Transmission Corporation
• New Brunswick System Operator
• New England Power Company
• Northern Utilities, Inc.
• TransCanada
• Waste Management

Verrill Dana publishes a newsletter highlighting recent regulatory developments affecting the Energy industry.  To view the most recent copies of the newsletter, please click onto "Publications" on the Verrill Dana website. You may subscribe to this free newsletter, by contacting us at info@verrilldana.com.

For more information about Verrill Dana's affiliate, Maine Street Solutions, contact Mike Saxl, or visit their website at www.mainestreetsolutions.com.

For more information about Verrill Dana's Energy Group, contact Group Chairs Juliet Browne or Bill Harwood.