Turning a renewable energy opportunity into a functioning reality.
Renewable energy projects require more than a single type of legal experience; they bring together land, mineral rights, permitting, regulation, financing, construction and power delivery. We help developers, project owners, financial institutions and equity participants move wind, solar, battery storage, thermal and transmission projects forward in the west and southwest regions.
We are deeply connected and have a clear understanding of the local political landscape, agencies, tribal jurisdictions and business relationships that can shape a project, allowing us to identify local and state-specific issues early and develop practical paths forward. Backed by the resources of a full-service, diversified firm, we can address virtually every legal component of a project from its earliest concept phase through acquisition, financing, construction, operation, and ultimately decommissioning.
It all starts with the land
Every renewable energy project begins with control of the site, but the work quickly extends below the surface and across the grid. We help clients secure the land, evaluate mineral and tribal interests and put the legal and regulatory framework in place to move power from point A to point B.
Our work includes:
- Land and site control: Project siting, leases, easements, title matters, mineral rights and development on tribal lands.
- Development and construction: Permitting and development for wind, solar, battery storage, thermal, hydroelectric, biofuel and biomass projects, as well as construction plans and agreements.
- Transactions and finance: Acquisitions, project due diligence, corporate structuring, project financing, debt and equity arrangements, tax planning, grants and economic incentives.
- Power delivery and regulation: Power purchase agreements, transmission lines, Oklahoma Corporation Commission proceedings, smart and micro-grid technology, demand response, energy storage, CFTC-regulated commodities trading and federal, state, local and tribal compliance.
Protecting the value behind every project and investment
We represent U.S. and international developers, project owners, financial institutions, equity investors and other business participants throughout the renewable energy transaction and development chain. Clients engage us at every stage of development and operation: when a project is still a concept, when a buyer is evaluating an undeveloped or partially developed asset, when an equity participant needs diligence assessments or when an established project requires Oklahoma-specific financing, regulatory or real estate counsel. No matter the size or scope of a given project, we focus on the legal issues that can affect feasibility, timing and long-term value.
Delivering the depth that drives results
Our lawyers have worked in Oklahoma’s renewable energy sector since its early development and have been involved in a substantial majority of the state’s wind energy projects since 2002. That history gives us a nuanced understanding of Oklahoma’s political and regulatory realities, mineral estate issues, local communities, tribal jurisdictions and the relationships that are critical to doing business here. Just as important, our renewable energy team can draw on lawyers across real estate, oil and gas, environmental, permitting, corporate, tax, finance, construction, government relations and litigation to provide coordinated, full-service support, including candid advice when the facts suggest a project should move forward, or not.