My partner Eric Grasberger and I were recently interviewed for an article in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin (October 2009) entitled "Advancing the New Economy: Oregon Lawyers Embrace Sustainability," by Barry Woods. The article, which we’ve summarized here, provides an interesting take on how lawyers at Stoel Rives and other law firms are integrating
November 17: Energy, Economics and Environment (E3) Conference
The University of Minnesota’s annual conference on Energy, Economics and the Environment – E3 – will be held in St. Paul on November 17. Hosted annually by the University of Minnesota’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE), this year’s conference will explore current technologies, environmental benefits and market opportunities in renewable energy.
Stoel
Show me the Money: Washington State Issues Final Guidance for Competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $3.2 billion for energy efficiency and conservation block grants. Most of this money has been allocated directly to various local governments. Washington has an additional $6.4 million available through a competitive grant program.
Washington’s competitive grant program is administered through its Department of Commerce. Today, the Department of Commerce has announced
Show me the Money: DOE Proposes Amendments to its Loan Guarantee Program
Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 609, the rule regulating the loan guarantee program authorized by section 1703 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The two principal goals of section 1703 of Title XVII are to encourage commercial use of new or significantly improved energy-related technologies and to achieve substantial environmental benefits. (See these recent alerts regarding the DOE loan guarantee program and the related application process)
After reexamining Title XVII, the DOE has concluded that the statute does not require a first lien on all project assets. DOE has discovered that its current requirement that it be in lien position is in conflict with the financing structure of many energy projects. For example, many utility scale power plants are jointly owned by public power agencies, cooperative power systems and investor-owned utilities. In these cases, it may not be commercially feasible to obtain a lien on all project assets or the credit of a sponsor may be sufficient to support a more modest pledge of assets.
Furthermore, DOE has found that other parties are interested in participating as co-lenders, co-guarantors, or insurers of Title XVII loans. However, these other parties expect to share, on a pari passu basis, in any collateral securing such loans.
Consequently, DOE proposes two amendments to the current rules:
- Delete the requirement of a first priority lien on all project assets and leave to the Secretary (of DOE) the determination of an appropriate collateral package, as well as intercreditor arrangements; and
- Allow the Secretary (of DOE) to determine if pari passu lending is in the best interests of the United States
Continue Reading Show me the Money: DOE Proposes Amendments to its Loan Guarantee Program
Six Years, Not Ten–New Time Limits Govern Certain Claims against Designers, Consultants and Contractors
Owners and developers of commercial buildings in Oregon, "green" or otherwise, should be aware that, effective January 1, 2010, the Oregon Legislative Assembly has reduced the time period within which to assert claims against those who performed design, planning, surveying, architecture, engineering, construction, repair, or construction supervision or inspection of or for the building, from
Show me the Money: Applications Available for the Washington State Energy Program
Washington previously received $60.9 million in Recovery Act funding for its State Energy Program (“SEP”). The Washington Legislature later provided $38.5 million to the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development (“CTED”) agency to administer a loan and grant program for eligible projects in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean energy innovation (see
Show me the Money: Up to $31 Million for the Building America Partnerhsip
On June 29, 2009 the Department of Energy ("DO") issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement to provide up to $31 million in grants to implement the Building America ("BA") program. The BA program is part of DOE’s Building Technologies Program, and its long-term goal is to develop cost-effective, production-ready systems in five major climate zones that will result
Show me the Money: Applications Available now for Washington’s State Energy Program
On July 1, 2009, Washington State’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (“CTED”) issued application guidelines and forms for its State Energy Program (“SEP”) (available by clicking here). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”) provided $60.9 million in new funding for Washington’s SEP. Subsequently, the Washington Legislature allocated $38.5 million to CTED to administer a loan and grant program for energy efficiency and renewable energy program (see our client alert, available here, regarding the legislative action). Continue Reading Show me the Money: Applications Available now for Washington’s State Energy Program
Show me the Money: $7.5 Million Available to Develop Commercial Energy Efficiency Training Programs
On June 26, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") released a funding opportunity announcement ("FOA") to deploy $7.5 million in Recovery Act funds to further its goals of reducing energy consumption and achieving net zero-energy buildings (defined as buildings that produce as much energy as they consume). In order to reach these goals, DOE recognizes that a
Stoel Rives Expands Its San Diego Office
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We welcome energy attorneys Morten Lund and David Quinby to the firm’s San Diego office as members of the Energy and Telecommunications group. They join attorneys Howard Susman and Brian Nese. The San Diego office has relocated to a larger space at 12265 El Camino Real, Suite 303, to accommodate further expansion (new |