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Case Studies

Hinckley Allen Helps Deepwater Wind Develop, Finance, and Construct the Country’s First Offshore Wind Farm

Deepwater Wind’s project faced regulatory, environmental, construction, real estate, tax and business issues throughout the implementation of an ambitious vision. Hinckley Allen’s multidisciplinary team of seasoned lawyers helped them clear each hurdle by providing sound legal advice and good strategic judgment. After years of review by over 20 local, state and federal agencies, Deepwater Wind attained all of the required permits and approvals to begin installation of the country’s first offshore wind farm in the United States. Along the way, Hinckley Allen helped turn back multiple challenges before trial courts and appellate courts.

“The most critical legal matters that we face tend to be very complicated, cutting-edge regulatory issues,” said Deepwater Wind former CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. “Over the years, we’ve called on Hinckley Allen to help in virtually all of these areas. Very few of our legal issues are narrow in focus; most are broad strategic issues that are at the core of our business. We’ve come to rely on Hinckley Allen for that type of advice.”

“This is a trailblazing project, and we have been a close partner of Deepwater Wind since its inception,” said Jerry Petros, who leads Hinckley Allen’s energy practice and whose team has spent seven years working with the Providence-based developer on a novel array of legal, regulatory and business matters. “The breadth of the project required a multidisciplinary approach. Our expertise in energy, regulatory and litigation matters and our ability to reach across practice areas and find practical solutions to challenging issues contributed to our success with Deepwater Wind.”

The 30-megawatt offshore wind farm includes five wind turbines located in Rhode Island state waters, approximately three miles south of Block Island.

Learn more about our collaboration with Deepwater Wind.