Industry Overview
The energy industry is seeing some of the fastest-changing technology and regulatory developments of any business sector. New methodologies are changing how power is generated and new laws, like the 2018 tax cuts, are changing how utility companies think about their businesses. Global investments and installations involving solar and wind power continue to reshape the sector as the demands of customers and investors evolve to reflect new priorities. Within the industry, the current political climate is prompting renewed examination of opportunities that will require expertise in intersecting legal areas such as: regulatory law, energy law, and environmental law.
Our Approach
Our clients are established and emerging utility, cleantech, and alternative/renewable energy companies, including a conception-through-completion engagement for the Atlantic coast’s first offshore wind farm installation. We provide representation in rate proceedings, mergers, regulatory investigations, permitting and approval, generic dockets, and renewable energy proceedings. Our team has demonstrated success in “bet-the-company” cases within the industry, encompassing litigation and appellate skills. We help with energy-related construction projects, including permitting, documentation, and post-construction disputes. We have also represented a number of clients that are subject to utility regulatory requirements to ensure that their contracts and projects account for and meet those requirements.
Newsroom
Benefits of Revised Federal Offshore Wind Rule Analyzed: Advocates Say Changes Should Help Industry Build Momentum in United States
May 21, 2024Partner and Environmental and Energy group Co-Chair Robin L. Main was recently featured in a RTO Insider article about the modernized federal regulations for offshore wind energy development. As the attorney for many of the approved offshore wind projects, she shared her perspectives on the regulations that will take effect July 15, and the impact of the changes in the industry.
Every Business Should Pay Attention to Climate-Related Disclosure Rules: Here’s Why
May 20, 2024On March 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released final rules regarding the Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors (the Final Rules). We provided an overview of the Final Rules here. The Final Rules mark the third major climate-related disclosure regime enacted in the past two years: The European Union finalized its Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in early 2023, and California enacted a series of climate-related disclosure laws in late 2023.
Streamlining Clean Energy Project Development in Massachusetts: A Call for Reform
April 3, 2024In a significant move towards encouraging and strengthening clean energy initiatives, on March 29, 2024, the Massachusetts Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting (the “Commission”) published a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at reforming the siting and permitting process for clean energy infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Recommendations”). These proposed recommendations come in light of the Commonwealth’s ambitious emissions limits and the increasing demand for electricity. The Recommendations address and seek to resolv…
4 Takeaways from the 2024 Offshore Wind Conference
March 26, 2024The Environmental Business Council recently hosted its 11th Annual Offshore Wind Conference, where clean energy leaders including developers, consultants, and permitting attorneys from around the Northeast convened to celebrate the accomplishments of offshore wind, learn from recent projects, and discuss the challenges and changes facing the industry. Our attorneys attended the event and share the key takeaways here. Takeaway No.
Overcoming Zoning Hurdles for Renewable, Clean Energy
June 4, 2026Hinckley Allen represented a commercial-scale solar energy provider as it sought to build a solar farm in Rhode Island. Town regulations required the energy provider to obtain a zoning special use permit. Hinckley Allen helped the client manage the zoning process to insure compliance and navigate the concerns of an involved public.
A Wrongful Termination – Power Plant Contract Cut Short is Made Right
June 4, 2026After three years of litigation, global energy leader and Hinckley Allen client Iberdrola Energy Projects, Inc. ("IEP") won an international arbitration against Footprint Power Salem Harbor Development, LP ("Footprint") with an award of $237 million, including recovery of all of IEP’s attorney’s fees and costs. The dispute arose out of the construction of a 674 MW combined cycle power plant known as the Salem Harbor Energy Center project located in Salem, Massachusetts.
A Conversation with Robin L. Main: How She Built Her Career From the Ocean Floor Up
December 7, 2021Robin L. Main, Partner and Co-Chair, Environmental and Energy Law Groups, has dedicated much of her career to environmental law. Using her 30 plus years of experience, Main continues to deliver consistent results for her clients.
Hinckley Allen Helps Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities Uphold Largest Purchase Power Agreements for Renewable Energy in the History of the Commonwealth
June 4, 2026The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approving power purchase agreements (PPAs) for hydroelectric energy that the Commonwealth’s three largest utilities had awarded to Hydro-Québec under the Massachusetts Green Communities Act. The energy to be delivered under these PPAs will supply nearly 20 percent of the electricity consumed in Massachusetts. This decision represents one of the final approvals needed to complete the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line to allow New England to tap into significant additio…
Hinckley Allen Helps Deepwater Wind Develop, Finance, and Construct the Country's First Offshore Wind Farm
June 4, 2026Deepwater 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.
