On February 29, 2024, the federal District Court for the District of New Jersey dismissed a challenge to eleven incidental take authorizations (ITAs) issued for offshore wind projects off the coasts of New York and New Jersey...more
A global leader in offshore wind power capacity, the UK has seen rapid expansion in the sector. Government policy and strong investor interest have resulted in robust growth in the development of offshore wind farms in the...more
With no offshore precedents, project proponents may find complexity, inconsistency and opportunity. In Latin America, Mexico has been a leader in the development of onshore wind energy plants. However, no offshore projects...more
Despite strong government support and growing capacity, a lengthy approval process may slow progress. In November 2018, the National Diet of Japan enacted the Act of Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas in Development of Power...more
A complex and sophisticated planning and approval process does not prevent opponents from raising environmental challenges—even after project approvals are awarded. The German federal government plans to further expand...more
Offshore wind projects face challenges that are not addressed by the regulatory system established for onshore projects. The Australian government's mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) supports investment in renewable...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Tesla acquires sister firm SolarCity for $2.6 billion - VentureBeat - Aug 1 - SolarCity Corp agreed to be acquired by sister company Tesla Motors Inc. in a deal worth $200 million...more
On June 7, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected plaintiffs’ claim, among others, that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) by granting a...more
The first criminal case ever prosecuted under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) against a wind energy company for bird deaths resulted recently in Duke Energy Renewables (Duke Energy) reaching a settlement with the U.S....more
Renewable Energy Focus - Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress: GreenTech Policy News - May 13 A House of Representatives subcommittee hearing produced insights into how safe renewables are for the U.S....more
The new Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (“FWS”) presents an interesting question for wind project developers and operators – does it really provide greater certainty and reduce...more
In This Issue: Renewable Energy Focus - All energy, including renewables, impact water resources; 7 projects looking to use big data to cut the cost of solar power; Cape Wind might land federal loan; Ralls sues to void...more