Experience
Longroad Energy
Verrill represents Longroad Energy (“Longroad”) on its renewable energy work in Maine. Longroad is a Boston, MA-headquartered renewable energy company that develops and operates wind and solar energy projects throughout North America. Verrill has represented Longroad and its related predecessors in the development, permitting and construction of more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy in Maine. Verrill currently represents Longroad on the development and permitting of a significant number of grid-scale solar energy projects in Maine. Verrill represented Longroad on the successful development and permitting of the Weaver Wind project in Maine, which includes more than 5,000 acres of mitigation land to provide habitat for migratory songbirds.
Swift Current Energy
Verrill represents the 100-megawatt Three Rivers Solar Project in Hancock County, Maine. Verrill assists the project with real estate and environmental permitting work, including negotiation of a protocol to allow the project to proceed while minimizing potential impacts to upland sandpipers, a state-listed threatened species. The project obtained its combined Site Law and Natural Resources Protection Act permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in July 2020. Three Rivers Solar will become the largest solar project in the state, twice the size of the next largest facility (the 50 MW Sanford Airport Solar project). The project will consist of approximately 300,000 to 400,000 solar panels on 465 acres in the unorganized area of the state.
Defending Constitutionality of the Wind Energy Act
Verrill successfully defended permits in which the constitutionality of the Wind Energy Act was challenged as well as numerous decisions involving the interpretation and application of sound and scenic standards that govern wind energy developments.
Weaver Wind Project Development
Verrill represented Longroad Energy on development of the Weaver wind project in Maine. Longroad Energy is a Boston, MA-headquartered renewable energy developer focused on the development and operation of wind and solar energy projects throughout North America. The Weaver project is a grid-scale wind energy project located in Hancock, County, Maine. Verrill worked successfully with applicant to obtain State and local approval of the project, including development of a mitigation proposal to address concerns expressed by the state wildlife agency on potential avian impacts. The state permit was issued in May, 2019, and Verrill is currently working with the company on financing and construction of the project. Verrill also advises Longroad Energy on solar development projects in Maine.
Interstate Pipeline
Secured state and federal environmental approvals for Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC, to construct more than 200 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline facilities connecting New Brunswick to Massachusetts, as well as a subsequent expansion of those facilities.
New Transmission Line
We represented a wind developer in obtaining the environmental and land use permits for a 15-mile 115 kV transmission line connecting the Northern Maine transmission system to ISO-New England.
New Transmission Line
Represented a wind developer on the environmental and land use permits for a 15-mile, 115 kV transmission line connecting the Northern Maine transmission system to ISO-New England.
Permitting
Served as counsel to Novatus Energy LLC on several wind power projects it owns and operates in Maine, including the Bingham Wind Project, which at 186 MW is the largest wind power project in New England. Worked on financings, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement for the Maine projects.
Power Purchase Agreement Approvals
Represented a New York wind developer in proceedings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island to obtain regulatory approval of power purchase agreements with utilities in those three states pursuant to their tristate clean energy RFP.
Sale of Wind Projects
Served as outside environmental counsel to SunEdison in connection with wind power projects in Maine. Following SunEdison's voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, Verrill provided advice and support in connection with disposition of certain Maine wind power assets.
Aquaculture
Verrill represents both growers and coastal landowners regarding leasing and licensing of aquaculture enterprises.
Enforcement
Verrill has negotiated and litigated with federal, state, and local entities to resolve violations related to coastal development, including homes, docks, seawalls, shoreland clearing, and commercial fishing operations. We have also negotiated beach management agreements to balance coastal property rights with protection of federal and state endangered species.
Piers, Seawalls and Sand dunes
We have assisted clients in obtaining federal, state, and local regulatory approvals for seawalls, piers, boat ramps, other water-dependent structures, and dune nourishment projects up and down the coast of Maine.
Shoreland Zone Development and Land Use
Verrill represents landowners and developers in siting structures in the shoreland zone and ensuring compliance with the restrictions that govern shoreland zone clearing and development. We have worked with numerous landowners to resolve enforcement matters related to tree clearing and placement of structures on oceanfront and lakefront properties. We have worked on behalf of developers to get towns to amend their shoreland zoning ordinances to allow development proceed around otherwise prohibitive wetlands.
Bingham Wind Project
Verrill's environmental team successfully permitted the Bingham Wind project, which at 185 MW is the largest wind power project in New England. The project includes fifty-six 3.3 MW Vestas turbines, a transmission line, an O&M building, meteorological towers, and access roads and crane paths, which collectively required permits from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the towns of Bingham, Parkman and Abbott. Verrill continues to work with the project owner to ensure the long-term success of the project.
Champion of Wind Energy Projects
Verrill successfully permitted eleven wind power projects in Maine with an installed capacity of more than 1,000 MW. The team shepherded projects through the Land Use Regulation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, and multiple towns where project elements are located.
In the Bingham Wind project, Verrill permitted a 17 mile generator lead line that traversed organized and unorganized jurisdiction in Maine. The permits included a federal Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Site Law and NRPA permits, as well as several local permits.
In the Saddleback Ridge Wind project, Verrill assisted Patriot Renewables in permitting 9.5 miles of generator lead in the towns of Carthage, Dixfield and Canton, Maine. The permits included a federal Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Site Location and NRPA permits, utility location permits from the Maine DOT and the Town of Carthage, and a building permit from the Town of Dixfield.
