Experience
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.
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.
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.
