In law school, many students share disdain for the commonly dreaded class which teaches the rules of civil procedure. It comes early in law school – year one. This topic has the fantastic yet terrifying goals of teaching a student how to interpret the law. Also, how to read rules precisely, and how to speak what seems like a foreign…
There are various programs available to electricity consumers in Rhode Island that provide incentives and cost savings. These programs have value to people and businesses who otherwise would not have access to renewable energy because of property constraints. As an energy lawyer, I am familiar with the state-created opportunities for both small-scale and larger solar programs and the assistance to…
Receiving a Notice of Violation or other formal enforcement action from a state agency is not fun. In fact, clients are never happy about it. Environmental law violations can be serious, depending on a few different factors. Bottom line, though? If you receive a notice from the government and it contains a penalty assessment, you should be proactive in your…
The firm has been blogging frequently about renewable energy statutes and regulations lately. This is because renewable energy is a fast-moving and cutting edge area of law. Solar panel laws are no exception. Solar farm projects are popping up in the more rural areas of the state. Rural areas generally have more square footage, which is required for a solar…
Industrial, commercial, and residential property are all subject to various types of regulation. The regulations can be federal, state, or municipal in nature. Environmental land use is a subject covered by all three of these types of regulations. A good example is the federal Land Policy and Management Act (“FLPMA”), which was passed in 1976. The Bureau of Land Management…
There are several different types of land uses. Land use attorneys are familiar with these different types and the zoning codes that go hand in hand. Municipal planners are tasked with managing land uses through the issuance of development approvals. Municipal boards are familiar with land uses, as they have to make decisions on land use permits and approvals. Commercial…
By now, you may have heard of an area of power production known as renewable energy law. This area of law covers both state and federal legislation meant to require a minimum amount of power generation from sources other than fossil fuels. This article will cover a few of these statutes enacted in Rhode Island recently. Renewable Energy Standard In…
FERC What is FERC? We are talking about government in this post, so FERC is an acronym for a federal government entity known as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”). This entity was formed in 1977 to protect the interests of public and energy customers in the United States. FERC is an independent agency and falls under the…
Renewable energy resources and projects are a very hot topic in Rhode Island. Between solar farms and offshore wind farms, stakeholders face a daunting review process. A public utility law project is one that requires approvals and regulatory compliance at both the state and municipal level, and sometimes federal too. When an activity is designated by the state legislature for…
Litigators appear in civil court to represent their clients in a civil matter. An individual can also represent themselves in this venue, but an attorney must represent any corporate entity. Groups of individuals can also comprise a plaintiff or defendant, too. Pleadings and Discovery If an attorney files a complaint on behalf of her plaintiff client, the defendant or his…