Areas of Practice

Renewable Energy

Increased power production costs related to tougher regulatory mandates imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, public demand for greater energy independence, and a growing concern over the impact of fossil fuels on the environment have sharply increased the focus on renewable and alternative energy sources in recent years. In 2006, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) rules which are codified at A.A.C. R14-2-1801 et seq. The REST rules require that each regulated electric utility generate 15% of its energy from renewable resources by the year 2025. Of a utility's renewable portfolio, 30% must come from distributed generation (i.e., power generation at the point of consumption). The REST rules encourage utilities to use solar, wind, biomass, biogas, geothermal and similar technologies to generate clean energy. Each year, Arizona's electric utilities are required to file annual implementation plans and budgets describing how they will comply with the REST rules.

Jeff Crockett has experience representing electric utilities and independent power producers in developing renewable energy portfolios which comply with Arizona's REST rules. He advises clients on a broad range of matters including:

• Negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements and Offtake Agreements
• Compliance with the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff
• Resource Planning and Procurement
• Net Metering
• Energy Efficiency
• Rate Cases
• Financing Approvals
• Power Plant Siting
• Transmission Line Siting
• Production Tax Credit and Other Economic Incentives
• Project Due Diligence
• Water Supply
• Water Rights
• Asset Sales and Transfers
• Rights-of-Way and Easements
• Public Private Partnerships