Environmental Issues in Solar Energy Projects
Pre-Project Environmental Due Diligence, Environmental Impact Review, Federal Permitting Requirements
A live 90-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE course will provide an overview of the environmental laws and regulations governing the development of solar power projects, from small rooftop installations sited on existing buildings to utility-scale solar farms. The panel will discuss pre-project environmental due diligence, compliance with federal and state environmental impact review requirements, and compliance with federal permitting and review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), among others.
Outline
- Environmental issues and solar power
- Small-scale residential and commercial installations
- Pre-application project planning and environmental due diligence
- Environmental impact issues under federal and state law
- Utility-scale solar power project siting
- Pre-application project planning and environmental due diligence
- Environmental impact review under federal and state law
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are the environmental laws and regulations governing the development of solar power projects?
- What are best practices for pre-project environmental due diligence?
- How does one comply with federal and state environmental impact review requirements?
- What are the best practices for project siting?
- Under local and state siting laws, what are standard environmental and other permitting requirements?
- How do NEPA, FLPMA, CWA, ESA, NHPA, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act interact and intersect?
Faculty

Daniel A. Spitzer
Partner
Hodgson Russ
Mr. Spitzer concentrates his practice on issues involving environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable development,... | Read More
Mr. Spitzer concentrates his practice on issues involving environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable development, land use law, municipal law, and real estate development. His practice involves numerous renewable energy projects, including representing municipalities, developers, land owners, and financing entities. His work, from project inception through successful litigation, includes some of the largest wind farms in the eastern U.S.; multiple utility and small-scale solar projects; and landfill, gas-to-energy, biomass, storage, transmission, and energy efficiency projects. A primary part of Mr. Sptizer’s work focuses on National Environmental Policy Act and State Environmental Quality Review Act review, and compliance with federal and state environmental statutes. His work includes environmental assessments for large-scale telecommunications projects, infrastructure projects and power generation projects. He counsels agencies and private clients on compliance with historic preservation laws, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other federal environmental statutes and regulations. His projects include coordinating responses among federal and state agencies as part of federal and state environmental assessments.
Close
Jill E.C. Yung
Partner
Paul Hastings
Ms. Yung represents utility-scale solar developers, brownfields developers, hazardous waste handlers, recycling... | Read More
Ms. Yung represents utility-scale solar developers, brownfields developers, hazardous waste handlers, recycling facilities, and manufacturers in a variety of industries on a wide range of complex counseling, compliance, and litigation matters involving environmental, renewable energy, and natural resource issues. In particular, she provides counsel on regulatory compliance issues under various federal and state statutes including, but not limited to, CERCLA, RCRA, FIFRA, CWA, ESA, NHPA, NEPA and CEQA.
CloseEarly Discount (through 06/17/22)
Cannot Attend July 12?
Early Discount (through 06/17/22)
You may pre-order a recording to listen at your convenience. Recordings are available 48 hours after the webinar. Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.