Resilient Energy Infrastructure in Data Center Projects: Legal Considerations
Technologies, Regulations, Reporting Requirements, and Risks
A live 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE course will examine the legal and regulatory challenges of ensuring energy resilience in data centers, where energy usage is growing exponentially. Critical infrastructure strained by AI power demand, grid instability, and climate-driven outages leads to power interruption, compliance failure, and community opposition.
Outline
- Introduction to data center energy resilience and risks
- Resilience technologies and energy solutions
- Diesel/natural gas backup generators
- Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Participation in utility programs (VPPs, demand response)
- On-site renewables
- Microgrids
- Permitting requirements
- Emissions permitting (EPA Title V, state environmental permits/regs)
- Technology standards and testing: NFPA, NEC, etc.
- Siting/zoning/code/safety considerations
- Distributed generation rules and regulations
- FERC and state PUC rules
- Interconnection, grid ties, islanding
- ESG and reporting
- Sustainability implications of backup energy
- Offsetting strategies and greenwashing risks
- SEC and other disclosures
- Risk management and litigation
- Community opposition, NIMBY suits
- Permit noncompliance enforcement
- Insurance and indemnity
Benefits
The panel will review these and other important issues:
- The legal risks and technologies of backup power systems and grid connection
- Navigating permitting obligations, ESG implications, and disclosure requirements
- Thinking through insurance gaps, greenwashing risks, and offsetting strategies
- Preparing for enforcement actions, litigation, and community opposition
Faculty
Christine Soares
Shareholder
Polsinelli
Ms. Soares is an experienced energy attorney with a deep knowledge of the utility rate-making and regulatory... | Read More
Ms. Soares is an experienced energy attorney with a deep knowledge of the utility rate-making and regulatory process and a documented track record of navigating complex commercial transactions for her clients. She has a nationally focused energy practice representing clients on complex energy transactions. Ms. Soares practice includes advising clients on all aspects of energy transactions, including the negotiation of power purchase agreements, the sale and monetization of environmental attributes, such as renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offsets, and special contract power procurement on behalf of large end-use consumers. In addition to her transactional practice, she represents clients before state public utility commissions across the country in matters related to energy procurement, utility interconnection, base rate case and acquisition proceedings. Ms. Soares has more than a decade of experience navigating regulatory approval processes and advocating for favorable outcomes in proceedings involving tariffs, special contract approvals, rulemaking proceedings and renewable energy programs.
CloseEarly Discount (through 08/22/25)
Cannot Attend September 11?
Early Discount (through 08/22/25)
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.
