Cleantech

With more than 850 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia, Perkins Coie represents a variety of Clean Technology companies ranging in size from formation-stage startups to Fortune 50 companies. We work with experienced venture capital and private equity funds, government institutions, the Department of Energy, research institutions, service providers and other key participants in the Cleantech industry. 

We advise our Cleantech clients on numerous key issues including start-up formation, founders issues and raising capital. Our Intellectual Property attorneys help our Cleantech clients patent and protect their intellectual property. In addition to providing start-up, corporate and intellectual property counsel, we advise Cleantech clients on labor and human relations matters. Our Environment and Energy attorneys counsel public and private clients who are advancing scientific and technological responses to climate change. Our Energy Regulation and Policy attorneys help clients site and operate manufacturing plants as well as market and execute strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Working across multiple practice groups, we counsel Cleantech clients on a variety of issues involving key sectors of Cleantech, including energy efficiency, renewables, alternative energy, transportation and water.

Energy Efficiency

Our Cleantech clients have developed energy-efficient technologies for buildings, homes, transportation and power systems that reduce energy consumption, help to control global emissions of greenhouse gases, and otherwise reduce carbon footprints. The federal Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) seeks to "strengthen America's energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that: enhance energy efficiency and productivity, bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans." Perkins Coie attorneys share this goal and support our clients in the developing, selling or buying of energy-conserving and energy-efficient products and technologies. As we are fluent with government policies in energy efficiency, such as California's 2020 and 2030 zero net energy initiatives, we are able to provide detailed and forward-thinking counsel to clients to help strengthen and protect their companies and technologies. Our attorneys are experienced with working on matters involving carbon markets and carbon regulation, green building, energy-efficient transportation technologies and clean air and water technologies.

Renewables/Alternative Energy

Our Cleantech clients develop technological advancements that use alternative energy to replace traditional fossil fuels, including wind power and wind generation, solar power and solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass conversion, biothermal energy, recovered energy and clean conventional energy generation. We work with local, state and federal regulatory agencies to ensure these technologies are environmentally sound and help our clients obtain federal and state grants, cooperative agreements and loan guarantees for renewable energy projects. We secure siting and permitting for Cleantech energy facilities and work with publicly traded, investor-owned and independent renewable energy power producers generating and trading renewable energy, carbon offsets and renewable energy credits from biomass conversion, biofuels, geothermal, hydropower, recovered energy, solar power, water power and wind.

Transportation

The Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program focuses on developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that reduce America's petroleum dependence. Perkins Coie attorneys provide the Cleantech transportation industry with legal counsel in a number of areas including hybrid and vehicle systems, vehicle energy storage, vehicle charging stations, advanced combustion engines, fuels and lubricants and more. Perkins Coie attorneys have always represented leaders in the transportation industry, beginning with The Boeing Company, the firm's first client and one of its biggest current clients. As transportation technology evolves, Perkins Coie continues to represent industry leaders and innovators. We counsel companies that develop, build and market the next generation of highly efficient aircraft and ground vehicles, and work with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists involved in the latest clean transportation technologies.

Water

Global warming, climate change, droughts and population growth all contribute to water shortages in numerous areas across the United States and the globe. To solve these water problems, researchers and developers are exploring clean energy devices and clean methods for the purpose of improving water storage, increasing water supply and conservation, and promoting desalination and water reuse. Perkins Coie attorneys work with investors and researchers that are looking to invest in and revolutionize these clean/green water technologies and processes. Our attorneys represent and counsel water organizations, private companies, venture capitalists, industry groups, and real estate developers to ensure that the use of clean/green technology maximizes water use, sustains anticipated growth, protects existing investments and fits within local, state and federal regulations regarding water use and water quality. We also assist governments in developing legislation to encourage clean technology and clean methods for water use, including the use of rain collection devices with impervious surfaces and minimizing evaporative losses from water reservoirs open to the atmosphere. We also counsel governments and municipalities regarding clean methods for water development and management, including non-injurious inter-basin transfers of water, reuse of gray water for irrigation and industrial use, and underground storage of storm and gray water for subsequent reuse.  

Materials

Innovative and green or eco-friendly materials for construction and energy products continue to grow in popularity as we strive to have a less harmful impact on the environment in the places where we live and work. Perkins Coie has been involved with several of the leading research institutions, companies and entrepreneurs seeking to establish new materials that are compatible with the environment. Our expertise in helping establish collaborations between our clients, university research institutions and government-sponsored research institutions, has helped bring innovative materials to market. Our IP team is responsible for dozens of patents protecting these unique and innovative substances, and our business transaction experts have established strategic partnerships for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of an array of clean materials.

Perkins Coie attorneys have a long-standing commitment to meeting today's needs without compromising future generations. We are proud to continue this commitment by representing and counseling Cleantech industry leaders and innovators. All the resources and experience of our firm are at the disposal of our clients, and we know how to bring those resources to bear in a practical and efficient manner to achieve solutions.