ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & ENERGY

Michigan Environmental Law Attorneys

The environmental lawyers at Smith Bovill are actively engaged in representing a wide variety of clients in environmental law and regulation. Our firm advises clients with respect to environmental requirements, business transactions and permitting. In its practice, the firm has endeavored to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions to clients’ problems. We handle the environmental law needs of business, governmental and municipal clients throughout Mid-Michigan, The Thumb, and the Great Lakes Bay Area in a wide variety of areas. We represent clients throughout Saginaw, Frankenmuth, Bay City, Midland, Flint, Mount Pleasant, Cheboygan, West Branch, Gaylord, Grayling, and the counties of Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Huron, Isabella, Lapeer, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee and Tuscola.

Smith Bovill was one of the first law firms in Mid-Michigan to develop an environmental law practice. This practice specialty has continued to develop and presently includes the following areas:

• Brownfields Development:  The firm represents developers in the purchase and redevelopment of Brownfields properties.
• Underground and above-ground storage tank regulation: Smith Bovill is experienced in all aspects of underground and above ground storage tank regulation.
• Wetlands regulation: The firm advises clients on projects including wetlands, inland lakes and streams and other land use development regulations.
• Lending, Security Interests and Foreclosure: Smith Bovill advises clients with respect to the avoidance of environmental liability in connection with the lending of money and the taking of real or personal property as security.
• Land and Business Acquisitions: Smith Bovill regularly represents clients in the purchase, sale and development of real estate, which has potential environmental issues.

Energy

Smith Bovill has expanded its services in the Energy area in order to meet the needs of its diverse client base. In addition to oil and gas exploration, Mid- and Northern Michigan, including the Thumb, has experienced more interest in renewable energy, particularly Wind generation. In addition to stand-alone wind turbines, Michigan has become a popular area for Wind Farms. Solar farms have also begun developing in the Mid-Michigan area, posing new land use issues to owners of agricultural properties.

Our legal services in this emerging area include matters such as:

• Oil and Gas Lease Review and Negotiation
• Wind and Solar Energy Lease Review and Negotiation
• Wind Turbine Zoning Regulation
• Renewable Energy Financial Feasibility Reviews
• Financing, including grant reviews