Michelle K. Piasecki, partner with the Harris Beach Energy Industry Team, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, a business and trade group dedicated to promoting solar energy in New York state.

Michelle focuses her practice on energy and environmental law, with a particular emphasis on renewable generation and emerging technologies. She represents renewable developers in navigating the regulatory processes under Article 10 of the New York Public Service Law, Section 94-c of the State Executive Law, and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

In her new role, Michelle works with a dozen other directors to help counsel and guide the activities of NYSEIA. The association represents hundreds of businesses across New York that employ thousands of workers throughout the solar value chain to create significant, long-term, and sustainable growth of solar energy for New York State.

“The push for net-zero carbon emissions in New York State is picking up momentum every day toward ambitious but achievable targets that make New York a leader in developing a sustainable, resilient energy grid,” Michelle said. “I’m looking forward to assisting NYSEIA in continuing to create and expand program policies and initiatives to allow solar to become the primary source of renewable power in our lifetimes.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Piasecki to the NYSEIA Board of Directors,” said David Schieren, CEO of EmPower Solar and President of the NYSEIA Board. “Ms. Piasecki’s background in energy and environmental law and regulation, and her role at one of the leading law firms in the field, adds mission-critical capabilities to NYSEIA’s ambitious agenda. The board is committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to accelerate solar energy deployment in New York State.”

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and a 2013 graduate of Albany Law School, Michelle has a diverse practice in energy and environmental law. She served as lead counsel for the renewable developer who filed the first-ever solar-only Article 10 project with the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. She also represents large and small-scale solar developers in all aspects of development and siting across New York, including responding to requests for proposals, negotiating power purchase agreements, navigating the interconnection process, and obtaining all necessary legal and regulatory approvals.

Michelle and her Energy Industry teammates work with clients in all aspects of energy law, from generation and transmission owners to utilities and energy service companies. The team, including attorneys, paralegals and professional staff, seeks to provide counsel to lead these private and public entities to success in achieving their energy initiatives.

About Harris Beach
Founded in 1856, Harris Beach and its subsidiaries provide legal and professional services to clients across New York state, as well as nationally and internationally. Harris Beach is among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal and ranks as a BTI Elite law firm based on in-depth interviews of more than 600 corporate counsel at the world’s largest and most influential companies. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Principal industries Harris Beach represents include cannabis, education, energy, financial, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, real estate developers, science and technology, veterinary medicine, and state and local governments and authorities. Our more than 210 lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Long Island, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, and White Plains, as well as from offices in New Haven, Connecticut and Newark, New Jersey. For more information, go to www.harrisbeach.com.