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Michelle Piasecki
D: (518) 701-2741  
mpiasecki@harrisbeach.com

Michelle K. Piasecki

  Member

(518) 701-2741
  mpiasecki@harrisbeach.com
  • New York State to Fund Sixth Round of Renewable Energy Projects
  • New Transmission Upgrades Provide Developers Opportunity to Capitalize on Renewable Energy
Profile
Representative Matters
Professional and Civic
Areas of Experience
Admissions
Education
Location
Publications and Events

Michelle focuses her practice on energy and environmental law, with a particular emphasis on renewable generation and emerging technologies. She represents renewable developers in all aspects of project development and siting, including navigating the regulatory process under Article 10 of the New York Public Service Law and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Michelle also counsels clients through the interconnection process with local distribution utilities and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

In the environmental arena, Michelle represents corporate and individual clients on a wide range of matters involving permitting, regulatory compliance, civil and administrative enforcement, and dispute resolution. Her environmental permitting and regulatory compliance experience spans issues involving air emissions, wastewater and stormwater discharges, wetlands, zoning and land use matters, and the Mined Land Reclamation Law.

Representative Matters

  • Serves as lead counsel for the renewables developer who filed the first ever solar-only Article 10 project with the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.
  • Represents large and small-scale solar developers in all aspects of development and siting, including responding to Requests for Proposals, negotiating power purchase agreements, navigating the interconnection process, and obtaining all necessary legal and regulatory approvals.
  • Secured approval from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for an indirect transfer of control of Sprint Communications L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint Corporation, to T-Mobile USA, Inc.
  • Represents distributed energy resources (DERs) on various regulatory issues, including registration with the PSC, drafting subscription and sales agreements, and ongoing compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Represents energy service companies (ESCOs) on various regulatory issues at the PSC, including submission of annual and triennial compliance filings, responses to customer complaints, and responses to Notices of Apparent Failure and Orders to Show Cause.
  • Secured PSC approval for a Community Choice Aggregation program.
  • Represented natural gas and electric utilities in several proceedings before the PSC, including a major rate case and acquisition case.
  • Represented ESCOs and DERs in negotiating cybersecurity agreements with local distribution utilities.
  • Secured PSC approval to transfer regulated assets for numerous clients.
  • Represented a nationwide organization of more than 20 ESCOs and secured an order vacating certain provisions of a PSC order that, as the reviewing court stated, would have “amount[ed] to a major restructuring of the retail energy market—or even its collapse.”

Professional and Civic

  • Schenectady YMCA Youth Sports Experience presented by Harris Beach, lead
  • West Point Society of the Capital District of New York, member

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Energy & Natural Resources, 2018

Legal Practices

Environmental
Government Compliance and Investigations

Industry Teams

Energy
K-12 Education
Telecommunications and Media

Sectors

Renewable Energy
Oil and Gas

Admissions

Massachusetts

New York

U.S. District Court, New York - Northern District

U.S. District Court, New York - Western District

Albany Law School

JD 
2013
summa cum laude

United States Military Academy

BS 
2006

Location

Albany, NY Office
Insights
February 22, 2023

New Transmission Upgrades Provide Developers Opportunity to Capitalize on Renewable Energy

The NYS Public Service Commission authorized electric utilities to develop transmission upgrades to integrate renewable energy projects
September 23, 2022

New York State to Fund Sixth Round of Renewable Energy Projects

On September 21, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s sixth annual solicitation of large-scale renewable energy projects.
March 4, 2021

New York Finalizes Regulations for Renewable Energy Project Review

Earlier this week, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting finalized and enacted the new regulations required by the New York Accelerated Rene
January 15, 2021

New York State Poised to Lead Nation in Renewable Energy

The renewable energy economy has moved well beyond the novelty stage in New York State. That much is clear from the proposals made in Gov. A
September 18, 2020

Proposed Rules Issued for Accelerated Review of Renewable Energy Projects in New York

On September 16, 2020, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (“ORES”) issued proposed regulations and uniform standards and conditions (“USC
April 2, 2020

New York Takes Action to Expedite Renewable Energy Siting and Development

On April 1, 2020, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Legislature agreed to adopt the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act
January 22, 2019

Clean Energy Mandates Dominate New York’s “State of the State”

Clean, renewable energy mandates dominated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2019 “State of the State” address released on January 14, 2019.
News
December 16, 2021

Energy Industry Team Partner Michelle Piasecki Named to Board of Directors of New York Solar Energy Industries Association

Michelle K. Piasecki, partner with the Harris Beach Energy Industry Team, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the New York Solar
October 15, 2021

72 Attorneys from Harris Beach Recognized in 2021 Edition of Super Lawyers

Partners, senior counsel and associates from Harris Beach PLLC offices across New York have been named to the 2021 edition of Super Lawyers,
January 1, 2021

Harris Beach PLLC Elects Nine New Partners

Attorneys Mathew T. Dudley, Ross B. Hofherr, Kirstie A. Means, Tyler A. O’Reilly, Christopher C. Palermo, Michelle K. Piasecki, Jaime L. Reg
April 9, 2020

In the News: Michelle Piasecki on Renewable Energy

The New York State budget adopted last week includes an overhaul of the process for reviewing and deciding on renewable energy projects stat
November 12, 2019

79 Attorneys from Harris Beach Named to 2019 Super Lawyers List

A total of 79 Harris Beach PLLC attorneys have been named to the 2019 edition of Super Lawyers, a peer-based rating service that recognizes
October 1, 2019

The Challenges of Finding Land for Renewable Energy Projects in New York

New York State has positioned itself to claim the mantle of climate leadership on a global scale. But companies are struggling to get projec
Events
October 20, 2022

Michelle Piasecki Speaking at the 16th Annual ACE NY 2022 Fall Conference

Energy Partner Michelle Piasecki is speaking on November 10 at the 16th Annual ACE NY Member Meeting and Fall Conference
October 5, 2022

Michelle Piasecki Presenting at the Wind Power Finance & Investment USA Summit

Energy Partner Michelle Piasecki will present at the 2022 Wind Power Finance & Investment USA Summit
April 11, 2022

Harris Beach Sponsoring 2022 Electric Power Supply Association Competitive Power Summit

Harris Beach will sponsor the 2022 Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) Competitive Power Summit, being held on March 29 from 7:30 AM –
April 8, 2022

Harris Beach to Sponsor National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Annual Winter Policy Summit

Harris Beach will again sponsor the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Annual Winter Policy Summit, being held
September 12, 2019

Michelle Piasecki to Present at Center for Creative Land Recycling Conference

Michelle will participate in a panel titled, “Brownfields to Brightfields: Prioritizing Properties for Solar” at an upcoming Center for Crea
June 21, 2019

Michelle K. Piasecki Presenting at 2019 Renewable Energy Conference

Michelle will participate in a panel discussion titled, “What Does 100% Renewable Energy Mean and is it Attainable?” She’ll be joined by fel
May 1, 2019

Harris Beach Sponsoring IPPNY Spring Conference

Harris Beach will sponsor IPPNY’s 33rd Annual Spring Conference & Showcase. IPPNY’s mission is to assist their member companies in becoming
External Publications
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 February 22, 2023
New Transmission Upgrades Provide Developers Opportunity to Capitalize on Renewable Energy
The NYS Public Service Commission authorized electric utilities to develop transmission upgrades to integrate renewable energy projects...read more
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 September 23, 2022
New York State to Fund Sixth Round of Renewable Energy Projects
On September 21, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s sixth annual solicitation of large-scale renewable energy projects....read more
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 March 4, 2021
New York Finalizes Regulations for Renewable Energy Project Review
Earlier this week, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting finalized and enacted the new regulations required by the New York Accelerated Rene...read more
All Insights, Audio |
 January 15, 2021
New York State Poised to Lead Nation in Renewable Energy
The renewable energy economy has moved well beyond the novelty stage in New York State. That much is clear from the proposals made in Gov. A...read more
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 September 18, 2020
Proposed Rules Issued for Accelerated Review of Renewable Energy Projects in New York
On September 16, 2020, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (“ORES”) issued proposed regulations and uniform standards and conditions (“USC...read more
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 April 2, 2020
New York Takes Action to Expedite Renewable Energy Siting and Development
On April 1, 2020, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Legislature agreed to adopt the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act...read more
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Michelle K. Piasecki

mpiasecki@harrisbeach.com
D: (518) 701-2741
Albany, NY Office
Michelle Piasecki
https://www.harrisbeach.com/people/piasecki-michelle-k/

■ Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Environmental Legal Practice
Government Compliance and Investigations Legal Practice

Industry Teams

Energy Industry Team
K-12 Education Industry Team
Telecommunications and Media Industry Team

Sectors

Renewable Energy
Oil and Gas

■ Profile

Michelle focuses her practice on energy and environmental law, with a particular emphasis on renewable generation and emerging technologies. She represents renewable developers in all aspects of project development and siting, including navigating the regulatory process under Article 10 of the New York Public Service Law and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Michelle also counsels clients through the interconnection process with local distribution utilities and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

In the environmental arena, Michelle represents corporate and individual clients on a wide range of matters involving permitting, regulatory compliance, civil and administrative enforcement, and dispute resolution. Her environmental permitting and regulatory compliance experience spans issues involving air emissions, wastewater and stormwater discharges, wetlands, zoning and land use matters, and the Mined Land Reclamation Law.

■ Representative Matters

  • Serves as lead counsel for the renewables developer who filed the first ever solar-only Article 10 project with the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.
  • Represents large and small-scale solar developers in all aspects of development and siting, including responding to Requests for Proposals, negotiating power purchase agreements, navigating the interconnection process, and obtaining all necessary legal and regulatory approvals.
  • Secured approval from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for an indirect transfer of control of Sprint Communications L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint Corporation, to T-Mobile USA, Inc.
  • Represents distributed energy resources (DERs) on various regulatory issues, including registration with the PSC, drafting subscription and sales agreements, and ongoing compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Represents energy service companies (ESCOs) on various regulatory issues at the PSC, including submission of annual and triennial compliance filings, responses to customer complaints, and responses to Notices of Apparent Failure and Orders to Show Cause.
  • Secured PSC approval for a Community Choice Aggregation program.
  • Represented natural gas and electric utilities in several proceedings before the PSC, including a major rate case and acquisition case.
  • Represented ESCOs and DERs in negotiating cybersecurity agreements with local distribution utilities.
  • Secured PSC approval to transfer regulated assets for numerous clients.
  • Represented a nationwide organization of more than 20 ESCOs and secured an order vacating certain provisions of a PSC order that, as the reviewing court stated, would have “amount[ed] to a major restructuring of the retail energy market—or even its collapse.”

■ Professional and Civic

  • Schenectady YMCA Youth Sports Experience presented by Harris Beach, lead
  • West Point Society of the Capital District of New York, member

■ Admissions

  • Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Energy & Natural Resources, 2018

■ Education

Albany Law School
 ,JD
 ,2013
 ,summa cum laude
United States Military Academy
 ,BS
 ,2006

Harris Beach and its subsidiaries provide a full range of legal and professional services for 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 is among the BTI Elite law firms based on in-depth interviews of more than 600 corporate counsel at the world’s largest and most influential companies. Our clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Principal industries we represent include education, energy, financial, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, real estate developers, and state and local governments and authorities.

Industry Teams
Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships
Blockchain and Digital Assets 
Cannabis
Construction and Surety
Educational Institutions Higher Ed
Educational Institutions K-12
EMS and Fire Protection Providers
Energy
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
Food and Beverage
Health Care
Industrial and Consumer Manufacturing
Medical and Life Sciences
Municipalities and Local Agencies
Nanotechnology
Photonics
Racing and Gaming
Real Estate Developers
Science and Technology
Telecommunications and Media
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
USA Collegiate Sports
Veterinary Medicine

Practices
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Appellate
Business and Commercial Litigation
Collection Law
Commercial Real Estate
Corporate
Cybersecurity Protection and Response
Diversity Compliance
E-Discovery (e-infoSM)
Employee Benefits
Employment Litigation
Environmental Law
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
Government Compliance and Investigations
Health Law
Immigration Law
Insurance Coverage
Intellectual Property Law
International Trade Law
Internet Law
Labor and Employment Law
Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation
New Markets Tax Credit
Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law
Product Liability and Comprehensive General Liability
Public Finance and Economic Development
Real Property Valuation Litigation
Residential Real Estate
Tax Law
White Collar Crime
Wills, Trusts and Estates

Consulting Services
HB Solutions LLC
Collegiate Sports Compliance
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
Economic Development and Public Affairs
Educational Institution Assistance
EMRG® (E-Discovery Management Resources Group)
Energy
Health and Human Services
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing and Communication Services
Municipal and Local Agency Assistance

HB Cornerstone LLC
Owner Representation
Design Services
Facilities Consulting
Move Management

Caetra.io
CyMetric (Cybersecurity Regulation Compliance Software)

Offices throughout New York:

Albany
677 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
518-427-9700

Buffalo
726 Exchange Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
716-200-5050

Ithaca
119 East Seneca Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-6444

Long Island
333 Earle Ovington Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553
516-880-8484

New York City
100 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
212-687-0100

Rochester
99 Garnsey Road
Pittsford, NY 14534
585-419-8800

Saratoga Springs
513 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-587-0551

Syracuse
333 West Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-423-7100

White Plains
445 Hamilton Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
914-683-1200

Offices also in:

New Haven, CT
195 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
203-784-3159

Newark, NJ
One Gateway Center
Newark, NJ 07102
973-848-1244

Washington, DC
800-685-1429

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
© 2022 Harris Beach PLLC

Content current as of March 28, 2023 5:10 am
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