Energy and Environment

CJC has been instrumental in the development of renewable energy projects, including smart grid, biomass/biofuels, and renewable electric installations. CJC knows the regulatory frameworks, the State, Federal and private financing opportunities, and how to get around the many barriers to success for a renewable energy project.

Based on our long history in environmental regulation, CJC provides environmental services to clients involved in green building and energy efficiency, brownfield or Superfund remediation, waste management, or air pollution source permitting. CJC provides project review and oversight, representation before regulatory agencies, and public participation support for projects of any size.

Green Buildings -- CJC provides the expertise, contacts and guidance needed to maximize your energy efficiency or green building project, keeping abreast of all current incentive programs, negotiating directly with funding agencies, and managing your incentives from concept to completion.

Brownfields remediation -- Carl Johnson has been involved in dozens of site investigations, from the simplest to the most complex, and has the experience to help clients understand the scientific and engineering reviews, to analyze investigation plans, and to help reduce the uncertainties associated with a contaminated site. He can also help clients to leverage numerous programs aimed at revitalizing sites. He has had extensive contact with developers, helping them to minimize remedial expenses while achieving cleanup goals.

Climate change -- As one of the original team involved in designing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and having been involved in climate change discussions since 1995, Carl Johnson has a thorough understanding of the measures that developers can count on to deliver real energy savings and carbon reductions, as well as how to maximize credits and attract funding for innovative approaches. As one example, he set up the first Green Building Tax Credit system, which generated tremendous activity in green building from a small public investment, and created significant returns for developers trying to differentiate their projects in a crowded market. He can also guide clients through new requirements in New York and elsewhere to evaluate the carbon impacts of projects.

Air quality -- As a national leader in air quality issues for ten years, Carl Johnson worked with environmental officials from numerous states, as well as with Federal agencies and multi-state organizations. He implemented the new Federal permitting program in New York State, created new market-based trading programs, and worked with industry on compliance issues.

Energy -- As NYS DEC's principal on energy issues, Carl Johnson served in a leading capacity for New York State on federal energy legislation, and led in the development of the State Energy Plan, the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and the Coordinated Demand Reduction Program. He has an understanding of wholesale and retail energy issues, including wholesale and retail pricing, as well as transmission and interconnection issues that are often faced by developers. Having worked closely with NYSERDA, the State Public Service Commission, and energy officials in neighboring states, he can provide project developers with insight into energy issues that may affect their project plans.

State and national relationships -- After years of appearing before Congress and Federal regulators, and working with national and regional associations such as the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), as well as ad hoc policy teams, Carl Johnson has an understanding of how to work with political leaders and regulators in order to move a project forward, and has maintained a network of contacts from California to DC that are actively engaged in the issues, including some of the new administration's environmental and energy policy leaders.