Our Philosophy
At Avisen Legal, we believe in the importance of promoting sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change. That is why we support the mission and vision of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and biogas projects. RNG and biogas projects have significant potential to remediate agricultural and food waste while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our firm recognizes the need for innovative and sustainable technologies to address climate change, and we are dedicated to providing legal support to businesses and organizations that are implementing and integrating RNG projects to achieve their sustainability goals.
Practice Summary
Many law firms have jumped onto the RNG bandwagon in recent years, but Avisen has been at the forefront of providing legal counsel for these complex and innovative projects for years. Our team of attorneys has extensive experience in all stages of RNG projects, from initial planning and permitting to project financing and construction to buying and selling RNG projects. We understand the legal intricacies involved in developing RNG projects and help our clients navigate the regulatory hurdles to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
We work closely with our clients to structure finance deals that align with their objectives and meet their needs. Whether working with developers, infrastructure investors, private equity, strategic investors, or lenders, we understand the business, financial, operations and legal needs. We also provide ongoing legal support to ensure the ongoing success of their RNG projects. Our goal is to help our clients maximize the economic benefits of their biogas ventures while achieving their sustainability objectives.
Our team can also serve as outside general counsel for our clients, providing ongoing legal support and guidance to ensure the long-term success of their biogas projects. We are committed to helping our clients make a positive impact on the planet through their sustainable biogas projects.
BIOGAS AND RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS LAW ATTORNEYS MINNEAPOLIS
Our Experience
Avisen lawyers have worked for over 25 years on renewable energy, biofuels, green chemicals and related technologies. While client confidentiality prevents us from naming all of our clients, below is some of our experience
- Over 40 dairy biogas and RNG projects in the U.S., representing developers, investors, technology providers and EPC contractors
- Over 20 green chemical companies, including a joint venture between two of the largest international corporations
- Over 20 U.S. and international ethanol projects, including recent efforts to lower carbon score for better LCFS values using biogas and carbon capture technology. Also work with ethanol companies on add-on and conversion opportunities for renewable diesel and SAF
- Over a dozen emerging multi-technology and platform collaborations designed to produce multiple products from SAF, RNG, ammonia, methanol, carbon-based products, and green hydrogen
From corn and soybeans, to energy and exotic crops, to agriculture and food waste, we understand the perspective and needs of farmers, developers, technology providers, customers, and investors. We also understand that the legal aspects must support the underlying business needs. This perspective helps us guide our clients to more efficient, successful projects.
Key Differentiators
At Avisen Legal, we understand that many law firms offer legal support for biogas projects. Here are a few ways in which we differentiate ourselves from other firms:
- Holistic Approach: Our law firm provides a comprehensive approach to biogas projects, focusing on the entire project lifecycle from development and financing to regulatory compliance and ongoing legal support. Our attorneys understand the unique legal challenges and opportunities presented by biogas projects, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their projects succeed.
- Business Expertise: Our team of attorneys is well-versed in the technical and business aspects of biogas technologies and we apply that to maximize results and minimize friction. We have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by biogas projects, and we provide legal guidance that is informed by our expertise.
- Industry Relationships: We have established relationships with other leading biogas industry players like accounting firms, business and technical consultants, regulatory consultants and more. We are also active in the American Biogas Council and our lawyers are frequent speakers and authors on biogas topics. These relationships enable us to provide our clients with access to the best support systems, giving them a competitive edge in the market.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Our law firm is committed to promoting sustainability, and we view biogas projects as a vital tool for mitigating climate change. We are dedicated to providing legal support for projects that have a positive impact on the environment and future generations.
- Entrepreneurial Lawyers: Our attorneys possess extensive business experience, and they understand the operational and legal aspects of biogas projects. This entrepreneurial approach allows us to provide our clients with practical and strategic legal advice that aligns with their business objectives.
At Avisen Legal, we take pride in offering unparalleled legal support for biogas projects. Our holistic approach, technical expertise, strategic partnerships, multidisciplinary approach, commitment to sustainability, and entrepreneurial lawyers distinguish us from other law firms in this field.
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Types of Clients We Work With
Our law firm provides legal support for a wide range of clients in the biogas and RNG industry. Here are some examples of the types of clients we work with:
- Biogas and RNG Project Developers: Our attorneys work with project developers who are implementing biogas and RNG technologies for transportation fuel (CNG/LNG), power generation, including eRINs, and other applications. We provide legal support for all stages of biogas and RNG project development, from project planning and financing to regulatory compliance and construction. We also help developers buy or sell projects.
- Biogas and RNG Technology Providers: We also work with technology providers who are developing biogas and RNG technologies. Our attorneys can provide legal guidance for intellectual property protection, licensing agreements, and other legal issues that arise during technology development.
- Investors: Our law firm provides legal support for investors who are interested in funding biogas and RNG projects. We can assist with project financing, investment structures, and other legal considerations that are relevant to investing in biogas and RNG projects. We have an excellent history of working with infrastructure investors, traditional private equity, venture capital, strategic investors, development stage investors (debt and equity), and project lenders.
- Waste Management Companies: We work with waste management companies that are implementing biogas technologies to process organic waste and produce biogas for both RNG and energy generation. Our attorneys can provide legal support for project development, financing, and regulatory compliance for biogas and RNG projects in the waste management sector.
- Dairies: Our law firm provides legal support for dairies that are implementing biogas technologies to manage their manure, either by themselves or together with a biogas developer. We can assist with project development, financing, and regulatory compliance for biogas projects.
- Other Manure producers: while dairies get the most attention, we also work with developers and farmers on projects using other manure and waste, including poultry, hog and beef cattle.
- Food Processing and Beverage Companies: We work with food processing and beverage companies that are implementing biogas technologies to process organic waste and produce biogas for energy generation. Our attorneys can provide legal support for project development, financing, and regulatory compliance for biogas projects in the food and beverage sector.
- Municipalities and Public Utilities: Our law firm provides legal support for municipalities and public utilities that are implementing biogas and RNG projects for energy generation and transportation. We can assist with project development, financing, and regulatory compliance for biogas and RNG projects in the public sector.
- Next Generation Energy Projects: Beyond RNG, we work with companies working with RNG projects on advanced biofuels (such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel and diesel replacements, lower carbon ethanol plants), advanced chemicals using biogas as a feedstock, carbon capture and reuse projects and more.
- Infrastructure Funds, Private Equity and Venture Capital Firms: We work with private equity and venture capital firms that are interested in investing in biogas and RNG projects. Our attorneys can provide legal support for project financing, investment structures, and other legal considerations that are relevant to investing in biogas and RNG projects.
- Research Institutions: We work with research institutions that are developing and testing biogas and RNG technologies. Our attorneys can provide legal guidance for intellectual property protection, licensing agreements, and other legal issues that arise during technology development.
At Avisen Legal, we understand that there is a diverse range of clients in the biogas and RNG industry, and we are committed to providing tailored legal support to meet each client’s unique needs and objectives.
Leaders in Renewable Energy Law
Avisen Legal believes that renewable energy options, like biogas, are crucial to the health and future of business and our planet. In addition to biogas and renewable natural gas, Avisen can help with:
- AgTech and FoodTech Law
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Law
- Solar Energy Law
- Much More
Contact our Biogas Law Team
Could you benefit from our solar legal services? Reach out to start a conversation with us today.
Biogas FAQs (with the help of the American Biogas Council)
Anaerobic digesters generate a particular gas known as biogas. Comprising mainly methane and carbon dioxide, alongside trace quantities of additional gases, biogas typically consists of 55%-75% methane and 44%-24% carbon dioxide. The remaining gases in the mixture contribute to less than 1%. Due to its organic origins, biogas is occasionally referred to as “renewable natural gas.”
Biogas has multiple uses. It can be used as a fuel to generate hot water or steam in boilers, or to power engines that generate electricity. Biogas can also undergo a process called “scrubbing,” which removes impurities and carbon dioxide, leaving behind cleaner methane gas. Methane is a key component of natural gas, so the purified biogas can be pressurized and injected into existing natural gas pipelines, stored as a liquid, or even used as a fuel for vehicles.
Anaerobic digesters are used globally to generate renewable energy. They produce biogas, mainly composed of methane gas, which can be used as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This renewable natural gas can replace traditional natural gas for various purposes like heating, cooking, and transportation. Biogas can also be utilized as fuel to generate clean electricity. These options allow us to transform organic waste into a valuable and environmentally friendly energy source.
Biogas systems are highly effective in managing waste and have numerous environmental benefits. They play a crucial role in safeguarding our climate, air, water, and soil by recycling organic materials such as food waste and manure, converting them into renewable energy and soil products while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Without biogas systems, significant amounts of carbon emissions would be released into the atmosphere, and more fossil fuels would be consumed for energy production and synthetic fertilizer manufacturing. Biogas systems, when operated correctly, contribute to healthier soils by replenishing nutrients and providing reliable, carbon-offsetting renewable energy.
While there are other sources of renewable electricity and abundant natural gas reserves in the U.S., biogas systems have a unique advantage. They effectively recycle substantial volumes of food waste, which accounts for 30-40% of all garbage in the country, along with organic waste from farms and water treatment facilities. Without biogas systems, these waste streams, if left unmanaged, lead to various environmental problems.
Unlike fossil fuels, RNG is not obtained through drilling or extracted from the ground. Instead, it is a renewable gas derived from biogas. This biogas can be generated from various organic sources such as food waste, spoiled food, discarded onion peels, and animal waste.
RNG serves as an interchangeable substitute for natural gas. It can be utilized in similar ways, such as generating electricity to power homes and businesses, as well as fueling vehicles. The production of RNG involves refining biogas, which primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide. By removing carbon dioxide and certain trace elements from the biogas, a purified methane gas is obtained, which is 95-99% pure methane, similar to conventional natural gas. The key difference is that RNG is produced in a renewable manner by recycling organic materials, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional natural gas.
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