Bioenergy and Biomanufacturing
Development of bioenergy and biomanufacturing facilities has accelerated in recent years, driven in part by legal mandates to reduce the volume of organic, medical, and plastic waste sent to landfills. Barnes & Thornburg’s Bioenergy and Biomanufacturing Team provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary support for the development of commercial-scale biofuel and recycling facilities across the United States.
The team draws on decades of experience in finance, tax, real estate, construction, and environmental law to advise clients throughout the bioenergy value chain. Our experience spans facilities that process biosolids, plastics, and waste from food, agriculture, and industry to produce recycled biofuels and related products that reduce landfilling, lower fossil fuel use, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Our nationally recognized finance lawyers advise on the full range of financial, regulatory, and business issues involved in the development, ownership, and operation of solid waste and energy facilities. Our attorneys have worked with clients engaged in innovative efforts to convert biosolids — such as wood, sludge, and plant crops — along with food waste, plastics, agricultural byproducts, and industrial waste (including tallow) into products ranging from renewable natural gas, diesel, and jet fuel to fertilizers, filtration media, plastic pellets, and animal feedstock.
Our attorneys have also represented developers, issuers, lenders, investors, and investment banks in complex capital structures that combine equity, governmental funding, commercial bank loans, and taxable and tax-exempt debt offerings. We help clients leverage federal and state tax incentives, including tax-exempt bonds, the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, solar and clean coal investment tax credits, and renewable energy production tax credits. The team also advises on recapitalizations, workouts, and restructurings of distressed bioenergy facilities and brings extensive experience with the land use, construction, and environmental aspects of project development.
Our nationally recognized finance lawyers advise on the full range of financial, regulatory, and business issues involved in the development, ownership, and operation of solid waste and energy facilities. Our attorneys have worked with clients engaged in innovative efforts to convert biosolids — such as wood, sludge, and plant crops — along with food waste, plastics, agricultural byproducts, and industrial waste (including tallow) into products ranging from renewable natural gas, diesel, and jet fuel to fertilizers, filtration media, plastic pellets, and animal feedstock.
Our attorneys have also represented developers, issuers, lenders, investors, and investment banks in complex capital structures that combine equity, governmental funding, commercial bank loans, and taxable and tax-exempt debt offerings. We help clients leverage federal and state tax incentives, including tax-exempt bonds, the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, solar and clean coal investment tax credits, and renewable energy production tax credits. The team also advises on recapitalizations, workouts, and restructurings of distressed bioenergy facilities and brings extensive experience with the land use, construction, and environmental aspects of project development.