Mr. Israel represents electric utility, energy asset-management, and energy-trading companies in wholesale power sales transactions in the U.S. Mr. Israel represents developers of and investors in renewable energy projects throughout North and South America, as well as developers of fossil-fueled power projects around the world, including Asia, the Middle East and South America. Mr. Israel's experience extends to all aspects of the electric power market, including power plant siting, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements, operation and maintenance (O&M) agreements, fuel supply agreements, power sales agreements, tolling agreements, hedging agreements, emission allowance purchase and sale agreements, steam sales agreements and associated ownership agreements. Mr. Israel also has represented energy industry clients in international arbitrations to enforce contract obligations outside of the U.S.

Representative Matters

Hidrelétrica Areia Branca S.A. and Hidrelétrica Pipoca S.A.; 19.8 MW and 20 MW hydroelectric projects in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Lead counsel on acquisition of projects from U.S.-based developer.

Eco Energy Beberibe Ltda; 25.5 MW wind energy project in the State of Ceará, Brazil. Lead counsel on acquisition of project from a Brazilian-based developer.

Econergy Participações Seven Ltda.; 17.85 MW wind energy project in the State of Piauí, Brazil.  Lead counsel on acquisition of project from a Brazilian-based developer.

Central Hidroeléctrica Laja I S.A.; 25 MW hydroelectric project in the City of Laja in the Bio-Bio region of Chile. Lead counsel on acquisition of project from a Chilean-based developer.

CleanTech Fund L.P.; investment in Maja Energía S.A.C. and the 3.8 MW Central Roncador hydroelectric project in Peru.

Clipper Windpower Inc.; proposed 101 MW wind-powered project on Backbone Mountain, Maryland. Lead counsel on the licensing of a 67-turbine project.

Companhia Força E Luz Cataguazes-Leopoldina; acquisition of interests in electric distribution company and associated affiliated companies in the States of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Paraíba, Brazil. Lead counsel on acquisition, ICC arbitration enforcing multiple shareholder agreements.

Usina Termelétrica de Juiz de Fora S.A.; 103 MW gas-fired facility in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Lead counsel on acquisition, ICC arbitration enforcing shareholder agreement.

Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais; partial privatization of an electric utility with 5,000 MW of installed capacity in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Lead counsel on acquisition for one of two U.S.-based investors.

Potomac Electric Power Company; $2.65 billion divestiture of over 5,000 MW of coal, oil and gas-fired generation serving the metropolitan Washington, D.C. service area. Lead counsel on acquisition.

Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc.; $482 million divestiture of 1,776 MW of coal, gas, oil-fired and hydroelectric generation in Orange and Rockland Counties, New York. Lead counsel on acquisition.

Cogen Technologies Linden Venture L.P.; 675 MW gas-fired cogeneration facility in Linden, New Jersey. Lead or otherwise assisted in the negotiation of the power purchase agreement, and steam sale agreements with two steam hosts.

Gasoducto Nor Andino S.A.; 1,000 km natural gas pipeline connecting northern Argentina gas fields with northern Chilean electric generation customers. Lead counsel for U.S.-based investor.

Instituto de Recursos Hidráulicos y Electrificación; privatization of three distribution companies and four generation companies with a combined installed capacity of approximately 1,000 MW serving the Republic of Panama. Lead counsel in proposed acquisition.

Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority; restructuring of 238 MW of oil-fired generation facilities and associated electric distribution assets, and certain water desalination, storage and distribution assets on St. Thomas and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lead counsel on proposed transaction.

P.T. Tarahan Power Company proposed 200 MW coal-fired station proposed to be located in Tarahan, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia. Lead counsel in the negotiation of the commercial agreements supporting the development of the project.

Publications and Speeches

"Q&A: A Wind Hedging Tutorial with Benjamin Israel," SNL Financial, June 13, 2008 

"Wind Hedges Add Security, Introduce Risk," North American Windpower, May 2008

"Global Capital Flows in the Power Industry," Platts 23rd Annual Global Power Markets Conference, Moderator, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 13, 2008

"Ask a Wind-Power Lawyer," The Wall Street Journal, November 8, 2007

"Selecting Third Party Wind Project Participants", Wind Power Development Tutorial, Houston, Texas, November 28, 2007.
 
"Alternative Energy Sources", University of Texas School of Law's Texas Journal of Oil, Gas & Energy Law Second Annual Symposium, Austin, Texas, February 15, 2007.

"New BNDES Mandated Corporate Governance Practices Afford Minority Shareholders in Brazilian Companies Greater Protection," Latin American Law & Business Report, March 31, 2003.