Jeffrey B Gracer

Practice Areas

Litigation, Offshore Wind, Climate Change and Resiliency

Career

Jeff fashions solutions to environmental problems by harmonizing business imperatives with legal and regulatory mandates, funding requirements, public policy considerations, and community and stakeholder interests. In addition to his domestic practice, he regularly represents companies based outside of the United States, helping non-US clients understand and navigate the nuances and complexities of the US legal system. Jeff’s clients report that he “communicates well and listens to the client,” that he is “a strong strategic thinker and planner,” and that he “has great insights” and “comes up with innovative solutions.”

Jeff approaches complex environmental problems by stepping back from the law and thinking first about the client’s business objectives. He then designs strategies that meld legal, technical, strategic, financial, and regulatory considerations, working with environmental consultants and other professionals to deliver integrated solutions. His experience includes hazardous substance and toxic tort litigation; environmental permitting and approvals; resolution of federal, state and local regulatory enforcement matters; environmental impact assessments; historic preservation reviews; contaminated site remediation and brownfield redevelopment; and environmental insurance coverage. Increasingly, his practice involves legal and other responses to climate change, including navigating the requirements of state and municipal laws mandating or incentivizing efforts to decarbonize business operations.

Jeff’s clients include public companies, family businesses, governmental and non-profit development agencies, real estate owners and developers, financial institutions, and pension and private equity funds, among others. He also maintains an active pro bono practice working on behalf of environmental non-profits.

Jeff is a former Chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He founded the Environmental Program at the Vance Center for International Justice at the City Bar, which provides pro bono assistance to environmental organizations around the world. He also co-founded and is President and Chair of the New York City Climate Action Alliance, a non-profit that engages the private sector in efforts to mitigate climate change.

Professional Memberships

Bar Admissions: New York, 1987, New Jersey, 1987

Publications

“High Performance Leases: A Solution for Reducing Carbon Emissions in Commercial Buildings”

For: Environmental Law in New York

June 2021 | Written by Meg Holden, Jeffrey B. Gracer (and Audi Banny, Stuart Kaplan & Stephanie Margolis)

“The Law of Climate Change in Canada”

Article Title: Chapter 18 “United States;" Chapter 19 “North American and Global Integration of Carbon Control Markets;" Chapter 20 “Private Sector Climate Action”

2023 | Written by Maggie Macdonald and Jeffrey B. Gracer

“Challenging BigLaw in NYC to Help Save the Planet”

For: New York Law Journal

2018 | Written by Jeffrey B. Gracer

“A Call to Action for New Yorkers”

For: New York Law Journal

2017 | Written by Jeffrey B. Gracer

“Companies Are Embracing Green Policies: Why Won’t Washington?”

For: The Hill

2017 | Written by Jeffrey B. Gracer

Education

Experience

President and Chair, New York City Climate Action Alliance

US Board Member, The Climate Group

Leadership Council Member, Environmental Law Institute

Former Chair, Environmental Law Committee, New York City Bar Association

Founder, Environmental Program, Vance Center for International Justice, New York City Bar Association

Work Highlights

Equinor Wind – Empire Wind Offshore Wind Projects

Location: Long Island, NY

SPR represents Equinor Wind US in the local and state permitting and development, and aspects of federal permitting, for the Empire Wind 1 and the Empire Wind 2 offshore wind projects that will supply New York State with over 2 gigawatts of renewable energy, power 1 million homes, and provide billions of dollars of economic benefits to the State. The projects also are expected to provide tens of millions of dollars in investments in long-term port facilities, related infrastructure, and new technologies. Together, these offshore wind projects will help the State meet the renewable energy and offshore wind capacity mandates set forth in NY’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, diversify NY’s energy portfolio, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SPR assisted Equinor acquire various properties that will support its offshore wind projects, and helps navigate the remediation of those properties thorough the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The Firm also advises Equinor on parkland alienation and conversion issues, on the development of an offshore wind port in New York City that will service Equinor’s offshore wind projects and house the onshore substation for the Empire Wind 1 project, on other required local approvals and land rights, on contractor procurement, and on diligence for private finance relating to environmental permitting and litigation risk. SPR assisted Equinor on the development of the Beacon Wind 1 offshore wind project until early 2024, when Equinor transferred its interest in that project to another offshore wind developer.

Cape Cod Offshore Wind Farm

Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

SPR performed due diligence on behalf of a potential investor in the proposed Cape Wind offshore wind farm, located off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The work involved review of the project EIS and analysis of permitting requirements under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Endangered Species Acts.

Chautauqua Green Energy LLC – NY Green Bank

Location: New York

SPR represents a lender in connection with a $21 million landfill gas to renewable natural gas construction-to-term loan and $1 million letter of credit to Chautauqua Green Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of CGE Ventures, LLC, a joint venture of Vireo Energy, LLC, Emkey Gathering, LLC and Sumiya Investment Management.