Art Howson is a transactional lawyer with extensive experience advising clients on renewable energy finance and development across a wide range of technologies, including solar, battery storage, and bioenergy. He counsels lenders, investors, sponsors, and developers on the financing, construction, acquisition, and disposition of renewable energy projects and data centers, delivering practical, tailored solutions for complex transactions.
Art regularly represents clients in sophisticated financing structures for energy and infrastructure projects, including construction and term loans, sale-leaseback transactions, and tax credit investments. He also advises on the negotiation of key project documents, such as power purchase agreements, construction contracts, maintenance agreements, and site control arrangements.
Drawing on a strong background in commercial real estate, Art handles leases and other real property agreements related to solar, biogas, landfill gas, and data center projects. In addition, his practice includes advising clients across industries on corporate finance and equipment finance matters.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Represented a senior lender in the financing of the construction of a renewable natural gas facility in Indiana, supported by subordinate debt, joint venture equity, and tax credit investments.
- Represented an arranger in the financing of a nationwide portfolio of solar and battery storage projects with corporate, municipal, and residential offtakers.
- Represented an arranger in the financing of distributed generation projects across New England, the Midwest, and California, including utility-scale, net-metered, and community solar facilities.
- Represented a lender in a construction loan and sale-leaseback financing for a 50 MW solar project in Pennsylvania.
- Represented lenders in syndicated loan facilities for the construction and operation of standalone battery storage facilities and data centers.
- Represented multinational corporate client in negotiation of data center lease agreements and lease guarantees.
- Advised a commercial EV charging company on asset purchase agreements and charging service contracts, including analysis of related federal tax credit considerations.
- Represented a solar developer and a large public utility in the acquisition of multiple projects under membership interest purchase agreements (MIPAs) and asset purchase agreements (APAs).
- Assisted an investor in the renewable natural gas sector with joint venture documentation and the monetization of federal tax credits.
- Represented a lender in the financing of the installation and operation of 12 solar generation and battery storage facilities.
- Represented a lender providing financing for the construction of the nation’s first dual-use cranberry bog and solar energy facility, including on-site battery storage.
Professional & Civic Engagement
- Leadership Raleigh, Class 47
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
Thought Leadership
Publications
- Author, “Inflation Reduction Act Gives a Boost to the Biogas Sector,” The National Law Review, October 2022
- Author, “Landmark Federal Clean Energy/Climate Change Package Creates Wealth of Opportunities for Investors, Producers,” The National Law Review, August 2022
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch” in North Carolina for Banking and Finance Law and Project Finance Law, 2023-Present
Languages
- Spanish
