David G. Carpenter
Of Counsel
David is a seasoned multi-jurisdictional professional providing creative and efficient counsel to renewable energy developers, utilities, telecommunications providers and commercial developers, focusing on environmental, regulatory, zoning and land use issues.
Email: dcarpenter@drm.com
Phone: 802-863-2375
Direct: 802-846-8626
| PHYSICAL | MAILING |
| Courthouse Plaza 199 Main Street Suite 600 Burlington, VT 05401-8339 |
PO Box 190 Burlington, VT 05402-0190 |
Plain-spoken problem-solver for complex energy, environmental and land use challenges.
David brings a distinct client-centric perspective to the practice of law, shaped by more than a decade as in-house counsel and in executive leadership roles. David understands what clients expect, and strives to leverage his own experience and DRM’s deep bench to provide efficient solutions and practical risk management.
David has represented clients and developed a wide variety of infrastructure and industrial projects in markets across the northeast, overseeing development of nearly 100 renewable energy projects from Maine to Michigan to Maryland; siting, permitting and defending solid waste operations in every state between New York and Maine; and permitting and defending quarry operations in upstate New York and Vermont. David has extensive experience with hazardous site cleanup and redevelopment as well, representing responsible parties at federally listed hazardous waste sites as well as redeveloping brownfields into productive commercial sites and renewable energy projects.
Throughout all of these activities – whether as an attorney or client – respectful, honest communication (leavened with a healthy dose of humor) is the guiding principle of David’s professional code.
David believes strongly in community service and has put this belief into action – he has been an active member of the Orwell Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years, he served on the Slate Valley school board, and he has coached middle school soccer for three different schools.
In his free time David can be found enjoying live music anywhere and everywhere, playing soccer, hiking and running half-marathons.
Education
Vermont Law School, J.D.; Master of Studies of Environmental Law, magna cum laude; Personal Note Editor, Vermont Law Review
Pennsylvania State University, B.A., English
Experience
- Successfully obtained certificates of public good for more than 50 Vermont net-metered projects
- Oversaw the development of more than 150 MW of solar projects throughout the eastern US
- Led negotiations and drafting for all documentation relating to purchase and sale of renewable energy projects
- Successfully appealed illegal municipal zoning action to the Vermont Supreme Court on behalf of landowner [In re Carrigan Conditional Use & Certificate of Compliance, 198 Vt. 438, 117 A.3d 788 (2014)]
- Created template contracts for solid waste company to be used across several northeast states
- Created, negotiated and deployed contracts for renewable energy company to be used across jurisdictions, including real estate (e.g., options, leases, purchase & sale agreements); vendor contracts (e.g., master services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, engineering / procurement construction agreements); human resources contracts (e.g., offer letters, employment agreements, severance agreements)
- Represented Town of Vernon in Vermont Yankee transfer docket (PUC Docket 8880)
- As VP of Development, responsible for all aspects of project development for pipeline of 40 small-scale and utility solar and storage projects in 11 states totaling >150MW(AC)
- As Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel, responsible for legal, transactional, regulatory, litigation, and policy support for all aspects of business, including primary responsibility for negotiations and contracting for consultants, project M&A, EPC, and financing, and litigation management.
- Managed all outside consultants and outside legal counsel; Member of Executive Team implementing companywide strategies and management
- Lead for Business Development, including attendance at multiple conferences each year, relationship-building with utilities and AHJs, community involvement, and oversight of marketing materials
- Developed customized electronic project management system using sophisticated online platform
- Redrafted Employee Handbook and employee contracts
- Actively participating in VELCO Vermont System Planning Committee meetings regarding Vermont, regional and ISO-New England transmission and distribution issues
- Successfully obtained local and federal approvals for developer of residential subdivision near Albany, NY
- Achieved favorable settlement for small business owner in aggressive litigation against large developer in Albany, NY
Admissions
New York, 1998
Vermont, 2013
Memberships & Activities
Vermont Bar Association
Renewable Energy Vermont (past co-chair, Legislative & Policy committee)
Vermont Bar Association Board of Managers (past Board Member)
Community Involvement
Firefighter I; Chairman; past Training Officer, Town of Orwell Volunteer Fire Department (2012- present)
Soccer Coach, Orwell Village School, Middlebury Middle School (2013 – 2022)
Town of Orwell Representative, Slate Valley Unified School District Board (2017-2020)
Publications
- Authored articles, opinion and thought pieces relating to solar and storage development in on-line publications such as PV Magazine, Agri-pulse; and contributing to the University of Vermont-published 2021 Guide to Solar Energy in Vermont’s Working Landscape
Presentations
- Presented at renewable energy industry conferences including the Renewable Energy Vermont Annual Meeting (10/2023 Burlington, VT) the Virginia Solar Farm Summit (5/29/2025, Richmond, VA); and Infocast Direct Pay Conference (11/2024 Salt Lake City, UT).