Joshua D. Leckey
Director
A Director in DRM’s Energy, Environmental, and Telecommunications group, Josh Leckey advises clients on a broad range of matters associated with project siting, energy transactions, environmental compliance, and real estate diligence.
Email: jleckey@drm.com
Phone: 802-863-2375
Direct: 802-846-8613
| PHYSICAL | MAILING |
| Courthouse Plaza 199 Main Street Suite 600 Burlington, VT 05401-8339 |
PO Box 190 Burlington, VT 05402-0190 |
Energy and telecommunications attorney skilled at managing complex cases and providing practical, creative solutions.
Josh Leckey represents a variety of clients working in the energy field, ranging from independent developers and public utilities to institutional investors in renewable energy projects. His work includes obtaining siting approval for the largest solar facility in Vermont – a 20 MW ground-mounted array – together with numerous other commercial-scale facilities under Vermont’s net-metering program. Josh has also represented clients on a diverse set of energy transactions, including the conveyance of a transmission facility that interconnects the Hydro-Quebec and Vermont bulk-transmission systems, the financing and acquisition of utility and commercial-scale solar projects, and the negotiation of a long-term power purchase agreement with New England’s largest conventional hydropower generator.
Recently, Josh has helped clients find innovative solutions for developing brownfield sites with environmental challenges by capitalizing on the “safe harbor” protections under the Vermont Waste Management Act. Above all, Josh maintains a keen awareness of environmental and land-use developments, helping clients adapt to Vermont’s ever-shifting legal landscape.
Drawn to Vermont for its laid-back lifestyle, Josh also loves skiing in the winter, seeking out swimming holes in the summer, and attending festivals and events throughout the year with his family.
Education
Vermont Law School, J.D., Summa Cum Laude; Managing Editor, Vermont Law Review
Experience
- Successfully appealed the Vermont Supreme Court to reverse dismissal of a solar project, setting precedent that stands to benefit renewable energy developers by requiring greater consistency and predictability in how the Public Utility Commission applies its regulations.
- Worked with Vermont’s largest electric utility to negotiate a long-term power purchase agreement for the output from a fleet of New England hydroelectric facilities and secure regulatory approval of the agreement from the Public Utility Commission.
- Lead a team on the first Section 248 permit issued for a merchant battery storage system in Vermont. Among other capabilities, the 4.999 MW/ 20 MWh system will allow the interconnecting utility to shave its peak demand to lower transmission and capacity expenses — to the benefit of Vermont ratepayers.
- Represented lender on financing of a portfolio of solar projects, leading due diligence review of permits, agreements, and property matters associated with the projects.
- Successfully permitted a 20 MW solar facility to be constructed in Ludlow and Cavendish, Vermont – the largest in the state.
- Gained siting approval for the first solar project proposed for a brownfield under Vermont’s revised net-metering program.
- Obtained regulatory approval for Standard Offer solar projects sited on a brownfield site in Lyndonville, Vermont, to be developed in partnership with the regional development corporation to maximize liability protections under the Vermont Waste Management Act.
- Represented an independent producer in the sale of a portfolio of ten solar facilities approved under Vermont’s net-metering program.
- Contributed to legal strategy and successfully defend Vermont Supreme Court appeal of Certificate of Public Good for a telecommunications project in Bennington, Vermont.
- Presented on current trends in energy law at a Planning and Zoning Forum held by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
Admissions
Vermont, 2014
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, 2017
New Hampshire, 2021
Clerkships
Judicial law clerk to the Honorable Christina Reiss, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont
Memberships & Activities
Vermont Bar Association
President, Vermont Law School Christian Organization (2013)
Accolades & Awards
Included in the 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Communications Law, Burlington
Merit Scholar
Public Service Scholar
First Place and Best Brief Overall in the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (2013)
Co-champion of Vermont Law School’s Debevoise Moot Court Competition (2012)
Academic excellence awards in Land Use, Administrative law, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, and Intellectual Property.
Community Involvement
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, Board Member
Volunteered with the Salvation Army dinners in Burlington
Participates in a variety of volunteer efforts through his local church, Community Alliance Church in Hinesburg.
Presentations
2017 Annual Conference of Vermont League of Cities and Towns
2018 Vermont Bar Association – Environmental Law Day
2019 Annual Meeting of Vermont Paralegal Organization
2019 Renewable Energy Vermont Conference
Annual Guest Lecturer for UCONN Renewable Energy Law Class