James Muscato

Jim Muscato is a partner with Young/Sommer and is at the forefront of New York energy issues including siting and development strategies for energy projects, with experience developing wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, and electric and gas transmission projects, as well as emerging technologies such as battery storage systems and distributed generation technologies and, as a result, leads the Firm’s energy practice. Over the last decade, this experience has resulted in the permitting of over 1700 MW of renewable energy generation in New York. Jim is well-versed both in the requirements of key environmental and energy permitting programs, and in the nuances of the New York environmental and energy review process under such laws as the New York Executive Law, Section 94-c, Public Service Law (PSL), Article 10 and VII, the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). In addition to Project development, Jim has been involved in the policy making aspects of New York’s Reforming Energy Vision (REV), Clean Energy Standard (CES), and the Climate Council Panels involved with implementing New York’s historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Jim regularly appears in front of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Public Service in proceedings and administrative matters, and has argued cases at both the state and federal level, including argument at the Federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Jim is a frequent speaker on issues involving environmental and energy law, including recent presentations at the AWEA Northeast Conference on wind project siting issues in New York, the 10th Annual Alliance for Clean Energy Fall Conference and at the League of Conservation Voters Roundtable Event on Renewable Energy Siting.  Jim is a Capital Region Board Member for the New York League of Conservation Voters. Jim is also a member of the New York State Bar Association and is actively involved with the Environmental and Energy Law section and the Committee on Utility Siting.

Jim received his Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School in 2001 and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Law Environmental Journal. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York at Geneseo.