Sr Counsel

Calpine Corporation is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with operations in competitive power markets. As America’s Premier competitive power company: Calpine operates a fleet of 76 power plants, nearly 26,000 megawatts of generation capacity; and is creating power for a sustainable future through its development projects in batteries, solar and as a global leader is carbon capture and sequestration. Through its wholesale power operations and retail businesses, Calpine serves customers in 22 states, Canada and Mexico. Its clean, efficient, modern, and flexible fleet uses advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner.

The company was established on the premise that a strong commitment to the environment is inextricably linked to excellence in power generation and corporate responsibility. Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition, its renewable geothermal plants use steam generated deep below the earth's surface to produce clean, renewable electricity.

Job Summary (includes but is not limited to the following, other duties may be assigned)

This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, fast-paced, and challenging in-house legal department and serve as a principal day-to-day construction and development attorney located in Calpine’s headquarters in Houston, Texas. In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting all aspects of the development and construction of natural gas-fired power plants, battery storage facilities, solar farms, and carbon capture and sequestration facilities across the United States.

Broad commercial and construction legal experience is preferred, with energy, project finance, tax equity, or real estate experience a plus. Will advise and assist on all aspects of project development and construction including: drafting and negotiating engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) agreements; permitting; major equipment procurement agreements; real estate negotiations; project financing; power purchase agreements; and state and local regulatory matters. Familiarity with Davis-Bacon Act, federal government contracting requirements (including the Department of Energy and 2 CFR 200), and the Inflation Reduction Act, a plus.

Required to have or develop familiarity with, but not primary responsibility for, regulatory and environmental matters associated with commercial and finance agreements. Attorneys in this role will:

• Negotiate, draft, analyze and support the administration of EPC agreements, major equipment procurement agreements, power purchase agreements, fuel supply/storage/transport agreements, electric transmission, power/fuel/ facility interconnection and other construction agreements.
• Assist with real property matters, permitting and environmental matters, tax matters, ERCOT and regional market design issues and other commercial arrangements required by the operations and development teams.
• Assist project teams in interpreting and using legal/contractual obligations to manage project costs and schedule.
• Assist on structuring and closing construction and tax equity financing transactions, including due diligence, transaction documentation, regulatory approvals.
• Assist on structuring and closing construction, project finance and tax equity financing transactions, including due diligence, transaction documentation, regulatory approvals.
• Support tax credit monetization transactions associated with new construction, project financing and tax equity compliance, challenges and audits, and dispute matters arising from time to time.
• Support financing compliance, environmental compliance and regulatory proceedings, challenges and audits and litigation matters arising from time to time.
• Manage outside counsel to maximize benefit and minimize costs.

Job Requirements

• Strong academic credentials and law degree.
• Texas, NY or CA Bar Membership.
• Typically requires a minimum of eight to ten years’ experience practicing commercial law, including development and construction, commercial transactions, finance, corporate and/ or energy law in a law firm or corporation.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and project management skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and to quickly gain expertise in new subject matter.
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task is essential.

Additional Calpine Information

• Calpine is an equal opportunity employer of minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
• Calpine is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, please send an e-mail with your request to [email protected]. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on case-by-case basis.

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