Christian F. Capizzo

Overview

Recognized for his ability to unify disparate groups and facilitate change, Christian concentrates his practice in the areas of environmental and energy law, land use and public sector/governmental services. With over 25 years of experience, Christian guides clients through the complex ever-changing world where energy/environmental regulations and business intersect.

Christian handles a diverse range of complex environmental matters including enforcement, regulatory and compliance issues, renewable energy projects including large scale solar and offshore wind projects, real estate development, state and federal environmental enforcement actions, environmental due diligence associated with mergers and acquisitions, environmental remediation including brownfields, coastal/waterfront violations, permitting and waterfront property rights. He represents clients before the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board, as well as before the town/city zoning boards, planning boards and conservation commissions in towns and municipalities across New England.

Christian also represents landowners and project developers in real estate transactions, renewable energy development deals, and financing transactions associated with these projects. He plays an integral role evaluating and mitigating environmental risks relating to development projects and business transactions, as well as providing key strategy on renewable energy projects.

Prior to joining the firm, Christian served in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office where he had a proven track record of successfully litigating high profile criminal and civil cases. He led the State’s Environmental Crimes Task Force, handling litigation on environmental issues impacting Rhode Island. Christian worked closely with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal Resources Management Council, serving as outside legal counsel handling enforcement matters, drafting legislation, and negotiating diverse environmental matters. Christian has also worked closely with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture and various state agencies and attorney generals throughout the United States.

Christian is nationally recognized for developing and implementing environmental and energy training programs and is a sought-after presenter on a myriad of topics with a focus on emerging and complex energy and environmental issues and trends.

Experience

• Represented an offshore wind developer before the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board, RI CRMC, and other state and local agencies in securing state and federal regulatory approvals.
• Represented commercial and private clients, municipalities, and educational institutions before the U.S. EPA, RIDEM, and MADEP in environmental investigations, inspections, audits, regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters involving wetlands, solid waste, hazardous waste, water, and air regulations.
• Represented private waterfront landowners before CRMC in permitting dwellings, complex residential docks, stairs, and seawalls.
• Advised and represented a national and international stainless steel and special metals company on environmental due diligence for the acquisition and expansion of a Massachusetts manufacturing facility.
• Advised and represented clients on environmental due diligence matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions and the purchase and sale of companies, buildings, and operating businesses.
• Represented renewable energy developers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island before zoning and planning boards in permitting and approval of large-scale solar projects.
• Represented landowners and commercial, educational, and municipal clients on land-based and rooftop solar projects, including negotiation of solar leases, easements, and net metering credit agreements.
• Represented renewable energy developers before the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and Division in connection with renewable energy and transmission projects.
• Represented renewable energy developers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in structuring and negotiating solar leases, PILOT agreements, interconnection service agreements, net metering financing arrangements, and power purchase agreements.
• Represented renewable energy developers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the structuring and negotiation of solar leases, PILOT agreements, interconnection service agreements and net metering financing agreements/power purchase agreements.
• Represented private commercial developers on large-scale residential, affordable housing and commercial development projects before town councils, planning boards, and zoning boards.
• Represented Transportation Network Company (Lyft) before the R.I. Division of Public Utilities.

Credentials

News

AP&S Welcomes Christian F. Capizzo

News

February 12, 2026