M Benjamin Cowan

Career

Ben’s innovative solutions under the Endangered Species Act and other wildlife statutes have enabled renewable energy companies to drive major projects forward.

Ben has a broad-based environmental law practice with a primary focus on wildlife and natural resource issues, particularly within the renewable energy sector. He serves as national environmental counsel for some of the largest onshore and offshore renewable energy developers in the U.S. Ben counsels clients in complex permitting matters under federal and state wildlife statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), working to ensure compliance and minimize environmental liabilities during development, project financing, and operational phases. Having worked extensively in the renewables space for more than 20 years, he also counsels clients on a wide variety of business and transactional issues and emerging opportunities in renewables and the energy transition, including the applicability of tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

In addition to his renewable energy work, Ben maintains an active practice involving a wide range of environmental issues for clients in the traditional energy, industrial, and real estate sectors. He frequently advises clients in environmental compliance and permitting matters, contaminated site remediation, brownfield redevelopment, and civil and criminal enforcement defense. He provides strategic guidance on managing environmental risks in mergers, acquisitions, and other commercial transactions.

Professional Memberships

Member, State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Section

Board member, Renewable Energy Alliance – Houston

Past chair, Greater Houston Partnership Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Subcommittee

Past chair, The Clean Energy Leadership Alliance of Houston

Member, Greater Houston Energy Collaborative Leadership Committee

Past chair, Houston Bar Association – Environmental Law Section

Personal

Adjunct professor, Vanderbilt Law School

Past president, Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center

Board of directors, Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center