Updates & Events

Of particular note for the energy industry, the Corps reissued and modified NWP 51 (land-based renewable energy generation facilities) and has split NWP 12 into separate permits.

Fredrikson & Byron announced today that it has moved into a new office space in the One Eleven East Grand building located at 111 E Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, where it occupies the third floor.

Fredrikson & Byron acted as legal counsel to Renew Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries in its sale to Takkion Holdings LLC.

In recognition of the unique challenges developing offshore wind projects and energy projects on federal land, the IRS recently issued Notice 2021-05, extending the Continuity Safe Harbor for “Offshore Projects” or “Federal Land Projects” to ten years.

On January 8, 2021, a new rule was published by the Department of Homeland Security which significantly impacts the H-1B visa lottery process.

President Trump signed a proclamation extending earlier proclamations suspending the entry of certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants.

The Department of State temporarily enabled consular officers to waive in-person interview requirements for nonimmigrant visas in the same classification.

On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which extends several expiring immigration programs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced an additional 30-day extension to January 31, 2021, of flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On December 23, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued an order enjoining  DOL from implementing a final rule on AEWR methodology for the temporary employment of H-2A nonimmigrants in non-range occupations.