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Ligia Smith

Legal and Regulatory Analyst II


303-275-4873

Ligia Smith is a member of the Markets & Policy Analysis Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center.

Ligia works primarily analyzing state and federal laws, policy, and regulations regarding permitting and licensing processes required for energy projects. Prior to joining NREL, she clerked at the Rhode Island Superior Court and worked as an associate in private law practice. She has a background in environmental and natural resources law, energy law, and regulatory compliance from previous work at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic at Vermont Law School. Ligia recently moved from Rhode Island, trading waves for the Rockies, and is excited to explore the beauty of Colorado!

Areas of Expertise

Environmental laws, policy and regulations
Environmental regulatory compliance
Legal and regulatory impacts on energy projects

Research Interests

Renewable energy and transmission project development and implementation

Education

J.D., Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT, 2015
B.A. in political science, University of Rhode Island, RI, 2009

Prior Work Experience

Associate, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC, Providence, RI (2016-2018)
Law Clerk, Rhode Island Superior Court, Providence, RI (2015-2016)
Judicial Extern, Vermont Supreme Court, Montpelier, VT (2015)
Law Clerk, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier, VT (2014)
Student Clinician, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, South Royalton, VT (2013)


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