Raquel Parks

Raquel advises clients on various aspects of legal requirements under environmental, regulatory, energy, and land use and zoning laws. She is experienced in administrative and regulatory compliance matters, particularly as they pertain to energy project siting and development. Raquel regularly advises clients on New York State’s real property tax implications for renewable energy projects, including Real Property Tax Law Section 487 exemptions and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreements, and successfully negotiates PILOT and host community agreements for her clients including municipalities and developers.

She also works on several types of litigation involving commercial, civil, and environmental matters.  Her regulatory work has included drafting energy efficiency regulations for an agency and assisting in the adoption process, as well as advising participants in the cannabis industry on the developing regulations.

Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Raquel served as an Excelsior Fellow at the New York State Department of Public Service. There, she was involved in utility rate proceedings, addressing requirements associated with disclosures and compliance under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), and other state regulatory compliance considerations.

Raquel interned at the Pace Energy and Climate Center and Region 2 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency while attending law school.

• J.D. with Advanced Environmental Certificate
• Former Articles Editor, Pace Environmental Law Review
• Professor William R. Ginsberg Memorial Essay Contest, second place for Microgrids: Legal and Regulatory Hurdles for a More Resilient Energy Infrastructure

• New York State Bar Association