Pedro J. Nieves-Miranda is a Capital Member of Vidal, Nieves & Bauzá, LLC

t. +1 787.413.8881 | e. pnieves@vnblegal.com

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Mr. Nieves-Miranda practices corporate law matters with a focus in energy, environmental and land development law, where he counsels clients in matters involving environmental planning, permitting and administrative proceedings, under federal, state and local law and regulations.
 
Mr. Nieves-Miranda has represented clients in numerous transactions involving complex negotiations as part of acquisitions, administrative and judicial cases. In addition, he has served as counsel for multinational companies in administrative and judicial proceedings, due diligence, and investigative procedures involving energy project siting matters, petroleum products contamination and hazardous waste matters, among other environmental law compliance issues. He has also counseled clients on the development of green-fields and brownfields for energy, industrial, residential and hospitality uses, toxic torts, permit challenges, contamination of soils and groundwater, among other issues. His experience in the federal and state governmental sector also allowed Mr. Nieves-Miranda to participate in the discussion and development of public policy alternatives.
 
Mr. Nieves-Miranda served as Chairman of the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (PREQB) from 2009 to 2012. Prior to his appointment, he was Assistant Regional Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). While at the PREQB, he implemented Act No. 161-2009, as amended, the Permits Process Reform Act, and established more efficient enforcement and administrative processes ensuring quicker resolution of controversies and permit matters between PREQB and the regulated community. Also, he developed and implemented the expedited permitting process under Act 76-2000 (3 L.P.R.A. 1931 et seq.) for the approval of renewable and alternative energy projects in the Interagency Environmental Subcommittee. This expedited process was upheld by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico in the representative case of Justo Lozada v. AEE, 2012 T.S.P.R. 50. Act 76-2000 is one of the tools Congress embedded in Title V of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) requiring Puerto Rico agencies through the Revitalization Coordinator to implement Act 76-2000 for Critical Projects. Mr. Nieves-Miranda chaired a committee tasked by Executive Order to evaluate and issue recommendations on the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority‘s (PREPA) strategy to convert oil fired power plants to natural gas, and to timely comply with the Mercury Air Toxics Rule (MATS) and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
 
Mr. Nieves-Miranda has been a speaker and moderator before national and international organizations, including the World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE), Columbia Law School, American Water Works Association, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Asociación Latinoamericana de Supermercados (ALAS), Puerto Rico Builders Association and AIDIS, among others. He served as Regional Representative and Executive Committee member of the Environmental Council of States (ECOS), where he is currently an alumni, and actively collaborates with the Energy Committee of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA).

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