Alexis Saba - Sive Paget & Riesel PC

Alexis focuses her practice on environmental and land use law and litigation. Most recently, she has been working with clients to understand and comply with New York State and City climate and building decarbonization requirements such as NYC’s Local Law 97 of 2019, including green leasing, landlord/tenant negotiations, solar/storage development, penalty mitigation, and strategic planning.

Alexis’s general experience includes advising clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional projects such as infrastructure and waterfront developments, including issues with title to lands under water; preparing and facilitating applications for environmental permits, as well as the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program; negotiating resolution of permit violations; assisting clients with environmental due diligence related to real estate financing and development; and defending and prosecuting lawsuits related to environmental liabilities, environmental impact assessments, land use and zoning decisions, and construction matters.

Prior to joining SPR in 2016, Alexis worked in the Litigation group at an international law firm where her practice focused on commercial litigation, government and internal investigations, and pro bono immigration work. Alexis was also a post-graduate legal fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School.

New York Super Lawyers, Environmental, Rising Star

Best Lawyers®, “Ones To Watch” for Environmental Law

New York Metro Super Lawyers, Environmental Law

Two Trees River Ring Project

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Two Trees Management, working with world-renowned Bjarke Ingels Group and James Corner Field Operations, has obtained master plan approval for The River Ring --a groundbreaking development on the Williamsburg waterfront that will create a new model for urban waterfront resiliency and transform the way New Yorkers interact with the water. River Ring is repurposing a former Con Edison industrial site for much-needed housing and completing a continuous public waterfront in North Brooklyn. The plan is anchored by a first-of-its-kind protected public beach and in-water park that will also insulate the inland community from flooding. SPR has successfully worked on all aspects of this project from the environmental due diligence, real estate transaction, through the ULURP approvals, environmental permitting and subsequent failed legal challenge to the rezoning.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

Location: Garrison, NY

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF), a critically acclaimed nonprofit theater organization, has proposed to build a new permanent theater overlooking the Hudson River in Garrison, New York. The project is designed to be the first purpose-built LEED Platinum certified theater in the United States. In 2023 HVSF was awarded a $10 million grant from the New York State Council of the Arts to help build their new theater. SPR is guiding the project through the process of environmental impact review, local land use approvals, a proposed zoning amendment, and review of construction contracts.

Arthur Kill Terminal

Location: Staten Island, NY

SPR is environmental counsel to the developer of the proposed Arthur Kill Terminal, the first offshore wind pre-assembly port facility in New York State. SPR assisted in identifying and acquiring the project site and is shepherding the project through the state and federal permitting and approval processes. This Staten Island project is uniquely positioned to serve the offshore wind industry in the Mid-Atlantic and will form a hub for the development of an offshore wind supply chain. The project will reduce the cost of constructing and operating offshore wind projects, facilitate the realization of significant local economic benefits, create thousands of jobs, provide workforce development and training, and catalyze supply chain investments needed to support offshore wind projects throughout the United States.

“Decarbonizing NYC Offices: Leveraging High-Performance Leases”

For: Building Energy Exchange

July 2024 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Local Law 97’s ‘Mediated Resolution’ Clause Gives Too Much Leeway for Exemptions, Lawyers Say”

For: City Limits Article by Mariana Simões

February 2024 | Contributor Alexis Saba

“An Update on Local Law 97 and the State of Climate Law in New York”

For: New York State Bar Association

January 16, 2024 | Presented by Alexis Saba

“Climate Mobilization Act Series: The IRA Meets New York”

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

January 24, 2023 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Superfund/Brownfield Update 2021: Case Law Update”

For: New York State Bar Association (panelist)

December 8, 2021 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Lands Under Water in NYC: Foundation of Waterfront Development”

For: Fordham Law School

October 2021 | Co-Presented by Michael Bogin and Alexis Saba

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications and Updates Nearly One Month Away From The First Deadline”

For: St. John’s University School of Law (panelist)

May 2021 | Presented by Alexis Saba

“Applying for LL97 Adjustments”

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

May 2021 | Presented by Alexis Saba

“Preparing for Carbon Emission Limits under NYC Local Law 97”

For: HalfMoon Education, Inc. (panelist)

January 2021 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Affordable Housing and Climate Mitigation in New York City: Compliance and Financing Options for Building Owners Under Local Laws 97 and 116″

For: 32 Environmental Law in New York 19

February 2021 | Written by Adam Stolorow and Alexis Saba

“Maximizing Property Values Through Onsite Solar”

For: Fall 2020 Webinar Series with SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)

November 2020 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications with Less Than Nine Months to the First Deadlines”

For: New York State Bar Association, Environment and Energy Law Section Fall Meeting

October 2020 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Optimizing Your New Roof’s Value: Local Law 92/94 Opportunities”

For: Webinar Hosted by SPR and Crauderueff Solar

April 2020 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Local Law 97 – Legal, Technical and Financial Risks Uncovered”

For: Seminar Hosted by SPR and RENEW Energy Partners (panelist)

March 2020 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“WISE Tackles the Climate Mobilization Act,” Panelist

For: Building Energy Exchange panel (panelist)

October 2019

“SPR Attorneys Explain the NYC Buildings Emissions Law”

For: SPR Webinar

August 2019 | Co-Presented by Jeffrey B. Gracer and Alexis Saba

“The Climate Mobilization Act – How It Affects You (And How PACE Can Help)”

For: Duval & Stachenfeld LLP Panel

July 2019 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Looking Forward and Looking Back: The Path to Deep Emissions Reductions in New York City’s Buildings”

For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)

May 2019 | Moderator Alexis Saba

“Land Under Water in NYC: What It Is & Why It Matters”

For: American Planning Association NY Metro Chapter Panel

October 2018 | Panelist Alexis Saba

“Agricultural Pesticides: Who, What, When, Where, Why & What To Do About It”

For: New York City Bar Association Panel

April 2018 | Moderator Alexis Saba

“Five Year Review: Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers”

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer, Fall 2017, and Environmental Claims Journal, 2017 Issue 3

July 2017 | Written by Alexis Saba

“Combined Heat and Power’s Potential to Meet New York City’s Sustainability Goals”

For: Energy Policy, vol. 65(C), 444–454

2014 | Written by Alexis Saba et al. (and Bianca Howard)

“Getting Ahead of the Curve: Supporting Adaptation to Long-term Climate Change and Short-term Climate Variability Alike”

For: Carbon and Climate Law Review, 7(1), 3–23;

2013 | Written by Alexis Saba (and Michael Biasutti et al.)

“Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers”

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer

Summer/Fall 2012 | Written by Alexis Saba (and John Wood)

New Proposed Local Law 97 Regulations Include Key Offset, Adjustment, and Cogeneration Provisions

On September 27, 2024, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued its third proposed rulemaking package to implement Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97). LL97 requires most large buildings in NYC to meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (...

Update on New York City and New York State Lead-Based Paint Laws

Numerous changes and clarifications to New York City (NYC) and New York State lead-based paint (LBP) laws for residential properties are coming into effect in 2024 and 2025. These provisions relate to a statewide rental registry for residences constructed before 1980, testing common areas in NYC buildings, and enhanced turnover remediation requirements in ...

NYC Local Law 97 Remains In Effect After Appellate Decision In Glen Oaks Case

On May 16, 2024, the New York Appellate Division, First Department, reversed in part the trial court decision that dismissed the challenge to ...

U.S. EPA Finalizes Rule Requiring Facility Response Plans for Hazardous Substance Discharges

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule requiring certain onshore facilities to prepare Facility Response Plans (FRPs) for the worst-case discharges of Clean Water Act (CWA) hazardous substances. FRPs are due to EPA by ...

Covered New Jersey Buildings Must Meet New Benchmarking Requirement By December 31

December 31, 2023 marks the final deadline for compliance with the first year of New Jersey’s building energy and water benchmarking law. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) issued an order in compliance with the New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2018

2023 Update on Federal and New York City Lead-Based Paint Laws

This year has seen notable changes and clarifications to Federal and New York City lead-based paint standards for residential properties. These provisions relate to lead paint investigations, testing, remediation, and penalties that may impact compliance planning for building owners and managers. Because these legal changes were adopted after SPR’s ...

Alexis
Saba

Associate