Gerald R. Tarrant
Partner
Gerry Tarrant and Michael Marks started Tarrant & Marks in 1992 after both had practiced law for many years in Vermont’s public and private sectors. Prior to starting Tarrant & Marks Gerry had a law practice in Montpelier, and earlier had been a partner in a Montpelier law firm focusing primarily on civil litigation. Paul Gillies joined Gerry and Michael in 1993 to expand their practice in the area of municipal and environmental law.
Gerry was Commissioner of the Department of Public Service from 1985–1988. During this time Gerry was heavily involved in both the development of small scale energy projects in Vermont and the importation of large scale hydroelectric energy from Canada and New York. During the 1980s significant legislative changes were adopted to reflect the transition from traditional regulatory activity to newer requirements for in-state development and alternative energy projects and efficiency programs. During the late 1970s to mid 1980s the State was moving away from fossil fuel reliance and taking its first major steps toward alternative energy generation and energy efficiency. During this time, Vermont was attempting to understand the effect of its reliance on nuclear power generated and developed within New England. During the mid-1980s Gerry was Chairman of the Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel. During his tenure in state government Gerry also served as General Counsel and Public Advocate for the Department. Earlier he was Special Counsel to the Public Service Board. Gerry continues to focus considerable time on energy and other utility matters, as well as municipal, zoning, environmental and business issues.
Gerry provides counsel to individuals, farms, businesses and utilities seeking to finance, site, permit and develop electric energy sites. Gerry has counseled clients on energy efficiency programs, advanced distributed generation systems, farm methane generation projects, and clean energy technology including wind and hydroelectric projects. He has participated in numerous Section 248 filings before the Public Service Board. Gerry has represented environmental and business groups interested in solving transmission siting issues and worked with utilities in an effort to bring clean energy to their service territories.
In today’s business environment interest in clean, renewable energy cuts across political and socio-economic interests from Vermont’s energy and environmentally conscious businesses and citizens to local farmers wishing to generate electricity efficiently and economically to entrepreneurs interested in providing clean energy in today’s competitive work place. Emerging technologies and alternative fuels in part brought on by climate change and mid-east oil prices are offering new opportunities to Vermonters. Entrepreneurs are creating new energy companies and learning how to create and finance new ways to clean-up our farms, rivers, lakes and air. Vermonters are fundamentally dependent on energy, but the sources and fuels that have sustained us over the past century are showing economic and environmental flaws as well as political problems that are no longer acceptable to many. Renewable and alternative energy is attractive to farmers, local communities and municipal governments, as well as colleges, big and small businesses and the entrepreneurs interested in bringing these new ventures to Vermont. Gerry’s practice dovetails his experience and knowledge in these areas with the new wave of entrepreneurs searching for cleaner and more efficient answers to our energy future.
Gerry’s other passions include environmental and preservation law. Over the years Gerry has represented both developers and neighbors in applying Vermont’s state and local land use and permitting laws in a successful and meaningful manner. His practice is before local zoning boards, Act 250 commissions and the Environmental Court.
Gerry concentrates his practice in the following areas:
- Civil Litigation - trials and appeals
- Administrative hearings and appeals
- Business law
- Corporate law
- Environmental law
- Health Care law
- Municipal law
- Probate and guardianship
- Historic Preservation and Land Conservation
- Solid Waste and Compost laws
- Utility law
- Zoning and land use law
Education
Marshall Wythe School of Law
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
J.D. Degree 1971
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, Michigan
B.A. Degree 1968
Political Science Major
Bar Admissions
Vermont 1979
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont (1983)
Second Circuit Court of Appeals (1997)
U.S. Supreme Court (2000)
Memberships and Affiliations
Over his career Gerry has served on a number of municipal and
state boards and commissions including vice chairman of the
Certificate of Need Board (Hospital and Medical Expenditures);
Member of Board of Trustees of Vermont Land Trust, Member of
Board of Vermont Life Magazine; and Member of Board of Directors
of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. He has served as Chairman of
Board of Directors for Clean Energy Group. In 1990 Gerry
received a Citizen of the Year Award from the Vermont Natural
Resources Council for his work in environmental law.
Personal Interests
Gerry has a strong interest in historic preservation, clean
energy technology and the natural environment. Gerry loves the
outdoors and enjoys exploring Vermont and other areas of New
England with his daughter Grace and their friends. His son
Michael resides in Kyoto, Japan with his wife Yoko where he
teaches English as a Second Language at a school he founded in
2005. Grace and Gerry traveled to Japan in the summer of 2007
viewing first hand the efficiencies Japan has already realized
in the areas of home building, transportation and energy. Grace
is employed at Heaton Woods, a retirement home in Montpelier.
Gerry and Grace reside in Montpelier.