Rising 2L Matthew Leaper is working with the Philadelphia Law Department and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability as part of an internship sponsored by the Environmental and Energy Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

During the summer-long internship, Leaper is helping to develop a performance contracting program for the City of Philadelphia to help it meet the sustainability goals established by Mayor Michael Nutter in the Greenworks Philadelphia program.

As an interdisciplinary resource, Leaper - who holds a Masters in Architectural Engineering from the University of Nebraska, is registered as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and certified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) - has been actively drafting memorandum on the enforceability of energy savings guarantees, evaluating proposals for a $30 to $60 million energy project at the Philadelphia International Airport and developing the energy performance contract for an $8 to $10 million project with NORESCO to retrofit City Hall, the Criminal Justice Center, the Municipal Services Building and the One Parkway Building with efficient technologies.

“Each day is an opportunity to advance my understanding of the legal challenges associated with implementing environmental and energy initiatives within the public sector,” said Leaper, who is pursuing a concentration in the law school’s Intellectual Property program to expand his capabilities and experience with environmental and energy law.

Leaper will have the opportunity to speak firsthand with Mayor Nutter about his experience at a private lunch in September.