Bernd Rajal is an attorney at law with schoenherr in Vienna where he is a member of the firm’s Regulatory Practice Group. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of schoenherr’s Energy Group. Bernd’s practice focuses on regulatory issues such as energy, environment, waste and water management, carbon trading and restoration of contaminated sites. He advises energy suppliers with regard to EIA approvals and realisation of hydro power plants. He advises the Austrian electricity companies on the implementation of the EU Third Energy Package (representing the companies towards the legislative bodies). Bernd also has experience in the field of industrial plant shut down procedures, which are linked to various environmental issues. With schoenherr representing various governmental departments (e.g. the Austrian Ministry of Environment), he is also involved in legislative procedures making proposals for the amendment of environmental and energy law provisions. Bernd provides legal advice to energy supply companies intending to apply for the formal recognition of water use plans. Moreover, he advises foreign governmental departments (such as OPCOM in Romania) on the implementation of black, green and white certificate schemes into national law. Bernd is heavily involved in wind park projects and coordinates due diligence proceedings related to transactions in the energy and environmental sectors. Bernd also advises the European Commission with regard to the transposition of the EU Renewable Directive into the national laws of the EU 27.