The attorneys in Polsinelli’s Public Utilities practice appear regularly before state public utility commissions throughout the country and understand the unique challenges of investing in and operating energy assets and other regulated industry services, such as telecommunications, under multiple layers of regulation, including at the local, state, regional and federal levels. Our team includes former leaders of state and federal regulatory agencies and our collective effort is focused on helping clients navigate the complex and dynamic regulatory landscape to achieve their business goals.

Our Public Utilities & Energy Consumers attorneys are fully equipped to assist large industrial energy customers, independent power producers, regulated utilities and non-regulated utilities with a broad spectrum of legal issues. We routinely advise utilities, independent power producers and industrial power consumer clients regarding state and federal regulatory issues before many state utility commissions, regional transmission organizations and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Specifically, our experience includes:

• Applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity from state utility commissions, including electric transmission certification and line siting.
• Representation of industrial and commercial clients regarding electric and natural gas supply options, large load tariffs, self-supply, special rate contracts, and other rate and supply issues.
• Structuring and obtaining regulatory approval for mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in the energy and public utility industries.
• Representing stakeholders in utility electric rates cases, tariff proposals and integrated resource planning.
• Right-of-way and condemnation proceedings.
• Monitoring and proactive involvement in the development, implementation and structuring of regulatory and legislative changes at the state and federal levels for energy industry clients.
• Negotiation of power purchase agreements and build transfer agreements, and advising clients on the regulatory implications of each.
• Generation and large load interconnection processes at various regional transmission organizations (RTOs).