Sean Pluta is an energy and regulatory lawyer who represents energy project developers, large power users and corporate clients in matters involving governmental approvals, utility regulation, environmental compliance and transportation regulation. His practice focuses on securing state and local approvals for energy generation, battery energy storage and electric transmission projects in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas; representing large-load customers in utility regulatory proceedings and power contract negotiations; and advising businesses on federal and state environmental and transportation requirements.

Sean guides developers of electric generation, battery energy storage system (BESS) and transmission projects through the approvals required to develop, construct and operate energy infrastructure. He represents clients before counties, municipalities and state agencies on siting, zoning and land-use approvals, permitting, road-use and infrastructure agreements, decommissioning requirements, financial assurance and related development matters. He works with clients to coordinate regulatory strategy with project development, real estate, financing, construction and operational considerations.

Sean also represents transmission utilities, large power users and data center owners and developers in state public utility commission proceedings and negotiations with electric utilities. He advises clients on electric service agreements, power supply contracts, tariffs, service terms and related arrangements affecting the availability, timing, reliability and cost of electricity for large-load facilities. His utility regulatory practice includes matters before the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

In addition to his energy and utility work, Sean advises corporations, developers, transportation companies and private equity firms on environmental and transportation regulatory matters. His environmental practice includes counseling on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and related federal and state requirements. He represents clients in matters involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and other environmental authorities, and regularly provides environmental due diligence, liability assessments and discrete regulatory reviews in mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, land acquisitions, facility development and new business ventures.

Sean’s transportation regulatory practice includes matters involving the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). He advises clients on regulatory requirements affecting motor carriers, pipelines, hazardous materials transportation and emerging business models, including the feasibility and regulatory implications of new products and business ventures. His regulatory counseling is also informed by his commercial litigation experience, which includes commercial and land disputes, licensing matters, toxic tort claims, hazardous-material exposure cases and other high-exposure litigation in federal and state courts.

Sean serves on the Board of Directors of Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, where he chairs the Governance Committee. Forest ReLeaf is a nonprofit organization that enriches communities by growing and planting trees through the power of people and partnerships. The organization works with volunteers and community partners to build a more resilient tree canopy across Missouri that supports healthy people, healthy habitats and a healthy planet.