The Spencer Fane Utilities Industry Group provides stakeholders throughout these high-regulated industries representation and advocacy geared to advancing their business objectives across the full spectrum of utility-related matters involving electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and natural gas services.
The team leverages its experience interfacing with state legislatures, public utility commissions and federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to help clients on regulatory, operational, transactional, and litigation matters. This Group advises clients in regards to rate cases, rulemaking proceeding, or ensuring the regulatory compliance impacts of business approach.
As counsel to investor- and municipally-owned utilities, and competitive providers of services in these industries, as well as trade associations representing entire groups of providers, Spencer Fane has a deep understanding of the technical, as well as the business implications to contemplate when navigating both routine and highly complex issues in this sector.
As renewable energy becomes a larger aspect of utility portfolios, we also assist clients with utility-scale wind, solar, and waste-to-energy projects.
The team regularly advises clients including: competitive retail electric providers (REPs); renewable and fossil-fueled generators; storage; commercial and industrial customers; municipally-owned utilities; cooperatives; water utilities; competitive telecommunications providers; real estate developers; and property owners in areas including:
- Regulations and compliance
- Rulemaking proceedings
- Rate-making proceedings and contested cases
- Representation Before State Utility Commissions
- Permitting and certificates
- Contract negotiations
- Sale/transfer/merger applications
- Purchase power agreements
- Service area disputes
- Transmission line routing
- Legislative and regulatory policy
- Enforcement actions
- Eminent domain
- Complaints, litigation, and appeals
Our Utilities Industry Group also draws on our colleagues located across the nation who bring additional experience and insights from related practice areas. Our collaborative team includes attorneys in these service areas:
- Environmental and Energy
- Real estate
- Tax Incentives
- Cybersecurity
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Corporate and business transactions
- Labor and employment