Energy & Utility Law

The firm’s energy and utility practice focuses on regulation, deregulation and restructuring of public utilities, and on the acquisition, development, financing, and transfer of power generation assets and other utility projects. The firm has represented large and small electric utilities, public power supply entities and independent power producers in the establishment and development of generation projects, including land use and related regulation, contract negotiation, financing, and power sales.

Members of the firm have appeared before the Vermont Public Service Board, have consulted on matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and have pursued appeals and litigation in state and federal courts, as necessary.

Over the course of its involvement in the public service arena, the firm has been involved in:

• The structuring, certification, permitting, financing, and development of thermal and hydroelectric power production facilities
• The location, relocation, and related permitting of transmission facilities representing developers of a large, wood-fired thermal electric power plant operating as an independent power producer
• Representing clients in the evaluation and approval of facility locations, including site assessments in coordination with environmental and other specialists
• Representing investors in the acquisition of power generation stations, including a nuclear power plant
• Counseling clients on compliance issues relating to deregulation and restructuring as well as transactions between regulated and unregulated activities
• Advising clients regarding power purchase and sale transactions and negotiating agreements to effect the desired result
• Representing owners of utility assets in connection with the taxation of those assets, including prosecution of tax appeals
• Environmental (land use) regulation
• Business organizations
• Recovering costs and expenditures through administrative and litigated proceedings