Public Utility and Energy Law

What We Do

For nearly a century, public utility leaders have been turning to us for help. We develop practical strategies to help clients achieve their goals relating to the development and growth of utilities. Our experience includes advice on, and assistance with:

  • Real estate purchase transactions
  • Land use approvals
  • Right-of-way acquisition
  • Stray voltage, earth current and other electrical phenomena issues and claims
  • Pipeline construction
  • Solar energy installation agreements
  • Interconnection agreements
  • Power purchase agreements
  • Procurement of generating equipment
  • Employment issues
  • Utility disputes with customers, competitors and suppliers
  • Construction contracts
  • Equipment and materials procurement agreements
  • Siting of and leasing space on cellular and PCS towers
  • Energy efficient construction financing
  • Development and regulatory approval of energy generation facilities
  • Collection of delinquent utility bills for utility service providers

Our attorneys also have extensive experience before the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which translates to an in-depth knowledge of ratemaking and regulatory principles.

Who We Work With

We have long represented Madison’s major investor-owned electric and natural gas utility. We also provide legal counsel to natural gas pipeline companies, petroleum products transporters, municipal utilities, water companies, telecommunications providers, cable television firms, and non-profit energy efficiency promotion organizations. In addition, we regularly counsel and represent investor-owned utilities throughout the State of Wisconsin and the nation in stray voltage, earth current and related electrical phenomena claims and lawsuits.

Results

Effective legal representation doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of professional excellence, integrity, and nearly a century of experience. Here are just a few of the ways we have put our experience to work over the years:

  • Assisted municipal utility in becoming one of the first two utilities in Wisconsin to be permitted to provide telecommunication services.
  • Structured and negotiated terms of what was then the second largest wind power development east of the Mississippi River.
  • Blocked the anti-competitive merger of two electric utilities.
  • Successfully litigated to recover a large settlement due to defective construction of a waste to energy facility.
  • Obtained statewide rights-of-way to permit construction of a natural gas pipeline.
  • Developed contract forms for distributed generation facility programs utilizing solar facilities and backup generators.
  • Reviewed energy efficient loan construction programs for utility and non-profit energy efficiency promotion organization.
  • Creation and effective administration of high volume utility bill collection systems.
  • Successful defense of tort claims against power plant co-owner for a workplace accident.