Our Energy and Utility Law Practice was founded by the former Chair of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, who oversaw the implementation of the Commonwealth's Electric and Natural Gas restructuring legislation, and is currently led by a former Commissioner who served on the Pennsylvania Commission from February 2002 through February 2010. Our ability to draw on the experience and perspectives of former regulators with a keen understanding of the regulatory and legislative issues facing companies in today's energy and utility markets sets us apart.

We provide strategic planning and consultative services to both regulated and non-regulated entities involved in major acquisitions, industry restructuring and competitive analyses. Our energy industry clients range in size from local energy providers to international utility companies. Our experience spans the electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunications industries. We also have experience litigating complex utility-related issues before state public utility commissions and appellate courts. By understanding issues from legal, legislative, regulatory and business viewpoints, our team is able to provide our clients with dynamic approaches to improve and expand their operations.

Utilizing Buchanan's abilities as a full-service law and government relations firm, we focus on coordinating a team effort to provide clients with the optimal amount of service. In addition to the firm's more than 65 legal practice areas, our clients benefit from our ability to provide administrative and government relations services at both the state and federal levels.

The members of our Energy and Utility Law Section have:

• Provided regulatory consulting to electric, natural gas and water companies regarding a wide range of matters including utility rate and service issues, the implementation of a national energy policy for the competitive retail electric market, mergers and acquisitions, financing and power purchase agreements.
• Performed regulatory audits for utilities to identify strengths, correct weaknesses, and improve overall regulatory relationships.
• Consulted water and wastewater utilities in numerous states on requests for rate relief and other regulatory matters.
• Successfully litigated numerous proceedings before state public utility commissions to achieve client objectives, including the interpretation of tariffs, rules and regulations, increases in rates, and favorable terms and conditions for the provision of competitive electric service.
• Successfully represented competitive energy suppliers in litigating and negotiating settlements of complex utility rate proceedings before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
• Successfully represented clients in obtaining favorable settlements with incumbent utilities to enhance the provision of competitive electric service.
• Assisted affected energy companies in successfully promoting their interests in connection with the passage of the National Energy Policy Act of 2005.
• Assisted financial institutions in evaluating potential merger and/or acquisition opportunities within the utility industry.