Public Utility Regulations, Operation & Financing

Axley public utility attorneys have extensive experience helping clients compete successfully in the complex world of public utility regulation. Our clients include electric transmission and distribution utilities, municipalities, sanitary districts, telecommunications providers, cable companies and internet service providers. Axley’s public utility attorneys are a multi-discipline group that assists clients in all facets of their business. We have experience in advising and representing clients with the following matters:

General:

• Bringing or defending against post-decision appeals, either at the agency level or in court
• Contested regulatory proceedings, including complaint proceedings, service territory disputes and policy-making proceedings
• Corporate governance, including business organization and structure, SEC compliance, fiduciary duties and business succession planning
• Condemnation and right-of-way acquisition
• Selling and/or purchasing utility assets, including due diligence, valuation, negotiation and contract drafting
• Development of a regulatory strategy
• Employment issues
• Environmental issues
• Financing, including equity and debt financing, recapitalizations, bank financing roll-up and other multi-step transactions
• Government relations issues, including participation in administrative rules development and the creation of legislative solutions
• Land use approvals
• Negotiations with regulatory commission staff and third party intervenors
• Obtaining regulatory commission approval to raise utility rates both in general rate cases and in special purpose rate cases
• Preparation of applications to regulatory commissions, including supporting documents
• Preparation of testimony in support of applications and preparation of post-hearing briefs
• Project development
• Real estate purchase transactions
• Utility disputes with customers, competitors and suppliers

Electric Utilities:

• Regulatory approval process for siting construction utility facilities and other infrastructure from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), a plant and associated power lines
• Obtaining ancillary regulatory approvals for energy-related construction projects, including the necessary approvals from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, federal administrative agencies and other governmental administrative agencies
• Power purchase agreements
• Affiliated interest agreements

Telecommunications Provider, Cable Companies and Internet Service Provider:

• Condemnation services for the acquisition of interest in land when it cannot be acquired voluntarily

The services offered by Axley’s telecommunications, cable and internet group are explained in detail here.