Utility regulation and power siting

Energy and utility regulation

Porter Wright is a pillar of the public utility practice in Ohio. We represent large public utilities and developers of regulated energy projects in the electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and green/renewable energy industries. We support our clients in a variety of regulatory matters including rulemaking, ratemaking and complaint case proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and appeals before the Supreme Court of Ohio.

We represent Ohio public utilities in a variety of proceedings, including distribution rate case applications, alternative rate case applications (natural gas), electric security plan applications, new rider applications and rider adjustment filings, rider audit proceedings, Significantly Excessive Earnings Test (SEET) filings (electric), exemption filings (natural gas), complaint cases, and Commission investigations. We also perform due diligence for and advise companies on the legal requirements for sales, acquisitions and changes of control for Ohio public utilities.

Our work also includes advising competitive retail electric service and competitive retail natural gas service providers on certification and compliance with Ohio’s marketing, solicitation, enrollment and billing requirements. We defend marketers in complaints filed with and investigations conducted by the PUCO.

We also advise telecommunication carriers on new cell site deployment to build out legacy and new wireless technologies, including various administrative permitting proceedings on a state and local level.

Power siting

We provide strategic regulatory counsel to public utilities and developers as they build out electric power transmission and pipeline infrastructure as well as in the siting of renewable generation facilities in Ohio. Our representation of clients before the Ohio Power Siting Board encompasses a number of elements, including litigation of contested projects, resolution of issues involving local governmental authorities, compliance aspects derivative of the board’s continuing jurisdiction and certificate amendments.

With a robust power siting practice—one of the most experienced in Ohio—and a core group of energy lawyers, we have critical insight on emerging staff preferences and board priorities. We draw on this knowledge to advise applicants in securing board approvals and special permits for major utility facility projects.