Dickstein Shapiro LLP excels at guiding energy clients through a complex and constantly changing regulatory environment. The practice has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and recently described the firm as “one of the top choices for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) looking for FERC counsel.” Citing “excellent strategic planning,” Chambers USA praises the firm’s energy attorneys because “they understand how the regulatory side affects investment.” Electric, natural gas, LNG, and oil companies rely on Dickstein Shapiro for support in a myriad of regulatory matters, from electricity market development to natural gas transportation and storage to transaction structuring and due diligence. The firm helps these clients navigate the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state regulatory proceedings, litigate successfully in federal and state courts, and address complex environmental regulatory issues at every level so they can meet their business objectives.
Electrical Industry
Electricity Market Development and Operations
Dickstein Shapiro is in the forefront of energy industry restructuring and is actively involved in every region of the United States on a daily basis. The firm participates in the formulation of the laws, rules, and policies that govern restructured power pools, power and ancillary services markets, transmission planning and operations, and regional transmission organizations. Dickstein Shapiro counsels clients and represents them in regulatory proceedings and in court on all kinds of energy matters, including issues related to the transition of the energy sector from a tightly regulated, vertically integrated industry to a more unbundled and competitive market, and, in some cases, back to a more regulated market.
Electric System Reliability and Operations
Dickstein Shapiro represents clients in all legal aspects of system reliability, including contracting for interconnection and transmission reliability studies, formation of and operation of control areas, establishment of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and regional standards, negotiation of local area reliability agreements, and use of distributed generation to maintain reliability.
Interconnection Services, Agreements, and Costs
Dickstein Shapiro represents both generators and transmission owners on all legal matters relating to interconnection service, including developing interconnection policies, drafting and negotiating agreements, commissioning studies, determining queuing and interconnection priorities, assigning upgrade cost responsibility, and resolving interconnection-related disputes.
Natural Gas, LNG, and Oil Industry
Dickstein Shapiro represents interstate natural gas pipelines; natural gas storage projects; LNG facilities; natural gas supply projects; oil and products enterprises; natural gas utilities, including local distribution companies (LDCs); gas-fired electric generators; industrial end-users; and natural gas and petroleum producers and marketers in the United States, in Canada, and abroad. The firm represents both regulated and non-regulated entities in all types of natural gas matters before the FERC and state public utility commissions, siting boards, and other federal and state agencies. Firm attorneys also provide strategic advice and conduct due diligence for the acquisition or sale of natural gas and oil pipeline companies and facilities.
Transactional
Dickstein Shapiro helps clients to structure transactions to eliminate or minimize regulatory oversight under the FPA, the Natural Gas Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA), state statutes, and federal and state codes and standards of conduct. The firm also conducts regulatory due diligence for its clients and helps them to obtain federal and state approvals, declaratory orders, and no-action letters for transactions.