Energy Law

Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot energy law practice is led by veteran attorneys who have in-depth knowledge about this specialized field. They also have broad experience in related environmental, legislative, natural resource and utility law and financing fields that makes representation more efficient and effective.
BHBC’s energy clients include entities engaged in oil, gas, mining, pipeline transportation and utility service businesses. Subject areas include:

• Representation of both public and private entities pursuing natural gas pipeline projects, including obtaining and exercising rights-of-way, permits and commercial agreements.
• Representation of oil, gas and mining interests in obtaining state and federal permits and analyzing impacts of federal and state regulation.
• Representation of private entities in negotiating and maintaining relationships with various federal and state government agencies.
• Representation of landowners and Native regional corporations with respect to oil and gas leases, exploration agreements, transfers and property matters. 
• Representation of oil and gas pipeline companies in obtaining regulatory approvals for acquisitions of pipeline interests, and in negotiating and drafting pipeline connection and operating agreements and easements.
• Representation of electric utilities in financing generation projects, including renewable energy.

In its longstanding regulatory practice, BHBC represents electric and gas utilities and pipeline carriers before state public utilities commissions in certification, rate, rate design and tariff proceedings, as well as energy policy rulemakings. We handle complex appeals of state utility and pipeline rate decisions, and provide assistance on related business issues such as acquisitions and other corporate and transactional matters. We also represent clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on hydroelectric licensing and other issues.

Our energy practice includes representation of renewable energy companies that use resources as diverse as wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass. We advise on state and federal regulatory rules, negotiate power purchase and other interconnection agreements, assist in environmental and natural resource permitting, and handle other business issues.

As an added dimension, BHBC furthers energy clients’ interests through its legislative practice. A number of BHBC attorneys have worked in senior capacities on the Hill and at administrative agencies where legislative strategies can be key to project success. BHBC accomplishes client goals through legislative solutions, not only through the passage of legislation, but also through legislative oversight of administrative agency proceedings.

Attorneys

• Kathryn A. Black
• Jon M. DeVore
• Douglas S. Fuller
• Tina M. Grovier
• William P. Horn
• Cortney Kitchen
• Thomas F. Klinkner
• David E. Lampp
• Elisabeth H. Ross
• Holly C. Wells