Rhoads & Sinon LLP’s Energy & Telecommunications Practice Group serves the legal needs of commercial and industrial energy users and energy technology companies across the country, providing representation of clients before federal regulatory agencies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, D.C. We are currently involved in ongoing representation in major electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications cases nationwide.  

Representation of our clients goes beyond exhaustive knowledge of public utility and telecommunication law.  Excellent representation also means an in-depth understanding of our clients' operations and needs, as well as an appreciation of emerging issues in the field.  In this way, we are not simply reactive to problems when they arise, but are proactive in working with our clients to avoid problems and to propose innovative solutions to suit their needs.

At the state level, the Energy & Telecom Group assists clients in a broad range of regulatory matters arising before the state Public Utility Commissions across the country.  One of our primary roles is in representing clients in rate and rulemaking proceedings.  Our lawyers provide assistance throughout the ratemaking process, from gathering the necessary data to support or challenge a rate request through actual filing. Our assistance continues through discovery, settlement negotiations, and where settlement cannot be achieved, litigation.  We also provide advice and assistance in a variety of other proceedings, including annual purchased gas adjustment cases, electricity Provider of Last Resort proceedings, regulatory rulemakings and complaint cases.

Our years of practice in Harrisburg, and other state capitols around the country, provide us with the opportunity to know, and be known by, the staffs of the Commissions and public state advocates.  Our Group members also have extensive experience in appellate cases arising out of direct Commission orders.

Most recently, with the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Group has been called upon to assist our clients in analysis and intervention into several key requirements that effect their businesses nationwide. The Energy & Telecom Group believes that the most successful client initiative is structured to avoid agency disagreement and litigation.  If litigation is required, the Group can bring its experience and excellent litigation abilities to the task, including appellate challenges when necessary. At the federal level, before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the Energy & Telecom Group has represented applicants and interveners in rate filings, litigated rate cases, certificate proceedings, rulemakings and other proceedings.

Energy Transactions

The Energy & Telecom Group has provided extensive assistance to large industrial and commercial purchasers of energy for consumption or resale. The restructuring of public utilities has permitted customers to purchase energy from unregulated or lightly regulated suppliers. Our in-depth understanding of the energy markets and utility delivery systems provides invaluable assistance.

Telecommunications & Technology Issues

The Energy & Telecom Group has also developed an extensive expertise in representing cutting edge telecommunications and technology companies who are providing the next generation of telecommunications services and are creating hardware and software products that are revolutionizing both the telecom and energy verticals.  The Group has experience in working on issues such as Advanced Metering and the creation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) as part of Smart Metering initiatives related to the promotion of the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT).  The Group has also had considerable experience in the area of Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology issues and the perpetuation of smart grid applications into the home.

Energy Management Consulting

The Energy and Telecommunications Group represents commercial and industrial energy users in rate proceedings and tariff negotiations with utility companies to reduce energy consumption costs, improve cash flow and create operational efficiencies for the clients.  Often, the savings can be dramatic and bottom line profits will increase. 

For Business Owners:
Consider for example, a five or ten percent savings on energy costs, which is often the second largest corporate expense behind health care. With all energy consumers facing rising energy costs as state utility commissions are forced to provide utilities with rate increases to keep them in operation, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to protect your company's interest.

We Will:

• Review your utility invoices and look at 12 months of historical usage to determine your volume needs. 
• Identify your tariff rate and research other options that you might have either with the utility or with a third party energy marketer. 
• Determine if it is possible to form an energy buying consortium to aggregate your interest with others who are similarly situated.
• Negotiate with the utility and determine if there are any special rates or programs that we could access that would save you money or provide you with longer term rate stability.

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