Our Energy Practice Group has a particular interest and expertise in electric transmission issues, including federal and state regulation of transmission interconnection, open access, grid operation, and reliability. They drafted the first network open access transmission contract in the nation between an independent power producer and a major utility and drafted the initial bylaws for the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC).
Our attorneys have been actively involved in matters such as Regional Transmission Organization/Independent System Operator (RTO/ISO) formation and regulation, FERC proceedings on interconnection and open access, and California Independent System Operator (CAISO) transmission planning and reliability requirements. We routinely help clients with the negotiation of transmission access and funding agreements, and provide legal support to companies securing financing for private power projects. We provide counsel to independent energy producers and others on transmission, distribution, facilities agreements, scheduling and settlements under CAISO tariff rules, fuel supply issues and regulatory requirements, and the negotiation of issues or contract amendments relating to those matters.
Our Energy Practice Group attorneys have worked closely on the unique challenges posed by the interconnection of remote generation facilities such as wind and solar projects and the development, permitting, and construction of transmission projects. This work has included the submission of transmission project proposals in the CAISO’s Transmission Planning Process in support of renewable generation imports, or as independent transmission proposals.
