Utility Rate Regulation
Vinson & Elkins has decades of experience representing electric, gas, and other utilities in all types of high-stakes state and federal rate proceedings. From initial filings to appeals to ongoing compliance counseling, we have the experience and resources to achieve the most beneficial results for our clients.
Broad Experience
With dozens of lawyers on our Electric Regulatory team located in offices around the nation, V&E is often called on to handle multibillion dollar, complex cases, involving multiple jurisdictions and regulatory agencies. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), various federal regional transmission organizations, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), the Railroad Commission of Texas, and other state and federal agencies. Our clients include all types of entities affected by rate regulation, including transmission and distribution utilities, municipal utilities, pipelines, producers, generators, and power marketers. Our lawyers’ deep experience gives them insight into all areas of utility rate cases, including the technical and persuasive aspects of each case, and the skill to select and prepare the best experts to provide testimony.
Comprehensive Services
We represent clients in all facets of utility rate regulation, including parties in traditional cost-of-service rate cases and sponsors of merchant transmission projects seeking favorable rate treatment. We have represented clients in every federal submarket and at several state and federal electric power regulatory agencies. And when it is necessary to appeal a rate case, we draw on our in-house Appellate team to represent clients in both state and federal appellate courts.
Experience Highlights
Represented Texas’ largest electric utility in connection with multiple system-wide rate cases before the PUCT, including requests for billions of dollars in capital investment, and energy efficiency rate mechanisms
Represented electric utility is gaining approval of large advanced metering system deployment plan and the related surcharge
Represented the largest transmission customer as an intervenor in a proceeding under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act to establish formula transmission rates
Represented a Texas transmission-only electric utility in connection with litigated proceedings to establish cost of service-based rates and associated tariffs for service, including initial rates and tariffs for future operations