Local Government
- Details
- Category: Practice-Areas Practice-Areas
- Published: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
- Created: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
Local Government
HMS Legal practices the following areas of law related to local government:
Utilities, Energy & Communication
- Details
- Category: Practice-Areas Practice-Areas
- Published: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
- Created: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
Utilities, Energy & Communication
HMS Legal practices the following areas of law related to utilities, energy & communication:
Marcellus Shale
- Details
- Category: Practice-Areas Practice-Areas
- Published: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
- Created: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
Marcellus Shale
The Marcellus Shale natural gas development in Pennsylvania has been described by regulators and university studies as a source of clean-burning energy that can create more than 200,000 jobs while producing the equivalent of 87 billion gallons of oil. HMS has been involved since the inception of the Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania, providing legal advice and representation to various industry stakeholders, including midstream/gatherer pipeline companies, water suppliers and wastewater treatment providers, as they take part in the development of this significant energy supply.
In addition to its attorneys speaking on Marcellus Shale issues at symposiums, HMS has a long history and understanding of the natural gas industry and has represented local distribution companies and the former Pennsylvania Gas Association for over 20 years in financial, system and service matters. HMS also has long represented the water and wastewater industry in Pennsylvania, serving as counsel to the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, the Capital Region Council of Governments and other significant ad hoc groups of wastewater system and water system owners. At the invitation of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Pa. DEP), HMS has participated in a number of Pa. DEP working groups related to the regulation of the water industry.
Our available client services relative to Marcellus Shale activities include:
- Representation before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Pa. DEP, the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basin Commissions, county and local municipalities on matters regarding development of legislation, regulations and policy statements
- Applications to provide intrastate pipeline gathering and treatment service, for motor common carrier rights, and for acquisitions or sales of systems and assets
- Representation regarding wastewater nutrient credit trading, effluent limitations, Chesapeake Bay and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) issues, and cap load regulation
- Drafting of contracts, property or asset agreements
- Representation in eminent domain, land use, zoning, right-of-way, and other real property matters
- Drafting of agreements regarding water supply, and representation regarding water supply filings with regulators, processing wastewater, hydraulic fracturing fluid and flowback diversion, treatment and disposal
- Coordination of client legal matters and projects in multiple locales in Pennsylvania
- Providing regulatory and transactional due diligence
Telecommunications
- Details
- Category: Practice-Areas Practice-Areas
- Published: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
- Created: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
Telecommunications
The telecommunications industry continues to evolve as new services and methods of communication are developed. As required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Chapter 30 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code, incumbent telephone companies are now providing a variety of broadband services to customers and competitive providers of local and long distance telephone services are available in all areas of the Commonwealth. HMS aided incumbent telephone companies in transitioning into the new regulatory environment and our attorneys have participated in proceedings during this transition for clients of all sizes.
HMS has built a solid reputation in the telecommunications industry by keeping abreast of developing technology, understanding how that technology will affect the provision of telecommunications services, and assisting our clients in addressing the evolving regulatory landscape as part of their overall business strategy.
We have represented our clients in proceedings involving numerous issues, including:
- Industry restructuring and competition
- Implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Chapter 30 alternative rate regulation
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Expansions
- Ratemaking
- Service and billing matters
- Financing and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission securities registration
- Voice over Internet protocol
- Virtual NXX
Renewable & Alternative Energy
- Details
- Category: Practice-Areas Practice-Areas
- Published: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
- Created: 11 September 2013 11 September 2013
Renewable & Alternative Energy
- Representing NGOs and natural gas distribution companies in Act 129 electric distribution utility alternative energy portfolio cases and other related proceedings before the Pa. PUC
- Advising wind power providers on Pa. PUC and siting issues
- Advising municipalities and public/private partnerships on solar projects
- Securing end user grants for demand side management and related energy usage reduction