The Utilities and Telecommunications practice group represents major telecommunications, energy, and water utility companies before state and federal regulatory agencies and provide legal advice with respect to other aspects of clients’ business activities. With acknowledged competency in the field, the firm’s utility regulation lawyers are closely involved in the restructuring of the telecommunications, natural gas, and electric industries. Additionally, the group is highly experienced in compliance and licensing issues involving all types of regulated companies – from water utilities, telecommunications, natural gas, and electric competitive suppliers to transportation companies.

The breadth of experience of Eckert Seamans’ utility and telecommunications attorneys positions them to counsel utility customers as well as utility service providers. The group’s legal and business acumen allows them to assist both new entrants and incumbents in utilizing effective legal and regulatory strategies to compete successfully in emerging competitive markets. Illustrative matters the group’s lawyers have handled include:

• Represented clients in a wide range of regulatory proceedings and litigation, both at the administrative and appellate level, and at before state and federal commissions.
• Advised both customers and vendors on the regulatory aspects of interconnection agreements, facilities and asset leases, right-of-way agreements, energy sales and purchase contracts and right- of-way agreement and tariff disputes.
• Represented water utilities and municipal water authorities in regulatory matters and litigation before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”), including services territory expansion, utility takeovers and acquisitions, and municipal authority reorganizations.
• Represented natural gas distributor companies in numerous rate and service proceedings.
• Actively participated in electric utility restructuring and default service proceedings before the Pennsylvania PUC. Eckert Seamans attorneys have been at the forefront of all electric restructuring activities and have significant experience in all areas of electric industry restructuring and regulatory proceedings.
• Represented clients in litigation and other regulatory and judicial proceedings pertaining to implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and in all aspects of the restructuring of the telecommunications industry in Pennsylvania. Eckert Seamans represents a number of competitive local exchange companies (CLECs) in their efforts to offer competitive alternatives to resident and business telephone customers in Pennsylvania and other states using both legacy, emerging broadband, and “next generation” technology, such as voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”).
• Represented Pennsylvania natural gas producers in gas distribution proceedings before the PUC, securing favorable terms and conditions for “gathering” and gas transportation rates, terms, and conditions.
• Advised Internet providers and web server companies on regulatory and other issues, including regulatory licensing and compliance.

The role of any law firm is not merely to react to changes in the law and the marketplace as they occur, but also to anticipate those changes for the benefit of its clients. Eckert Seamans is committed to providing maximum value to its utility and telecommunication clients by staying at the cutting edge of the legal and business issues affecting this highly dynamic industry sector.

Our lawyers regularly advise clients regarding matters relating to the safety and reliability of the utility pole infrastructure. The following video illustrates issues that can be caused by cable and telecommunications facilities that have been attached to electric distribution poles. Please click on the following link to view a video that shows an electric utility lineman employing the "buck squeeze" fall restraining method that is becoming the industry standard for safe utility pole climbing.