Energy & Utilities Law
With broad experience in litigation and regulation, Sturgill Turner’s energy and utility law attorneys bring a wealth of knowledge necessary for representation on a wide spectrum of energy-related matters.
Our attorneys have assisted more than a dozen solar energy developers in navigating legal and regulatory issues related to solar-energy development across Kentucky, including permitting contracting, employment, real estate, finance, and local government. Jim Gardner and Todd Osterloh filed six of the first seven Kentucky Siting Board applications and their clients received the first certificates granted. We also represent the first large scale project to break ground in Kentucky. Because of that experience, we can connect clients with relevant experts, as well as provide checklists of data and information needed and a matrix of mitigation measures that the Siting Board has imposed to help with decisions regarding projects in Kentucky.
With its significant experience in municipal law, Sturgill Turner also advises solar-energy clients on County and City regulations impacting solar-energy developers. This includes assistance in obtaining local conditional use permits for properties and work on proposed local ordinances and regulations.
Sturgill Turner attorneys also have considerable utility experience in litigating matters before the Public Service Commission, including setting utility rates, transfer of corporate control, approval of financing, and certificates of public convenience and necessity. Our attorneys have represented municipal utilities, water districts, a sanitation district, and an electric generating and transmission cooperative in litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies on issues that arise in every utility’s operations—from simple torts to complex employment matters. We have negotiated contracts for solar energy developers, wholesale water sales, utility asset transfers, municipal franchise agreements, natural gas processing, and other energy-related matters.
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Represented more than a dozen solar developers on a portfolio of projects totaling approximately 2,000 MW, including obtaining necessary permitting from the Kentucky Siting Board and local agencies.
Represented a corporation in obtaining approval to acquire an electric utility serving 160,000 customers in eastern Kentucky.
Advised municipalities regarding rate increases by and generation resources of two of the state’s largest electric utilities
Represented public utility and municipality in rate cases before the Public Service Commission.
Advise municipalities regarding the award of utility franchises.
Successfully defended a public utility in a “show cause” investigation established by the Public Service Commission.
Assisted a water district in obtaining approval for Kentucky Infrastructure Authority financing and a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the PSC.
Advised a water district on refund of sewer charges ordered by the Public Service Commission.
Represented a public utility and its corporate parents in an administrative case in which the entities received approval of a transfer of control.
Defended municipalities in litigation in Boyle, Madison, and Whitley Circuit Courts involving sanitary sewer backups onto private property.
Negotiated a contract for the processing of natural gas.
Defended a water district in breach-of-contract litigation filed in Pulaski Circuit Court.
Defended a regional sanitation district in Campbell Circuit Court related to property damage.
Advised a regional sanitation district on the legal duty of certain private property owners to pay storm water fees.
Defended an electric generating and transmission cooperative before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against claims of discrimination and retaliation.
