Public Utility Regulation
As counsel to a number of competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECS"), a natural gas pipeline and providers of ancillary services to natural gas marketers, we have a full-range public utilities practice before the Georgia Public Service Commission and in the state and federal courts. We monitor all proceedings before the Georgia Public Service Commission, as well as utility-related legislation in the General Assembly to keep our clients informed of new proceedings, changes in rules and relevant rulings of the Commission.
In the telecommunications industry, we represent clients in all types of Commission proceedings. Beginning with the certification process, we assist clients in obtaining authority to operate as facilities-based or resale CLECs; interexchange carriers; providers of alternate operator services; payphone service providers; users of telephone service observing equipment; and operators of alternative dialing and announcing devices. We negotiate and, when necessary, arbitrate interconnection agreements. Upon certification and interconnection, we ensure that clients meet numerous reporting requirements, and we work closely with the Commission staff and clients to resolve consumer complaint issues promptly and effectively. When disputes arise, we litigate complaints brought by or against our clients and regularly intervene in other Commission proceedings in which our clients are not primary parties but have an interest which may be affected by a ruling in that case. On behalf of our clients, we regularly participate and provide comments in numerous Commission rulemaking proceedings designed to set or revise policy in the rapidly changing market. When Commission approval is required for mergers, acquisitions or financing transactions, we assist clients in obtaining the same.
For telecom clients whose business includes building networks, we assist in the drafting of franchise agreements with municipalities and obtaining permits from state and local departments of transportation. In the event of a utility hit during construction, we provide representation in all resulting legal action, including municipal citations, charges by the Commission under the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act and civil lawsuits.
In our energy practice, we represent a natural gas pipeline as well as ancillary service providers before the Commission. We have experience in obtaining certification for natural gas marketers and have participated in many of the workshops and rulemakings associated with the deregulation of Georgia's natural gas market. During the General Assembly, we monitor the legislation on this topic.