The regulation of utilities in Rhode Island is the responsibility of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (“RIPUC”). That commission is a creature of statute. As an attorney, practicing before the commission is different than appearing in state court. Public utility law follows various enabling acts and observance of a variation on the state’s rules of evidence and civil procedure.…
Today’s environmental issues need an almost constant review and revision to current environmental policies at both the state and federal levels. Exclusive reliance on historical sources of energy is no longer a viable option. Monitoring of resources like water quality shows that efforts to regulate human activity fails often. As human population increases, we see the need for increased attention…
The details of services provided by a utility lawyer are less well understood than the details of the legal profession in general. Utilities law is an area of practice that encompasses regulation of public utilities: suppliers of electricity, telecommunications services, natural gas, water and sewer services, cable television, motor carriers, and ferry services. The regulations covering these services are implemented…
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is made up of two different bodies that work together to meet the directives contained in its enabling legislation. The PUC serves as a quasi-judicial tribunal with jurisdiction, powers, and duties to implement and enforce statutory standards of conduct. Under RIGL §39-1-1, the Public Utilities Commission is mandated to: “supervise, regulate, and make orders governing…
Land use planning refers to the practice whereby land owners, developers, municipalities, environmental attorneys, and other professionals collectively work to approve a land-based project in accordance with principles and engineering that promotes an appropriate social and environmental effect, while also employing resources efficiently. The benefits of land use planning are myriad: environmental protection, avoidance of urban sprawl, departure from impacts…
Market volatility, savings incentives, increasing costs for energy, and advanced regulatory compliance can be daunting and confusing for property owners who might otherwise pursue construction of or partnership on a solar energy facility. At the State level, solar projects are currently incentivized and can significantly reduce an electric bill. For parties interested in purchasing “credits” associated with a solar facility,…
Zoning Approval for the Installation of Solar Infrastructures in Rhode Island’s Municipalities Rhode Island is an exciting place for solar projects. In the last six years, there has been a conscious effort in siting solar development throughout the state. Rhode Island has a goal: 1,000 megawatts and 20,000 clean energy jobs by 2020, set by the government in March of…
Attorney Desautel was honored to successfully work with the property owners in Pascoag, RI, in convincing the Pascoag Utility District that it should not coordinate with Invenergy to provide the water source for their project.
