Public Utilities

California Takes Legal Stand Against AT&T Over Misleading FCC in Copper Network Transition Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant legal confrontation, California state regulators have accused AT&T of misleading the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of its strategy to decommission its old copper phone network without ensuring an adequate replacement. The California Public Utilities Commission, alongside the state, emphasized that the telecom giant’s longstanding narrative—claiming California aims to hinder its…

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AT&T Faces Legal Battle with California Over Landline Service Obligations Amid Broader Push for Modernization

Pieter Gunst03 mins

AT&T has initiated legal action against California, challenging the state’s mandate that obligates the telecommunications giant to continue offering landline services to all prospective customers within its wireline network area. This move comes as AT&T seeks a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declaration to prevent California from enforcing these rules, aiming to discontinue services for around…

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Charles Evans Hughes: Navigating Justice and Politics in a Transformative Era of the Supreme Court

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Charles Evans Hughes remains an intriguing figure in the history of the United States Supreme Court, not least because his legal and political career was marked by significant transitions and accomplishments. As detailed in various historical records, he is one of only five justices in the court’s history to leave the Supreme Court to pursue…

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Federal Court Consolidates Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuits to Streamline Legal Process

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has decided to centralize over 20 sexual assault lawsuits against Lyft in the Northern District of California. This consolidation aims to enhance efficiency and practicality by bringing together cases currently dispersed across various district courts into a single federal court in San Francisco. This move mirrors previous actions…

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California Greenlights Verizon’s $9.6 Billion Acquisition of Frontier with Stringent Equity Conditions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a strategic move amid ongoing federal shifts away from diversity-focused policies, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has given its approval to the $9.6 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications by Verizon. This merger, poised for completion by January 20, marks a significant expansion for Verizon, which will gain access to an additional 3.3 million…

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“Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Strengthens Governmental Practice with Strategic Hire from D.C. Water”

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a strategic move to bolster its governmental practice, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP has welcomed the former top attorney of D.C. Water into its ranks. This new addition is poised to enhance the firm’s ability to navigate the intricate regulatory landscape impacting water and wastewater management. The legal community has been observing a growing…

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Taft Stettinius & Hollister Expands Washington Presence with Strategic Hire of Former DC Water Legal Chief

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP has announced a strategic addition to its Washington, D.C. office with the hiring of Matthew Battle, the former chief legal officer of DC Water. This move is seen as an effort to bolster the firm’s capabilities in the capital as regulatory and environmental demands grow for their clients. Battle brings…

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Verizon Secures Merger Approval with $20 Broadband Initiative in California

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a strategic move to secure regulatory approval for its $9.6 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, Verizon has agreed to offer affordable broadband services in California. The telecom giant plans to introduce a $20-per-month fiber-to-the-home service, providing consumers with symmetrical speeds of 300Mbps. Additionally, a fixed wireless service option offering download speeds of 100Mbps and…

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International Inquiry Denounces Russian Drone Attacks in Ukraine as Crimes Against Humanity

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine recently published a report labeling Russian drone strikes against civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson Province as crimes against humanity and war crimes. The commission asserts that these attacks have led to approximately 150 civilian fatalities since July 2024, citing a sustained campaign targeting local populations and critical infrastructure….

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Federal Judges Sue Los Angeles Utility Over Infrastructure-Linked Wildfire Damage

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant legal development, two federal judges have initiated legal proceedings against Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power (LADWP), seeking redress for the devastation caused by the Palisades wildfire earlier this year. Senior District Judge Dean D. Pregerson and former Magistrate Judge Vijay C. Gandhi, both of the U.S. District Court for the…

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“US Utilities’ Market Dominance Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Antitrust Concerns”

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Federal antitrust regulators have been active in the tech and labor markets, yet they have not focused on one of America’s most enduring monopolies: public utilities that control access to the electric grid. Notably, public utilities often use their market dominance to raise prices and block new, more efficient competitors from entering the market. This…

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Veteran Energy Attorney Carville Collins Joins Saul Ewing LLP as Partner in Baltimore Office

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Saul Ewing LLP has announced the addition of Carville Collins to its Baltimore office as an energy and public utilities partner. Collins brings extensive experience in advising businesses on regulatory matters, including seeking approvals from the Public Service Commission of Maryland for rate and tariff revisions, mergers and acquisitions, and renewable energy facility certifications. He…

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Examining Ethical Misconduct Allegations Against Ex-Ohio Utilities Regulator Samuel Randazzo

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Ohio’s ex-chief utilities regulator, Samuel Randazzo, now finds himself faced with multiple counts of professional misconduct and the subsequent scrutiny of the state’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Specifically, his actions affiliated with FirstEnergy Corp. have been called into question as potential violations of attorney ethics rules. Randazzo, a 74-year-old former chairman of the Ohio Public…

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Appellate Court Decision Stresses Reasonable Water Pricing for Supply Firms

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In response to the Appellate Court’s recent judgment related to water pricing in the state, the importance of this decision has been stressed by legal counselor, Alexandria Drake. Highlighting the need for companies to establish reasonable rates, the court’s verdict has significant implications, especially for water supply firms such as the Spokane city company. The…

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Frost Brown Todd Expands Environmental Practice Group with Energy Expert in Lexington

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Frost Brown Todd, a well-known law firm, recently announced the expansion of its environmental practice group in Lexington, Kentucky. The firm welcomed Kathryn Eckert as a partner within the group, a move expected to significantly strengthen its energy industry team. Eckert comes with a wealth of experience and expertise in energy and public utilities law….

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California Supreme Court Upholds Regulatory Authority in PG&E PSPS Blackout Lawsuit Rejection

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a noteworthy ruling of Gantner v. PG&E Corporation et al. dated November 20, 2023, the Supreme Court of California unanimously concluded that a class-action lawsuit against the utility giant Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was inadmissible due to an existing legislative framework. The lawsuit in question, brought about by multiple plaintiffs, related to Public…

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Texas Implements New Compliance Measures for Public Facility Corporations Under House Bill 2071

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In an important move concerning public facility corporation compliance monitoring, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs put forth new regulations. These proposals are in response to the Texas House Bill 2071 (the “Bill”), which became effective on June 18, 2023 and brought changes to Chapter 303 of the Texas Local Government Code (the…

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Maine Residents Vote on Public Utility Ownership and Financial Decision-Making

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent vote, the residents of Maine declined a proposal that might have dramatically reshaped their state’s public utilities landscape. This proposal centered on the ownership transformation of Maine’s major investor-owned electric utilities, Central Maine Power and Versant Power. The plan suggested was to form a nonprofit entity directed to acquire these utilities’ assets….

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Sixth District Court Upholds Monterey County Desalination Plant Approval, Reverses Initial Judgment

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In an interesting turn of events, the Sixth District Court of Appeal reversed an initial trial court’s judgment, which held that Monterey County’s permitting of a desalination plant was unjustified. This conclusion came in response to a writ set aside by the court against the investor-owned public utility/water supplier California-American Water Company (“Cal-Am”), as documented…

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