Energy Facilities Siting and Licensing
The continuing expansion in both Florida's population and economy has demanded the siting and licensing of new facilities to supply the energy to fuel Florida's growth. Power plant facilities require myriad federal, state, regional and local permits for their construction and operation. Many times, these facilities require unique types of approvals, such as economic review or land development approvals before they may go forward. These permitting processes often require significant commitments of time and resources to successfully navigate the various regulatory schemes at all levels of government. Our firm has been involved in almost all aspects of the licensing of these new or expanded energy facilities.
Like water, energy is a critical factor in supporting the growth in Florida's residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Since 1979 our firm has been assisting the developers of these new and expanded energy facilities, including electrical power plants, electrical transmission lines, and fuel pipelines. The clients we represent comprise both public and private electric utilities and natural gas and oil companies. We handle administrative rulemaking, agency permitting, licensing, and legislative matters concerning the state's policies over the location of these facilities. Through our approach of working closely with clients during all phases of a project’s development, we have participated in shaping the energy policies, both present and future, for Florida. Our experience includes:
- Licensing of most of the power plants certified under Florida's Electrical Power Plant Siting Act since that act's adoption in 1973;
- Permitting of the "repowering" of existing electrical power plants into modern generating units;
- Licensing a variety of facilities using natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear fuel sources;
- Licensing the vast majority of the high voltage electrical transmission lines sited under Florida's Electrical Transmission Line Siting Act;
- Licensing of supporting facilities for new and existing power plants, including electrical transmission lines, fuel handling and transportation facilities, and proposed rail lines;
- Participation in proceedings for certificates of need issued by the Florida Public Service Commission for new electrical generation and transmission facilities;
- Siting and licensing of new petroleum product pipelines;
- Siting and licensing of new natural gas pipelines and associated facilities; and
- Permitting of oil production facilities, both on land and offshore;
Practicing Attorneys : Brian J. Accardo, Richard S. Brightman, Paula Cobb, Peter C. Cunningham, Virginia C. Dailey, Vinette D. Godelia, Brooke E. Lewis, Gary V. Perko, David L. Powell, Carolyn S. Raepple, Douglas S. Roberts, Gary P. Sams and Angela Morrison Uhland.