State Regulation

In addition to assisting clients with all manner of telecommunications policy issues and regulation at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Wilkinson Barker Knauer also represents clients on similar issues before various state public utility commissions (PUCs).  Our state regulation practice is led by Ray Gifford, a former Chair of the Colorado PUC, giving our clients the ability to see issues through the regulator’s lens.  We have represented clients in state regulatory proceedings to obtain operating authority, transfer operating authority, and relinquish operating authority, as well as proceedings related to the transfer, sale or encumbrance of utility assets.  We also have experience with proceedings relating to Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designations and obligations, state and federal high cost funds, lifeline and link-up support mechanisms, E911 issues, interconnection arbitrations, intercarrier compensation disputes, cost of service rate proceedings, right-of-way issues, and regulatory compliance and service quality issues (both for wholesale and retail service).  The assistance our state regulatory team provides clients ranges from counseling on these issues to representing them in contested proceedings, including full evidentiary hearings before PUCs.   In addition, firm attorneys have appeared as experts and provided expert testimony in proceedings before various state PUCs. 

In addition to representing telecommunications companies before state PUCs, Wilkinson Barker also has substantial experience representing clients in the energy/electric sector.  We have assisted clients in certification proceedings, resource planning dockets, cost-of-service dockets, proceedings relating to renewable/green energy requirements, “fuel-switching” dockets and smart grid proceedings.  We also have represented clients on transportation and water matters before state PUCs.