Hyde Kelley attorneys work in the capacities of special legal counsel for utilities. Hyde Kelley attorneys represent clients at all levels of the court system, both State and Federal, and before state regulatory agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Public Utility Commission, Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Water Development Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
We counsel on municipal and utility issues including:
- Certificates of Convenience and Necessity
- Rates
- Regulation and compliance issues
- Franchise agreements
- Right-of-way management
- Utility operations
- Solid waste permitting
- Power supply agreements and other transactions
- Formation, reorganization, mergers, and acquisitions
- Environmental matters
- Legislative counseling
- Purchase contracts
- Assistance in obtaining funding from state and federal agencies
Some of our clients include
- Municipally owned utilities
- Water and wastewater utilities
- Municipal governments
- Water supply corporations
- Special districts
- Private interests
Our firm also has further experience within the following utility law areas:
Water and wastewater utilities
Hyde Kelley attorneys represent municipal governments, water supply corporations,
special districts, and private utility companies concerning retail and wholesale utility rates and services. Hyde Kelley attorneys have represented our clients in the courts and before the TCEO and its predecessor agencies. Also, Hyde Kelley attorneys advise and consult with clients regarding contracts for the purchase or sale of wholesale
supplies and services.
Electric and gas franchise
For municipalities throughout the state, Hyde Kelley attorneys have advised and assisted in regard to electric franchise issues.
Water
Hyde Kelley attorneys have vast experience in all facets of water law, including:
- State and Federal water and wastewater permit programs
- Environmental permits and rules
- Permit compliance counseling and defense of enforcement actions
- Surface water, groundwater, wastewater and reuse permits
- Groundwater district creation and management
- Special district creation and management
- Water and wastewater service area disputes
- Endangered species issues
- Negotiation and development of raw water contracts, wholesale or retail service contracts, reuse contracts, and related agreements
- Legislative counseling
Hyde Kelley attorneys represent municipalities, municipally owned utilities, municipal utility districts and other special law districts, water supply corporations, and individuals and private corporations engaged in regulated activities.
Hyde Kelley attorneys represent client interests in governmental forums and throughout the legislative process by:
- Maintaining contact with officials involved in water matters at the state level
- Participating in legislative and regulatory water policy work groups
- Testifying before legislative committees
- Monitoring upcoming policy issues, rules, and regulations
- Apprising clients of upcoming, relevant changes
- Serving on agency ad hoc committees in charge of making rules and policy
OIL AND GAS
Hyde Kelley attorneys have actively assisted municipally owned utilities and municipalities before the Railroad Commission of Texas on matters related to injection well drilling and groundwater contamination.