Energy & Natural Resources

Troutman Pepper Locke’s North Carolina regulatory practice guides electric and gas utilities, independent power producers, and energy customers through complex proceedings before the North Carolina Utilities Commission and related state agencies. We represent utilities in base‑rate and rider cases, multi‑year rate plans, grid‑modernization and resiliency dockets, integrated resource planning, fuel and cost‑recovery proceedings, and applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity for new generation and transmission infrastructure. Our lawyers also advise on program approvals for demand‑side management, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and the transition to cleaner portfolios including solar, storage, and other emerging technologies.

For developers, investors, and large‑load customers, we counsel on state and local siting and permitting, CPCN and other certification requirements for utility‑scale and distributed solar and storage projects, PURPA and qualifying‑facility issues, participation in competitive procurements and RFPs, and the regulatory aspects of power purchase, virtual power purchase, and other offtake structures with North Carolina utilities. Our North Carolina‑based team integrates commission advocacy, environmental and siting insight, and commercial and financing experience to advance critical North Carolina energy infrastructure throughout the project life cycle.