Charles Sensiba

A recognized national leader in hydropower licensing, relicensing, and license implementation and compliance, including all federal environmental and other regulatory policies affecting hydropower, Chuck provides strategic, legal, and policy counsel on a full range of existing and emerging issues affecting the hydropower industry.

Chuck is one of the very few attorneys nationwide whose practice focuses exclusively on licensing, relicensing, regulatory, and policy issues affecting the hydropower industry. He handles a full spectrum of matters, including complex licensing and relicensing, as well as natural resources and environmental issues, related to the regulation of hydropower operation and development. Chuck’s clients – including investor-owned utilities, public power, electric cooperatives, governmental entities, water districts, and independent power producers – benefit from his wide-ranging, national experience.

In particular, Chuck handles matters under the Federal Power Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Historic Preservation Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act. His work includes successful representation in scores of hydroelectric relicensing proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as well as matters pertaining to license implementation and compliance; administrative and appellate litigation before the U.S. Courts of Appeal on hydropower licensing and administrative matters; and policy work before the U.S. Congress. In the water power industry, Chuck serves clients ranging from some of the largest and most complex facilities in the nation; to small water supply projects.

A recognized thought leader on issues affecting the hydropower industry, Chuck is a prolific author, having published scores of pieces in journals and leading legal reference materials, including Energy Law and Transactions; Waters and Water Rights; ABA Natural Resources and Environment; The Water Report; and Irrigation Leader. He is also a regular speaker on hydro issues, addressing organizations and conferences including the National Hydropower Association, HydroVision International, Northwest Hydroelectric Association, and National Water Resources Association.

Chuck currently serves on the board of directors of the National Hydropower Association.