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Pillsbury created the first nuclear energy practice in the U.S. over 40 years ago and has had one of the premier nuclear practices in the nation ever since.
Our nuclear energy attorneys are on the leading edge of new nuclear industry initiatives, representing the first nuclear plant to obtain license renewal, the first utility to apply for an early site permit for a new nuclear plant and a consortium seeking to build the first nuclear cogeneration plant to produce both electricity and hydrogen. The firm is an industry leader in addressing the legal and public policy issues involving the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel and eventual permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
Pillsbury's nuclear energy lawyers serve 40 electric utilities in matters of nuclear energy regulation, dispute resolution, and commercial transactions, including the sale and purchase of nuclear generating plants. We represent our clients in every phase of a nuclear facility’s lifecycle, including initial licensing, license renewal, fuel procurement, decommissioning, and waste disposal.
Providing Effective Counsel on Complex Energy Matters
For more than 50 years, the firm has delivered effective counsel on energy matters. Because the nuclear energy, coal, and gas industries are so heavily regulated, providing legal representation in those areas requires extraordinary technical knowledge and legal experience. Many of the lawyers in our energy group hold graduate degrees in engineering and the sciences and have held positions in the U.S. Navy, electric companies, and nuclear facilities. Some have served as counsel to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the Atomic Energy Commission.
We deliver to our clients the regulatory, transactional, dispute resolution, and legislative representation needed to successfully operate their enterprises. Our clients include U.S. and international electric companies, service providers and vendors, financial institutions, gas companies, mining companies, and the owners and operators of nuclear power plants and nuclear waste facilities.
Nuclear Facility Licensing and Regulation
We represent more than 40 utilities that own nuclear facilities. Our clients also include facility licensees, architect-engineering firms, waste management companies, equipment and service vendors, management and operations contractors, consultants, and industry groups. The firm advises clients throughout every phase of a nuclear facility’s operating lifecycle, including contract negotiation, initial licensing and license renewal, decommissioning, and waste disposal. In addition, we provide counsel on regulatory matters and developments.
NRC Investigations and Employee Concerns
Our lawyers advise and represent clients on enforcement matters, including regulatory actions and civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings. We assist in developing "get well" plans that do not impose unnecessary obligations on the licensee. The firm also handles formal and informal whistleblower proceedings and counsels companies on employee concerns.
Nuclear Plant Sales, Acquisitions, and Reorganizations
We have extensive experience in assisting clients in the purchase and sale of nuclear power plants. The firm has represented either the buyer or seller in most of the transactions that have taken place for the sale of ownership interests in nuclear power plants.
Nuclear Waste Disposal
We are at the forefront in dealing with nuclear spent fuel and nuclear waste storage and disposal issues. We are counsel for Private Fuel Storage L.L.C. (PFS) and represent PFS on its application for a license to construct and operate an independent spent fuel dry storage facility in Utah. We help waste management and transportation companies establish and maintain compliant nuclear waste programs. Our lawyers enable clients to develop additional spent fuel storage capacity at reactor sites, resolve low-level and mixed-waste issues, and transport waste in accordance with regulations.
Fuel Procurement
We guide clients through each phase of the nuclear fuel cycle. The firm helps clients purchase mining properties, address nuclear fuel procurement issues, and negotiate fuel procurement contracts. We represent clients in international nuclear fuel transactions in such places as Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and countries in the European Union.
Energy Litigation
We represent clients in complex energy litigation before state and federal courts, international arbitration tribunals, and the NRC. Our clients include most U.S. nuclear utilities and many international companies and governments. We handle lawsuits and arbitrations involving spent fuel storage, nuclear plant construction, steam generation, and pricing under enrichment contracts. The firm also litigates matters involving utility equipment suppliers, nuclear waste disposal, and nuclear power plant licensing and operations.
Commercial Energy Practice
We have extensive experience in advising clients on commercial transactions involving nuclear facilities. We negotiate and draft turnkey and technical services contracts, handle claims arising under nuclear energy agreements, and litigate commercial energy disputes. Our lawyers assist in the resolution of import and export matters, create joint ventures for uranium exploration, and develop advanced nuclear reactors and other novel technologies. We also help clients bid for contracts, negotiate teaming agreements and subcontracts, and evaluate contractor performance.
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