Energy Law and Natural Resources

Our Energy Law Group is exceptionally well-qualified to meet the challenges of complex and difficult energy law problems. Our attorneys assist energy producers, developers, users and brokers in consummating complex transactions with favorable terms on a cost-effective basis. Transactions include long-term fuel supply agreements, transportation agreements, leases of mineral properties, cogeneration and waste-to-energy projects, joint venture arrangements, management contracts, regulatory matters and the resolution of major disputes. Clients include companies engaged in the mining and sale of natural resources, electric utilities, coal brokerage companies, mineral land owners, developers of cogeneration projects, waste-to-energy projects and operators of steam production and distribution systems. Working closely with the firm's Litigation Department, our Energy Law Group represents energy clients in lawsuits, arbitrations and administrative proceedings involving a variety of legal disputes.

We help clients choose and structure the most effective forms of business organization for an energy project, including corporations, joint ventures and various forms of contractual arrangements. We also structure buying, selling and leasing transactions, and negotiate and draft the related legal documents, working closely with our clients' technical consultants and with governmental agencies and other outside sources to provide complete solutions to legal problems.

Long-term agreements present special challenges because parties to such agreements often attempt to renegotiate or to find other avenues of relief when changes in market conditions make continued performance burdensome. Our attorneys have in-depth expertise in counseling both buyers and sellers in proposed transactions involving long-term supply and transportation agreements as well as dealing with problems which have arise under existing agreements.

Representative Transactions

• Representing a large Houston-based utility in drafting and negotiating a 15-year coal transportation contract with a major railroad and barge line
  
• Representing a Colorado-based developer in drafting and negotiating a long-term coal waste fuel supply agreement for a mine-mouth electric generating plant
  
• Representing a major East Coast cogeneration developer in drafting and negotiating long-term coal supply agreements and transportation agreements for large cogeneration projects in New Jersey and Florida
  
• Serving for the past 10 years as outside counsel to an Indianapolis-based coal sales company engaged in a variety of leasing, development and coal sales activities
  
• Representing a Phoenix-based utility in renegotiating a long-term coal supply agreement for a large power plant in New Mexico
  
• Service as an arbitrator and expert witness in various energy-related disputes
  
• Lead role in negotiating and drafting documentation for a joint venture to develop an oil shale project in Australia

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C.'s lawyers keep abreast of government actions and changes imposed by new laws and regulations, and provide interpretation and practical advice to clients on governmental regulations concerning the production and use of energy. Our attorneys have been active in a number of leading energy industry organizations, including the Eastern Mineral Law Foundation and the Coal Lawyers Group of the National Mining Association, and frequently present papers at energy industry seminars and institutes.