Law Firms Poised for Nuclear Rebirth

Energy Law

Posted Sep 7, 2007, 09:58 am CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Some law firms stand to benefit from an expected flood of new license applications for nuclear reactors.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects to receive applications for up to 29 reactors at 20 sites, the Associated Press reports. Fueling the nuclear power revival are lower costs and fears of global warming, according to the Fulton County Daily Report.

Helping lower costs is the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which contains financial incentives for new plants, especially for the first half dozen built, the Washington Post reports.

That could be good news for law firms like Morgan Lewis that serve the nuclear industry. The firm says on its Web site that it represents utility owners of more than 60 percent of the installed nuclear capacity in the United States.

“We represent a number of companies that are positioning themselves to take full advantage of the rebirth of the nuclear option,” the site says.

Duane Morris started a nuclear power practice earlier this year. Lawyer Charles Whitney told the Fulton County Daily Report that several power plant suppliers and contractors have become clients.

Other firms touting their nuclear expertise include Troutman Sanders; Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; and Winston & Strawn.