Minerals and Mining

Deregulation has an enormous influence on participants in the natural gas, electric power and related industries.  Generators, distributors, traders, marketers and suppliers are learning how to compete effectively in a fast-paced and unpredictable business environment.  Now, more than ever, they must anticipate, plan for, and react to imbalances in supply and demand, unprecedented price swings and political agendas. 

For decades, Gould & Ratner has represented clients in the coal, mineral, natural gas and electric power industries.  We have substantial experience in all aspects of coal and mineral mining operations, and mine safety regulation.  Our work includes land acquisitions and zoning, mergers and acquisitions, permitting and bonding, tax, environmental litigation, compliance and reclamation matters, and negotiation of vendor and supply contracts.  We have arbitrated numerous cases involving long-term coal supply agreements, represented clients before federal and state agencies on regulated matters and litigated hundreds of occupational disease cases.  We have also negotiated over $100 million of buyouts and buydowns of fuel stock supply agreements with utilities. 

Our clients in the natural gas and electric power industries have retained us to represent them, in court and at arbitration, in disputes over natural gas supply contracts and electric power marketing agreements involving many millions of dollars. Our lawyers use their corporate, tax, real estate, environmental and litigation experience to serve the varied needs of clients and help them to compete effectively in these rapidly changing industries.