Garrett P. Lent is a Principal in the firm's Energy & Utilities Practice Group, where he represents oil and liquids pipeline, natural gas, electric, water, wastewater and steam heat, and chilled water utility clients in a variety of state and federal regulatory and transactional matters arising under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code, the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act and the Interstate Commerce Act before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and appellate courts. He also advises clients on regulatory compliance issues and newly enacted and pending legislation.
The Best Lawyers in America™ recognized Mr. Lent in its 2021, 2022 and 2025 editions in the "Ones to Watch" category in the area of Energy Law. For information about this selection and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and lists methodologies, click here.
Prior to joining Post & Schell, he served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge Kim R. Gibson of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. While at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Mr. Lent was a recipient of the Carter Prize Award and the Honorable John B. Hannum Federal Practice Award.
Read full bio >
Read less >
Natural Gas:
- Achieved rate increases for natural gas distribution companies in their comprehensive base rate cases.
- Obtained regulatory approval for merger of natural gas distribution companies before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC).
- Represented natural gas distribution company as the foundational shipper in proceedings before the FERC involving an affiliated natural gas transmission company’s request for certificates of public convenience under the Natural Gas Act.
- Represented natural gas distribution companies in abandonment proceedings before the PAPUC.
- Represented natural gas distribution companies in safety complaint proceedings before the PAPUC.
Electric:
- Achieved rate increase for electric distribution company in a fully litigated, comprehensive base rate case.
- Obtained regulatory approval from PAPUC for electric utilities’ high voltage transmission line siting and construction projects in litigated proceedings.
- Obtained regulatory approval from PAPUC for electric utilities’ requests to exempt certain public utility buildings from municipal zoning regulations in litigated proceedings.
- Defended electric distribution company in complaint proceedings before the PAPUC regarding the implementation of smart-meter technology and obtained dismissals of such complaints.
- Represented electric distribution companies in customer complaint proceedings and enforcement actions before the PAPUC.
Oil and Liquids Pipelines:
- Represented oil pipeline public utility in proceeding to change the direction of flow over its pipeline system.
- Defended oil pipeline public utility in proceedings seeking emergency injunctive relief from the PAPUC.
- Defended oil pipeline public utility in complaint proceedings before the PAPUC and obtained regulatory approval of a comprehensive settlement of such proceedings.
- Represented natural gas liquids pipeline shipper in complaint proceedings brought by landowners, municipalities, and other stakeholders seeking injunctive relief from the PAPUC related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of natural gas liquids pipelines.
Water and Wastewater Utilities:
- Achieved rate increases for combined water and wastewater utility companies in their fully litigated, comprehensive base rate cases.
- Represented water and wastewater utility in obtaining regulatory approval from the PAPUC for its acquisition of Pennsylvania-based natural gas distribution companies in connection with a $4.3 billion acquisition.
Steam-Heat and Chilled Water
- Represented purchaser of steam-heat assets in successfully obtaining regulatory approval from the PAPUC in connection with a $1.25 billion acquisition.
