Trevor Alexander advises infrastructure investors, electric and gas utilities, independent power producers, pipeline companies and industrial customers on all aspects of energy regulation, procurement and policy. His practice spans traditional and renewable energy, natural gas and electric distribution, and emerging infrastructure related to powered land and data center development.
A trusted advocate, Trevor has represented public utilities, institutional investors and Fortune 500 companies in complex proceedings involving rate cases, mergers, compliance, siting, tariff design and construction of large-scale energy facilities.
Trevor’s work includes securing regulatory approvals for multibillion-dollar rate cases, electric security plans and mergers, defending clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, and obtaining favorable rate and return decisions for utilities. His experience includes securing favorable regulatory decisions involving billions of dollars in new investment, creation of new riders ensuring timely recovery of those investments, and successfully representing regulated utilities before the Ohio Supreme Court. He also regularly counsels clients on energy procurement, tariff interpretation, and solar and renewable power purchase agreements.
Trevor also plays a key role in Benesch’s Powered Land & Data Centers practice, focusing on the energy and regulatory dimensions of data center development. He advises developers, investors and utilities on utility service negotiations, energy procurement agreements, and regulatory approvals necessary to secure long-term power capacity for hyperscale and energy-intensive operations.
Recognized by Chambers USA as a “Leading Lawyer” in Energy & Natural Resources and named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Energy Regulatory Law in 2024, Trevor is consistently ranked among the nation’s top practitioners. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for both Commercial Litigation and Energy Regulatory Law since 2021.
Representative Experience
- Representing three electric distribution utilities in a contested multi-billion-dollar electric security plan proceeding.
- Representing natural gas utilities in base distribution rate case proceedings. Most recently those utilities were awarded the second highest rate of return (8.12%) nationally for the two years before that decision was issued.
- Acting as national compliance counsel for one of the country’s largest competitive retail electric service providers.
- Representing industrial customer in construction of $4 billion facility with regard to all energy related issues, including Power Siting, negotiation with utilities, and procurement of the commodity.
- Representing a state university regarding Power Siting Board approval for a 105.5 MW Combined Heat and Power Facility powered by natural gas. This facility will be the primary source for heat and power for the university’s Columbus campus.
- Obtaining summary judgment for a municipal utility in a $188 million class action regarding alleged customer overcharges. The Court held for the municipal utility on all claims, and completely rejected the theory proposed by the municipal utility’s former director.
- Negotiating numerous on and off-site solar energy related agreements, totaling over 100 MW, for municipal and industrial clients.
- Successfully defending a claim on an $86 million letter of credit in a contested contractual dispute between a competitive retail electric service provider and a governmental aggregator.
- Obtaining several million in direct customer benefits for a municipal client as part of a contested Electric Security Plan proceeding.
- Obtaining PUCO approval for an “alternative rate” which allowed immediate recovery of an investment into an intrastate gas pipeline even though its former owner failed to keep many of the records justifying the rate base of that asset.
- Representing the buyer of an intrastate pipeline company in purchase negotiations and obtaining PUCO approval of its merger into a natural gas distribution utility.
- Representing a gas utility seeking PUCO approval for the sale of its parent company.
- Representing a competitive retail electric provider before the Ohio Supreme Court in several rate cases.
- Successfully represented purchaser of small natural gas distribution utility in obtaining PUCO approval of acquisition.
- Representing the world’s leading transportation network company in various Ohio PUCO proceedings.
- Obtaining summary judgment against a municipal utility attempting to force a non-municipal resident to accept service under Ohio’s constitutional home rule provisions and Certified Territory Act.
- Representing the purchaser of a publicly-traded natural gas utility holding company and obtaining PUCO approval of the associated merger transaction.
- Representing an international automotive manufacturer in PUCO proceedings relating to distribution network adequacy and rate structure.
- Procuring PUCO approval for the merger of four natural gas utilities.
- Trying case to verdict in favor of anaerobic digestor qualified as a “public utility” exempt from township zoning authority.
- Representing an Ohio municipality in PUCO proceedings relating to government aggregation.
- Obtaining a $27.8 million judgment in a bank fraud proceeding.
- Obtaining an arbitration award in excess of $1.7 million for breach of an Asset Purchase Agreement.
