Thomas Sansonetti

Client Results

• Team leader for permitting natural gas pipeline through four states and 680 miles.
• Represented a regional natural gas pipeline operator in negotiations with tribes to purchase a major natural gas pipeline.

• Represented various companies in obtaining rights-of way over state, federal, and tribal lands.

• Represented an international geothermal company in their negotiations to place a project on an American Indian reservation.
• Represented a company in the negotiation with an American Indian tribe for the construction of a natural gas plant on an American Indian reservation.
• Represented a major national resource company in obtaining the permit to construct a dam and hydropower facility.

• Represented a public utility in the negotiations with an American Indian tribe to explore for coal on the Indian reservation.

• Defended the state and federal permits granted to a major U.S. natural gas company for the construction of a natural gas pipeline in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Represented a major U.S. natural gas pipeline operation in suing the federal government over the clean-up of uranium tailings on an American Indian reservation.
• Represented a major U.S. natural gas pipeline operation in defending a class action lawsuit brought by individual tribal members claiming the amount of right-of-way lease payments were deficient.
• Part of a litigation team that successfully represented Pennsylvania Power and Light before the United States Supreme Court in overturning a Montana Supreme Court decision concerning the ownership of riverbeds within the state.

• Represented a public utility in negotiations with an American Indian tribe to explore for coal on the tribe’s reservation.

• Represented a regional public utility before the EPA on issues relating to the Clean Air Act.

• Represented trona and coal companies on regulatory matters before the Department of the Interior.
• Represented various entities in dealing with the intricacies of the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Represented both companies and ranchers on clarifying their water rights in western states.
• Represented a large charitable trust health group in obtaining funding to improve and increase FDA inspections for imported foods.