Christopher L. Miller

As a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, Chris advises private entities, public agencies, and individuals on legal and practical issues relating to energy and utility matters, telecommunications (both wired and wireless), broadband services, information technology, and associated regulatory matters.

Chris has represented many clients in the formation and operation of sophisticated public-private partnerships (“P3s”) involving energy and telecommunications infrastructure, including the representation of one of the largest universities in the United States in a $1B+ long-term comprehensive energy management concession process.

He has significant experience representing clients’ interests in proceedings before the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, Ohio Power Siting Board, the FCC, and other regulatory agencies.

• Represented corporations, colleges, universities, and municipalities at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for rate design issues, rulemakings, standard service offers, and wholesale generation. Design of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs on behalf of clients.
• Represented numerous private and public clients in telecommunications, electric and gas proceedings in front of The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and Ohio Power Siting Board.
• Represented private and public clients in negotiating and drafting various agreements for utility use of and access to real property, conduit, easements, fiber, etc.
• Represented numerous private and public clients in telecommunications and technology contracting and utility service negotiations/agreements with vendors.
• Represented private and public clients in drafting and preparing RFP/RFI/RFQ documents regarding energy and telecommunications services, technology/software services, utility services and technology hardware purchases.
• Represented private and public clients in the negotiation of wireless lease agreements and wireless siting arrangements.
• Represented clients in drafting comprehensive Rights-of-Way management and administration ordinances.
• Represented clients in jurisdiction-wide wireless development projects and the negotiation and drafting of the underlying legal documents.
• Represented clients in drafting and negotiating numerous cable franchises in competitive and non-competitive situations.
• Represented a number of clients in drafting comprehensive wireless antenna/facility control ordinances.
• Represented a Fortune 500 client in its negotiation with energy supply vendors for the procurement of the company’s entire competitive electric energy load across its multi-state, multi-office footprint.
• Represented a Fortune 500 client in its negotiation with telecommunications service vendors for the procurement of most of the company’s local telecommunications and long-distance service across its multi-state, multi-office footprint.

“Bringing Your County Into The 21st Century: Broadband in Ohio,” April 24, 2024

Panelist, “Broadband Funding Options,” Fiber Association Regional Fiber Connect in Columbus Ohio, November 3, 2022

“Bringing Your Community into the 21st Century,” Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) Ideas Summit, November 2, 2022

“Possible Structures for Improving Broadband,” Ohio Broadband Access Ohio, October 19, 2022

Moderator, “The Role of Public/Private Partnerships,” 2022 Fiber Connect Conference, June 12, 2022
Panelist, “Who, What, When and Most Importantly How!?” 2022 Annual P3 Conference & Expo, March 15, 2022

“P3 Higher Education,” AIAI Higher Education Conference, Ohio State University Energy Concession, October 30, 2020

“Small Cell Towers Under ORC 4939 and The FCC ORder,” The Ohio Municipal League Webinar, January 15, 2020

“Small Cell Wireless: How did we get here and what does it mean for Ohio communities?” 2019 Ohio Municipal League Annual Conference, October 25, 2019

“Small Cell Wireless Service & Place of Facilities in the Public Way (House Bill 478),” Ohio Municipal Attorney Association 2018 Annual Conference, Oct. 31, 2018

“Small Cell Towers as it relates to House Bill 478,” Ohio Municipal Attorney Association 2018 Municipal Law Institute Civil Session, July 26, 2018

“Small Cell Towers as it relates to Senate Bill 331 and House Bill 478,” Ohio Municipal Attorney Associates of Ohio Law Institute Webinar, June 21, 2018

“The Past, Present and Future Technology Issues Facing Ohio,” Public Safety Broadband Conference, Nov. 2, 2017

“SB331/ORC 4939: How did we get here and what does it mean for Ohio communities?” 2017 APA Ohio Planning Conference, Sept. 27, 2017

Moderator, “Buildings and Commercial Track ” Session of the 2014 Ohio’s Energy Future Symposium