Peter Lacouture

Peter V. Lacouture

Of Counsel

Peter V. Lacouture

Of Counsel

  • Overview

    Biography

    Peter Lacouture is a retired partner of the firm who represented clients in the siting and permitting of large infrastructure projects. He also assisted clients with other public utility, zoning, environmental, and land use cases in Rhode Island.

    Pete assisted utility clients with obtaining the necessary permits and approvals for electricity and gas-related energy projects, such as high voltage transmission lines and substations. He regularly appeared before state and local agencies, including the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board, the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Environmental Management, Coastal Resources Management Council, and municipal zoning and planning boards. He argued numerous cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Pete also assisted clients in other industries with securing all required zoning and environmental approvals for their developments in Rhode Island. He negotiated cultural resource agreements between energy project developers and Native American tribes.

    Pro Bono and Public Service

    Pete served as editor of Recent Developments (formerly the Annual Report) of the American Bar Association's Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section for 12 years. He served as chair of the Section from August 2017 through August 2018.

    He was involved in many pro bono activities, which often intertwined with his public service and charitable endeavors. Pete serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and he also has done pro bono work for TNC. He helped incorporate and obtain tax-exempt status for a number of non-profit corporations, including the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, and the Exeter Historical Association. He represented a group of parents and students in an action against their local school district over funding. Pete - an active volunteer firefighter, deputy chief, and President of Exeter Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 - provided pro bono legal assistance by drafting the charter for the Exeter Fire District, serving for eight years as chair of the District.

    He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Energy Law since 2007, and was selected to the Rhode Island Super Lawyers list from 2010 to 2012.

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represented client in successful permitting of numerous high voltage transmission line projects.

      • Negotiated cultural resource agreements with representatives of Native American tribes in connection with various energy projects. 

      • Assisted clients with obtaining needed permits before the Coastal Resources Management Council.

      • Represented clients in regulatory matters before the Public Utilities Commission.

      • Assisted client in the development and permitting of a major pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Rhode Island. 

      • Represented clients in permitting for a major interstate high pressure gas pipeline extension including the condemnation of right of way. 

      • Obtained all necessary permits for a power plant and associated facilities from state siting, regulatory, and environmental authorities.

      • Represented clients before the Rhode Island Supreme Court in appeals related to energy and pro bono matters.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      Rhode Island Bar Association
      Member

      American Bar Association
      Chair of Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section (2017 - 2018)
      Editor of Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries (formerly PUCAT Annual Report) (2004 - 2016)

      Rhode Island Bar Foundation
      Fellow and Board Member
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell™ in the areas of Public Utility Law; Energy and Environmental Law; and Zoning, Planning and Land Use Law (Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings is a trademark. AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc.)

      Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© as Providence Lawyer of the Year in the area of Energy Law for 2016

      Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Energy Law since 2007.

      Selected to the Rhode Island Super Lawyers list from 2010 to 2012.

      Rhode Island Bar Association Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism, 2012

      Robinson+Cole Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient, 2015

      Robinson+Cole Community Service Award Recipient, 2013

      Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© as Providence Lawyer of the Year in the area of Energy Law for 2022

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Exeter, Rhode Island, Volunteer Fire Company #2
      President, Deputy Chief

      Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
      Moderator (1992 - present)

      Exeter Fire District
      Chair, Board of Commissioners (2005 - 2013)

      The Nature Conservancy, Rhode Island Chapter
      Board of Trustees and Finance Liaison (2004 - present)

      Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
      Founder, Past President
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries, edited since 2005, this annual report is published by the American Bar Association's Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section (formerly Sections of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law) (2005 - 2016)

      Energy, Utility, Transportation and Environmental Law for the 21st Century: A Collection, editor (2013)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • June 6, 2023

        Providence Lawyers Ascend to Leadership Roles/Receive Recognitions During 2023 RI Bar Foundation and Association Annual Meetings

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      • June 27, 2022

        Providence Lawyers Receive Distinctions During Rhode Island Bar Foundation and Association Annual Meetings

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      • May 22, 2019

        Providence Office Honored by United Way of Rhode Island

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      • December 28, 2018

        Providence Offices Raises Nearly $15,000 During United Way Workforce Campaign

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      • August 20, 2018

        52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

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      • October 5, 2015

        Peter Lacouture Edits Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries for 11th Year

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      • September 3, 2015

        Peter Lacouture Elected Vice-Chair of PUCAT

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      • November 13, 2014

        Peter Lacouture Edits Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries for 10th Year

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      • April 11, 2014

        Providence Office Sponsors RICH's Annual Luncheon

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      • September 16, 2013

        Peter Lacouture Edits ABA's Public Utility, Communications, and Transportation Law Annual Report for Ninth Year

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      • April 17, 2013

        Providence Lawyer Edits Book for ABA's PUCAT Section

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      • September 17, 2012

        Peter Lacouture Serves as Editor-in-Chief of American Bar Association's Public Utility, Communications, and Transportation Law Annual Report for Seventh Year

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      R+C News Releases

      • August 17, 2023

        78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

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      • August 18, 2022

        74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

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      • August 20, 2020

        61 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

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      • August 21, 2017

        Peter Lacouture to Lead ABA Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section

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      • August 15, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

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      • August 22, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Announces Annual Pro Bono, Mentor, and Community Service Awards

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