EXPERIENCE

PRINCIPAL/CONSULTANT, Energy Reg Strategies LLC. Serving as expert consultant on transmission siting issues related to climate policy for a non-profit that prioritizes bipartisan solutions. Previously served as consultant to Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, a non-profit coalition regarding federal electric transmission siting policy legislation and regulation. Advised an investment bank on LNG siting issues. 

ATTORNEY/ADVISOR, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Office of the General Counsel, Rehearing Group, Washington D.C. (April 2015 to April 2021).  Principal  drafter and team leader of complex rehearing orders related to electric transmission and rates, gas transmission and rates, interconnection, storage,  natural gas pipeline and LNG facilities, and hydropower regulation. This includes RTOs, net metering and many other regulatory matters.  Illustrative Accomplishment:  Lead author of internal decision memorandums regarding net metering legal and policy options.

SENIOR COUNSEL, United States Senate, Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, Washington, D.C. (January 2013 to March 2015).  Responsible for legislation and oversight regarding electricity policy, natural gas, energy infrastructure, hydropower, renewable energy and other issues. Developed, analyzed and drafted legislation. Staffed hearings, drafted memos and speeches. Illustrative Accomplishment: Lead Senate staffer on consensus hydropower legislation enacted in 2013.

VICE PRESIDENT REGULATORY AFFAIRS & COUNSEL, Solar Energy Industries Association, Washington, D.C. (May 2010 to January 2013).  Led solar industry regulatory agenda, including, siting, transmission, interconnection and grid integration. Managed staff, outside counsel and experts. Drafted complex FERC and state utility commission filings. Illustrative Accomplishment: Convinced FERC to issue a rulemaking expediting solar generation interconnection.

PARTNER, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Washington, D.C. (June 2001 to May 2010).  Advised and represented corporate, municipal and other clients regarding energy regulation, policy, litigation and legislation, with a focus on energy infrastructure, hydropower, electric markets and climate change. Represented clients before FERC, state/federal resource agencies, federal courts and Congress. Drafted pleadings, including motions, protests and rehearing requests. Co-Chair of Climate Practice Group. Served three years on partner compensation committee.  Illustrative Accomplishment: Prevailed in trial-type hearing before Interior Dept. ALJ on key findings of fact on hydropower impacts and reached favorable settlement based on findings. (Of Counsel, 2001 to 2003).

DIRECTOR, Office of Energy Projects, FERC, Washington, D.C. (October 1999 to May 2001). Responsible for the regulation of natural gas pipelines, LNG facilities and hydropower. Supervised 300 employees conducting environmental reviews and drafting Commission orders.  Illustrative Accomplishment: Created new Office of Energy Projects structure that is still largely intact today, more than 20 years later.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POWER TECHNOLOGIES, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. (October 1998 to October 1999).  Managed R&D for renewable electricity, distributed generation, transmission, superconductivity and energy storage. Responsible for $250 million annual budget and 70 employees.  Illustrative Accomplishment. Reformed abuse of sole source contracting authority.

SPECIAL ASSISTANT, Office of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Energy, Washington, D.C. (October 1994 to October 1998).  Advised and represented Secretary and Deputy Secretary on electricity policy, including comprehensive electricity restructuring legislation subject to a lengthy White House interagency process and then submitted to Congress.  Responsible for oversight of the Power Marketing Administrations.  Illustrative Accomplishment: Allocated power from Western Area Power Administration to Native American tribes.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF, Committee on Natural Resources, Majority, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. (January 1987 to October 1994).  Responsible for legislation and oversight on nuclear power, offshore oil and gas, Exxon Valdez oil spill, federal land and water policies, the Power Marketing Administrations and other issues. Staffed hearings, drafted legislation and conducted negotiations. Served as staff for Representative George Miller (D-CA) on Full Committee, Water & Power Subcommittee and staff for Representative Sam Gejdenson (D-CT) on Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.  Illustrative Accomplishment: Lead staffer on amendment enacted  to authorize states to regulate radioactive waste no longer regulated by NRC.

LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT, Representative Sam Gejdenson, Washington, D.C. (May 1985 to January 1987).  Advised on energy, natural resource, environment ,public lands and Indian lands and other issues. Developed legislative initiatives, drafted statements, amendments and legislation. Illustrative Accomplishment: Lead staffer on amendments enacted to Price-Anderson Act nuclear liability indemnification.