All aspects of energy-related regulatory compliance, including rules and standards of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), regional transmission organizations (RTOs), and independent system operators (ISOs); as well as advocacy in ratemaking, government relations, and rulemaking.
As counselors to the energy industry, Michael Best attorneys help clients understand and do business within a complex, constantly evolving regulatory framework. We advise on a myriad of legal issues in RTO operations, project development, asset sales, and energy trading.
Representing clients effectively before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) often requires pre-filing meetings with senior FERC staff to discuss complex issues and ensure staff’s preliminary concerns are clearly addressed. Facilitating these and other meetings is an integral part of Michael Best’s approach.
Our work also entails advocating for clients in
government relations and policymaking matters before the CFTC, DOE, NERC), NAESB, and other regulatory bodies.
We have long experience advising and advocating on market design issues, from FERC’s original Standard Market Design Initiative through more recent efforts on transmission planning, capacity market development, and the integration of renewables into the markets. In light of the continuing focus on energy trading issues by both FERC and the CFTC, we also counsel clients on the reach of each agency’s jurisdiction and on how to prepare for or avoid new regulatory burdens.
Our Clients
In the electric power sector, we represent clients such as:
- Investor-owned and municipal utilities
- Electric cooperatives
- Independent power producers
- Renewable energy producers
- RTOs and ISOs
- Electricity marketers and investors
Our natural gas sector clients include:
- Natural gas producers
- Gas-fired electric generators
- Local distribution companies
- Pipeline owners/operators
- Shippers
- Large-volume customers
- Natural gas marketers and investors