Washington, DC
P +1 (202) 442-3533
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Overview
WITH MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, PRINCIPALLY INVOLVING THE ELECTRIC, OIL, AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES, STEVE HELPS ENERGY AND PETROCHEMICAL COMPANIES IN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, APPELLATE LITIGATION, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS, AND COMPLEX TRANSACTIONAL NEGOTIATIONS.
In recent FERC cases, Steve has represented an electric utility in complex administrative litigation involving Regional Transmission Organization rates. Steve also represented a petrochemical company in a highly contested administrative and appellate litigation regarding competition, access, and transportation rates on an interstate natural gas pipeline.
Education & Admissions
University of North Dakota (J.D., 1986), Order of the Barristers
University of North Dakota (M.A., English, 1982), summa cum laude
University of North Dakota (B.A., English and Honors Program, 1979), magna cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Experience
Representative Experience
- Helped a developer of high voltage direct current (HVDC) merchant transmission projects obtain landmark FERC authorization to charge negotiated rates and allow anchor customers to presubscribe transmission capacity
- Guided new transmission projects (oil, gas, LNG, and electric) through the development process, e.g., conducted open seasons, negotiated and drafted commercial agreements with anchor customers, prepared tariff filings, and coordinated interconnection
- Advised natural gas and electric companies on regulatory responsibilities, crafted compliance programs, and successfully resolved FERC enforcement investigations
- Successfully represented electric marketer in administrative and appellate litigation involving the California energy crisis, followed by negotiation of a favorable settlement
- Helped renewable energy developers obtain market-based rate authorization, resolve interconnection and transmission access issues, negotiate power purchase agreements, and understand RTO rules
- Advised natural gas and electric marketers on cross border transactions involving Canada and Mexico, preparing and obtaining needed import/export authorizations
- Represented an electric utility in RTO transmission rate design and cost-of-service issues during FERC administrative litigation, followed by multiple successful appeals, all leading to a beneficial informal resolution
- Helped a city obtain an FPA license authorizing a new hydro-electric project and successfully defended the city in appellate litigation brought by a neighboring state and multiple environmental groups
- Assisted interstate natural gas pipelines seeking NGA Section 7(c) certificate authorization to construct new facilities and increase mainline capacity to serve new customers, as well as drafting related interconnection, construction, and operation agreements
- Represented local distribution companies in natural gas pipeline cost-of-service rate proceedings, leading to significant rate relief and improved terms and conditions of service
- Helped de-regulate a natural gas company through a combination of federal legislation and FERC proceedings
News & Resources
Articles
December 19, 2022
November 04, 2022
October 7, 2019
October 4, 2019
October 3, 2019
September 23, 2019
August 12, 2019
July 23, 2019
January 17, 2019
News & Press Mentions
April 17, 2020
April 19, 2019
August 21, 2018
Legal Writings
- "Washington Watch," a bi-monthly column in North American Oil and Gas Pipelines
- Steven A. Weiler and Marcia A. Stanford, "New York’s Denial of Water Quality Certification for Three FERC-Authorized Pipelines: Flagrant Fiat or Valid Veto?," 39 Energy Law Journal 503 (2018)
- "EPA's Clean Power Plan: Charting a Path Forward," Public Utilities Fortnightly, July 2015
- “‘Pomp and Unchanged Circumstance’: FERC Attempts to Eliminate Federal Rights of First Refusal,” 26 The Electricity Journal 26, No. 3, 14, 2013
Select Presentations
- “Electricity 201,” AGA 10th Annual Energy Market Regulatory Conference, Washington, DC, October 2017
- “How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?: A Retrospective Study of Regulatory Oversight for the Development of Natural Gas and Oil Pipelines,” Florida Energy Pipeline Association’s Summer Symposium, July 2017
- "Electricity 101," AGA 9th Annual Energy Market Regulatory Conference, Washington, DC, December 2016
- “Clean Power Plan," 57th Annual Institute of Public Utilities Regulatory Studies Program (aka Camp NARUC), East Lansing, Michigan, August 2015
- "Utility Mergers and Acquisitions," NAEMA-WSPP Fall Conference, Broomfield, CO, September 2014
Industries & Practices
Energy & Natural Resources
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceDevelopment & Infrastructure
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceGovernment Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceProject Development & Finance
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Development & Infrastructure
- Electric Power
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Government Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
- Mining
- Oil & Gas
- Project Development & Finance
- Sustainability
- Technology
