Van Ness Feldman, P.C. is pleased to announce that John H. Clements has joined the law firm’s Washington, DC office as Of Counsel. Mr. Clements previously served for 27 years at Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), most recently as Senior Attorney for Energy Projects. Mr. Clements brings particular expertise in the area of hydropower licensing and regulation to the firm’s robust and growing practice in this area. The firm represents municipal utilities, investor-owned utilities, and private developers with hydroelectric facilities of all sizes across the nation.

As a Director of FERC’s hydropower program office, advisor to Commission Chairs, and Senior Attorney, Mr. Clements was responsible for all aspects of hydroelectric project regulation, including processing of applications for licenses, license amendments and other authorizations, oversight of compliance, administration, and dam and project safety matters, and development of orders, rules and policy statements.

In addition, as an advisor to FERC Chairs Martin Allday, Martha Hesse, and Anthony Sousa, Mr. Clements provided legal and policy advice on wholesale electric utility rates and corporate regulation under the Federal Power Act, regulation of qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, and natural gas pipeline certificates. Mr. Clements received his LL.M. degree from the George Washington University, an LL.B. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Commenting on Mr. Clements’ arrival, Howard Feldman, Chairman of Van Ness Feldman, said, “We’re delighted to have someone of John’s caliber and breadth of experience join our active energy practice. As existing hydroelectric projects come up for relicensing, and new hydroelectric and gas projects are being developed, clients can rely on Van Ness Feldman for comprehensive advice on all phases of the process.”

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Founded in 1977, Van Ness Feldman helps clients in a variety of industries achieve their business goals by designing and complying with the nation’s energy and environmental laws. Many of the firm’s more than 80 attorneys and public policy professionals served as chief legal counsel to key congressional committees and Members of Congress; high-level officials in the Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of the Interior; or as high-ranking officers in major trade associations.