Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Smart Grid & Demand Response

Van Ness Feldman’s Electric Practice counsels a broad spectrum of clients on renewable power, energy efficiency, smart grid, and demand response policy and regulatory matters. Our attorneys have deep experience in the development and integration of renewable power resources, federal energy efficiency standards, smart grid interoperability and demand side management.  Congress, the Administration, and regulators are focused on energy policy that affects the development and deployment of new energy technologies.  Van Ness Feldman’s Electric Practice specializes in helping clients in these areas in which government incentives, regulatory policies, market rules, and industry activities overlap. 

Renewable Power: Wind, Solar, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass

Van Ness Feldman’s renewable power representations span the full array of electric generation technologies.  Our attorneys assist utilities, investors and developers of renewable generation projects in obtaining and retaining required federal authorizations, and in complying with reporting and filing obligations.  We also advise clients on renewable energy transactions, integration of renewable resources, transmission interconnection, power purchase agreements, federal permitting and land use, and renewable energy certificates and credits (RECs), among other matters.

Please see our Renewable Energy page for more information.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency standards and enforcement are receiving increased federal attention in response to growing demand for electricity and concerns about climate change.  Van Ness Feldman attorneys advise equipment manufacturers, utilities, non-governmental organizations, and others on law, regulation and policy related to energy efficiency. 

Recent Representations

• Advised product manufacturers on compliance requirements of the efficiency standards and labeling program under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and the Energy Star program.
•  Assisted clients in drafting comments on proposed DOE rules, policies and interpretations regarding energy efficiency standards and test procedures for covered products.
• Assisted a product manufacturer with comments on proposed Energy Star product specification amendments.
• Assisted product manufacturers in petitioning for and maintaining waivers from DOE test procedures.
• Represented product manufacturers involved in investigations and enforcement actions and assisted in negotiating settlements of alleged violations of DOE’s regulations.
• Developed legislative proposals for EPCA and Energy Star reform on behalf of a client. 

Smart Grid & Demand Response

Van Ness Feldman attorneys counsel clients on emerging smart grid policy and the development of interoperability standards by FERC and the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA).  Among our clients are distribution utilities, smart meter manufacturers, demand response providers, developers of new smart grid technologies, smart grid and demand response coalitions, and nongovernmental organizations.  We advise clients on corporate planning and investment decisions, strategic development of policy positions, and participation in organized markets.  We also provide legislative counsel, assistance with applications for federal financial assistance, and related negotiations with the DOE. 

Recent Representations

• Provided legislative counsel to a coalition of business, labor, and environmental groups on smart grid matters, including drafting language that became the smart grid title of EISA.
• Advised clients on developing smart grid policy in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
• Assisted multiple clients in applying for and negotiating grants under smart grid investment and demonstration programs funded by ARRA.
• Counseled clients on the NIST processes related to smart grid interoperability framework development and on FERC policy on smart grid standards and demand side management.
• Assisted a manufacturer of smart meters in a successful application for a competitively awarded Section 48C manufacturing tax credit.
• Advised a major Internet information provider on policy matters related to smart grid development and consumer access to smart meter information.
• Counseled a demand response provider on the development of RTO market rules.

If we can provide you with additional information, please contact us at electric@vnf.com.