Areas of Practice
- Climate Change
- Emissions Trading, Carbon Markets, & Offset Project Development
- Strategic Advice & Policy Development
- Energy Technologies
- Advanced Coal & Fossil Fuels
- Clean Technologies
- Renewable Energy
- Environment
- Policy Development & Strategy
- Government Relations & Public Policy
- Appropriations & Federal Funding
- Clean Technologies
- Department of Energy Stimulus Funding
- Energy Policy
- Environment & Natural Resources
- Indian Law
- Alaska Native Law
- Natural Gas
- Oil & Products Pipelines
- Public Lands & Natural Resources
Industries
Education
- L.L.M., Energy & Environmental Law, University of Utah, 1987
- J.D., University of Utah, 1979
- B.S., South Dakota State University, 1976
Bar and Court Admissions
- Alaska
- District of Columbia
For This Professional
Tom Roberts
Member
Seventh Floor
Washington DC 20007
TEL: 202.298.1930
FAX: 202.338.2416
tcr@vnf.com
Tom Roberts has worked on energy and environmental policy matters for his entire career, specializing in strategic counsel on managing the potential impacts of federal and state energy, environmental, and climate change policies on clients’ commercial and industrial interests.
For the last several years, a significant portion of Mr. Roberts’ practice has involved representing a major North American energy company in its efforts to construct a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the lower-48 states. Other clients for whom Mr. Roberts regularly provides legal and government affairs services include natural gas pipelines, electric utilities, and energy technology developers.
Mr. Roberts has been involved at the highest levels of Congress and the Executive Branch in the development of virtually every major federal energy and environmental statute and policy over the last twenty five years.
Professional Background
Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Mr. Roberts served as the Legislative Director for the Environmental Protection Agency, where he was responsible for shaping all aspects of the Agency’s legislative activities. Mr. Roberts also served as Chief Counsel and Legislative Director to Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK). He received his J.D. and an L.L.M. in energy and environmental law from the University of Utah and a B.S. from South Dakota State University.
Government Service
- Legislative Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1990-1995
- Chief Counsel/Legislative Director, U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski, (R-AK), 1985-1990
Articles
Speaking Engagements
- Law Seminars International Presents: Fifth Annual Comprehensive Conference on Energy in Alaska, December 7, 2009
- AGA's Legal Forum and Golf Tournament 2009, July 19, 2009
- MEA Legal, Regulatory & Government Relations Roundtable, September 10, 2008
- Energy in Alaska: Emerging Policies, Markets and Resources, November 12, 2007
- Midwest Energy Association: Legal and Regulatory Affairs Roundtable, September 5, 2007