Douglas W. Smith

Member

Doug Smith represents clients on electricity and natural gas matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and on energy efficiency and Recovery Act matters before the Department of Energy (DOE).  He also provides counsel on climate change, energy technology, and renewable energy policy.

Representative matters include:

• advising regulated companies on FERC rulemaking and policy matters;
• representing electricity clients in FERC rate and merger proceedings;
• representing utilities and natural gas pipelines on FERC audits and investigations;
• assisting clients with training and compliance programs;
• providing strategic advice on climate change policy for energy companies, manufacturers, and other clients;
• representing equipment manufacturers on efficiency regulation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act;
• advising applicants seeking Recovery Act assistance for energy-related projects;
• advising a trade association on carbon capture and sequestration policy; and
• working with think tanks and coalitions to pursue innovative energy and environmental policies in areas such as climate change and transmission policy.

As General Counsel of the FERC from 1997 to 2001, Mr. Smith played a lead role in Commission policy initiatives on electricity (e.g., Order No. 2000), natural gas rates (e.g., Order No. 637), pipeline certificates, and hydropower licensing reform.  As Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy at DOE, he was significantly involved in Departmental initiatives on electricity restructuring, the Climate Challenge program, and new energy efficiency standards.  

Mr. Smith speaks frequently at conferences on energy regulation and climate change.  He taught Energy Law and Regulation at George Washington University Law School from 2005-2008.  He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

Government Service

• General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1997-2001
• Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1995-1997
• Associate General Counsel for Energy Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1995
• Assistant General Counsel for Legal Policy and Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy, 1994-1995
• Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Walter K. Stapleton, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 1986-1987

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• D.C. Bar Association
• Energy Bar Association

Honors & Distinctions

• Chambers Global; Energy: Electricity; 2009-2010
• Chambers USA; Energy: Electricity; 2005-2010

Publications

"U.S. Energy and Climate Change Policy:  What to Expect in 2009," Doug Smith, Kyle Danish, and Megan Ceronsky, Law Reports:  Sustainable Energy, Vol. 2 No. 1 (January 2009) at 1.

"Climate Change: The Heat is On," Douglas W. Smith and Kyle W. Danish, Public Utilities Fortnightly, Vol. 147 No. 11 (January 2004) at 54.

"Electricity Regulation: How is Federal Policy Changing?" Douglas W. Smith, Trends, Volume 33, No. 6 (July/August 2002) at 4.

"Designing a Climate-Friendly Energy Policy: Options for the Near Term," Douglas W. Smith, Robert R. Nordhaus, Thomas C. Roberts, Marc Chupka, et al., Pew Center on Global Climate Change (July 2002).

Articles

• U.S. Energy and Climate Change Policy: What to Expect in 2009
• An inconvenient state?
• Climate Change: The Heat Is On
• Buying and Selling Electric Power in the West
• Designing a Climate-Friendly Energy Policy
• Electricity regulation: How is federal policy changing?

Speaking Engagements

• Law Seminars International: 12th Annual Conference on Energy in California, September 13, 2010
• The Energy Bar Association: 64th Annual Meeting & Primer, April 28, 2010
• 2nd Annual National Climate Change Regulation Conference, April 14, 2008
• Electric Energy: Markets, Regulation and Investment, March 3, 2008
• Federal Energy Policy: A Report from Washington, October 18, 2007
• American Gas Association Legal Forum, July 15, 2007

News

• Van Ness Feldman’s Climate Change, Energy Practices Again Receive Top Rankings by Chambers USA 2010
• Van Ness Feldman Helps U.S. Green Building Council Prepare Report on Existing Federal Authority for Green Buildings
• Van Ness Feldman’s Doug Smith Recognized as One of Public Utilities Fortnightly’s “Groundbreaking Lawyers of 2009”
• Van Ness Feldman’s Climate Change, Energy Practices Again Receive Top Rankings by Chambers USA 2009
• Van Ness Feldman Receives Top Rankings from Chambers USA 2008
• Van Ness Feldman Structures Commitment to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Clinton Global Initiative 2007 Annual Meeting