Douglas W. Smith

Member

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

Representative matters include: advising regulated companies on FERC rulemaking and policy matters, including implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; representing investor-owned utilities and natural gas pipelines on Standards of Conduct audits and investigations, and assisting clients with training and compliance programs; providing strategic advice on climate change policy for major U.S. energy companies; representing equipment manufacturers on product efficiency regulation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act; and working with think tanks and coalitions to pursue innovative energy and environmental policies in areas such as climate change and alternative fuels.

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 on voluntary reductions in utility greenhouse gas emissions, and new energy efficiency standards. Previously as an associate at Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, Mr. Smith specialized in legislative and regulatory aspects of energy and environmental law and policy, including advocacy on the acid rain title of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the electricity, natural gas, and energy efficiency titles of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Mr. Smith speaks frequently at conferences on energy regulatory matters. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Energy Bar Association and teaches Energy Law and Regulation at George Washington University Law School. 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
• Judicial Law Clerk, 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

Publications

"Climate Change: The Heat is On," Douglas W. Smith and Kyle W. Danish. Public Utilities Fortnightly. January 2004, p. 54-57.

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

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

Articles

• 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

• 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
• Managing the Modern Utility Rate Case Conference, February 13, 2006, Law Seminars International

News

• Van Ness Feldman Structures Commitment to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Clinton Global Initiative 2007 Annual Meeting
• Van Ness Feldman Assists Eight Electric Utilities to Structure Major Energy Efficiency Commitment at Clinton Global Initiative
• Nine Van Ness Feldman Lawyers Ranked in Chambers USA 2007