Michael A. Swiger

Member

Mike Swiger represents a broad cross-section of entities with interests in energy and water development before federal agencies and the Administration, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Courts of Appeal, including municipalities, investor-owned utilities, private developers, paper companies, irrigation districts, lending institutions, and investors.

Mr. Swiger has substantial experience on the full range of issues associated with major energy and water projects. He currently is involved in several major hydroelectric license proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His litigation experience includes both appellate litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court and various courts of appeal, and agency trial-type proceedings. Mr. Swiger also is involved in various agency rulemakings and legislative policy matters relating to hydroelectric licensing.

Mr. Swiger has served as Chair of the Renewable Energy & the Environment and the Hydroelectric Regulation Committees of the Energy Bar Association. He is active in various water and power trade associations and is a former Advisory Member of the Board of Directors of the National Hydropower Association. In 2005, he was named a Leading Energy Lawyer in the Washington, DC area by The Legal Times (Vol. XXVIII, No. 20). He has written and spoken extensively on regulatory and environmental issues affecting energy and water development.

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• Energy Bar Association
• National Hydropower Association

Publications

Creating a New FERC Licensing Process,” XXII Hydro Review 20 (May 2004).

“Cost-Effective Relicensing: Choosing the Right Process,” XVII Hydro Review 52 (August 1998).

“Paying for the Change: Can the FERC Force Dam Decommissioning at Relicensing?” 17 Energy Law Journal 163 (1996).

He is principal author of and still updates two treatise chapters on hydro regulation: “Hydroelectric Regulation Under the Federal Power Act,” Waters and Water Rights (2004) and “Hydroelectric Regulation,” Energy Law and Transactions (2003).

Articles

• Hydro Licensing Reform: A Comprehensive Look at the Proposals

Speaking Engagements

• NHA Annual Conference, April 13, 2008
• Alternative Energy: Regulations & Technical Developments, October 18, 2007