Robert R. Nordhaus

Bob Nordhaus specializes in federal electric, natural gas, and environmental regulation. His work in private practice and his governmental experience have encompassed legislative, regulatory and transactional work, administrative and appellate litigation in these fields, and alternative dispute resolution. He has represented electric utilities, independent power producers, end users of natural gas and electricity, and state and local governments, and has served both as neutral and as party-appointed arbitrator in electric and natural gas arbitration proceedings.  Mr. Nordhaus has authored a number of articles and reports on energy and environmental policy and climate change.  For a complete list of Mr. Nordhaus’s publications, please click here. 

Professional Background

Mr. Nordhaus originally joined Van Ness Feldman in 1981, after serving three years as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s first General Counsel. He practiced with the firm until 1993, when he was appointed General Counsel of the Department of Energy by President Clinton. He rejoined the firm in 1997.

In 1977, prior to his service at FERC, Mr. Nordhaus was a member of the Energy Policy and Planning Office in the Carter White House, and served as Assistant Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration. In 1975 and 1976, he was counsel to the House Commerce Committee, and from 1963 to 1974, he was Assistant Counsel in the Legislative Counsel’s Office of the U.S. House of Representatives.

He served as a member of the Electric Power Research Institute’s Advisory Council and was a member of the Market Surveillance Committee of the California Independent Transmission System Operator from 1998 to 2001.

Mr. Nordhaus was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center from 1980 to 1985 and currently serves on the adjunct faculty of the George Washington University Law School.

In the past he has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Energy Bar Association and as Chair of the Administrative Law and Agency Practice Division of the District of Columbia Bar.

Government Service

• General Counsel , U.S. Department of Energy, 1993-1997
• General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1977-1980
• Assistant Administrator, Federal Energy Administration, 1977
• Counsel, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives, 1975-1976
• Assistant Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives, 1963-1974

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• PNM Resources, Inc. Board of Directors
• Energy Bar Association

Honors & Distinctions

• Best Lawyers in America; Energy Law; 2006-2012
• Chambers Global; Energy: Energy and Natural Resources 2004-2005; Energy: Electricity 2006-2011
• Chambers USA; Energy: Electricity 2005-2011; Environment 2008-2011
• Legal 500 USA; Environment: Transaction & Regulatory; 2011

Publications

Recent publications include:

“Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Regulation”, Energy Law Journal, Vol. 30, Number 1, pp 85-103 (2009) (with E. Pitlick).

“New Wine Into Old Bottles:  The Feasibility of Greenhouse Gas Regulation Under the Clean Air Act”, New York University Environmental Law Journal, Vol. 15, pp. 53-72 (2007).

“Assessing the Options for Designing a Mandatory U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program”, Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Vol. 32, pp. 97-163 (2005) (with K. Danish).

“Designing a Mandatory Domestic Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program”, Pew Center on Global Climate Change (May 2003) (with K. Danish).

“Electric Power Regulation: Making Partially-Deregulated Markets Work”, Administrative Law Review (ALR), Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 365-387 (Winter 2002).

“Designing a Climate-Friendly Energy Policy: Options for the Near Term,” Pew Center on Global Climate Change (2002) (with D. Smith, T. Roberts, S. Fidler, J. Anderson, K. Danish, R. Agnew, and M. Chupka).

Articles

• Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Regulation
• How Long Should Obama Wait for Congress to Act on Climate Change?
• New Wine Into Old Bottles: The Feasibility of Greenhouse Gas Regulation Under the Clean Air Act
• Designing a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program for the U.S.
• Designing a Climate-Friendly Energy Policy

Speaking Engagements

• Carbon Capture and Storage Legal Symposium, March 15, 2010
• Carbon Markets U.S. Forum, January 2007, Point Carbon

News

• For 7th Consecutive Year, Van Ness Feldman Professionals Are Among "The Best Lawyers in America"
• Van Ness Feldman’s Energy and Environmental Practices Receive National Recognition by Legal 500, The Clients Guide to the Legal Profession
• Van Ness Feldman’s Electricity, Oil & Gas, Environment, Government Relations, Climate Change, Native American, Transportation Practices Receive National Recognition by Chambers USA 2011
• DOE Issues $343 Million Loan Guarantee for Nevada Transmission Project
• For 5th Consecutive Year, Van Ness Feldman Professionals Are Among "The Best Lawyers in America"
• Van Ness Feldman’s Climate Change, Energy Practices Again Receive Top Rankings by Chambers USA 2010