The Legal 500

Within Energy: transaction and regulatory, Van Ness Feldman, P.C is a second tier firm,

Van Ness Feldman, P.C is a ‘regulatory powerhouse’ and is ‘certainly among the top firms’ for this type of work. The firm has a broad offering and advises clients in the nuclear energy, gas and oil, electric and renewable energy, and also has significant expertise advising on climate change matters. On the electric side, the firm provides training for Midwest Reliability Organization, regarding the conduct of hearings, and provides counsel to MRO’s stakeholder Standards Committee regarding the development of electric reliability standards. Other work included providing federal regulatory counsel to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners with respect to all matters including FERC regulation, environmental compliance and strategic counselling for the 1,600 mile natural gas pipeline, Rockies Express Pipeline, which extends through eight states. It also represented Equitrans in a $750m multi-year build out of new pipeline infrastructure to access the Marcellus shale gas reserves in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. On the nuclear side, the firm recently advised Areva, a major European nuclear company, on US law affecting the employment of persons subject to US jurisdiction on nuclear projects in foreign countries. Jay Ryan, who heads the electric practice; Curt Moffatt, who leads the gas and oil practice; and Michael McBride, who heads the nuclear energy practice, are all recommended.

Within Environment: transaction and regulatory, Van Ness Feldman, P.C is a third tier firm,

Van Ness Feldman, P.C ‘deserves recognition’ and provides ‘good regulatory advice’. The firm advises on issues related to air pollution control, climate change and hazardous waste issues. It draws on its highly recognized energy expertise and is especially well known for its representation of clients in the energy space and advising on renewable energy development and compliance obligations. It also provides advice and counseling to clients in the automotive and recreational marine industries. The firm acted for a multinational oil company on the environmental and regulatory interests involved in accessing the possible oil reserves on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This issue has international implications as other competitors, including Russian and Norwegian companies, which have interests in the Arctic OCS and are moving forward with accessing the oil reserves without conducting the environmental due diligence the US requires. It recently advised the Coal Utilization Research Council (CURC), a coalition focused on federal policy related to energy production using coal, on federal funding and policies affecting clean coal technologies, and carbon capture and sequestration. Highlights also included assisting Air Products and Chemicals in filing comments on EPA’s CAA rulemakings. In addition, the firm worked with the company in analyzing how its technologies and facilities would be affected by certain CAA rules and it then used its contacts with the EPA to organize meetings between representatives at the company and key EPA decision makers to discuss policy changes. Other clients include American Electric Power, California Department of Water Resources, Coalition for Emission Reduction Projects, Kinder Morgan, Transmission Developers and Toyota North America. Washington DC-based Richard Penna heads the team. Robert Nordhaus, who handles environmental regulation, CAA and climate change matters, and Steven Richardson, who handles administrative law, Endangered Species Act (ESA), CAA and NEPA work, are recommended.