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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

    • Apr 08, 2021

Wilbur C. Earley

Energy Policy Advisor

Washington +1 202 662 5434

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Drawing on over 39 years of experience in the energy industry, Bud Earley, a non-lawyer senior advisor, provides analysis and advice on a wide range of federal and state energy regulatory issues, including transaction and rate issues, regional transmission organization (RTO) tariffs and rules, interconnection, retail choice and demand response for electricity customers, a natural gas pipelines and hydroelectric facility licenses, and LNG export authorizations.

    Working with Covington teams, Bud has provided advice and analysis to investment firms, utilities, independent power producers, project developers, customers, marketers and U.S. and international energy companies.

    Prior to joining Covington, Bud served for over 30 years in various staff positions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). While at the FERC, Bud was instrumental in developing and applying policies regarding the transition of the electric utility industry to competition, including policies regarding independent power producers, transmission access, standard generator interconnection procedures, organized electricity markets, mergers and market-based rates.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • For a major U.S. utility, secured favorable rulings from FERC regarding rate incentives for major transmission projects, market-based rate authority for its generation assets and a declaratory order regarding an underwater transmission project.
    • For a major U.S. energy company, advised on securing DOE approval to export LNG and from FERC to construct an LNG terminal.
    • For a prominent coalition of major electricity market stakeholders, providing ongoing analyses and other services regarding state and federal regulatory and policy matters related to electricity competition.
    • For U.S. investment firms, secured FERC approval of the sale of a generator to a U.S. electric utility, and advised on the Federal Power Act implications of unwinding a series of investments in U.S. transmission and hydroelectric facilities.

    • For a prominent Asian investment firm, securing FERC approval of a substantial investment in a U.S. electric utility
    • For a U.S. and transmission cooperative, obtained a favorable ruling from FERC on a complaint against a transmission provider for violating its open access tariff, and securing an interconnection agreement for a new generator.
    • For potential LNG terminal developers, advised on the regulatory process for securing approvals from DOE and FERC to export LNG and build LNG terminal facilities.
    • For a coalition of U.S. electric generating companies, advised on successful federal court challenge of state regulatory interference in FERC-jurisdictional wholesale markets.
    • Advised foreign government agency on reforming its electricity market surveillance program.
    • For a U.S. generating company, successfully advised on organized market tariffs and business practices in an enforcement investigation regarding alleged market manipulation.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Maryland, B.A., 1976
    Government Experience
    • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Energy Bar Association
    Previous Experience
    • Allegheny Energy, Inc., Director of FERC and RTO External Affairs
    • FERC, Director of Regional Market Coordination, Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates
    • FERC, Advisor to Commissioner William Massey
    • FERC, Director of Electricity Policy, Office of Economic Policy

    Areas of Expertise

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