James W. Brew principal

For over three decades, Jay Brew has helped energy intensive clients manage the complex issues that lie at the intersection of power generation, industrial use, utility regulation, public policy and market forces.  Jay represents industrial, rural electric cooperative and municipal electric clients in state regulatory, regional and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings. He applies his deep knowledge of rate practices, regulatory structures, and end user energy needs to secure energy supply agreements that meet his clients’ needs.

Jay’s experience covers all facets of administrative practice, energy public policy debate, the regulatory environment, and the legislative process that so heavily influences regulatory policies today. His work includes negotiating customer-specific power rates, including economic development packages, and creatively addressing state renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to meet client needs.  On a broader level, FERC has invited Jay to appear on behalf of industrial consumers as a panelist at its technical conferences addressing wholesale power market structures and demand response participation in those wholesale markets.  Jay has advised manufacturing clients on the possible application of mandatory national electric reliability standards to their facilities.  He also has a long record of developing innovative approaches that produce outcomes that exceed client expectations while satisfying other stakeholder concerns.

Though based in DC, Jay’s practice is national, with a focus on applying his skillset to the peculiar regulatory conditions of the various states and communities where his clients are located.  His background includes years with the New York State Public Service Commission overseeing proceedings and activities covering restructuring and competition in the electric industry, retail access, power pooling, capacity bidding, transmission services, resource planning, and energy efficiency programs.  Early in his career, Jay was the trial attorney for New York’s investigation into construction cost overruns at the Shoreham nuclear power station.

NOTEWORTHY

AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

Electric and Natural Gas Utility Law

Energy Efficiency

Litigation

• Represent electric arc-furnace steel mills in a number of states in utility rate hearings and negotiations.
• Represented an intensive energy user in state regulatory proceedings associated with a damaged nuclear power plant.
• Secured customer-specific exemptions from otherwise state mandated surcharges to power bills.
• Successfully represented a large industrial customer in the possible application of national electric reliability standards to its facilities.
• Advised a manufacturing trade group on proposed changes to electric reliability standards that may affect members’ operations.
• Advised a manufacturing facility concerning buy-back rates and pricing policies for renewable energy and combined heat and power operations on site.
• Developed alternative curtailable and interruptible service rate alternatives that align client physical and operational capabilities.
• Advised clients concerning possible renewable energy projects to be located at the site of existing industrial operations.