William R. Mapes, Jr.

Education

Bar Admissions

Honors

Experience

William R. Mapes, Jr. joined our law firm in July 2005 and has over twenty-five years of experience practicing in the areas of administrative and energy law, focusing primarily on matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and resulting appellate litigation. In the natural gas arena, Mr. Mapes has represented interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines, natural gas local distribution companies, marketers, producers, shippers, gatherers and processors in regulatory, ratemaking, environmental and certification matters before the FERC, as well as transactional non-regulated activities of these entities. Moreover, he has extensive experience in the field of electric regulation. This includes representation of electric marketers, public utilities, an independent system operator, and matters arising from the California electric deregulation experience. He also has experience in proceedings at the FERC involving the importation of liquefied natural gas and oil pipeline ratemaking. Additionally, Mr. Mapes has been involved in natural gas import/export proceedings at the Department of Energy and pipeline safety compliance issues involving the Department of Transportation.

Extensive experience in representing interstate natural gas pipeline companies in Natural Gas Act certificate and rate matters before FERC. Provides frequent advice on FERC natural gas and electric power compliance and enforcement matters including Standards of Conduct. Represent local distribution company shipper interests in major Natural Gas Act pipeline rate proceedings (including under Order Nos. 636 and 637) such as filing of testimony, drafting of tariff and contractual language, and negotiation of complex multi-party settlements. Successfully represented local governments before FERC in National Environmental Policy Act challenge to interstate pipeline's proposed location of multi-million dollar compressor station pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act. Represented largest Louisiana natural gas intrastate pipeline in Section 311 rate proceedings and transactions until company sold by client. Advised natural gas producers on royalty issues and gas sales contracts. Obtained "decertification" of natural gas interstate pipeline and FERC declaration of non-jurisdictional gathering status.

Represents large end user/cogenerator in complaint proceding against large investor-owned public utility. Represented an electric power independent system operator in defending a FERC suit to enforce a FERC order in the United States District Court in D.C., successfully arguing that such court lacked requisite personal jurisdiction under the "government contacts" doctrine. Advised a Regional Transmission Organization on various regulatory matters before the FERC. Counsel for coalition of large electric energy marketers in several electric utility Order No. 888 restructuring proceedings. Advised energy trading companies relative to transactional, commercial and regulatory issues. Represented public utility in interconnection/market power case at FERC involving complex economic principles, market rules and market power monitoring and mitigation that ultimately was settled. Litigation counsel in California state court to client accused of California electricity market "gaming"; demurrer granted.

Prepared appropriate documentation for state registration as non-profit organization and obtained federal tax exemption as non-profit § 501(c)(3) entity. Represented non-profit entities in will/trust dispute litigation.

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Publications