Overview
With nearly 20 years of experience, Valerie Green is a seasoned Energy attorney who focuses her practice on regulatory matters relating to electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy, and on litigation relating to those matters. She has extensive experience handling a wide range of matters involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and other administrative agencies. Valerie is a strong advocate for her clients and leverages her deep understanding of the regulatory process to help achieve desired outcomes.
Valerie navigates the complexities of Independent System Operator and Regional Transmission Organization (ISO/RTO) tariffs and operating rules, including assisting clients with electric transmission and generator interconnection issues. She advises clients on a wide range of issues involving the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, and FERC's implementing regulations. She offers advice on pipeline rate and tariff issues to natural gas pipeline customers, and supports natural gas producers, gathering entities, and intra- and interstate pipelines with issues arising out of the regulatory regimes overseen by FERC and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Valerie is a trusted client adviser on regulatory compliance and enforcement, offering training, compliance audits, and providing counsel on emerging cybersecurity concerns. Valerie has a track record of representing clients in audits and investigations conducted by FERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and regional reliability organizations.
In audit or investigation scenarios, Valerie aids in data collection and review, conducts employee interviews, handles depositions, and, when necessary, prepares self-reports and negotiates settlements for alleged violations. Her litigation background spans various industries, including energy, construction, employment, insurance, mortgage lending, and products liability cases, benefiting both defendants and plaintiffs.
Experience
Serves, since 2015, as natural gas regulatory counsel for the Xcel Energy operating companies in interstate natural gas pipeline, storage, and other regulatory proceedings before FERC
Advises an energy trading subsidiary of large multinational clean energy company regarding compliance with the market rules in the FERC-jurisdictional ISO/RTO markets, ERCOT, and two Canadian markets, including developing detailed compliance manuals for each market
Conducts federal regulatory due diligence for transactions involving the sale and acquisition of wind and solar generation assets, including, where necessary, applying for approval from FERC under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act
Obtains market-based rate authority for clients engaging in the wholesale sale of electric energy and capacity and handles regulatory applications for the owners of generation assets that meet the definitions of Qualifying Facilities and Exempt Wholesale Generators
Counsels natural gas exploration and production companies regarding federal and state regulatory obligations, including new PHMSA rules, associated with the development of new gas gathering lines
Provides regular trainings to clients regarding FERC's Standards of Conduct, natural gas capacity release rules, energy market rules, and compliance with certain mandatory reliability standards promulgated by NERC
Defends clients in investigations by FERC's Office of Enforcement
Assisted a merchant transmission developer with interconnection and membership issues in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. region
Advised a natural gas company regarding compliance with multiple rounds of information disclosures regarding pipeline asset cybersecurity measures required by the 2021 security directive issued by the Transportation Safety Administration
Conducted an in-depth audit of an energy trading company’s compliance and risk management program, including multiple employee interviews, resulting in a major overhaul of the company’s practices and materials
Represented the U.S. subsidiary of an energy marketer based in Europe with its application for FERC market-based rate authority, provided advice regarding becoming a FERC-jurisdictional entity, and obtained electric energy export authority from the U.S. Department of Energy
Education and Credentials
Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, J.D., 2006
- University of North Carolina, B.A., 1994
Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- State of California
- District of Columbia
Affiliations
- Energy Bar Association, Energy and Public Utilities Section
- American Bar Association
- Women's Energy Network, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Immediate Past President and Chair of Executive Member Program
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in the Chambers USA Legal Directory (Chambers & Partners) of recognized practitioners for Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) Nationwide, 2023-2024
Chosen for inclusion in the Chambers Global (Chambers & Partners) for Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation), 2023-2024
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Energy Law, 2021-2025
Selected to the list of Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Energy and Natural Resources, 2014-2016
In The Media
Speaking Engagements
- Meeting the Need for New Transmission: Are We Keeping Pace?, September 21, 2022
- Cybersecurity Issues for Pipeline Asset Owners, January 25, 2022
- Power Markets in 2021 and Beyond, October 21, 2021
- The AGA Legal Forum | July 2021, July 26, 2021
- Investing in Northeast Power and Gas—Which Deals Are Happening and Which Deals Are Not, May 27, 2021
- The AGA Legal Forum | July 2018, July 23, 2018
Media Mention
- The Daily Docket Industry Moves, Thomson Reuters' The Daily Docket , October 13, 2023
- Day Pitney Brings on Energy Atty with Regulatory Focus, Law360, October 11, 2023