Related Practices

Energy

Energy Regulation & Litigation

Energy Transactions

Business Transactions

Government Litigation

Federal Pre-emption

Environmental & Natural Resources

Water Law

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Related Industries

Electric Power

Renewable Energy

Hydroelectric Licensing and Compliance

Additional Bios

Languages

Admitted to Practice

U.S. Supreme Court

D.C. Circuit

9th Circuit

5th Circuit

4th Circuit

District of Columbia, 1975

James B. (Jim) Vasile

Partner

jamesvasile@dwt.com
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Washington, D.C.
202.973.4262 direct
202.973.4462 fax

Jim Vasile focuses on federal regulation of the electric power industry, including the licensing of hydroelectric projects and FERC regulation of public utilities under the Federal Power Act. He also advises clients on qualifying facility matters arising under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act and holding company issues arising under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.

Selected Experience

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Douglas County P.U.D.

Representation of Douglas County P.U.D. in the integrated relicensing process for the Wells Project, including the negotiation of settlement agreements. (Ongoing)

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Idaho Power Company

Representation of Idaho Power Company in proceedings to relicense the Swan Falls Project. (Ongoing)

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Idaho Power Company

Representation of Idaho Power Company in proceedings to relicense the Hells Canyon Project, including the first trial-type hearings under section 241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. (Ongoing)

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Pend Oreille County P.U.D.

Representation of Pend Oreille County P.U.D. in proceedings to relicense Seattle City Light's Boundary Project and to surrender Pend Oreille County P.U.D.'s license for the Sullivan Creek Project, including the negotiation of interrelated settlement agreements. (Ongoing)

Regulatory - electric for Calpine Corporation

FERC counsel to Calpine and affiliates in connection with financing, development and operation of electric generating facilities, including qualifying facilities, exempt wholesale generators and foreign electric utility companies. (Ongoing)

Regulatory - electric for Solar Energy Industry Association

Preparation of comments in FERC proceeding on the petition for declaratory order related to the California Public Utility Commission's feed-in tariff for combined heat and power facilities. (2010)

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Pend Oreille County P.U.D.

Represented Pend Oreille County P.U.D. in connection with the relicensing and water quality certification of the Box Canyon Project, including judicial review proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. (2007)

Regulatory - hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Pend Oreille County P.U.D.

Negotiation and FERC approval of a settlement agreement on annual charges for the use of Kalispel Indian Reservation lands. (2007)

Hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Public Service Company of New Hampshire

Represented the licensee in trial-type hearings under Section 241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. (2006)

Regulatory - hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Douglas County P.U.D.

FERC proceeding to approve a settlement agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation involving annual charges for the use of Indian land and the sale of power. (2005)

Regulatory - hydroelectric licensing and compliance for Chelan County P.U.D.

FERC proceeding to approve habitat conservation plans for the protection of anadromous fish under the Endangered Species Act. (2004)

More Experience >>

Additional Qualifications

Professional and Community Activities

American Bar Association
Energy Bar Association

Professional Recognition

Named as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Energy: Electricity (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA, 2005-2009; named in Energy: Electricity – Regulatory and Litigation (Nationwide), 2011
Named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward/White in Energy Law, 2008-present; named in Public Utility Law, 2003-2007

Education

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1974

Graduate Studies, The Catholic University of America, College of Nuclear Science and Engineering

B.A., Physics, Rutgers University, 1966

Spotlights