Areas of Practice
Energy and environmental regulation, policy, legislation and litigation
Representative Experience
Mr. Adamson represents clients regarding energy and environmental matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), federal and state agencies, Congress and the courts. He also provides counsel and strategic advice on a broad range of administrative, policy, and legislative matters related to energy, the environment, and natural resources. Mr. Adamson is Co-Chair of DWT's Climate Change Practice Group.
His FERC work has encompassed representation of power sellers, hydroelectric licensees, natural gas pipelines, a pipeline shipper, industry trade associations and others. He has also advised clients on a broad range of issues including federal energy legislation, climate change regulation, liquefied natural gas facilities, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Bonneville Power Administration, and federal energy R&D policy.
Prior Experience
At FERC, Mr. Adamson was the Director of the Office of Energy Projects and, in that capacity, was responsible for the regulation of hydroelectric dams and interstate natural gas pipelines. At the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Power Technologies overseeing renewable energy R&D and climate change programs. He also served as an advisor to the Secretary of Energy on electricity policy/power marketing administration matters.
Prior to his Executive Branch service, Mr. Adamson worked for nine years as a Congressional staff-person responsible for legislation, oversight and investigations relating to energy/environment/natural resources.
Publications and Presentations
Mr. Adamson has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,the California Public Utility Commission and the Minnesota State legislature. He has also given scores of speeches to diverse audiences including attorneys, energy industry professionals, State utility Commissioners and legislators, Wall Street analysts, energy technology experts, and academics.
Memberships and Activities
District of Columbia Bar
Maryland Bar
California Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Energy Bar Association-Past Chair, Committee on Renewable Energy and the Environment, Committee on Hydroelectric Regulation
National Hydropower Association – Vice Chair, Legislative Committee
Firm Management
Partnership Share Committee
Political Action Committee Board
Education
J.D., cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center
M.A. in Political Science, University of California, Santa Barbara
B.P. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio