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Jonathan P. Trotta

Partner

T 202.973.4215 Washington, D.C.
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Jon Trotta focuses his practice on the natural gas and electric industries. He has significant experience appearing before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in policy, regulatory and litigated proceedings, and advises clients on matters involving gas pipeline certification, tariff and rate disputes, wholesale power market structures and operations, electric transmission cost allocation, generator interconnection, PURPA, and cybersecurity. He brings to bear his experience as a former Attorney-Advisor at FERC.

Jon's clients include natural gas pipeline shippers, renewable and other project developers, investor-owned and municipal utilities, and large natural gas and energy consumers.

Practice Highlights

Natural gas pipeline operations, certification & rates

Jon counsels gas pipeline shippers, including electric utilities and other large consumers of natural gas, on FERC rules and regulations germane to their relationship with interstate gas pipelines. He advises and represents shippers in contested pipeline certification and rate proceedings before FERC.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and renewable energy development and transactions

Jon advises and works closely with developers of RNG projects, renewable resources (wind & solar), independent power producers, and electric utilities to draft and negotiate complex agreements with bespoke terms and conditions, including commodity offtake agreements, EEI master agreements, NAESB gas purchase contracts, power purchase agreements (PPAs), gas and electric interconnect agreements, gas storage agreements, asset management agreements, master supply and development agreements, and EPC contracts.

Cybersecurity

Jon was at the forefront of discussions leading to development of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, and has helped electric utilities nationwide understand and comply with the suite of mandatory cybersecurity reliability standards enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and its regional entities.

RNG development*

Represented developers of RNG and biogas facilities in negotiations with municipal landfills and local gas distribution companies. Drafted and negotiated NAESB gas purchase contract special provisions, including specialized terms governing rights to environmental attributes and incentives associated with sale of RNG, as well as related gas pipeline interconnect agreements.

Project development negotiations*

Advised large electric utility in development of joint substation project, including review and negotiation of related substation development agreements, EPC agreement, asset transfer agreement, and generator interconnection agreement. 

Natural gas rate and certification proceedings*

Represented natural gas shippers in contested and litigated certification and gas pipeline rate proceedings before FERC.

FERC policy development and advocacy*

Prepared comments for electric utilities and utility trade associations in nearly all major FERC rulemaking since 2010, developed regulatory strategy, and engaged with FERC staff.

Wholesale power markets*

Counseled electric utilities, generators and project developers on RTO/ISO wholesale power market rules. Represented electric utilities before FERC in litigated proceedings involving RTO/ISO rate and cost allocation issues, including disputes regarding cost shifts associated with new market entrants.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Admitted to Practice

  • Massachusetts, 2007
  • District of Columbia, 2011
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 2012
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 2019

Education

  • J.D., Suffolk University Law School, 2007
  • B.A., Political Science, International Relations, Italian, Villanova University, 2004

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Energy Bar Association
    • Federal Communications Bar Association (The Tech Bar)
    • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
    • Board Member, Suffolk University Law School Alumni Association of Metropolitan Washington, Inc., 2008-Present; President and Board Chairman, 2009-2013

Professional Recognition

    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Energy Law, 2024-present
    • Gold Alumni Award for Graduate of the Last Decade, Suffolk University Law School, 2014
    • Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, D.C. Bar Association Pro Bono Program, 2014
    • Leadership in Experiential Learning Award, Suffolk University Law School, 2012

Background

    • Partner, Stinson LLP, Washington, D.C., 2017-2022
    • Associate, Stinson LLP, Washington, D.C., 2010-2016
    • Attorney-Advisor, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington, D.C., 2007-2010
    • Law Clerk, Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications & Energy, Boston, 2006-2007
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2021
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"Emerging Issues in the Natural Gas Industry," Energy Bar Association, Energy Law Academy
10.14.20
Presentations
"PURPA, Re-Envisioned," American Public Power Assoc., Legal and Regulatory Conference
10.01.20
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"Anticipating Federal Policy Changes after the Election," Renewable Energy in the Midwest Conference, Law Seminars International
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"Federal Energy Update," Renewable Energy in the Midwest Conference, Law Seminars International
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"FERC Comes Under Fire for High-Profile Prosecution in Powhatan," Natural Gas & Electricity, Vol. 31, No. 11 Read More External Link
May 2015
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"FERC 101," EUCI Conference
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