Akin Welcomes Energy Regulatory Partner Stephen Hug to Its DC Office
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Washington, DC – September 1, 2022 – Akin is pleased to announce that energy regulatory lawyer Stephen Hug has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.
“I am excited to join Akin’s globally renowned projects & energy transition practice,” said Mr. Hug. “Akin is uniquely positioned to assist clients as they navigate the energy transition, and I have long been impressed by the sophistication of Akin's work in the energy industry globally. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with clients on cutting-edge power and other renewable energy transactions.”
Mr. Hug advises clients on a range of regulatory, commercial and transactional matters related to the U.S. power sector. He regularly counsels clients in matters related to federal and state regulatory policies, regulations and rules applicable to the electric and renewable power industries. He has extensive experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Power Act (FPA), including obtaining authorization for the acquisition and disposition of securities in utilities and generation and transmission assets, tax equity and passive ownership interests, wholesale market design, enforcement and compliance, Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators (RTO/ISO) matters, and representation of utilities in contested proceedings before FERC. He also has experience with state regulatory matters, including state net metering programs, state renewable portfolio standards, interconnection issues, retail choice programs, and solicitations for offshore wind and other renewable resources.
In addition, Mr. Hug has extensive experience negotiating commercial agreements on behalf of generation developers, storage operators, and energy marketers. Among other things, he has negotiated power purchase agreements, tolling agreements, agreements for the sale of renewable energy credits, and non-wires alternative agreements.
Zachary Wittenberg, co-head of the firm’s corporate practice, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the firm. His significant experience representing owners and investors in power generation projects will be extremely useful to our clients, and a great complement to the strengths and capabilities of our projects & energy transition and broader energy team.”
Formerly, Mr. Hug was an attorney advisor in the Office of the General Counsel, Energy Markets at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he reviewed and analyzed filings submitted under Section 205 and 206 of the FPA. Mr. Hug’s arrival continues the expansion of Akin’s global energy capabilities. Recent additions include U.S. partners Ike Emehelu and Shariff Barakat and London-based partner Alex Harrison.
Commenting on Mr. Hug’s arrival, Akin chairperson Kim Koopersmith said, “I am extremely pleased about Steve’s addition to Akin. His arrival brings critical regulatory experience to our clients at a time when developing and maintaining power sources is as important as ever. Steve is an important part of the expansion of our projects & energy transition practice, and I know he will be an immediate asset for clients and colleagues alike.”
About Akin’s Projects & Energy Transition Experience
Our depth in the energy sector includes significant experience with traditional and renewable energy and other infrastructure projects, including those related to the energy transition, such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, bioenergy, landfill gas, carbon capture and storage, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen projects. We assist clients that develop, finance, construct, operate, buy and sell energy and infrastructure projects around the world. Our project finance and development team offers deep industry knowledge and an understanding of related complex investment vehicles and the tangle of regulations surrounding them.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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