Overview
Gregory D. Jones is an experienced energy attorney with broad expertise across the U.S. power sector, regularly advising on regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. Mr. Jones represents a diverse array of clients, including renewable energy developers, battery storage operators, power marketers, lenders and investors in traditional and renewable generation, and electric utilities, including non-jurisdictional entities such as rural electric cooperatives. His ubiquitous approach to energy law results in a diverse practice, from contract negotiations and regulatory due diligence, to administrative litigation and settlement proceedings, to routine (and non-routine) filings and compliance work before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state public utility commissions, and other federal and state agencies.
Mr. Jones works extensively on renewable energy matters, finding creative solutions to complex issues involving generator interconnections, microgrids, distributed generation and community solar, net metering and net billing programs, and demand response. He also monitors and tracks developments in wholesale energy and capacity markets across the country and works extensively on traditional ratemaking matters, including stated and formula rates, open access transmission tariffs, applications under FERC’s merger and acquisition authority, hydro licensing and relicensing, and PURPA and PUHCA issues.
Education
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2011
- Syracuse University, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2005
Representations
- Advise on regulatory, market, and cooperative law issues arising from the proposed interconnection of a large data center load, including drafting power supply and other contractual arrangements
- Negotiate a power purchase agreement for a microgrid project to power a 100% carbon-free resort community
- Represent RWE Clean Energy in a settlement proceeding involving an unexecuted interconnection service agreement with PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. for a 116 MW solar facility that disputed the cost estimates for the incumbent utility’s proposed fiber optic upgrades
- Advising Leeward Renewable Energy and other renewable energy developers in challenging various filings submitted by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to reform its generator interconnection procedures and agreements
- Advise on regulatory challenges to developing a battery electric storage system on the seam between two organized markets that will interconnect to, and participate in, both markets
- Advised LS Power on various regulatory aspects regarding its acquisition of a portfolio of over 40 hydroelectric facilities totaling over 300 MW, including regulatory due diligence, contract review, FERC section 203 and state regulatory filings, and various post-closing requirements including MBR and EWG submissions
- Advised GlidePath Power Solutions LLC on its sale of nearly 200 MW of wind generation facilities, including FERC section 203 and state regulatory filings, deal support and contract review
- Advising a developer of 400 MW of wind generation on various issues regarding its interconnection service agreement with PJM and various other interconnection-related matters before FERC
- Represented distribution cooperative United Power, Inc. in multi-jurisdictional regulatory and litigation proceedings involving its wholesale power purchase arrangements
- Represented GridLiance High Plains in litigated proceedings before FERC involving zonal placement of transmission assets and GridLiance Heartland in a litigated proceeding before the Illinois Commerce Commission on an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity*
*Indicates matters completed prior to joining Paul Hastings
insights
- FERC Issues Landmark Transmission Planning Order - July 11th, 2024
- State of Electric Interconnection and Transmission Regulation: Staying Alert to Imminent Developments and Getting Involved - April 16th, 2024
- FERC Proposes Rule to Prohibit Reactive Power Compensation for Generators - March 29th, 2024
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Final Rule Overhauling Interconnection Procedures - August 21st, 2023
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Announces Major Overhaul of its Interconnection Procedures - August 9th, 2022
Engagement & Publications
- Moderator, “Virtual Advocacy Workshop,” Energy Bar Association 2021 Annual Meeting and Conference, May 2021.
- Moderator, “FERC Pass-Through Taxation and Income Allowance Recovery,” Energy Bar Association Energizer Policy
Discussion, January 2020. - Gregory D. Jones, Comment, Electronic Rulemaking in the New Age of Openness: Proposing a Voluntary Two-Tier
Registration System for Regulations.gov, 62 ADMIN. L. REV. 1261 (2010).
Involvement
- Member of the District of Columbia and Texas Bar Association, including the Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section
- Member of the Energy Bar Association (former Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee)