Federal Power Program

Our attorneys include a number of the nation's experts in the field of federal "preference" law - the federal program under which regional power marketing administrations sell power to rural electric cooperatives, Indian tribes and municipal systems. We have represented preference customers in federal district court proceedings, before federal appeals courts, and in agency and regulatory proceedings. Further, we have been involved in every major legislative initiative affecting the federal power program since 1985, and have litigated a number of the leading cases under this law.

We have expertise in the Federal Reclamation program, including hands-on experience shaping numerous project authorizations and re-authorizations related to federal hydropower operations and revenues, and water supply operations.

Representative Matters

• Litigated before three U.S. Federal District Courts and two U.S. Courts of Appeal to defend a client's interest in the operation of federally-owned hydroelectric facilities in the Southeast.
• Negotiated legislative solution to preserve hydropower benefits for client customer of federal hydropower facility.
• Worked with federal agency to lower proposed rate for preference customers.
• Authored and negotiated federal legislation affecting operations of federal hydropower projects on Columbia, Colorado, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Truckee, Missouri, and other river systems throughout the Nation.