Bernard L. McNamee, who recently completed a term as a commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has joined McGuireWoods, the firm said in a Dec. 7 release.

As a FERC Commissioner since 2018, McNamee had a hand in more than 1,700 published orders spanning wholesale electricity, natural gas pipelines, LNG export, oil rates, reliability standards and energy rulemaking. He also testified before Congress and regularly addressed major energy groups on federal regulations.

Prior to FERC, he served with the U.S. Department of Energy as executive director of the Office of Policy and also deputy general counsel for energy policy. He previously held leadership positions under the Attorneys General of Virginia and Texas, as well as policy adviser roles for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Virginia Gov. George Allen.

McNamee joins McGuireWoods Consulting as a senior adviser in the firm’s Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C. offices, and rejoined the McGuireWoods law firm as a partner in its Richmond office.

“Bernie’s insight as a FERC commissioner, his involvement in major rulemaking proceedings, his relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and his service in significant state and federal government policy positions will provide our clients with powerful advantages. He will be a major asset to our clients with energy and environmental policy issues,” said McGuireWoods Consulting President and former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges in a statement.

Founded in 1998, McGuireWoods Consulting is a full-service public affairs firm offering government relations, strategic communications and grassroots, and infrastructure and economic development services. The consulting practice is a subsidiary of McGuireWoods LLP, a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 21 offices worldwide.

McNamee previously was a partner in McGuireWoods’ regulatory and compliance department. He assisted electric and natural gas utilities in rate cases and in obtaining approvals to build generating facilities and transmission lines, as well as the development of renewable portfolio standards and integrated resource planning. He played an integral role advising clients during implementation of the 2007 Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act, which returned the state’s utilities to a modified cost-of-service regulatory model.

In 2018, McNamee was nominated to FERC by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He announced in early 2020 that he would not seek another term on the commission before officially stepping down in September.

In his new roles as he rejoins the firm, McNamee will provide McGuireWoods and McGuireWoods Consulting clients legal, policy and legislative guidance on a wide range of energy and environmental issues. His practice will focus on legislation, rulemaking, strategic planning and policy development, including issues involving Congress, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and FERC, as well as regional transmission organizations and independent system operators.

McNamee will assist clients with high-stakes and complex issues involving the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, Interstate Commerce Act, Renewable Fuel Standard, Nuclear Waste Policy Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He will also develop coalitions for clients, allowing for multilevel engagement on important energy and environmental issues, according to the release.

In a statement commenting on his appointment, McNamee said: “McGuireWoods is recognized nationally as a leader in providing comprehensive legal, policy and business guidance to companies and investors in all sectors of the energy industry. I am excited to rejoin the firm and put my experience to work to help our clients achieve their business goals.”

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