Andrea Chambers is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and a member of the Energy Industry Team. She provides regulatory counsel to entities involved in the restructuring of electric and natural gas industries.
Prior to joining Foley, Ms. Chambers was a partner with Troutman Sanders.
Ms. Chambers' experience includes:
· Providing strategic regulatory counsel to Midwestern utility in obtaining FERC approval of withdrawal from transmission-owner membership in the Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc. and in establishing oversight of its open access transmission requests by an Independent Transmission Organization, a complex transaction which is now providing millions of dollars in annual cost savings to the utility and its customers.
· Leading a regulatory team in achieving compliance with all aspects of Order 890's enhanced open access transmission requirements for Midwestern utility.
· Serving as lead counsel in litigating issue of first impression regarding fixed payments for reactive power losses for Midwestern utility and prevailed at the Commission level, obtaining over $5 million in refunds for past periods, and nearly $3 million annual savings prospectively.
· Serving as lead counsel for energy company in the fact-finding proceeding established by the Commission to investigate Enron-type gaming allegations leading up to the California Energy Crisis.
· Serving as co-counsel for marketing affiliate of a major utility in litigation involving location installed capacity in New England and prevailed on issue regarding availability payments.
· Representing a group of eight utilities in obtaining regulatory approvals to restructure $3 billion electric market in New York State which resulted in the FERC approval of a comprehensive restructuring of the wholesale electricity market, including the formation of a non-profit Independent System Operator, implementation of a congestion management pricing system, and the establishment of auctions for financial hedges; prepared all related tariffs and agreements. Representation included drafting of all regulatory compliance filings, tariffs and agreements, negotiations among utilities and with shareholders and representation in litigation before FERC.
· Providing regulatory advice to a group of major interstate pipelines, including conducting training of employees as part of corporate compliance with FERC Standards of Conduct (developed corporate compliance manual and training materials); advising client on issues related to development of new pipelines involving offshore construction and development of new liquefied natural gas facilities; participating in development of corporate policies regarding FERC rulemaking proceedings and other policy matters.
· Providing regulatory counsel to a utility in obtaining approval of Transco. Representation included all aspects of establishing the regional organization from commencement of stakeholder process to advising client regarding congestion management and market models, transmission and ancillary service pricing options, operational and planning issues, drafting tariffs and agreements and participation in mediation process.
· Serving as lead counsel for an association of natural gas distribution companies in rate, certificate and restructuring proceeding involving a southern interstate natural gas pipeline, and advising association regarding FERC natural gas industry-wide initiatives, served as lead counsel for a natural gas distribution company in restructuring proceedings involving four western interstate pipeline systems and negotiated rate settlements resulting in over $3 million annual cost savings to client.
· Advising multiple clients regarding power sales and transmission contracts, including drafting master energy power sales agreements, netting agreements, and credit provisions; assisted clients in obtaining market-based rate approvals, merger approvals, and Exempt Wholesale Generator status.
· Representing NERC sub-regional council in implementing emergency re-dispatch procedures.
· Acting as advisor to FERC Administrative Law Judges. Assisted in analysis of evidentiary records and preparation of initial decisions involving natural gas, electric and remedial oil proceedings.
In recognition of her experience, Ms. Chambers has been Peer Review Rated as BV® Distinguished™, a mark of excellence in Martindale-Hubbell's peer review rating system.
Ms. Chambers earned her J.D. from American University and her B.A. from Georgetown University.
She is a member of the Energy Bar Association. Ms. Chambers is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is proficient in Spanish.