Counsel
Energy Regulation
Andy practices in the energy group and focuses on federal and state energy regulation and energy transactions in the natural gas and electric industries.
He has represented interstate natural gas pipelines, pipeline transportation customers, investor-owned utilities, and electric cooperatives before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He has also worked on numerous transactions involving the financing of energy infrastructure and the sale or acquisition of natural gas and electric power assets. Andy previously served as Staff Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Maryland. In this capacity, he litigated and oversaw all Staff cases before the Commission.
Represented a natural gas pipeline in a FERC certificate proceeding to construct a greenfield expansion into Manhattan
Represented a natural gas pipeline in a technical conference and settlement conferences related to a fuel-tracking mechanism
Represented a public utility in obtaining FERC approval of statutory incentives and transmission formula rate with respect to a major new transmission project
Represented natural gas pipelines in the negotiation of precedent agreements for pipeline expansions
Represented a natural gas shipper in the negotiation of agreements for interstate pipeline capacity
Represented a natural gas pipeline in a FERC certificate proceeding for the expansion of an existing system to supply capacity constrained New England Markets
Advised a natural gas storage provider in a rate settlement
Represented a natural gas pipeline in a FERC certificate proceeding related to 78-mile greenfield expansion
Represented a natural gas pipeline in a FERC technical conference related to changes in fuel assessment as a result of reversals of traditional system flows
Represented a natural gas shipper in rate and tariff proceedings before the FERC and in interstate pipeline meetings related to tariff modifications and implementation
Represented a project sponsor in the construction and operation of the first independent storage reservoir project in the Rockies, including with respect to tariff implementation and certificate amendment matters
Obtained approval pursuant to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act for the acquisition of a generating portfolio
Obtained approval of market-based rate authority under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act for generators and power marketer
Obtained approval pursuant to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act for the acquisition of a retail electricity and natural gas marketer with operations in 14 states and Canada
Represented electric transmission companies in connection with rate and tariff filings under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act
Obtained approval of financing authority for electric transmission companies under Section 204 of the Federal Power Act
Represented natural gas pipelines in the negotiation of precedent agreements for pipeline expansions
Represented a natural gas shipper in the negotiation of agreements for interstate pipeline capacity
Represented a natural gas producer in the negotiation of gathering and processing agreements
Advised a private equity fund regarding federal regulatory matters in acquisition of ownership interest in existing and project interstate natural gas pipelines
Advised a client regarding due diligence for acquisition of upstream and midstream gas assets
Riverstone Holdings in the $9.5 billion formation of Talen Energy Corporation, one of the largest independent power producers in the U.S., through a Reverse Morris Trust spin-off of PPL Corporation’s merchant power generation business and the concurrent combination thereof with Riverstone’s merchant power generation business and associated debt financings
Advised private equity firms regarding state regulatory matters in the purchase of an electric utility holding company
Advised an investor-owned utility on regulatory issues related to the purchase and sale of electric distribution assets
Advised an investment bank in regulatory matters related to acquisitions of wind development projects
Advised a private equity fund on federal and state regulatory matters regarding the potential acquisition of a public utility holding company of a combination gas and electric distribution utility
Education
Admissions
Client Alerts
FERC Streamlines Natural Gas Permitting in Support of Infrastructure
On June 18, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) announced two orders at its June 2026 …
June 22, 2026
June 22, 2026 • 7-minute read
Event Recaps
“New NEPA” and What It Means for Project Development, Permitting, and Litigation
This program offered practical insights into the rapidly evolving federal environmental review process, including recent NEPA reforms, Supreme Court guidance, and more.
September 17, 2025
September 17, 2025 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
The New NEPA: Federal Agencies Overhaul Procedures for Environmental Reviews
On July 3, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Army Corps”), and the Departments of Energy (“DOE”), Interior (“DOI”), Transportation (“DOT”), Agriculture (“USDA”), and Defense (“DOD”) released sweeping updates to their regulations and procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”).
July 11, 2025 • V&E Environmental Update
July 11, 2025 • 11-minute read
Client Alerts
In the first major National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) case to reach the Supreme Court in almost two decades, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on May 29, 2025, in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado.
May 30, 2025 • V&E Supreme Court Update
May 30, 2025 • 13-minute read
Client Alerts
On May 22, 2025, the House passed budget reconciliation legislation referred to as “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (the “Bill”).
May 23, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
May 23, 2025 • 8-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Advises Blackbeard Holdings in $2.2 Billion Combination
Vinson & Elkins advised Blackbeard Holdings, LLC (“Blackbeard”), a portfolio company of NGP Energy Capital Management, in its entry into …
July 29, 2026
July 29, 2026 • 2-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Legal 500 US 2026 recommended Vinson & Elkins as a leading law firm in 47 practice categories. In total, …
June 10, 2026
June 10, 2026 • 3-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Represents Fidelis New Energy, LLC in Sale of Monarch Compute Campus to Nscale
Vinson & Elkins represented Fidelis New Energy, LLC in the sale of its portfolio company American Intelligence & Power Corporation …
March 16, 2026
March 16, 2026 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
ARM Energy and PIMCO Announce $2.3 Billion Investment in Mustang Express Pipeline
Vinson & Elkins represented ARM Energy Holdings, LLC, an energy marketing, and infrastructure development firm, in a joint venture with PIMCO for the construction of an approximately $2.3 billion, 236-mile-long natural gas pipeline with a transportation capacity of at least 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to service expansions trains to be constructed at Port Arthur LNG.
October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
Antero Midstream Announces Pricing of Upsized $650 Million Offering of Senior Notes
Vinson & Elkins advised Antero Midstream Corporation in connection with an upsized private placement of $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due 2033 by its subsidiaries Antero Midstream Partners LP and Antero Midstream Finance Corporation.
September 23, 2025
September 23, 2025 • 1-minute read
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