Partner
Energy Regulation
“As an energy regulatory attorney, it is an honor to assist our clients in navigating through today’s complex regulatory environment by developing creative but practical solutions that achieve our clients’ goals in a timely manner.”
Thomas represents several of the leading natural gas, crude oil and liquids pipeline and storage companies on complex administrative matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE). He advises such clients on rate, certificate, compliance and tariff matters.
Thomas also counsels new natural gas pipeline and storage companies and crude oil and liquids pipeline companies on developing greenfield energy projects, including guiding them through the regulatory process from formation to obtaining regulatory approvals and preparing initial rates and tariffs to go into service.
Represented a midcontinent interstate natural gas pipeline in defending against a FERC-initiated NGA Section 5 investigation and subsequent fully litigated NGA Section 4 general rate case before FERC and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Represented a Florida interstate natural gas pipeline in developing tariff gas quality specifications for renewable natural gas that were contested at FERC
Represented a Louisiana LNG import and export terminal on all matters before FERC and DOE, including certificate and rate matters and Free Trade Agreement and Non-Free Trade Agreement authorizations
Represented a Texas intrastate natural gas pipeline in the development of a joint venture to construct and operate a pipeline to the U.S.-Mexico border, including the prosecution of an NGA Section 3 authorization and a Presidential Permit and an initial NGPA Section 311 rates and statement of operating conditions filing
Represented a Midwestern interstate natural gas storage system in defending against multiple NGA Section 5 rate investigations before FERC
Represented a new crude oil pipeline in Texas on all FERC-related matters, including advising on structuring, negotiating anchor shipper agreements, conducting open seasons, prosecting a petition for declaratory order and developing initial rates and tariff
Represented a Gulf Coast offshore natural gas pipeline in defending the creation of a hurricane cost surcharge at a fully litigated hearing at FERC
Represented a Texas intrastate natural gas pipeline in a FERC staff protested NGPA Section 311 rate increase proceeding
Represented a Florida interstate natural gas pipeline in its periodic NGA Section 4 general rate cases before FERC
Represented an East Coast interstate natural gas pipeline in its comprehensive NGA Section 4 general rate case before FERC
Represented a Midwestern interstate natural gas pipeline in defending its tariff fuel tracker at a fully litigated hearing at FERC
Represented a Southwestern interstate natural gas pipeline in its periodic NGA Section 4 general rate cases before FERC
Represented a midcontinent interstate natural gas pipeline in defending tariff changes set for hearing at FERC
Represented a Gulf Coast offshore natural gas pipeline in its periodic NGA Section 4 general rate cases before FERC
Represented a midcontinent interstate natural gas pipeline in defending against complaints filed at FERC regarding Winter Storm Uri
Represented an Arizona local distribution company and an electric power company in a fully litigated natural gas pipeline rate case at FERC
Represented interstate natural gas pipelines in audits, investigations and compliance matters before FERC
Represented a new interstate natural gas pipeline in its acquisition of an offshore natural gas system and the development of initial NGA Section 7(c) rates and FERC tariff
Represented various gathering and production companies in their acquisition of FERC certificated pipelines and obtaining determinations of non-jurisdictional status
Represented a Florida interstate natural gas pipeline in its right-of-way disputes with state agencies
Represented a midcontinent interstate natural gas pipeline in its abandonment of 770 miles of mainline transmission for conversion to oil transportation service
Represented an East Coast interstate natural gas pipeline before FERC with respect to expansion projects, including an LNG storage and vaporizer project
Represented a Gulf Coast natural gas company in its development of an intrastate feeder pipeline to an LNG export terminal
Represented an interstate natural gas pipeline in its 256 mile, $520 million expansion into the Phoenix metropolitan area, including before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented a joint venture natural gas pipeline in its NGA Section 7(c) application for a new 500 mile, $1.3 billion pipeline from Texas to Alabama, including a lease of capacity from an intrastate pipeline
Represented a joint venture natural gas pipeline in its NGA Section 7(c) application for a new 185 mile, $1.2 billion pipeline from Arkansas to Mississippi
Represented a Florida interstate natural gas pipeline in its 567 mile, $2.4 billion expansion project and creation of a new rate schedule
Represented a Midwestern interstate natural gas storage system in its periodic NGA Section 4 general rate cases before FERC
Represented a Wyoming natural gas storage company in its preparation and prosecution of an NGA Section 7(c) certificate, tariff and market power study
Represented a Midwestern incumbent interstate natural gas storage system in obtaining market-based rate authority from FERC
Represented a Mississippi natural gas storage company in contract and tariff matters before FERC
Represented the parent and affiliated shipper of an interstate liquids pipeline in a consolidated rate proceeding before FERC, including handling comprehensive discovery disputes and depositions
Represented a Texas-New Mexico crude oil pipeline in the development of a new interstate pipeline, including anchor shipper negotiations, open season, initial rates and tariff
Represented a Texas-New Mexico crude oil pipeline in defending modifications of tariff quality specifications
Represented a North Dakota crude oil pipeline in the development of a new interstate pipeline, including anchor shipper negotiations, open season, initial rates and tariff
Represented a Texas liquids pipeline in exiting from FERC jurisdiction
Represented a top-10 multiple system operator in its spinoff from its parent into an independent, publicly traded entity
Represented an energy company in its acquisitions of several billion dollars worth of pipeline assets, including properties out of the Enron bankruptcy
Lead transaction counsel for a top-10 multiple system operator in its numerous transactions over the course of several years that added approximately 345,000 cable and internet subscribers at a value in excess of $925 million
Represented a diversified utility and telecommunications company in the sales of its water, wastewater, gas and electric divisions and subsequent purchases of approximately 300,000 local telephone access lines in multiple states at a value of over $1 billion from Verizon Communications and Qwest Communications
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
Client Alerts
President Trump Targets State Laws That Burden Energy Production
On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach” (the “Executive Order”), which directs the United States Attorney General to identify and halt the enforcement of state laws and civil actions that burden energy production and may be preempted by Federal law or are otherwise unconstitutional.
April 11, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
April 11, 2025 • 6-minute read
Client Alerts
Unleashing American Energy: Energy-Focused Executive Orders
On April 8 and 9, 2025, President Donald Trump issued five Presidential Actions (four Executive Orders and one Proclamation, collectively “Presidential Actions”) for the purposes of ensuring adequate and reliable energy generation, meeting growing energy demand, and addressing the national energy emergency declared on January 20, 2025 (EO 14156).
April 11, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
April 11, 2025 • 6-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
Sunoco LP Announces Pricing of $3.4 Billion Upsized Senior Notes and Preferred Equity Offering
Vinson & Elkins represented Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) (“Sunoco”) in connection with an aggregate $3.4 billion in capital markets financings, including its upsized, multi-tranche offering of $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes and its upsized offering of $1.5 billion of 7.875% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units.
September 5, 2025
September 5, 2025 • 1-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings, LLC) has named 125 Vinson & Elkins lawyers in its “Best Lawyers” category in the 2026 edition. Additionally, 76 Vinson & Elkins attorneys have been named in the “Ones to Watch” category, which recognizes lawyers with 5–10 years’ experience. Some individuals are listed in more than one practice area, giving the firm a total of 305 rankings.
August 21, 2025
August 21, 2025 • 3-minute read
Firm News
Vinson & Elkins Hires Thomas Knight, Expanding Energy Regulatory Practice
Knight advises leading oil and gas companies on complex regulatory matters.
November 7, 2024
November 7, 2024 • 2-minute read
our People
Please note that any communication with Vinson & Elkins via e-mail through this website does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship with V&E. Please do not send any confidential information. A conflicts-of-interest procedure must be completed by V&E prior to establishment of an attorney-client relationship. When you execute an engagement letter from V&E you will be our client, and you may then exchange information freely with a V&E attorney.
By clicking “Accept,” you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that our review of your information, even if it is highly confidential and even if it is transmitted in a good faith effort to retain us, does not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you.
