In 1976, George Bruder and Carmen Gentile, partners in the firm of Debevoise & Liberman, established Bruder & Gentile as a specialized energy firm focusing on electric power issues under the Federal Power Act. Michel Marcoux from Wald, Harkrader & Ross and former Federal Power Commission Solicitor Howard Wahrenbrock joined them that year and expanded the practice to include federal natural gas issues.

Since the firm’s inception, BGM attorneys have devised cutting edge solutions to our clients’ needs on matters related to competition among electric utilities and natural gas companies, asset transactions, power supply and natural gas contracting, generation and transmission planning, ratemaking including gas pipeline discounting practices, prudence of power plant construction, operation and fuel procurement, industry restructuring and regional markets. We filed some of the first generally available electric transmission tariffs, counseling our clients that offering rates and services to similar customers on similar terms would serve as an effective deterrent to claims of anti-competitive behavior while providing the additional benefit of administrative convenience. We also were among the first to develop a single tariff that would allow a utility to make cost-based power sales from all or select components of its generating mix, and we pioneered formula rate filings for power sale and transmission services. We devised a one-of-a-kind comprehensive qualifying facility curtailment program and assisted in securing state commission approval for the plan. In addition, we conducted one of the only fully-litigated stranded cost proceedings at FERC. Currently, our attorneys are actively engaged in developing audit programs and compliance strategies for clients subject to FERC and NERC regulation.

Our attorneys have helped formulate national energy policies affecting the electric utility and natural gas industries. For example, we had a lead role in formulating and drafting generator interconnection policies under FERC’s Order Nos. 2003 and 2006 that have lead to the development of a vibrant generator interconnection market. We also worked extensively with the Edison Electric Institute to develop public utility positions on FERC’s open access transmission rules under Order No. 890, assisted clients in seeking improvements to regional transmission operator tariffs, advised clients on transmission pricing issues and helped them obtain transmission rate incentives. We also are working on a novel effort with MARAD, Coast Guard, FERC and other federal agencies to license facilities to import regasified LNG.

BGM has sought to provide clients comprehensive, timely, effective and fairly-priced legal representation, consistent with the highest professional standards. We will continue to advance these objectives as energy policy and regulation evolve.