Thelen Reid & Priest LLP announced that former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Linda Key Breathitt has joined the firm’s growing FERC practice as Senior Energy and Regulatory Consultant.
Ms. Breathitt will consult with domestic and international clients on emerging regulatory issues, energy services, formation of regional transmission organizations, independent transmission companies, FERC matters, mergers, transfer of assets, and many other energy policy and regulatory issues.
Ms. Breathitt was appointed to the FERC by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1997. She completed a five-year term as a Commissioner in November 2002. During her tenure at the FERC, Ms. Breathitt was instrumental in shaping the nation’s electric and natural gas markets. She took a leading role in the adoption of Order Nos. 2000 and 637, which implemented further open access regulations in electric and natural gas transportation. In addition, she devoted considerable time to the California and Western energy crisis through orders, investigations and hearings. Ms. Breathitt has been a leading proponent of the voluntary creation of independent transmission companies.
Prior to her FERC appointment, Ms. Breathitt served a four-year term as Commissioner and Chair of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. She served as president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC) and was a member of the Electricity Committee of National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
Ms. Breathitt has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress on a wide array of energy matters. She has been a keynote speaker and panelist at many conferences in the U.S. and abroad.
