Gearold L. Knowles

Partner

Gearold L. Knowles concentrates his practice in natural gas, electric and related energy matters. Mr. Knowles has represented numerous clients in these industries in matters before federal and state regulatory agencies and in connection with transactions and contracts.

He also focuses his practice on advising clients in East Asia, particularly China.

Mr. Knowles represents a group of natural gas distribution companies in the full range of matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) involving two major interstate natural gas pipelines. Subsequent to the restructuring of pipeline services, this representation has included the negotiation of a series of settlements to reduce the costs of delivering natural gas to the local distribution companies (LDCs).

Mr. Knowles has represented this group of LDCs in all of the pipeline certificate proceedings to expand pipeline facilities and increase the available natural gas supply options in the northeast.

Examples of his work include:

• Advising electric industry clients on issues relating to the restructuring of the electric power industry
• Representing clients with respect to transmission rate and "seams" issues relating to the formation of regional transmission organizations
• Advising clients regarding electric transmission interconnection agreements
• Representing clients in transmission tariff matters and disputes relating to transmission services
• Representing electric industry clients in evaluating power supply options and in negotiating and drafting long-term power supply contracts
• Representing clients in connection with co-generation and merchant electric power projects
• Representing electric utilities in a wide range of proceedings before the FERC, including rate increases, long-term purchase and sale contracts, transmission service and rate matters, acquisitions and rulemaking proceedings
• Representing clients before state regulatory commissions on matters relating to mergers, electric competition, and natural gas service and rates

Publications

"Liquefied Natural Gas: Regulation in a Competitive Natural Gas Market," 24 Energy Law Journal 293 (2003)

Speeches and Presentations

Mr. Knowles has been a speaker at legal forums in China for lawyers and the All China Judges Association. These included a legal forum addressing issues related to the reform of state-owned-enterprises for almost 100 Chinese judges held in Qingdao. He also has spoken at a number of international conferences on developments in the electric power and natural gas industries in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2006, Mr. Knowles presented a paper entitled "Transmission Policies and the Growth of Wind Power and Other Renewable Generation" at the International Workshop on Legal Issues for Clean Energy and Climate Change organized by the Center for Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law at Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, China.

Mr. Knowles has served as chair of the panels on electricity market reform at the Energy Business Forums sponsored by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in conjunction with meetings of the Energy Ministers from the member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Coordination forum (APEC).

Mr. Knowles has been an official observer at the APEC Energy Ministers' Meetings.

Pro Bono Activities

As part of the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, Mr. Knowles has provided representation to veterans or their survivors before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining Schiff Hardin, Mr. Knowles served as a trial attorney in the Division of Corporate Regulation, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Awards and Honors

AV Peer Review Rated — Martindale-Hubbell

 

Education

Teaching Appointments

In April 2007, Mr. Knowles was a visiting professor at the Beijing Foreign Studies University School of Law and gave a series of lectures on U.S. and Chinese energy laws.

In 2006, Mr. Knowles presented a seminar series on U.S. energy law to students and faculty members at Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, China:

• Overview of Energy Sector and Expansion of Energy Infrastructure
• Electric Power Industry in the United States — Regulation and Evolution
• The Natural Gas Industry — Restructuring and Regulation
• Economic Regulation — Cost of Service-Based Rates
  

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Public Utility Law Section
International Law and Practice Section
       International Energy Subcommittee
            Former Chair
Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section
Corporate, Banking, and Business Law Section
Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Section
      Renewable Energy Resources Committee

Energy Bar Association 
Renewable Energy Committee
      Vice Chair 

Federal Bar Association
Energy Section
      Former Chair