William F. Demarest has more than four decades of experience representing oil, natural gas and electric clients before all three branches of government. Bill’s energy clients are engaged in all sectors of the energy industry.
Bill has represented natural gas producers, midstream operators and marketers as well as end-users and regulatory agencies in certificate, abandonment and rate proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
He has also represented clients in contested electric rate proceedings. Bill has represented energy clients in a wide range of energy transactions and acquisitions, natural gas regulatory proceedings, commercial litigation and government enforcement proceedings.
Bill was the principal legislative draftsman of both the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA). He served as congressional committee counsel from 1973 to 1979. Bill has written and lectured extensively on energy policy and legal issues.
Experience :
- U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Interstate & Foreign Commerce, Subcom. On Energy & Power (Hon. John Dingell, Chmn) (1973-1979)
- Served as regulatory counsel in certification of the MARC I Project, a $260 million, 40-mile-long, 550,000 dekatherm/day pipeline project in the Marcellus Shale-producing region. Following receipt of the requested certificate, defended the certificate against a NEPA challenge in the U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Performed regulatory due diligence for a Wall Street energy investment fund in connection with contemplated acquisitions of regulated natural gas transportation and distribution companies.
- Represented a major oil company as chief litigation counsel in the arbitration of a multimillion-dollar contract dispute with an interstate oil product pipeline. Obtained an arbitral award in favor of client in excess of $11 million.
- Litigated Fuel Lost & Unaccounted-for proceeding against Rockies Express Pipeline on behalf of a firm shipper. Recovered more than $40 million in refunds through favorable Initial Decision and ensuing settlement with Rockies Express which applied the Initial Decision rulings to “pancaked” FL&U filings.
Education :
- J.D., Boston College Law School
- B.S., The University of Scranton
Admissions :
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- Massachusetts Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. Supreme Court
Professional Associations and Memberships :
- American Bar Association
- Energy Bar Association
Cost
Rate : $$$