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Wright & Talisman, P.C. is pleased to announce that four of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

On August 10, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE), through its Grid Deployment Office, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and request for comment aimed at expanding the permitting process for high-voltage electric transmission lines (i.e., lines rated 230 kilovolts and above). The NOPR seeks to provide an efficient and well-coordinated process to expedite approval of high-voltage transmission infrastructure projects.

On July 28, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 2023, a Final Rule adopting reforms of its standard generator interconnection procedures and agreements to address interconnection queue backlogs and promote new technologies.

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized two rules aimed at improving the reliability of the bulk power system in light of the threats posed by extreme weather. First, in Order No. 896, Transmission System Planning Performance Requirements for Extreme Weather, FERC directed the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to establish a new Reliability Standard addressing the risks of extreme heat and cold weather events in long-term transmission system planning.

Wright & Talisman, P.C. continues to be ranked as one of America's leading law firms in the area of energy law by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. The firm is ranked nationally in the areas of Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) and Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation).

On May 26, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) issued an opinion in Sierra Club v. FERC remanding to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for further review FERC's most recent orders approving development of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). While the substantive matters of the opinion are important, the decision may be more notable for the significant procedural findings regarding FERC's authority to address matters on rehearing announced in it.

On May 20, 2023, the Wright & Talisman, P.C. team participated in the 33rd Annual Lawyers Have Heart 10K Race, 5K Run, and Fun Walk, joining over 4,000 participants both virtual and in-person at West Potomac Park in raising close to $1.5 million to benefit the American Heart Association (AHA).

On May 18, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order granting the Otter Tail Power Company's (Otter Tail) request for incentive rate treatment for its investments in two regional transmission projects, the Jamestown Project and the Big Stone South Project.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Final Rule on April 21, 2023, revising its regulations under section 219A of the Federal Power Act (FPA) to provide incentive-based rate treatments for both public and non-public utilities that voluntarily invest in advanced cybersecurity technology and participate in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs. The Final Rule, required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), will take effect sixty days following its publication in the Federal Register.

Lawdragon named nine Wright & Talisman attorneys to its 2023 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers guide.