Maxwell K. Multer
Maxwell K. Multer
Maxwell K. Multer
Biography
Maxwell Multer helps clients realize their business goals in the highly regulated energy space through strategic and transactional advice, as well as representation in regulatory and enforcement matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state utility commissions, and other regulatory authorities. Before joining BCLP, Maxwell was in-house counsel with a regulated electric and natural gas utility and its unregulated affiliate. Serving the public in FERC’s Office of Enforcement before that, he managed and supported a variety of investigations in the electric, natural gas, and hydroelectric industries nationwide, from inception through litigation in federal court.
Drawing on insights regarding the regulated utility business model, utility ratemaking/tariff design, and the practical interplay between federal and state regulation of energy, Maxwell helps clients with project developments and redevelopments, acquisitions, project sponsorships, FERC and state commission rate cases, transmission and distribution interconnections, and ISO/RTO issues, among other energy related matters. He also assists project developers, purchasers, and sponsors with federal and state incentives such as tax credits, loan guarantees, forgivable loans, renewable energy credit (REC) contracts, and other financial incentives for development of clean energy, energy storage, and advanced fuels infrastructure.
Maxwell’s representation in the area of market manipulation enforcement is strengthened by globally impactful scholarship and experience working on many of the biggest and most novel market manipulation cases pursued by FERC, including Energy Transfer Partners, Total Gas and Power North America, and GreenHat Energy. His authoritative writings on manipulation have been cited by scholars and courts in America, Europe, Russia, Japan, and the Middle East.
Maxwell’s practice focuses on four core areas:
- Regulatory Planning, Advocacy, and Compliance
- In addition to various periodic reporting requirements, FERC requires prior approval for many activities, such as certain acquisitions or dispositions of jurisdictional facilities, the issuance of securities, or making a change to the rates or conditions imposed on customers. Permitting requirements for energy projects vary by state, locality, and project type. Maxwell helps clients understand the regulatory landscape and pursue the right path forward for their situation.
- Enforcement and Market Manipulation
- In the high stakes area of energy enforcement, Maxwell represents clients in all aspects of FERC investigations and the FERC enforcement process, from initial contact through resolution, including pre-enforcement inquiries by ISO/RTO Independent Market Monitors or FERC Enforcement’s Division of Analytics and Surveillance. He also advises on compliance programs and the preparation and filing of FERC and NERC self-reports.
- Transactions and Agreements
- Maxwell represents and advises clients in transactional matters and in the negotiation and drafting of energy related commercial agreements, such as energy and/or capacity purchase agreements (including EEI and ISDA frameworks), REC agreements, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreements, asset management agreements, scheduling coordinator agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, and shared facilities agreements.
- Policy Advisory and Stakeholder Advocacy
- Energy is a dynamic substantive area with frequent regulatory developments in multiple venues, including at FERC, the Department of Energy, ISO/RTOs, state utility commissions, and other regulatory authorities. Maxwell helps clients digest the scope and implications of new regulatory developments, hone effective advocacy positions based on their organizational goals, and engage in impactful participation in the relevant stakeholder processes.
Areas of Focus
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Oil, Gas and LNG
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Renewables
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Mining & Metals
Professional Affiliations
- Energy Bar Association
Admissions
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District of Columbia
North Carolina
Education
University of North Carolina, J.D., cum laude
North Carolina State University, B.S., magna cum laude
Related Practice Areas
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Health & Safety
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Investigations
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Regulation, Compliance & Advisory
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Mining & Metals
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Renewables
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Oil, Gas and LNG
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Securities Litigation and Enforcement
Experience
Representative matters include:
- Advised an independent power producer on issues relating to preservation and use of ISO/RTO interconnection rights in multiple ISOs.
- Represented a generator owner in negotiation of energy and capacity offtake agreements.
- Represented an electric utility in a contested FERC rate case to implement a Wholesale Distribution Service tariff and establish an updated rate and terms of service.
- Represented an electric utility in applying to a federal forgivable loan program.
- Represented a steam utility in a general rate case before a state utility commission.
- Represented a solar developer regarding Wholesale Distribution Service and distribution interconnection issues.
- Represented an independent power producer in development of a portfolio of battery storage projects co-located with existing generation, preparation of related commercial agreements.
- Represented a large sporting organization in development of on-site behind the meter generation.
- Provided compliance and anti-manipulation training to the energy trading desk of a major electric utility affiliate.
- Represented an investor-owned electric utility in connection with build-transfer agreements for utility scale wind and solar power generation.
- Advised an industrial energy consumer regarding power purchase agreements, ESG initiatives, on-site generation issues.
- Advised an electric utility on compliance with supply chain and cybersecurity executive orders.
- Represented a solar project developer in participation in Illinois Power Agency Adjustable Block Program (renewable incentive program).
- Advised an electric utility on NERC obligations, reporting, and compliance, including Critical Infrastructure Protection requirements.
- Represented a tax equity investor in development of an approximately 500 MW portfolio of solar and battery storage projects across multiple states.
- Advised a solar project developer on MISO interconnection issues.
Resources
Publications
- Multer, Maxwell K., FERC Approves MISO Interconnection Queue Reforms, Rejects Overall Queue Cap, POWER Magazine (February 2024)
- Multer, Maxwell K., FERC’s Enforcement in Demand Response Case a Lesson for Utilities, POWER Magazine (November 2023)
- Multer, Maxwell K., Beware Unbridled Enthusiasm- Recent FERC Settlements Hold Lessons for Aggregators, POWER Magazine (July 2023)
- Multer, Maxwell K., It's Time to Improve Generator Replacement Procedures and Rules, Bloomberg Law (June 2023)
- Multer, Maxwell K., Significant and Substantial: The History and Continuing Evolution of One of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's Principal Enforcement Tools,115 W. Va. L. Rev. 3 (2013)
- Multer, Maxwell K., Evacuation Standards Case Facilitates Broad Shift in 'Significant and Substantial', Bloomberg Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, v. 42 no. 27, Bloomberg Finance, L.P. (July 2012)
- Multer, Maxwell K., Mine Operators Face Additional Challenges, Burdens Under New Specialized SEC Disclosure Regime, Coal People Magazine, v. 33 no. 4, June 2011; also published in CoalUSA Magazine, August 2011
- Multer, Maxwell K., Open Market Manipulation Under SEC Rule 10b-5 and Its Analogues, Securities Reg. L. J., v. 39 no. 2, Summer 2011
Speaking Engagements
- "The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022- Opportunities and Challenges for Israel's Business Sector," Teleconference, The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, January 15, 2024. (Hebrew/ English)
Related Insights
Feb 27, 2024
Feb 07, 2024
Jan 18, 2024
Jul 26, 2023
Jun 07, 2023
Dec 15, 2022
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Oct 28, 2022
Oct 12, 2022