John is the managing partner of the firm’s Capital Region offices in Albany and Saratoga Springs. In his practice, John advises clients on a variety of legal and regulatory issues, specifically in the areas of utility and environmental law.
As part of the Energy Industry Team, John successfully represented a transmission developer in securing a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN) pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law (PSL) from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for an approximately 55-mile upgrade of certain electric transmission infrastructure, including installation of a new 345 kilovolt (kV) line and switching station. He also represented a nuclear decommissioning company in securing PSC approval for the first transfer of a retired nuclear-powered electric generation facility in New York. As the PSC noted in its approval order, this transfer will permit the facility “to be decommissioned decades sooner….”
As part of the Environmental Law Practice Group, John represents corporate and individual clients on a wide range of matters involving permitting, regulatory compliance, civil and administrative enforcement, and dispute resolution. His permitting experience spans facilities involved with power generation, oil and gas mining, manufacturing, solid waste disposal, construction and demolition debris processing, wireless telecommunications, and housing. As a result, John has extensive experience with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and other state and federal environmental statutes and regulatory programs that apply to project permitting and siting. His practice regularly requires him to appear before a variety of federal, state, and municipal agencies involved with the permitting and licensing of facilities and projects.
Additionally, John represents clients in a broad range of complex litigation matters, including regulatory and commercial disputes.
John began his legal career with an international law firm in New York City. From 2000-2002, he served as a confidential law clerk to the Honorable Victoria A. Graffeo, New York State Court of Appeals.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS + SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
John has lectured on a variety of energy issues at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Business Council of New York State’s Annual Environmental Conference, Power-Gen Competitive Power College, and the Annual Institute on Public Utility Law. His publications include:
- “Article VII Permitting Process for Offshore Wind,” NYSERDA (Apr. 28, 2021), coauthor.
- “A Whole New World: Submetering in Wake of Amendments to Part 96,” New York Law Journal, (Feb. 10, 2015), author.
- “Inside the World of Residential Electricity Submetering,” New York Law Journal (Mar. 15, 2010), co-author.
