After leaving the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where she worked on competitive transmission issues and FERC market-based rate issues, Ms. Switzer represented the public interest as an attorney with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.  There she litigated electric and water rate cases and applications for certificates of convenience and necessity including cost-of-service ratemaking for utilities located outside of ERCOT and ensuring that Texas ratepayers would not bear any costs associated with a new merchant transmission line.

In private practice, Ms. Switzer has represented generators, transmission developers, and public power entities in a variety of contested and uncontested proceedings before FERC.  She regularly advises clients on matters pertaining to FERC and the Federal Power Act, formula rate proceedings, market-based rate filings, filings to purchase or sell generation and transmission assets, and Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators matters.  She guides clients through disputes related to the generator interconnection process.

Representative Work

• Assisting transmission developers in preparing cost of-service formula rate filings and representing clients in annual formula rate update proceedings
• Routinely advise clients on generator interconnection-related issues, including advising client on issues arising from a utility’s proposed change from a first-come, first-served, serial interconnection process to a first-ready, first-served, cluster approach, interconnection issues within a federal monument area, and whether an interconnection change would be a material modification
• Frequently advises clients on transmission planning issues, such as planning for aging infrastructure and applicability of competitive transmission rules, in stakeholder meetings and in contested proceedings before FERC
• Drafted comments on various transmission-planning related rulemakings before FERC, including transmission planning and incentives rulemakings
• Representing client in contested Section 203 proceeding related to the sale of generation and transmission assets
• Assisted client in filing complaints disputing cost allocation methodologies for regionally beneficial transmission projects
• Represented client in preparing market-based rate filing, well-versed in all aspects of FERC’s market-based rate program and required rate filings
• Represented public power client in stakeholder meetings and negotiations in resolving a utility’s ancillary services rate update.
• Represented clients in appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, drafted portions of the brief, prepared parties presenting oral argument.

Professional Affiliations:

• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Texas Bar Association
• Energy Bar Association

Education:

• Vermont Law School, Doctor of Law (J.D.), cum laude, 2005 – 2008
• Austin College. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), History, cum laude, 2000-2004