Overview
Willie L. Phillips is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and a member of the Public Policy & Regulation Group. Mr. Phillips focuses his practice on regulatory matters in the energy industry.
Mr. Phillips is a nationally recognized regulatory leader with 20 years of experience managing complex federal and state issues, building consensus and integrating legal and technical information to shape public policy and modernize the energy grid.
As the former chair and commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Mr. Phillips led the approval of reforms that accelerated the interconnection of energy generation projects to the electric grid, revamping long-term and regional transmission planning, and advancing grid reliability against extreme weather as well as cyber and physical security threats. In addition to his substantial experience with matters involving electric transmission, Mr. Phillips was responsible for regulating the interstate electric, natural gas and oil pipeline industries in the U.S.
Prior to his role with FERC, Mr. Phillips served as the chairman and commissioner for the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) and previously served as assistant general counsel for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Representative Experience
- Reformed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regional transmission planning and cost allocation processes to require transmission providers to conduct long-term regional transmission planning
- Reformed FERC procedures and agreements that electric transmission providers use to integrate new generating facilities into the existing transmission system
- Adopted FERC regulations for permits to site interstate electric transmission
- Issued final rule on cyberattacks and internal network security monitoring
- Issued final rule on cybersecurity investments and incentives-based rate treatments
- Developed emergency and reliability standards for cold weather preparedness and operations
- Convened joint FERC and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Technical Conference on Physical Security of the Bulk Power System (BPS)
- Approved numerous natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and streamlined internal review processes
- Led an investigation into modernizing the energy delivery system for increased sustainability and advancement of the District of Columbia's clean energy and climate policy commitments
- Approved a $4.6 billion merger settlement agreement between two natural gas providers
- Approved a $6.8 billion merger between two electricity providers
Credentials
- Howard University School of Law, J.D.
- University of Montevallo, B.S., Social Sciences
- Alabama
- District of Columbia
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Advisory Council, Executive Committee, 2019-2021
- Keystone Policy Center, Board of Directors, 2019-2021
- Organization of PJM States Inc. (OPSI), Board of Directors, 2019-2021
- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Committee on Electricity, Board of Directors, 2021; Select Committee on Regulatory and Industry Diversity, Chair, 2021
- Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC), President, 2021
- Living Classrooms Foundation of the National Capital Region, Board of Trustees, Chair, 2020-2021
- District of Columbia Bar
- Alabama State Bar
- Distinguished Service Award, National Energy Resource Organization, 2024
- Transmission Champion Award, Americans for Clean Energy Grid, 2024
- Chairman's Award, Stars of Energy Efficiency, Alliance to Save Energy, 2023
- Leadership Award, Keystone Policy Center, 2023
- Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Montevallo, 2024