Since 1994, Wendy N. Reed has worked as a full-time attorney at energy law specialized firm Wright & Talisman, P.C. based in Washington D.C. She currently serves as the president and managing shareholder. Reed also leads her firm’s electric energy regulation group, representing a variety of electric utility clients in affairs involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as federal courts.
Additionally, Reed has extensive legal experience representing U.S. based energy entities on regulatory issues and matters. With nearly 30 years of experience, Reed has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2014 and is currently being recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for Energy Law in Washington D.C. for 2023.
Of her award and legal career, Reed stated: “Working with our clients to help them achieve their goals is particularly fulfilling given that our electric utility and grid operator clients are on the forefront addressing policy issues that affect the entire nation, including how to expand the use of renewable energy resources while ensuring the reliable and economic functioning of the increasingly critical electric grid. Energy is a fascinating industry, and after 30 plus years of representing electric utilities, I feel that I have a breadth and depth of knowledge of the industry and yet I still learn something new and interesting every day. I have the privilege and the challenge of representing a large, diverse group of electric utilities. Developing policy and litigation positions across the group is quite demanding, but achieving consensus is remarkably rewarding.”
Reed continued, “Currently, Wright & Talisman PC continue to defend a group of electric utilities against two complaints filed at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by customer groups seeking to reduce substantially the base rate of return on equity for electric transmission facilities developed and owned by the members of the group. Our representation involves defending the clients in two FERC hearings, as well as representing the clients as both petitioners and intervenors in support of FERC at the D.C. Circuit. These cases are setting precedent on how FERC determines a fair return on equity during a time of anomalous economic conditions and have industry-wide implications.”
In addition to representing a wide array of U.S. based energy clients, Reed has also garnered significant experience working with Canadian energy entities as well, recently assisting the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) in a massive electric grid transmission expansion.
“In 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba, the electric grid operated by MISO is experiencing a dramatic transformation driven by favorable economics, technological advances, state policies and consumer preferences for carbon-free energy. Intermittent renewable generation increasingly fuels MISO’s electric system, replacing the region’s conventional baseload generation that constituted the backbone of the MISO electric system for decades. While these changes bring many benefits, they also present challenges, such as increased and urgent need for robust transmission expansion through collaboration. A great attorney has the ability to work collaboratively with clients to solve issues and achieve results.”
