John Arnold represents energy companies in a broad range of regulatory matters including litigation, compliance, and enforcement as well as due diligence and counseling for project development and business transactions. Well-versed in electricity and oil and gas regulatory issues, Mr. Arnold serves clients in the gas and power industries before the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Railroad Commission of Texas (the state’s principal oil and gas regulatory authority), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mr. Arnold represents natural gas local distribution companies, intra- and interstate pipelines and storage companies, retailers of electricity, industrial customers of electricity, developers of wind generation, and several multinational energy companies. A former aide to the Texas Attorney General and law clerk to a Texas Supreme Court justice, Mr. Arnold has also represented clients before numerous state agencies, including the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Texas General Land Office, and the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1999
Order of the Coif
Articles Editor, Southern Methodist University Law Review
Member of The Barristers
John Kennedy Post-Graduate Scholarship - B.A., Political Science and International Studies, Trinity University, 1993
Bar Admissions
Representative Experience
Public Utility Commission of Texas
- Represented a multi-national oil and gas company's principal North American wind farm development at the Public Utility Commission of Texas in proceeding to designate Competitive Renewable Energy Zones.
- Represented a major power generation developer in its efforts to be designated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas as a transmission service provider for the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones.
- Represented an international energy company in obtaining Public Utility Commission of Texas approval for the purchase of two Texas retail providers ("REPs") and subsequent representation of the REPs in matters to implement changes to their rates and other regulatory matters.
- Represented intervenors in multiple electric transmission service provider CCN proceedings.
Texas Railroad Commission
- Represented two of Texas' largest natural gas utilities in rate proceedings and gas reliability infrastructure program adjustments at the Railroad Commission of Texas and in the Travis County District Courts.
- Represent multiple intra- and interstate pipeline companies in the oil, gas, and NGL markets in registration, compliance, and tariff matters.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- MidContinent Express Pipeline LLC, 124 FERC ¶ 61,089 (2008) - Commission granted NGA Section 7(c) certificate, capacity lease and related authorities for a new 500 mile, $1.3 billion natural gas pipeline with a design capacity of 1,500,000 Dth/d.
- Southwest Gas Storage Company, 122 FERC ¶ 61,128 (2008), 120 FERC ¶ 61,223 (2007), 120 FERC ¶ 61,207 (2007), 117 FERC ¶ 61,318 (2006) - Defense of NGA Section 5 Complaint against a jurisdictional storage provider.
- Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC, 121 FERC ¶ 61,175 (2007) - Commission approved pipeline extension on $520 million expansion of 258 miles into the Phoenix, Arizona market and denied emergency motion for stay.
Texas General Land Office
- Represented a multinational oil and gas company in a royalty audit conducted by the Texas General Land Office.
Publications & Presentations
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Wind Project Development 101 - April 29, 2007
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How Firm is Firm: Just How Good is That Natural Gas Transportation Commitment? - 2007
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Transmission Access Challenges for Wind Generation — November 28, 2007
Professional History
- Partner, Locke Lord LLP
- Law Clerk, Justice Craig T. Enoch, Texas Supreme Court (1999 - 2000)
- Aide to the Texas Attorney General (1994 - 1996)
- Campaign Manager, Texas House of Representatives (1993 - 1994)
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Member, Houston Bar Association, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section
- Member, Public Utilities and Administrative Law Section, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Gulf Coast Power Association
- Member, Energy Bar Association
Community Leadership
- Member, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Tutor, HBAA Sanchez Elementary Tutoring Program
- Co-Chair, HBAA Hispanic Heritage Fundraising Luncheon (2003)
- Mentor, University of Texas School of Law, Chicano-Hispanic Law Students Association
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