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Daniel R. Simon

Daniel R. Simon

Partner

301 S. College Street
23rd Floor
Charlotte, NC 28202
T 704.417.3016
M 202.251.8223
101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
T 202.689.2800
M 202.251.8223
F 202.689.2860
dan.simon@nelsonmullins.com
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Daniel focuses his practice on energy regulatory issues, navigating clients through complexities involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state utility commissions. He represents a wide range of clients in the energy sector, including renewable energy project developers and owners, independent power producers, municipally owned electric utilities, large energy consumers, power marketers, and commodity...

Daniel focuses his practice on energy regulatory issues, navigating clients through complexities involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state utility commissions. He represents a wide range of clients in the energy sector, including renewable energy project developers and owners, independent power producers, municipally owned electric utilities, large energy consumers, power marketers, and commodity traders.

He regularly assists generating projects in obtaining interconnection and transmission service throughout the United States. Having previously represented a regional transmission organization (RTO) and an independent system operator (ISO), Daniel frequently helps clients navigate complex market rules and tariffs, and also has represented clients involved in investigations by FERC's Office of Enforcement. Daniel also regularly negotiates power purchase agreements (PPAs) and advises clients (both sellers and buyers) on issues involving the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).

Daniel also has represented both hydroproject owners and stakeholders regarding FERC's hydroproject licensing authority, plus shippers on oil and natural gas pipelines.

Daniel previously served as a trial attorney in FERC’s Office of Administrative Litigation, where he litigated and settled disputes related to the 2000-01 Western electricity crisis and allegations of market manipulation by Enron and others.

Daniel R. Simon

traders.

He regularly assists generating projects in obtaining interconnection and transmission service throughout the United States. Having previously represented a regional transmission organization (RTO) and an independent system operator (ISO), Daniel frequently helps clients navigate complex market rules and tariffs, and also has represented clients involved in investigations by FERC's Office of Enforcement. Daniel also regularly negotiates power purchase agreements (PPAs) and advises clients (both sellers and buyers) on issues involving the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).

Daniel also has represented both hydroproject owners and stakeholders regarding FERC's hydroproject licensing authority, plus shippers on oil and natural gas pipelines.

Daniel previously served as a trial attorney in FERC’s Office of Administrative Litigation, where he litigated and settled disputes related to the 2000-01 Western electricity crisis and allegations of market manipulation by Enron and others.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
  • Assisted several renewable energy project developers in obtaining interconnection rights for hundreds of projects, including an offshore wind developer.
  • Represented two trade associations to protest transmission service provider proposals filed with FERC.
  • Advised a client on RTO-expansion efforts in the West.
  • Negotiated several PPAs for a wholesale provider buying renewable energy on behalf of its members.
  • Assisted a merchant transmission developer navigate interconnection issues involving RTOs/ISOs.
  • Represented large natural gas consumers and shippers on FERC and state utility commission policies in a wide range of transactions, including negotiating precedent and interconnection agreements to connect directly to interstate natural gas pipelines.
  • Advised clients on understanding tariff provisions for interstate natural gas pipelines and storage services, including park and loan arrangements, as well as asset management agreements.
  • Advised producers, refiners, and traders on oil pipeline shipping and storage issues, including raising disputes with pipelines, and drafting/amending agreements with pipelines and producers to coordinate transactional activity with pipeline rules.
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
  • Assisted several renewable energy project developers in obtaining interconnection rights for hundreds of projects, including an offshore wind developer.
  • Represented two trade associations to protest transmission service provider proposals filed with FERC.
  • Advised a client on RTO-expansion efforts in the West.
  • Negotiated several PPAs for a wholesale provider buying renewable energy on behalf of its members.
  • Assisted a merchant transmission developer navigate interconnection issues involving RTOs/ISOs.
  • Represented large natural gas consumers and shippers on FERC and state utility commission policies in a wide range of transactions, including negotiating precedent and interconnection agreements to connect directly to interstate natural gas pipelines.
  • Advised clients on understanding tariff provisions for interstate natural gas pipelines and storage services, including park and loan arrangements, as well as asset management agreements.
  • Advised producers, refiners, and traders on oil pipeline shipping and storage issues, including raising disputes with pipelines, and drafting/amending agreements with pipelines and producers to coordinate transactional activity with pipeline rules.

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Professional Activities

  • Board Member, Energy Bar Association (2015-2018)

  • Chair, Energy Bar Assocation's Finance, Transactions &Investment Committee (2025-2026)

  • Advisory Board, Center for Climate, Energy, Environment & Economics (CE3), University of North Carolina School of Law

  • Former Board Member, Biomass Power Association

  • Member, Mecklenburg Bar Assocation's Pro Bono and Legal Recruitment Committee

Daniel focuses his practice on energy regulatory issues, navigating clients through complexities involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state utility commissions. He represents a wide range of clients in the energy sector, including renewable energy project developers and owners, independent power producers, municipally owned electric utilities, large energy consumers, power marketers, and commodity... traders.

He regularly assists generating projects in obtaining interconnection and transmission service throughout the United States. Having previously represented a regional transmission organization (RTO) and an independent system operator (ISO), Daniel frequently helps clients navigate complex market rules and tariffs, and also has represented clients involved in investigations by FERC's Office of Enforcement. Daniel also regularly negotiates power purchase agreements (PPAs) and advises clients (both sellers and buyers) on issues involving the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).

Daniel also has represented both hydroproject owners and stakeholders regarding FERC's hydroproject licensing authority, plus shippers on oil and natural gas pipelines.

Daniel previously served as a trial attorney in FERC’s Office of Administrative Litigation, where he litigated and settled disputes related to the 2000-01 Western electricity crisis and allegations of market manipulation by Enron and others.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

  • Assisted several renewable energy project developers in obtaining interconnection rights for hundreds of projects, including an offshore wind developer.
  • Represented two trade associations to protest transmission service provider proposals filed with FERC.
  • Advised a client on RTO-expansion efforts in the West.
  • Negotiated several PPAs for a wholesale provider buying renewable energy on behalf of its members.
  • Assisted a merchant transmission developer navigate interconnection issues involving RTOs/ISOs.
  • Represented large natural gas consumers and shippers on FERC and state utility commission policies in a wide range of transactions, including negotiating precedent and interconnection agreements to connect directly to interstate natural gas pipelines.
  • Advised clients on understanding tariff provisions for interstate natural gas pipelines and storage services, including park and loan arrangements, as well as asset management agreements.
  • Advised producers, refiners, and traders on oil pipeline shipping and storage issues, including raising disputes with pipelines, and drafting/amending agreements with pipelines and producers to coordinate transactional activity with pipeline rules.

Education

  • Duke University, AB, cum laude
  • University of North Carolina School of Law, JD, with honors

Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • District of Columbia
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk, The Honorable Jackson L. Kiser, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Board Member, Energy Bar Association (2015-2018)

  • Chair, Energy Bar Assocation's Finance, Transactions &Investment Committee (2025-2026)

  • Advisory Board, Center for Climate, Energy, Environment & Economics (CE3), University of North Carolina School of Law

  • Former Board Member, Biomass Power Association

  • Member, Mecklenburg Bar Assocation's Pro Bono and Legal Recruitment Committee