William R. Derasmo

Partner

202.274.2886

More ways to contact William R. Derasmo

Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

With more than 25 years of experience representing energy companies before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state commissions, Bill brings extensive knowledge in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and crafting innovative legal strategies for his clients. His practice encompasses a broad range of services, including transmission cost-of-service rates, market-based rates and affiliate sales approvals, regional energy and capacity market issues, regional transmission planning disputes (including right of first refusal or “ROFR” issues), FERC audit and enforcement matters, and transmission rate incentives and formula rates. Bill acted as a lead negotiator for the Winter Storm Elliott omnibus settlement, resolving 15 dockets and approximately $1.7 billion in penalty claims on behalf of a group of PJM generators. He worked with a Midwest utility on developing and obtaining FERC approvals under FPA sections 203 and 205 for a unique JV structure allowing the utility to add renewable resources while optimizing the value of the Investment/Production Tax Credit (see the Rosewater line of cases). Bill acts as counsel to the New York Transmission Owners on New York ISO and related FERC matters, and represents a group of Indiana utilities in federal court litigation regarding ROFR issues. Further, he has been a thought leader on the issue of grid-scale energy storage, having prosecuted the landmark IPL v. MISO complaint, the forerunner to FERC’s Order No. 841 generic order on storage participation in wholesale markets. Over the years, Bill has successfully prosecuted FERC complaints involving interregional transmission planning and coordination issues and other significant issues, having participated in proceedings hashing out the industry’s most significant issues as the energy markets and transmission practices have evolved from the late 1990’s to the present day.

Bill hosts the firm’s Battery and Storage podcast. He has experience working with renewable and energy storage clients on construction contract disputes, regulatory compliance for wind and solar projects, navigating the Inflation Reduction Act, and has even worked with a foreign company locating a battery factory in the United States. Finally, Bill routinely obtains FPA section 203 approvals for M&A transactions, asset acquisitions, and other jurisdictional transactions.

Beyond FERC and state commission work, Bill routinely represents clients in the ISO/RTO stakeholder process, where many important issues percolate before reaching FERC. He has significant experience with the New York ISO, PJM, MISO, and SPP markets. Clients appreciate, on the one hand, Bill’s calm demeanor in building consensus within a group representation or settlement context, and on the other hand, Bill’s ability to be a fierce advocate in an adversarial context. As a final note, Bill never forgets his roots as a state commission attorney in advising clients.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

  • Represented a group of PJM generators in the Winter Storm Elliott omnibus settlement resolving numerous complaint dockets and approximately $1.7 billion in penalty claims.
  • Represented a Midwest utility on a series of FPA section 203/205 filings gaining approval for a unique affiliated Joint Venture structure allowing for the optimization of the PTC/ITC (see Rosewater line of cases).
  • Day-to-day representation of the New York Transmission Owners on New York ISO and related FERC matters.
  • Represented a Midwest utility on minority interest sale section 203 approval while simultaneously approving rate incentives in a separate application.
  • Representation of an independent power producer from inception, through FPA section 203 approvals and ongoing representation within PJM and MISO on various market issues as well as advising on upstream ownership issues and Order No. 860 issues.
  • Represented an energy storage/grid scale battery owner regarding interconnection issues and groundbreaking FERC complaint against an RTO regarding market participation.
  • Counseled clients regarding ownership structuring issues for storage, storage-as-transmission, storage “stacked services,” and merchant model as compared to rate-basing of storage assets.
  • Significant experience in resolving FERC audit and FERC enforcement matters.
  • Represented several companies in successful FERC proceedings against RTOs.
  • Successfully defended a Midwest utility in a complaint proceeding involving the right to develop a 765 KV transmission project.
  • Obtained FERC approvals for transmission rate incentives and the use of “forward-looking” formula rates.
  • Counsel to utility purchasing capacity on merchant transmission line connecting two regional markets.
  • Counsel to a utility in successful declaratory action to protect grandfathered transmission rights.
  • Counsel to a transmission only company in Section 206 rate complaint where complaint was summarily dismissed.
  • Counsel to a Midwest utility in inter-regional (or “inter-RTO”) transmission rate design and cost allocation proceedings.
  • Counsel to several utilities regarding RTO formation and participation, and potential RTO exit issues.
  • Represented a solar farm subcontractor in successful settlement of construction dispute.
  • Legal 500 United States for Energy Regulation: Electric Power (2023, 2025)
  • AV Rating® by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Achieved Martindale Hubbell Preeminent for Professional Achievement Rating
  • Achieved Martindale Hubbell Highest Ethical Standing Rating
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Energy Law (2021-2026)
  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, Energy (2025)
  • Battery + Storage Podcast, Selected as one of the Top 20 Battery Podcasts, MillionPodcasts (2025)
Overview

With more than 25 years of experience representing energy companies before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state commissions, Bill brings extensive knowledge in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and crafting innovative legal strategies for his clients. His practice encompasses a broad range of services, including transmission cost-of-service rates, market-based rates and affiliate sales approvals, regional energy and capacity market issues, regional transmission planning disputes (including right of first refusal or “ROFR” issues), FERC audit and enforcement matters, and transmission rate incentives and formula rates. Bill acted as a lead negotiator for the Winter Storm Elliott omnibus settlement, resolving 15 dockets and approximately $1.7 billion in penalty claims on behalf of a group of PJM generators. He worked with a Midwest utility on developing and obtaining FERC approvals under FPA sections 203 and 205 for a unique JV structure allowing the utility to add renewable resources while optimizing the value of the Investment/Production Tax Credit (see the Rosewater line of cases). Bill acts as counsel to the New York Transmission Owners on New York ISO and related FERC matters, and represents a group of Indiana utilities in federal court litigation regarding ROFR issues. Further, he has been a thought leader on the issue of grid-scale energy storage, having prosecuted the landmark IPL v. MISO complaint, the forerunner to FERC’s Order No. 841 generic order on storage participation in wholesale markets. Over the years, Bill has successfully prosecuted FERC complaints involving interregional transmission planning and coordination issues and other significant issues, having participated in proceedings hashing out the industry’s most significant issues as the energy markets and transmission practices have evolved from the late 1990’s to the present day.

Bill hosts the firm’s Battery and Storage podcast. He has experience working with renewable and energy storage clients on construction contract disputes, regulatory compliance for wind and solar projects, navigating the Inflation Reduction Act, and has even worked with a foreign company locating a battery factory in the United States. Finally, Bill routinely obtains FPA section 203 approvals for M&A transactions, asset acquisitions, and other jurisdictional transactions.

Beyond FERC and state commission work, Bill routinely represents clients in the ISO/RTO stakeholder process, where many important issues percolate before reaching FERC. He has significant experience with the New York ISO, PJM, MISO, and SPP markets. Clients appreciate, on the one hand, Bill’s calm demeanor in building consensus within a group representation or settlement context, and on the other hand, Bill’s ability to be a fierce advocate in an adversarial context. As a final note, Bill never forgets his roots as a state commission attorney in advising clients.

Representation Matters

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

  • Represented a group of PJM generators in the Winter Storm Elliott omnibus settlement resolving numerous complaint dockets and approximately $1.7 billion in penalty claims.
  • Represented a Midwest utility on a series of FPA section 203/205 filings gaining approval for a unique affiliated Joint Venture structure allowing for the optimization of the PTC/ITC (see Rosewater line of cases).
  • Day-to-day representation of the New York Transmission Owners on New York ISO and related FERC matters.
  • Represented a Midwest utility on minority interest sale section 203 approval while simultaneously approving rate incentives in a separate application.
  • Representation of an independent power producer from inception, through FPA section 203 approvals and ongoing representation within PJM and MISO on various market issues as well as advising on upstream ownership issues and Order No. 860 issues.
  • Represented an energy storage/grid scale battery owner regarding interconnection issues and groundbreaking FERC complaint against an RTO regarding market participation.
  • Counseled clients regarding ownership structuring issues for storage, storage-as-transmission, storage “stacked services,” and merchant model as compared to rate-basing of storage assets.
  • Significant experience in resolving FERC audit and FERC enforcement matters.
  • Represented several companies in successful FERC proceedings against RTOs.
  • Successfully defended a Midwest utility in a complaint proceeding involving the right to develop a 765 KV transmission project.
  • Obtained FERC approvals for transmission rate incentives and the use of “forward-looking” formula rates.
  • Counsel to utility purchasing capacity on merchant transmission line connecting two regional markets.
  • Counsel to a utility in successful declaratory action to protect grandfathered transmission rights.
  • Counsel to a transmission only company in Section 206 rate complaint where complaint was summarily dismissed.
  • Counsel to a Midwest utility in inter-regional (or “inter-RTO”) transmission rate design and cost allocation proceedings.
  • Counsel to several utilities regarding RTO formation and participation, and potential RTO exit issues.
  • Represented a solar farm subcontractor in successful settlement of construction dispute.
Insights

Podcasts

Creating Solid-State Solutions: Todd Crescenzo, Clear Creek Investments and Jorge Diaz Schneider, ION Storage Systems

Speaking Engagements

2025 Northeast Chapter Annual Meeting

Podcasts

A Voltage Voyage With Danielle Spalding, Cirba Solutions

Podcasts

What’s the Buzz in the Battery World With Roger Miksad, BCI

See all insights from William R. Derasmo

Awards
  • Legal 500 United States for Energy Regulation: Electric Power (2023, 2025)
  • AV Rating® by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Achieved Martindale Hubbell Preeminent for Professional Achievement Rating
  • Achieved Martindale Hubbell Highest Ethical Standing Rating
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Energy Law (2021-2026)
  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, Energy (2025)
  • Battery + Storage Podcast, Selected as one of the Top 20 Battery Podcasts, MillionPodcasts (2025)

Top areas of focus

  • Energy Bar Association
  • South Asian Bar Association
  • Wake Forest University School of Law, Board of Advisors, Washington, D.C. Externship program (2010-2012)
  • Assistant counsel, New York Public Service Commission, 1997-1999
  • Assistant attorney general, New York State Attorney General’s Office, 1995-1997

 

Education

  • Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1994
  • Colgate University, B.A., 1991

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • New Jersey

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
  • Speaker, “Energy Bar Association Transmission Panel – Order No. 1920 Compliance and Appellate Review in the Northeast,” 2025 Northeast Chapter Annual Meeting, June 18, 2025.
  • Moderator, “Storage Procurement for Mountain West Renewable Energy Projects,” Infocast Mountain West Renewables, November 7, 2023.
  • Moderator, “Western Grid Integration and Regionalization,” Infocast Mountain West Renewables, November 7, 2023.
  • Speaker, “How Battery Technology Is Changing the Game,” Energy Law Insights, July 7, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Supply Chain and Sourcing Issues in Green Energy Technology,” The Global Energy Transition Symposium, University of South Carolina School of Law, November 11, 2022.
  • Moderator, “Storage Procurement for Mountain West Renewable Energy Projects,” Mountain West Clean Energy Procurement Summit, Salt Lake City, UT, November 2022.
  • Speaker, “The Update From Washington: Focus on FERC,” EUCI SPP/MISO Conference, July 20, 2021.
  • Speaker, “The Economic Potential of Energy Storage,” EUCI Workshop, Nashville, TN, January 2020.
  • Moderator, “New Resource Procurement: Best Practices,” Troutman Sanders Energy Issues Conference, Chicago, IL, June 26, 2019.
  • Speaker, “Project Structuring to Meet Regulatory Challenges,” EUCI Southwest Energy Storage Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, December 11, 2018.
  • Speaker, “Energy Storage & Renewables,” Troutman Energy Conference 2018, Chicago, IL, June 19, 2018.
  • Moderator, Infocast MISO-SPP Markets Summit, July 2018.
  • Speaker, FERC Briefing, RMEL Conference, May 2018.
  • Speaker, Transmission Rates: Risks and Trends, Troutman Energy Conference 2017, Chicago, IL, June 28, 2017.
  • Speaker, RTO Governance, NCRA Conference, May 2017.
  • Speaker and conference chair, EUCI Legal and Regulatory Strategy for Rate Cases, May 2016.
  • Moderator, Midwest Capacity Markets, the MISO Market Summit, May 2015.
  • Speaker, FERC Review, Edison Electric Institute, Legal Committee, May 2015.
  • Panelist, Federal/State Jurisdictional Concerns, New York State Bar Association, October 2014.
  • Moderator, Inter-regional Planning & Addressing Seams Issues, Infocast Northeast Energy Summit, September 2014.
  • Moderator, 9th Annual State of the Energy Industry Forum, “Electric Power – Panel Discussion,” January 16, 2013.
  • Panelist, Indiana State Bar Association, Utility Law Fall Seminar, “FERC Order No. 1000,” September 28, 2012.
  • Moderator, Platt’s 2012 Transmission Planning & Development Conference, “FERC Order No. 1000 – Compliance Activities and Future Challenges,” September 11, 2012.
  • Moderator, Infocast Wind & Solar Integration Summit, “Utility Perspectives on Incorporating Wind and Solar in Transmission Operations,” January 2012.
  • Panelist, “Discussion of FERC’s Order No. 1000: Reforming Transmission Planning & Cost Allocation Requirements,” webinar, August 2, 2011.
  • Moderator, EUCI, NERC Compliance 2.0, “The Future Role of Regional Entities,” May 2011.
  • Moderator, Infocast Wind & Solar Integration Summit, “Impacts of Changes in Market Rules and Policies on Wind & Solar Integration,” January 2011.
  • Moderator, Platt’s 2009 Transmission Planning and Development Forum, Panel, Integration and Optimization of RTOs to Smooth Reliability, September 2009.
  • Speaker, United States Energy Association, Energy Supply Forum, Energy Supply and Infrastructure Panel, Development of Major Transmission Projects, July 2009.
  • Moderator, Infocast Transmission Renaissance Conference, October 2008.
  • Speaker, Large Public Power Council, “Who Will Pay for the Build Out,” November 2007.
  • Moderator, Infocast Transmission Project Development Renaissance Conference, October 2006.
  • Speaker, Large Public Power Council, Public Power and RTO Participation, November 2005.
  • Speaker, New York State Bar Association Public Utility Law Committee Conference, “Can Seams Be Unraveled?,” April 2005.
  • Speaker, United States Energy Association Conference on Market Monitoring and Mitigation in Romania and the United States, “Overview of Market Monitoring in the United States – A Comparison Among Regions,” February 2005.
  • Speaker, United States Energy Association Conference on Market Monitoring and Mitigation in Romania and the United States, “Case Studies – Recent U.S. Court of Appeals Decisions Bearing on Market Monitoring,” February 2005.
  • Speaker, United States Energy Association Conference on Electric Industry Restructuring in Romania and the United States, “Coordination of Rehabilitation with Investment,” June 2004.
  • Speaker, United States Energy Association Conference on Electric Industry Restructuring in Romania and the United States, “T & D Asset Management: The Impact of the Regulatory Scheme,” June 2004.
  • Moderator, InfoCast Transmission Summit, January 2004.
  • Speaker, New York Power Authority CLE Conference, New York ISO and FERC, October 1999.
  • Speaker, New York Bar Association Public Utility Law Committee, State-Federal Jurisdictional Issues, 1998.
  • Moderator, New York State Bar Association Public Utility Law Committee, Role of Federal Regulation, 1998.