Energy & Environment Policy Committee Meeting – May 15

Nathan Howe is a member of the Power practice group and provides value to clients in a range of regulatory and transactional matters. Nathan’s deep knowledge of regulatory processes and practical business perspective allow him to provide strategic advice and tailored solutions, enabling clients to address risks, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities.

Nate guides clients through the intricacies of the evolving energy law landscape for onsite, offsite, distributed, and utility-scale project development for a variety of renewable energy resource types, such as solar, wind, battery storage, and alternative fuels. He has counseled clients on commercial and regulatory risks, interconnection processes, and available incentives, and on a range of contractual arrangements such as power purchase agreements and other offtake arrangements, acquisition agreements, and multiparty collaborations.

He has also represented clients in regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and other state regulatory agencies, in proceedings such as utility rate filings, mergers, contract disputes, and rulemakings. He has represented trade groups and industry stakeholders as lead counsel in renewable energy procurement, clean energy technology, and energy efficiency proceedings, including incentives programs proposed by utilities. He assists clients in all phases of these proceedings, including discovery, settlement, evidentiary hearings, and written submissions, from inception to resolution, as well as rehearings and appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Nathan was an associate at a regional New Jersey-based firm, where he was part of the environment and energy practice group. His energy practice involved representing clients before regulatory agencies in rate proceedings and utility-proposed programs, providing regulatory advice, and performing regulatory due diligence.

His environmental practice included representing clients in complex litigation involving cleanup costs and natural resource damages for various hazardous substances and emerging contaminants. He also provided advice concerning environmental and related regulations pertaining to waste disposal, pesticides, and site transfers.

Previously, Nathan also served as an assistant county prosecutor, handling both bench and jury trials, including high-profile homicide cases, and appeals. His argument before the Appellate Division for removing the inadvertency element of the plain view exception to the warrant requirement was embraced by the New Jersey Supreme Court in a 2016 decision.

Joseph Seebode is the Deputy Commissioner of the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, where he supports Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak in advancing the Department’s mission to meet the state’s environmental needs. A former Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District, with more than 35 years of service, he led major coastal resilience and restoration initiatives — including post-Hurricane Sandy recovery and the deepening of the Port of New York and New Jersey. He also is a past DEP Assistant Commissioner, award-winning public servant and lifelong steward of New Jersey’s waterways.