Michael Pincus advises clients on all aspects of the siting and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As an attorney at Van Ness Feldman, and previously at FERC, Michael has an in-depth understanding with a wide range of issues under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), including pipeline certificate and abandonment proceedings and LNG terminal and export authorizations. Michael also has experience with natural gas storage facility authorizations, presidential permits, limited jurisdiction certificates, blanket certificates, market-based rate determinations, and rate and tariff issues.
Michael counsels clients through every step of FERC's environmental review process for pipeline and LNG projects under the National Environmental Policy Act and with respect to applicable environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.
Michael also is practiced in Part I of the Federal Power Act, advising clients on a variety of hydroelectric licensing and compliance matters, including the license applications, transfers, amendments, surrenders, terminations, as well as preliminary permits.
From 2007-2012, Michael worked as an attorney-advisor in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of the General Counsel, Energy Project Section. He was also named a “Next Generation Lawyer” by the Legal 500 for oil and gas in both 2017 and 2018.
Michael is the co-coordinator of Van Ness Feldman's Oil, Gas, & LNG Practice and serves as one of the firm's Associate Coordinators.