Robert Warnement

Robert Warnement is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice. His practice spans energy regulatory, transactional and project finance matters, including securing approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He advises on mergers, acquisitions and restructurings; purchases and sales of generating facilities, including nuclear; auctions and spin-offs; joint ventures and joint ownership arrangements; power sales and hedging arrangements; and operating agreements.

His experience prior to joining Simpson Thacher includes advising:

• NRG, Inc. in multiple matters, including regarding the settlement of certain FERC contract disputes surrounding the California electricity markets; and in its acquisition of Texas Genco (including its interest in the South Texas Project nuclear facility)
• The AES Corporation in the sale of an ownership interest in it to a Chinese investor; and in its acquisition of DP&L
• The Japan Atomic Power Company in a joint venture agreement and nuclear management program agreement in connection with the formation of JExel Nuclear Company, a joint venture with Exelon Corporation
• H.Q. Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. in state proceedings concerning the approval of a long-term power purchase agreement
• Certain foreign utility clients on the Atomic Energy Act and NRC regulatory implications of a potential acquisition of interests in U.S. nuclear generating facilities
• Wisconsin Electric Power Company before FERC in its sale of the Point Beach Nuclear facility and the return of retained decommissioning funds to its customers
• A large international investment fund with respect to NRC and FERC approvals that would be triggered by a purchase of a large public power system
• New Page Corporation on nuclear regulatory approvals in connection with emergence from bankruptcy
• Certain foreign utility clients on the Atomic Energy Act and NRC regulatory implications of a potential acquisition of interests in U.S. nuclear generating facilities
• An institutional investment fund with respect to its blanket authorization under Section 203 of the Federal Powers Act
• Orlando Utilities Commission in its proposed acquisition of an interest in two new nuclear units proposed to be built in South Carolina
• ISO Trust and PX Trust in connection with the restructuring of the California electricity markets

Before his legal career, Robert served as a U.S. Naval officer at the headquarters of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, including as special assistant to the Deputy Director for congressional and public affairs, classification and technology policy and special projects.

Robert received his J.D., summa cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law in 1995. He received a Certificate in Nuclear Engineering from the U.S. Department of Energy Bettis Reactor Engineering School in 1988 and a B.S., cum laude, in Mechanical Engineering and Government – International Relations from the University of Notre Dame in 1986. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Virginia.