Alaina M. Zermeno

Career

Alaina draws on her experience at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to provide state-specific guidance to renewable energy clients.

Alaina provides a wide range of legal consulting to wholesale electric clients and retail electric clients, including renewable and thermal power generation companies, retail electric providers, and battery storage developers. A common facet of her practice is advising on regulatory considerations for development of private use networks implementing behind-the-meter power solutions. She regularly advises on PUCT and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) regulations, handles market participant registration with both agencies, assists with ongoing compliance and licensing maintenance after registration (including enforcement representation before the PUCT), and provides counsel on the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. Alaina also offers regular compliance trainings for clients.

In addition to providing regulatory guidance, Alaina dedicates a portion of her practice to performing Texas-specific due diligence for mergers and acquisitions in the renewable energy industry. She reviews and drafts the state energy regulatory provisions of permitting schedules, financing agreements, equity capital contribution agreements, purchase and sale agreements, energy management agreements, and power purchase agreements.

Prior to joining the firm, Alaina worked in PUCT’s Oversight & Enforcement Division and Legal Division, representing the commission before the State Office of Administrative Hearings in various matters, including enforcement, as well as in hearings before PUCT administrative law judges. As part of her role, she also initiated investigations into regulated entities that violated statute and PUCT rules. Her background means that she understands the internal policies and procedures at state regulatory bodies, including the enforcement investigation process, inside and out. Alaina regularly assists clients in navigating PUCT investigations and in negotiating settlement agreements, and she also represents wholesale and retail electric clients in contested cases before PUCT.

Alongside the value they place on Alaina’s PUCT experience, clients appreciate her always-up-to-date knowledge of the industry and its rules. Like the firm’s entire renewables team, Alaina always has her finger on the pulse of ERCOT protocol changes, PUCT rule changes, and other developments with Texas’ regulatory authorities impacting clients.