Michael J. Connolly

Practice Areas

Michael advises, counsels, and represents clients on energy and utility regulatory and policy issues in a wide variety of utility and energy-related regulatory proceedings, including with respect to reliability issues, regulatory audits, regulatory complaint proceedings, utility base rates and rate clauses, affiliate-interests, and tariff matters. He has represented utility interests in connection with administrative rule makings, including with respect to customer service, reliability, vegetation management, main extensions, affiliate standards, pole attachments, renewable energy, and distributed generation regulations. He has also represented utility clients in substation and transmission siting matters, reliability-related investigations, border disputes, storm cost recovery, utility property transfers, infrastructure and utility easement acquisitions, class actions, pooled-inventory arrangements, and management and other regulatory audits.

Michael has extensive experience in advising clients regarding public utility holding company, service company, and affiliate interest compliance matters. He has assisted utility clients in the development and/or implementation of innovative programs such as the SREC-based financing program and a pre-construction utility clearance review process for municipal permitting. He has also practiced and appeared before the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court and has advised non-utility clients in connection with contractual and transactional issues associated with renewable and clean energy projects.

Education