Nidhi J. Thakar

Nidhi Thakar represents power marketers, independent power producers, electric and gas utilities, hydroelectric licensees and related interests, onshore and offshore oil and gas producers, and other electric and gas industry participants. In addition to advising these clients on compliance and enforcement issues, she represents them in contested and uncontested regulatory proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Department of Interior, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), as well as before state commissions and in federal courts. Her services also include representing clients in power purchase agreements and other transactions.

Nidhi counsels clients on a wide variety of other energy matters. These include wholesale electric and natural gas proceedings, Independent System Operator rules, complaints, rulemakings, regulatory compliance, enforcement matters, and hydroelectric relicensing. She has experience in the permitting of onshore and offshore renewable energy projects.

Additionally, Nidhi provides advice about federal environmental laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and Greenhouse Gas reporting rules. She is also involved in the firm's Federal Grants and Loans practice and advises clients on obtaining federal assistance for renewable energy projects and clean technologies. She has experience with funding opportunities provided through DOE and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Nidhi has extensive experience in handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with both Federal and State agencies, and has litigated FOIA suits.

Nidhi counsels clients regarding pending rulemakings and proposals under the Dodd-Frank Act before the CFTC. She spent two and a half years as a Legislative Aide to Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley from Nevada. In that position Nidhi worked on issues regarding energy, the environment, public lands, water and appropriations. Through her experience on Capitol Hill, she gained an understanding of the political process in Washington, D.C., which is a valuable addition to her practice.

Professional Leadership

• Energy Bar Association, Young Lawyers Committee, 2010 - present; Program Committee, 2011 - present; Legislative Committee, 2011 - present
• Center for American Politics & Citizenship, Advisory Board Member, 2011 - present
• South Asian Bar Association, Washington, D.C. Chapter, 2009 - present

Related Employment

• Perkins Coie LLP, Law Clerk, Washington, D.C., 2007 - 2008 
• Department of Justice, Division of Environmental and Natural Resources, Environmental Enforcement, Washington, D.C., Law Clerk, 2007
• Miller, Balis & O’Neil, P.C., Washington, D.C., Summer Associate, 2007
• Perkins Coie LLP, Portland, OR, Research Assistant, 2006 - 2007
• Meyer, Glitzenstein & Crystal, Washington, D.C., Summer Associate, 2006
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C., Law Clerk, Summer 2006
• Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Washington, D.C., Legislative Aide,  2003 - 2005
• Center for American Politics & Citizenship, University of Maryland College Park, Research Assistant, 2001 - 2003