Howard Golub
Of Counsel
HGOLUB@BBKLAW.COM
Location(s)
VIEW DIRECTIONS
At a Glance
Howard is a recognized leader among energy law practitioners in California.
Built
on a foundation of decades of experience with both the law and with key
decision-makers, Howard consistently develops innovative solutions delivering
outstanding results for his clients.
From 1986 to 1994 he was
vice president and general counsel of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Howard Golub provides services to a wide range of clients in the energy
industry, including utilities, large consumers, public agencies, independent
power producers, and developers of technologies for the production of
energy.
Howard’s work includes strategic planning, merger and
acquisition, utility system creation, franchise agreements, energy project
development, contract negotiation and formulation, contract restructuring and
alternative dispute resolution. He makes appearances before a variety of
federal and state agencies.
Howard focuses on clients’ objectives,
primarily in the areas of developing new opportunities, improving their
competitiveness and defending existing rights through an integrated
regulatory-transactional approach. For example, he created a strategy that
allowed one client to develop an independent and fully functioning electric
distribution enterprise, taking less than six months from conception to
operation — an unprecedented and cost-effective solution. Another client was
facing financial ruin until Howard developed a regulatory strategy to cure
several years of poor decisions by prior management. A third client was saved
$350 million in utility charges.
The energy industry, particularly
in California, has been in a state of change for some years and that process
will continue — particularly in the areas of price structures, infrastructure
development, integration of environmental mandates, transmission access,
competition, energy efficiency, renewable energy development, rate design and
development of new market entrants. These changes represent significant
opportunity for astute market participants.
Representative matters
include:
- Creation of new utility systems and counseling developing systems
- Community choice aggregation
- Feasibility studies involving legal, regulatory, operational and financial issues
- Rulemaking proceedings
- Rate-setting and rate design proceedings
- Discounted power rates
- Utility exit fees
- Utility tariff interpretation and modification
- Power sales agreements, both for sellers and buyers
- Interconnection agreements and transmission access agreements
- Natural gas supply agreements
- Development of renewable resource power projects
- Hydroelectric licensing
- Certificates of public convenience and necessity
- Franchise agreements
- Utility rights-of-way
- Environmental compliance
From 1986 to 1994 Howard was vice president and general counsel of the
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, one of the largest energy utility companies in the United States. He
reported directly to the Board of Directors and to the chief executive
officer
and served on the company’s Management Committee consisting of the CEO and 10
other senior officers. As chief legal officer of the company, he had extensive
experience with all aspects of energy law – regulation, legislation,
commercial transactional and litigation.
He was also PG&E’s lead environmental officer, responsible for
environmental policy and for auditing environmental compliance. He formulated
and implemented a proactive environmental program which increased
competitiveness and earnings, was strongly endorsed by national environmental
leaders, and personally awarded the nation’s highest environmental medal by
the President of the United States.
Prior to entering private
practice, Howard was an assistant district attorney for
New York County (1968-1969) and an officer in the
Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Navy (1969-1973) where he
tried numerous courts-martial and later served as a U.S. Military Judge. After
leaving active duty, Howard remained in the Naval Reserves, rising to the rank
of captain.
Howard is admitted to numerous federal courts,
including the United States Supreme Court.
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D.
- Hunter College, B.A. cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa)
- Naval War College: Senior Reserve Officer Course
- MIT Sloan School of Management: Executive Management Program for General Counsel.
Admissions
- California
- New York
