Profile

Susan is Co-Chair of the McNees Energy & Environmental Law group and a member of the Renewable Energy & Corporate Sustainability, and Environmental, Social and Governance Groups. She advises businesses and institutions in navigating through the complexities of state and federal energy regulation. Susan’s practice focuses on helping clients to capitalize on opportunities (or mitigating the challenges) afforded by electric and natural gas markets. She advises on a wide range of complex transactions, innovative business models, market rule development, regulatory compliance and, as necessary, litigation. Susan works regularly with customers in both the public and private sector on renewable energy transactions, including physical supply facilitated through RTO markets, wholesale and retail behind the meter arrangements, and virtual power purchase agreements.

What does Susan do for Clients?
Susan serves a wide range of clients that mostly are consumers of electricity and natural gas services, including consumer product manufacturers, steel companies, cement companies, colleges, universities, as well as municipal utilities. In the renewable and emerging technologies space, Susan’s clients have also included solar and battery developers as well as their off-takers. Susan recognizes that the energy market/regulatory space is arcane for many businesses but nonetheless critical to their success. Susan works to translate such complexities to actionable guidance, negotiating agreements, preparing bespoke agreements, and/or securing any necessary approvals. Susan is invested in our clients’ success and works to develop cost-effective legal strategies to achieve goals.

How does Susan spend her free time?
When not practicing law, Susan enjoys time with her family, whether it is going to a neighborhood park or to a soccer game, or sitting on the porch reading a book. One of these days, Susan will dust off her cello and return to a local community orchestra. Until then, you can generally find Susan listening to music.

EXPERIENCE/REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Advise manufacturing company in federal and state energy-related regulatory compliance, including regional transmission organization protocols, to build and operate CHP

Assist manufacturing and consumer product companies as well as educational institutions in executing renewable energy policy strategies, including negotiating both physical and virtual power purchase agreements

Advise municipal utility in securing full-requirements electric supply

Advise municipal utility in pursuing sustainability strategies, including negotiating long-term power purchase agreements

Support businesses in securing competitive electric supply and implementing demand response strategies

Counsel commercial landlord on electricity resale requirements

Represent renewable generation owner in securing reactive revenue requirement

Provide counsel and support to businesses on compliance with state and federal energy regulatory requirements, including Federal Power Act (i.e., market-based rate authority approvals) and Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act

Counsel businesses with federal and state energy licenses on necessary approvals during business transactions, including securing Section 203 approvals

Assist educational institution in negotiating transactions to address long-term energy and utility infrastructure needs consistent with private utility service

Represent coalition of energy-intensive customers in PJM stakeholder process and at FERC regarding market rule development and reliability rules

Represent coalition of statewide coalition of energy-intensive customers on energy issues

EDUCATION

Duke University, A.B., 1994, cum laude

William & Mary, J.D., 1997

William & Mary Law Review, Senior Articles Editor

HONORS/AWARDS

The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-present

2023 Energy & Environment Power 100, City & State Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area YWCA, Tribute to Women of Excellence Award 2004

Central Penn Business Journal, “Forty Under 40”, 2004

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®, Pennsylvania Rising Star, 2006

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®, 2006

PJM Liaison Committee Chair, 2016

PJM Members Committee Chair, 2017

Central Penn Business Journal, Women of Influence List, 2022

MEMBERSHIPS

• Energy Bar Association
– Chair, Electricity Committee (2018-2019)
– Vice Chair, Electricity Committee (2017-2018)
• Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association
– Board Member (2020-2024)
– Grants Committee Chair (2023-2024)
• Pennsylvania Bar Association, Public Utility Law Section
• Dauphin County Bar Association
• DCBA Equal Professional Opportunity Committee
• Pennsylvania State YMCA, Board of Directors, 2001-2004
• East Shore YMCA, Board of Managers, 2003-2009
• Paxton Presbyterian Church, Board of Deacons, 2003-2008
• Paxton Presbyterian Church, Board of Deacons, Moderator, 2004-2008
• Paxton Presbyterian Church, Ruling Elder, 2009-2011
• West Shore Symphony Orchestra, 1998-2012, 2017

COURT ADMISSIONS

U.S. District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania

Connecticut Superior Court

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

Connecticut