PARTNER | adam@mrg-law.com | 503 595 3926

ADAM C. LOWNEY

Adam's practice focuses on energy law, with an emphasis on providing regulatory, transactional, litigation, and business advice to electric and natural gas utilities across the West.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Adam has been with McDowell Rackner Gibson since 2008.

REPRESENTATIVE WORK

  • Represented investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in general rate case proceedings in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.

  • Represented electric utilities in annual power cost update filings.

  • Represented electric utilities in regulatory proceedings in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho to obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity and approval for the development of new wind resources, repowering existing wind resources, and constructing new transmission resources.

  • Represented electric utilities related to integrated resource planning and resource procurement.

  • Represented electric utilities on state-jurisdictional interconnection matters, including procedural reforms and complaint proceedings.

  • Represented electric utilities on avoided cost pricing and other PURPA issues involving Qualifying Facilities in Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, and Idaho and before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

  • Represented electric utilities in Oregon proceedings related to implementation of direct access programs.

  • Represented electric utilities in merger and acquisition proceedings in various states related to the purchase and sale of assets and transfer of service areas.

  • Represented consumer-owned utility in Alaska rate proceedings related to development of intrastate transmission rates.

  • Represented utility clients in rulemaking proceedings regarding electric service reliability, customer data sharing, procedures for confidential discovery, dispute resolution, competitive bidding rules, community solar programs, and a solar photovoltaic pilot program.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 

  • Member of the Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Idaho State Bar.

  • Former member of the Executive Committee and officer for the Energy, Telecom, and Utility Law Section of Oregon State Bar.

  • Past President of Board of Directors of Oregon Energy Fund, a non-profit that develops and coordinates resources to help low-income Oregonians meet their energy needs and achieve energy self-reliance.

  • Co-chair of the Law Seminars International Electric Power in the West seminar.

EDUCATION

Adam graduated from Gonzaga University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Honors, summa cum laude. While at Gonzaga, Adam served as an officer in the university's chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. He was also an officer in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu honor society. Adam was also awarded the Senior Engineer Award, which is given to Gonzaga's top engineering graduate.

Adam earned his JD from Lewis and Clark Law School and graduated cum laude in 2005. While at Lewis and Clark Adam was awarded the Best Oral Argument for the first year moot court competition and twice received the Pro Bono Honors Award.