Article 09.30.25
A Technology Risk-Informed Regulatory Regime for Commercial Space Nuclear Payload Launches
Source: The Air & Space Lawyer
Sid Fowler helps clients navigate the complex landscape of next-generation energy transition technologies, including fusion, nuclear, advanced recycling and hydrogen energy.
Sid provides comprehensive regulatory services to energy sector clients, advising them on regulatory matters and, when necessary, representing clients before regulatory bodies including the NRC, FERC, OMB, EPA and OSHA. He frequently provides due diligence for investments into energy technology developers, ensuring that regulatory aspects are thoroughly evaluated and addressed. Sid also partners with clients in developing targeted strategies for engagement on emerging issues, with a holistic view of legislative, agency and political issues, to address and mitigate potential regulatory impacts.
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Following law school, Sid joined the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), where he advised agency staff on regulatory issues and rulemaking such as nuclear facility license amendments, plant physical and cybersecurity, spent fuel storage and nuclear waste disposal. His pre-law career includes time as a sourcing specialist for one of the nation’s largest utilities. In this role, he led sourcing and negotiations and drafted complex contracts, including engineering, equipment procurement, operations and maintenance, and construction contracts, which supported the utility’s nuclear plant fleet.
Sid’s private practice experience includes assisting with litigation and rate proceedings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for both electric and natural gas utilities under the Federal Power Act, as well as for petroleum shippers under the Interstate Commerce Act. Sid has also advised organizations on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities associated with the energy sector.
Representative Experience
- Advised the Fusion Industry Association on efforts to develop a regulatory framework for fusion. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission agreed to regulate fusion energy under existing rules for use of byproduct materials, allowing the NRC to tailor its approach to the fusion sector and giving developers regulatory certainty to innovate and grow fusion into a viable energy source.
- Advised SK in its investment in TerraPower, a leading nuclear innovation company and next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) developer.
- Advised customer support company, Support.com on regulatory advice in conjunction with the merger with private equity-backed bitcoin mining company Greenidge Generation Holdings.
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- Advised a leading international OEM company on the development and licensing of a U.S. interim spent fuel storage facility.
- Advised an innovative British company on complex regulatory compliance in conjunction with the development of an advanced nuclear reactor spanning multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S., Italy and France.
- Advised an international commodity trading and marketing company on general regulatory advice for construction of a plastic waste recycling business.
- Advised a U.S. utility in responding to cybersecurity allegation.
- Represented a U.S. utility and individuals in matters before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding NRC regulations and procedures.
- Represented a large European nuclear company in its process to acquire a large >$1 billion nuclear reactor vendor.
- Advised a U.S. sustainable energy producer on the project development for solar-plus-storage addition at a Midwest 105 MW utility-scale renewable hybrid project.
- While at the NRC, successfully defended challenges to the NRC’s security clearance determinations before the Department of Energy.
- Advises on a wide array of matters related to nuclear plant physical and cybersecurity, spent fuel storage, and license amendments resulting from plant modifications.
- Develops and negotiates contracts, ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Professional Highlights
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by the Financial Times’ Most Innovative Law Firms in North America 2023 (Energy Transition).
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (published by BL Rankings LLC) for Energy Law (2024–2026).
- Recognized as a Top Author in the Energy category for 2023 JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards, which acknowledge top authors and firms for their thought leadership in key topics.
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- Publications
- “Getting Lithium for Batteries from Geothermal Brine to Where It’s Needed,” November 1, 2024. Coauthor.
- “Promoting Fusion Development Through Financial Policies: An Examination of How Clean Energy Investment Policies Can Better Incentivize Fusion Investment and Support Development and Deployment of Fusion Technology,” June 16, 2023. Coauthor.
- “Corporate Plastic Footprints: A Growing ESG and Sustainable Finance Focus,” September 14, 2021. Coauthor.
- “Civil Nuclear Credit Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill,” September 2, 2021. Coauthor.
- “DOE Requests Comments on the Price-Anderson Act,” August 11, 2021. Coauthor.
- “The “Everywhere Chemical”—Might Phthalates Become the Next PFAS?,” June 15, 2021. Coauthor.
- “NRC Seeking Input to Update NEPA Process for Categorical Exclusions,” May 21, 2021. Coauthor.
- “EPA Proposes Rule to Implement AIM Act’s HFC Phasedown,” May 11, 2021. Coauthor.
- “Navigating the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act’s Comprehensive HFC Phasedown,” April 2, 2021. Coauthor.
- “Federal Support for Defense Uses of Advanced Nuclear,” February 3, 2021. Coauthor.
- “Biden’s Climate Blitz,” January 29, 2021. Coauthor.
- “Considerations for Regulation of Fusion-Based Power Generation Devices,” December 3, 2020. Coauthor.
- “DOE Announces Its Hydrogen Plan,” November 19, 2020. Coauthor.
- “Legislators, Companies and Consumers Turn Their Attention Toward Plastics,” August 28, 2020. Coauthor.
- “Department of Energy Moves Forward on its New Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program,” February 6, 2020. Coauthor.
- “DOE Proposes Procedures for the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of Part 810,” Pratt’s Energy Law Report, January 2020, Vol. 20 No.1. Coauthor.
- “DOE Proposes Procedures for the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of Part 810,” October 7, 2019. Coauthor.
- Blog Posts
- “Do Municipal Gas Bans Slow the Clean Hydrogen Transition in Real Estate?” Gravel2Gavel, May 18, 2022.
- “Tension Over Municipal Gas Bans Creates Uncertainty for Real Estate Developers,” Gravel2Gavel, January 18, 2022.
- “Hydrogen Powers Its Way from Proof of Concept to Reality in Real Estate,” Gravel2Gavel, April 13, 2021.
- Speaking Engagements
- “Coverage to Launch: Updating Nuclear Liability Laws to Empower Development of Space Technologies,” Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (2022).
- “Green Finance in the Hydrogen Sector with Victoria Judd,” A Video Series of Key Issues Driving Green Hydrogen (2022).
- “Why Hydrogen and Why Now with Sheila Harvey,” A Video Series of Key Issues Driving Green Hydrogen (2022).
- “Key Environmental Issues Facing the Hydrogen Sector with Matthew Morrison,” A Video Series of Key Issues Driving Green Hydrogen (2022).
- “Economics of Hydrogen Production with Elina Teplinsky,” A Video Series of Key Issues Driving Green Hydrogen (2022).
Education
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J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2014
Order of the Coif, High HonorsB.A., North Carolina State University, 2011
summa cum laude
Admissions
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District of Columbia
Maryland