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Sidney L. Fowler

Counsel
Washington, DC

Counsel, Washington, DC

T: +1.202.663.8132
T: +1.202.663.8132

Areas of Focus

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).
  • 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
    • "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,” Authors: Jeffrey S. Merrifield & Sid Fowler, 16 June 2023
    • “Corporate Plastic Footprints: A Growing ESG and Sustainable Finance Focus,” Authors: Christopher J. McNevin, Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Sidney L. Fowler, Victoria Judd, September 14, 2021
    • “Civil Nuclear Credit Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill,” Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elina Teplinsky, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Meghan Claire Hammond, Sidney L. Fowler, Jorge Medina, September 2, 2021
    • “DOE Requests Comments on the Price-Anderson Act,” Authors: William E. Fork, Sidney L. Fowler, August 11, 2021
    • “The “Everywhere Chemical”—Might Phthalates Become the Next PFAS?,” Authors: Reza Zarghamee, Sidney L. Fowler, Emily Huang, Anne Idsal Austin, June 15, 2021
    • “NRC Seeking Input to Update NEPA Process for Categorical Exclusions,” Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Reza Zarghamee, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Sidney L. Fowler, May 21, 2021
    • “EPA Proposes Rule to Implement AIM Act’s HFC Phasedown,” Authors: Christopher J. McNevin, Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Matthew W. Morrison, Sidney L. Fowler, Shelby L. Dyl, Emily Huang, May 11, 2021
    • “Navigating the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act’s Comprehensive HFC Phasedown,” Authors: Christopher J. McNevin, Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Matthew W. Morrison, Sidney L. Fowler, Shelby L. Dyl, Emily Huang, April 2, 2021
    • “Federal Support for Defense Uses of Advanced Nuclear,” Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Elina Teplinsky, Benjamin J. Cote, Aaron R. Hutman, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Sidney L. Fowler, February 3, 2021
    • “Biden’s Climate Blitz,” Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elizabeth Vella Moeller, Meghan Claire Hammond, Sidney L. Fowler, January 29, 2021
    • “Considerations for Regulation of Fusion-Based Power Generation Devices,” Authors: David R. Lewis, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Sidney L. Fowler, December 3, 2020
    • “DOE Announces Its Hydrogen Plan,” Authors: Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Elina Teplinsky, Sidney L. Fowler, Mona E. Dajani, November 19, 2020
    • “Legislators, Companies and Consumers Turn Their Attention Toward Plastics,” Authors: Christopher J. McNevin, Sheila McCafferty Harvey, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Sidney L. Fowler, August 28, 2020
    • “Department of Energy Moves Forward on its New Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program,” Authors: Elina Teplinsky, Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Sidney L. Fowler, February 6, 2020
    • “DOE Proposes Procedures for the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of Part 810,” Pratt’s Energy Law Report, Authors: Elina Teplinsky, Anne Leidich, and Sidney Fowler, January 2020, Vol. 20 No.1.
    • “DOE Proposes Procedures for the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of Part 810,” Authors: Elina Teplinsky, Anne Leidich, Sidney L. Fowler, October 7, 2019
  • Blog Posts
  • Speaking Engagements

Education

  • J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2014
    Order of the Coif, High Honors

    B.A., North Carolina State University, 2011
    summa cum laude

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    Maryland

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