About the Authors

Designing a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program for the U.S.

Author Bios

Robert R. Nordhaus

Robert R. Nordhaus is a member of the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, specializing in federal electric, natural gas, and environmental regulation. He also teaches energy law at George Washington University Law School. His work in private practice and his governmental experience have encompassed legislative, regulatory and transactional work, and administrative and appellate litigation in these fields. In private practice, he has represented electric utilities, independent power producers, end users of natural gas and electricity, and state and local governments.

Mr. Nordhaus originally joined Van Ness Feldman in 1981, after serving three years as FERC’s first General Counsel. He practiced with the firm until 1993, when he was appointed General Counsel of the Department of Energy by President Clinton. He rejoined the firm in 1997.

In 1977, prior to his service at FERC, Mr. Nordhaus was a member of the Energy Policy and Planning Office in the Carter White House, and served as Assistant Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration. In 1975 and 1976, he was counsel to the House Commerce Committee, and from 1963 to 1974, he was Assistant Counsel in the Legislative Counsel’s Office of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Nordhaus is a 1960 graduate of Stanford University and a 1963 graduate of Yale Law School. He is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court. He served as a member of the Electric Power Research Institute’s Advisory Council and was a member of the Market Surveillance Committee of the California Independent Transmission System Operator from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Nordhaus was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center from 1980 to 1985. In the past he has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Energy Bar Association and as Chair of the Administrative Law and Agency Practice Division of the District of Columbia Bar.

Kyle W. Danish

Kyle Danish is a senior associate in the Washington, DC office of Van Ness Feldman. His practice focuses on environmental and energy matters. Mr. Danish has spoken and written widely on global climate change law and policy and has advised clients on international greenhouse gas emissions trades in South America, Asia, and Africa. He is co-chair of the American Bar Association's Committee on Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman in 1999, Mr. Danish was an associate at the law firm of Hunton & Williams. He also has served as an Intern to the Principal Technical Adviser for Climate Change at the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility. From 1990-1992, Mr. Danish served as the Special Assistant to the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources. He is a 1997 cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law, and received his Master in Public Affairs in 1996 from the Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where he was Managing Editor of the Journal of Public and International Affairs. He earned a B.A. in 1989 from Haverford College. Mr. Danish is a member of the American Bar Association and the American Society of International Law.