David R. Hill

DAVID R. HILL is a partner and co-head of the firm’s Global Energy Practice. He joined Sidley in April 2009 after having served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from August 2005 to January 2009 and was DOE’s Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy from March 2002 to August 2005. While at DOE, he provided advice and counsel to the Secretary of Energy and other senior officials on legal and policy matters in the DOE’s four major mission areas – energy, environmental management, science and national security. His work involved DOE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemakings, development and amendment of federal energy and environmental laws, litigation matters, procurements and financial assistance agreements, and development of energy and environmental policy.

While at DOE, Mr. Hill had key legal and policy roles in connection with many significant DOE programs, including: implementation of the multi-billion dollar loan guarantee program for innovative energy projects, such as renewable energy facilities and nuclear generating plants, under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors; development and execution of the Department’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; development of programs to encourage the licensing of new nuclear generating facilities; and oversight of DOE’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. He worked extensively with the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, and the Southwestern Power Administration on matters in connection with power sales, electric transmission, use of BPA’s borrowing authority, and the development of new transmission lines. As DOE’s general counsel and also as deputy general counsel for energy policy, Mr. Hill served as a lead DOE legal and policy official working with teams from other agencies including EPA and the Office of Management and Budget in developing and writing major Clean Air Act and other environmental policies and regulations, including with respect to GHG emissions, the EPA’s Clean Air Interstate Rule, proposed Best Available Control Technology (BACT) determinations, and legislation to implement the President’s “Twenty in Ten” proposal concerning increased use of renewable and alternative fuels, which formed the basis for the renewable fuels mandates in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In addition to his previous experience in private practice, Mr. Hill served from 1991-1993 as Associate Counsel to the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives.