Overview
Meghan O’Brien offers comprehensive energy regulatory expertise that enables clients to successfully navigate the intricacies of state and federal regulatory paradigms, support energy project development, and ensure compliance.
Meghan advises independent power producers, utilities, investors, and large users of gas and power resources on matters arising under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Her practice includes representing clients before the California Public Utilities Commission to advocate for favorable state energy policies. She also assists energy developers with regulatory due diligence associated with project acquisitions and financings.
Education
University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 2017, Energy and Environmental Law concentration
CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Pro Bono Service Recognition Award
University of San Diego, B.A., Philosophy, 2011; Dean’s List
Admissions
California
Experience
- Advises clients regarding regulatory processes, compliance, and requirements before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and California Public Utilities Commission.
- Offers regulatory expertise to support project developers, owners and operators in drafting and negotiating various project documents and regulatory approvals.
- Advises clients regarding Federal Energy Regulatory interconnection processes and procedures across all RTOs and ISOs.
- Counsels large load, including data centers and cryptocurrency mine, regarding federal and state interconnection matters and power supply arrangements to support project development.
- Performs regulatory due diligence to support energy project acquisitions and financings.
- Conduct regulatory monitoring and advise renewable energy developers, load serving entities, and natural gas companies and investors regarding strategy and advocacy opportunities.
- Conduct in depth multi-state regulatory analysis and advise national distributed generation developer on purchase, lease, and service contract arrangements.
- Represent global hydrogen developer in development of hydrogen production and transportation policies before the CPUC.
- Advise oil and gas companies on transportation and rate issues in California.
- Draft applications, notices, and certifications under the Federal Power Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, Public Utilities Holding Company Act, and RTO/ISO tariffs.
- Draft motions, comments, briefs, and applications on behalf of clients before the California Public Utilities Commission.
Experience Prior to Stoel
- Contributed to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Standard Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
- Advised the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on resolution of D.C. Circuit remand regarding removal of ISO-NE’s Forward Capacity Market price-lock and zero-price offer rules.
- Adjudicated petition for declaratory order asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to assert jurisdiction over net energy metering under the Federal Power Act and Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
- Resolved Federal Energy Regulatory Commission complaint alleging undue preference for gas generators in ISO-NE capacity accreditation and operating reserve market rules.
- Drafted orders on Order No. 845 Compliance and FPA Section 206 transmission incentives applications.
- Organized and led Federal Energy Regulatory Commission workshops and technical conferences regarding grid-enhancing technologies, modernizing electricity market design, hybrid resources, and performance-based ratemaking.
- Participated in regulatory proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission and provided written testimony.
- Evaluated AB 2514 and AB 2868 utility energy storage procurement and utility integrated resource plans.
Client Successes
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “California Legislature Approves Pathways Bill Moving Western Regionalization Forward” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, September 17, 2025.
- “CPUC Opens Rulemaking to Modernize Rule 21 Interconnection Procedures” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, August 19, 2025.
- “Navigating Uncertainties Together” (guest speaker), Intersolar and Energy Storage North America, February 25, 2025.
- “PG&E Proposes New Electric Rule No. 30 for Transmission Level Electric Retail Service in Response to Rapid Increase in Transmission Level Demand and Data Centers” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, December 17, 2024.
- “CAISO Interconnection Process Enhancements Proposal Faces Protest at FERC” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, August 29, 2024.
- “CAISO Releases Addendum to Interconnection Process Enhancements Final Proposal Ahead of Board of Governors Meeting” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, May 17, 2024.
- “Stakeholders Express Concern That CAISO’s Interconnection Scoring Criteria May Prioritize Load-Serving Entity Selection” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, April 23, 2024.
- “CAISO Releases Interconnection Process Enhancements Final Proposal” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, April 12, 2024.
- “FERC issues Final Rule on Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, August 1, 2023.
- “CPUC Considers How to Implement Income-Based Fixed Charges for Residential Electric Utility Service” (co-author), Daily Journal, July 13, 2023.
- “CPUC Considers Party Proposals on Implementing New Prevailing Wage Requirements for Renewable Energy Projects in California” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Renewable + Law® blog, May 16, 2023.
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Hybrid Resources White Paper (co-author), May 26, 2021.
- “Are All RPS Compliance and RECs Created Equal” (co-author) Energy Policy Initiatives Center, July 11, 2017.
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Annual Assessment of Demand Response and Net Metering (co-author), December 2016.
Publications
Special Reports
Affiliations
Professional
- Institute of Public Utilities, Michigan State University, IPU Annual Regulatory Studies Program Fundamentals Course, 2019
- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Western Rate School, 2018
- Guest Speaker, University of San Diego Center for Public Interest Law: Celebrating Changemakers, 2018
- Energy Bar Association, Member, 2016–present
- Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy, Member
- Southern California Energy Innovation Network, Technical Advisory Committee Member
- Cleantech San Diego Energy Working Group, Member
Civic
- Save More Kids Inc., Board Member, 2019–present
- Women EmPOWERing Women, former Board Member