Michael J. Tomsu
I bring a wealth and depth of information that can only be gained through more than 30 years of experience helping my clients meet their ever-evolving needs in the electricity, telecom, oil and gas, or water space. I’ve built strong relationships at the regulatory agencies and have demonstrated that we are solid partners working to achieve exemplary results. Mike navigates clients through the utility regulatory landscape at the state and federal level, with a particular emphasis on Texas. He has more than 30 years of experience in contested case, rulemaking and regulatory compliance matters before the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Railroad Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other state and federal regulatory agencies.
Mike is highly knowledgeable on regulations impacting the development, purchase, and sale of utility-related infrastructure. He is skilled in the development and operation of renewable and new-energy technologies, including wind, solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, low-impact hydro and geothermal generation, as well as the negotiation of power purchase agreements. Mike also regularly advises power generation companies on compliance matters involving ERCOT Protocols, PUCT regulations and NERC Reliability Standards. In the telecommunications sector, his practice has focused on emergency communications and universal service funding.
He has also represented clients in drafting and supporting proposed legislation before the Texas legislature on numerous occasions.
Experience Highlights
Duke Energy in the upgrade of its Notrees wind farm battery system, including negotiations with Samsung SDI America for the provision of new batteries and Younicos for installation and service of the energy storage management system
Duke Energy in regulatory matters related to the development of the first commercial-scale energy storage facility in Texas, and in numerous regulatory matters related to ongoing operations at the facility
Assisted Windstream Communications in drafting legislation reforming the administration of the Texas Universal Service Fund, and in drafting proposed rules and comments before the PUCT in a rulemaking matter implementing the legislation
Represent NRG Energy in all regulatory matters involving the administration of the decommissioning trusts related to its ownership interest in the South Texas Nuclear Project
Represented Wayzata in obtaining regulatory approvals, and in transactional matters, related to the sale of the Guadalupe Power Facility
Ongoing representation of all emergency communications districts in the State of Texas on matters involving the introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 technology
Represented a Texas wind generation company in multiple contested matters involving the reactive power and primary frequency response requirements applicable to wind facilities in ERCOT
Represent The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on installation of a dedicated gas pipeline to serve the campus, and on related commodity transportation agreements
Assisted Weingarten Realty with the negotiation of a nationwide agreement for the installation of rooftop solar facilities on their properties
Assist Trafigura on Texas Railroad Commission matters involving regulatory compliance related to the operation of their intrastate pipelines and terminal storage facilities
Multiple engagements negotiating long-term electricity supply agreements on behalf of several component institutions of The University of Texas System
Represented Global Infrastructure Management in the acquisition and ongoing operation of the Channelview Cogeneration Plant
Represent The University of Texas at San Antonio regarding the negotiation of a long-term gas supply agreement, and related gas utility infrastructure matters
Represented multiple clients with regard to the licensing of charging facilities for electric vehicles
Credentials
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1986
- The University of Texas at Austin, M.B.A., 1986
- The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., Chemistry, 1982
- Chambers USA, Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (Electricity)(Texas), 2011–2024
- Board Certified in Administrative Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Legal 500 U.S., Energy Regulation, 2013 and 2014; Energy Regulation: Conventional Power, 2020–2024
- The Best Lawyers in America® (BL Rankings, LLC), Administrative/Regulatory Law (Austin), 2003–2014, 2017, and 2019–2025
- Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney’s) Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers, 2016
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2003, 2004, 2015–2024
- Selected to the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023 and 2024
- Adjunct Professor: The University of Texas School of Law, Spring 2013 “Electricity Law, Policy and Transactions”
- Member: The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Foundation Advisory Council
- Current Board Chair: Capital Area Food Bank; Past Board Chair: Leadership Austin
- Life Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation
- Texas
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 19, 2024
- Deals & CasesAugust 29, 2024
- Deals & CasesAugust 21, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJune 12, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJune 6, 2024
- InsightFebruary 9, 2024
V&E Energy Update
- Deals & CasesNovember 29, 2023
- InsightNovember 13, 2023
V&E Energy Update
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 18, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 21, 2023
- InsightJuly 6, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsJune 12, 2023
- Deals & CasesJune 8, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsJune 1, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsMarch 17, 2023
- Deals & CasesNovember 21, 2022
- Deals & CasesSeptember 29, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 18, 2022
- Deals & CasesAugust 17, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsJune 16, 2022
- InsightJune 8, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsJune 1, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsMarch 29, 2022
- Deals & CasesAugust 16, 2021