Analytical. Innovative. Collaborative.
David Littell is a nationally respected innovator in Energy and Environmental Group and markets. He is a former Commissioner of both Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (2003-2010) and Maine Public Utilities Commission (2010-2015).
Now, as a senior shareholder in Bernstein Shur’s energy and environmental practice and Chair of the Climate Change Practice Group, David brings more than 30 years of experience in the private and public sectors in more than 25 states and Canadian Provinces to advising clients on complex energy and environmental matters. His leadership in designing and implementing North America’s first market-based greenhouse gas regulatory system, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, underscores his commitment to sustainable solutions and ability to work across jurisdictions on a combination of regulatory and market-based approaches.
New England is undergoing a significant power sector transformation with challenges and opportunities for our citizens, companies, and States. Maine is in a pivotal position to support this transition, as both a net exporter of low-cost solar and wind energy, and a neighbor to the Eastern Canadian provinces.
What he's great at
David’s expertise encompasses a broad range of energy and environmental matters, including regulatory compliance, litigation, market-based policies, and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions:
- Energy and Environmental Litigation and Regulation:
- Advising on power sector transformation, grid modernization, and distributed energy resources to achieve regulatory approvals and objectives – often via regulatory litigation.
- Navigating regulatory structures at PUCs and environmental agencies in New England and the Mid-Atlantic and with ISO/RTOs, U.S.EPA, and FERC.
- Climate Change Expertise and Experience:
- Designing and implementing of market-based regulatory structures.
- Providing strategic counsel and expert analysis of climate-related policies and compliance.
- Regulatory Approvals and Due Diligence:
- Handling regulatory approvals and due diligence of large multi-state acquisitions and energy asset transactions.
- Utility-related and environmental permitting under overlapping multi-jurisdictional state and federal laws and requirements.
His expertise extends to PUC and environmental regulatory litigation, counseling on public utility agreements and energy and environmental requirements compliance, complex multi-jurisdictional litigation, and negotiations with lenders and bond counsel in intricate transactions.
How he delivers
David combines a well-honed sense of strategic direction with innovation and collaboration to assist clients in achieving their objectives as well as helping clients set their objectives. He represents clients in front of, and has testified before, numerous public utilities commissions, state environmental agencies, the FERC, the U.S. EPA, the Maine Legislature, New Hampshire legislative commissions, and speaks on energy and environmental issues for national and international audiences.
Why you'll enjoy working with him
Clients value David’s strategic insight, innovative approach, and collaborative nature. His deep understanding of energy markets and environmental regulations enables him to develop practical solutions to complex challenges that meet his client’s interests.
Who he is off the clock
Outside of his professional endeavors, David is an avid backcountry skier and hiker.