Overview
Ben’s practice focuses on the representation of states, municipalities and joint action agencies in their efforts to secure clean and affordable energy. His experiences at the firm have included participation in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings and related appeals concerning various aspects of Federal Power Act regulation of transmission rates, terms and conditions. He has also counseled clients on oil pipeline regulation under the Interstate Commerce Act.
Prior to joining Spiegel, Ben worked on upstream energy and infrastructure issues in the Mountain West. His experience includes negotiating numerous oil and gas leases, representing clients in pipeline easement negotiations, obtaining significant settlements related to oil and gas surface damages and representing creditors in the bankruptcies of major coal companies. He has also represented tribal members in relation to coal surface lease negotiations and clean-up obligations from oil and gas pipeline spills on their property. In 2018, Ben argued an appeal before the Wyoming Supreme Court. Thomas v. JLC Wyoming, LLC, 434 P.3d 104 (Wyo. 2019).
Ben is the author of Blowing It: Why Is Wyoming Failing to Develop Wind Projects?, 19 Wyo. L. Rev. 45 (2019). While attending law school, Ben was a member of the UCLA Law Review and was an extern at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In 2020, Ben completed a six-month fellowship with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute focused on clean energy policy, technology, and finance.
