Mr. Niehaus has over 27 years of experience in the energy industry primarily in the areas covering the regulation of natural gas pipeline certificate, rate, and tariff matters.

From 1978 until his retirement in 2003, Mr. Niehaus was actively involved in every major natural gas initiative sponsored by the FERC.  His FERC experience and extensive knowledge of the Commission’s policies allows Mr. Niehaus to provide expert advised in all matters concerning pipeline certificate, tariff and rate matters.

Mr. Niehaus’ expertise at FERC includes significant experience in major pipeline certificate applications for construction as well as abandonment proposals.  In many of these major pipeline certificate proceedings, Mr. Niehaus was the project manager responsible for the Commission’s review and processing of the applications.  Mr. Niehaus was also actively in involved in the Commission’s exploration into market-based rates for gas transmission and was the lead technical analyst for the Commission’s first order involving market-based rates for the transportation of natural gas.

While at the FERC, Mr. Niehaus also served as branch chief in the Office of Pipeline Regulation, Division of Rates West, where he supervised and reviewed pipeline rates and tariff filings submitted by Western pipelines.  These filings encompassed pipeline general rate filings, proposals for market-based and negotiated rate proposals, as well as tariff modifications.  

At the time of his retirement from FERC, Mr. Niehaus was actively involved in the Commission’s expanding market monitoring function.  Mr. Niehaus was part of the team which conducted and presented FERC’s initial assessments on the U.S. Western Market Infrastructure.  In 2000, Mr. Niehaus provided assistance to Chairman Wood’s presentation to Congress regarding the California natural gas price spike.  In addition, Mr. Niehaus organized the Commission’s conference exploring the status of the natural gas market and the need for LNG.

During his tenure as an associate with BWMQ, Mr. Niehaus has advised and assisted clients in their filings for certificate and abandonment authorization, tariff changes, and compliance with NASB, the Commission’s emergency regulation, annual reports required by the FERC regulations.  Mr. Niehaus has participated in BWMQ’s studies on matters involving natural gas companies’ mergers and acquisitions and their plans to enter new market areas.  In addition, Mr. Niehaus has participated in studies regarding the Commission’s oil regulations and rulings, abandonment rulings, and open-access policies.

Mr. Niehaus received a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University.

• Testimony Summary