Omar represents energy generation companies, project developers, industrial users of energy, businesses, manufacturers, and municipal utilities in a broad range of litigation and regulatory investigations and proceedings involving the power sector. He also advises clients in telecommunication matters involving cell phone antennae and energy-related issues.
A significant portion of Omar’s practice involves representing clients in matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state utility commissions. He has particular experience with the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), and the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
Omar also frequently litigates cases before federal and state courts of appeal, including the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In a recent appeal of a FERC decision to the DC Circuit, Omar presented an oral argument in a dispute concerning the interpretation of a regional transmission organization (RTO) tariff and FERC’s jurisdiction over distributed energy generation interconnections and related cost issues.
In addition, Omar counsels clients seeking to develop or deploy distributed energy generation, behind-the-meter technology, or on-site power generation, including advising on strategies. He provides transactional, permitting, and regulatory approval support, including guidance on pertinent state or federal regulations, and represents parties in transactions or disputes involving qualifying facilities (QF).
Omar’s practice also encompasses providing transactional support on the regulatory aspects of renewable energy project financing. He has represented generators in disputes concerning interconnection, efforts to recover revenues for providing reactive power service, and matters involving market-based rates, including applications and periodic compliance filings.
Prior to joining Mintz, Omar was a senior attorney at an international law firm, where he represented clients in litigation, regulatory, transactional, and telecommunications matters. Earlier in his career, Omar was an attorney-advisor in the Office of General Counsel at FERC, where he advised and worked on determinations on issues involving the NGA, FPA, and PURPA.
viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — November 2024
November 1, 2024 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Omar Bustami
This issue of Energy & Sustainability Connections includes a feature on how Project 2025 could upend federal ESG policies, the Mintz 2024 Energy Transition Summit, FERC’s landmark interconnection and transmission reforms, and Corporate Transparency Act compliance, plus energy policy news from Washington, litigation, a roundup of recent M&A activity, and information on upcoming industry events.
Navigating the Post-Chevron Landscape at FERC: What Clean Energy Companies Really Need to Know
July 16, 2024 | Webinar | By Steven Shparber, Omar Bustami
Learn about upcoming energy industry events, including the EnergyBar Summer Rooftop Party.
FERC’s Landmark Transmission Order: Takeaways for Clean Energy and Energy Storage Companies
May 21, 2024 | Article | By Steven Shparber, Omar Bustami, Julia Hutchinson Morton
Read about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order No. 1920, a Final Rule relating to long-term regional planning and regional cost allocation, and how it could impact those developing, owning, and investing in clean energy generation and electric storage resources.
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — May 2024
May 1, 2024 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Omar Bustami
This issue of Energy & Sustainability Connections includes features on essential annual actions for start-up boards and AtmosZero, a company focused on decarbonizing steam through heat-pump boiler technology, plus energy policy news from Washington, litigation updates, a roundup of recent M&A activity, and information on upcoming industry events.
NERC Submits Work Plan for New Reliability Requirements to Apply to Inverter-Based Resources
January 26, 2024 | Article | By Steven Shparber, Omar Bustami
Read about NERC’s strategic Work Plan for implementing new reliability standards for inverter-based resources (IRBs) in response to FERC Order No. 901. Learn more about NERC’s comprehensive plan addressing the rapid growth and integration of IBRs like solar PV, wind, and battery storage into the bulk power system.
Electric Storage Resource Growth and Deployment: A Tale of Two Markets
December 8, 2023 | Article | By Steven Shparber, Omar Bustami, Manushi Desai
Read about some of the significant drivers of the rapid growth of electric storage resources seen in California and Texas, the market participation opportunities available to electric storage owners in both states, and regulatory and interconnection challenges facing electric storage developers more generally.
Energy & Sustainability Event Highlights — December 2023
December 1, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Omar Bustami
Learn about upcoming energy industry events, including Holiday in the Hubs events and an SEIA webinar titled Spotlighting Construction Inclusion in the Solar Industry.
Energy & Sustainability M&A Activity — December 2023
December 1, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Omar Bustami
Read about recent M&A activity in the energy and sustainability space, including Superior Industries’ acquisition of Cemco, a manufacturer of vertical shaft impact crushers.
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — December 2023
December 1, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Omar Bustami
This issue of Energy & Sustainability Connections includes features on US-Canada Critical Mineral, EV Battery, and Semiconductor Cross-Border Supply Chain Issues, Copernic Catalysts, Inc., plus a legal guide for energy companies using AI, energy policy news from Washington, litigation updates, a roundup of recent M&A activity, and a list of upcoming industry events.
What Regulatory and Commercial Challenges Are Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Facing? — Insights from Mintz’s Second Annual Energy Transition Summit
October 26, 2023 | Article
During the What Regulatory and Commercial Challenges Are Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Facing? fireside chat at Mintz’s Second Annual Energy Transition Summit, Mintz Member Steven Shparber and attorney Omar Bustami discussed the regulatory and commercial challenges facing utility-scale renewable energy projects.
News & Press
FERC’s Landmark Interconnection and Transmission Reforms: What Are They, and Will They Survive?
October 9, 2024
Member Steven Shparber and Associates Omar Bustami and Julia Hutchinson Morton co-authored an article in PV Tech about the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission introducing significant transmission reforms aimed at easing interconnection bottlenecks.
Closing 80+ Deals in 2023 Totaling $4B - Mintz Continues Commitment to Energy Transition
February 12, 2024
Mintz’s Energy & Sustainability practice continued its commitment to energy transition with more than 80 deal closings totaling $4 billion over the past 12 months, as global investment in energy transition showed continued strength in an overall down market.
Events & Speaking
Navigating the Post-Chevron Landscape at FERC: What Clean Energy Companies Really Need to Know
Virtual Webinar
Recent Insights
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — November 2024
November 1, 2024| Article|
Member Steven Shparber and Associates Omar Bustami and Julia Hutchinson Morton co-authored an article in PV Tech about the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission introducing significant transmission reforms aimed at easing interconnection bottlenecks.
