Photo of Richard J. Aaron

Richard J. Aaron Member

Areas of Practice

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 1983

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 1983

Olivet College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1979

Rick Aaron is a Member in the Energy Industry Group with a focus on traditional utilities, nuclear, coal and natural gas-fired power production, bio-mass plant operations, independent power production, renewable energy, cogeneration, natural gas pipelines, transportation, storage and distribution, oil and gas development and production and end user issues.  Mr. Aaron has appeared before regulatory agencies, state and federal courts, as well as negotiating energy contracts and general business matters.

Experience

Mr. Aaron has advised and represented public utilities and other energy providers on complex matters involving:

  • rate increase requests
  • power supply and gas cost recovery
  • depreciation, securities, tax and accounting matters
  • certificates of public convenience and necessity for transmission lines, pipelines, natural gas storage fields and nuclear power plants
  • natural gas purchase and storage agreements
  • sales of utility and non- utility assets
  • natural gas transportation and interconnection agreements
  • renewable energy plans and purchase agreements
  • energy waste reduction plans

He has also:

  • assisted in negotiating pipeline construction and service agreements 
  • assisted senior management to develop strategy based on legal and regulatory considerations
  • assisted and advised utility industry stakeholders on data privacy and security regulatory reporting rules and planning
  • negotiated easements and rights of way
  • advised municipal utility management on operation and energy related matters
  • advised clients on landfill gas, waste to energy and renewable energy production
  • advised property managers and developers on utility purchases and sales for resale to tenants
  • assisted in negotiating EPC contracts for solar and fuel cell renewable energy projects
  • assisted in negotiating battery storage agreements 
  • advised clients on hydroelectric generation and dam operations
  • negotiated power purchase and sale agreements (EEI) and credit related agreements, natural gas purchase and sale agreements (NAESB)

In re Indiana Michigan Power Co, Opinion & Order, MPSC Case No. U-17026 (January 28, 2013) – involving the first of its kind certificate of necessity for a nuclear power plant

Attorney General v Public Service Comm, 297 Mich App 332 (2012)

In re Application of Indiana Michigan Power Co, 275 Mich App 369 (2007) cert was denied in the US Supreme Court

Midwest Energy Coop v Public Service Comm, 286 Mich App 521 (2005)

Ameritech Michigan v Public Service Comm, 235 Mich App 523 (1999)

Attorney General v Public Service Comm, 308 (1999)

Consumers Power Co v Public Service Comm, 196 Mich App 436 (1992)

Consumers Power Co v Public Service Comm, 192 Mich App 180 (1990)

Consumers Power Co v Public Service Comm, 189 Mich App 151 (1989)

  • Michigan Electric Utility Law Seminar
    June 14, 2017
  • Understanding Easements, Rights of Way and Utility Easements, Lansing, Michigan
    July 2010
  • The New Cable Rate Regulation: Cable Act of 1992, Michigan Municipal League
    April 1993
  • "Glidepath to Compliance: Managing the Regulatory Risk/Reform Trajectory in Educational Facility Enterprises"
    January/February, 2008
    APPA Facilities Manager, Vol 24, No. 1
  • "The Effect of Section 366 of the US Bankruptcy Code on Relations Between Public Utilities and Customers In Bankruptcy"
    1983
    Cooley Law Review, Vol 1, No. 3, 1983

Memberships & Involvement

State Bar of Michigan

    • Administrative and Regulatory Law Section, Council - Chairperson 2014-2015
    • Foundation Life Fellow

American Bar Association

Ingham County Bar Association

Community/Civic Activities

Saint Joseph Church, Saint Johns, Michigan

  • Pastoral Counsel
  • Education Trust Foundation

Kiwanis Club of Lansing

Knights of Columbus

East Lansing Cable Communications Commission, Chairperson, 1992-1994

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Administrative/Regulatory Law and Energy Law, 2007-Present. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC

Named "Lawyer of the Year," Energy Law, Lansing, Michigan by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020

Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers®  2008-2009, 2011-Present

Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Public Utilities: Gas/Water/Electric by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014 - 2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company

Man of the Year, Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, 1990