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)
Significant Decisions
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)
Seminars & Speeches
- June 14, 2017
- Understanding Easements, Rights of Way and Utility Easements, Lansing, MichiganJuly 2010
- The New Cable Rate Regulation: Cable Act of 1992, Michigan Municipal LeagueApril 1993
Publications
- "Glidepath to Compliance: Managing the Regulatory Risk/Reform Trajectory in Educational Facility Enterprises"January/February, 2008APPA 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"1983Cooley Law Review, Vol 1, No. 3, 1983
Alerts
- March 23, 2020
Press Releases
- 18 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 20, 2020
- 18 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2019
- 13 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2018
- 10 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2017
- September 1, 2016
- 14 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2016
- September 8, 2015
- 12 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 18, 2015
- September 2, 2014
- August 13, 2014
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
Awards & Recognition
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