K.C. HAIRSTON is a Partner in the firm's Energy section. Prior to joining Balch & Bingham, Mr. Hairston worked as an engineer for Southern Company Services, Inc. and Bechtel Engineering, Inc. Since being appointed by Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid in 2003, Mr. Hairston has also served part-time as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Birmingham.

Mr. Hairston's practice at Balch & Bingham focuses on energy trading, power purchase/sale contracts, FERC compliance, NRC compliance, atomic energy law, nuclear power plant safety and security, nuclear power plant relicensing, energy legislation, governmental agency investigations, supplier diversity, energy-related litigation, power plant siting and transmission issues.

Experience:

• Power Purchase/Sale Contracts - Mr. Hairston has negotiated and drafted numerous power purchase and sale contracts for utilities, including the WSPP and EEI master agreements.
• Wholesale Energy Reporting Requirements - Mr. Hairston advises numerous utilities (of all sizes) of the federal reporting obligations resulting from wholesale power transactions. Mr. Hairston also prepares and files Electric Quarterly Reports (EQRs) for several utilities.
• FERC Compliance Issues - Mr. Hairston has substantial experience in advising utilities across the United States on compliance with FERC rulemakings and initiatives. In this regard, Mr. Hairston works with FERC staff on a regular basis to better understand compliance issues.
• NERC Compliance Issues - Mr. Hairston has participated in the development of NERC’s Reliability Standards. Mr. Hairston also works with clients on NERC and Regional Entity compliance issues and has coordinated an internal onsite pre-audit review.
• NRC Compliance Issues - Mr. Hairston has represented utilities and companies regarding NRC compliance issues.
• Nuclear Plant Safety and Security - Mr. Hairston has drafted internal company policies and advised clients on issues relating to nuclear safety and security. Mr. Hairston has also drafted legislation relating to nuclear safety and security.
• Nuclear Power Plant Relicensing - Mr. Hairston has advised clients on issues relating to nuclear plant relicensing and has assisted in the preparation of three relicensing applications.
• Energy Legislation - Mr. Hairston has assisted clients in drafting several bills concerning energy-related issues.
• Government Agency Investigations - Mr. Hairston has represented clients in several governmental agency investigations concerning energy-related issues.
• Supplier Diversity - Mr. Hairston advises clients on a regular basis regarding supplier diversity issues and has assisted in the preparation of several supplier diversity related filings with the General Services Administration (GSA).
• Energy-Related Litigation - Mr. Hairston has advised and represented several clients through the litigation process. In this regard, Mr. Hairston has also represented clients before the United States Court of Federal Claims.
• Power Plant Siting - Mr. Hairston has advised clients on numerous power plant siting issues, including local moratoriums, state environmental laws, fees and current state applicants.