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, NERC 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. Mr. Hairston is a member of the WSPP Contract Sub-Committee, EEI Agreement Drafting Committee, and EEI Agreement Working Group.
• 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 and conducts onsite mock audits.
• 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 internal onsite pre-audit reviews.
• NRC Compliance Issues - Mr. Hairston routinely provides counsel to utilities and individuals on NRC compliance issues, internal nuclear plant concerns, Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE) issues and has represented numerous individuals and companies through NRC OI investigations.
• 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 approved 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.

• Department of Labor/OSHA - Mr. Hairston has assisted clients in conducting internal investigations associated with Department of Labor complaints and in preparing the associated responses.