Howard V. Golub
Former Senior Counsel for PG&E brother of Judge Joel Golub former traffic commissioner Walnut Creek Superior Court
At a Glance
Howard is a recognized leader among energy law practitioners in California.
Built on a foundation of decades of experience with both the law and with key decision-makers, Howard consistently develops innovative solutions delivering outstanding results for his clients.
From 1986 to 1994 he was vice president and general counsel of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
At a Glance
Howard is a recognized leader among energy law practitioners in California.
Built on a foundation of decades of experience with both the law and with key decision-makers,
Howard consistently develops innovative solutions delivering outstanding results for his
clients.
From 1986 to 1994 he was vice president and general counsel of the Pacific Gas and Electric
Company.
Howard Golub provides services to a wide range of clients in the energy industry, including
utilities, large consumers, public agencies, independent power producers, and developers of
technologies for the production of energy.
Howard’s work includes strategic planning, merger and acquisition, utility system creation,
franchise agreements, energy project development, contract negotiation and formulation, contract
restructuring and alternative dispute resolution. He makes appearances before a variety of
federal and state agencies.
Howard focuses on clients’ objectives, primarily in the areas of developing new opportunities,
improving their competitiveness and defending existing rights through an integrated
regulatory-transactional approach. For example, he created a strategy that allowed one client to
develop an independent and fully functioning electric distribution enterprise, taking less than
six months from conception to operation — an unprecedented and cost-effective solution. Another
client was facing financial ruin until Howard developed a regulatory strategy to cure several
years of poor decisions by prior management. A third client was saved $350 million in utility
charges.
The energy industry, particularly in California, has been in a state of change for some years
and that process will continue — particularly in the areas of price structures, infrastructure
development, integration of environmental mandates, transmission access, competition, energy
efficiency, renewable energy development, rate design and development of new market entrants.
These changes represent significant opportunity for astute market participants.
Representative matters include:
- Creation of new utility systems and counseling developing systems
- Community choice aggregation
- Feasibility studies involving legal, regulatory, operational and financial issues
- Rulemaking proceedings
- Rate-setting and rate design proceedings
- Discounted power rates
- Utility exit fees
- Utility tariff interpretation and modification
- Power sales agreements, both for sellers and buyers
- Interconnection agreements and transmission access agreements
- Natural gas supply agreements
- Development of renewable resource power projects
- Hydroelectric licensing
- Certificates of public convenience and necessity
- Franchise agreements
- Utility rights-of-way
- Environmental compliance
From 1986 to 1994 Howard was vice president and general counsel of the Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, one of the largest energy utility companies in the United States. He reported directly
to the Board of Directors and to the chief executive officer and served on the company’s
Management Committee consisting of the CEO and 10 other senior officers. As chief legal officer
of the company, he had extensive experience with all aspects of energy law – regulation,
legislation, commercial transactional and litigation. He was also PG&E’s lead environmental
officer, responsible for environmental policy and for auditing environmental compliance. He
formulated and implemented a proactive environmental program which increased competitiveness and
earnings, was strongly endorsed by national environmental leaders, and personally awarded the
nation’s highest environmental medal by the President of the United States.
Prior to entering private practice, Howard was an assistant district attorney for New York
County (1968-1969) and an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Navy
(1969-1973) where he tried numerous courts-martial and later served as a U.S. Military Judge.
After leaving active duty, Howard remained in the Naval Reserves, rising to the rank of
captain.
Howard is admitted to numerous federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D.
- Hunter College, B.A. cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa)
- Naval War College: Senior Reserve Officer Course
- MIT Sloan School of Management: Executive Management Program for General Counsel.
Admissions
- California
- New York
Awards
- Northern California Super Lawyers, Energy, 2004