Region Area

Lawyers

Vincenzo Franco

Vincenzo Franco

Work Department

Rock Creek Energy Group

Position

Chief Operating Officer / Partner

Career

Vincenzo is one of the four founding partners of Rock Creek Energy Group. Vincenzo represents generation owners and developers, energy traders, private equity firms, financial institutions, and other investors on transactional, regulatory, and compliance matters involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and advises clients on the requirements of the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. ‍ Vincenzo provides regulatory counsel on project development, M&A and financing transactions, participation in energy and capacity markets, and complex structured transactions, including renewable corporate power purchase agreements and offsite renewable solutions.  He advises clients on all aspects of FERC’s market-based rate program, RTO/ISO rules, and the requirements associated with exempt wholesale generator and qualifying facility status.  He regularly helps clients obtain FERC authorization for utility mergers or sales and acquisitions of electric assets in Section 203 proceedings.  Vincenzo also assists clients in developing, maintaining, and auditing effective compliance programs and represents energy companies and individuals in investigations and enforcement actions involving alleged violations of FERC’s anti-manipulation rule, FERC’s duty of candor or RTO/ISO tariff requirements. ‍ Between 2014 and 2019, Vincenzo served as Assistant General Counsel – Wholesale Trading Compliance and then Associate General Counsel at Exelon Corporation, where he led the compliance function for Constellation—the Exelon business unit responsible for wholesale and retail sales of power, gas, and energy products.  In that role, he managed Constellation’s compliance program, reviewed proposed trading strategies, responded to regulatory inquiries, and advised senior leadership on compliance matters and regulatory issues associated with structured transactions.

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School, LL.M., 2001 Syracuse University, M.A., 2000 University of Bologna, LL.B., summa cum laude, 1996