Belton Zeigler, one of South Carolina’s most experienced environmental and energy law attorneys, has joined Womble Carlyle’s Columbia office.
As chief legal counsel to South Carolina Electric & Gas, Zeigler has participated as a lead attorney in seven general gas electric rate cases and numerous smaller proceedings. He worked with the South Carolina General Assembly to draft the Base Load Review Act and the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act.
He also was the lead attorney for the effort to create a regional transmission organization for South and North Carolina. Zeigler has represented clients before the South Carolina Public Service Commission in more than 20 major regulatory proceedings and advises a number of major publicly owned water and sewer utilities in contractual and rate matters. His experience also includes completing multi-million dollar natural gas supply agreements.
“Womble Carlyle is a good fit for my practice and my clients,” Zeigler said. “The firm has a focus on client service, a strong presence in South Carolina, and a great deal of experience serving utility and energy companies.”
Zeigler is a founding board member of the Congaree Land Trust and a Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. He comes to Womble Carlyle from Pope Zeigler, where he was the firm’s Managing Partner and head of the Regulatory and Utility Practice Department.
“Belton needs no introduction—not in South Carolina, and not to those of us in the practice of environmental law,” said Ric Morton, leader of Womble Carlyle’s Environmental and Energy Team. “We are glad to have him on our team.”
Kevin Hall, Managing Partner of Womble Carlyle’s Columbia office, said, “Womble Carlyle is committed to South Carolina, and adding a top talent like Belton to our office is further proof of that. We look forward to serving utility and energy clients from right here in Columbia.”