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William M. Flynn

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wflynn@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (518) 701-2711  
- Albany, NY Office
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William Flynn
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Representative Matters
Resources
Distinctions

Bill advises businesses and organizations on energy related matters, strategic planning initiatives regarding economic development, state and federal regulatory affairs and policy decisions. He is a key member of the Harris Beach Murtha Energy Industry Team and advises clients on local, state and federal governmental affairs. Notably, Bill and his team are representing the renewables developer who filed the first ever solar-only Article 10 project at the New York State Public Service Commission, as well as developers of offshore wind capabilities tied to New York’s nation-leading efforts regarding climate change.

Bill is known for his experience with regulatory policies related to electricity, gas, water and telecommunications services. He served as Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission (NYS PSC) from February 2003 to December 2006. Prior to serving as Chairman of the NYS PSC, he was President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), where he also served as vice president, treasurer and secretary to the board of NYSERDA from 1999 to 2003. As NYS PSC Chairman, Bill also served on NYSERDA’s Board of Directors and as Chair of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. He is a former board member of the New York State Environmental Board, the New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission, and former co-chairman of the New York Telecommunications Reliability Advisory Council. He was appointed by the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as vice-chairman of the federal Joint Board on Economic Dispatch for the Northeast Region. He also served as a member of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners Electricity Committee and chaired the Telecommunications Legislative Task Force.

Bill served as First Deputy Attorney General, Chief of Staff, and Special Counsel in the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 1995 to 1998 to New York State Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco. In the early 1990’s, he was an Assistant United States Attorney and executive assistant in the Western District of New York from 1992 to 1995. Before joining the U.S. Department of Justice, Bill served as an executive assistant to then U.S. Congressman Bill Paxon. He began his legal career as an assistant Erie County prosecutor. Prior to law school, Mr. Flynn worked as an executive assistant to two successive New York State Assembly Minority Leaders, Clarence D. Rappleyea, Jr. and James L. Emery.

Insights
June 24, 2024

New York State Seeks Latest Round of Renewable Energy Projects to Fuel Climate Goals

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s latest land-based renewable energy solicitation.
June 19, 2024

NY Energy Brokers and Consultants Have Until July 31 to Register

New York’s Public Service Commission extended deadline for energy brokers and consultants to register with the Department of Public Service
March 14, 2024

NYPA Takes Next Step Towards Renewable Energy Development – Issues RFQ

The NYPA issued a request for qualifications to renewable energy companies interested in developing renewable energy projects.
December 4, 2023

New York Makes $100 million Available for Schools Districts to Convert to Electric Buses

An upcoming webinar will provide school districts the chance to learn about Governor Hochul’s plans for electric school buses.
February 22, 2023

New Transmission Upgrades Provide Developers Opportunity to Capitalize on Renewable Energy

The NYS Public Service Commission authorized electric utilities to develop transmission upgrades to integrate renewable energy projects
September 23, 2022

New York State to Fund Sixth Round of Renewable Energy Projects

On September 21, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s sixth annual solicitation of large-scale renewable energy projects.
September 2, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act to Energize Renewables and Energy Transition Projects

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”), signed by President Biden into law on August 16, promises to further invigorate an already
March 4, 2021

New York Finalizes Regulations for Renewable Energy Project Review

Earlier this week, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting finalized and enacted the new regulations required by the New York Accelerated Rene
News
September 29, 2026

41 Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys Selected to 2026 Upstate New York Super Lawyers® and Super Lawyers: Rising Stars® Lists

The list recognizes accomplished attorneys who have achieved a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
August 20, 2026

123 Harris Beach Murtha Lawyers Recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients; 10 Earn “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Best Lawyers honorees are selected through a peer-review process evaluating professional excellence within specific practice areas and geogr
September 29, 2025

36 Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys Selected to 2025 Upstate New York Super Lawyers® and Super Lawyers: Rising Stars® Lists

Super Lawyers is a national ranking service of accomplished attorneys who have achieved a high degree of professional achievement.
September 2, 2025

New Leader to Guide Harris Beach Murtha’s Energy Industry Team

Attorney John T. McManus, who has more than two decades of experience in energy law, is the new leader.
August 21, 2025

More Than 100 Harris Beach Murtha Lawyers Recognized as 2026 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients; 11 Earn “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Best Lawyers provides trusted, peer-reviewed recognition of top legal professionals, helping clients find credible, experienced counsel.
May 30, 2025

Daniel R. Canavan Quoted in Law360 Story About Joining Harris Beach Murtha

The story highlights Dan’s career and reasons he joined Harris Beach Murtha.
August 22, 2024

30 Harris Beach Attorneys Named in 2024 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Edition

Nine attorneys were named Upstate New York Rising Stars, a category that focuses on attorneys who have practiced for 10 years or less.
June 7, 2024

Chambers USA 2024 Rankings Recognize Nine Harris Beach Attorneys and Six Practice Areas

Nine Harris Beach PLLC attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers in Business.
Events

Harris Beach Energy Team Sponsors the 2024 Independent Power Producers of New York Spring Conference

March 19, 2024
Bill Flynn featured as speaker for panel on 25th anniversary of competitive wholesale markets.

20th Anniversary of the Northeast Blackout: Lessons for Today’s Grid Reliability

August 14, 2023
Energy industry team leader Bill Flynn to participate in WIRES webinar on 20th Anniversary of the Northeast Blackout

Harris Beach Sponsoring the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Annual Winter Policy Summit

February 12, 2023

Bill Flynn Moderating Panel and Harris Beach Sponsoring The Business Council of New York State 2022 Renewable Energy Conference

June 22, 2022
Energy industry team leader Bill Flynn will also be moderating a panel on June 22 titled, Charting the Course toward 2050 – Moderated Discus

Harris Beach Sponsoring 36th Annual IPPNY Spring Conference

May 17, 2022
Harris Beach will sponsor the 36th Annual IPPNY Spring Conference on May 17 – May 18. Bill Flynn, leader of the Harris Beach energy ind

Harris Beach Sponsoring 2022 Electric Power Supply Association Competitive Power Summit

March 29, 2022
Harris Beach will sponsor the 2022 Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) Competitive Power Summit, being held on March 29 from 7:30 AM –

Harris Beach to Sponsor National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Annual Winter Policy Summit

February 13, 2022
Harris Beach will again sponsor the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Annual Winter Policy Summit, being held

Bill Flynn to Moderate Business Council of New York State Webinar on Blueprint for a Low Carbon Economy – Key Issues for Business

February 3, 2022
Bill Flynn, Leader of the Energy industry team at Harris Beach, will moderate a webinar hosted by the Business Council of New York State on
External Publications

Professional and Civic

  • Bethlehem Basketball Club, former board member
  • Board of Trustees of Le Moyne College, former member
  • Capital District YMCA, Board of Advisors

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers, Energy and Natural Resources Law, 2008-2009; since 2011
  • Best Lawyers, Energy Law, since 2013
  • Best Lawyers, Energy Regulatory Law, since 2013
  • Chambers USA, New York – Energy: State Regulatory & Wholesale Electric Market, 2019 to 2024
  • Best Lawyers, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021
Admissions
New YorkU.S. District Court, New York - Northern District
Education

University of Dayton School of Law

JD 
1987
cum laude

LeMoyne College

BA 
1980
magna cum laude

Capabilities

Legal Practices

Member of:

Government Compliance and Investigations

Industry Teams

Leader for:

Member of:

Energy
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William Flynn

William M. Flynn

Member

wflynn@harrisbeachmurtha.com
Capabilities
People
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
William Flynn

William M. Flynn

wflynn@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (518) 701-2711
Albany, NY Office

Profile

Bill advises businesses and organizations on energy related matters, strategic planning initiatives regarding economic development, state and federal regulatory affairs and policy decisions. He is a key member of the Harris Beach Murtha Energy Industry Team and advises clients on local, state and federal governmental affairs. Notably, Bill and his team are representing the renewables developer who filed the first ever solar-only Article 10 project at the New York State Public Service Commission, as well as developers of offshore wind capabilities tied to New York’s nation-leading efforts regarding climate change.

Bill is known for his experience with regulatory policies related to electricity, gas, water and telecommunications services. He served as Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission (NYS PSC) from February 2003 to December 2006. Prior to serving as Chairman of the NYS PSC, he was President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), where he also served as vice president, treasurer and secretary to the board of NYSERDA from 1999 to 2003. As NYS PSC Chairman, Bill also served on NYSERDA’s Board of Directors and as Chair of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. He is a former board member of the New York State Environmental Board, the New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission, and former co-chairman of the New York Telecommunications Reliability Advisory Council. He was appointed by the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as vice-chairman of the federal Joint Board on Economic Dispatch for the Northeast Region. He also served as a member of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners Electricity Committee and chaired the Telecommunications Legislative Task Force.

Bill served as First Deputy Attorney General, Chief of Staff, and Special Counsel in the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 1995 to 1998 to New York State Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco. In the early 1990's, he was an Assistant United States Attorney and executive assistant in the Western District of New York from 1992 to 1995. Before joining the U.S. Department of Justice, Bill served as an executive assistant to then U.S. Congressman Bill Paxon. He began his legal career as an assistant Erie County prosecutor. Prior to law school, Mr. Flynn worked as an executive assistant to two successive New York State Assembly Minority Leaders, Clarence D. Rappleyea, Jr. and James L. Emery.

Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Member of:

Government Compliance and Investigations

Industry Teams

Leader for:

Member of:

Energy
Please select listing to show.

Admissions

New YorkU.S. District Court, New York - Northern District

Distinctions

Professional and Civic

  • Bethlehem Basketball Club, former board member
  • Board of Trustees of Le Moyne College, former member
  • Capital District YMCA, Board of Advisors

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers, Energy and Natural Resources Law, 2008-2009; since 2011
  • Best Lawyers, Energy Law, since 2013
  • Best Lawyers, Energy Regulatory Law, since 2013
  • Chambers USA, New York – Energy: State Regulatory & Wholesale Electric Market, 2019 to 2024
  • Best Lawyers, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2026 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Content current as of October 17, 2026 5:36 am