Energy, Utilities & Renewables

Tonkon Torp has one of the Pacific Northwest’s deepest energy and utility practices.

We have a long history of providing valuable counsel to traditional utilities on regulatory, finance, permitting, and ownership issues, and to developers and investors in the wind, solar, and other renewable energy sectors.

Our energy law attorneys handle real estate, title, permitting, regulatory, financing, and corporate matters on a wide range of energy projects across the country.

We keep up to date with the evolving energy policy landscape and help clients navigate the complex business environment at the intersection of energy law and public policy.

Our expertise extends to a broad range of energy and utility matters, including:

  • Generation, transmission, and distribution
  • Development, construction, and operations
  • Financing, taxation, and state and federal incentive programs
  • Regulatory compliance and administrative law
  • Real estate, title, land use, siting, and permitting
  • Environmental regulation
  • Litigation and appeals
  • Corporate governance, mergers, and acquisitions
  • Public policy and government relations
  • Transactional due diligence
  • Bond financing

Utilities

Utilities come to Tonkon Torp because of our long-standing reputation for excellence providing legal services in both the regulated utility and independent power producer sectors. We represent utility clients before the public utilities commissions of Oregon and Washington, the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council, the Bonneville Power Administration, and state and federal courts.

Litigation

Utility and energy clients turn to Tonkon Torp to handle their most difficult problems. Our attorneys have substantial expertise litigating energy-related matters, including representing clients in federal courts, state courts, arbitration, at trial, and on appeal. We have appeared before both state and federal regulators.

Our energy litigation experience includes:

  • Contract litigation
  • Utility, regulatory, and rate-making proceedings
  • Energy project construction disputes
  • Government investigations
  • Antitrust claims
  • Service territory disputes

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Services + Industries

Services + Industries

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3491, 3559
Partner
Adam
Adkin
503.802.2187
adam.adkin@tonkon.com
Partner
Rachel
Atchison
503.802.5732
rachel.atchison@tonkon.com
Associate
Yalda
Bahramian
503.802.5755
yalda.bahramian@tonkon.com
Associate
Paul
Balmer
503.802.5745
paul.balmer@tonkon.com
Business Paralegal
Karen
Bartley
503.802.2140
karen.bartley@tonkon.com
Associate
Jessica
Bernardini
503.802.2125
jessica.bernardini@tonkon.com
Partner
Lauren
Bernton
503.802.2144
lauren.bernton@tonkon.com
Partner
Owen
Blank
503.802.2011
owen.blank@tonkon.com
3499, 3523
Partner
Ryan
Bledsoe
503.802.2120
ryan.bledsoe@tonkon.com
Partner
Jeff
Bradford
503.802.5724
jeff.bradford@tonkon.com
3505
Partner
Kristin
Bremer Moore
503.802.2154
kristin.bremer@tonkon.com
3561
Partner
Claire
Brown
503.802.5731
claire.brown@tonkon.com
Partner
Bob
Carey
503.802.2032
bob.carey@tonkon.com
Estate Planning Paralegal
AnDee
Compton
503.802.2183
andee.compton@tonkon.com
3423, 3537
Partner
Paul
Conable
503.802.2188
paul.conable@tonkon.com
Associate
Sadie
Concepción
503.802.5773
sadie.concepcion@tonkon.com
3493
Partner
Timothy
Conway
503.802.2027
tim.conway@tonkon.com
Partner
Sherrill
Corbett
503.802.2049
sherrill.corbett@tonkon.com
Associate
Timothy
Costello
503.802.2193
timothy.costello@tonkon.com
Partner
Clay
Creps
503.802.2059
clay.creps@tonkon.com
3501, 3495, 3574, 3491, 3559
Partner
Jeffrey
Cronn
503.802.2048
jeff.cronn@tonkon.com
Partner
Rocky
Dallum
503.802.2175
rocky.dallum@tonkon.com
Associate
Sam
DeBaltzo
503.802.5772
sam.debaltzo@tonkon.com
Partner
Justin
Denton
503.802.2117
justin.denton@tonkon.com
Immigration Paralegal
Mary
Dynowski
503.802.5701
mary.dynowski@tonkon.com
Immigration Paralegal
Kristen
Erán
503.802.2108
kristen.eran@tonkon.com
3531
Partner
Christopher
Erickson
503.802.2177
chris.erickson@tonkon.com
Associate
Rosalie
Fatta
503.802.2031
rosalie.fatta@tonkon.com
Bankruptcy Paralegal
Spencer
Fisher
503.802.2167
spencer.fisher@tonkon.com
Partner
Michael
Fletcher
503.802.2169
michael.fletcher@tonkon.com
Partner
David
Forman
503.802.2023
david.forman@tonkon.com
Intellectual Property Paralegal
Lisa
Gabel
503.802.2173
lisa.gabel@tonkon.com
3543
Partner
Will
Gent
503.802.5767
will.gent@tonkon.com
Litigation Paralegal
Elizabeth
Goodman
503.802.2103
elizabeth.goodman@tonkon.com
Partner
Stephanie
Grant
503.802.5736
stephanie.grant@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Kyle
Grant
503.802.2092
kyle.grant@tonkon.com
Partner
Ronald
Greenman
503.802.2006
ron.greenman@tonkon.com
Immigration Paralegal
Gayle
Griffin
503.802.2099
gayle.griffin@tonkon.com
3567
Partner
Gwendolyn
Griffith
503.802.2102
gwen.griffith@tonkon.com
3529
Partner
Drew
Hagedorn
503.802.5757
drew.hagedorn@tonkon.com
Associate
Mick
Harris
503.802.5765
mick.harris@tonkon.com
3535, 3545, 3547
Partner
Caroline
Harris Crowne
503.802.2056
caroline.harris.crowne@tonkon.com
Partner
James
Hein
503.802.2129
james.hein@tonkon.com
Associate
Matt
Heldt
503.802.2135
matt.heldt@tonkon.com
3447
Partner
Ted
Herzog
503.802.2033
ted.herzog@tonkon.com
Partner
Karen
Hobson
503.802.2136
karen.hobson@tonkon.com
Business Paralegal
Samantha
Holly
503.802.2118
sam.holly@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Jarell
Hunt
503.802.5776
jarell.hunt@tonkon.com
Associate
Josie
Jeremiah
503.802.2146
josie.jeremiah@tonkon.com
Associate
Jordan
Jeter
503.802.2076
jordan.jeter@tonkon.com
Associate
Samantha
Klausen
503.802.2124
samantha.klausen@tonkon.com
Partner
Blerina
Kotori
503.802.2055
blerina.kotori@tonkon.com
Partner
Melina
LaMorticella
503.802.2122
melina.lamorticella@tonkon.com
Partner
Mark
LeRoux
503.802.2022
mark.leroux@tonkon.com
Associate
Eric
Levine
503.802.2072
eric.levine@tonkon.com
Business & Real Estate Paralegal
Laura
Lindberg
503.802.2128
laura.lindberg@tonkon.com
Estate Planning Paralegal
Alysa
Long
503.802.2086
alysa.long@tonkon.com
3572
Of Counsel
Maureen
McGee
503.802.5726
maureen.mcgee@tonkon.com
3503, 3531
Partner
Parna
Mehrbani
503.802.2170
parna.mehrbani@tonkon.com
3497
Partner
Brenda
Meltebeke
503.802.2088
brenda.meltebeke@tonkon.com
Partner
Michael
Millender
503.802.2164
michael.millender@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Max
Miller Jr.
503.802.2030
max.miller@tonkon.com
Partner
Christopher
Morehead
503.802.2035
christopher.morehead@tonkon.com
3569
Partner
Jessica
Morgan
503.802.2165
jessica.morgan@tonkon.com
Associate
Gracey
Nagle
503.802.5753
gracey.nagle@tonkon.com
Litigation Paralegal
David
Namdar
503.802.2095
david.namdar@tonkon.com
3572
Partner
Danny
Newman
503.802.2089
danny.newman@tonkon.com
Attorney
Steven
Olson
503.802.2159
steven.olson@tonkon.com
Senior Counsel
Turid
Owren
503.802.2045
turid.owren@tonkon.com
3525, 3414, 3499
Partner
Christopher
Pallanch
503.802.2104
christopher.pallanch@tonkon.com
Partner
Thomas
Palmer
503.802.2018
tom.palmer@tonkon.com
Business Paralegal
Allan
Patterson
503.802.2021
allan.patterson@tonkon.com
Intellectual Property Paralegal
Renee
Peck
503.802.2197
renee.peck@tonkon.com
3509
Partner
Alan
Perkins
503.802.2127
alan.perkins@tonkon.com
3513, 3569
Partner
David
Petersen
503.802.2054
david.petersen@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Sasha
Petrova
503.802.2130
sasha.petrova@tonkon.com
Case Manager Paralegal
Ellen
Previdelli
503.802.2171
ellen.previdelli@tonkon.com
Business Paralegal
Laney
Quigley
503.802.2017
laney.quigley@tonkon.com
Partner
Megan
Reuther
503.802.2174
megan.reuther@tonkon.com
Case Manager Paralegal
Erika
Robles
503.802.2097
erika.robles@tonkon.com
3521
Partner
John
Rosenfeld
503.802.2010
john.rosenfeld@tonkon.com
Associate
Kate
Roth
503.802.2189
kate.roth@tonkon.com
3462
Partner
Ferdinand
Ruplin
503.802.2029
ferdie.ruplin@tonkon.com
Managing Partner
Kurt
Ruttum
503.802.2043
kurt.ruttum@tonkon.com
Immigration Paralegal
Gabriel
Santos
503.802.2155
gabriel.santos@tonkon.com
Partner
Melany
Savitt
503.802.2179
melany.savitt@tonkon.com
Associate
Zack
Schick
503.802.2065
zack.schick@tonkon.com
Partner
Drea
Schmidt
503.802.5703
drea.schmidt@tonkon.com
Partner
Ava
Schoen
503.802.2143
ava.schoen@tonkon.com
3515
Partner
Jeanette
Schuster
503.802.2114
jeanette.schuster@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Leon
Simson
503.802.2067
leon.simson@tonkon.com
3423, 3553
Partner
Dan
Skerritt
503.802.2024
dan.skerritt@tonkon.com
Partner
Josh
Smith
503.802.2191
josh.smith@tonkon.com
3574, 3555
Partner
Anna
Sortun
503.802.2107
anna.sortun@tonkon.com
3563
Partner
Kimberlee
Stafford
503.802.2062
kimberlee.stafford@tonkon.com
Of Counsel
Darian
Stanford
503.802.2028
darian.stanford@tonkon.com
Litigation Paralegal
Larissa
Stec
503.802.2148
larissa.stec@tonkon.com
Partner
Jon
Stride
503.802.2034
jon.stride@tonkon.com
Associate
Samantha
Taylor
503.802.2042
samantha.taylor@tonkon.com
Partner
Alex
Tinker
503.802.5734
alex.tinker@tonkon.com

Tonkon Torp Guides Unique Renewable Energy Project Through Key Phases

Tonkon Torp has worked on the project at key stages throughout its lifespan. Led by David Petersen, the firm first helped the original developer obtain land rights and evaluate title issues. In 2013, the developer and Tonkon Torp began a four-year process to secure the project’s site certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council.

Albina Head Start Turns on First Solar-Powered Building with Assist from Tonkon Torp

When Albina Head Start learned it was awarded a Blue Sky Fund grant to install a rooftop solar array on one of its buildings, it turned to its long-time pro bono legal partner, Tonkon Torp. The nonprofit organization knew that it would need legal guidance to ensure that it could meet the terms laid out in the grant’s detailed and binding Memo of Understanding.

Tonkon Torp Obtains First-of-its-Kind Site Certificate for Oregon Wind Facility

After obtaining land rights for a 500 megawatt wind energy facility, Tonkon Torp helped Wheatridge file and process the first wind energy project presented to the Siting Council without a specific transmission corridor identified. Find details and more featured cases here.

Tonkon Torp Brings Attorney Power to Renewable Energy Transaction

Tonkon Torp client Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA) is the North American subsidiary of one of the largest corporations in the world, the Italian electricity company Enel S.p.A. Here’s how we helped EGPNA in a renewable energy acquisition.

Solar Project Sale Shines Light on Tonkon Team

Tonkon Torp represented our long-standing client, Obsidian Renewables, in sale of the Black Cap Solar II project to PSEG Solar Source, a New Jersey-based utility. Find details and more featured cases here.

Ninth Circuit Victory Assures Electricity Rate Stability

Representing Portland General Electric (PGE), Tonkon Torp appellate lawyers successfully argued for the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to uphold a settlement by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Find details and more featured cases here.

Representative Matters

ENRON

Tonkon Torp was lead counsel for a former executive officer and board member of Enron in dozens of federal and state court lawsuits in more than 20 states. We represented our client in civil lawsuit proceedings involving the Department of Labor and SEC, and a myriad of other proceeds obtaining favorable settlements to resolve all the proceedings before trial.

Renewable Project Finance

Assisted global renewable energy developer with due diligence to prepare three renewable projects for the capital markets in advance of pending expiration of applicable federal tax credits. 

Site Certificate for Oregon Wind Facility

Represented client to obtain a site certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council to construct a 500 MW wind energy facility in Morrow and Umatilla Counties. The project faced stiff opposition from Umatilla County, some local landowners and a local anti-wind coalition. The project presented unique issues related to energy transmission, as the available corridors to connect the project to the interstate transmission grid were constrained and presented considerable development challenges. After a five-year process, including a contested case before an administrative hearings officer that was resolved by a successful motion for summary judgment over the opposition of the Department of Energy, the Council issued a site certificate authorizing construction of the facility.

Public School Solar Rooftops

Represented public utility in the negotiation of license agreements for the installation of solar facilities on several Portland area school buildings. 

Eastern Oregon Wind Projects and Land Use Appeal

Aided developer in obtaining conditional use permit for a 104 megawatt wind energy facility in eastern Oregon, and successfully defended the permit on appeal. Assisted same developer in obtaining permit from Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council for 500MW wind project.

Eastern Oregon Wind Projects Acquisition

Represented private equity firm in $200 million acquisition and development of five utility-scale wind projects in Eastern Oregon for sale of power to prominent Idaho utility.

DR10/UE88/UM989

Represented Portland General Electric before the Oregon Public Utility Commission in proceedings concerning rate treatment of the company's unamortized investment in the Trojan Electric Power Plant.

Biofuels Development

Represented developer of three major biofuels refineries in the western United States.

Local Financing Counsel

Served as Oregon counsel for consortium of national lenders to complete due diligence for construction financing of utility-scale Eastern Oregon wind project.

National Solar Practice

Provided real estate and title counsel to national renewable energy developer for potential utility-scale solar energy projects in 12 states.

Real Estate Finance Opinion Practice

Provided legal opinions to national lender for loans secured by landowner payment stream under wind energy leases in Oregon and Washington.

Timberland Wind Leases

Assisted utility scale wind developers to negotiate leases for development of privately owned commercial timberlands in Washington and North Carolina.

Midway-Sunset Cogeneration Company v. Southern California Gas

Achieved judgment valued at more than $9 million for a breach of contract case involving a cogeneration facility.

PPM Energy, Inc. v. Black Hills Power, Inc.

Represented an energy marketing company in arbitration claims for breach of an energy exchange agreement. The client was awarded $1.7 million in damages and favorable declaratory relief. The award was reduced to judgment in District Court, Jefferson County, Colorado.

Eastern Washington Wind Projects

Provided real estate counsel to the developer in the development and sale of over 1,250 MW of wind energy on over 100 parcels in eastern Washington. The operating projects are now a part of the renewable energy portfolio of a major Washington utility.

Oregon Solar Highway

Counseled major Oregon utility on corporate, tax, finance and real estate issues surrounding three pioneering solar energy projects in the greater Portland area, including the first two installments of the Oregon Solar Highway, which seeks to use highway rights-of-way and rest stops for solar energy generation.

Oregon Solar Projects

Represented the developer in the development, construction and sale of 7.3 megawatts of solar energy projects in Eastern Oregon, including Oregon's largest operating solar facility, the 5 MW Outback project. 

World's Eighth-Largest Photovoltaic Solar Facility

Provided legal services in connection with the financing of EDF Renewable Energy's 143.2 MW Catalina Solar Project, which became operational in August 2013.  When it opened, the facility in Kern County, California was EDF's largest PV facility in the U.S. and the 8th largest PV facility in the world.

California Solar Development Purchase Options

Negotiated options to sell over 4,800 acres in California's Central Valley for a 700 megawatt potential solar energy project. If built, the projects will generate enough electricity for 300,000 homes.

Association of Public Agency Customers v. Bonneville Power Administration

Represented PGE in this dispute concerning BPA's 2012 Residential Exchange Program settlement. The program allows investor-owned utilities to obtain the benefit of low-cost BPA generated power for residential and small farm customer load. We intervened on the side of BPA to defend the settlement. It upheld on appeal, the settlement fixes exchange benefits for the next 18 years.

Columbia River People's Utility District v. PGE, 40 F Supp 2d 1152

Defeated PUD's claim that agreement concerning utility's exclusive service territory violated federal antitrust law.

Oregon Trail Electric Consumer Cooperative, Inc. v. Catalyst Energy, et al

Represented Oregon Trail Electric Consumer Cooperative, Inc. in a PURPA contract dispute.

PGE v. AMAX, Inc., 909 F2d 1577 (9th Cir)

This was one of several proceedings against AMAX concerning PGE's long-term coal supply agreement for the Boardman electric generating plant.

PGE v. Warm Springs Tribes, U.S. District Court

On behalf of Portland General Electric Company, we overturned a $225 million arbitration award regarding PGE's obligations to the Warm Springs Indians.

Puget Sound Energy, Inc., PacifiCorp and the City of Seattle v. Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington, King County Superior Court Case No. 01-2-22126-4SEA

We intervened in this dispute concerning power sale contracts related to the Priests Rapid Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River. We defeated the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction against Grant County PUD. Our efforts led to summary judgment in defendants' favor.

BPA v. WPPSS, 956 F2d 1497 (9th Cir)

Represented Portland General Electric Company in litigation concerning the allocation of costs among twinned nuclear power plants.

Dreyer v. Portland General Electric Company, 341 Or 262 (2006)

Obtained a writ of mandamus from the Oregon Supreme Court resulting in abatement of consolidated class actions related to the Trojan nuclear power plant.

Wholesale Electricity Antitrust Cases I and II and the People of the State of California v. Portland General Electric Company, et al

Defended a utility in a variety of litigation arising out of the California energy crisis.

Solar Energy Facility

Assisted in the development and sale of several separate solar energy facilities.

Services + Industries

Services + Industries

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We encourage you to contact us if you have further questions about our firm or our experience. For your protection, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Accordingly, please do not send us any confidential or secret information about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from us that we represent you (an engagement letter).

If after browsing this web site you are unsure which lawyer you should contact, please call us at 503.221.1440.