Karen M. McGaffey

Karen McGaffey's practice involves the full range of environmental issues. She assists clients with project development, permitting, compliance and regulatory matters under state and federal land use and environmental statues, including the National and State Environmental Policy Acts (NEPA/SEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). She represents clients in environmental litigation, including CERCLA and MTCA cost recovery actions, natural resource damage claims, government enforcement actions, citizen suits and lawsuits challenging permits and regulatory developments. She also assists with due diligence investigations and other environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions.

Karen's practice focuses particular emphasis on energy project development and facility siting. She assists clients in the development of all sorts of energy facilities, including natural gas-fired power plants, wood-fired cogeneration facilities, wind power projects, electric transmission lines, and pipelines carrying oil, petroleum products, natural gas and hydrogen. She advises clients on greenhouse gas mitigation requirements and opportunities. She also assists clients with legislative and regulatory matters concerning energy facility siting, climate change, renewable energy credits and renewable energy portfolio standards.

Professional Leadership

• American Bar Association Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Section, Committee on Water Quality, Vice Chair, 1997 - 2006
• Washington State Bar Association
• Colorado State Bar Association
• Northwest Women’s Law Center, Board of Directors, 1995-2001; President 1998 to 1999 

Related Employment

• Bogle & Gates P.L.L.C., Seattle, WA, Member, 1997 - 1999
• Bogle & Gates P.L.L.C., Seattle, WA, Associate, 1990 - 1997

Clerkships

• Hon. George Lohr, Colorado Supreme Court, 1989 - 1990