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Experience
Regulatory Litigation
Representation of Utilities Before State Regulatory Commissions
Represents energy clients in administrative proceedings before state regulatory boards and commissions, including the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. These proceedings include rulemakings, general rate cases, power cost only rate cases, accounting petitions, petitions for declaratory orders, tariff filings, applications for transfers of property, and applications for mergers.
Alternative Ratemaking Proceedings
- Successfully obtained approval in Washington for innovative alternatives to traditional ratemaking for electric and natural gas utility, including an expedited rate filing and decoupling mechanism.
- Negotiated settlement for Midwest electric utility avoiding need for filing general rate case.
Pipeline Safety Proceedings
Represents natural gas utilities in pipeline safety enforcement actions and other proceedings before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
Puget Holdings LLC and Puget Sound Energy, Inc.'s 2007 Merger Proceeding (Electric and Natural Gas)
Represented Puget Holdings LLC and Puget Sound Energy, Inc. in obtaining regulatory approval from Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission of a $7.4 billion merger transaction, pursuant to which Puget Holdings LLC, a group of long-term infrastructure investors, acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Puget Energy Inc., and its wholly-owned utility subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy Inc.
Litigation
City of Burlington v. Skagit County
Successfully defended utility in land use petition challenge to shoreline permit.
Qwest v. Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Represented Qwest in federal district court, in a successful challenge to a Commission order regarding reciprocal compensation.
Owen v. North Kitsap School District
Successfully defended school district in land use petition challenge to permitting for new high school.
Puget Sound Energy, Inc. v. Kirchhofer
Represented utility in condemnation action including obtaining order of public use and necessity.
Puget Sound Energy, Inc. Condemnation/Kittitas County
Represented Puget Sound Energy, Inc. as condemnor in 450 party condemnation case.
Appellate
Citoli v. City of Seattle
State Court of Appeals of Washington
Affirmance of trial court's summary judgment dismissal of breach of contract, breach of tariff, tort and constitutional claims against utility defendant. 61 P.3d 1165 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002)
Seattle Pump v. Traders & Gen. Insurance
Affirmed trial court's summary judgment dismissal for insurance company on breach of contract and consumer protection act claims. 970 P.2d 361 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999)
