Admitted to Practice | Washington, 1979 | | U.S. Supreme Court |
| Craig Gannett focuses his practice in the fields of renewable energy and climate change. He advises clients on a broad range of regulatory matters, including those relating to the licensing of hydroelectric dams, biomass energy development, transmission siting, energy efficiency projects, and funding for energy-related projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He also advises regarding pending federal cap and trade legislation, EPA regulations addressing the emission of greenhouse gases, and federal and state legislation regarding renewable portfolio standards and renewable energy credits. Craig also teaches Climate Change Law and Policy at the University of Washington’s School of Law and Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.
Craig is a frequent lecturer on climate change policy and hydropower relicensing, and is a former senior counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He is also the co-founder, former co-chair, and a regular speaker from 1995-2005 at "Buying and Selling Electricity in the West," an annual energy conference presented by Law Seminars International.
Craig is a member of the firm's executive committee.
Practice Highlights
- Handles relicensing of hydropower facilities by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including negotiations with federal and state natural resource agencies under the Federal Power Act and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
- Advises on federal, regional and state regulatory developments regarding climate change and renewable portfolio standards, particularly pending federal cap and trade legislation, the Western Climate Initiative and legislation enacted in Washington state
- Advises on electric utility regulatory matters, including siting, transmission upgrades, regional transmission organizations, interconnection of new generation and related matters
- Represents clients before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) regarding energy, telecommunications, solid waste and water utility matters
Selected Experience Avista Counsel for hydroelectric licensee in Avista v. U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (trial before a Department of the Interior Administrative Law Judge under Section 241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, holding that many factual assertions by Interior in hydroelectric relicensing proceeding were unfounded). (2007) Chelan County P.U.D. (Wash.) Counsel for hydroelectric licensee in Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation v. Ecology (trial before the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board, holding that Section 401 of the Clean Water Act does not require strict adherence with numeric water quality criteria). (2004) Chelan County P.U.D. (Wash.) Counsel for public utility district in negotiation of a multi-party settlement agreement leading to the issuance by FERC of a 43-year license for the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project. (2009) Avista Counsel for hydroelectric licensee in appeal of a Section 401 certification to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. Negotiation of a comprehensive, five-party settlement agreement led to dismissal of the appeal and issuance of a favorable Section 401 certification. (2009) Chelan County P.U.D. (Wash.) Counsel for public utility district in negotiation of a multi-party settlement agreement leading to the issuance by FERC of a 50-year license for the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project. (2006) Additional Qualifications
- Senior Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 1993-1995, responsible for overseeing the electric utility industry and the federal Power Marketing Administrations, including the Bonneville Power Administration
- General Counsel, Northwest Hydroelectric Association, 1997-2007
- Mayor of Seattle's Advisory Committee on Seattle City Light, 2002
- Part-Time Lecturer, "Climate Change Law and Policy," University of Washington School of Law, Winter Quarter, 2010
- Guest Lecturer and Task Force Evaluator, "The Geopolitics of Global Warming: U.S. Policy Options," Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Winter Quarter, 2007
- Guest Lecturer, "Climate Change: Realities and Options for U.S. Policy," Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Winter Quarter, 2008
- Law Clerk, Hon. Barbara J. Rothstein, U.S. District Court
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Professional and Community Activities
- Vice President, Henry M. Jackson Foundation
- Chair, Advisory Board, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
- Energy Bar Association
- General Counsel, Washington State Public Affairs TV Network (TVW)
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Professional Recognition
- Named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Public Utility Law by Woodward/White 2001-2005; named in Energy Law, 2006-present
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Education J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1979
- Associate Editor, Washington Law Review
B.A., University of Washington, 1976 | |