Craig Gannett focuses his practice in the fields of electric utility regulation, renewable energy development, and climate change-related regulation. He advises clients on a broad range of regulatory matters, including those relating to hydroelectric dams, wholesale electricity transactions, transmission lines, the creation and trading of renewable energy credits, and the impacts of potential changes to the Columbia River Treaty. As a former Senior Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, he advises with respect to the Federal Power Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act, as well as EPA climate change regulations under the Clean Air Act. Craig also teaches Climate Change Law at the University of Washington School of Law, and is the president of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.
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 greenhouse gas emissions and renewable portfolio standards.
- Provides regulatory advice regarding a wide range of energy-related projects, including biomass facilities, energy efficiency programs, broadband fiber optic cable deployments, and smart grid.
- Represents regulated utilities before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) regarding energy, telecommunications, solid waste, and water utility matters.
- Advises on electric utility regulatory matters, including siting, transmission upgrades, regional transmission organizations, interconnection of new generation and related matters.
Admitted to Practice
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Washington, 1979
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U.S. Supreme Court
Education
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J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1979
- Associate Editor, Washington Law Review
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B.A., University of Washington, 1976
Memberships & Affiliations
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- President, Henry M. Jackson Foundation
- Chair, Advisory Board, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
- Member, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law – American Bar Association
- Member, Committee on Renewable Energy; Committee on State Commission Practice and Regulation; Committee on Electricity Regulation – Energy Bar Association
- General Counsel, Washington State Public Affairs TV Network (TVW)
Professional Recognition
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- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Energy & Natural Resources (Washington), 2021
- Recognized as a Trailblazer in "Energy & Environmental Law" by the National Law Journal, 2021
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Public Utility Law, 2001-2005; in Energy Law, 2006-present; in Environmental Law, 2021-present
- Awarded "2013 Top Rated Lawyer" in Energy, Environmental, & Natural Resources by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell
Background
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- Lecturer, "Climate Change Law," University of Washington School of Law, 2010-present
- Lecturer, "U.S. Energy Policy," Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Spring Quarter, 2011
- Lecturer, "Climate Change: Realities and Options for U.S. Policy," Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Winter Quarter, 2008
- 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
- General Counsel, Northwest Hydroelectric Association, 1997-2007
- Mayor of Seattle's Advisory Committee on Seattle City Light, 2002
- Senior Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, responsible for overseeing the electric utility industry and the federal Power Marketing Administrations, including the Bonneville Power Administration, 1993-1995
- Law Clerk, Hon. Barbara J. Rothstein, U.S. District Court