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Seeking to Boost Energy Storage and Distributed Energy Aggregation, FERC Proposes Significant Changes to the Market Rules

December 2016 | Blog |

Last month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) aimed at overcoming market barriers faced by emerging energy storage technologies as well as new technologies that allow aggregation and coordinated dispatch of small distributed energy resources. While the NOPR is limited to ISO and RTO markets, energy market participants in the Pacific Northwest would nonetheless be well advised to pay attention to the NOPR. This is true because the Energy Imbalance Market is expanding into the Northwest, which will effectively expand the footprint of the California ISO into this region. In addition, regulators in this region are likely to look to FERC for guidance on these emerging issues even if not strictly applicable in non-RTO regions.

Washington’s Utility Regulation Model Cracks Under Pressure From Microsoft’s Sustainability Policy

December 2016 | Blog |

Microsoft is leading the charge against the traditional utility model, which, like many large high-tech companies, has adopted a corporate sustainability policy that mandates aggressive reductions in the company’s greenhouse gas emissions and, ultimately, use of 100% renewable energy. Microsoft’s sustainability policy has run head-long into the heavy dependence of its major electricity supplier, Puget Sound Energy, and the collision has produced cracks in Washington’s utility regulatory model that may presage a fundamental rethinking of Washington’s utility business model.

Texas Issued a Nationwide Injunction Blocking the Department of Labor’s “Overtime Rule”

November 2016 | Blog |

Yesterday a federal court in Texas issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Department of Labor’s “overtime rule” that was scheduled to go into effect on December 1.

Urban Land Institute Northwest “Emerging Trends in Real Estate”

November 2016 | Blog |

This week the Urban Land Institute Northwest (ULI) hosted their annual “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” report review with an assemblage of experienced real estate leaders who provide commentary on polemic industry trends.

Nancy Bainbridge Rogers to Present at the NAIOP Washington State – 2016 Night of the Stars Gala

November 2016 | Blog |

CH& Land Use attorney, Nancy Bainbridge Rogers, is honored to present three awards at NAIOP’s upcoming Night of the Stars Gala. The Night of the Stars recognizes outstanding real estate developments and activities in a variety of market types and the individuals who conceived of, took risk, sponsored, supported, and made the projects happen.

CH& Hosts Mackrell International 2016 Meeting

September 2016 | Blog |

Seattle, Washington – Mackrell International Meeting 9/16 – 9/18

CH& Attorneys Continue to Be Recognized in the 23rd Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©

August 2016 | Blog |

Cairncross & Hempelmann attorneys continue to retain their recognition in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers In America®.

Aurelia Tunru Joins Cairncross & Hempelmann’s Corporate Finance & Business Transactions Team

August 2016 | Blog |

We are excited to announce that Aurelia Tunru has joined the Corporate Finance & Business Transactions team.