Eric is a leading energy and natural resources attorney in the Pacific Northwest.
He assists renewable and traditional energy companies, as well as major energy consumers, to navigate the complex legal and regulatory systems governing the nation’s energy industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Eric has successfully represented clients in litigation and regulatory matters, ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court to proceedings before federal and state agencies. Before entering private practice, Eric served as Assistant General Counsel at Snohomish County (WA) Public Utility District, one of the largest publicly-owned utilities in the U.S., and as a trial attorney at the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Eric’s litigation experience includes successfully representing Snohomish County Public Utility District in a series of lawsuits arising from the Enron crisis involving action at every level of the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as administrative litigation resulting in an order requiring Enron to disgorge more than $1 billion. He has also litigated dozens of matters in the federal and state courts. These include federal court challenges to the landmark federal orders restructuring regulation of the electricity, natural gas, and oil pipeline industries in the U.S. and critical regulatory and Constitutional issues in the Washington courts, including several matters before the Washington Supreme Court.
Eric guides clients through transactions involving renewable and traditional energy facilities, energy and derivatives trades, environmental concerns, engineering and construction services, early-stage and traditional financing, risk management, and government grants and tax incentives. He assists clients with energy and infrastructure transactions throughout Washington, including wind generation, hydroelectric, and renewable energy projects as well as the contracts governing sales of power and transmission from the Northwest’s huge federal hydroelectric and transmission systems. He has put together transactions involving financing, engineering services, construction of buildings and similar facilities, and energy and commodity trades.
Eric also assisted with landmark litigation in both the state and federal courts as well as successfully litigated claims involving liability for hazardous waste contamination and assisted developers to reclaim and redevelop brownfields sites.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Eric L. Christensen
- D.C. Circuit En Banc Review of FERC Tolling Orders Could Have Profound Implications for Infrastructure Projects Requiring FERC Approval - (Posted On Friday, January 17, 2020)
- FERC Proposes the First Comprehensive Reform of its PURPA Regulations Since 1980: Renewables Under the Gun? - (Posted On Wednesday, October 02, 2019)
- Oregon Adopts Renewable Natural Gas Portfolio Standards - (Posted On Monday, September 23, 2019)
- World Trade Organization Panel Ruling Casts a Shadow on State Preferences in Renewable Energy Laws - (Posted On Friday, July 26, 2019)
- New Oregon Legislation Revs the Engine for Electric Vehicle Adoption - (Posted On Friday, July 26, 2019)
- New Washington Legislation Drives Energy Conservation in Commercial Buildings - (Posted On Wednesday, July 10, 2019)
- New Washington Legislation Steps on the Electric Vehicle Accelerator - (Posted On Tuesday, July 09, 2019)
- U.S. Supreme Court Increases Protection For Confidential Business Information Shared With The Federal Government - (Posted On Tuesday, July 02, 2019)
- Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act Establishes Aggressive Mandates for Grid Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Production - (Posted On Thursday, June 27, 2019)
- Seattle's Energy Efficiency as a Service Pilot Program Promises Major Benefits for Building Owners, Utilities, and Conservation - (Posted On Friday, June 21, 2019)
The National Law Review names Beveridge & Diamond a Go-To Thought Leader in the field of environmental law for the year 2022. Authors Eric L. Christensen, Brook J. Detterman, David M. Friedland, Jennifer J. Leech, and Zachary B. Pilchen authored the article "Key Takeaways from U.S. Supreme Court Decision in West Virginia v. EPA," detailing the considerable importance of this landmark SCOTUS ruling for environmental and administrative law. Their thought leadership saw significant readership throughout the year, demonstrating the high quality and timeliness of their work.