William H. Holmes

Experience

Bill Holmes is a partner of the firm and immediate past chair of the renewable energy initiative. Bill concentrates his practice in the area of energy law, with a special emphasis on wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal and ocean power, and other forms of renewable energy. He also has extensive experience with real estate law, water law, and general corporate transactions.

Bill represents clients in the negotiation of major power purchase agreements on both the "buy" and the "sell" sides. This experience includes work on numerous major wind and renewable energy power purchase agreements.

Bill also advises clients in the negotiation of acquisition agreements for energy assets and companies, EPC agreements, O&M agreements, management agreements, LLC agreements, energy project development agreements, fuel supply agreements, and related documentation. He has represented renewable energy clients in negotiations with a range of counterparties, including Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Snohomish PUD (SnoPUD), Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCO), Kansas City Power & Light, and Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA).

Bill joined Stoel Rives as an associate in 1985 and has been a member of the firm since 1992. Before joining the firm, he served as law clerk to Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer, United States District Court for the District of Columbia (1984-1985).

To connect with Bill via LinkedIn, visit www.linkedin.com/in/billhholmes.

Representative Work

Geothermal/Biomass

• Represented a major investor owned utility in re-negotiating a steam supply agreement, a series of steam prepayment agreements, production payment agreements, trust deeds and other documents relating to securing the steam supply required to operate a geothermal steam plant located in Utah.
• Represented a Pacific Northwest lumber company in the negotiation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) to sell the energy from a 7 MW Washington biomass plant to a public utility district.
• Represented a Pacific Northwest lumber company in the negotiation of a funding agreement with The Energy Trust of Oregon for a small biomass power plant.

Wind Energy

• Represented a large investor owner utility in negotiating a power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase the energy and environmental attributes from a 50 MW wind energy plant located in Wyoming.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a PPA and associated credit guarantees to buy the energy and environmental attributes from a 300 MW wind plant located in Oregon and Washington.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a series of back-to-back power purchase agreements to "slice" and sell the output of a 300 MW wind energy plant to the Bonneville Power Administration and other municipalities and utility offtakers.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in the negotiation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) and associate guarantees to buy all of the output of a 150 MW wind plant located in California.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a series of back to back power purchase agreements (PPA) to "slice" and sell the output of a 150 MW California wind plant to various municipalities and municipal utilities in California.
• Represented a major investor owner utility in negotiating a power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase the energy and environmental attributes from a 41 MW wind energy plant located in Oregon.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase the output of a 150 MW wind plant located in Wyoming.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a power purchase agreement (PPA) to "slice" and re-sell the energy and environmental attributes a 150 MW Wyoming wind plant to various municipalities and municipal utilities in Utah and California.
• Represented one of the largest wind developers in the United States in negotiating a power purchase agreement for the sale to a California investor owner utility (IOU) of the energy and environmental attributes produced by a 66 MW wind energy plant located in California.
• Represented a major wind developer in negotiating a power purchase agreement for the sale to a California investor owned utility (IOU) of the energy and environmental attributes generated by a 45 MW wind energy plant in California.
• Represented a major wind power developer in negotiating and closing an asset sale agreement and a build-transfer agreement governing the sale and construction of a 100.5 MW Kansas wind project to a major Midwest investor owned utility (IOU).
• Represented a major US wind developer in negotiating a power purchase agreement for the sale to an Idaho investor owner utility (IOU) of the energy and environmental attributes produced by a 103 MW wind energy plant located in Oregon.
• Represented a major wind power developer in restructuring an asset sale agreement and an engineer, procure and construct (EPC) agreement governing the sale of a wind energy project to a major Pacific Northwest investor owned utility (IOU).
• Represented a major wind developer in negotiating a power purchase agreement for the sale to a California investor owned utility (IOU) of the energy and environmental attributes produced by a 103 MW wind energy plant located in Oregon.

Natural Gas

• Represented a major US energy developer and power marketer in the negotiation of a long-term power purchase agreement, operation and maintenance agreement, construction management agreement, and related documents for a 450 MW gas-fired cogeneration facility located in Oregon.
• Represented a major US energy developer and power marketer in selling "slices" of part of the output of a gas-fired cogeneration facility to several qualified governmental purchasers.
• Represent the owner of a gas-fired peaking facility in the negotiation of a power purchase agreement with a Colorado for the purchase of output and capacity.
• Represent the owner of a gas-fired peaking facility in the negotiation of a power purchase agreement for the sale of energy and capacity to a California utility.

Carbon Offset

• Represented a major gas utility in negotiating a carbon offset funding and purchase agreement to support customer greenhouse gas offset program.

Regulatory

• Represented Duke Energy Corporation in preparing and submitting comments and reply comments to the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) on the implementation of new portfolio content categories for California's renewable portfolio standard program. The CPUC proceeding was triggered by the California legislature's passage of SB 2(1x), which created a 33% renewable portfolio standard in California. Docket No.: Rulemaking 11-05-005.
• Represented the National Hydropower Association in the preparation and submission of comments in response to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notice of inquiry concerning ancillary services and electric energy storage.

Professional Honors & Activities

• Selected as a "Leader in the Field" by Chambers Global (Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy - USA), 2011"
• Named the Best Lawyers' 2011 Portland, OR Energy Lawyer of the Year
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America in Energy Law and Environmental Law, 2007-2012
• Member, Oregon State Bar Public Utility Law Section
• Member, American Bar Association Energy and Natural Resources Section
• Chair, Stoel Rives LLP Technology Committee
• Chair, Stoel Rives LLP Renewable Energy Initiative
• Member, Law360 Energy Editorial Advisory Board, 2011
• Adjunct Professor, University of Oregon Law School, "Renewable Energy Law," Spring 2008, Spring 2009

Presentations

• Moderator, "Integration, Reliability, Operational and Regulatory Issues for Renewables," Wind, Solar and Storage CLE, Austin, TX, February 15, 2012
• Panelist, Smart Grid: Today's Regulation and Tomorrow Technology Conference, Portland, OR, October 21, 2011
• Moderator, "Building the Business Case for Grid Storage," Developing Grid Storage Projects, Dallas, TX, October 5, 2011
• Presenter, "Transmission & Grid Integration", The Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition, Washington DC, September 22, 2011
• Moderator, "Tackling Energy Storage Issues", EUCI Webinar, September 21, 2011
• Presenter, "Renewable Energy and Natural Gas: Comparing Gas with Energy Storage," ABA/ACORE Monthly Webinar, September 14, 2011
• Presenter, "Biomass Feedstock Agreements", EUCI Webinar, August 9, 2011
• Presenter, "Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES): Lessons Learned from Natural Gas Tolling", EUCI Webinar, July 21, 2011
• Summit Chairman and Moderator, "Developing and Financing Pumped Hydro Projects," Storage Week, 2011, San Diego, CA, Jul. 13, 2011
• Co-moderator, "Storage: Emergence of a Key to Renewable Power Success," ACORE Renewable Energy Series Teleconference, May 18, 2011
• Panelist, "Financing Solar," Northwest Solar Expo & Clean Technology Showcase, Portland, OR, Apr. 25, 2011
• Presenter, "Power Purchase Agreements: Keys to Drafting, Negotiating & Allocating Risks," National Constitution Center Conferences, Webinar, Mar. 31, 2011
• Presenter, "Biomass PPAs and Feedstock Agreements" and "Biomass Project Due Diligence," Biomass for Power, Fuels and Chemicals, Minneapolis, MN, Mar. 21, 2011
• Panelist, "Integrating Renewables into the Electric Transmission and Distribution Systems: Facing Realities, Overcoming Challenges," Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America 2011, Tampa, FL, Mar. 8-10, 2011
• Presenter, "Legal Issues in Project Finance," Infocast's Executive Education Series, Feb. 16-17, 2011
• Speaker, "The Role of Energy Storage in PV Projects," EUCI Large Scale PV: Key Business and Technical Considerations for Meeting RPS, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 31, 2011
• Speaker, "Managing Curtailment and Integration Issues in the PPA: Solutions for Making Projects Viable and Financeable," Wind & Solar Integration Summit, Scottsdale, AZ, Jan. 25, 2011
• Speaker, "Key Issues in the Sale of Electricity and Renewable Energy Credits," Pacific West Biomass Conference & Trade Show, Seattle,Washington, Jan. 10-12, 2011
• TeleBriefing, Section 1603 Cash Grants for Renewable Energy Projects, Dec. 14, 2010
• Workshop Chair, US-China Wind 2010: Building Strategic Cooperation, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 7-9, 2010
• Panelist, "Integrating Renewables into the Electric Transmission and Distribution Systems," Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America 2011, Tampa, Florida, Mar. 8-10, 2011
• Moderator, "A Conversation About Power Supply: What are the Utilities Looking For?" Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition Annual Meeting, Sep. 13, 2010
• Panelist, "Renewable Energy PPAs: Risk Allocation and Litigation Trends," EUCI Webinar, Sep. 8, 2010
• Panelist, "Climate Change Fallout and Renewable Energy Expansion: Avoiding Losses by Managing Challenges and Disputes, " ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Teleconference, Mar. 17, 2010
• Panelist, "Midwest Wind Development: Perspectives on Current Issues Facing Regional Wind Projects," Energy Bar Association Webinar, Feb. 23, 2010
• Speaker, "Understanding and Working with Revenue Streams: Key Issues in Negotiating and Drafting Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)," 2010 Wind, Solar and Renewables Institute, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, Feb. 2-4, 2010
• Speaker, "From the Ground Up: The Nuts and Bolts of Renewable Energy Project Land Rights – Landowner and Developer Perspectives," 2010 Wind, Solar and Renewables Institute, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, Feb. 2, 2010
• "Understanding and Working with Revenue Streams: Key Issues in Negotiating and Drafting Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)," 2010 UTCLE on Wind, Solar and Renewables, Austin, Texas, Feb. 2-4, 2010
• Panelist, "Pumped Storage" NWHA Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon, Feb. 16-18, 2010
• Panelist, "Impact of State RPS's and the Prospect of a Federal RPS," Infocast Webinar, Jan. 27, 2010
• Speaker, "Wind Power Purchase Agreements: Issues and Strategies," Infocast's 5th Wind Power Development Tutorial, Nov. 4-6, 2009, Houston, TX
• Moderator, "Exactly how smart do smart grids need to be in order to scale up renewables as a major energy contributor in the United States?" E3 2009 (the Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference), Nov. 17, 2009, St. Paul, MN
• Speaker, "Offtake – How to Market and Sell Energy; BPA; Power Purchase and Power Purchase Contracts; Public and Private; The Politics of Green Power," The Seminar Group's Developing Wind Power in the Northwest, Nov. 12-13, 2009, Seattle, WA
• Moderator, "Renewable Energy--Impacts on the Columbia River Gorge," The Mighty Columbia Conference, The Seminar Group, Oct. 29, 2009, Seattle, WA
• Speaker, "Carbon Sequestration Summit," Information Forecast, Inc., Houston, Texas, Jul. 22, 2009
• Moderator, "Wind Energy Projects in a Stimulated Economy," ABA/ACORE Renewable Energy Teleconference Series, May 20, 2009
• Panelist, "Power Purchase Agreements for Renewable Energy Projects," Law of Renewable Energy; EUCI Webinar, May 18, 2009
• Speaker, "Survey of Legal Issues in Wind Development: Power Purchase Agreements," American Wind Energy Association WindPower 2009 Conference, Chicago, IL, May 6, 2009
• Speaker, "Biomass Related GHG Reduction Opportunities," BBI International Biomass Conference, Portland, Oregon, Apr. 30, 2009
• Panelist, "Greening the Grid: Building a Legal Framework for Carbon Neutrality--Wind," Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon, Apr. 24, 2009
• Moderator and Speaker, "The Stimulus Package and Other Incentives Your Business Can Leverage: ARRA Overview," Clean Technology Alliance, InnoTech Conference, Portland, Oregon, Apr. 23, 2009

Civic Activities

• United Way Leadership Giver
• President, Board of Directors, Portland Habitat for Humanity, 1995-1997
• Member, Board of Directors of Portland Habitat for Humanity, 1992-1997
• Pro bono counsel, Portland Habitat for Humanity, 1987-1995, 1997-2000

Publications

• Regular contributor to the Stoel Rives Renewable Energy & Climate Policy Law Blog
• "Power Purchase Agreements," (coauthor) The Law of Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, Vol 4, 2011 (formerly The Law of Ocean and Tidal Energy.)
• "Power Purchase Agreements and Environmental Attributes," (coauthor) in Chapter 4 of The Law of Wind, Stoel Rives
• "Power Purchase Agreements and Environmental Attributes," (coauthor) in Chapter 4 of Lava Law, Stoel Rives
• "Water Rights and Transactions," (coauthor) Fundamentals of Real Estate Transactions, 2001 Cumulative Supplement
• "Dams for Sale: The Ins and Outs of Federal Facility Transfers," 43 Rocky Mt Min L Inst 24-1, 1997
• "Bureau of Reclamation Contract Renewal and Administration: When is a Contract Not a Contract?" (coauthor) 41 Rocky Mt Min L Inst 23-1, 1995
• "Employee Benefits and ERISA Considerations in Natural Resources Transactions," (coauthor) 34 Rocky Mt Min L Inst 5-1, 1989
• "Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law," 1987 Oregon Legislation § 21, Oregon CLE, 1987
• "Reporting Violations of Hazardous Substances Law: Mandatory Self-Incrimination," (coauthor) Or Envtl & Nat Resources L News, at 4, Fall 1986

Education

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1984, magna cum laude
  Certificate in water law; certificate in environmental law
  Associate editor, Michigan Law Review, 1982-83
  Editor in chief, Michigan Law Review, 1983-84
  Henry M. Bates Memorial Scholarship
  Abram W. Sempliner Memorial Award
  Order of the Coif
• University of Texas, B.A. Plan II honors program, 1981, with highest honors
  Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

• Oregon
• Minnesota

Print to Word