David Benson of Stoel Rives Named to Clean Energy Leadership Council
8/25/2009

CONTACT: Kathleen A. Sebastian, Business Development Manager, (206) 386-7513

SEATTLE- Stoel Rives, a full service U.S. business law firm, today announced that David L. Benson has been appointed by Washington Governor Chris Gregoire to the Clean Energy Leadership Council. Established by the Washington legislature under a bill sponsored by Senator Phil Rockefeller, the council will focus on aligning Washington's energy policies, technologies and capital strategies in order to ensure that Washington continues to be a leader in clean energy development. The council will deliver a clean energy strategy and recommendations report to the Governor by December 1, 2010.

"The council brings together a remarkable array of experience and expertise – from companies in the clean energy sector, from private sector research institutions and entrepreneurs, from public universities, from the state department of Commerce and other state agencies – as well as the strong backing of Governor Gregoire and members of the legislature," said Senator Rockefeller. "This council understands the competitive landscape, clean energy companies, projects and jobs throughout the US and the world, and can define and push forward our unique opportunities for innovation and leadership."

Benson has extensive experience representing alternative energy and clean technology clients in biofuels, biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, ocean energy and other energy related areas. His clients are also engaged in fuel cell and other storage technologies, smart grid and energy efficiency and other technologies focused on alternative energy markets. He was selected by Governor Gregoire as the council's sole professional services firm representative, on the basis of his experience and the firm's active involvement in clean energy issues. Stoel Rives recently received a national ranking from Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for its Renewable and Alternative Energy practice, an honor reserved for only a select number of law firms across the country.