- Represented leading Smart Grid, distributive energy services, solar and biofuel-related companies and assisted various start-up cleantech enterprises, including those involved with electric drive vehicles, solar and alternative energy parks and waste-to-energy projects, as well as companies seeking to market the commercially viable use of hydrogen technology in the transportation sector
- Represented the U.S. subsidiaries of a Global 15 Bank in evaluating the financing of renewable energy and cleantech projects
- Represented the federal government in developing the world’s largest high concentrating solar photovoltaic project and the first-of-its-kind municipal solid waste to fuel ethanol project as part of the nation's $32.4 billion Section 1705 Loan Guarantee Program
- Represented premiere concentrating solar thermal power company with regard to company’s international power generation projects
- Represented waste-to-energy projects, including an electric cooperative providing power to 17 Colorado cities involving a 3 MW landfill methane gas recovery system and the first-of-its-kind coal mine methane gas recovery system and carbon offset verification program. Representation included the drafting of power purchase and interconnection agreements, as well as the creation of he nation's first third party verified coal mine methane carbon offset
- Represented European Smart 20 Cleantech Company that commercialized technology derived from the European Union’s satellite simulation space agency program
- Represented the largest transmission and distribution utility in Texas
- Represented one of the three largest investor-owned electric utility holding companies in the U.S. involving multi-state/multi-jurisdictional transactions and regulatory proceedings, including transmission and distribution issues, merger and acquisition, rate cases, fuel reconciliation cases and fixed fuel factor cases, with significant work addressing nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel contracts
- Represented utility-scale hydroelectric projects
- Represented both wind developers and landowners in large scale wind generation projects
- Represented largest U.S. wireless company as one of five regional outside members of counsel from acquisition of spectrum license to 93 million subscribers globally
Eric H. Drummond
Eric H. Drummond has practiced business law, administrative law and complex administrative litigation for over two decades, focusing his practice in emerging technology, digital health and science, alternative energy issues, electric utility and telecommunications law. Before joining a large, international law firm, Eric served as chair of the Alternative Energy and CleanTech practice for a regional, Denver-based firm, where he represented electric transmission developers, Smart Grid, solar, biofuel, wind and energy efficiency companies, as well as major financial institutions.
While serving as the mayor of Manitou Springs, CO, Eric participated in large-scale initiatives developed by the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office to implement sustainable energy strategies. As part of an effort to reduce the City of Manitou Springs’ carbon footprint, Eric actively supported a greenhouse gas emission reduction program and played a key role in ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and Cities for Climate Protection campaigns. Leveraging his roles as Chair of the Economic Development Council, City Council Member, and, ultimately Mayor, Eric successfully promoted an environment of economic development that led to a record amount of private investment in Manitou Springs.
Eric is familiar with the issues facing commercial and investment bankers in evaluating the financing of various emerging technology projects. In this regard, Eric has substantial experience with solar development, having represented the Department of Energy in a number of complex projects including the development of the largest utility scale High Concentrating Solar Photovoltaic generation plant globally. In addition, Eric was a member of a task force established to address the implementation of the City and County of Denver's software tax and sits on the Prime Healthcare Collaborative/Health IT Finance Working Group.
Experienced in telecommunications law, Eric has been involved in interconnection agreements and wireless communication issues, and has participated in the relocation of microwave operators from electromagnetic spectrum allocated to CMRS providers. Eric represented one of the largest and most sophisticated dark fiber telecom providers in the U.S., with data centers in six large metro areas. In addition, he has worked closely with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice on state and federal matters related to Section 271 Relief under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Eric's electric utility experience includes the representation of one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric utility holding companies, which involved multi-state and multi-jurisdictional transactions and regulatory proceedings as well as representing the largest electric transmission and distribution utility in Texas. He has also represented cities, other governmental entities and private land owners in major electric utility rate cases and electric transmission siting cases.
Eric understands that the increasing complexity of the global marketplace requires clients to perform at a higher strategic and competitive level. Clients recognize that their business requires more sophisticated capabilities, deeper relationships and a more robust and comprehensive approach to markets in order to increase business value. Eric provides experienced and effective business advice to both entrepreneurs and established enterprises in the emerging technology, energy, and telecommunications sectors allowing clients to capitalize on business opportunities.
Representative Experience
Professional Affiliations
- Bank at Broadmoor
- Advisory Board
- Cleantech Open
- Cleantech Business Specialist Mentor
- CTO Judge
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Colorado Business Bank (CoBiz)
- Advisory Board
- Colorado Governor’s Energy Office
- Renewable Energy Development Team
- Colorado Municipal League
- Energy Sustainability and Environment Committee
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (COEDIT) - Advanced Industry Accelerator Grant Program
- Advanced Industries Grant Review Committee
- Colorado Venture Capital Authority
- Board of Director
- Energy Fellows Institute
- Founding Clean Energy Generation Department Head, Energy Generation Expert-in-Residence, Co-Managing Director
- Gulf Coast Power Association
- Impact Finance Center
- Colorado Impact Day
- Steering Committee, chair
- Prime Healthcare Collaborative/Health IT
- Finance Working Group
- Rocky Mountain Innosphere – Cleantech Incubator
- Board of Directors and Executive Committee
- Rocky Mountain Transmission Group
- Founder
- State Bar of Colorado, Natural Resources & Energy Law
- State Bar of Texas
- Administrative and Public Utility Law Section
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR/NCAR)
- Foundation Board of Directors
- University of Colorado at Boulder Law School, Energy Innovation Initiative
- Advisory Board
Recognition
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment- Office of Environmental Integration and Sustainability
- Sustainability Champion, 2009
- Colorado Springs Business Journal: Best of Springs Business
- Minority Business Leader, 2009
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated
- Super Lawyer, Colorado
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Business/Corporate
- Utilities
- Who’s Who in American Law
