Christopher S. Gunderson

Representative Matters

Energy Infrastructure, Regulatory, and Litigation Matters

• Represents PSEG Renewable Transmission LLC before the Maryland Public Service Commission in the contested CPCN proceeding for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 500-kV transmission project, including on regulatory strategy, environmental and siting issues, land-access disputes, stakeholder opposition, and related litigation. The proceeding is PSC Case No. 9773
• Represents NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic, Inc. before the Maryland Public Service Commission in the CPCN proceeding for the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, a proposed 500-kV transmission project, advising on regulatory strategy, project siting and environmental review, landowner issues, discovery, and contested proceedings before the Maryland PSC. The proceeding is PSC Case No. 9857
• Represents Potomac Edison in three pending Maryland Public Service Commission CPCN proceedings involving major 138-kV and 230-kV transmission projects, including the Carroll-Hunterstown Improvements Project in Carroll County and the Messick Road-Ridgeley and Messick Road-Morgan transmission line rebuild projects in Allegany County. The proceedings are PSC Case Nos. 9803, 9818, and 9876
• Represented Transource Maryland, LLC in a contested Maryland CPCN proceeding involving new transmission facilities proposed to relieve congestion in the regional transmission grid
• Represented AltaGas in its contested application to obtain regulatory approval in Maryland and the District of Columbia for its $9 billion acquisition of WGL and Washington Gas Light Company. Obtained approval of the transaction from both the Maryland Public Service Commission and the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, creating a $17 billion North American energy company
• Represented two national energy companies in their contested application to obtain regulatory approval in Maryland for their $6.8 billion merger. Obtained approval of the merger in Maryland and defeated a motion to stay that approval pending appellate review
• Represented two national energy companies in their contested application to obtain regulatory approval in Maryland for their $7.9 billion merger. Obtained approval of the merger, which created the largest competitive energy provider in the United States
• Represented Skipjack Offshore Energy, a subsidiary of Ørsted North America (the U.S. arm of a Danish energy company), before the Maryland Public Service Commission to secure necessary approvals to construct up to 846 MW of additional wind generation off the Delmarva coast.  The Skipjack project will be Maryland’s largest-ever renewable energy project, which is expected to cause a 38 million-ton net reduction in carbon emissions and generate over $800 million in economic impact
• Represented Dan’s Mountain Wind Force, LLC before the Maryland Public Service Commission to secure necessary approvals to construct up to 70 MW of land-based wind generation in Western Maryland. The Dan’s Mountain project is one of Maryland’s largest land-based wind generation stations. Regulatory approval was upheld on appeal to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals
• Advised a competitive electric transmission developer regarding its bid to construct transmission upgrades in response to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ solicitation for transmission to support the delivery of offshore wind generation
• Represents electric utilities in contested rate proceedings and appeals involving the prudence and recovery of significant capital investments, rate design, multi-year rate plans, and other issues affecting regulated investment and earnings

Commercial Litigation

• Represented a major health insurer in the mid-Atlantic region in litigation against its insurance regulator involving an attempted regulatory taking of the insurer's surplus, resulting in a favorable settlement
• Represented a global life insurance company in a lawsuit filed by a large commercial bank in federal court. The plaintiff sought $500 million based upon allegations arising from its purchase of bank-owned life insurance and subsequent investment in a hedge fund exposed to mortgage-backed securities. All claims were dismissed as a result of a favorable settlement
• Obtained dismissal of a $300 million breach of contract claim against a national retailer, defeating both initial and amended complaints

Education

• J.D. University of Maryland School of Law 2003
• • Associate editor, Maryland Law Review
  • Asper Fellowship Internship, the Honorable Paul W. Grimm, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• B.A. Towson University 2000
• • Dean's List
  • Provost Scholarship

Bar Admissions

• Maryland

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Clerk Experience

• The Honorable Paul W. Grimm, Magistrate Judge U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Former member, Board of Directors, Disability Rights Maryland
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association

• The Best Lawyers in America
  • Commercial Litigation, 2024 – 2027
  • Energy Law, 2027
  • Energy Regulatory Law, 2027