Theresa Cho has extensive experience in energy, environmental, and land use matters. She advises clients on a broad range of energy and land use issues, including regulatory requirements and processes, project permitting and project development, environmental review, due diligence reviews, grid interconnection, and transactional matters. Her clients include companies in the renewable energy, electric transmission and distribution, energy efficiency, development, and smart grid areas. Ms. Cho also assists companies in navigating state and federal energy regulatory processes and identifying and participating in government and utility sponsored programs designed to promote alternative energy sources.
Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Ms. Cho served as Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor in the Office of Commissioner Dian Grueneich at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In that capacity, she focused on development of rules and policies to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure projects, emerging technologies, and to address climate change. She played a key role in the development of California’s groundbreaking Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.
Prior to the CPUC, Ms. Cho worked at Grueneich Resource Advocates where she represented the University of California system, the California State University system, the Community College League of California, municipalities, non-profits, and businesses in energy related transactions, legislative reforms, CPUC proceedings, municipal utility formation, and implementation of energy infrastructure projects. Ms. Cho also served as Counsel for PG&E Energy Services, where she negotiated energy efficiency, energy infrastructure, and retail power purchase agreements and was responsible for developing and implementing the company’s regulatory compliance program. Ms. Cho was Associate General Counsel for the City of Emeryville and the City of Emeryville Redevelopment Agency. In Emeryville, she was responsible for all aspects of municipal law including representation of the Emeryville Planning Commission at commission meetings and has extensive experience on planning matters including negotiating development agreements, project permitting, environmental impact review, public contracting and real estate matters.