Kodi J. Verhalen

Kodi is a partner in Taft’s Energy practice group. Kodi focuses her practice on a wide variety of electric and natural gas regulatory matters. She has represented public utilities, independent power producers, transmission owners, acquiring private equity firms, and competitive retail suppliers in a variety of administrative matters before public utilities commissions, including transmission line need and siting determinations, fossil-fuel and renewable generating facility needs, and siting determinations, utility rate cases, natural gas pipeline siting, and change of control and ownership cases. Kodi has also represented these entities on regulated and non-regulated transactional and financing matters. In addition to her energy practice, Kodi represents a variety of clients on a wide range of environmental matters, including environmental audits, carbon strategy, mergers and acquisitions, insurance underwriting considerations, strategy related to Proposition 65 compliance, and property remediation and limitations of liability. In both her energy and environmental work, Kodi often draws upon her technical understanding gained during her experience as a professional engineer (Minnesota). From 2016 – 2017, Kodi served as president of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Since 2021, Kodi has served on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

Kodi has established an impressive reputation, drives business, and is widely regarded as a top-notch lawyer and key figure in the firm. Clients rely on Kodi’s broad experience in energy, engineering, and environmental matters at the federal, state, and local levels. Kodi is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. She regularly presents on various topics, including natural resource law issues, environmental liability in real estate transactions, and ethics related to professional engineering licensure.

• Coordinated local and regulatory opinions for the financing of a $400 million natural gas generating facility acquisition.
• Coordinated local and regulatory opinions for a construction term loan and tax equity bridge for a nearly $200 million solar facility financing.
• Guided clients through various need and siting/routing permit processes for electric infrastructure. Prepared witnesses related public and evidentiary hearings, drafted testimony, and appeared on behalf of applicants.
• Guided client through local review permit process in lieu of seeking Commission approval for small 115 kV transmission projects.
• Represented power generation entity regarding the design and construction projects using various project delivery systems including EPC, design, supply, furnish, and install.
• Guided client through routing and permitting of 13-mile natural gas pipeline, including drafting of application, comments, testimony, and briefs; preparing witnesses for meetings and hearings; and appearing on behalf of client.
• Counseled client on requirements to obtain a Take Permit under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Assisted Client in obtaining said permit.
• Counseled clients on environmental matters associated with corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Guided clients through state-level public utility rate reviews including developing overall strategy, drafting witness pre-filed testimony, participating in contested case hearings, drafting briefs, and participating in related appeals.
• Managed multi-state portfolio of discontinued operations locations through allocation, environmental remediation, and post-closure care.
• Represented a group of companies, as common counsel, related to remediation of a federal Superfund site.
• Guided clients through self-reporting of environmental violations, state and federal enforcement actions, and new owners’ environmental audit policy issues.
• Counseled client on conflict of interest issues related to signed agreements and obligations with respect to professional engineer licenses.

Speaker, “Second Best Protection Against Risk,” National Society of Professional Engineers, April 17, 2024.