21st Century Water and Energy Solutions

Professional Experience

Attorney and Consultant – Law Office of 
Kathleen Callison, PS, 1998-present
Representative projects include
  • Invited instructor, geothermal regulatory development and best practices, ARGeo 6th Geothermal Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Fall 2016
  • IFC Geothermal licensing framework for Ethiopia—selected consultant, 2015
  • USEA Geothermal Proclamation for Ethiopia—consultant, 2015
  • Thermal Energy Recycling Feasibility Study, City of Buckley, 2014
  • Principal drafter of a bill modifying Washington’s geothermal law, 2013
  • Assisted a corporate client with a recycling project, eliminating the need for a discharge permit, 2012
  • District Energy Feasibility Assessment, University of Washington, 2005
  • District Energy Feasibility Study for S. Lake Union, Seattle City Light, 2003
  • Geothermal direct use project for a private client, 1999 – present
  • Septic-to-sewer conversion project, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, 2013-present
  • Represented the City of Yelm in JZ Knight v Yelm, a Wash. Supreme Court case relating to water supply for development, 2011
  • Water right and water quality analysis, transactions, permitting, compliance and appeals for private and public sector clients
  • Street vacation petition before Seattle City Council, and other municipal utility matters
Water Resources Program Manager, 
City of Tumwater, Washington, 1992-2005
  • Established utility programs and ordinances
  • Negotiated terms of service, pretreatment, cross connection control, conservation, asset transfers
  • Secured water rights and developed water supply
  • Participated in establishment of regional reclaimed water and conservation programs
  • Environmental programs including Stream Team and fish passage projects
  • Liaison with EPA for Superfund cleanup
Water Policy Analyst, Washington Water 
Research Center, WSU, 1988-1991
President & Executive Director, 
Puget Sound Alliance, 1986-1991
  • Established the Puget Soundkeeper Program, a citizens’ watchdog group
  • Secured funding from Starbucks, Anthony’s Restaurants, KING-TV, Horizon Air and Coors
Consultant, Puget Sound Water 
Quality Authority, 1986 and 1988
  • Organized conferences on water quality and related scientific research
  • Supervised peer review of scientific papers

Publications and Presentations

National Plans for Energy and Resource Development: Framework for Geothermal Development
ARGeo 6th African Rift Geothermal Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October-November 2016

Best Practices in Geothermal Drilling: Drafting a Robust Geothermal Regulatory Framework
ARGeo 6th African Rift Geothermal Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October-November 2016

Drafting a Geothermal Law and Regulatory Framework for Ethiopia: Laying the Groundwork for Resource Development
Proceedings of ARGeo 6th African Rift Conference, United Nations Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016

Leases, Water Rights & Unitization
Geothermal Resources Council, 2014

Online courses in Water Law, LawLine and AccessMCLE, 2014

Washington Sets the Stage for Geothermal Development
Geothermal Energy Association, Reno, 2013

Never the Twain Shall Meet: Water and Development
Green Meets Blue conference, Seattle, 2013

Best Practice in Geothermal Law and Regulations
Reno, Los Angeles, Bend, Calgary, 2009 – 2013

Environmental and Water Issues in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
San Jose, May 2011

Geothermal Resource Law and Regulation in the State of Washington
Washington State Bar Association, Land Use and Environment Newsletter, 2010

Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Water and Geothermal Resources Development
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Energy and Law Journal, 2010, presented at Water and Energy Conference, Calgary 2009

Water Issues in Land Transactions
Washington State Bar Association, Real Property Law Journal, 2007

Washington Water Law Update
Oregon Water Law Conference, Portland, 2006

New Approach to Water Resource Management in the Columbia River Basin
Washington State Bar Association, 2006

Water Trading and Marketing: Recent Developments
Oregon Water Law Conference, 2004

Miller Brewery: Water Rights & Beyond
Thurston County, Washington, Bar Association Land Use & Environmental Law Group, 2003

Water Right Changes and Transfers, an Update on Water Conservancy Boards
Washington State Bar Association, 2002 

EducatioN

  • ​Mining Law Short Course, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Boulder, 2008
  • Juris Doctor, Seattle University School of Law, 1997; recognition in water law, Indian law
  • Master of Marine Affairs, University of Washington, 1990, focusing on natural resources development, economics, law and policy