Meet Mark
Mark Bender helps bring complex energy projects to life. As a member of Godfrey & Kahn’s Energy, Tribal Governments, and Administrative & Regulatory practices, he advises developers, data center developers, businesses, governments, and tribal entities on a wide range of energy-related matters, including project development, permitting, financing, transactions, and regulatory compliance. His work spans energy generation, energy storage, and large load and data center projects, with particular experience with transactions that leverage tax credits, federal grants, and other incentives to advance cost-effective energy solutions.
Mark has extensive experience with project siting and permitting. He has guided clients through securing Certificates of Authority and Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs) from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSCW), including approvals for electric generation, transmission, water infrastructure facilities, and interconnection. He regularly advises on power purchase agreements (PPAs), acquisitions and dispositions of energy assets, and right-of-way issues, including matters involving tribal taxation and assessments. He also counsels data center operators and developers and other large energy users on power procurement strategies, clean energy PPAs, and utility coordination for large-load facilities. Mark frequently assists clients with interconnection strategy and compliance, including queue management, utility negotiations, and regional transmission planning issues.
He has a strong record assisting tribal governments, agencies, and utilities with developing energy codes and projects that serve governmental buildings, casinos, housing, and infrastructure. His work often combines federal grant programs, tax credit financing, and other incentives to maximize project viability and cost-effectiveness. Beyond energy, Mark advises on permitting and regulatory approvals for public infrastructure projects, including drinking water, lead service line replacements, and other utility facilities, helping clients navigate complex local, state, and federal requirements.
Before joining Godfrey & Kahn, Mark served as chief advisor to a PSCW Commissioner, where he worked on major construction dockets, rate cases, acquisitions, transmission policy, and interregional market issues involving MISO. His decade in state government and policy roles gives him a rare insider's perspective into the legislative and regulatory process, along with strong relationships across the energy and infrastructure sectors.