BakerHostetler environmental lawyers understand the high stakes that are involved with environmental issues. We have the knowledge, depth, national footprint, and experience to handle our clients' most significant and complex environmental matters, and we pride ourselves on the long-standing, personal relationships that we enjoy with many of our clients.
We apply practical, "real world" experience in our approach to environmental matters, and we tailor our legal strategies and solutions to the specific business goals of our clients. Our team's experience includes, but is not limited to, preparing comments in federal and state environmental rulemaking proceedings (including subsequent legal challenges); advising on regulatory compliance and permitting issues associated with the development and operation of energy and manufacturing facilities; advising on environmental, health, and safety risks associated with business transactions; structuring environmental liability protections; and responding to environmental, health, and safety incidents. We also take particular pride in successfully litigating complex environmental matters before juries, judges, and arbitration panels.
Clients benefit from our experience with the regulatory policies and procedures because many of our team members are former lawyers from state and federal environmental agencies. Those connections, coupled with our intimate technical knowledge of environmental laws, uniquely position us to address claims and compliance issues across a broad spectrum of statutes and rules, while leveraging the skill and experience of other lawyers throughout the firm.
For several years, we have been at the forefront of litigation involving the Clean Air Act, including successfully defending a major heavy-equipment manufacturer in numerous lawsuits regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases and tort liability. We have also represented several industries in rulemakings involving the promulgation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), and subsequently litigating the appeals from promulgation of such rules.
We represent numerous clients in connection with Superfund sites and manufactured gas plant sites throughout the United States, and serve as common counsel for multiple parties in sites located in, states such as, California, Alabama, Florida, New York, and Indiana. As one client recently told Chambers, "This Cleveland firm has a national presence with notable green business and energy practices. Environmental litigation, including Superfund matters, is a key strategy."
We have been at the forefront of several controversial, high-profile natural resource cases litigated under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and related resource laws. We have successfully helped clients secure the various approvals required to construct and operate liquefied natural gas terminals, pipelines, and power plants in the United States, and we frequently advise upstream oil and gas companies on a variety of environmental, health, and safety matters. Finally, we represent some of the country's largest companies in major environmental matters involving emerging environmental issues, such as those related to renewable energy development, shale and hydraulic fracturing operations, and increased regulatory complexities under the current Administration, among others.
Represented the State of Texas in connection with challenges to EPA rules implementing its greenhouse gas construction permitting regulations in the State of Texas.
Representing the developer of a state-of-the-art steel mill in Arkansas on all environmental issues arising during the financing process, including providing strategic advice on responding to ongoing legal challenges to the permits issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Protection.
Represented the Association of Battery Recyclers, Inc. in administrative proceedings concerning EPA's revisions to the NESHAP for the Secondary Lead Smelting Industry.
Represented several trade associations and companies in various rulemakings under the Clean Air Act that resulted in the promulgation of NAAQS, NESHAPs, and MACT standards, as well as the subsequent legal challenges to those rules.
Representing a potentially responsible party at the San Fernando Superfund site, which is a large groundwater basin contaminated with volatile organic compounds.
Representing a steel company in Ohio with respect to challenges to environmental permits for construction of a metallurgical coke plant to serve a steel mill. We are acting as both litigating attorneys and a liaison between the client and the Ohio EPA.
Representing an international commodities trading company on all aspects of compliance with EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Program.
Representing a leading supplier of wind turbines on various matters, including the resolution of disputes with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Aviation Administration, and working with state and federal resource agencies to address concerns related to potential environmental impacts associated with proposed development projects.