WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 13, 2016 – The presidential election and its possible impact on environmental regulations in the U.S. were the focus of a roundtable discussion held at the Washington, D.C. office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP. More than 100 people participated, attending in person and via webcast.
Those participating in the Dec. 6 event included lawyers, environmental professionals, and executives from a wide variety of organizations, including trade associations, Fortune 500 corporations, and law firms. Greenberg Traurig speakers provided an update regarding the recent election’s impact on key environmental issues and potential outcomes moving forward. Topics and speakers included:
- How and when can President-Elect Donald Trump alter President Obama’s major environmental rules?
- Speaker: Jerry Stouck, who chairs Greenberg Traurig’s Federal Regulatory & Administrative Law Practice, regularly litigates against federal agencies in environmental and other cases. He currently represents one of the states litigating challenges to both the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the U.S. Rule.
- The Environmental Protection Agency transition
- Speaker: Bernadette M. Rappold is an energy and environment shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C. office. Rappold served for 15 years as an enforcement attorney at the Environmental Protection Agency, with her last five as an enforcement division director responsible for multimedia litigation and cross-cutting policy matters.
- Recent developments in Clean Water Act citizen suits
- Speaker: H. Hamilton Hackney, III has broad experience in the areas of environmental law and commercial real estate. Hackney represents clients in permit and other administrative proceedings, compliance counseling, enforcement matters, and response cost recovery and property damage actions. On stormwater matters, Hackney represents industrial, real estate, and municipal clients on permitting, compliance, and litigation matters.
- The FAST Act under NEPA and Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan
- Speaker: Steven C. Russo routinely assists in the environmental review of major infrastructure projects, both under NEPA and their state law equivalents. Russo worked on the Air Train project, which links New York City to JFK Airport, and is currently working on a rail expansion project on behalf of the Long Island Railroad. He regularly represents the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority on other significant regional infrastructure projects.
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) update
- Speaker: Christopher L. Bell has a national and international practice, defending companies in criminal and civil enforcement actions and private litigation, providing compliance advice, and engaging in regulatory advocacy under all the major environmental laws. He also advises companies on sustainable development, product stewardship, and implementing environmental management and compliance programs.
- Risk management in emerging contaminants
- Speaker: Grant E. Nichols focuses his legal practice on environmental law, with an emphasis on managing environmental liabilities related to real estate and corporate transactions. Because Nichols negotiates with insurance companies every day on projects ranging from repurposed military bases to redevelopment on landfills, he has a unique perspective on how environmental risks are transferred and what the hot-button issues are for insurance companies.
- Special commentary
- Speaker: Former Congressman Charles F. Bass served for 14 years representing New Hampshire’s 2nd District. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, he served on the Energy and Commerce; Budget; Transportation and Infrastructure; Government Reform and Oversight; and Intelligence committees. He was involved with many issues relating to environmental and energy policy.
- Speaker: Former Congressman Albert Wynn served 16 years in the House of Representatives. As the former Chairman of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee, he was involved in a wide range of environmental issues including the air and water quality, recycling, chemical regulation, and energy policy.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Environmental Practice
Greenberg Traurig’s Environmental Practice assists clients with issues under the environmental and natural resource laws that affect their businesses. The firm’s environmental attorneys assist with securing permits and approvals; negotiate and close transactions; defend clients in enforcement actions; handle a broad range of environmental and toxic tort litigation; ensure the understanding and satisfaction of regulatory requirements; prepare for and respond to emergencies; craft approaches for legacy cleanup issues; and develop solutions for product regulation, market access, and environmental policy challenges.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Government Law & Policy Practice
Greenberg Traurig’s Government Law & Policy Practice combines the capabilities of its Federal Practice in Washington D.C. with its state and local practices across the country. The firm’s national team of governmental affairs professionals and attorneys spans major political and commercial capitals throughout the United States, including: Albany, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Tallahassee, Washington, D.C. Most recently, Greenberg Traurig was named “Law Firm of the Year” for Government Relations by the U.S. News-Best Lawyers 2014 edition of Best Law Firms. The practice also received the most first-tier Government Relations rankings in the U.S.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.