Steven C. Russo

• Representation of the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) with regard to environmental review and permitting for a number of major infrastructure improvement projects, including the Long Island Railroad Mainline Expansion Project, Penn Station Access Project, Interborough Express Project and the Penn Station Station Expansion and Modernization Projects.
• Leading the legal component for the federal and state permitting and related NEPA and SEQRA review for a major semiconductor development project in upstate New York.
• Representation of Empire State Development, a New York State economic development agency, with regard to the state environmental impact review for the UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders at Belmont Park and successful defense of the challenge to the SEQRA review brought by a neighboring municipality.
• Representation of the operator of elder care facilities with regard to the environmental review and related litigation pertaining to the construction of a proposed new nursing care facility on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.
• Successfully defended a state court challenge to the installation of a subterranean power station for the New York City subway system.
• Counsel the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) on NEPA compliance and permitting for a wide variety of capital projects.
• Led a legal team in analyzing the need for supplemental analysis of environmental impacts and justification for use of public funds in connection with the JFK AirTran Project proposed by the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.°
• Representation of a number of warehouse developers in connection with the SEQRA review and associated permitting for a warehouse projects in Staten Island, New York.
• Representation of a coalition in Article 78 proceeding challenging the closure of East Hampton Airport on the grounds of improper SEQRA review.
• Representation of the Long Island Power Authority and PSEG Long Island with regard to the environmental review, litigation and permitting for a variety of electric projects on Long Island.
• Representation of numerous public and private clients in environmental impact review and related litigation including the defense for proposed big-box development in Port Chester, New York; challenges to the approvals of the Southtown and Octagon Park developments on Roosevelt Island and the Hudson River Park in Manhattan; and the prosecution of Town Board’s attempt to block a proposed travel center in Newburgh, New York.°

• Represents a major renewable energy developer with regard to the siting and related permitting for a number of wind and solar energy projects in New York State.
• Represents the joint venture for the Clean Path NY project with regard to the permitting required for a major clean energy transmission project in New York State.
• Represents developers with regard to the environmental review and permitting required for a proposed offshore wind generation and transmission projects, including the state reviews required to install transmission from offshore to onshore.
• Represents a number of energy storage developers with regard to permitting and environmental review for projects in New York City and New York State.
• Representation of the developer of a solar farm on Long Island with regard to permitting and environmental impact issues, including endangered species issues.
• Representation of applicant seeking renewal of New York State Title V permit, including prosecution of court challenge to permit denial based on inconsistency with New York State climate act.
• Representation of the Long Island Power Authority with regard to the environmental review and related litigation over the construction of a transmission line between Southampton and Bridgehampton substations, as well as counseling on cooling water intake issues.°

• Representation of utility and public energy authority in connection with litigation over the toxicity of utility poles installed as part of transmission project.
• Representation of energy company in challenge to denial of permit authorizing re-powering based on failure to comply with New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
• Representation of the owner of a Brooklyn waterfront property in connection with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wetlands enforcement action.
• Lead counsel in the successful defense of a New Jersey power plant owner with regard to the cooling water intake provisions of its NJPDES discharge permit.
• Representation of companies and developers in connection with federal, state, and local permit applications for numerous waterfront development projects, including a proposed cement distribution facility in the Bronx.

• Negotiated numerous voluntary and Brownfield Cleanup Agreements with NYSDEC in connection with Brownfield redevelopment projects, including a proposed development in Flushing Queens, affordable housing developments in the Bronx, and various sites in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
• Represent major defense contractor in negotiations with New York State Executive Chamber and NYSDEC with regard to judicial consent decree governing cleanup of significant groundwater contamination on Long Island.
• Obtained New York City authorizations to proceed in connection with “e-designations” and NYSDEC spill closures in connection with Brownfield redevelopment projects.
• Represent the Long Island Railroad with regard to pending cost recovery dispute involving remediation of the Newtown Creek Superfund site.
• Representation of a Fortune 100 company in defense of a CERCLA cost recovery action brought by the State of New York.

• Assisted in numerous due diligence reviews including, most recently, representing a major investment fund in the acquisition of a contaminated property in New Jersey and a warehouse developer in Staten Island.
• Represented a multinational mass media corporation in the acquisition of a television-station company.°

• Representation of transit agency with regard to dispute over major government infrastructure contract.
• Representation of a major utility in defense of a toxic tort and diminution in property value lawsuit pending in New York State Supreme Court.
• Served as expert witness in property condemnation valuation proceeding relating to likelihood of obtaining state wetlands permits.
• Representation of a major public utility in connection with the prosecution of a cost recovery matter against an owner of adjacent industrial property and related work before the NYSDEC.
• Defended a number of actions alleging diminution of property value and fear of future injury due to groundwater contamination, including action involving the Greenpoint petroleum spill and contamination of the water supply of the Village of Liberty in New York State.°
• Defended and settled the federal Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act citizen’s suit challenging operation of outdoor trap range and related environmental conditions.°
• Acted as lead counsel in the preliminary injunction hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging a clean-up remedy determined pursuant to a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement between ground lessee and the NYSDEC.°
• Representation of a large municipality in a federal state criminal investigation under the Clean Water Act.°
• Representation of a major company in a federal criminal investigation for knowing violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.°

• Defended the Women’s Equality Party in statewide litigation matters challenging its ability to organize as a political party in New York State.
• Defended litigation brought against county political committees with regard to party nominations.
• Counseled numerous campaigns and political parties with regard to petitioning, ballot access, and New York State campaign finance law.

°The above representations were handled by Mr. Russo prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

• Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 2011-2013
• Deputy Assistant Chief, Environmental Law Division, New York City Corporation Counsel, 1992-1995

• Selected, City & State, “Trailblazers in Clean Energy," 2024
• Team Member, a Law360 “Environmental Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
• Selected, City & State, "Energy & Environment Power 100," 2022-2023
• Team Member, City & State, "Top 50 NYC Lobbyists," 2021
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, 2015-2024
• Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2018-2023
• Listed, The Legal 500 United States
  • Environment: Transactional, 2023
  • Environment: Litigation, 2021-2022
  • Environment: Regulatory, 2021-2022
  • Dispute Resolution - Product Liability, Mass Tort, and Class Action - Defense: Toxic Tort, 2020
  • Litigation - Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense - Toxic Tort, 2014, 2018-2019 and 2023
• Listed, Who's Who Legal, 2013-2022
  • Global Leader, Environment, 2013-2022
• Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2009-2010 and 2014-2023
• Team Member, Best Lawyers in America^®"Top Listed – Government Relations," 2018 
• Team Member, S. News - Best Lawyers^®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Environmental Law, 2016
• Team Member, a S. News - Best Lawyers^® "Government Relations Law Firm of the Year," 2014
• Rated, AV Preeminent^®0 out of 5.0

°AV^®, AV Preeminent^®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished^SM and Martindale-Hubbell Notable^SM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell^® certification procedures, standards and policies.

• Chair, New York League of Conservation Voters, State Board, 2018-2024
• Executive Committee Member, Environmental and Energy Law Section, New York State Bar Association, 2011-Present
• Secretary (2023-24) and Second Vice-Chair (2024-25), Environmental and Energy Law Section, New York State Bar Association
• Board Member, New York City Environmental Control Board, 2003-2011
• Chair, Business Law Section, Environmental Litigation Committee, American Bar Association, 2003-2007
• Member, Election Law Committee, New York City Bar Association, 2004-2006
• Member, Environmental Law Committee, New York City Bar Association, 1997-2000