Environmental & Renewable Energy Group

The environmental law group at Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, LLP, led by senior partner Terry Avchen, provides full service in all areas of environmental law, renewable energy, and natural resources. In addition to traditional environmental and energy litigation and business issues, this interdisciplinary group addresses the rapidly growing renewable and alternative energy areas, with projects ranging from wind power and solar power to biofuels and hydroelectric. The group also has extensive experience in the regulatory aspects of climate change, including greenhouse gas issues, carbon limits, clean energy technology, sustainable (LEED) development, as well as NEPA, CEQA and Endangered Species issues. The lawyers in the group are involved in numerous high profile cases, most recently in a precedent setting CERCLA case in federal court regarding the responsibility of the United States for cleanup of perchlorate or rocket fuel in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Firm's lawyers routinely appear in state and federal courts and in administrative agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, California Water Resources Control Board, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and state Public Utility Commissions, to name a few. The Group is also handling the largest LEED development in the world, as well as many other cutting edge projects that respond to the new political realities that face our country.

Among the specific areas in which the Firm provides advice and representation are:

• Superfund/CERCLA, including cost recovery and contribution claims
• "Green Building" - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• Alternative/renewable energy development, including wind, solar, biofuels and hydropower
• Carbon credits, strategies and compliance
• Endangered Species
• Clean Air Act compliance, permitting and litigation
• NEPA/CEQA and construction or real estate development environmental issues
• Clean Water Act including wetlands and discharge permit compliance and litigation
• Representation in proceedings before the EPA, FERC, California Water Quality Control Boards, Cal. Department of Toxic Substances, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other administrative bodies
• Soil and groundwater contamination claims
• Insurance coverage litigation
• Defense of white-collar environmental claims
• Toxic Tort litigation

Climate Change Team

The impact of global climate change on people and business is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues of our time. The awareness that human behavior affects our natural environment is not new, but understanding that major, worldwide impacts from greenhouse gas emissions has just recently become generally accepted. Climate change presents both a daunting challenge and a unique opportunity to businesses wanting to reduce their carbon footprint or to cope with the many new regulatory initiatives as government becomes more active in this area. That is particularly true in California, which is on the cutting edge of regulating greenhouse gasses and efforts to facilitate development of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels. The passage of AB-32 and California's joint efforts with other western States are examples of this leading role in efforts to mitigate the human contribution to global warming. Federal and state regulations on air quality, CEQA, NEPA, and endangered species will all see significant activity in the coming years through the addition of climate change as a factor to be considered in permitting of construction, real estate development, trade and transportation. The attorneys at Glaser Weil understand the implications climate change reform will have on individuals and businesses alike. Through our highly successful attorneys, Glaser Weil can assist in all phases of this important issue, whether the need is for strategic advice, or transactional, regulatory, or litigation counsel.

Recognizing that the legal impacts of climate change will be felt across all sectors of the business community, Glaser Weil's Climate Change Team is a multidisciplinary group of experienced practitioners in the law related to environmental, energy, real estate, construction and taxation. Our Climate Change Team can break down the complex regulatory maze into common sense advice to assist clients in making responsible and cost-effective decisions. Some of the areas in which the need for our expertise will be most acutely felt are:

• Strategies and regulatory compliance for greenhouse gas emissions
• "Green Building" - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• Renewable energy - wind, solar, biofuels, and hydropower
• Endangered Species
• CEQA / NEPA

Though the Firm's offices are located in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the lawyers in the Firm's Environmental & Renewable Energy group represent clients throughout California, the United States and the world.

To put the Firm's extensive environmental and renewable energy law experience to work for you, contact Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, LLP to schedule an initial consultation.