Regulatory Counseling
Our attorneys provide counseling on complex environmental and energy regulatory permitting, compliance, remediation and enforcement matters. Clients rely on our experience to provide creative solutions and practical guidance through the complex regulatory challenges facing business and industry. Our attorneys not only assist clients in responding to governmental enforcement and penalty actions, but also in proactively identifying and resolving compliance and permitting issues before they are raised by governmental agencies. Our attorneys enjoy outstanding reputations with federal, state and local regulatory agencies.
Energy and Utility Litigation – Administrative and Appellate
McNees energy attorneys regularly practice before state utility commissions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and state and federal appellate courts. These proceedings frequently involve complex, multiparty litigation and dispute resolution processes. The substantive focus of these proceedings ranges from traditional utility rate cases to utility merger applications to cutting-edge development of rules for electricity and natural gas markets.
Environmental Counseling – Commercial Transactions
McNees environmental attorneys have broad experience in managing all facets of environmental issues in commercial transactions, from drafting and negotiating environmental provisions in commercial and real property agreements to managing environmental due diligence and post-closure compliance. Our attorneys are always focused on identifying and assisting clients in managing environmental risk, while working with the transaction team to successfully meet each client’s objectives in undertaking the transaction.
Oil and Gas
Our attorneys offer clients assistance with lease documents, well permitting, water resource permitting/acquisition, wastewater treatment and disposal, movement of equipment, collection and conveyancing laws, and the full range of shale gas issues. Additionally, we offer estate and business planning strategies to address tax and generational planning issues and advise business entities on transactions involving oil and gas assets or equipment.
Environmental Law and Toxic Tort Litigation
Our environmental practitioners are skilled litigators who represent clients before all federal, state and local civil courts and administrative boards, including in enforcement actions, citizens’ suits, cost-recovery actions and on appeals before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board and U.S. EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board. Our litigators also defend clients in toxic tort actions and mass tort actions seeking damages for personal injury, wrongful death and medical monitoring for alleged exposure to toxic substances and contamination.
Energy and Utility Project Development
Clients value our guidance on the multitude of issues associated with developing energy and utility projects, including renewable and combined heat and power electricity generation units, electricity transmission and distribution extensions, natural gas pipeline extensions and bypass infrastructure, and water and wastewater treatment facilities. Clients benefit from our experience addressing siting, zoning, permitting, interconnection, purchase agreements, and other aspects of successful energy project development.
Energy and Utility Procurement and Contracting
Our attorneys and energy technical specialists counsel clients on energy procurement matters ranging from periodic renewals of power purchase and natural gas arrangements to analysis of sophisticated hedging and risk-management opportunities. We assist clients with assessing electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater supply opportunities for manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and other large facilities. Our attorneys are well versed with respect to utility tariffs and all standard electricity and natural gas supply agreements, including EEI, ISDA and NAESB. We routinely negotiate agreements that are customized to a client’s unique energy needs.