Energy & Natural Resources

Babst Calland’s environmental attorneys understand the complex and overlapping federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the natural gas and coal mining industries. Many of our attorneys have more than two decades of experience in defending energy clients against agency enforcement actions and advising them regarding necessary permits and approvals.

Shale gas development, including the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays, presents unparalleled economic opportunities, but it also presents unique environmental challenges. We have assisted our E&P and midstream clients with new regulatory requirements associated with:

• Water management plans;
• Impoundments for fresh water and flowback storage;
• Single source determinations (aggregation) and air permitting under the Clean Air Act;
• Water loss claims;
• Permitting UIC disposal wells;
• Stream crossings and wetland disturbance permits;
• Transportation and disposal of produced water; and
• Pipeline safety.

The Appalachian coal mining industry has been the foundation of industrial development across the region for more than a century. However, federal and state environmental permitting and compliance policiesimpose significant risks and expenses to mining operations. Operators often seek our assistance to respond to regulatory challenges such as:

• NPDES water quality based effluent limits
• AMD treatment trusts
• Environmental information requests
• Citizen Suits
• Greenhouse gas reporting
• Stream redesignations
• MSHA citations
• Beneficial use of coal combustion residuals

Members of our Energy and Natural Resources Group are active in trade associations, including the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, and other oil and gas associations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. We frequently speak at industry-related functions, and regularly represent clients in negotiations with federal and state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. We also participate in agency advisory committees to help shape emerging issues likely to affect the energy industry.  We have extensive experience representing clients before hearing boards and trial and appellate courts, allowing us to provide seamless support for regulatory matters that may involve litigation.