Ethan F. Johnson

Area of Emphasis

Ethan Johnson is an associate in the firm’s Washington D.C. office and a member of the Environmental Group. His practice involves counseling clients on federal and state environmental regulatory compliance matters, representing clients involved in complex Superfund and other environmental remediations, and advising on environmental aspects of corporate transactions.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Johnson practiced at a law firm in Maine where he gained substantial environmental regulatory and litigation experience, including litigating one of the largest Superfund cleanups in the country. In addition, he advised businesses and municipalities on PFAS regulations, assisted a solar development company with construction law, and advised clients on land use, permitting, and environmental compliance.

Background

Mr. Johnson graduated from Colby College in 2016 with a B.A. in environmental policy. In 2020, Mr. Johnson graduated from Vermont Law and Graduate School’s advanced honors program. While in law school, he interned in the Enforcement and Litigation Division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and worked as a student clinician in the environmental law clinic.

In 2021, Mr. Johnson worked as a law clerk at Yellowstone County District Court in Billings, Montana.

Memberships and Affiliations

Mr. Johnson is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and Vermont.

Publications/Presentations

• Co-Author, “EPA Proposes to Scale Back WOTUS Definition,” The PIOGA Press, December 2025.
• Co-Author, “PJM Interconnection Launches Fast Track Proposal for New Electricity Generation to Curb Data Center Supply Shortfall,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 4 (2025).
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania PUC Issues Final Order to Expedite Replacement of Aging Plastic in Natural Gas Systems,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 2 (2025).
• Co-Author, “EQB Delays Considering Three Key Rulemaking Petitions at October Meeting,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 4 (2025).
• Co-Author, “EPA Proposes to Scale Back WOTUS Definition,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, November 18, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Proposes to Scale Back PFAS Reporting Requirements Under TSCA,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, November 13, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Expedited Reviews of Permit Applications Under SPEED Program,” FNREL Water Law Newsletter, Vol. 58, No. 3 (2025).
• Co-Author, “DEP Seeking Comments on Proposed Conditional State Water Quality Certification Under Draft PASPGP-7,” FNREL Water Law Newsletter, Vol. 58, No. 3 (2025).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Announces Rates to Be Used for Calculating Long-Term Operation and Maintenance Bonds for Water Supply Replacement,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 2 (2025).
• Co-Author, “PADEP to Rescind and Revise Water Supply Replacement Technical Guidance Documents Due to Changes to Coal and Noncoal Regulations,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 2 (2025).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Announces Bond Rate Guidelines for the Calculation of Land Reclamation Bonds on Coal Mining Operations and Bond Schedule for Noncoal Mining Operations,” FNREL Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 42, No. 2 (2025).
• Co-Author, “EPA’s PFAS Strategy Signals New Approach,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 30, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Announces Expansive Deregulatory Plan,” GO-WV News, April 1, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Announces Expansive Deregulatory Plan,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, March 14, 2025.