Gary E. Steinbauer

Area of Emphasis

Gary Steinbauer is a shareholder in the Environmental Group of Babst Calland.  Mr. Steinbauer advises clients on a wide variety of matters arising under major federal and state environmental regulatory programs.  He provides strategic advice on permitting matters, day-to-day compliance needs, government investigations, and enforcement actions.  Mr. Steinbauer regularly works with companies in the chemical, mining, metals, oil and gas, petroleum refining, power generation and distribution, and other industrial sectors.

Mr. Steinbauer devotes a significant portion of his practice to advising clients on issues arising under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and related state programs regulating air emissions and wastewater discharges.  He handles air and water permitting matters and appeals and helps clients facing federal and state enforcement actions.

Background

Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Steinbauer served as an attorney in Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  While at the U.S. EPA, he handled civil enforcement matters brought under major federal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Toxic Substances and Control Act.  Mr. Steinbauer also advised EPA on permitting matters arising under the Clean Water Act’s NPDES program and the Clean Air Act’s Title V program.

Mr. Steinbauer began his legal career practicing commercial litigation at an international law firm and as a judicial law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Mr. Steinbauer earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2006, where he was elected to the Order of Coif and served as the managing editor of the University of Toledo Law Review. He graduated from the Ohio University with a B.S. in Environmental Biology in 2002.

Memberships and Affiliations

Mr. Steinbauer is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Michigan, as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is actively involved in leadership roles within the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources and the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Environment and Energy Law Section.

Mr. Steinbauer was listed in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® for Litigation – Environmental.

Publications/Presentations

• Co-Author, “EPA Proposes Revisions to Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 15, 2026.
• Presenter, “Navigating the Federal–State Dynamic in Air Permitting and Enforcement: Practical Strategies and Tips for EHS Professionals,” Environmental Compliance Navigator Conference, March 19, 2026.
• Co-Author, “New EPA Webpage Compiles Clean Air Act Resources for Data Center & AI Projects,” The PIOGA Press, February 2026.
• Co-Author, “In a Significant Step Towards Deregulation, EPA Repeals 2009 Endangerment Finding and Federal Greenhouse Gas Standards for Vehicles and Engines,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, February 16, 2026.
• Co-Author, “New EPA Webpage Compiles Clean Air Act Resources for Data Center & AI Projects,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, December 12, 2025.
• Co-Presenter, “Federal and State Policy Changes in Environment and Energy,” PA Chamber of Business and Industry’s Annual Environmental Conference, October 28, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Proposes to Extend Certain Compliance Deadlines for Steam-Electric Power Generating Effluent Limitations Guidelines,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, October 2, 2025.
• Panelist, “Just Venting: Navigating the EPA’s Evolving Air Quality Standards for the Oil and Gas Industry,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight, September 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Extends Certain Compliance Deadlines for Oil and Natural Gas Clean Air Act Requirements,” The PIOGA Press, September 2025.
• Co-Author, “Key Environmental and Energy Policies in the Second Trump Administration,” Developing Pittsburgh, Fall 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Extends Certain Compliance Deadlines for Oil and Natural Gas Clean Air Act Requirements,” GO-WV News, September 2025.
• Co-Author, “Key Environmental and Energy Policies in the Second Trump Administration,” The PIOGA Press, August 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Extends Certain Compliance Deadlines for Oil and Natural Gas Clean Air Act Requirements,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 8, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Key Environmental and Energy Policies in the Second Trump Administration,” Pittsburgh Business Times, August 8, 2025.
• Co-Presenter, “Trump Energy & Water Policy Update,” Oilfield Water Connection’s 4th Annual Marcellus Shale Water Business Update, August 5, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Extends CCRMU Compliance Deadlines and Clarifies Free Liquids Guidance,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, July 25, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Amidst EPA’s Reconsideration, PADEP Publishes Proposed State Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Oil and Natural Gas Facilities,” The PIOGA Press, July 2025.
• Co-Author, “Amidst EPA’s Reconsideration, PADEP Publishes Proposed State Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Oil and Natural Gas Facilities,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, June 11, 2025.
• Panelist, “Air Permitting Programs – Federal and State Implementation Perspectives,” Air & Waste Management Association’s 118th Annual Conference and Exhibition, June 10, 2025.
• Moderator, “Upstream and Midstream: Understanding Laws and Regulations,” Shale 2.0: Learn the Facts About Upstream, Midstream and Downstream, May 1, 2025.
• Presenter, “Regulatory Update,” PIOGA’s Spring Meeting, April 17, 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Announces Expansive Deregulatory Plan,” GO-WV News, April 2025.
• Co-Author, “EPA Announces Expansive Deregulatory Plan,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, March 14, 2025.
• Co-Author, “U.S. EPA Approves Class VI Injection Well Primacy in West Virginia,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, February 28, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders: A Transformation of American Energy and Environmental Policies,” The PIOGA Press, February 2025.
• Co-Author, “Trump’s ‘Day One’ Executive Orders Transform Industry Policies,” GO-WV News, February 2025.
• Co-Author, “Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders: A Transformation of American Energy and Environmental Policies,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, January 23, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders: Regulatory Freeze,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, January 23, 2025.
• Co-Author, “Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders: Key Environmental Regulatory, Permitting, and Enforcement Implications,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, January 23, 2025.
• Co-Panelist, “Climate Change Litigation and Related Federal Regulations, Including EPA’s Methane Rule,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight, September 2024.
• Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Issues Three Decisions Charting New Path for Federal Administrative Law,” Babst Calland Firm Alert, July 1, 2024.
• Co-Author, “EPA Finalizes Rule Expanding Federal CCR Program,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 29, 2024.
• Co-Presenter, “Legal Update on Regulatory Issues,” PIOGA Spring Meeting, April 18, 2024.
• Co-Author, “A Methane Mixed Bag: EPA Finalizes Methane Rule for New and Existing Oil and Gas Facilities,” The PIOGA Press, February 2024.
• Co-Author, “A Methane Mixed Bag: EPA Finalizes Methane Rule for New and Existing Oil and Gas Facilities,” PIOGA eWeekly, December 18, 2023.
• Co-Author, “EPA Finalizes New Suite of Clean Air Act Regulations for Oil and Gas Industry,” The Legal Intelligencer, December 14, 2023.
• Co-Author, “A Methane Mixed Bag: EPA Finalizes Methane Rule for New and Existing Oil and Gas Facilities,” Babst Calland Energy Alert, December 12, 2023.
• Co-Presenter, “Stormwater Update,” PA Chamber of Business and Industry’s 2023 Annual Environmental Conference, November 15, 2023.
• Co-Author, “EPA Releases Wide-Reaching Climate Enforcement and Compliance Strategy Memorandum,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, October 3, 2023.
• Panelist, ““Federal and State Oil and Gas Air Regulatory Update,” 14th Appalachia Energy Law Conference, September 7, 2023.
• Co-Author, “Federal CCR Regulatory Update: EPA Adds CCR To National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives and Proposes to Deny Alabama’s CCR Permit Program,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 18, 2023.
• Co-Author, “EPA Bets on Low-GHG Hydrogen and Carbon Capture & Sequestration Technologies in Latest Proposed Power Plant Clean Air Act Rule,” The Legal Intelligencer, June 8, 2023.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Releases Proposed Rule on Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair,” GO-WV News, June 2023.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Releases Proposed Rulemaking on Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair,” Babst Calland Pipeline Safety Alert, May 17, 2023.
• Co-Presenter, “EPA’s Proposed Methane Supplement: What’s New, Different, & Significant?,” PIOGATech – Air Quality Compliance Technical Seminar, December 15, 2022.
• Co-Author, “EPA Doubles Down in Long-Awaited Supplemental Proposed Oil and Gas Methane Rule,” The PIOGA Press, December 2022.
• Co-Author, “EPA Doubles Down in Long-Awaited Supplemental Proposed Oil and Gas Methane Rule,” Babst Calland Energy Alert, November 21, 2022.
• Presenter, “Introduction & Overview of Environmental Regulations Affecting CCUS,” EUCI’s CCUS Projects & Environmental Law, November 2-3, 2022.
• Co-Author, “EPA Publishes Proposed Rule Requiring All Major Stationary Sources to Account for Fugitive Emissions in NSR Permitting,” The PIOGA Press, November 2022.
• Co-Author, “EPA Publishes Proposed Rule Requiring All Major Stationary Sources to Account for Fugitive Emissions in NSR Permitting,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, October 17, 2022.
• Co-Author, “EPA’s Proposed Changes to Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Take on Greater Significance in ESG Era,” The Legal Intelligencer, August 4, 2022.
• Presenter, “Examining the Current Policy Drivers and Incentive Programs for Green Hydrogen Projects,” EUCI’s Green Hydrogen 101, June 21, 2022.
• Author, “Commenters Raise Questions About EPA’s Methane, VOC Proposal,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter,” April 2022.
• Co-Author, “Several Critical Legal Issues Emerge from Comments on EPA’s Methane Proposal,” The PIOGA Press, April 2022.
• Participant, “Industry Voice:  Mitigating Methane,” Hart Energy, March 22, 2022.
• Moderator, “The Regulatory & Policy Landscape: Decarbonization, Natural Gas & Renewable Gas Initiatives,” EUCI’s Renewable Gas: Project Development, Regulation and Emerging Markets, November 9, 2021.
• Author, “Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Producers Take Note: Five Key Changes in EPA’s Proposed Methane Rule,” The PIOGA Press, November 2021.
• Co-Author, “EPA’s Proposed New Oil and Gas Methane Requirements:  Where We Are and Where We Are Going,” Babst Calland Energy Alert, October 21, 2021.
• Author, “Major Air Regulatory Developments Anticipated for Pennsylvania Natural Gas Operators,” The Legal Intelligencer, June 10, 2021.
• Co-Author, “U.S. Senate Passes Joint Resolution Disapproving Trump Oil and Gas Methane Rule,” The PIOGA Press, May 2021.
• Author, “D.C. Circuit to Decide EPA’s Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” The Legal Intelligencer, October 2020.
• Co-Author, “EPA Finalizes Revisions to Oil and Natural Gas New Source Performance,” The PIOGA Press, September 2020.
• Co-Author, “EPA Finalizes Revisions to Oil and Natural Gas New Source Performance Standards,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 20, 2020.
• Co-Author, “EPA Establishes Deadlines for Closing Certain CCR Surface Impoundments,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 5, 2020.
• Panelist, “Regulatory Relief?: Federal and State Environmental Responses to the COVID-19 National Emergency,” Energy and Mineral Law Foundation CLE Webinar, July 15, 2020.
• Co-Author,” EQB Publishes Proposed Rulemaking for Control of VOC Emissions From Existing Oil and Natural Gas Sources,” The PIOGA Press, June 2020.
• Co-Author, “EQB Publishes Proposed Rulemaking for Control of VOC Emissions from Existing Oil and Natural Gas Sources,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, May 27, 2020.
• Co-Author, “Regulated Entities Should Consider Benefits and Limitations of EPA’s COVID-19 Policy in Light of Post-Publication Developments,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 17, 2020.
• Co-Author, “EPA Establishes Temporary Policy for Excusing COVID-19-Related Noncompliance,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, March 30, 2020.
• Co-Author, “Deferring to U.S. EPA’s Interpretive Statement, Court Finds That Groundwater Discharges are Not Regulated by Clean Water Act,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, December 5, 2019.
• Co-Author, “Smarter Produced Water Management Options: Can the Regulatory Landscape Keep Pace?,” ABA SEER Natural Resources & Environment, November 2019.
• Co-Author, “Final Repeal of the Clean Water Rule: the End or Another Beginning to the Regulatory Patchwork?,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, October 23, 2019.
• Co-Author, “New Clean Water Act Developments, Same Uncertainty,” The PIOGA Press, October 2019.
• Author, “Legal Battles Begin on Trump Administration’s Key Deregulatory Actions,” The Legal Intelligencer, October 3, 2019.
• Co-Author, “Uniformity or More Chaos: EPA Finalizes Rule Repealing Obama Administration’s Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, September 20, 2019.
• Co-Author, “EPA Releases Interpretive Statement Excluding Releases to Groundwater for NPDES Program,” The PIOGA Press, May 2019.
• Co-Author, “Public Comment Period Open on EPA’s Interpretive Statement Excluding Releases to Groundwater from NPDES Program,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, May 2, 2019.
• Co-Author, “Federal Court Partially Vacates U.S. EPA’s Steam-Electric Power Plant Effluent Limitations Guidelines,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 17, 2019.
• Panelist, “SEER Essentials: The Clean Water Act – Understanding and Navigating the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program,” American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy & Resources Law Essentials Series, March 6, 2019.
• Co-Author, “Opportunity Now Available to Comment on Proposed Rule Revising Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’,” The PIOGA Press, March 2019.
• Co-Author, “Public Comment Period Now Open on Proposed Rule Revising Definition of “Waters of the United States,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, February 18, 2019.
• Co-Author, “Newly Proposed Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ Could Ease Federal Compliance Burdens for Oil and Gas Sector,” The PIOGA Press, January 2019.
• Co-Author, “U.S. EPA and Army Corps Propose Redefining ‘Waters of the United States’ Under the Clean Water Act,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, December 18, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Comment Period Ending for EPA’s Proposal to Reconsider Key Parts of Methane Rule,” The PIOGA Press, December 2018.
• Panelist, “More Hot Topics,” 18th Annual Great Lakes Water Conference, The University of Toledo, November 2, 2018.
• Co-Author, “U.S. EPA Seeks Comment on Rollback of New Source Methane Standards,” Babst Calland Energy Alert, November 1, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Water Law Update: Recent Developments Expected to Affect the Natural Gas Industry,” The PIOGA Press, November 2018.
• Co-Author, “Sixth Circuit Decisions Create Circuit Split on Clean Water Act’s Regulation of Discharges to Groundwater,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, October 2, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Fourth Circuit Rules that Coal Ash Ponds and Landfill are not ‘Point Sources’ under the Clean Water Act,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, September 18, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Federal Court Partially Vacates U.S. EPA’s 2015 Coal Combustion Residuals Rule,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 24, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Obama-Era WOTUS Rule Back In Effect, What Happens Now?,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, August 20, 2018.
• Co-Author, “The EPA and Corps Request Additional Comments on the Proposed Repeal of the Clean Water Rule,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, July 17, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania DEP Finalizes Significant Changes to Air Permitting Program for Oil and Gas Industry,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, June 18, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Fourth Circuit’s ‘Conduit Theory’ Decision Extends CWA Liability for Migrating Groundwater Contamination,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, April 16, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Fourth Circuit’s ‘Conduit Theory’ Decision Extends CWA Liability for Migrating Groundwater Contamination,” The American Oil and Gas Reporter, April 2018.
• Author, “The Clean Water Act Goes Underground: An Analysis and Implications of the Ninth Circuit’s Decision in Hawai’i Wildlife Fund v. County of Maui,” Trends Magazine, American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy & Resources, March 1, 2018.
• Co-Author, “The Clean Water Rule is Delayed in Response to U.S. Supreme Court Decision,” The PIOGA Press, February 2018.
• Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Decision Revives Multiple Federal District Court Lawsuits Challenging the Clean Water Rule,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, January 25, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Air Permitting Documents for Oil and Gas Industry Released by DEP,” Babst Calland Environmental Alert, December 1, 2017.
• Co-Author, “EPA Administrator Pruitt Issues ‘Sue and Settle Directive and Institutes New Public Participation Requirements for EPA Settlements of Defensive Lawsuits,” Babst Calland Legal Perspective, October 23, 2017.