Environment and Natural Resources
Overview
Anticipating and responding under pressure
Crowell & Moring’s Environment & Natural Resources Group navigates a complex landscape where businesses are under increasing pressure to improve their environmental performance and achieve sustainability goals. We draw on our lawyers’ experience in and positive relationships with federal and state regulators and lawmakers to anticipate and resolve disputes, to develop and demystify environmental legislation, and to shape regulation. Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and other publications include our group and its lawyers among the very top environmental practices and practitioners nationwide.
Insights
Webinar | 04.10.24
ESG and Sustainability Roundtable ABA SEERies: Sustainability Claims and Greenwashing Risks
Join the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) for the new "ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies," where hot topics related to environmental, social, governance, and sustainability developments in the U.S. and beyond will be discussed. Each session will cover a key topic or development in this space and provide attendees with the chance to hear and learn from practitioners and experts across different sectors, industries, and jurisdictions. These events will also include breakout sessions, featuring in-house-only breakouts that give attendees opportunities to discuss and collaborate with their counterparts in other organizations under the Chatham House Rule.
The ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies is sponsored by the SEER ESG and Sustainability Committee, with co-sponsorship from the In-House Counsel Committee. Sessions are open to lawyers and other ESG and sustainability professionals. ABA SEER membership is not required to attend; however, if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of SEER membership, please visit ambar.org/JoinSEER. On April 10th, we will delve into the world of sustainability claims and the related risk of greenwashing. Companies are increasingly motivated to market or disclose the sustainability benefits of their products and operations-be it to consumers, shareholders, or other interested parties. As scrutiny and regulation of such claims increases, however, companies face potential allegations of greenwashing-i.e., that their sustainability claims are false or misleading. How are companies tackling this issue in light of the regulatory and litigation landscape? What are the "dos and don'ts" when it comes to sustainability claims? Join this roundtable discussion to brainstorm these questions and benchmark with your peers, led by Juge Gregg and Kevin Klesh. Stay tuned for future sessions tentatively scheduled for June 12 and August 14!
The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.
Speaking Engagement | 04.10.24
Press Coverage | 03.13.24
Why The SEC Climate Rule Might Not Standardize Emissions Reporting
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.11.24
Representative Matters
- Climate Change Litigation. Argued in the D.C. Circuit on behalf of the largest U.S. aircraft manufacturer, defending EPA’s first-ever regulation of aircraft greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We also submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on behalf of the electric industry and a national water association urging the Court to preserve EPA’s regulatory authority over GHGs in one of the highest-profile environment and climate change case of the year.
- Contamination & Site Remediation. Representing industrial companies in their high exposure and legacy liability CERCLA matters involving the most complex sites across the country, including contaminated river sediment sites and multifaceted landfill sites, covering dozens of parties, and remedies in the hundreds of millions of dollars per site. Our work encompasses strategic counseling, allocation mediation proceedings, direct negotiations with DOJ, EPA, natural resource trustees, and other federal agencies, third party recovery, and litigation when necessary.
- PFAS Investigation & Enforcement. Defending a major chemicals company in engaging with EPA and DOJ regarding historic PFAS use and disposal.
- Energy Project Defense. Defending the municipal water agency serving Denver from CWA, NEPA, and ESA claims challenging a critical hydropower and dam/reservoir expansion project, and sued to bar a county from using a local permit process to block the project, obtaining a settlement allowing the project to proceed.
- Renewable Fuels Enforcement. Challenged a $70+ million civil penalty imposed by EPA on a renewable fuels generator, winning a stay from the Sixth Circuit and negotiating a favorable settlement.
- Crop Protection Products Litigation. Representing leading crop protection companies and national trade associations across a docket of litigation challenging product registrations under FIFRA, the Endangered Species Act, and CEQA in federal and state trial and appellate courts.
- Chemical Regulatory and Enforcement Counseling. Represented a producer of drinking water preservatives, settling an allegation of required labeling violations under California’s Food and Agriculture Code under the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
- Electric Vehicle Supplier Product Counseling. Counseling an EV supplier on mobile source and other regulations affecting its business, including EPA and California greenhouse gas requirements, import-export matters, and EV credits.
Insights
Webinar | 04.10.24
ESG and Sustainability Roundtable ABA SEERies: Sustainability Claims and Greenwashing Risks
Join the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) for the new "ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies," where hot topics related to environmental, social, governance, and sustainability developments in the U.S. and beyond will be discussed. Each session will cover a key topic or development in this space and provide attendees with the chance to hear and learn from practitioners and experts across different sectors, industries, and jurisdictions. These events will also include breakout sessions, featuring in-house-only breakouts that give attendees opportunities to discuss and collaborate with their counterparts in other organizations under the Chatham House Rule.
The ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies is sponsored by the SEER ESG and Sustainability Committee, with co-sponsorship from the In-House Counsel Committee. Sessions are open to lawyers and other ESG and sustainability professionals. ABA SEER membership is not required to attend; however, if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of SEER membership, please visit ambar.org/JoinSEER. On April 10th, we will delve into the world of sustainability claims and the related risk of greenwashing. Companies are increasingly motivated to market or disclose the sustainability benefits of their products and operations-be it to consumers, shareholders, or other interested parties. As scrutiny and regulation of such claims increases, however, companies face potential allegations of greenwashing-i.e., that their sustainability claims are false or misleading. How are companies tackling this issue in light of the regulatory and litigation landscape? What are the "dos and don'ts" when it comes to sustainability claims? Join this roundtable discussion to brainstorm these questions and benchmark with your peers, led by Juge Gregg and Kevin Klesh. Stay tuned for future sessions tentatively scheduled for June 12 and August 14!
The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.
Speaking Engagement | 04.10.24
Press Coverage | 03.13.24
Why The SEC Climate Rule Might Not Standardize Emissions Reporting
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.11.24
Professionals
Insights
Webinar | 04.10.24
ESG and Sustainability Roundtable ABA SEERies: Sustainability Claims and Greenwashing Risks
Join the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) for the new "ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies," where hot topics related to environmental, social, governance, and sustainability developments in the U.S. and beyond will be discussed. Each session will cover a key topic or development in this space and provide attendees with the chance to hear and learn from practitioners and experts across different sectors, industries, and jurisdictions. These events will also include breakout sessions, featuring in-house-only breakouts that give attendees opportunities to discuss and collaborate with their counterparts in other organizations under the Chatham House Rule.
The ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies is sponsored by the SEER ESG and Sustainability Committee, with co-sponsorship from the In-House Counsel Committee. Sessions are open to lawyers and other ESG and sustainability professionals. ABA SEER membership is not required to attend; however, if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of SEER membership, please visit ambar.org/JoinSEER. On April 10th, we will delve into the world of sustainability claims and the related risk of greenwashing. Companies are increasingly motivated to market or disclose the sustainability benefits of their products and operations-be it to consumers, shareholders, or other interested parties. As scrutiny and regulation of such claims increases, however, companies face potential allegations of greenwashing-i.e., that their sustainability claims are false or misleading. How are companies tackling this issue in light of the regulatory and litigation landscape? What are the "dos and don'ts" when it comes to sustainability claims? Join this roundtable discussion to brainstorm these questions and benchmark with your peers, led by Juge Gregg and Kevin Klesh. Stay tuned for future sessions tentatively scheduled for June 12 and August 14!
The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.
Speaking Engagement | 04.10.24
Press Coverage | 03.13.24
Why The SEC Climate Rule Might Not Standardize Emissions Reporting
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.11.24
Practices
- Chemicals
- Clean Air Act
- Clean Water Act
- Climate Change, Environmental Markets and ESG
- Contaminated Lands and Hazardous Waste
- Endangered Species and Wildlife Protection
- Energy Investigations
- Environmental Justice
- Environment and Natural Resources Litigation
- Environmental and Safety Compliance and Investigations
- Environmental, Social, and Governance
- False Claims Act Defense
- Federal Lands and NEPA
- Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Pesticides
- Proposition 65
Insights
Webinar | 04.10.24
ESG and Sustainability Roundtable ABA SEERies: Sustainability Claims and Greenwashing Risks
Join the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) for the new "ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies," where hot topics related to environmental, social, governance, and sustainability developments in the U.S. and beyond will be discussed. Each session will cover a key topic or development in this space and provide attendees with the chance to hear and learn from practitioners and experts across different sectors, industries, and jurisdictions. These events will also include breakout sessions, featuring in-house-only breakouts that give attendees opportunities to discuss and collaborate with their counterparts in other organizations under the Chatham House Rule.
The ESG and Sustainability Roundtable SEERies is sponsored by the SEER ESG and Sustainability Committee, with co-sponsorship from the In-House Counsel Committee. Sessions are open to lawyers and other ESG and sustainability professionals. ABA SEER membership is not required to attend; however, if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of SEER membership, please visit ambar.org/JoinSEER. On April 10th, we will delve into the world of sustainability claims and the related risk of greenwashing. Companies are increasingly motivated to market or disclose the sustainability benefits of their products and operations-be it to consumers, shareholders, or other interested parties. As scrutiny and regulation of such claims increases, however, companies face potential allegations of greenwashing-i.e., that their sustainability claims are false or misleading. How are companies tackling this issue in light of the regulatory and litigation landscape? What are the "dos and don'ts" when it comes to sustainability claims? Join this roundtable discussion to brainstorm these questions and benchmark with your peers, led by Juge Gregg and Kevin Klesh. Stay tuned for future sessions tentatively scheduled for June 12 and August 14!
The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.
Speaking Engagement | 04.10.24
Press Coverage | 03.13.24
Why The SEC Climate Rule Might Not Standardize Emissions Reporting
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.11.24