Energy and Environment

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The cost of environmental regulations in the industrial sector shape the ways our clients think, and make decisions about their businesses.

From the booming energy industry to the manufacturing sector, our environmental attorneys provide a broad spectrum of services to our clients, helping them navigate state and federal environmental issues. 

We assist clients in all environmental aspects of their business, from obtaining and securing a permit quickly and efficiently, to providing counseling and defense in compliance and enforcement matters.

Our client base includes oil and natural gas companies, manufacturers, wood product manufacturers, landfills and solid waste motor carriers, utilities, coal companies, industry trade associations, chemical companies, banks and lending institutions, and real estate and land management companies.  

Our areas of practice encompass all regulated aspects of environmental law, from air and water pollution control to solid and hazardous waste generation, handling and disposal.

For further information, please contact Robert E. Lannan at 304-347-8346 or rel@ramlaw.com.


For more information regarding our Energy and Environment Practice, please contact:

Douglas C. McElwee

dcm@ramlaw.com
304-347-8310

Environmental Litigation
Legislation and Rulemaking
Regulatory Compliance

Environmental Litigation Robinson & McElwee’s environmental attorneys handle litigation matters dealing with environmental agency enforcement actions, citizen lawsuits and air and water permit appeals, among others. Our state environmental litigation includes all stages of practice from administrative appellate bodies to circuit courts and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Our environmental attorneys handle cases involving:

  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit appeals
  • Air pollution control permit appeals
  • Air and water pollution and non-compliance orders
  • Underground storage tank release liability
  • Natural gas and coalbed methane drilling rights
  • Flood lawsuits
  • Superfund liability, cost recovery and enforcement actions
  • Property contamination Environmental criminal defense
  • Citizen suits
  • Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration and allocation
  • Commercial and private industrial solid waste facility permitting

Our environmental lawyers are involved with the development and promulgation of environmental laws and regulations, which provides them with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of those laws. With that knowledge, our environmental attorneys are able to provide counseling to clients on compliance and enforcement issues and in negotiations with federal and state agencies. We represent major state industry trade associations and industry clients through the legislative and rulemaking process, both on a state and national level. Our environmental lawyers are registered state lobbyists and provide counsel to clients during the legislative session, draft laws, and follow legislation. We work with state agencies in promulgating regulations and provide written and oral comments during the rulemaking process.

We assist our clients in negotiations with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regard to violations of permits and regulations. Our environmental practice also includes counseling our clients on various compliance matters. We also advise clients on the environmental aspects of commercial transactions. Additionally, we perform environmental audits and due diligence transactions for commercial clients and draft environmental agreements in lease and contract clauses.

Participating Lawyers

Robert E. Lannan

Member
Email: rel@ramlaw.com
Phone: 304-347-8346
Fax: 304-344-9566
Office: Charleston, WV

Douglas C. McElwee

Member
Email: dcm@ramlaw.com
Phone: 304-347-8310
Fax: 304-344-9566
Office: Charleston, WV

Anne C. Blankenship

Senior Counsel
Email: acb@ramlaw.com
Phone: 304-347-8352
Fax: 304-344-9566
Office: Charleston, WV

News & Media

Robinson & McElwee Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 2024

Fifteen lawyers from Robinson & McElwee PLLC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024. The Robinson & McElwee attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 for Charleston, WV include: Craig S. Beeson,...

August 17, 2023

Robinson & McElwee PLLC Recognized by Chambers USA 2023

The newly released edition of Chambers USA 2023 recognized five Robinson & McElwee attorneys as leaders in their field for their practices in West Virginia: Kent George, Real Estate (Band 1) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 2) Heather Harlan, Tax (Band 2) Doug...

June 2, 2023

Robinson & McElwee Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 2023

Thirteen lawyers from Robinson & McElwee PLLC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. The Robinson & McElwee attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 for Charleston, WV include: Joseph S....

August 18, 2022

Robinson & McElwee Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Selected from among only five percent of attorneys in the Mountain State, three of Robinson & McElwee’s attorneys were honored with inclusion in the West Virginia 2022 Super Lawyers Magazine. After the completion of a patented selection process in the region,...

June 16, 2022

Robinson & McElwee PLLC Recognized by Chambers USA 2022

The newly released edition of Chambers USA 2022 recognized five Robinson & McElwee attorneys as leaders in their field for their practices in West Virginia: Kent George, Real Estate (Band 1) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 2) Heather Harlan, Tax (Band 2) Doug...

June 1, 2022

Robinson & McElwee Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 2022

Thirteen lawyers from Robinson & McElwee PLLC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022.  The Robinson & McElwee attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 for...

August 19, 2021

Robinson & McElwee PLLC Recognized by Chambers USA 2021

The newly released edition of Chambers USA 2021 recognized three Robinson & McElwee attorneys as leaders in their field for their practices in West Virginia: Kent George, Real Estate (Band 1) and Corporate/Commercial (Band 2)Doug McElwee, Real Estate (Band...

May 20, 2021

Mark Hayes joins International Association of Defense Counsel

Robinson & McElwee announced that partner Mark H. Hayes recently joined the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), one of the most prestigious legal organizations in the world. "Mark is an experienced and skillful defense lawyer, as evidenced by...

January 13, 2021