Overview
Manufacturers, property owners, and developers turn to Robinson+Cole's Compliance and Permitting Group for our proven ability to identify effective strategies that address not only regulatory requirements but also the physical and operational limitations and other competing factors affecting compliance and permitting efforts.
Our Services
Whether serving as active members of corporate compliance teams and auditing efforts, or representing applicants in state and federal permit proceedings, we provide the legal analysis and support that our clients seek regarding the range of regulatory programs they face. These include the following federal programs and their state and local counterparts:
Our understanding of these programs allows us to provide clients with effective advice and representation regarding their environmental, health, and safety concerns, such as the following:
Our Team
Our group leads or closely follows the latest discussions and changes affecting our clients, including new and emerging efforts to address sustainability and climate change concerns, and the expanding reach of toxic and chemical substance regulations such as those taking effect under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, as well as the continuing requirements of TSCA; EPCRA; the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program; California’s Proposition 65; and other regulatory initiatives.
Our Compliance and Permitting Group lawyers draw on experience gained not only from representing a diverse range of clients and industries but also from having members with science and engineering degrees and formerly holding positions in federal, state, and local environmental agencies.
Serving as national preferred counsel for United Technologies Corporation on environmental, health, and safety matters, Robinson+Cole provides strategic advice and representation on issues arising under RCRA, CWA, CAA, CERCLA, EPCRA, OSHA, TSCA and many other state and federal EH+S laws affecting UTC Corporate Headquarters, UTC Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Otis Elevator, Carrier, and UTC Climate, Controls & Security business units.
Represented large high-technology manufacturer and after-market service provider in the negotiation and related legal support required to design and permit several connected "sustainable campus" projects at its headquarters, including multimillion-dollar wastewater treatment and reuse upgrades eliminating NPDES-permitted discharges, installation of a combined heat and power cogeneration facility, and related infrastructure changes.
Provided critical input to institutional investor’s due diligence and renovation plans for a large city office building by analyzing impacts under TSCA from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) detected in window caulking.
Represented a large manufacturing client to develop and advance arguments for EPA deferral to the development of international standards for greenhouse gas emissions from certain source categories. Worked with the client’s technical, marketing, and legal personnel to develop an in-depth white paper on relevant U.S. and international law, governmental authorities, and nongovernmental organizations, as well as a strategy document setting out potential options, venues, and pressure points.
Developed analyses and tools to assist multiple Fortune 500 companies in determining applicability and relevant requirements of complex New Source Performance Standards and National Emissions Standards for hazardous air pollutants for a broad array of emission sources at facilities nationwide.
Worked closely with technical and legal staff at EPA headquarters to secure an exemption from Tier 4 nonroad engine emission standards for a construction equipment manufacturer.
Prepared a voluntary disclosure submittal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for manufacturing facility under Section 313 of Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Company identified as part of a routine environmental management program the presence of an inadvertently produced byproduct in wastewater discharge. EPA allowed 100 percent reduction of potential penalty.
Assisted large retail fuel oil company in preparing a compliance handbook covering release reporting, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), permitting, antitrust, and other industry-related issues.
Representation of an aquaculture production business in the development of a program to disinfect production facilities, remove stock animals, implement a farm repopulation and importation program, and secure federal funding and compensation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).
Representation of a large-scale commercial composting facility to resolve a permit matter by a state agency, without formal enforcement and penalties, and assisted the client in obtaining related permit modifications, as well as authorization for a significant facility expansion.
Represent various composting clients, both established concerns and start-ups, concerning permitting, operational compliance, and enforcement matters.
Representation of a manufacturer in self-disclosing excess volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under its air permit to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) and resolving related CTDEEP enforcement action without penalties. Worked with client and outside technical consultants to develop a compliance management system to prevent future recurrence.
Conducted internal investigation of pharmaceutical client's compliance with the Clean Air Act's leak detection and repair requirements.
Represented a concrete manufacturer in federal court litigation involving environmental (RCRA citizens suit), wetlands issues, and NPDES permitting.
Completed time-sensitive EHS compliance investigations at aerospace manufacturer’s facilities involving self-discovered and reported violations of Clean Air Act NESHAP regulations for volatile organic hazardous air pollutants and Clean Water Act metal finishing pretreatment standards.
Defended a metal finishing company in public hearings and enforcement matters, leading to a settlement with the state agency and intervenor citizen groups and allowing for renewal of the client’s NPDES permit with a compliance schedule to meet new wastewater discharge limits under a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocation imposed on multiple discharges into the receiving waters.
Substantially reduced a Connecticut chemical manufacturer’s penalty payments by proposing a habitat restoration project desired by a local river watershed association, as a Supplemental Environmental Project completed under the settlement of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrative Complaint alleging violations of categorical Clean Water Act Pretreatment Standards.
Represented a Connecticut municipality and its water pollution control authority with regard to sewage treatment plant capacity concerns and related problems with slow performance on an expansion contract and funding and permit matters overseen by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Negotiated a Connecticut city's settlement of a CTDEEP enforcement action alleging sewer overflows and related state law and federal Clean Water Act (CWA) violations, significantly reducing city’s payment obligation by proposing a Supplemental Environmental Project to improve wetland habitat in watershed lands used by the City for watershed protection and recreational activities.
Provided analysis of federal CWA regulation of sewage treatment plant biosolids under CTDEEP contract.
Help numerous clients reduce site cleanup costs by negotiating and recording agency-approved environmental land use restrictions (ELURs) and other institutional controls that must be established to rely on alternative risk-based criteria under the Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations (RSRs) and similar state and federal cleanup programs.
Led client team comprising in-house and local counsel, surveyors, and technical consultants to redevelop large South Florida manufacturing and office complex involving a complex set of legal and transactional concerns, including real estate leasing and sales, environmental, utility, endangered and protected species, and municipal matters. Our services have involved the creation and use of a Community Development District by owners and tenants of the redeveloped property, as well as transactions and regulatory proceedings with the county and the State of Florida.
Represented a waterfront fuel oil terminal owner in the investigation, negotiation of alternative clean standards, remediation, and structuring of transaction to sell and convert the terminal to upscale residential apartments.
Represented a subsidiary of a conglomerate client on the steering committee of a multiparty Midwestern Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) site.
Represented owner of a 46-acre municipal solid waste landfill required to close landfill, construct cap, install landfill gas collection and treatment system, perform groundwater zone of influence study, prepare wetlands mitigation program, and obtain all related air, water, solid waste, and wetlands permits and approvals.
Assisted redeveloper with environmental investigation and remediation issues arising in the development of a corporate complex in South Norwalk, Connecticut.
Assisted client with ongoing efforts to pursue stabilized status under the USEPA Voluntary RCRA Corrective Action Program.
Represented major PRP and served as lead negotiator for PRP group in addressing EPA response cost claims for a Superfund site in the southeastern U.S.
Managed the land use permitting for Bridgeport’s sports and entertainment complex, referred to as the Arena and Transit Garage at HarborYard®, and assisted the city in complying with the requirements of the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Representation of a well-known diversified technology, media, and financial services company in deconstruction and remediation of a manufacturing facility with environmental, historic, and wetlands challenges in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Secure permits and approvals required for clients to construct and modify waterfront docks, bulkheads, ferry, and other terminal structures, aquaculture, and other coastal operations, including strategic legal advice and representation of businesses and land owners in wetland, coastal zoning, and other local, state, and federal proceedings. Specific examples of our work are posted under Coastal Resources of our Land Use Group.
Representation of the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, including evaluating site conditions and environmental permitting and compliance efforts at numerous educational institutions.
