Climate Change

Venable's practice encompasses various issues driven by climate change concerns.

Carbon Regulation

Venable advises clients on the impacts and regulation of carbon emissions in a variety of contexts – from climate change considerations raised in the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements associated with federal permitting, to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan for reducing carbon emissions from the power sector.

Venable attorneys also counsel energy clients regarding the EPA's development of regulations addressing specific issues like the sequestration of carbon in underground locations as part of the agency's overall policy for carbon capture and storage for the nation's coal-fired power plants. Venable also advises clients that are developing electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure (such as charging stations) and incorporating electric vehicles and batteries as a means of storing energy for dispatch to the grid. 

We are also advising clients planning a new clean-fuel utility that will be eligible for Kyoto greenhouse gas credits, and clients in a broad range of industries with interests in climate-change regimes.

Environmental Trading Markets

Venable works with clients in a wide range of environmental credit trading markets, including natural resource credit trading; wetlands and conservation banking; streams, species habitat, and water quality credit trading; and cap and trade carbon markets. We help clients pull together deals using marketable environmental credits, navigate regulatory hurdles, structure appropriate funding and financing vehicles, and represent key industries in the development of regulations for environmental trading.

Legislative Advocacy

Venable's legislative attorneys and advisors are involved in energy, climate change, and environmental legislation, including energy and energy-tax policy. Along with the experience and the abilities of Venable's legislative attorneys and advisors, we offer clients the opportunity to shape current and new directions in energy policy, climate change, and environmental matters by monitoring legislation, providing congressional testimony, and advocating for legislative and regulatory solutions.