Capabilities

Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy

The attorneys of Stites & Harbison's Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group integrate their knowledge of complex regulatory programs with an understanding of the principles of administrative law, constitutional law, and the common law to provide legal advice on issues that touch air, land, or water.

Our group’s attorneys have experience with state and federal regulators across the country. Many of our attorneys also have technical backgrounds in scientific and engineering fields that provide valuable insight to environmental problems.

We strive to build practical solutions in all environmental representations. Our attorneys work closely with our clients' management and technical staffs to develop strategies that are both legally sound and consistent with our clients' goals and strategic business plans.

When disputes arise, our lawyers seek to resolve them and achieve these goals and minimize exposure while avoiding litigation. Meanwhile, we are also prepared to litigate in any forum, from specialized administrative bodies to state and federal trial and appellate courts.

We routinely advise clients in natural resource development and sales, acquisitions, and corporate and commercial transactions, including the complicated aspects of mineral and related property rights and brownfields redevelopment.

We have negotiated permits under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, along with numerous state and federal laws associated with the extractive industries, and have coordinated the necessary due diligence in corporate and real estate transactions. We have provided counsel in the development and operation of gas- and coal-fired power plants and renewable energy developments. Additionally, we routinely advise regarding the resolution of contaminated property issues whether for an owner, prospective purchaser or lender.

In representing private clients and trade associations, we also have significant experience in developing or challenging state and federal rulemaking under numerous environmental and natural resources related statutes. We regularly participate in the rulemaking process by meeting with regulators and drafting comments on proposed rules on behalf of clients.

Our group supports finding beneficial uses for major industrial waste streams, and in developing ways for our clients to minimize disposal costs while protecting the environment.

We are familiar with and represent clients in matters where sustainability and/or green construction are central concerns. Clients with assets or operations having an environmental component rely on Stites & Harbison attorneys to listen and then identify and resolve issues to assure compliance, mitigate risk, and limit exposure to environmental liability.

With significant representations in the manufacturing, agriculture, surety, construction, power generation, waste and recycling, and the extractive industries – including minerals, coal, oil, gas, timber, and water – our attorneys are accustomed to working with business and regulatory communities.

We have particular experience in the following areas:

  • Air pollution and the Clean Air Act
  • Audits, risk, and compliance program assessment
  • Chemicals, products, and hazardous materials
  • Common law nuisance, trespass, and toxic torts
  • Conservation easements
  • Endangered Species Acts
  • Energy generation and transmission including solar development
  • Environmental compliance, litigation, and defense
  • Infrastructure and project development and permitting
  • Insurance recovery
  • Land use
  • Mining and natural resources
  • Mobile source regulation
  • NEPA and historic preservation reviews
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Pipelines
  • Real estate
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Resource development, production, and regulation
  • Superfund (CERCLA), site remediation, and natural resource damages
  • Sustainability
  • Surety
  • Transactions, due diligence
  • Waste disposal and recycling
  • Water quality, wetlands, groundwater, and drinking water

Stites & Harbison is a proud partner in the Law Office Climate Challenge Program, a joint effort of the American Bar Association and the EPA targeted at developing and implementing sustainable business practices in a law-office setting.

Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy Specialty Areas
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What others are saying about us

The team at Stites & Harbison are really good lawyers who demonstrate excellent subject-matter expertise.

This comment was collected as part of the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process. (2018-19)

. . . go above and beyond providing excellent service and responsiveness . . . make themselves available to their clients and achieve excellent results.

This comment was collected as part of the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process. (2018-19)

. . . are very knowledgeable and responsive . . . great team with which to work. Their industry knowledge and contacts are very helpful in obtaining excellent results.

This comment was collected as part of the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process. (2018-19)
See more related to Environmental, Natural Resources, & Energy
Client Alerts

Significant Merchant Electric Legislative Amendments Head to Governor's Desk

Over the past several years, Kentucky, similar to other states, has received many applications for industrial-scale solar generation and energy storage facilities in rural areas across the Commonwealth. Up to this point in time, seeking and receiving a Certification for Construction from the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission ("Siting Board") followed a framework developed before recent commercial interest in large-scale solar development arose in Kentucky. Attorney Bill Gorton takes a look at the issues and concerns that have arisen.

by William T. Gorton III March 24, 2023
Events

UK Women Innovators Network Panel Discussion

Date: 3/28/23
Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm

University of Kentucky, Gatton Student Center, Ballroom 212A, 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, KY

Join Mandy Decker and the UK Office of Technology Commercialization for the UK Women Innovators Network panel discussion of the book "Funded Female Founders: How to traverse the uneven playing field and secure funding to grow your business."

Mandy Wilson Decker March 10, 2023
Events

21st Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference

Date: 3/9/23 - 3/10/23

Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Ky. 40511

Where can you find the latest information on Kentucky and federal environmental policies and regulations, as well as information on new environmental compliance mandates? The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will provide this and more at our annual Kentucky Environmental Conference. You will leave this conference with a detailed, up-to-the-minute review of major environmental regulatory issues that affect your facility. Environmental attorney Jennifer Cave will be a speaker.

Jennifer J. Cave March 02, 2023
Press Releases

Bluegrass Tomorrow Honors W. Blaine Early at 2023 Vision Awards Breakfast

LEXINGTON, Ky. —Bluegrass Tomorrow recently honored Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney W. Blaine Early, III with the Robert N. Clay President’s Award for most valuable board member. This is the second time Early has received the award.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC February 27, 2023
Events

When Race & Gender Meet: Experiences of Black Women in the Law

Date: 3/7/23
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Louisville Bar Association Bar Center, 600 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Louisville office attorney Calesia Henson will be a member of the panel discussing "When Race & Gender Meet: Experiences of Black Women in Law" following the Louisville Bar Association's Justice William E. McAnulty Jr. Trailblazer Award presentation.

Calesia Henson February 22, 2023
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What You Need to Know About Reclamation Bonds

Date: 2/28/23
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Seminar

Attorneys Blaine Early and Bill Gorton will be speakers for the NASBP's virtual seminar on reclamation bonds on Tuesday, February 28th.

W. Blaine Early III and William T. Gorton III February 17, 2023
Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 12, 2023
Press Releases

Nine Stites & Harbison Attorneys Honored by 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2022 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers recently honored nine Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys. Six attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers list and three were named to the Rising Stars list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC December 01, 2022
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison Earns 87 Rankings in 2023 "Best Law Firms" List

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® have released their 2023 “Best Law Firms” rankings. Stites & Harbison, PLLC’s three National Tier 1 rankings include: Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, and Trademark Law. The firm’s overall results include 87 metropolitan rankings in six regions.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC November 04, 2022
Events

2022 Kentucky Commercial Real Estate Conference

Date: 10/18/22
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Seelbach Hilton Louisville, 500 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Presented by Louisville Bar Association and CCIM Kentucky Chapter Join real estate professionals from across Kentucky for an extraordinary day of lively panel discussions, informed conversation, and comprehensive one-hour courses covering a variety of commercial...
Jennifer J. Cave October 05, 2022
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 18, 2022
Press Releases

Jennifer Cave Appointed to Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Jennifer Cave to the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee. She will serve a two-year term. The committee, composed of 17 members, will help advise the governor on providing access to medical cannabis to Kentuckians suffering from chronic pain and other medical conditions.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 22, 2022
Press Releases

Rob Moore Named Stites & Harbison’s Frankfort Office Executive Member

FRANKFORT, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Rob Moore has been named Office Executive Member for the Frankfort, Ky., office. He succeeds attorney Mark Overstreet, who has led the office since 1997.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC April 12, 2022