Farella Braun + Martel's Air Quality and Climate Change Group is at the forefront of the emerging area of regulatory requirements affecting carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission. We provide clients strategic advice to help them navigate business opportunities and risks, develop and enhance air quality management programs, meet or exceed the regulatory requirements, respond to claims or enforcement actions concerning air emissions, secure variances from existing permits or regulatory requirements, analyze carbon footprint issues, and review and develop climate change management programs and practices.

We have extensive experience representing clients before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and regional Air Quality Management and Air Pollution Control Districts throughout California in regulatory proceedings and administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions involving both stationary and mobile sources. We regularly advise and represent our clients in matters relating to facility siting, expansion and decommissioning, issuance of air quality permits, variances and emissions reduction credits (ERCs), and the acquisition and sale of permitted facilities and ERCs. Our expertise includes assisting clients in developing sound risk management practices to evaluate and address sources of emissions that may impact air quality. 

In addition to compliance counseling and representation on air quality issues, the Group has years of experience assisting large and small companies in developing programs for sustainable business practices. Whether relating to emerging regional climate change initiatives in the Northeast or Pacific States, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), EPA's Climate Leaders program, the Carbon Disclosure Project, or the potential for local, national or global carbon markets, we help our clients manage the changing regulatory landscape, address business interests and minimize litigation risks. 

From local and regional air quality compliance and representation to national and international greenhouse gas reduction strategies, we assist our clients in forecasting and managing the challenges to maintain their competitive advantage.

Firm Highlights

News

EPA Designates PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances

Don Sobelman provided expert commentary in the  Chemical & Engineering News article "EPA Designates PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances." Excerpt from the article: Lawyers are warning anyone purchasing an industrial site where PFOA...

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Publication

California’s Estrada Decision and Impact on Employers and PAGA Claims

Following Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc. , the California Supreme Court’s employee-friendly Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) ruling earlier this year, employers must remain more diligent than ever to prevent and mitigate costly...

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Publication

New PFAS Listing Under Superfund Will Lead to Major Expansion of Liability

On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced its final rule designating perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances under Section 102(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation...

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News

Burdened by Debt, Savvy SF Office Owners Get Creative

Restructuring, insolvency, and creditors rights partner Gary Kaplan provided expert commentary in The San Francisco Standard article, "Burdened by Debt, Savvy SF Office Owners Get Creative." In the article, Gary explained that in most cases...

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Publication

California Regulation of Charitable Fundraising Platforms Part 2 - Reporting Due Diligence, Recordkeeping, and Disclosure Rules

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This episode covers the provisions of California’s Charitable Fundraising Platforms law (Gov. Code, § 12599.9) relevant to all covered charitable fundraisers and fundraising...

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Event

Unplugged: The Renewable Energy Speaker Series - The IRA's Environmental Justice Incentive Programs

Join Farella Braun + Martel and the Environmental Law Institute for the relaunch Unplugged: The Renewable Energy Speaker Series with Farella’s John Ugai and guest speakers Miana Campbell with U.S. Department of Energy, Maria Castillo with...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns San Francisco Green Business Recertification

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News

Farella Awards 2024 Diversity Scholarships to Bay Area Law Students

Farella Braun + Martel’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2024 Diversity Scholarship grants totaling $45,000 to Bay Area first-year law students Marcus Albino, Saamia Haqiq...

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Event

AI and Privacy: What Every Company Needs to Do Today

Sushila Chanana and Benjamin Buchwalter will discuss "AI and Privacy: What Every Company Needs to Do Today' at the ACC 2024 Privacy Summit.  This session will introduce basics of AI governance, such as ownership...

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Publication

New PFAS Federal Drinking Water Standards Create Major Liability and Litigation Risk

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released a final regulation setting individual drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for five per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These MCLs are incredibly stringent due to EPA’s stated concerns...

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