George C. Hopkins

Represented pipeline companies seeking to obtain FERC environmental approvals for several pipeline projects, including one that introduced natural gas into southwestern Virginia by crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail

Represented a company with hazardous liquids pipelines in resolving several PHMSA enforcement actions, disclosure of other violations, and outsourcing the operation and maintenance of pipelines

Represented a pipeline company on various issues relating to fuel blending requirements under federal law

Represented the operator of an LNG liquefaction facility in various matters before PHMSA 

Represented a leading private equity group in the acquisition of 300,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Philadelphia, including in connection with obtaining groundbreaking environmental approvals from federal, state, and local governments

Represented a leading private equity company in multiple acquisitions of pipeline and bulk storage businesses

Lead environmental diligence and risk allocation in connection with coal reserves and coal-mining operations in mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, and financings

Lead environmental diligence in mergers and acquisitions transactions involving solid waste landfill businesses

Represented issuers and underwriters with respect to environmental issues in connection with public offerings in coal, pipeline, maritime, and other industries

Negotiated environmental deed and indemnity allocating liabilities under law of Netherlands and EU directives for acquisition of a chemical plant in Holland

Negotiated environmental indemnity for acquisition of an electricity distribution company in South America and a compliance plan to address outstanding environmental requirements

Represented a major energy company on environmental issues associated with the construction of an energy plant in the Czech Republic

Represented a leading independent power producer on environmental issues associated with construction and multilateral financing of the first project-financed, merchant-power-plant in South America

Represented a major international lender on environmental issues regarding political risk guarantee for a significant greenfield project in Central America

Conducted due diligence on environmental liabilities and negotiated environmental indemnity for the sale of a petroleum and ammonia pipeline, and bulk storage MLP

Represented a leading energy company in connection with the acquisition of a merchant, gas-fired power plant in Southern California

Represented a leading energy private equity group in the acquisition of a significant natural gas production, transportation and storage business

Negotiated brokerage and related agreements for international carbon transactions on behalf of a leading U.S. private equity group looking to develop a carbon portfolio

Assisted clients with various aspects of international carbon transactions, including negotiating language for Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements and related agreements, and advising on the requirements to trade carbon credits in the EU

Advised a Fortune 50 U.S. company regarding requirements for registration of REDD projects

Advised a Fortune 50 U.S. company regarding CDM-eligibility requirements for energy efficiency projects

Advise companies regarding various regulatory compliance issues under EPA and DOT regulations, including fuels, pipeline, and motor carrier requirements, and represent companies before EPA and DOT regarding the same in connection with regulatory interpretations and voluntary disclosures

Advise issuers regarding Dodd-Frank requirements applicable to resource extraction issuers

Significant knowledge in environmental requirements applicable to exploration and production of oil and natural gas, midstream operations, and bulk storage facilities 

Obtained dismissal by trial court of Clean Air Act enforcement action against a former owner of a coal-fired power plant seeking extensive injunctive relief; Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal in unanimous 68-page opinion

Defended a client against an NSR initiative against the sulfuric acid industry

Played a leading role in defending a joint federal and state investigation into an inland oil spill that entailed collection, review, and production of millions of documents, interviews of witnesses, meeting with prosecutors and preparation of presentations, and resolution of investigation on terms satisfactory to the client 

Played a leading role in defending criminal prosecutions against a small business and reached favorable dispositions on them 

Member of trial team in defending Clean Water Act penalty action and oil spill cost recovery claim; in pretrial settlement, United States dropped all claims for penalties and costs in exchange for client agreeing not to pursue its right to recover based on act-of-God defense 

Defended EPA civil administrative enforcement action on behalf of a Fortune 100 client that was resolved by payment of less than 15 percent of the penalties that were initially sought 

Defended state Clean Water Act enforcement action on behalf of a specialty chemical manufacturer in New Jersey that was resolved by payment of penalties for less than 10 percent of the amount originally assessed 

Structured and implemented a multi-facility audit of environmental compliance for a Fortune 50 client leading to the voluntary disclosure of violations without any enforcement action being initiated by federal, state, or citizen groups 

Defended a private arbitration arising out of the sale of a plant targeted in EPA’s New Source Review Initiative wherein the seller paid less than fifty cents on the dollar for costs of restoring plant to compliance

Played a leading role in a trial and appellate team that overturned a lower court decision holding a client liable for 20 percent of a $36 million site in a reported decision

Defended a Fortune 50 client in a CERCLA private cost recovery action involving seven sites in seven states with a potential liability exceeding $100 million by developing novel theories of economic benefit and culpability for the contamination; resolved on highly favorable terms involving a payout of 17 cents on the dollar, despite client’s ownership of many of the sites for as long as 75 years

Defended a CERCLA private cost recovery action on behalf of a Fortune 50 client involving a high-profile site in New York; through aggressive fact-finding and challenges to many of the costs at issue, resolved the matter for roughly 12 percent of the claimed costs despite its longstanding ownership of the site

Pneumo Abex Corp v. High Point, Thomasville & Denton R.R. Co., 142 F.3d 769 (4th Cir. 1998)

United States v. EME Homer City Generation L.P., 823 F. Supp. 2d 274 (W.D. Pa. 2011), aff’d 43 ELR 20194 (3d Cir. Aug. 21, 2013)