Areas of Practice

PC Law Group has assisted clients with all aspects of California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). We have helped both developers and agencies navigate the procedural requirements of CEQA, including participating in the preparation and agency processing of Environmental Impact Reports and Negative Declarations as well as advising developers and agencies during the public participation process. The projects we have handled and are currently handling are quite complex, from ocean desalination plants to long range transportation plans. We have also assisted private and non-profit entities to ensure that lead agencies comply with CEQA. We have both successfully prosecuted and defended complex CEQA lawsuits and this gives us a unique perspective on projects subject to CEQA.

PC Law Group has extensive experience representing clients with respect to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource, Conservation, and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the corresponding California statutes. This work spans all Superfund and related matters from government cost recovery and natural resource damage actions to private party contribution actions and insurance coverage.  We have also negotiated compliance plans, corrective action orders, and enforcement orders and provided guidance on solid waste classification, permitting, remediation, and enforcement matters.

PC Law Group also works with property owners with contamination issues by acting as a liaison with the oversight agency and interfacing with responsible parties to expedite remediation. We have also assisted with due diligence matters in the transfer of contaminated properties and have overseen environmental audits. 

PC Law Group has handled National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, compliance, and enforcement issues pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act and the corresponding state statutes. We have litigated NPDES permit issues involving penalty assessments and point of compliance issues and have navigated the administrative process before the regional and state boards. We are actively engaged in the California Ocean Plan Amendment process and are assisting with legislation involving water quality issues. We have also advised clients with respect to, wetlands, and Section 404 permits, and have litigated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) issues.

PC Law Group is well-versed in the rapidly-evolving international, regional, and state climate change and global warming initiatives relating to emissions of greenhouse gases. We have counseled clients on the impact of AB 32, SB 32, SB 350, and SB 375 on land use, transportation, and water projects, particularly with respect to CEQA compliance issues. We advise metropolitan planning organizations with respect to implementation of SB 375 and development of sustainable communities strategies (SCS). We have also advised our clients regarding climate action plans and we are continuing to monitor the development of law and policy in this area. We also have expertise in “Green Building” and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards as regulated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

PC Law Group is experienced with permitting, compliance, and enforcement issues pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act and the corresponding state statutes and local rules. We have advised clients with respect to Title V Operating Permits, and have handled administrative enforcement matters initiated by both the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). We have successfully obtained variances before the SCAQMD on behalf of clients.  We have also litigated matters on behalf of enforcement agencies including defending rule making challenges. We have also litigated complex Clean Air Act issues involving the State Implementation Plan for the South Coast Air Basin.

PC Law Group advises clients on Prop. 65 compliance issues, and we have effectively litigated and negotiated numerous settlements for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.  We are able to evaluate products, assess and mitigate risk, and implement compliance programs.