Paul Wierenga has a diverse environmental law practice that includes counseling clients on a broad range of regulatory compliance obligations under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and other federal and state environmental statutes. Paul has litigated and negotiated disputes over environmental matters relating to air, water, and hazardous waste permit issues, as well as transportation, cleanup, and disposal of hazardous substances. Paul also assists on the environmental aspects of corporate and real property transactions, including the environmental due diligence undertaken to support those transactions.
Paul's practice focuses on enforcement, regulatory investigations, and complex commercial litigation affecting industrial, life sciences, and manufacturing industry clients. He draws on his background as an environmental engineer to counsel companies navigating federal and state environmental laws, particularly permitting and enforcement regimes under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, or state analogues. He has also litigated complex environmental matters concerning ethylene oxide, 6PPD, methylene chloride, benzene and MTBE.
Paul routinely advises petroleum and renewable fuel industry clients on energy and environmental issues, including those relating to renewable fuels, air quality standards, climate change legislation and regulations, and the Jones Act. He also advises transportation industry clients in regulatory and compliance matters involving the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and emission standards for highway and nonroad engines or equipment.