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On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order promoting mining and processing of “critical minerals” in the United States. The order – Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production – directs agencies of the federal government to prioritize and expedite permitting for mining and mineral processing projects, invoking the Defense Production Act among and other authorities.

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Photo of Steven Barringer Steven Barringer

Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant

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Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant to the Solicitor at the Department of Interior. In private practice, Steve has represented industry clients in numerous EPA rulemakings, and defended clients in enforcement actions brought by EPA and states. He has advised companies regarding compliance with federal and state environmental laws. Steve has represented parties involved at major Superfund sites – including several of the largest Superfund sites in the United States – both in remediation settlement negotiations and cost-recovery actions. He has advised clients on international treaty obligations applicable to the transboundary movement of mercury and other hazardous wastes, and has managed local counsel examining environmental laws in Central America and Europe applicable to the transboundary movement of such wastes.

Steve’s broad experience representing environmental clients led to his work on government law and policy matters. He has interacted with federal and state regulators on numerous rule-makings and policy developments. He advises clients regarding federal legislative and agency strategy, including use of the appropriations process to achieve policy goals. Steve served on an EPA advisory committee examining federal hazardous waste regulations, and was selected by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to represent industry stakeholders in negotiations to develop consensus amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He led an industry group advocating for reform of the federal mining laws. Representing industry clients, Steve has worked together with nongovernmental organizations to secure federal legislation banning the export of mercury from the United States.

Steve has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top environmental practitioners representing the mining industry. One client described him as “absolutely the best.” He speaks and publishes on environmental legal and policy topics.

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Photo of Christopher J. Neumann Christopher J. Neumann

Chris Neumann is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice and counsels clients in the natural gas, petroleum, mining, construction, retail, home building, solid and hazardous waste, and other industries on a wide variety of litigation, environmental, and real estate matters. Chris represents…

Chris Neumann is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice and counsels clients in the natural gas, petroleum, mining, construction, retail, home building, solid and hazardous waste, and other industries on a wide variety of litigation, environmental, and real estate matters. Chris represents clients in connection with internal investigations following spills, pipe failures and other environmental incidents. He also defends clients in connection with civil, criminal and administrative enforcement by USEPA, states, tribes, local governments and citizen groups. Chris has advised clients on litigation and enforcement matters, as well as related auditing and compliance matters, under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA), Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA), and numerous other federal, state and tribal laws.

Chris is a trial lawyer and represents clients in complex trials, arbitration proceedings and mediations. He also represents clients in connection with evidentiary hearings and rulemaking proceedings before federal, state and tribal agencies including matters pending before the USEPA, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Additionally, Chris assists clients in efforts to obtain land use approvals, in efforts to resolve environmental concerns in complex business transactions, and in real estate acquisitions.

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