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Several federal agencies have released modified National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations. Some of these changes were in progress under the previous administration but were expedited by two recent developments: (1) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision concluding that the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) lacked the legal authority to issue binding regulations, and (2) Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, which directed CEQ to propose guidance on rescinding its regulations and directing federal agencies to expedite permitting approvals.

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Photo of Courtney M. Shephard Courtney M. Shephard

Courtney Shephard guides energy companies through complex regulatory landscapes in the Rocky Mountain West. Her experience spans conventional and low-carbon energy production, with a focus on federal regulatory compliance, permitting strategies, and resolving enforcement matters.

At the core of Courtney’s work is her

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Courtney Shephard guides energy companies through complex regulatory landscapes in the Rocky Mountain West. Her experience spans conventional and low-carbon energy production, with a focus on federal regulatory compliance, permitting strategies, and resolving enforcement matters.

At the core of Courtney’s work is her comprehensive approach to environmental compliance. She adeptly maneuvers through complex federal mandates—including NEPA, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act requirements—and handles federal administrative appeals. Her experience includes crafting site-specific development strategies for localized development challenges that with the goal of achieving both environmental protection and development objectives.

Leveraging her background in climate policy analysis, carbon market dynamics, and emissions accounting, Courtney collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive carbon management strategies. Her practice includes methane and CO2 reduction strategies, Class VI storage permitting, and pore space acquisitions. She also represents clients in rulemaking and permitting proceedings before the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission.

Access to adequate water supplies is a common project development challenge in the arid western United States. Courtney has more than a decade of experience working with private and municipal clients to appropriate, buy/sell, change, and protect water rights through private transactions and Colorado water court proceedings.

Courtney’s strategic vision and comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks have been instrumental in advancing numerous energy and infrastructure projects throughout the region. Her ability to synthesize complex regulatory requirements with practical business needs make her an asset to clients navigating the ever-changing energy landscape.

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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 Kerri Barsh Kerri Barsh

Kerri L. Barsh is Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice and represents public and private clients on an array of environmental regulatory, permitting and litigation matters, including transactional support and due diligence, environmental assessment and liability matters, climate change, energy and infrastructure projects,

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Kerri L. Barsh is Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice and represents public and private clients on an array of environmental regulatory, permitting and litigation matters, including transactional support and due diligence, environmental assessment and liability matters, climate change, energy and infrastructure projects, wetlands and coastal permitting, complex land use projects, air quality matters, hazardous materials contamination, and other compliance and enforcement cases. Kerri is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

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