- Successfully negotiated a 92 percent reduction of an EPA civil fine for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act for a company that owned and operated a private wastewater treatment plant designed to treat a wide array of industrial wastewater.
- Represented an oil and gas services company in a voluntary self-disclosure of criminal Clean Water Act violations related to disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing. The voluntary self-disclosure resulted in a declination of criminal charges against the company.
- Brought a successful summary judgment motion against the EPA on behalf international brick manufacturer Boral Industries Inc. in Appalachian Voices, et al. v. McCarthy. Motion resulted in consent decree requiring the EPA to review its coal ash regulations in a timely manner and prevent negative stigma and uncertainty pertaining to Boral’s use of recycled coal ash in brick products.
- Represented an oil and gas midstream services company in a criminal investigation of a large pipeline spill in the Bakken Shale play.
- Provides ongoing counsel to a large off-road engine manufacturer regarding compliance with Clean Air Act standards and import and export issues.
- Representation of the head of regulatory affairs for an international car manufacturer in a pending EPA investigation of alleged Clean Air Act violations pertaining to fuel economy ratings.
- Represented companies and executives in response to EPA civil Clean Air Act Section 114(a) information requests and criminal fraud investigations related to the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
- Developed an efficient companywide environmental management system for an oil and gas services company as part of the company’s rebranding effort.
- Defending a company in a suit brought by adjacent landowners alleging public nuisance based on alleged odors emanating from the company’s operation of municipal landfill.
- Successfully negotiated a consent decree with EPA Region VI that allowed a company to utilize a hazardous waste disposal option that resulted in a cost savings of approximately $3.5 million.
- Serve as an integral part of a national trial team that defends an asbestos manufacturer in numerous mesothelioma-related lawsuits.
- Represented crew members and corporations in U.S. Coast Guard criminal investigations into alleged violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
- Provided comments on a U.S. EPA national rulemaking that ultimately allowed companies to continue sales of remaining stock of certain ozone-depleting chemicals being phased out under the Clean Air Act.
Senior Counsel,
- Phone: 202.239.3585
- Email: bruce.pasfield@alston.com
Bruce's clients rely on his 30 years of experience to advise them on their most complex and pressing environmental matters. From criminal and civil environmental defense to developing compliance programs and challenging agency rulemaking, clients in a broad spectrum of industries seek his counsel in evaluating risks.