Andrew S. Levine

Co-Chair, Environmental

alevine@stradley.com

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Andrew Levine
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Overview

As co-chair of the firm’s environmental practice group, Andy Levine is widely recognized by industry leaders for his strategic environmental counsel, practical financial solutions to complex challenges and innovative approach to expanding the energy economy in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

Having started his career litigating multimedia enforcement cases for the federal government against refineries, pipelines and solid waste companies, he was soon recruited by Waste Management Inc. to implement these very types of programs on the corporate side. While at Waste Management, Andy oversaw landfill and transfer station expansions, permitting and compliance throughout the Eastern Seaboard, and also developed the strategic landfill gas-to-energy program that formed the basis for his current energy practice in natural and synthetic gas.

As a deal architect, he maximizes his clients’ ROI in constructing and operating energy and environmental infrastructure projects, obtains the best possible financing and tax treatment, and evaluates the most advantageous deal and organizational structure. His team also finds the most strategic means for environmental compliance and permitting, with a keen focus on the organizations’ business development plans and, most of all, the bottom line.

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Focus

Results

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Representative Matters

  • advised a producer and distributor of novelty ice cream products in the acquisition of a controlling interest by a private investment firm
  • represented the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority with respect to resolving 152 misdemeanor counts under the Safe Drinking Water Act, including federal charges and EPA debarment proceedings
  • worked with a religious order and healthcare system on establishing solar arrays to provide energy for an associated residential age-in-place community
  • represented warehouse owners on rooftop solar developments for onsite EV charging stations and energy efficiency projects
  • represented the Commonwealth with respect to a long-term P3 development contract for CNG stations and renewable energy projects (solar and RNG) at strategically located transit agencies across Pennsylvania
  • analyzed renewable energy transactions for applicability of solar, biomass and RNG tax incentives and multipliers under the Inflation Reduction Act
  • represented regional ports on environmental compliance, permitting and energy issues, including deployment of solar facilities and CHP systems
  • worked with a major developer to secure grants and approvals for compressed and renewable natural gas stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for a major utility corporation
  • worked with a large, regional health system to develop a solar array at its residential community
  • developed and implemented renewable energy and combined heat and power (CHP) strategies for a large turbine manufacturing company
  • developed a large-scale alternative gas facility throughout Wilmington, Delaware, to co-mingle landfill gas from a large state-owned facility and biogas from a city-owned treatment works to provide methane to fuel several CHP plants
  • worked with a joint venture to develop a new oil transshipment facility in the Philadelphia region to receive Bakken crude by unit train to be barged downriver to a jet fuel refinery
  • drafted comments on behalf of merchant refiners to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed renewable fuel standards regulations with respect to moving the point of obligation for RFS compliance
  • facilitated the transfer of ownership of Exelon’s Schuylkill Generating Plant to Veolia, which provides the steam loop for Center City Philadelphia and may also serve as a strategic resource for microgrid development
  • drafted performance guaranties and coordinated the development of large-scale energy efficiency projects at universities, prisons and government offices
  • resolved a large-scale federal enforcement matter against a confidential state government agency investigation relating to the donation of rail cars contaminated with high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls that were released onto museum property
  • oversaw the redevelopment and refinancing of a large aerospace and satellite testing facility for reuse as a large office complex under the New Jersey Brownfields Program
  • acted as redevelopment counsel for the proposed reuse of a Pennsylvania Healthcare Supply Chain Association site as a large regional health care facility
  • represented a client in the purchase of a BRAC facility, obtaining ground and air development rights at a closed military facility with agreement by the Army to remediate and with full liability protection for the client’s operations
  • acted as counsel and project manager of voluntary drinking-water-quality investigations for a large, multi-jurisdictional school system involving more than 250 institutions to detect lead and remediate causes of exposure to students and staff
  • acted as counsel for a large regional chemical company seeking to sell its headquarters facility, which was also a superfund site
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Credentials

Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
Education
  • J.D., cum laude, Tulane University School of Law
  • B.A., magna cum laude, Tulane University, Phi Beta Kappa
Memberships

  • Lower Bucks Family YMCA Advisory Board, Recording Secretary
  • Chair, Newtown Township Open Space, Parks and Recreation Board
  • Member, Greater Philadelphia Energy Action Team
  • Past Chairman, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Section on Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law

Publications

News

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Presentations

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, “Maritime Matters — LegalEase, Expanded,” Maritime Exchange
  • Panelist, “Supply Chain Agreements 2023: Manufacturing and Market Disruption,” Practising Law Institute
  • Panelist, “Climate Risk & ESG Standards: The Intersection of Environmental Regulation and Corporate Disclosure,” Perrin Conferences: Environmental Risk & Litigation Conference
  • Panelist, “Renewable Energy Technologies and U.S. Innovation,” Stradley Ronon and RETTEW Webcast
  • Panelist, “Redevelopment Projects Challenged Through COVID-19 and How They Have Survived,” Council of Development Finance Agencies Virtual National Summit
  • Panelist, “Energy Infrastructure,” Council of Development Finance Agencies’ Intro Infrastructure Finance Webcast
  • Presenter, “Energy Development Incentives under the Federal Opportunity Zones,” Practising Law Institute
  • Presenter, “Downstream Uses of Natural Gas,” Practising Law Institute
  • Presenter, “Renewable Natural Gas Project Development,” Practising Law Institute
  • Moderator, “Negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement,” Practising Law Institute
  • Moderator, “Energy Project Finance Considerations,” Practising Law Institute
  • Panelist, “The Greater Philadelphia Energy Advantage,” Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
  • Panelist, “Changes in Corporate Policies Resulting from Climate Change Initiatives,” American Lawyer Media’s American Compliance and Commitment Legal Summit
  • Panelist, “The Multifaceted Effort to Regulate & Modify Corporate Behavior Through Climate Change Incentives,” Environmental Compliance and Commitment Legal Summit
  • Presenter, “Refueling the Region,” Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
  • Panelist, “Yeah! We’re Going to Electrify Everything…Uh Oh,” Microgrid Philadelphia
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Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Philadelphia Environmental Litigation "Lawyer of the Year"
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent rating
  • Suburban Life Magazine, "Top Attorney"
  • Suburban Life Magazine, "Five-star Attorney"
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In The Community

Andy worked for years to fund and construct inclusive playground structures. He is also chair of Newtown Township’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation Board, whose mission is to expand the open space and trail systems of Newtown, Pennsylvania, develop recreational playing fields, and create a large nature center for environmental education. He is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University’s School of Engineering. Andy also works with veterans and cancer survivors in his capacity on the Bucks County YMCA Board of Advisors.
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