Ben advises clients on matters related to land use and environmental rules and regulations, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), among other acts and statutes.

Ben focuses his practice on helping clients implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with environmental and energy laws. Over the past two years, Ben has worked with clients within the energy and natural resources sectors on various matters, including, California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ratemaking, rulemaking and investigative proceedings; hazardous waste categorization, storage and disposal; as well as Proposition 65 consultation and representation.

In addition, Ben has experience in defending clients against governmental entities and citizen groups alleging violations of environmental rules and regulations. He has assisted clients across a myriad of practice areas including matters related to the alleged NPDES violations under the CWA; offsite migration of hazardous substances on Superfund sites; California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement actions involving aftermarket vehicle part manufacturing, advertisement and sale; industrial operations on waterways protected by Basin Plans; compliance with HMBP regulations; and, legal and environmental review of renewable energy purchase and lease agreements.

Ben graduated from Vermont Law School. He is proficient in Japanese and Spanish.

Relevant Experience

• Represented clients in CPUC and FERC proceedings concerning major operational or ratemaking proposals by electric and gas utility companies which would affect the business and/or physical operations of the client.
• Represented large and small manufacturers and retailers in Proposition 65 citizen suits to defend against alleged consumer products, occupational and environmental risks.
• Represented large retailers in relation to the manufacture, advertisement and sale of aftermarket, performance and add-on part enforcement actions brought by government entities.
• Represented large retailers in enforcement proceedings regarding the categorization, storage and disposal of consumer products identified as hazardous materials and/or waste.
• Conducted environmental and legal due diligence reviews of large renewable energy purchase and lease agreements.
• Negotiated and secured a Settlement Agreement with a large municipality ending a 20-year legal standoff.
• Served as Lead Planner to the Witness of the Southern California Gas Company Environmental Department for the 2016-2019 CPUC General Rate Case proceeding.
• Oversaw the CEQA/NEPA process of a large natural gas infrastructure project.
• Formulated and submitted scoping letters to the Bureau of Land Management regarding natural resources on public lands.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Vermont Law School, 2013, Political Science and Environmental Ethics and Policy, The Evergreen State College, 2007