Co-chair of the firm’s environment and land use practice, Andrew Levine is widely recognized by industry leaders for his strategic counsel on environmental and energy infrastructure, practical financial solutions to fund these developments, and innovative approaches to ensuring long-term compliance and energy resiliency. Known for his creative thought leadership, Andy leverages his pivotal experience at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as in-house counsel in maneuvering through the complexities of developing environmental infrastructure projects.
Andy began his career litigating multimedia enforcement cases as assistant regional counsel with the EPA and as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His successful prosecution of a waste management company led to an early career in the solid waste industry, implementing and overseeing comprehensive compliance and permitting programs and spearheading the company’s initial foray into renewable energy.
Collaborating across multiple disciplines, Andy leads the provision of wide-ranging services for the siting, financing, permitting and development of brownfield, water, waste-to-energy and renewable energy projects. As a deal architect, Andy has been instrumental in some of the largest renewable natural gas (RNG) projects, excelling in maximizing clients’ ROI by securing optimal financing and tax treatment and evaluating the most advantageous deal and organizational structures.
Andy is also well-versed in discreetly handling sensitive criminal and civil investigations involving environmental and safety compliance issues. His broad knowledge of enforcement centers on cases involving toxic and other waste disposal practices, discharges to water and air, and the review of operational practices that result in serious regulatory infractions, having represented both private and public entities in high-level criminal exposures. Andy has guided numerous parties through complex public-private partnership (P3) contracting issues associated with energy facility developments and has experience with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance on large-scale federal projects.
Featured Representative Matters
Project Development and Management: Renewable Energy and Environmental Projects
Solar and Renewable Energy Projects
Developed and implemented renewable energy and combined heat and power (CHP) strategies for a large turbine manufacturing company.
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 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and energy efficiency projects.
Oil and Gas Projects
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 EPA’s proposed renewable fuel standards (RFS) regulations with respect to moving the point of obligation for RFS compliance.
Project Development and Management: Corporate and Financial Transactions
Acquisitions and Investments
Advised a producer and distributor of novelty ice cream products in the acquisition of a controlling interest by a private investment firm.
Represented a client in the purchase of a base realignment and closure (BRAC) facility, obtaining ground and air development rights at a closed military facility with agreement by the U.S. Army to remediate and with full liability protection for the client’s operations.
Redevelopment and Refinancing
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 healthcare facility.
Acted as counsel for a large regional chemical company seeking to sell its headquarters facility, which was also a Superfund site.
Regulatory and Compliance Matters: Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
Represented the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority in a complex federal suit appealing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ issuance of Section 404 and 408 permits to downriver facilities, resulting in the revocation of the permits, and preservation of the client’s navigational rights.
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.
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 (PCBs) that were released onto museum property.
Regulatory and Compliance Matters: Energy and Infrastructure Projects
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.
Coordinated the development of a large-scale energy efficiency project at a major university, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
Community Impact
A strong believer that movement is life, Andy has advocated for active recreational programs for all ability levels. He has helped to design and fund several inclusive playgrounds in his community and works with senior citizens as a certified personal trainer (NASM) and nutritionist to help them restore physical function. Andy also works with the YMCA’s Pathway programs to help recovering patients (especially cancer patients as a survivor himself) regain physical fitness.
Memberships
Member, Energy Editorial Advisory Board, Law360
Recording Secretary, River Crossing YMCA
Immediate Past 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
Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America (Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental) (2018-26)
The Best Lawyers in America (Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Environmental) (2018)
Featured Speaking Engagements
Speaker, “26Q2 Campus & Building Decarbonization Stakeholder Challenge,” AEG Philadelphia
Presenter, “Challenges to Renewable Energy Under the Big Beautiful Bill,” PECO Solar Collaborative
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,” Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
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,” Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
