Ronald M. Varnum is an environmental lawyer who counsels clients on an array of environmental regulatory, permitting, and enforcement matters. He also represents clients in environmental litigation matters, including defending clients in third-party challenges to environmental permits. His experience includes advising clients in the electric power sector on environmental regulatory developments, particularly developments under the Clean Air Act, and drafting comments on proposed regulations.
Ron handles Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) matters and represents clients in connection with Superfund sites. He serves as common counsel to a group of parties performing the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study at a Superfund site.
Ron also has experience advising clients on environmental issues and risks associated with real estate and business transactions and negotiating deal provisions to address environmental liabilities.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented an energy company in defending against a third-party administrative appeal of its Title V air permit for a natural gas-fired power plant.
- Represented an energy company in defending against third-party appeals of its air construction permit and wastewater permit for a natural gas-fired power plant.
- Represented energy companies in litigation over the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act, Michigan v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., 576 U.S. 743 (Sup. Ct. 2015).
Professional Highlights
Speaking Engagements
"Greenhouse Gas Emissions Update—The Impact on All Industries," 2015 Core Energy and Environmental Conference Series, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, October 29, 2015
"Bringing Our Carbon Footprint Down to Size: What EPA's Final Clean Power Plan Means to Pennsylvania", Pennsylvania Bar Institute webinar, October 8, 2015
"Legal Framework of Notice and Comment Process," Association of Corporate Counsel, DELVACCA Chapter, seminar on "Strategic Considerations in the Regulatory Comment Process," September 2011
Board Memberships & Community Service
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, past member, Board of Trustees
Colgate University, past member, Board of Trustees
Publications
Co-author, "State Implementation of the Clean Power Plan: Why It Matters to Industries Outside the Power Sector," Environmental Law Reporter, November 2015
Co-author, "Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay," Bar Bulletin, September 21, 2015
Co-author, "Primer on Air Pollution Control Issues, Including Permitting and Climate Change," chapter in Guidebook on Pennsylvania Environmental Laws and Regulations, 7
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2005)
Board of Student Advisors
Colgate University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2000)
Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit