Environment & Natural Resources
The landscape of environmental law is a patchwork of complex and sometimes overlapping laws, regulations, and agency policies that change at a dizzying pace. Companies affected by environmental requirements routinely deal with legal disputes, compliance headaches, public relations challenges, and legislative roadblocks. In short, running a business with an environmental impact can get very complicated, very quickly.
We provide a path through the maze. Our attorneys work on all fronts: planning, permitting, compliance and legislation, to solve problems for our clients. Our unique approach combines a dedicated team of attorneys skilled in specific areas of environmental law with a respected legislative team that watches out for our clients’ interests on the state and national level. Integrating these functions allows us to provide comprehensive solutions that address our clients’ current needs while monitoring changes in regulations and legislation that might affect their future business plans.
When it comes to planning and permitting, we stay ahead of emerging environmental issues so that we can equip our clients to meet the challenges they face in this dynamic regulatory arena. Whether counseling on cutting-edge issues such as climate change regulation, cooling water intake requirements, and shale play development, or offering guidance on long-standing requirements such as remediation or solid and hazardous waste management, we have the technical knowledge and experience to develop innovative strategies to help clients meet their obligations and attain their goals.
To achieve our clients’ objectives, we employ a wide range of techniques. Often, solutions negotiated at the agency level are successful. Sometimes, the only way to achieve the desired result is through administrative hearings, litigation or tenacious involvement in formal rulemaking dockets. We thoroughly understand the ins and outs of these processes and have obtained favorable results for our clients in some of the most significant environmental litigation and contested case hearings in the state.
However, to navigate the complexities of environmental law, our clients need more than knowledge of the laws and regulations. Their success also depends on our ability to maintain strong and trusted relationships with key decision-makers at administrative agencies and the legislature. Current members of our environmental and legislative team have over 100 years of combined experience practicing before regulatory agencies and the Texas Legislature. They include attorneys who formerly worked for the Legislature, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Our clients are building, feeding and powering the country. They operate in a highly regulated space. We clear the obstacles that stand in their way. By putting our knowledge, experience and relationships to work for clients, we enable them to continue their important work of shaping and improving the world we live in.
Air Quality
Air quality permitting in Texas can be tremendously complicated for those unfamiliar with the regulations. Our attorneys work closely with each client to develop a clear understanding of the permitting issues associated with the client’s project. We know that choosing the right type of permit can save our clients significant time, money and regulatory hassles. We develop cost-effective permitting solutions that take into account the individual needs of our clients, and we serve as advocates for clients in the regulatory controversies that surround air quality enforcement.
Carbon Management & Climate Change
We enjoy a national reputation in energy law dating back to the late 1800s when one of our founding partners, A.W. Walker, Jr., first developed many of the fundamental concepts of modern exploration and production law. Our leadership in developing innovative solutions to issues for our energy clients continues, both domestically and internationally, and now encompasses experience in all sectors of the ever-changing energy economy, including emerging carbon capture and storage industry, as well as the gasification of solid fuels such as coal, petroleum coke, and biomass.
Compliance and Enforcement
At Jackson Walker, we take a proactive approach to compliance and enforcement, helping our clients see the big picture and plan for compliance issues that might arise and thereby avoid costly enforcement actions later.
Electric Power Generation
We help our power generation clients stay on top of changes and plan proactively for challenges to come. Our environmental and legislative attorneys are continually tracking regulatory and legislative changes at the federal and state level to gauge their potential impact on clients.
Environmental Due Diligence
We work with clients during real estate and corporate and financing transactions and development of projects to identify potential environmental risks and liabilities. We also develop strategies to address identified issues and have experience in structuring and negotiating transactions to minimize and manage environmental liabilities.
Environmental Litigation and Toxic Tort
Jackson Walker’s environmental and toxic tort litigation team provides clients with predictable, cost-efficient, and practical solutions on environmental and toxic tort litigation matters.
Mining and Reclamation
We know the importance of mined minerals to our nation’s economic and energy needs. Almost everything – from power generation and transportation to the products that we use every day – requires mined minerals (clay, crushed stone, granite, lignite, coal, limestone, marble, sand and gravel, uranium, etc.). We represent coal, lignite, aggregate, and uranium mining companies in reclamation and compliance activities and in the development of power generation projects.
Project Development & Permitting
Virtually all major industrial facilities and energy projects require environmental approvals or permits to be obtained prior to construction or operation. The permitting process can be complicated and challenging, as neighbors, activists and competitors may seek to use the permit process to delay, scale back, or kill a proposed project. Successful permitting requires careful planning, prudent site selection, and effective use of trained professionals.
Remediation and Property Redevelopment
We help clients, including both current and former landowners, resolve issues related to contaminated property. We work with engineers and other consultants to develop the best approach for attaining cost-effective investigation and remediation. We also have experience in structuring and negotiating transactions to minimize and manage environmental liabilities as part of the redevelopment of property with environmental issues. Working closely with our Real Estate and Corporate & Transactions practices, we provide a full range of services to clients involved in transactions that have an environmental component.
Renewable Energy
Jackson Walker attorneys assist clients in connection with the development, financing, construction, and operation of a wide range of energy-related projects, including wind, solar, battery storage, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects. We address the most pressing issues in the development of renewable energy projects, including ensuring the project will limit any potential impact to endangered species, protected water bodies, and cultural resources, and that the project will comply with applicable environmental permits.
Superfund
We represent a wide variety of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) and PRP groups at Superfund sites across the country, including handling issues related to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and analogous state laws, enforcement actions, cost recovery and contribution cases, natural resource damages, property transactions, permitting, and compliance.
Waste
Our attorneys provide permitting, enforcement defense, and compliance counseling for clients in the areas of municipal and industrial hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste management, disposal, and remediation. Our clients range from individual landowners to large municipalities and corporations. In addition to providing a full range of services to our clients, we are actively involved in the legislative and rule-making actions that shape environmental law in Texas.
Water
Jackson Walker’s environmental attorneys are skilled in all areas of water quality regulation and have the experience to efficiently and effectively guide clients to their goals. We help clients develop effective reuse, disposal, and pollution prevention strategies to tackle challenges before they become problems. As in all areas of environmental law, water regulations change frequently. With extensive experience in all aspects of water use, from permitting to litigation, our environmental attorneys bring clarity to this complicated field.
Jackson Walker Represents Cambridgeport Capital in Sale of Integrity Assessment Group
Jackson Walker represented JRGO, LLC d/b/a Integrity Assessment Group (“IAG”), a leading provider of pipeline integrity and other testing services for the energy industry, and its controlling equityholder, Cambridgeport Capital, in a sale transaction with XCEL NDT, a portfolio company of Greycliff Partners. The transaction closed on September 8, 2025, for an undisclosed amount.
Client Results • October 27, 2025
Jackson Walker Represents Surge Private Equity in $50M+ Investment in White Plains Linen
Jackson Walker advised Surge Private Equity in connection with a majority investment in White Plains Linen, a New York-based provider of commercial laundry and textile rental services. The transaction, which closed on August 1, 2025, was valued in excess of $50 million and was supported by senior debt financing from Capital Southwest Corporation.
Client Results • August 25, 2025
Jackson Walker Represents Deep Blue in Successful Acquisition of Lagoon’s Midland Basin Water Business
Jackson Walker represented Deep Blue Midland Basin LLC in the purchase of the Midland Basin operating affiliate of Lagoon Water Solutions. Deep Blue is a joint venture between Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Five Point Energy, LLC, and provides midstream water transportation, disposal, sourcing, recycling, enhanced evaporation and desalination services to Midland Basin producers.
Client Results • June 3, 2024
Jackson Walker Secures Landmark Victory at Texas Supreme Court for Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3
A Jackson Walker team led by Jennifer Caughey, Brad Anderson, and Danica Milios secured a major appellate victory for the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 in an important eminent domain and immunity dispute before the Supreme Court of Texas. The central issue was whether a land-owning governmental entity could unilaterally stop an authorized condemnation by asserting governmental immunity from suit.
Client Results • May 19, 2023
Robert Soza, Jennifer Caughey, and Danica Milios Secure Texas Supreme Court Victory in Important Causation Precedent
The Supreme Court of Texas ruled unanimously in favor of Jackson Walker client Helena Chemical Company. In doing so, the Court reinstated a summary judgment in favor of Helena in a lawsuit alleging that an aerial application of herbicide damaged cotton fields in Mitchell County, Texas. This appeal addressed critical issues of causation and expert testimony and set important precedent.
Client Results • March 7, 2023
Ninth Circuit Upholds $18M Default Judgment for Energy Client
Jennifer Caughey and Peter Hansen, along with Chris Thompson and Dan Vineyard, obtained a unanimous appellate victory in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. That victory preserves an $18 million default judgment.
Client Results • November 8, 2022
Jackson Walker Represents Novaria Group in Completing Six Acquisitions in Seven Months
Novaria Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty hardware, components, and coatings for the aerospace and defense industries, recently completed its acquisition of STROCO Manufacturing, Inc. This deal marks the sixth acquisition Novaria has announced from December of 2021 through July of 2022, taking place after its successful acquisitions of FMi Chemical, Hohman Plating, Advanced Coating, Hydro Fitting, and GK Mechanical Systems.
Client Results • September 27, 2022
Jackson Walker Appellate Team Secures Precedent-Setting Victory in Texas Supreme Court for Major Texas Mine
On February 11, 2022, the Texas Supreme Court established critical precedent on administrative law principles and the faithful application of the law. Texas mine owner and operator Dos Repúblicas, represented by Appellate Practice Chair Jennifer Caughey and her team, prevailed.
Client Results • February 18, 2022
Meghan Griffiths to Moderate Panel at Gulf Coast Power Association Spring Conference & Exhibition
Jackson Walker partner Meghan E. Griffiths will moderate a panel at the Gulf Coast Power Association’s 39th Annual Spring Conference & Exhibition, taking place April 7–8, 2026, at the Hilton Americas – Houston.
Speaking Engagements • March 26, 2026
EPA Rescinds Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, Repeals All Vehicle GHG Standards
By Mike Nasi and Travis Wussow
On February 12, 2026, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signed a final rule rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and repealing all motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act.
Insights • February 27, 2026
“Cap Chat Texas” Podcast Interviews Jackson Walker Partner Denise Rose
Jackson Walker partner Denise Rose joined hosts Stephanie Chiarello and David Mintz on the Cap Chat Texas podcast to discuss the journey of her career from aspiring doctor to lawyer and lobbyist.
Mentions • February 20, 2026
Michael Nasi to Speak at Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Symposium
Jackson Walker partner Michael J. Nasi will serve as the opening speaker on the second day of the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law (TJOGEL) Symposium, which will be held at the Austin Public Library on February 5-6, 2026.
Speaking Engagements • February 5, 2026
IRS Issues Safe Harbor for Section 45Q Carbon Capture Credits
By Nathan T. Smithson, Ali Abazari, and Travis Wussow
On December 19, 2025, the IRS issued Notice 2026-1, providing a safe harbor for taxpayers seeking to claim the federal income tax credit for qualified carbon oxide sequestration under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Notice addresses a compliance gap created by the EPA proposed repeal of greenhouse gas reporting requirements that are currently necessary to claim the credit.
Insights • February 3, 2026
White House, Governors, and PJM Respond to Grid Capacity Shortfall
By Mike Nasi and Travis Wussow
Data centers, domestic manufacturing, and other drivers of economic growth are generating significant new demand for electricity across the country. Mike Nasi and Travis Wussow discuss recent proposals to answer a question facing grid operators nationwide: how can we most efficiently and effectively build out generation capacity to meet growing demand from data centers and other large loads?
Insights • January 22, 2026
EPA Launches Clean Air Act Resource Hub for Data Center Developers
By Michael J. Nasi & Travis Wussow
On December 11, 2025, the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation launched a new resource page consolidating Clean Air Act guidance for data center developers. The resource is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to accelerate energy infrastructure development and reflects the growing recognition that air permitting has become a critical bottleneck for AI and data center projects.
Insights • January 9, 2026
Michael Nasi to Speak as Lunch Keynote at American Public Power Association Conference
Jackson Walker partner Michael J. Nasi will serve as the lunch keynote speaker on the first full day of the American Public Power Association Joint Action Conference held on January 11-13, 2026 in Destin, Florida.
Speaking Engagements • January 8, 2026
