Practice Expertise

  • Commodities Trading and Regulation
  • Air
  • Chemicals, Products and Hazardous Materials
  • Energy

Areas of Practice

  • Air
  • Chemicals, Products and Hazardous Materials
  • Commodities Trading and Regulation
  • Energy
  • Air Quality
  • Commodities and Derivatives Trading and ...
  • Endangered Species Act
  • Energy and Environmental Litigation
  • Energy Litigation
  • Energy Transition
  • Environmental
  • Environmental Compliance, Litigation and ...
  • Environmental Issues In Business Transactions
  • Environmental Sustainability and Corporate ...
  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • Natural Resources
  • Public Lands
  • Renewable Energy and Clean Power
  • Sustainability and ESG
  • Wind
  • View More

Profile

Carter’s practice focuses on environmental aspects of business transactions, environmental litigation, agency rulemakings and permitting.

A significant portion of Carter’s practice involves the handling of environmental aspects of complex business transactions, including due diligence and drafting and negotiation of transaction documents. She represents a broad range of clients including companies and trade associations in the electric generation, manufacturing and transportation industries, banks and other financial institutions, waste management firms and developers. Her recent work has included advising tax equity investors on environmental matters related to numerous wind and other renewable energy projects, and advising corporate clients regarding environmental aspects of business acquisitions. Carter also has experience representing clients involved in environmental commodities trading and has a background in corporate and transactional law.

Carter’s practice also includes representing clients in agency rulemakings and permitting. She has represented clients in federal appellate and district court litigation involving the Clean Air Act (CAA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental statutes. She is admitted to practice in the US Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Eleventh Circuit, and the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Relevant Experience

  • Represents investors and lenders in environmental matters in connection with the development and acquisition of major energy facilities (including coal, gas, wind, and geothermal).
  • Represented electric utility group in the US Supreme Court and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in litigation involving the scope of and limits on Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the CAA to regulate emissions to address interstate air quality.
  • Represented land-owning companies in ESA litigation resulting in favorable precedent-setting appellate court decision.
  • Represented international manufacturing company in CERCLA litigation involving a major industrial site.
  • Represented utility and other industry clients in litigation under the CAA, ESA, CWA, CERCLA, and NEPA.
  • Represents electric utility and other industry clients in rulemakings under the CAA.
  • Drafts and negotiates verified emission reduction purchase agreements (VERPAs) and renewable energy certificate (REC) purchase agreements for both buyers and sellers.

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Education
BA, University of Virginia, 1999

Areas of Practice

  • Air
  • Chemicals, Products and Hazardous Materials
  • Commodities Trading and Regulation
  • Energy
  • Air Quality
  • Commodities and Derivatives Trading and Regulation
  • Endangered Species Act
  • Energy and Environmental Litigation
  • Energy Litigation
  • Energy Transition
  • Environmental
  • Environmental Compliance, Litigation and Defense
  • Environmental Issues In Business Transactions
  • Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • Natural Resources
  • Public Lands
  • Renewable Energy and Clean Power
  • Sustainability and ESG
  • Wind

Professional Career

Significant Accomplishments
  • Represented electric utility group in litigation in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in a successful challenge to EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. 
  • Represented land owning companies in ESA litigation resulting in favorable precedent-setting appellate court decision.
  • Represent international manufacturing company in CERCLA litigation involving a major industrial site.
  • Represent industry clients in litigation under the CAA, ESA, CWA, CERCLA, and NEPA.
  • Represent industry clients in rulemakings under the CAA.
  • Draft and negotiate verified emission reduction purchase agreements (VERPAs) and renewable energy certificate (REC) purchase agreements for both buyers and sellers.



Professional Activities and Experience
  • 2017 Chambers USA Environment Law Firm of the Year
  • Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” Environmental Litigation, Washington DC Super Lawyers, 2013 and 2014. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Super Lawyers’ webpage.
  • E. Randolph Williams Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Hunton & Williams LLP, 2010-2011


Articles

  • Headwinds for offshore construction, Wind Systems
  • Fixing CAIR: EPA Embarks on a New Rulemaking for Interstate Pollution, Natural Resources & Environment
  • Expect Legal Challenges to New EPA Rules on Emissions, Power Magazine
  • Expanding the Scope of ESA Section 7 Requirements, Law360
  • A Comprehensive Guide for Managing Complex Solar REC Activities, Solar Industry
  • The High Value of Preserving Private Land: Benefits to Landowners and Species, American Bar Association
  • California offshore wind: What's next following the $757 million auction, Renewable Energy World

Blogs

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