Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

Sustainability Success Stories

  • Our client wanted to reduce its wastewater and water usage through reuse. When it ran into roadblocks with the regulatory agency, it consulted SGR’s Sustainability Practice Group. Phillip Hoover worked with the client and its engineers, the state environmental agency, and local government that operated the wastewater treatment system into which the client discharged, to negotiate, permit and implement the water reuse and treatment system.

  • An SGR client specializes in converting and operating existing municipal solid waste landfills into modern, environmentally protective and responsible landfills, instead of converting greenfields to massive landfills. SGR’s Sustainability Practice Group assists the client in achieving its goals by negotiating and drafting appropriate contract language for use with local governments; drafting appropriate provisions of solid waste plans and assisting the client and the local government with implementation of those plans, including defending their planning goals in litigation; assisting the client in acquisition of waste collection and transport capacity; and other consultations and assistance.

  • In the midst of a historic drought, one of Georgia’s new cities wanted to explore long term water supply options. SGR Sustainability Practice Group leader Stephen O’Day teamed with a consulting firm to provide long term water supply planning services to the city, culminating in a detailed evaluation of alternatives and recommendation of a preferred alternative. SGR provided legal analysis of the implications of the preferred alternative and the processes to achieve long term water supply security for the city.

  • Our client owns and operates community centers for use by its employees and members of the public. Investigation of complaints of poor air quality in these new centers led to an investigation that identified poor construction as the cause of water intrusion and mold growth. The Sustainability Practice Group has managed the completion of investigation of the cause of indoor air quality problems; design and implementation of repairs and remediation to eliminate and control the problems; and litigation against those responsible for defective construction in order to recover the extensive costs.

  • Our client withdraws water from surface waters for irrigation. Because its water withdrawal permit will be up for renewal in 3 years, and in order to plan for water usage during drought conditions, the client asked SGR’s Sustainability Practice Group to evaluate state water policy, including its nascent water plan, and develop strategies for permitting and implementation of water conservation, reuse and surface withdrawals to meet the client’s future needs in all conditions, including compliance with restrictions imposed in drought conditions.

  • The Sustainability Practice Group represented one of the world’s largest developers of wind power in its efforts to site, permit, develop and operate wind power projects in the United States. Our work includes assistance in identification of sites, negotiation of site and right of way acquisition, negotiation of power contracts, land use, energy and environmental permitting, and other legal representation and consultation.

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