Shannon Oldenburg

Shannon Oldenburg’s extensive background in environmental science and land use planning informs her practical approach to clients’ environmental challenges. Shannon has represented energy companies, utilities, government entities, developers, technology companies and timber industries on a wide range of environmental matters, including land use entitlements, environmental permitting and compliance, transactional due diligence and litigation.

She counsels clients on federal, state and local regulatory programs, not limited to storm water and waste discharges, hazardous materials (CERCLA and RCRA), planning and zoning, coastal development permitting, endangered species and wetlands issues, air quality and California’s Proposition 65.

She also advises on regulatory compliance relating to facility construction and operations, site investigations and clean-up, and land redevelopment.

With a background as an environmental consultant and land use planner, Shannon has substantial experience preparing and defending CEQA and NEPA environmental impact analyses, particularly in relation to water, energy and transportation projects. She is also a skilled grant writer.

Shannon is admitted to practice in all California, Alabama and Florida state courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the US District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and the Northern District of Florida.

Experience:

• Represented gas utility in avoiding formal enforcement action related to a chemical release to soil and groundwater. Negotiated with the state environmental agency to develop a path forward that effectively addressed site investigation, permitting and novel remediation strategies in the face of significant publicity and litigation.
• As appointed Deputy Attorney General for the Alabama Department of Transportation, successfully defended adequacy of NEPA environmental assessment for high-profile highway reconstruction project through the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
• Provided regulatory advice to municipal utility board related to the decommissioning of wastewater treatment ponds pursuant to US EPA and state solid waste disposal regulations for biosolids. Assisted same utility in developing proposed state legislation limiting tort liability of municipal water suppliers that maintain compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.
• Assisted the City of Mobile, Alabama, in procuring over $38 million in grant funds from the NFWF Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund and Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (RESTORE Act) to implement environmental and economic restoration projects in the aftermath of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
• Provided ongoing assistance and advice to the Alabama Housing and Finance Authority with regard to NEPA responsibilities delegated to the state agency by the US Department of Housing and Development, including analysis of potential environmental justice concerns.
• Assisted one of the world’s largest technology companies with NEPA review, environmental permitting and the negotiation of a permanent easement and development agreement with a government agency landowner for a new data center facility.
• Prepared an environmental and land use permitting strategy for a 72 MW solar energy project.
• Amid significant public opposition, successfully assisted coal company in obtaining land use permits for development of a coal processing and transportation terminal located at a state port authority.
• As in-house environmental specialist for a regional California utility, managed the environmental review, permitting and compliance for complex electric and natural gas infrastructure projects.
• As an energy planner for Santa Barbara County, California, evaluated and enforced permit compliance for onshore oil and gas facilities associated with offshore production.
• Conducted facility audits and emergency response drills in coordination with local, state and federal agencies. Prepared permits, environmental analyses, facility siting studies and staff reports to the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
• As an environmental consultant, worked as a staff loan to the environmental compliance team of a major oil company during the construction of two offshore oil and gas production platforms and associated onshore processing facilities; conducted air quality and meteorological monitoring and reporting in compliance with the oil company’s air emissions permits.
• As an environmental consultant, directed the preparation of environmental impact assessments for large-scale infrastructure development projects, including a recycled water pipeline, reservoir and pump station; a federal highway improvement project; and an LNG plant project in Equatorial Guinea.

EDUCATION:

• JD, University of San Diego School of Law, 2003
• MESM, Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1998
• BA, Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1990

BAR ADMISSIONS:

• Alabama
• California
• Florida

Memberships:

• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Member, The State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section
• Member, Alabama State Bar, Executive Committee-Environmental Law Section
• Member, The Florida Bar, Land Use and Environmental Law Section
• Member, American Bar Association