Joseph K. Reinhart

Area of Emphasis

Joe Reinhart is a shareholder and former co-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Group of Babst Calland. He is also a member of the Firm’s Environmental Group. His environmental practice focuses on areas of environmental law that concern oil and gas well development, chemical plant operations, coal mining and non-coal mining. In addition, Mr. Reinhart’s practice includes the application of state and federal laws governing the disposal of produced waters and other wastes generated by gas, coal and electric utility industries. Mr. Reinhart also routinely counsels clients concerning risk-based remediation programs, such as Pennsylvania’s Act 2 Program, particularly as they relate to wastes derived from fossil fuels.

Mr. Reinhart has more than 30 years of experience with environmental law. He has represented industrial and commercial clients in many complex permitting and enforcement matters under federal and state laws. Mr. Reinhart has negotiated consent orders with agencies to resolve liabilities associated with reclamation and remediation obligations under SMCRA, CERCLA, RCRA, the SDWA, the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Pennsylvania Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. He has negotiated environmental provisions in business transactions involving coal mines, petrochemical facilities and industrial properties across the United States.

Mr. Reinhart frequently lectures on new developments in environmental law and has provided comments on behalf of industry to agency regulatory initiatives. Beginning in 2003, and annually thereafter, he has been appointed by the secretaries of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). In addition, Mr. Reinhart is a Trustee of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, where he presently serves on its Law Student Scholarship Committee. He also served as co-chair of the Oil & Gas Program at the 60^th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute in Vail, Colorado and chaired the Oil & Gas Program at the 2015 Annual Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Institute in Amelia Island, Florida.

Background

Mr. Reinhart earned his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1984. From 1984–1988, he served as counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Mr. Reinhart joined the law firm in 1988 and served as chairman of the Environmental Group for eight years.

Memberships and Affiliations

Mr. Reinhart is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He is a member of the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the American Bar associations. Mr. Reinhart has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America^© in the Environmental Law Section since 2003; Litigation – Environmental Section since 2011; Natural Resources Law Section since 2017; and Energy Law Section since 2018 by BL Rankings. He was also recognized as the Best Lawyers^® 2018 Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2019 Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year” and 2021 Natural Resources Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Publications/Presentations

• Co-Author, “PADEP Presents Update on the OOOOc Rulemaking to the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 4 (2024).
• Co-Author, “OSMRE Approves Amendment to the Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 4 (2024).
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania PUC Approves Joint Motion to Implement Comprehensive Review to Reduce Application Processing Times,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 3 (2024).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Issues Request for Information Regarding Clean Energy Campus Projects on Commonwealth’s Abandoned Mine Lands,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 3 (2024).
• Co-Author, “Shapiro Administration Revises PPC Plan Policy to Require Operators to Disclose Drilling Chemicals,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 2 (2024).
• Co-Author, “PACER and PRESS Are Introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 2 (2024).
• Co-Author, “Governor Shapiro Awards $101.1 Million in Grants for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Projects,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 41, No. 1 (2024).
• Co-Author, “University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Department of Health Release Studies Exploring the Relationships Between Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Specific Health Issues in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 4 (2023).
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Holds RGGI Rule Unconstitutional,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 4 (2023).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Releases Draft Technical Guidance for the Development and Implementation of Oil and Gas Well Site Integrated Contingency Plans,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 3 (2023).
• Co-Author, “Oral Argument Heard Regarding Pennsylvania’s RGGI Rule,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 3 (2023).
• Co-Author, “The Future of Pennsylvania’s RGGI Rule Remains Uncertain,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 2 (2023).
• Co-Author, “In Response to Environmental Groups’ Request, PADEP Declines to Issue Order to Shell Plant to Cease Operations,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 2 (2023).
• Co-Author, “EQB Adopts Regulations Reducing Emissions from Unconventional and Conventional Operations,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 1 (2023).
• Co-Author, “Litigation Surrounding Pennsylvania’s RGGI Rule Continues,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 1 (2023).
• Co-Author, “PADEP General Permit for Short Duration Processing and Beneficial Use of Oil and Gas Liquid Waste Available for Use,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 4 (2022).
• Co-Author, “Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Upholds Preliminary Injunction for RGGI Rule,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 4 (2022).
• Co-Author, “Preliminary Injunction Granted for RGGI Rule,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No.3 (2022).
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania Joins RGGI,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 2 (2022).
• Co-Author, “After Commonwealth Court Denies Challenge to Municipality’s Unconventional Drilling and Operations Ordinance, Citizen Group Petitions Pennsylvania Supreme Court for Review,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 2 (2022).
• Co-Author, “EQB Publishes Proposed Amendments to Anthracite Coal and Coal Refuse Disposal Regulations,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 1 (2022).
• Co-Author, “Environmental Impacts from Construction of Mariner East 2 Pipeline Results in Charges of Environmental Crimes; Settlement Reached to Restore Marsh Creek Lake,” FRNEL’s Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 39, No. 1 (2022).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Issues Guidelines for Implementing Area of Review Regulatory Requirement for Unconventional Wells,” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 4 (2021).
• Co-Author, “PADEP Issues Draft Technical Guidance Regarding Synthetic Liners and Caps at Coal Refuse Disposal Areas,” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 4 (2021).
• Co-Author, “PADEP’s RGGI Rule Nears the End of the Regulatory Process,” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 3 (2021).
• Co-Author, “Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Dismisses Appeal of Unconventional Drilling Zoning Approvals,” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 3 (2021).
• Co-Author, “Commonwealth Court Confirms EHB Discretion in Awarding Fees Under the Clean Streams Law” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 2 (2021).
• Co-Author, “PADEP’s RGGI Rule Continues Through the Regulatory Process,” RMMLF Mineral and Energy Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 2 (2021).
• Co-Author, “Governor Wolf Vetoes Conventional Oil and Gas Wells Act,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 1 (2021).
• Co-Author, “Significant Public Participation Regarding PADEP’s RGGI Rule,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 38, No. 1 (2021).
• Co-Author, “Governor Wolf’s and PADEP’s RGGI Rule Moves Forward,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 37, No. 4 (2020).
• Co-Author, “Grand Jury Investigation into Unconventional Oil and Gas Industry Findings and Recommendations Released,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter,” Vol. 37, No. 3 (2020).
• Co-Author, “Governor Wolf’s and PADEP’s Attempts to Join RGGI Meets Resistance,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter,” Vol. 37, No. 3 (2020).
• Co-Author, “Pennsylvania Supreme Court Preserves Rule of Capture,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 37, No. 2 (2020).
• Co-Author, “Updates on Changes to Coal Refuse Disposal Temporary Cessation Provisions,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 37, No. 2 (2020).
• Co-Author, “Update of Proposed Water Quality Standards for Manganese,” RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, Vol. 37, No. 1 (2020).
• Co-Presenter, “Going Global: Expanding the Scope of Environmental Review for the Energy Sector,” Energy Industry Environmental Law Conference, Institute for Energy Law, May 2018.
• Presenter, “Environmental Permitting and Issues for the Petrochemical Industry,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Special Institute on Petrochemicals, April 11, 2018.
• Presenter “Government and NGO Perspectives on the Environmental Rights Amendment and Other Current Environmental Issues,” Pitt Law’s 2018 Energy Law and Policy Institute Conference, March 15, 2018.
• Co-Author, “Going Global,” Best Lawyers Insight, October 26, 2017.
• Author, “Legal Perspectives on Shale Development,” Made in PA, August 15, 2017.
• Author, “No Legal Windfall Yet From Rising Pa. Natural Gas Production,” PA Law Weekly, August 15, 2016.
• Author, “Appalachian Midstream Operators Face a Myriad of Challenges,” Pipeline & Gas Journal, Vol. No. 242, Number 11, November 2015.
• Co-Presenter, “Navigating Potential Development Conflicts in Shale Gas Resources Plays: State and Local Governmental Conflicts in Light of Range Resources and Huntley & Huntley,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Special Institute on Development Issues in the Marcellus Shale Plays, Mineral Law Series, Volume 2010, Number 5, December 7, 2010.
• Presenter, “Municipal and Residual Waste Compliance,” Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, April 2008.
• Presenter, “Environmental Considerations in Developing Alternative Energy Projects,” American Planning Association, Annual National Conference, April 15, 2007.
• Presenter, “Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act,” presented on September 14, 2006 as part of a presentation hosted by the British-American Business Council entitled Legal Policy and Economic Drivers of Alternative Energy.
• Presenter, “Source and Development of Act 2 Standards,” Environmental Law Forum, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 2006-4215.
• Presenter, “Solid Waste Update,” Environmental Law Forum, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 2001-2708.
• Co-Presenter, “Application of State Brownfields Laws and Principles to the Mining, Gas and Electric Utility Industries,” 21 Energy & Min. L. Inst. Ch. 3, 2000.
• Presenter, “Elements of an Ideal State Brownfields Program,” presented on April 15, 1999, in San Antonio, Texas, as part of a course hosted by Risk Assessment Corporation entitled Calculating and Understanding Risk from Chemicals Released to the Environment.
• Presenter, “Mining Issues Update,” Environmental Law Forum, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 1997-1232.
• Presenter, “Pooling and Unitization in Pennsylvania: An Overview,” Mineral Resource Development Law, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 1984-276.