Representative Cases

Ayres Law Group has an impressive litigation and settlement record. We have represented global corporations, governments, trade associations, and individuals in complex environmental matters related to air pollution, energy, and climate change before the United States Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal and Federal District and State Courts. We are experienced appellate litigators and have been involved in dozens of the nation’s most important cases interpreting the Clean Air Act. A sample of our litigation experience includes:

Litigation successes

• Represented major electric power company before the Supreme Court in Mass v. EPA, declaring that emissions of greenhouse gases are “air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act;
• Obtained ruling before the U.S. District Court on behalf of Roy Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina, that air pollution emissions by the Tennessee Valley Authority created a common law nuisance in the State of North Carolina
• Persuaded the Illinois Pollution Control Board to approve regulations drafted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requiring 90% reduction in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants
• Were lead counsel negotiating $20 million settlement of potential health and property damage claims against a major utility
• Successfully litigated numerous cases construing the Clean Air Act before the United States Courts of Appeal

Regulatory successes

Ayres Law Group attorneys have participated in many of the most important Environmental Protection Agency rulemaking proceedings under the Clean Air Act since 1971, including:

• Development of all 50 of the original State Implementation Plans
• Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 1972 and 1980
• Regulation of the use of tall smokestacks by large electric power generating plants
• Emission standards for new coal-fired electric generating plants
• Development of standards for hazardous air pollutants for several industries
• Standards for reformulated gasoline
• Adoption of emission trading guidance for states and companies
• Standards for sulfur content of gasoline
• Various rules regarding protection of the stratospheric ozone layer