Armando F. Benincasa

Biography

Armando Benincasa combines state agency experience, a real-world business perspective, and a deep understanding of complex environmental issues in a practice focused on energy and environmental law, environmental litigation, administrative law, government affairs, and lobbying. He manages cases involving permitting and regulatory requirements for natural resources, including coal, oil, and gas, solid waste, water resources, underground storage tanks, voluntary remediation, and the drafting of rules and statutes related to the environment. He has extensive experience in governmental matters, as well as in representing energy companies before state agencies and the West Virginia Legislature.

Representative Experience

  • Negotiated orders with multiple Appalachian regulatory agencies on behalf of client regarding status of oil and gas wells
  • Represented energy companies with regard to permitting and compliance issues before state and federal regulators and boards, including multi-media Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act enforcement actions
  • Represented energy companies, including coal and oil and gas clients, in performance of due diligence related to potential past, current, and future environmental liabilities, including review of compliance status, permitting and other regulatory issues related to transactions
  • Represented production and midstream energy companies with regard to the negotiation and resolution of federal environmental claims pursuant to the Clean Water Act
  • Represented production and midstream energy companies with regard to the negotiation and resolution of state air quality, water, and waste environmental claims pursuant to various state acts in Appalachia
  • Represented energy, regulatory, and municipal clients with regard to permitting, enforcement and administrative matters before environmental agencies and boards in Appalachia, including claims regarding well contamination, permit issuance, permit terms and conditions, and permit/asset transfers

Licensed In

  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. University of Virginia School of Law
  • B.A. Washington and Lee University

Memberships

  • Water Environment Association
  • Board of Directors, Air & Waste Management Association
  • Past Chair, Environment Committee, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Independent Petroleum Association of America
  • West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association
  • Marcellus Shale Coalition
  • Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law

Achievements

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2011-Present), Energy Regulatory Law (2016-Present), Environmental Law (2011-Present), Litigation – Environmental (2011-Present), Natural Resources Law (2013-Present), Oil and Gas Law (2012-Present), Water Law (2008-Present)
  • Best Lawyers® 2016 Charleston, WV, Water Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2024 Charleston, Natural Resources Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2013 Charleston, West Virginia Lawyer of the Year
  • The State Journal, West Virginia’s Top Lawyers 2008

Speaking Engagements

  • “EPA Releases Draft Oil & Gas Wastewater Management Study,” Oil & Gas E-Report, Institute for Energy Law, Issue 3, September 2019
  • “The Marcellus Shale: Challenges for Tomorrow,” Law360, April, 2009
  • “Marcellus Shale and Water Resources: Use, Regulation and Unintended Consequences,” 2008, 3rd Mineral Law Conference (EMLF)

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