Christina D. Bonanni, partner and member of Lippes Mathias’ environment & energy practice team, moderated a panel at the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s Energy & Environmental Law Forum titled Clean Energy Hubs: Everything You Need to Know. The panel, which included Suzanne Baker (stakeholder engagement specialist, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations), Nichole Saunders (director & senior attorney, energy transition, Environmental Defense Fund), and Laura Goins (DEIA lead, NEPA subject matter expert, and general counsel for Allegheny Science and Technology), discussed the promise of the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program (H2Hubs) to speed commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen, generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. The panel also explored how to avoid some of the potential costs and addressed some communities’ concerns about increased local pollution and safety issues.

Christina D. Bonanni focuses her practice in matters involving the environment, energy, renewable and natural resources law. She regularly advises clients on state and federal energy and environment regulations and compliance under the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, National Forest Management Act (NFMA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Natural Gas Act (NGA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

She regularly advises clients seeking to develop renewable energy projects, including environmental and permitting due diligence in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of such renewable energy projects. As part of this work, Bonanni focuses on the risks and liabilities associated with project development and provides guidance in acquiring environmental insurance. This process includes a risk evaluation, where Bonanni discusses the client’s acceptable level of risk and advises on levels of insurance coverage, as well as counsel on ways to mitigate and minimize risks in developing a project.

The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s Energy, Environment & Science Law Forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the substantive areas of environmental law and to educate them on environmental litigation, regulatory counseling, and enforcement. The Forum also provides informational programs on energy laws, regulations, and policies. This committee provides WBA members working in these areas an opportunity to share topical information, participate in substantive presentations, and create and expand a social and professional network.

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with nearly 200 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Clarence, Albany, Long Island, New York, Rochester and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.