Susan G. Lafferty

Counsel
Washington, P: 202.383.0168
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Susan Lafferty is a member of Sutherland’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group and is on the Coordinating Committee for the firm’s Climate Change Team. Susan advises clients on a broad array of energy and environmental matters in the climate change and the petroleum and biofuels trading arenas. Drawing on her previous experience with the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Susan provides counsel and insight on policy developments affecting the energy industry, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting requirements, carbon markets and renewable fuel mandates.

Susan regularly contributes to the Offshore Energy Law Blog, a leading industry source focusing on issues at the intersection of offshore energy and federal policy, regulation and politics.

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REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Susan’s recent representative experience includes:

Providing analysis and compliance counseling for importers, blenders, producers and traders on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mobile Source issues including reformulated gasoline (RFG) and conventional gasoline (CG) programs, the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) program, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits, and related commercial and policy issues.
Counseling multiple clients on California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) including compliance issues for high carbon-intense bulk commodities and assessment of potential adoption by the federal or state governments.
Advising and counseling on EPA enforcement proceedings and program audits under the Mobile Source program and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Analyzing and providing congressional advocacy on Gulf of Mexico royalty payment issues, including crafting strategic approaches and potential legislative solutions.
Counseling clients on oil-spill risk liability in the United States and analysis by foreign counsel in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
Preparing and testing of Emergency Response Plans for oil and bunker fuel spills, and advising on the structure of vetting programs.
Advising and guiding companies through the Foreign Investment and National Security Act/ Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (FINSA/CFIUS) process, including preparing of CFIUS notices, negotiating mitigation agreements with CFIUS, and advising on government audits.
Counseling on environmental due diligence related to selling nuclear facilities and purchasing petroleum storage facilities and marine services business.
Advising on congressional investigations related to the Oil for Food program.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Member, Climate Change, Science and Technology Section, American Bar Association
Member, Renewable Energy Section, American Bar Association
Member, Energy Bar Association
Volunteer, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Member, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) Gala Committee

RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Co-author, “Who’s In Charge of Carbon Markets?” Public Utilities Fortnightly (July 2008)
Presenter, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Seminar (June 9, 2010)
Speaker, “State & Federal Energy Policy—What is on the Horizon,” Online Green Building Expo (January 12–14, 2010)
Panelist, AMERICANA 2009 Conference (March 17–19, 2009)

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Education

J.D., George Mason University School of Law, 2000

B.A., University of Virginia, 1992

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia, Virginia