Robin is Co Chair of Hinckley Allen's Environmental and Energy Practice Groups with over 30 years of experience in advising clients on regulatory and permitting matters. Robin represents clients in proceedings before administrative agencies in addition to state and federal courts. Robin has handled some of the most complex and significant environmental and energy matters in the region including permitting for the first offshore wind farm in the United States, the largest tort suit for groundwater contamination in Rhode Island, and the redevelopment of many acres of contaminated land for the construction of a national banks headquarters. Robin also works on permitting for large renewable energy projects, including wind farms and solar facilities.
Work Phone:
401 457 5278
Email:
rmain@hinckleyallen.com
Website:
haslaw.com
EPA Region:
Region 1 – (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT)
Year of induction:
2020
Degrees:
Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1989
University of New Hampshire, B.A., 1986
Admissions:
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Professional Societies and Organizations:
Energy Bar Association (EBA)
Federal Bar Association
Rhode Island Society of Environmental Professionals (RISEP)
The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, Member
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
Environmental Business Council
Illustrative Projects:
Represented the first offshore wind farm in the United States in a complicated permitting process before the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council under the Councils then newly adopted Ocean Special Area Management Plan. Also successfully represented the wind farm before the Rhode Island Superior and Supreme Court in cases challenging the permitting process
Routinely represents utilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts before federal and state environmental agencies on permitting and the cleanup of legacy sites including former manufactured gas plant and holder sites
Helps construction companies in navigating environmental compliance issues and regularly represents construction companies in federal and state environmental enforcement actions under water, wetlands and remediation laws
Routinely advises businesses in defending against and in negotiating penalties in enforcement actions brought by federal and state environmental agencies involving releases of oil and hazardous materials, air discharges including asbestos, and water discharges
Counsels real property and financial institutions on handling and mitigating environmental risks associated with transactions including with the use of brownfields agreements and environmental insurance
Citations of Major Published Cases:
Shields v. Deepwater Wind et al., (Rhode Island Supreme) 2015
Chandler v. Nantucket Electric Company et al., (Mass Superior) 2013
Ives v. Deepwater Wind et al, (RI Superior) 2013
Corvello v. New Eng. Gas Co., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102678 (2008)
Narragansett Elec. Co. v. Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc., 563 F.Supp.2d 325 (2008)
Charter Intl Oil Co. v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co., 558 F.Supp.2d 209 (2008)
United States v. Davis, 31 F.Supp.2d 45 (1998)
URI Cogeneration Partners L.P. v. Board of Governors for Higher Educ., 915 F.Supp. 1267 (1996)
Grady v. Narragansett Elec. Co., 962 A.2d 34 (2009)