Emily Orler helps project developers navigate permitting and environmental review processes to advance major infrastructure and mining projects nationwide. Drawing on 15 years of experience, including a decade of experience within three federal departments managing environmental reviews of energy infrastructure and cleanup projects, she offers clients deep insight into how government decisions are made and how to move projects forward efficiently and durably. Emily has a proven track record of securing authorizations, defending agency decisions in high-stakes litigation, and achieving regulatory and legislative reforms. Emily also has experience in defending against mining and infrastructure-related tort actions and environmental enforcement matters. Her work routinely spans federal, state, and local jurisdictions, and she has advised on a wide array of government authorizations—including public land access, permits to impact protected natural resources, and federal funding. She has particular expertise in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act, as well as in project development opportunities and challenges related to the energy transition and climate change.
Experience
- Multinational energy company in successfully resolving local government ordinance intending to block refinery expansions by amending zoning and state NEPA-like requirements.
- Multinational energy company in advancing the expansion of lower carbon fuels production through legislative and regulatory advocacy on NEPA, state permitting, low carbon fuel standards, and carbon markets.
- Major electric utility in devising advocacy strategy for Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (i.e., coal ash), Clean Air Act, and NEPA rulemakings affecting their power generation fleet.
- Liability insurer of global shipping company in class action lawsuits in federal court related to an underwater oil pipeline leak in California.
- Multinational energy company in advising on NEPA and environmental review strategy for U.S. Department of Energy financial assistance for hydrogen and carbon capture and storage-related infrastructure projects.
- Infrastructure developer in developing strategy to secure state and federal authorizations for a new railroad and port.
- Energy investor in evaluating litigation and enforcement risk associated with coal ash cleanup under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
- Electric utility trade association in advising on NEPA, Clean Water Act Section 404, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act reforms to facilitate development of electric utility infrastructure.
- Electric utility in advocating for potential use of U.S. Department of Energy National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation to advance cross-border electric transmission project.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2019, cum laude
- B.A., Environmental Studies & Political Science, Tulane University, 2010, summa cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Government & Military Service
- Acting Director & Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Regulatory Compliance, Office of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy
- Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy
- Detailee, Energy, Minerals & Realty Management, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior
- Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Activities
- Editorial Board Member, The Foundation Journal for Natural Resources and Energy Law (2025 – present)
- Instructor, Environmental Law Institute Bootcamp – The Energy Transition and Environmental Law (2022 – 2025)
- The American Exploration & Mining Association Society (2026)