Back-End Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Advising Utilities and Developers on SNF Storage, Transport, and Disposal

Ms. Leidich is a go-to lawyer in the nuclear energy industry on nuclear regulatory issues ranging from complex export control questions and nuclear licensing advice to high-stakes federal court litigation. She represents participants from all corners of the nuclear industry, including domestic generators of nuclear power, advanced reactor startups, materials licensees, and vendors of nuclear power plant components. Consistent with the evolving needs of the industry, Ms. Leidich's recent work has included representing companies in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court defending nuclear licenses and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rules. She has handled complex and novel matters, including representing client Holtec International before the Supreme Court in the company’s efforts to license a first-of-a-kind interim spent-nuclear-fuel storage facility in New Mexico from the Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards. Ms. Leidich represents vendors seeking licenses for advance or small modular reactors and fuel cycle facilities; utilities in their pursuit of subsequent license renewal; utilities challenging NRC enforcement matters; companies in their mandatory hearings before the NRC to obtain licenses for new nuclear power plants; and has represented a litigant in a multibillion-dollar international arbitration.

Mr. McBride focuses his practice on litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiations involving transportation, energy, and environmental issues, as well as nuclear regulatory matters. Twice a former President of the Association of Transportation Law Professionals (ATLP), Editor-in-Chief of ATLP’s Journal of Law, Logistics and Policy, past Program Committee Chairman of the Transportation Law Institute, and Program Committee Chairman of ATLP’s annual Transportation Forum held at the Surface Transportation Board, he represents various rail shippers and other entities in transportation-related litigation and regulatory matters before the Surface Transportation Board, as well as in negotiation of and dispute resolution involving transportation contracts. Mr. McBride also maintains a substantial environmental practice, including counseling on nuclear regulatory issues, and has also participated in the licensing of several nuclear reactors. In addition, he has experience litigating civil and criminal cases under the National Environmental Policy Act, the "Superfund" statute, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Air Act. In energy and environmental matters, Mr. McBride's clients have included electric utilities (both in nuclear and non-nuclear capacities), the American Petroleum Institute, Edison Electric Institute, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Gas Processors Association, Global Automakers, Inc., the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, The Chlorine Institute, the National Mining Association, Olin, a paper company, a chemical recycling company, and individuals.

Mr. Silberg is one of the nuclear power industry’s “go-to” lawyers, responsible for licensing many U.S. nuclear plants and litigating precedent-setting cases. Selected as a Law360 2019 Energy MVP, he advises on all aspects of nuclear law, including licensing, trial and appellate litigation, M&A and contracting, policy development and compliance. Mr. Silberg represents electric utilities and utility groups, governmental entities, nuclear energy and consulting firms, and other industry players, regularly advocating for clients before the NRC, DOE, state regulatory commissions, U.S. Congress, and federal, state and appellate courts. He advises on matters that range from plant design, construction and operational issues, to decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel storage and disposal.