Shannon S. Broome

SAN FRANCISCO - Shannon S. Broome started her career as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry -- experience that gives her particular insight into these companies and how they operate.

"It helps me advise people as they try to move toward energy transition and to think about how they do that. I understand the whole energy ecosystem, the energy mix, the importance of a diverse energy supply," she said.

The managing partner of the firm's San Francisco office and head of its California Environmental Practice is an authority on the Clean Air Act and climate change, guiding companies on energy transition.

"The theme of all my matters is energy transition," she said. "I'm fortunate that I've been able to work on these cutting-edge issues on carbon capture, utilization and storage; e-fuels; biomass to energy projects; battery electric locomotives; renewable fuel transportation and storage -- all the things associated with the infrastructure to support the energy transition."

Broome represents Wabtec Corp., the largest U.S. locomotive manufacturer, in its Clean Air Act advocacy with the federal government and California. Wabtec makes some of the world's most efficient locomotives, yet they have had trouble gaining market acceptance. Broome's representation focuses on launching the climate-friendly battery-electric locomotive. She is advocating with U.S. EPA and California to obtain incentives for the sale of this equipment, assisting Wabtec in obtaining emission credits and navigating complex regulations to achieve compliance. This year she supported testimony before Congress and led advocacy with senior EPA officials to promote market adoption of the battery-powered locomotive.

She also represents a large oil and gas company on environmental and climate issues associated with a large project to capture and store carbon, potentially for later beneficial use. The work involves addressing legal issues and contractual obligations around carbon sequestration. Broome is analyzing a series of environmental and land use issues, and the ability to bring the project into reality.

"I'm working on permitting, transactional, environmental and climate issues associated with carbon capture, utilization and storage projects in California and across the country. California has been a leader in that, with traditional companies and new players entering the space," Broome said. "Helping that to become a reality is probably the most exciting thing."