Michael C. Powell, Member
Michael is a Member in the firm’s Energy & Environmental practice group.
Michael was named Maryland “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law in 2025, 2019, 2016 and 2014 and “Lawyer of the Year” for Environmental Litigation 2017. He has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® in this region for more than two decades. Michael has also been named a Maryland Super Lawyer®. He received the 2023 F. Patrick Hughes Award of Excellence from NAIOP for his work representing business interests during the drafting of Maryland’s Climate Change legislation and regulations and was named to the Daily Records list of Influential Marylanders in 2022. Michael has the highest possible rating in Martindale-Hubbell (established by peer review) and was a founding member and the first elected Chair of the Environmental Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA).
Prior to joining Gordon Feinblatt, Michael served as Principal Counsel to the Maryland Department of the Environment. In this role, he was the chief environmental attorney for the state and the principal advisor to the Attorney General on environmental issues. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General advising the state, at various times, on issues involving hazardous wastes, water pollution, solid wastes, radiation control and other environmental and regulatory issues.
In 2015, Michael was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to represent business interests on the Maryland Climate Change Commission and then reappointed by Senate President Mike Miller in 2016. He co-chairs the Mitigation Work Group of the Commission, which is developing plans to meet Maryland’s greenhouse gas targets. Michael was also recognized for his dedication to the practice of law and to his community with the 2009 Leadership in the Law award, presented by The Daily Record and received a Professional Service Award in 2011 for his pro bono work from the Maryland Fuel Fund.
Michael's practice covers environmental law, energy law and governmental relations.
Michael's environmental work has included advising companies on compliance with building energy performance standards and other climate change regulations, defending companies from governmental and third-party environmental claims, providing advice on greenhouse gas regulations and legislation, negotiating remediation agreements (including brownfield applications) on contaminated properties, and negotiating the terms of environmental permits. Projects on which Michael has worked include solar energy projects; residential and commercial developments; natural gas and petroleum pipeline projects; co-generation projects; hazardous waste incinerators; waste-to-energy plants; infectious waste incinerators; waterway construction permits for developers and municipal water supply facilities; wetlands permits for developers, energy companies and mining operations; critical area approvals for developers; water appropriation and water discharge permits; landfill and other solid waste permits; permits to construct and operate air emission sources (including Title V permits and CPCN permits for energy projects); and work on air and water discharge permits for industrial and energy clients.
Michael's energy work has included the permitting of new renewable energy projects in Maryland. He currently represents a number of coal, natural gas and solar generating stations, seeking or renewing environmental permits. He has also provided advice on rate proceedings for large energy customers and for energy producers. Michael was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to serve as one of the inaugural members on the Strategic Energy Investment Fund Advisory Board, which provides advice to the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) on the budgeting of funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions.
Described by The Baltimore Sun as a "high-profile lobbyist representing builders and industrial interests," Michael's lobbying practice has included the representation of energy companies, energy customers, manufacturing interests and developers before the General Assembly. Michael has helped draft many of the most significant Maryland environmental and energy legislation, including the Maryland Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (both the original Act in 2009 and the renewal in 2015), the Maryland Electricity Restructuring Act, the Maryland Brownfields Act and statutes reforming the process for issuing environmental permits in Maryland.
Since joining Gordon Feinblatt, Michael has provided advice to Talen Energy, Honeywell, BP, FMC, Lockheed Martin, Energy Answers, AES, Alcoa, Lafarge, Lennar Incorporated, Beazer Homes USA Inc., Pulte Homes, CalAtlantic, Ryland Homes, Toll Brothers, First Energy, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Florida Rock, American Sugar (Domino), the National Aquarium, Select Energy, Trigen Energy Corporation, the Maryland Industrial Group, the Maryland Industrial Technology Alliance, the American Chemistry Council, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Bankers Association, Amports and many others. Significant brownfield and remediation projects have included the redevelopment of Silver Spring (on behalf of Montgomery County), the remediation of a major asphalt refinery (on behalf of BP), the proposed Center for Marine Research (on behalf of the National Aquarium), the Carr-Lowery and Westport Power plants (Turner Development), Silo Point (Pulte), Deep Harbor (Beazer), a plant expansion for Domino Sugar, Dundalk Marine Terminal, Race Street and Swann Park (for Honeywell) and dozens more.
Because of his extensive legal background, Michael is a contributing author to the LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law.
Honors
Recipient, F. Patrick Hughes Award of Excellence, NAIOP Maryland, 2022
Appointed by Governor Lawrence Hogan, Jr. and President Mike Miller to the Maryland Climate Change Commission
Named one of The Daily Record's Influential Marylanders 2022
AV Preeminent™ rating in Martindale-Hubbell®
Named to Best Lawyers in America®since 1995
Named Baltimore's "Lawyer of the Year" in Environmental Law by Best Lawyers in America® 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2025
Named Baltimore "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Environmental by Best Lawyers in America®, 2017
Selected to Maryland Super Lawyers® list for Environmental Law in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and since 2015
Recipient, Outstanding Professional Service Award, Fuel Fund of Maryland for the contribution of legal services, June 2011
Recipient, Award of Excellence as "Consultant of the Year," Home Builders Association of Maryland, Land Development Council, 2010
Recipient, Leadership in the Law Award in Environmental Law, TheDaily Record, 2009
Named "Legal Elite," SmartCEO, November 2009
Listed to "Top Lawyers in Maryland," Baltimore Magazine
News
- Three Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named 2025 Baltimore 'Lawyer of the Year'
- 28 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2025
- 21 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2024 Super Lawyers® List and 14 as Rising Stars
- 28 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2024
- 26 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2023
- 17 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2022 Super Lawyers® List and 9 as Rising Stars
- Gordon Feinblatt Energy & Environmental Attorneys Author 2021 LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law
- 25 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2022
- 17 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2021 Super Lawyers® List and 7 as Rising Stars
- Jason Weintraub, Senior Legislative Counsel to Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, to Join Gordon Feinblatt LLC
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2021
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2020
- 22 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2019 Super Lawyers®
- Four Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named 2019 Baltimore "Lawyers of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America®
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2019
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2018 Super Lawyers
- 25 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America 2018
- 23 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2017 Super Lawyers
- Michael Powell Named 2017 Baltimore Litigation - Environmental "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers In America®
- 25 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America 2017
- Michael Powell Named 2016 Baltimore Environmental "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers In America®
- 28 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America 2016
- 26 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2014
- 27 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named As Best Lawyers in America 2013
- Gordon Feinblatt Elects Michael C. Powell as Managing Member and COO
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named as Best Lawyers in America 2012
- 20 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named as Best Lawyers in America 2011
- 19 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Maryland's 2009 Super Lawyers and 3 Named to Maryland's "Rising Stars"
- Seventeen Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America 2009
- Fifteen Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to 2008 Best Lawyers in America
- GFR Lawyers Chosen for Super Lawyers 2007
- Thirteen Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America
Professional and Civic Involvement
Member, Maryland Commission on Climate Change, 2015 – present
Co-Chair, Mitigation Working Group of the Commission on Climate Change, 2015 – present
Member, Board of Directors, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, 2020-present
Member, Board of Directors, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc., 2016-2019
Member, Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund Advisory Board, 2009-2016
Invited Speaker, Governor Martin J. O’Malley’s Energy Summit, July 2007
Director, Government Relations, Maryland Industrial and Technology Alliance
Counsel, Maryland Energy Group
Past Member, Energy Steering Committee, Greater Baltimore Committee
Past Member, Legislative Committee, Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Past Vice Chair and current Member, Environmental Committee, Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Member, all legislative Brownfields Task Forces, 1993-present
Member, Wetlands Legislative Task Force, 2004 interim
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Maryland State Bar Association, Founding Member and First Chair of the Environmental Law Section
Publications and Lectures
Guest on Gonzales Mitchell YouTube channel, discussing an electrical capacity issue with will raise pricing of electricity, October 2024
Presenter, Maryland Commission on Climate change, Report on Climate Legislation during the 2024 General Assembly Session, April 2024
Presenter, National Facilities Management & Technology Conference and expo, Building Energy Performance Standards, March 2024
Presenter, MAPDA's Legislative Luncheon, co-hosted by WMDA, March 2024
Co-presenter, "Maryland BEPS Coming Regulations - What Building Owners Should Know," IFMA Chesapeake Chapter, September 21, 2023
Presenter, MSBA Legal Summit, "What the Future Will Bring, The 2023 Session, Climate Change Legislation and Regulation," June 2023
Co-presenter, "The Climate Solutions Now Act," Maryland Commission on Climate Change webinar, June 23, 2022
Moderator, climate change panel, Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Dealers Association, December 2021
Contributor, "LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law," 2020 Edition
- Building Energy Performance Standards Published
- Electricity Prices Predicted to Soar
- Zero Emission Heating Equipment and “Clean Heat” Standards
- MDE Proposes Revised BEPS Regulations
- The Billion Dollar Climate Question
- Governor Moore’s Executive Order Implementing Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan
- Building Energy Performance Standards Delayed
- Building Energy Performance Standards Placed on Temporary Hold
- Building Energy Performance Standards Proposed for Final Adoption
- Maryland’s Climate Change Pathway
- Buying an Electric Vehicle in Maryland
- New Greenhouse Gas Regulations for Building Owners
- California (Cars) Here We Come (Part II)
- California (Cars) Here We Come
- Relating to Real Estate - August 2022
- There is Oil in Pandora’s Box
- The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022
- Gordon Feinblatt's Energy & Environmental Attorneys Author LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law
- FERC Order Impacts Renewables
- Electric Vehicles and Carbon Taxes: What You Need to Know
- Principles of Land Development: Current Environmental Issues Affecting Land Development
- Industry 360: Fossil Fuel Policy Outlook
- Why We Care: Environment Policy That Makes Cents
- Controversial Clean Water Rule Revived in 26 States
- Dealing with Environmental Issues: Wetlands, Forest Conservation, TMDLs, Brownfields & USTs
- Avoiding Lender Liability for Environmental Contamination
- Rising Tides: Charting Maryland's New Climate Change Path
- LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law
- Relating to Real Estate - February 2017
- Can “Premises” Include Multiple Buildings?
- Supreme Court Allows Landowners to Challenge Wetlands Determinations
- Court of Appeals Upholds Municipal Stormwater Permitting Process
- Environmental Permitting in Maryland, China/U.S. Business, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Environmental Issues in Development, Maryland Builders Advanced Principles of Land Development
- Impacts of Maryland Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plans on Real Estate, NAIOP Real Estate Policy Conference
- Maryland Climate Change Commission and its Impact on Business, Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Policy Conference
- Judge Strikes Down Montgomery County's Rain Tax
- ABA Renewable Energy Committee Report
- MDE Publishes Draft Environmental Reporting Regulations
- Maryland Offshore Wind Power, ABA Renewable Energy Committee Report
- Green Building Code Changes in Baltimore City Could Impact Building Code Modifications
- Green Building Code Changes in Baltimore City
- ABA Renewable Energy Committee Report
- Baltimore City Stormwater Fees Coming: Apply for Credits Now!
- EPA Endorses New Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard
- Maryland's 2012 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act Plan And Its Impact On The Energy Sector
- Relating to Real Estate - July 17, 2013
- Here Comes the Rain Tax
- 50-State Survey of Protections Available for Purchasers of Contaminated Property
- City of Baltimore Preparing to Implement New Stormwater Fee
- Greenhouse Gas Laws, Maryland Bar Journal, Volume XLIII Number 4
- Recent Developments in Maryland Stormwater Law, Maryland Manufacturing, Industrial and Technology Alliance
- Grandfathering Provisions in Maryland Stormwater Law, Maryland State Builders Association
- MDE Preparing to Publish Emergency Regulations on Stormwater Management
- The Maryland Global Warming Solutions Act of 2009
- MDE Preparing to Publish New Environmental Reporting Regulations
- Update: Status of Maryland Licensure for Electricity and Natural Gas Suppliers, Brokers and Salespersons
- ALERT: Electricity and Natural Gas Suppliers, Brokers and Salespersons
- ALERT: Electricity Suppliers and Salespersons
- Shoreline Permitting, Law Seminars International
- General Assembly Passes Overhaul Of Critical Areas Act
- Special Session Ends With New Tax Laws, Slots Referendum
- Maryland’s Energy Future, Maryland Industrial and Technology Alliance
- Energy Efficiency and Maryland Industry, Maryland Public Service Commission
- Maryland State of Energy Forum, Regional Manufacturing Institute
- Energy Contracts in Maryland
- EPA Adopts All Appropriate Inquiry Regulations For Brownsfields
- Global Warming Issues for Maryland, Mark Steiner Show
- Environmental Issues Facing Transactional Attorneys, MICPEL Advanced Real Estate Seminar
- The New AAI Rules, Environmental Due Diligence in Real Estate Developments
- Baltimore Waterfront and Transportation Hub Development
- Choosing an Electric Supplier: A Primer
- 2005 Maryland Laws Update
- Environmental Aspects of Real Estate Transactions, National Business Law Institute
- Selecting an Energy Supplier
- 2004 Maryland Laws Update
- 2003 Maryland Laws Update
- Hazardous Waste Regulation and the Health Care Provider
Videos and Podcasts
Links
Teams
Energy & Environmental
Government Relations
Litigation
Education
J.D.,
University of Virginia School of Law,
1979
B.A.,
with distinction,
University of Virginia,
1976
Bar Admissions
Maryland,
1979
Virginia,
1979