Jason is very commercial, transactional and can handle regulatory work. He engages with the regulators and knows how to get a successful result.

Chambers USA, 2024

Jason Hutt, chair of the firm’s environment, resources and lands department, advises and defends clients with a deep appreciation of the high-profile and complex environmental and energy issues of our day. His advice and advocacy are informed by a technical understanding for how energy and key industrial sectors operate as well as an acumen for the challenges Bracewell’s clients must navigate to achieve their business objectives.

His enforcement defense work includes administrative, civil and criminal matters (including internal investigations) related to the federal and state agencies governing energy and environmental matters, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Interior (DOI), Department of Energy (DOE), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Department of Justice (DOJ), and state Attorneys General. Jason has served as the lead lawyer on matters central to the EPA’s national enforcement initiatives on environmental justice, wetlands, air, major incidents and wastewater discharge.

His recent work includes a “ground zero” litigation action initiated by EPA against the only Neoprene manufacturer in the United States; representing responders in the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB’s) investigation and civil litigation arising from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; representing a major chemical, midstream pipeline, and upstream oil and gas companies in the negotiation and implementation of consent decrees with EPA, DOJ and the relevant state agencies; litigation and appellate work against the California State Lands Commission on behalf of a trust; and representing a key creditor in the implementation of a Turnkey Removal Agreement created as a result of the high-profile, precedent-setting Fieldwood Bankruptcy where more than $9 billion in decommissioning liabilities were at issue, among others. He previously served as the lead outside environmental lawyer for Halliburton in the federal investigation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In providing strategic advice and advocacy for clients, Jason draws upon his experience with and relationships within federal agencies. Jason is also a key member of Bracewell’s incident response and internal investigation teams for matters subject to the jurisdictional reaches of these agencies.

Jason’s experience and perspective inform his advice to project developers, debtors, investor groups and financial institutions focused on the business implications of various policy initiatives as well as the environmental risks and liabilities associated with transactions. His thoughts on legal and policy matters are regularly reflected in the mainstream media and trade publications covering energy and environmental issues.