Michael Hannaman - Sive Paget & Riesel PC

Michael’s practice focuses on environmental site remediation, renewable energy development, environmental regulatory compliance, due diligence of development projects, and environmental and land use litigation. His experience includes assisting developers through the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program; conducting due diligence for solar and energy storage project financings; litigation under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA), the federal hazardous waste law (RCRA), and Clean Water Act; and advising on regulatory and liability issues related to PFAS.

Michael is a graduate of the New York University School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the NYU Environmental Law Journal. During law school, he participated in the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Environmental Law Clinic and worked as a legal extern in the Environmental Protection Bureau of the NYS Office of the Attorney General. He also worked as a research assistant for the NYU Furman Center and as a summer law clerk for Wardenski P.C., where he assisted in civil rights litigation.

Before law school, Michael was a program evaluator for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations working in community development, environmental justice, housing policy, and education.

Nine Dot Energy – NY Green Bank

Location: New York

SPR represents a lender in connection with a $25 million revolving credit facility for NineDot Energy to finance interconnection deposits for battery energy storage projects.

Willets Point Development Project

Location: Queens, NY

SPR was retained by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to serve as environmental counsel for the preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the City of New York's proposed redevelopment of a 61 acre parcel in Willets Point Queens. The Willets Point project is a proposed redevelopment of an underutilized industrial area into a lively, mixed-use, sustainable community and regional destination. Besides the GEIS, the Firm assisted the City in other aspects of the proposed project, including hazardous waste remediation and environmental issues relating to the purchase of existing parcels within the project area and the parcels to be utilized to relocate existing businesses. The project, which required the rezoning of the area and adoption of an urban renewal plan, was approved in the Fall of 2008. In 2017 SPR was retained by the Queens Development Group (a partnership of the Related Companies and Sterling Equities) to represent the project developer in connection with hazardous waste remediation pursuant to the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The project will transform an approximately 23 acre area with construction of New York City’s largest 100% affordable housing project in 40 years, a professional league soccer stadium, a public school, park and public open space amenities.

E2i – NY Green Bank

Location: New York

SPR represents a lender in connection with a $8,000,000 loan to bridge state renewable energy incentives.

NYSDEC Proposes Expanded Green and Sustainable Remediation Policy, Adds New Hurdles to Renewable Energy Development on Remediation Sites

On October 15, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Environmental Remediation (DER) proposed revisions to DER-31, a policy guidance document that outlines the requirements and procedures for Green and Sustainable Remediation under all DER remedial programs. ...

Managing Lender Liability: A Historical Overview and Practice Commentary for Moving Forward

CERCLA’s strict liability for environmental cleanup costs on owners or operators of contaminated sites contains limited defenses and exceptions. One ...

PFAS Legal and Regulatory Updates

The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has continued to evolve at the federal and state levels in recent months under the Trump administration. EPA announced in April 2025 a bundle of planned actions to combat PFAS contamination, although the agency’s proposed actions since that announcement would actually roll ...

NYSDEC Issues Final Revised Freshwater Wetlands Regulations

On December 31, 2024, NYSDEC announced the adoption of final revisions to its freshwater wetlands regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 664. The revised regulations took effect on January 1, 2025. These ...

NYC Council Vote Is Imminent On the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Zoning Reform

In early December 2024, the New York City Council is expected to hold a final vote on a comprehensive zoning reform proposal entitled the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO). COYHO is designed to alleviate New York ...

DEC Publishes Final Revisions to Solid Waste Management Regulations

Almost five years after publishing the first substantial revisions to its solid waste management regulations, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) published a new set of final revisions to the regulations

Michael
Hannaman

Associate