Preston N. Carter - Partner
Preston helps businesses, utilities, and individual navigate complex regulatory and litigation challenges.
Preston’s practice focuses on environmental, administrative, and constitutional law, with particular experience in permitting, enforcement actions, appellate litigation, and utility regulation.
When not working, Preston enjoys the Idaho outdoors with his wife and three children.
Recognition
Mountain States Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Environmental Litigation 2017-2023
Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Natural Resources & Environment)
Education
J.D., Notre Dame Law School 2010, summa cum laude
- Dean Joseph O’Meara Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
- Executive Articles Editor, Notre Dame Law Review
BBA Finance, Political Science, University of Notre Dame 2007, cum laude
Admissions
Idaho
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Third Circuits
U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
Judicial Clerkship
Hon. Paul J. Kelly, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Community Involvement
Commissioner, Boise Parks and Recreation Commission (2016-2023)
Participant, Leadership Boise (2015-2017)
Member, Environmental and Natural Resources Section, Idaho State Bar
Representative matters include the following.
Environmental disputes and litigation
Represented clients from a broad range of industries, including food processing facilities, dairies, renewable energy facilities, and others in investigations, administrative enforcement actions, and judicial enforcement actions brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Defended clients, including mining companies, public utilities, and dairy facilities in federal citizen-suits under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Represented clients, including mining companies and Idaho Counties, as intervenor-defendants and as plaintiffs in federal lawsuits under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and the Wilderness Act.
Represented clients, including agricultural entities and mining companies, in federal and state litigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Administrative/constitutional issues and appeals
Filed amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the scope of EPA's authority under the Clean Water Act
Filed amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the right to free associationFiled amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit regarding the right to free association
Filed amicus briefs in Idaho district court and the Idaho Supreme Court regarding deference to administrative agencies
Represented client in First Amendment civil-rights litigation against the Idaho State Police, Alcohol Beverage Control
Defended client on First Amendment grounds in judicial enforcement action related to campaign-finance disclosures
Represented clients in litigation related to procurement awards, including administrative appeals, litigation in district court, and on appeal
Represented clients in constitutional litigation under Article XI, section 12 of the Idaho Constitution
Public utilities and energy
Represented clients, including water utilities, natural gas utilities, and renewable energy companies in proceedings before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Represented renewable energy facilities at the diligence, permitting, financing, construction, and operational phases regarding permitting, compliance, and related matters.
Permitting
Represented a wide range of clients, including dairies, municipalities, food processing facilities, renewable energy facilities, and industrial facilities, in obtaining state and federal permits and authorizations under the CWA, the Clean Air Act (CAA), and various state and local laws and ordinances.
Represented clients, including mining companies and individuals, in negotiating and obtaining Plans of Operation and related authorizations to allow mining, access, and related activities on federal and state property.
Represented renewable energy facilities at the diligence, permitting, financing, construction, and operational phases regarding permitting, compliance, and related matters.
Road/access and land-use litigation
Represented clients, including municipalities and citizens, in state and federal litigation stemming from road creation and abandonment proceedings, and related matters, throughout the state.
Tax disputes
Represented clients from a wide variety of industries in obtaining tax and other economic incentives.
Represented clients, including renewable energy facilities, before the Idaho State Tax Commission in administrative proceedings related to the applicability of certain tax exemptions.
Represented clients, including natural-gas processing facilities, in tax appeals challenging the valuation of facilities and equipment.
Represented clients in filing amicus briefs on tax and administrative-law issues in district court and on appeal.
- If an (Endangered) Tree Falls in the Forest, and No One Is Around Resolving the Divergence Between Standing Requirements and Congressional Intent in Environmental Legislation, 84 Notre Dame Law Review 2191 (2009)