Sidley Expands Environmental Practice in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Richard Alonso has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. He will be a member of the firm’s Environmental practice. Mr. Alonso brings a wealth of knowledge of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory process and experience with environmental compliance and enforcement issues, including federal and state enforcement defense strategies.

Prior to building a private practice, Mr. Alonso served as chief of the Stationary Source Enforcement Branch at the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. He had earlier served at the EPA in the Water Enforcement Division. During his tenure with the EPA, he had responsibility for enforcing the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. He managed and negotiated CAA enforcement cases, including New Source Review (NSR) cases, with power plants and manufacturing facilities and was instrumental in developing CAA policies and regulations. Mr. Alonso also held key roles in cases relating to defeat devices and engine certification requirements under the CAA’s Title II mobile source program. He is known as a national authority on EPA automotive and fuel regulatory programs, including the Renewable Fuels Standard program.

“Rich’s firsthand experience in both private practice and the public sector will make him a valuable asset for our clients looking for advice in addressing their complex environmental challenges at both the federal and state levels,” said David Buente, co-leader of Sidley’s Environmental practice. “We are delighted to welcome Rich to our outstanding team of lawyers dedicated to assisting clients with every aspect of environmental law.”

Mr. Alonso represents clients including large trade associations, manufacturers and energy companies in environmental compliance and enforcement matters before both state and federal agencies. He focuses his practice on CAA issues, including NSR applicability and permitting, EPA rulemaking efforts, legal challenges to EPA actions, and CAA enforcement defense and compliance counseling. Mr. Alonso’s CAA experience includes the development of State and Federal Implementation Plans, permitting programs, and policies applicable to stationary sources, fuel regulations, automotive engine certifications and regulation of ozone depleting substances. He has tackled cutting-edge environmental issues for a variety of industrial sectors, including the implementation of climate change regulations, permitting of greenhouse gas emissions, and regulation of methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

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