Peter A. Tomasi

Partner

Peter A. Tomasi is a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, where he is a member of the firm’s Environmental Regulation Practice and is co-chair of the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) Team. His practice focuses on regulatory compliance and renewable energy. Peter has further experience with general civil, commercial and intellectual property litigation.

 

Representative Experience

  • Counseling clients regarding construction and operation permits for air, wetlands, and wastewater for infrastructure projects, including manufacturing facilities, pipeline and terminal facilities, and power generation and transmission projects.
  • Defending the adequacy of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA).
  • Assisting clients with sustainability reporting, including developing its first carbon management and climate change strategy and revising annual Climate Disclosure Project submissions.
  • Advising clients regarding environmental and regulatory concerns relating to the construction and operation of renewable energy projects including biomass, solar and wind energy, including providing due diligence to lenders and tax equity investors for two wind farms, which also included an evaluation of the need for and completeness of efforts to obtain relevant federal, state and local approvals.
  • Representation of logistics providers and reverse distributors in rulemaking and enforcement matters involving hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
  • Assisting clients with obtaining environmental permits from state, federal and tribal agencies for mining operations as well as assisting clients in developing reclamation and general compliance plans.
  • Representation of clients in citizen suits brought under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act against utility and manufacturing facilities.
  • Assisting clients in preparing comments on federal regulations issued under the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Restoration Act and the National Energy Policy Conservation Act.
  • Defending the adequacy of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA).
  • Providing ongoing consultation and advice to coal, biomass and gas fired facilities regarding day-to-day compliance with the requirements of the New Source Review program, the New Source Performance Standards, the Title IV Acid Rain program and future greenhouse gas regulatory requirements.
  • Assisting clients with sustainability reporting, including developing its first carbon management and climate change strategy and revising annual Climate Disclosure Project submissions.
  • Advising clients regarding environmental and regulatory concerns relating to the construction and operation of renewable energy projects including biomass, solar and wind energy, including providing due diligence to lenders and tax equity investors for two wind farms, which also included an evaluation of the need for and completeness of efforts to obtain relevant federal, state and local approvals.

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected as a 2023 and 2024 “Energy Law Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers.
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental (2010-2017, 2019-2021, 2023-2024)
  • Listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the fields of natural resources and environmental law (2011-2023)
  • Recognized, “Lawyer of the Year” in Milwaukee by Best Lawyers Magazine for his work with energy law (2018)
  • Selected for inclusion to the Wisconsin Rising Stars list (2008-2012)

Affiliations

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Chair-elect, Wisconsin Bar Association
23 June 2024 - 25 June 2024 Events

Infocast CCS/ Decarbonization Project Development, Finance & Investment Summit

Foley & Lardner LLP will be attending the Infocast CCS/ Decarbonization Project Development, Finance & Investment Summit at the Hilton Houston Post Oak.
10 May 2024 Legal News: Environmental

AIM Act Update: Certified Audit for Recipients of Specific Allocations Due May 31, 2024

To avoid being caught unaware, companies subject to regulation under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) hydroflouorocarbon (HFC) reduction rules promulgated under The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act must file a third-party audit of the company’s quarterly and annual HFC inventory reports previously submitted to the EPA by May 31, 2024.
10 May 2024 Deals and Wins

Foley Represents Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Acquisition of ATEK Metal Technologies

Foley & Lardner LLP advised Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF), a leader in aluminum and copper-based alloy castings, in its acquisition of ATEK Metal Technologies (ATEK), an Iowa-based manufacturing company.
24 April 2024 Energy Current

U.S. EPA Finalizes Designation of Two PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA

On April 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its long-awaited final rule designating perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, including their salts and structural isomers, as “hazardous substances” under Section 102(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
08 March 2024 Article

SEC’s Slimmed Down Climate-Related Disclosures Finally Adopted

On March 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted regulations that will require public companies to file mandatory climate-related disclosures with the SEC beginning in 2026.
20 February 2024 Article

U.S. EPA Finalizes Stringent Annual Particulate Matter Standard

On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to lower the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine/inhalable particulate matter