The Washington Times Publishes Op-Ed by Mike Nasi on EPA Appointment

January 24, 2017 | Insights



The Washington Times published an op-ed by Jackson Walker partner Mike Nasi in which he explains why Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is a promising nominee for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) director.

In the article, Nasi argues that the stifling policies enacted by the Obama administration’s EPA have imposed a significant burden on the energy industry as well as the economy as a whole. As a result, the EPA appointment could prove to be one of the most impactful positions in President Donald Trump’s cabinet.

“Protecting the air, water and land is a priority for our state,” Nasi wrote. “We are pleased the EPA will be led by someone who wants to return to that as the EPA’s priority, rather than waging an ideologically based energy policy war on fossil fuels.”

Nasi, who is general counsel for Balanced Energy for Texas, recalled how policies passed by the Obama administration’s EPA have negatively impacted the energy industries in states across the country. He pointed to the Clean Power Plan (CPP) as the most flagrant example of the previous regime’s overuse of power and criticized the administration’s hostile attitude toward energy-producing states.  He also underscored the fact that 56 Clean Air Act Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) were issued under the Obama administration, compared to a total of five during the prior three presidential administrations (with only one during the eight years of the Clinton administration).

“In Texas, we know Mr. Pruitt because we have locked arms with him and the state of Oklahoma to protect our economies from federal overreach and defend our ratepayers from unnecessarily higher electricity rates and an unreliable electricity grid,” Nasi wrote. “Attorney General Pruitt has the leadership, the experience, the common sense and the courage to do the job that needs to be done at the EPA after eight disastrous years.”

For more information, read the full article, “Pruitt is Right for the EPA,” in The Washington Times.

About Mike Nasi

Michael J. Nasi practices environmental and energy law in Jackson Walker’s Austin office. He counsels clients on compliance, permitting and enforcement defense on the following programs: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. He also serves as counsel for parties in ongoing EPA regulatory proceedings related to carbon dioxide, interstate air quality, regional haze, and coal combustion residuals, including appeals pending before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Mike has been listed on many “Who’s Who” and “Best Lawyer” lists, and was named an Energy and Environmental Trailblazer by the National Law Journal in 2015.

About Jackson Walker’s Environmental & Regulatory Group

Jackson Walker’s environmental attorneys work on a variety of issues, including planning, permitting, compliance and legislation. We guide clients through the complex landscape of environmental law and use a wide range of techniques to help them achieve their goals. Our attorneys stay ahead of environmental issues, and maintain key relationships with decision-makers at administrative agencies and the legislature. By applying our knowledge, experience and relationships, we enable clients to continue building, feeding and powering the country.


In This Story

Michael J. Nasi
Partner, Austin

Tags