Peter A. Tomasi

Peter A. Tomasi is of counsel and a 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

Recognition

• Selected as a 2023 "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)
• Listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the fields of natural resources and environmental law (2011 – 2022)
• 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)

Education

• Duke University (J.D., cum laude; M.E.M. 2001)
  • Symposium editor, Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum
• University of Chicago (B.A., cum laude, 1997)
  • Major: chemistry

Professional Memberships

• Member, American Bar Association
• Chair-elect, Wisconsin Bar Association

Admissions

• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Michigan
• U.S. District Court
• Eastern District of Wisconsin
• Western District of Michigan
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office