Environmental Law & Regulatory Counseling
Overview
Catunao Law PLLC advises clients on the environmental laws and regulatory frameworks that govern their operations, projects, and business objectives in Washington State. The firm provides strategic guidance on environmental compliance obligations, regulatory risk, agency enforcement matters, environmental review requirements, and the evolving legal landscape affecting regulated entities. Drawing on experience in both government and private practice, the firm provides practical, business-minded counsel that helps clients understand regulatory requirements, evaluate risks, and make informed decisions in a complex environmental landscape.
Experience
Clean Water Act
Catunao Law counsels clients on Clean Water Act (CWA) regulatory requirements, including the scope of federal and state jurisdiction over waters of the United States, water quality standards, discharge prohibitions, and the ways proposed regulations may affect projects and business operations. The Firm is experienced in advising on CWA matters in both private practice and in government agencies, including through work with state and U.S. Territory governments on water quality and regulatory issues.
Experience:
- Advised a state environmental agency on water quality regulatory matters under the federal and state CWA, including during rulemaking and enforcement proceedings.
- Counseled energy company on CWA regulatory requirements for complex infrastructure and energy development projects, including projects with significant water quality implications.
- Counseled a U.S. territory government on water quality, land use, and coastal resource matters under the federal CWA, providing legal analysis on regulatory obligations and project impacts.
- Co-drafted multistate comment letters on proposed federal CWA rules, advising on regulatory strategy and agency engagement.
Clean Air Act
Catunao Law advises clients on regulatory requirements and compliance obligations under the federal CAA and Washington’s CAA, including applicable emission standards, regulatory thresholds, and the requirements of Washington’s regional clean air agencies. The Firm’s counseling services include addressing the development, review, and implementation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), and advising on matters related to facility operations, modifications, and new project development under federal, state, and regional air quality frameworks.
Prior Experience Includes:
- Served as outside National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) counsel for a state transportation agency on a major rail infrastructure project, analyzing environmental documents for legal sufficiency and advising project teams on complex NEPA compliance issues.
- Advised on NEPA environmental review strategy for complex infrastructure and energy development projects, including projects implicating U.S. Territory and Tribal interests.
- Counseled energy clients on State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) applicability, thresholds, and categorical exemptions for energy development and infrastructure projects in Washington State.
Coastal Zone Management Act
Catunao Law has direct experience advising on Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) matters, compliance, and federal consistency determinations, including preparing client memoranda and program change analyses under the CZMA, as well as advising on obligations arising under coastal zone management programs.
Prior Experience Includes:
- Advised a U.S. territorial government on CZMA compliance and federal consistency obligations arising from large-scale federal defense projects, including direct negotiations with the U.S. Navy and NOAA to resolve federal consistency disputes.
- Advised on CZMA federal consistency requirements for coastal resource uses and development activities, including projects involving marine protected areas and coastal infrastructure.
Regulatory Agency Engagement
Beyond specific statutory frameworks, Catunao Law advises clients on the broader regulatory environment in which their projects and businesses operate, including how to engage productively with environmental agencies, how to interpret and respond to agency guidance and informal communications, and how to develop proactive strategies that position clients favorably before agencies and their communities.
Prior Experience Includes:
- Advised on regulatory strategy and project development for clients in renewable energy, manufacturing, and mining and critical minerals sectors.
- Advised a U.S. territorial government’s executive office on environmental, natural resources, energy, and climate matters, including regulatory strategy, federal agency engagement, and legislative and policy initiatives.
- Advised executive leadership on environmental regulatory risk and agency engagement strategy in connection with complex infrastructure and energy projects.
- Counseled clients on climate change legislation and regulatory policy, including analysis of proposed federal and state rules related to greenhouse gas emissions.
Have an Environmental Law Question?
Whether you are assessing regulatory exposure, responding to an agency inquiry, or trying to understand what a new rule means for your operations, Catunao Law is ready to help.