Michael Tomko

Practice Areas

Michael Tomko is a member of the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources department. Mike graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. degree in engineering and holds a J.D. degree from the University of Utah. For more than 20 years, Mike’s practice has focused almost exclusively on air quality law. He has been involved with air quality rulemaking, permitting, and compliance matters in numerous states and EPA regions.

Mike has represented a wide variety of clients on a range of air quality issues. Typical matters include:

Assisting in air permitting strategy and major NSR (PSD) applicability determinations.

Helping companies strategically respond to EPA (Section 114) informational requests.

Counseling and resolving noncompliance matters including notices of violations.

Defending permit decisions against project opponents.

Assisting on state and national air quality rulemakings, including meeting with state air quality agencies and USEPA to negotiate rulemakings to ensure workable regulatory schemes.

Providing focused air quality training to environmental professionals and those responsible for ensuring compliance with air quality permits and regulations.

Because Clean Air Act law often involves complex technical issues, Mike’s engineering degree offers him a distinct advantage. Prior to attending law school, Mike worked for more than seven years as an environmental and petroleum engineer for Chevron U.S.A., Inc., in southern California where he obtained registration as a professional mechanical engineer. This background has greatly assisted in his Clean Air Act practice.

Mike has chaired the local (Great Basin Chapter) of the Air & Waste Management Association and has written and presented on air quality issues.

Mike is recognized in Best Lawyers in America for his environmental law and litigation practice. He has also been named one of Utah Business magazine’s Legal Elite for his energy and natural resources practice.