Winek Appointed to Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee
Michael H. Winek, a shareholder in the Environmental group of Babst Calland, a downtown Pittsburgh law firm, recently was appointed as a member of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (AQTAC) for a two-year term. Mr. Winek, a 1993 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, has extensive experience in a wide range of environmental regulatory programs, with an emphasis on regulatory issues arising under the Clean Air Act. He devotes a substantial amount of time advising clients on complex air permitting for plant expansions and projects. In addition to new source permitting, Mr. Winek advises industrial clients with respect to Title V operating permits, Compliance Assurance Monitoring (CAM) requirements, and self-reporting and compliance certification issues arising under the Title V program. Mr. Winek provides environmental due diligence services and advice as part of acquisitions involving industrial facilities. He represents various industrial facilities in air enforcement cases.
AQTAC members are appointed by the Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and include at least 11 members with technical backgrounds in the control of air pollution from stationary or mobile sources. AQTAC members advise DEP on the technical and economic or other social impacts of existing, new or proposed revisions to pollution control regulations, policies and new control techniques or technologies affecting air. AQTAC, at the request of DEP, may be utilized to provide technical advice on or to review DEP policies, guidance and regulations needed to implement the Clean Air Act. AQTAC also facilitates public participation by encouraging public input on the air quality technical matters under consideration at the committee meetings.