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Board Certified in State & Federal Government and Administrative Practice, Michael G. Cooke concentrates his practice in administrative law, including environmental, utility, and land use law. He represents industrial, agricultural, banking, government, and developer clients on matters involving clean air, climate change, electric generating facilities, renewable energy, telecommunications, utility plant and transmission line siting, water, and wastewater issues and permitting and zoning matters.

From 2003 to 2006, Michael was the Director of the Division of Air Resource Management for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In this position, he managed the air quality program for the State of Florida, interacting with federal and local agencies and over-seeing permitting and enforcement matters and the development of state air regulations. Michael also served as General Counsel for the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee from 2006 through 2008. His responsibilities at the Public Service Commission included conduct of rate cases, rulemaking, enforcement proceedings, and decision-making involved with policy issues regarding nuclear facility site cost recovery and renewable energy.

Michael has represented clients in connection with numerous environmental regulatory matters, particularly in air permitting and compliance issues. He has represented electric utilities, manufacturing, and agricultural entities in connection with various Title V and New Source Review matters. He is well versed in CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, water, and solid waste matters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized standards today that are designed to protect fish and other aquatic life drawn each year into cooling water systems at large power plants and factories.  The rule addresses impingement issues and heat damages that can be caused by cooling water intake structures at large industrial facilities and power plants.

The final rule establishes requirements under the Clean Water Act for all existing power generating facilities and existing manufacturing and industrial facilities that withdraw more than 2 million gallons per day of water from waters of the U.S. and use at least 25 percent of the water they withdraw exclusively for cooling purposes. The rule covers roughly 1,065 existing facilities –521 factories and 544 power plants.Continue Reading EPA Releases Cooling Water Intake Rule

On Sept. 20, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new proposal for carbon pollution from new power plants. EPA is proposing to set separate standards for natural gas-fired turbines and coal-fired units. The proposed limits for new coal-fired power plants are based on the assumption that carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) can be applied to the source.

EPA has indicated that it expects the proposed rule to become final toward the end of 2014. Once the NSPS for new power plants has been set, section 111 of the Clean Air Act requires EPA to set limits or guidelines for existing sources using a process similar to the state implementation plan process. EPA has announced plans to conduct public meetings to initiate a process to develop such limits under section 111 of the Clean Air Act.Continue Reading EPA Proposes NSPS for Power Plants