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Gary Guzy brings thirty five years of experience in environmental law, regulation, and public policy. He provides counsel to industry leaders in the transportation, energy, technology, and consumer sectors on emerging environmental and clean energy issues. He is skilled at creating strategic partnerships that bring together diverse groups to resolve challenging public policy controversies through close work with industry and environmental community leaders. Mr. Guzy co-chairs the firm’s Energy Industry Group.
Mr. Guzy served as Deputy Director and General Counsel of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). In this position, he helped develop and guide the Obama Administration’s environmental, public health, and clean energy agenda, bringing business insights to government policy and coordinating policy across government agencies. He spearheaded negotiations that achieved the Obama Administration’s agreement to double motor vehicle fuel efficiency standards and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions with the support of automobile manufacturers, states, labor unions, environmental and consumer groups, and Congress. Mr. Guzy also led CEQ’s efforts to modernize permitting and environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, and counseled federal agencies on how to fulfill their NEPA obligations for dozens of high profile decisions and assisted in resolving NEPA controversies at numerous complicated sites.
Mr. Guzy served as General Counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Counselor to the EPA Administrator during the Clinton Administration. He was a member of the Administrator’s senior policy team, setting regulatory, legislative, and communications strategy. He led efforts to design regulatory approaches to protect children’s environmental health, develop and defend new air quality and motor vehicle standards, defend EPA from Congressional oversight investigations, and protect iconic ecosystems such as the Everglades and Yellowstone National Park. He also authored climate change opinions that were later ratified by the U.S. Supreme Court in its landmark decision finding that greenhouse gases are pollutants under federal law.
Mr. Guzy has also served as the chief legal officer, sustainability officer, and climate strategist for a variety of business organizations.
Pro Bono
- Leads the litigation effort to protect Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from being dismantled.
- Has represented the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and leading science museums in litigation seeking to preserve fossil discoveries.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Mr. Guzy serves as the Chair of the Board of the Rock Creek Conservancy, a Washington, DC-based conservation organization.
- Mr. Guzy serves on the Advisory Council of Cornell University's Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise.
- Mr. Guzy serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Applied Environmental Law and Policy.
- Mr. Guzy was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center (2007-2009). He developed the school’s first climate change law course.
Previous Experience
- Deputy Director and General Counsel of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
- APX, Inc., Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
- Marsh, Inc., Global Practice Leader for Climate Risk and Sustainability
- Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Consultant
- General Counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Counselor to the EPA Administrator
- Department of Justice, Senior Attorney
March 2020
As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our COVID-19 task force at COVID19@cov.com. Below is a compendium of resources ...
March 14, 2019, Covington Alert
Acting at the direction of President Trump, the EPA on March 12 proposed major revisions to regulations governing one of the premiere environmental commodities markets: the trading of fuel credits known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) under EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program.
US-Calif. Emission Talks Breakdown Could Spark Legal War
February 21, 2019, Law360
Gary Guzy is quoted in Law360 regarding the Administration’s negotiations with California regarding a proposal to roll back greenhouse gas emissions standards for automobiles. According to Mr. Guzy, if the EPA finalizes an emissions rule along the lines of what it proposed, legal challenges will likely target the agency’s basis for departing from the previous ...
February 20, 2019, Washington Post
Gary Guzy spoke with the Washington Post about California’s negotiations with the Administration over vehicle fuel-efficiency standards. Mr. Guzy says, “It is tempting to see this feud as just another in a series of squabbles between the administration and California. However, the state’s independent regulatory authority to set more stringent fuel-efficiency ...
December 21, 2018, Inside Energy & Environment
Nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia announced this week a new regional initiative to cap and reduce greenhouse gas pollution from the transportation sector. Much remains to be decided before the program takes effect, however. Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, ...
December 6, 2018, Covington Alert
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced efforts to reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks and engines.
November 19, 2018, Inside Energy & Environment
As more companies recognize the value of enhanced sustainability reporting and publicize the positive environmental features of their products and services, they should also be attentive to greater public scrutiny of “green” claims. Companies that engage in greenwashing – asserting exaggerated, misstated, or immaterial environmental claims – are increasingly ...
November 16, 2018, Covington Alert
As more companies recognize the value of enhanced sustainability reporting and publicize the positive environmental features of their products and services, they should also be attentive to greater public scrutiny of “green” claims.
June 16, 2017
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington’s Gary Guzy as one of its “Energy & Environmental Trailblazers.” The list profiles 50 lawyers who “continue to make their mark in various aspects of legal work in the areas of energy and environmental law” and have “shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission.” Mr. Guzy has over three ...
Energy and Environmental Trailblazers
June 2017, The National Law Journal
Gary Guzy was profiled by The National Law Journal as a part of the publication's "Energy & Environmental Trailblazer" feature honoring 50 lawyers who “continue to make their mark in various aspects of legal work in the areas of energy and environmental law” and have “shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission.”
April 27, 2017, Covington Alert
On April 26, 2017, the U.S.-based solar manufacturer Suniva, Inc. filed a petition for global safeguards with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”). In particular, Suniva requests the imposition of tariffs on solar cells and the establishment of a minimum price for solar modules imported into the United States. The petition was filed under Section 201 ...
States Look To NEPA Review Power To Spur New Projects
February 24, 2017, Law360
Gary Guzy is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the states’ ability to use the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program to expedite surface transportation improvement projects while waiting for President Trump’s infrastructure plan. “That’s very innovative and could be effective in avoiding duplication, facilitating more rapid permitting,” says Guzy. ...
February 12, 2017, The Wall Street Journal
Gary Guzy is quoted by The Wall Street Journal in an article regarding President Trump’s infrastructure plans. Commenting on attempts by Presidents Obama and Bush to accelerate projects with Executive Order, Guzy says the Obama Administration was concerned prolonged reviews could hold back stimulus spending under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
February 7, 2017, Covington Alert
Barely two weeks after taking the oath of office, President Trump is already moving quickly to implement his campaign agenda. This alert addresses the actions Donald Trump has already taken with respect to environmental policy, and what can be expected going forward.
February 7, 2017, Covington Alert
While the general direction of the Trump Administration to “scrap the Clean Power Plan” and promote more fossil fuel production is reflected in the “America First Energy Plan” released by the White House on inauguration day, the first two weeks of the Administration have revealed little new information on specific policies the Administration intends to pursue ...
December 8, 2016, Covington Alert
Last week the European Commission presented an extensive package of legislative proposals (“Clean Energy Package”) that are intended to achieve and implement the European Union’s climate change and clean energy targets for 2030: a 40 percent cut of CO2 emissions, a share of 27 percent for renewable energies, and energy savings of 30 percent.
Obama’s signature fuel efficiency standards could stall
July 11, 2016, The Washington Post
Gary Guzy is quoted in a Washington Post article regarding an awaited report about the economic and technological feasibility of meeting or exceeding fuel-efficiency targets set by the Obama Administration. According to Guzy, “There’s been a demonstrated record of success and innovation that has shown that these standards can be achieved in a cost-effective ...
May 19, 2016, Transport Topics News
Gary Guzy spoke at an Infrastructure Week event and is quoted in this Transport Topics News article regarding the long delay infrastructure projects face when seeking regulatory approval. According to Guzy, potential project clients too often say they want to do their projects “in another country because they get things done.”
March 28, 2016, InsideEPA
Gary Guzy’s remarks from a panel session at the GlobalChem conference are quoted in this InsideEPA article discussing the EPA’s ability to implement the pending Toxic Substance Control Act reform bill. Guzy pointed to the EPA's development of greenhouse gas standards for existing power plants as an example of the EPA's "incredible machine for making rules."
Paris climate deal: not a simple end to fossil fuels
December 18, 2015, Energy Post
Gary Guzy is quoted in an Energy Post article discussing the enforceability of the Paris climate deal. According to Guzy, the deal is “extraordinary,” and is the first time that “all [countries] recognise that each has to contribute.”
December 16, 2015, Global Policy Watch
Much no doubt will be written about how 195 nations came together in Paris to make a global commitment to tackle climate change and what changes in regulation and the investment landscape might result. From my vantage point in Paris during the negotiations, a few key impressions stand out. First, the agreement overcomes those past...… Continue Reading
November 18, 2015, Global Policy Watch
The president and his climate negotiating team seem most like the high-wire artist Philippe Petit, who improbably strung a wire between the towers of the World Trade Center and mustered reserves of guts and grace— leavened by intense focus, preparation, and a mild amount of lunacy— to walk between the twin towers. In order for...… Continue Reading
October 2, 2015, The Washington Post
Senior of counsel Gary Guzy is quoted in this Washington Post article discussing new climate action plans released by 51 countries. “What is ground breaking is that, for the first time, all of the major emitting nations of the world are committing to a truly international approach to addressing climate change,” said Guzy. “While perhaps not perfect, the scale of ...
Utility of the Future: Paths Through Federal Policy and Regulation Toward Collaboration, Innovation, and Market Solutions in the Electric Power Industry
October 1, 2015, Presented by Covington and the Bipartisan Policy Center
Environmental Policymaking To Watch In Fall 2015
September 8, 2015, Law360
Senior of counsel Gary Guzy shares his optimism regarding bipartisan support for upcoming environmental policymaking in a Law360 article. Guzy remarks, “I think people generally underestimate the possibility of some real bipartisan legislative accomplishments, and there are a number of areas that seem incredibly well-primed for that to happen.”
June 5, 2015, Inside Energy & Environment
On May 21, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the Obama Administration’s Spring Unified Agenda, providing greater details about the President’s strategy to rely on executive actions for carrying out his energy and environmental initiatives. The agenda’s release—specifying the upcoming actions that the Administration will be taking by ...
January 6, 2015, Inside Energy & Environment
The White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) recently issued updated draft guidance on how federal agencies should consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the attendant impacts on climate change when conducting environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CEQ simultaneously released related, final guidance on ...
US-China Deal Ups Ante For EPA In Battle Over GHG Rules
November 12, 2014, Law360
Covington's Gary Guzy is quoted on the agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions: "Gary Guzy, senior of counsel at Covington & Burling LLP and former deputy director and general counsel of Obama’s Council on Environmental Quality, said the agreement was "enormously significant." "There has been significant difficulty in ...
September 22, 2014, Inside Energy & Environment
Regardless of your perspective on the subject, expect significantly increasing media and public attention around climate change and greenhouse gas emissions this week. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is convening a Climate Summit on Tuesday in conjunction with the meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York. More than 120 world...… ...
September 22, 2014, Global Policy Watch
Regardless of your perspective on the subject, expect significantly increasing media and public attention around climate change and greenhouse gas emissions this week. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is convening a Climate Summit on Tuesday in conjunction with the meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York. More than 120 world...… ...
August 15, 2014, Inside Energy & Environment
In a move designed to provide greater certainty to those purchasing, selling, or evaluating industrial or commercial properties, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed to remove any lingering effect of ASTM International’s E1527-05, a nine-year-old industry standard practice for evaluating potentially contaminated sites under the ...
May 14, 2014, Global Policy Watch
Congress has a great opportunity to amend the tax code in a way which will benefit the environment, promote American jobs, and foster diversity in our energy sources. It can achieve these results by enacting the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act. Since the early 1980’s, oil and gas producers have been permitted to use Master...… Continue Reading
March 20, 2014, E&E TV
Gary Guzy, former deputy director and general counsel of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and current senior of counsel at Covington, gives his take on the current state of play on regulation, and the possibility for litigation resulting from the EPA's new source performance standards.
February 25, 2014, Inside Energy & Environment
Yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States again delved into the world of climate change and greenhouse gas regulation, hearing oral argument in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA. It is perhaps fitting that the Court’s consideration happened on the very same day that Congressman John Dingell announced that he would be retiring after...… Continue Reading
January 29, 2014, Inside Energy & Environment
Tonight’s State of the Union highlighted that energy and environmental issues will continue to play a central role in the Washington agenda over the next year. From the President’s early reference to workers building fuel efficient cars, to his extensive discussion of next steps on energy and the environment, it is clear that the President...… Continue Reading
- Chambers USA, Climate Change (2019)
- The National Law Journal, "Energy & Environmental Trailblazers" (2017)
- Legal 500 US, Energy - Environment - Litigation (2017) and Energy - Regulatory and Energy - Renewable/Alternative (2015-2016)
COVID-19: Legal and Business Toolkit
We are helping clients around the world navigate this evolving, complex situation.