Rodman C. Johnson

Professional Background

Experience

• Represented client in application and administrative contested case hearing on an application for all necessary air quality pre-construction permits for a green-field, 800-megawatt, coal-fired electric generating facility with a CO2 capture unit
• Obtained necessary air quality pre-construction permits for a green-field chemical manufacturing plant including state new source review (NSR); federal prevention of significant deterioration review; federal non-attainment NSR; and case-by-case MACT hazardous air pollutant determination permit
• Obtained draft pre-construction air quality permits for green-field, natural-gas-fired, combined-cycle electric generating plants
• Obtained necessary pre-construction air quality permit from TCEQ for frac sand mining operation
• Successfully negotiated favorable settlement with OSHA involving willful violations resulting in significant reduction in penalty and abatement requirements
• Defended against numerous TCEQ and EPA enforcement actions and activities for various clients, including complete withdrawal of allegation for failure to obtain pre-construction permit
• Developed successful strategies to shorten permitting time frame and address outstanding compliance obligations for modifications to existing facilities
• Successfully represented clients in obtaining Single Property Designations from the TCEQ for air quality regulatory purposes
• Represented client in PSD review for major production increase at steel manufacturing plant
• Represented multiple clients in retroactive PSD reviews and permitting for modifications at manufacturing facilities and associated state and federal enforcement actions
• Represented clients on site-specific revisions to Texas State Implementation Plan
• Represented client on Clean Air Act general conformity determination for federally funded port project
• Represented multiple clients on voluntary environmental compliance self-audits and disclosures to regulatory agencies

Awards & Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2009–present
• Texas Super Lawyers, Environmental Law, 2012–2019
• Best Lawyers in Texas, Environmental, 2009–2019
• Chambers USA Guide, 2010–2018

Admitted to Practice

• Texas

Education

• University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
  - J.D., 1991
• Rice University, Houston, Texas
  - B.A., Geology and Geophysics, 1986

Publications & Presentations

• Clean Air Act Update, Texas Environmental Superconference, 2011
• What to Do if You Don't Like Your Air Permit Language, Texas Chemical Counsel and Associated Chemical Industries of Texas, Environmental, Health & Safety Seminar, June 2009
• The Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Siting of New U.S. Petroleum Refineries, American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Newsletter, July/August 2008
• Current Directions in Regulating Nanotechnology, Zephyr Currents, January 2007
• Ethical Considerations When Attorneys Submit and Certify Complex Factual Statements: How Much Diligence Is Due?, University of Texas Advanced Administrative Law Conference, July 2006
• Air Quality Panel, Texas Environmental Superconference, Moderator, 2004
• American Bar Association Air Quality Committee Newsletter, Regional Reporter, 2000–2001
• Environment, Energy and Resource Law Year in Review, American Bar Association, Reviewer, 1999–2000
• Clean Air Act Primer, Government Institutes, July 1999

Professional & Community Activities

• State Bar of Texas
  - Administrative & Public Law Section
  - Environmental & Natural Resources Section
• Austin Bar Association
  - Administrative Law Section
  - Oil, Gas & Mineral Section
  - Environmental Law Section
• American Bar Association
  - Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice Section
  - Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Section
        - Vice-Chair Air Quality Newsletter 2016-2018
• Air & Waste Management Association
• Front Steps, Board Member
  - Chair/President 2016-2018
• Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, Volunteer