Mr. Richard Penna

Council Member Biography

Richard A. Penna is a Partner at Van Ness Feldman in Washington, DC, where he specializes in federal environmental law and regulation, an area in which he has practiced in both the public and private sectors for nearly thirty years. During that time he has represented clients in the motor vehicle, chemical and transportation industries on matters involving motor vehicle emissions, fuel economy regulations, climate change, plant sitings and operations, hazardous waste control, Superfund proceedings, permitting and enforcement matters and the environmental consequences of the acquisition and sale of real property. Mr. Penna has been active in numerous rulemaking actions that have resulted from the enactment of that law and has represented clients in enforcement actions brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mr. Penna served in the Office of Enforcement and General Counsel of the EPA. He was involved in the development and litigation of State Implementation Plans for ozone (smog) and carbon monoxide reduction. Mr. Penna served as Assistant Director of the National Commission on Air Quality, a Congressionally mandated commission that was responsible for recommending modifications to the Clean Air Act. Mr. Penna has served as Vice Chairman of the American Bar Association Air Quality Subcommittee and is a frequent speaker on Clean Air Act and fuel economy programs. (This is me - Update Profile)

Employment History

1992 - Unspecified

Partner, VAN NESS FELDMAN, PC

1978 - 1981

Assistant Director, National Commission on Air Quality

1971 - 1977

Attorney, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY