Overview

Rachel Cox advises clients in permitting, compliance and enforcement matters arising under state and federal environmental laws. Rachel helps clients navigate and comply with complex regulatory schemes, with a results-oriented approach. Rachel has a developed specialized expertise in the Clean Air Act, and routinely assists clients with developing air permitting strategies for new major projects. She represents a broad range of clients that span multiple industries, including oil and gas, mining, utilities, manufacturing, pulp and paper, landfills, agricultural, and technology. Rachel also provides legislative and rulemaking support to trade industry clients.

Prior to joining Stoel Rives, Rachel graduated with honors from Lewis & Clark Law School, earning a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. During law school, she worked as a law clerk at Bonneville Power Administration in the Transmission Section of the Office of the General Counsel providing legal support in various areas related to electrical transmission. Rachel also holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in Environmental Engineering. Her background and experience provide a solid basis in the highly technical scientific issues that often underlie questions of environmental law.

Education

Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D., 2010, cum laude; Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law; Member, Editorial Board, Environmental Law; Best Oral Advocate, First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition; Natural Resources Law Scholarship (2007-2010)

Tulane University, B.S., Environmental Engineering, 2006, cum laude

Admissions

Washington

Oregon

Experience

  • Representation of technology client in successful defense of multiple challenged air permits before the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board.
  • Representation of major oil and gas client in successful defense of challenged PSD air permit before the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board.
  • Counsels industrial clients and trade associations on state and federal air-related rulemakings, including the Washington Department of Ecology’s Clean Air Rule.
  • Representation of manufacturing client in significant EPCRA enforcement action and successfully negotiated resolution with EPA Region 10.
  • Assists MSW landfill clients in Title V permitting and compliance matters related to EPA’s new source performance standards.
  • Assists with permitting and provide advice on compliance with the Clean Air Act new source review and prevention of significant deterioration programs, as well as local air quality regulations.
  • Tracks and advises clients on regulatory updates to EPA’s New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
  • Counsels industries and trade associations in rulemaking proceedings for air regulation, including greenhouse gas reasonably available control technology rules and the Washington regional haze SIP.
  • Represents clients in enforcement proceedings, including responding to Clean Air Act § 114 information requests, negotiation of civil penalties and defense of non-compliance allegations.
  • Assists data centers nationwide with Clean Air Act compliance and other applicable environmental regulatory requirements, including RCRA, EPCRA and CWA.
  • Defense of appeal to industrial client’s CWA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.
  • Advised Native Alaska regional corporation on State of Alaska’s development of proposed new hydroelectric dam on its lands.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “Market-Based Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Reduction,” Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Perspectives from the West, Stoel Rives LLP/Environmental Law Institute, Portland, OR, June 10, 2019
  • “Western States Proceed with Climate Legislation Regardless of Trump’s “ACE” Rule” (co-author), Renewable Energy World, September 4, 2018
  • “Climate Change: Pushing Aside Rhetoric in Search of a Practical Path,” Alaska Oil and Gas
    Association Conference, Anchorage, AK, May 31, 2018
  • “Clean Air Act Compliance: New Winds Blowing at EPA,” Stoel Rives webinar, May 16, 2018
  • “Climate Change Litigation and Policy Development in Washington and Alaska,” Annual Arctic
    Encounter Symposium, Seattle, WA, April 19, 2018
  • “How Many Consultants, Lawyers and Years Does it Take to Permit a Project in Washington?” Northwest Construction Consumer Council, May 18, 2017
  • “Symposium on the Washington Clean Air Rule,” Air & Waste Management Association, December 14, 2016
  • “RCRA 101,” Environmental Law Institute’s 11th Annual Western Boot Camp on Environmental Law, March 18, 2015
  • “Recent Developments in Clean Air Act Enforcement Litigation,” King County Bar Association Roundtable, Seattle, Washington, January 22, 2014

Affiliations

Professional

  • Membership for American Bar Association Air Quality Committee, Vice-Chair, 2017–present
  • Air & Waste Management Association, Puget Sound Chapter, former Board Member
  • Washington State Bar Association, Member
  • King County Bar Association, Member
  • Oregon State Bar Association, Member

Civic

  • King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics, Volunteer
  • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Volunteer

Industries

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