Kevin G. Desharnais

• Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Environmental: Mainly Transactional, 2024
• Best Lawyers in America®
  • Environmental Law, 2025

Multi-Media

• Advised in-house counsel at manufacturing client regarding all aspects of environmental compliance, including air and water permitting, waste management, and oversight for facility audits. 
• Advised energy industry client on facility-wide, multi-media audit of acquired subsidiary, and voluntary disclosures related to identified historic noncompliance through USEPA’s eDisclosure portal, in accordance with USEPA’s self-audit and voluntary disclosure policies; oversight of related corrective measures and reporting.
• Advised energy industry client on nationwide audit of EPCRA TRI reporting compliance across multiple manufacturing facilities, and voluntary disclosure of identified non-compliance.

Air

• Represented manufacturing client in responding to USEPA 114 requests regarding NESHAP applicability at two facilities; continued representation in subsequent administrative enforcement actions.
• Represented industrial client in enforcement action brought by national citizen group opposing operation of coal-fired industrial boiler, alleging Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting violations, and emissions limit violations.  Continued representation of client in related enforcement action brought by state environmental agency, and pre-enforcement inquiry brought by USEPA.
• Represented industrial client on Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) issues in enforcement matters brought by USEPA.
• Advised energy industry client on potential NSPS/PSD issues in Title V permitting related to expansions of an ethanol production facility.
• Advised manufacturing client on PSD and other air-permitting issues related to operational changes at manufacturing and test facilities.
• Advised utility client on potential liabilities under Title IV Acid Rain provisions, Clean Air Interstate Rule, PSD provisions and application for waiver.
• Advised energy industry client with regard to implementation of “reasonably available control” technology.
• Advised agricultural client on “single source” issues related to Title V permitting.
• Defended energy industry client in enforcement action related to alleged violation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM₁₀, resulting in withdrawal of claim.
• Negotiated the settlement and acceptance of a Compliance Commitment Agreement in response to a Violation Notice issued to energy industry client regarding unpermitted air emissions, successfully avoiding enforcement litigation.

Land

• Represented chemical industry client in New York State Superfund action and related contractual indemnification claim.  Argued and won summary judgment in the trial court on the issue of liability, and the appeal was heard and affirmed by the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. Subsequently negotiated settlement with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and settlement of related contractual indemnity claims.
• Represented steel manufacturing client regarding remediation and redevelopment of a former steel manufacturing site into a mixed-use development, representing the largest brownfield redevelopment project in the City of Chicago.  This effort included negotiating the environmental provisions of a partnership agreement, obtaining multiple “no further remediation” letters under the state risk-based remediation program, and negotiating the provisions of an environmental insurance policy.
• For a former petroleum bulk storage facility, assisted in negotiations with NYSDEC regarding a facility decommissioning and remediation plan, including negotiating the environmental provisions of the sale and redevelopment agreement.
• Assisted a manufacturing client in obtaining two “no further remediation” letters under the Illinois Site Remediation Program in a one-year period to facilitate the sale of a strategic business unit.
• Representation of a utility client in enforcement actions related to former manufactured gas plant facilities and related tort actions.
• Advised a chemical industry client on implications of RCRA corrective action activities covering multiple facilities for an insurance recovery suit.
• Representation of a truck rental company in connection with contract and common law nuisance suit by former landlord regarding contamination at a facility, which was also an historic petroleum bulk storage facility.  Negotiated favorable settlement.
• Representation of industrial clients in all aspects of large toxic tort actions related to environmental contamination.
• Representation of clients identified as PRPs in CERCLA litigation and/or responsible parties in RCRA citizen suits.

Water

• Represented manufacturing client in enforcement action brought by the Illinois Attorney General and intervening national and local citizen groups regarding wastewater discharges; provided oversight on related permit amendments.
• Representation of real estate client in wetlands mitigation and permitting matters and related fraudulent transfer claim; provided oversight for subsequent restoration efforts.
• Representation of a manufacturing client with regard to discharge alleged to cause fish kill; negotiated settlement of alleged permit violations and natural resource damage claims.
• Represented a resort client in initial permitting and subsequent expansion of a new wastewater treatment system, including negotiation of permit terms, legal oversight of engineers, and management of the citizen participation process.
• Negotiated a state water permit in settlement of an enforcement action and variance proceeding for an energy industry client’s wastewater handling system.
• Represented an energy industry client in a federal suit filed by a national environmental citizens group under the Clean Water Act alleging National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit violations. Negotiated a favorable settlement.

Renewable Energy

• Assisting an energy subsidiary with regard to an ash beneficiation project, including drafting the necessary contracts for the construction and operation of an ash processing plant and related infrastructure, the harvesting of the ash, and the sale of ash to end users.
• Advised numerous clients regarding environmental issues in renewable energy transactions, including wind projects, solar projects, clean coal projects, and combined cycle gas turbine power plants, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, wetlands protection and permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, and compliance with state-equivalent programs.
• Assisted biodiesel manufacturing client in establishing procedures and achieving compliance with Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) reporting requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

TSCA

• Advised chemical manufacturing client on compliance with requirements of the Toxic Substance Control Act, including labeling and notification requirements, compliance with Significant New Use Rule requirements (SNUR), and export notification requirements. 

Environmental Issues in Transactions

• Advised numerous clients on environmental liabilities in corporate, real estate and financing transactions, including real estate acquisitions, mergers, stock purchases, securitizations, debt offerings, and credit transactions.

Pro Bono Litigation

• Representation of an institutionalized client in a contested conditional release proceeding in Illinois state court. Prevailed at trial after a four-day hearing. Prevailed on appeal before the Illinois Appellate Court. Successfully contested a petition for leave to appeal. Successfully continued representation in a subsequent fitness hearing. People v. Robin, 728 N.E.2d 736 (1st Dist. 2000), app. den., 734 N.E.2d 897, 248 (Ill. Jul 05, 2000) (Table, No. 89440), discussed in Case Law Updates: Criminal Commitment/Release, 24 Mental & Physical Disability L. Rep. 389 (American Bar Association 2000).
• Representation of the members of the executive board of a religious organization named as defendants in a suit asserting claims for defamation, alleged financial improprieties, and violations of the Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation Act. Negotiated a unique mediation/arbitration agreement leading to dismissal of the action.
• Representation of a pro se plaintiff in the Northern District of Illinois’ Settlement Assistance Project, assisting client in obtaining favorable settlement of employment discrimination claims.

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Presentations

• Co-Presenter, "Impacts of Environmental Justice (EJ) and Environment, Social Governance (ESG) Requirements on Businesses/Facilities ... The  Road Ahead," 32nd Annual Sustainability & Environmental Health & Safety Symposium, Manufacturers' Education Council, March 2023
• Presenter, “Environmental Justice (EJ) Initiative and What It Means for Your Facility,” 31st Annual Sustainability and Environmental Health & Safety Symposium, 29 March 2022
• Panel Moderator, “PFAS Webinar: PFAS Implications for Superfund,” 18 November 2020

Book Chapters

• “Site Remediation Program,” Environmental Law in Corporate and Real Estate Transactions, 2019 Edition,Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 22 May 2019
• “Site Remediation Program,” Environmental Law in Real Estate Transactions, 2014 Edition,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 28 March 2014
• “Site Remediation Program,” Environmental Law in Corporate and Real Estate Transactions, Update 2011,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 30 December 2011
• “Site Remediation Program,” Environmental Law in Corporate and Real Estate Transactions, 2007 Edition” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007
• “Corrective Action of Land Contamination, Environmental Law in Illinois, Update, 2004,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2004
• “Corrective Action of Land Contamination,” Environmental Law in Illinois, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2001

Articles

• Co-Author, “Florida Loses Wetland Permitting Authority.” Dickinson Wright Legal Edge Blog, April 2024
• Author, “EV Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 5," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, April 2023
• Co-Author, “EV Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 4," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, April 2023
• Author, “Illinois Pollution Control Board Poised to Adopt Regulations Establishing PFAS Groundwater Standards " Dickinson Wright Client Alert, Dec 2022
• Author, "The PFAS Roadmap: Pathway To Environmental Justice," Dickinson Wright The Energy Blog, November 2021
•  Author, “Illinois EPA Proposes Groundwater Standards for 5 PFAS Compounds,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert, July 2021
• “USEPA Advances Toward Regulation of PFAS in Drinking Water,” Blog Post, 25 February 2021.
• “Illinois EPA Issues Health Advisories for Four Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS),” Blog Post, 9 February 2021.
• “Illinois Finalizes Regulations for Direct Implementation of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permitting under the Clean Air Act,” Blog Post, 23 September 2020.
• “Illinois EPA Proposes PFAS Standards,” Environmental Law & Policy Monitor, Blog Post,15 September 2020.
• “Illinois Pollution Control Board Schedules Second Round of Public Hearings on Proposed Regulations for Coal Ash Ponds,” Blog Post, 22 June 2020.
• “After the Stay-At-Home Order: Water Management Best Practices for Re-Opening Buildings,” Blog Post, 2 September 2020.
• “Trump Administration to Propose Narrowing “WOTUS,” Blog Post,10 December 2018.
• “Trump ‘Fat’ Budget Proposal Fleshes Out EPA Cuts,” Blog Post, 25 May 2017.
• “Trump Administration Proposes Additional Budget Cuts at U.S. EPA,” Blog Post, 30 March 2017.
• “Trump Administration’s Budget Proposal Calls for Steep Cuts at EPA,” Blog Post, 16 March 2017.
• “Initial Budget Discussions Include Significant EPA Cuts and Consolidation of Regional Offices,” Blog Post, 7 March 2017.
• “EPA’s Mercury Rule Cost Analysis Tees Up New Battles,” Law360, 19 April 2016.
• “4 Big Sticking Points of the Clean Power Plan,” Law360, 22 October 2015.
• “EPA Ignores Costs,” Rapid News Network, 4 July 2015.
• “High Court’s View of EPA Deference Unclear After Mercury Pollution, Health Care Rulings,” Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report, 1 July 2015.
• “Judges Skeptical of Challenge to Proposed E.P.A. Rule on Climate Change,” The New York Times, 16 April 2015.
• “EPA To Use Standing As Shield In Attack On Carbon Authority,” Law360, 14 April 2015.
• “EPA Cribs From High Court To Shield Expansive CWA Rule,” Law360, 26 March 2014.
• “EPA Response To 8th Circ. Ruling Invites Legal Trouble,” Law360, 3 December 2013.
• “EPA Poised To Drastically Expand Water Jurisdiction,” Law360, 20 November 2013.
• “Greenhouse Gas Limits Reinforced at Existing Facilities; NSPS Still a Big Concern,” Power Engineering, 6 July 2012.
• “FWS Unveils Guidelines For Assessing Wildlife Impacts,” North American Windpower, 18 May 2011.
• "Shaping the Renewable Fuels Industry Beyond 2010," Energy Law 360, 2009.