Robert Meyers

Bob Meyers is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring and a member of the firm's Environment & Natural Resources Group, where his practice focuses on federal and state energy and environmental issues, specifically Clean Air Act (CAA), greenhouse gas, climate change regulation, litigation, and enforcement. Bob has represented clients in related litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals (D.C. Circuit) and the Ninth Circuit as well as Congress and federal agencies.

With more than three decades of Washington experience in energy, utility, transportation, fuel, and climate issues, Bob formerly led the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, serving as Assistant Administrator (Acting) and Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator. In 2019, Bob was appointed to serve on the EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee.

Prior to his work at EPA, Bob served as Deputy Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment and Environmental Counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as Chief of Staff for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. As a result, Bob has extensive experience in the legislative process and regulatory implementation, including the drafting and negotiation of environmental and energy statutes and the promulgation of Clean Air Act regulations affecting national ambient air quality standards, stationary and mobile source requirements, fuels and fuel additives, hazardous air pollutants, and ozone-depleting substances.

During Bob's tenure with EPA, the landmark case of Massachusetts v. EPA was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Bob oversaw efforts at EPA to respond to the court's ruling, including development of light duty automobile regulations and publication of the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Greenhouse Gases in July 2008 (ANPR). The ANPR addressed the seminal issue of regulating stationary sources for greenhouse gas emissions under authority of the Clean Air Act as well as provided extensive analysis of regulatory pathways for mobile and stationary sources. Bob additionally managed EPA's efforts to set final primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone; primary and secondary NAAQS for lead emissions; control of emissions from locomotive and marine diesel engines; final rules for small engines; and final radiation health and safety standards for the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

At Crowell, Bob has advised clients regarding numerous CAA implementation issues, including with regard to facility permitting, issues related to new source review, air monitoring requirements, compliance with reporting regulations and disclosures under EPA and California audit policies. His expertise spans the full range of Clean Air Act programs including stationary and mobile source regulations and he has advised clients with regard to product compliance and business planning.

While at EPA, Bob also closely supervised implementation of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and the development of regulations for the expanded "RFS2" program under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. He also testified before Congress on 12 occasions concerning climate change, regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, mercury regulations, and pending energy legislation regarding alternative fuels, infrastructure, and vehicles. Bob additionally represented the United States government at international environmental meetings and helped organize U.S. negotiating efforts within the Montreal Protocol process to accelerate the production and consumption phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

During his prior service with the U.S. House of Representatives, Bob served as lead counsel for several titles of Energy Policy Act legislation considered between 2002 and 2004, including provisions on climate change, renewable fuels, fuel additives, clean coal technology and research and development. He also represented House Energy Commerce Committee members on the 2002 Farm Bill conference and the 2004 highway funding bill (TEA-LU) and drafted Title IV of the 2001 Bioterrorism Act to establish drinking water security measures.

Bob's significant legislative experience includes House and Senate conference committees for the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, "TEA-LU," defense authorization bills, and environmental provisions in agricultural legislation. He drafting and negotiating several successful amendments to the Clean Air Act, including measures regarding the State Implementation Plan crediting of vehicle commuting, addressing U.S./Mexico cross-border vehicular traffic, the reform of transportation conformity provisions, authorization of the phase-out of methyl bromide, and measures to limit the number of "boutique fuels" allowed for retail sale. Early in his career on Capitol Hill, Bob authored proposals to address acid rain and negotiated several successful provisions to provide emission allowances for utilities in high-growth states.

Bob has been ranked by Chambers and Partners in the field of climate change law for the past five years. Clients have said his “knowledge of air regulations is second to none and his deep experience and practical business knowledge make him a crucial ally in regulatory change issues." He was also named by Lawdragon as one of "500 Leading U.S. Environmental & Energy Lawyers" in 2021.