Alec Messina presented a legal perspective on air permits and environmental justice at a recent Hot Topics seminar sponsored by the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois. Messina pointed out that state and federal regulators are starting to incorporate environmental justice policies into their permitting, inspection, and enforcement programs. He discussed possible ways to navigate these continually evolving requirements and advised CICI members to continue to monitor the state legislature’s activities in this area.

Messina, a partner in the firm’s Springfield office, spearheads the firm’s Government Affairs practice group and is also a member of its Environmental Law practice team. Prior to joining HeplerBroom, he served as Director of the Illinois EPA and was previously the Illinois Governor’s Policy Adviser on Energy and Environment.