Sandra Y. Snyder

Prior to law school, Ms. Snyder worked as a chemical engineer for four years at one of the world's largest oil refineries, initially providing operations support as a process engineer in both hydrofining and utilities, before becoming the site's Foreign Trade Zone and Oil Loss Coordinator.  Her engineering background provides her with an inside understanding of the interplay between environmental compliance and business planning considerations, as well as maintenance, safety, and equipment issues.

During law school, she served as a legal extern to the Honorable Dora L. Irizarry of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She also completed a legal externship with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Representative Matters

Successfully defended permits issued to a major natural gas production company in a challenge alleging that sources should have been aggregated.

Represented a developer in NEPA litigation by intervening in the case and successfully defending key permits and approvals issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. National Park Service for the construction of a community redevelopment project in southwestern Michigan.

Advises natural gas corporations, trade associations, service companies, and gas manufacturers regarding compliance with EPA's Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting rule.

On behalf of company that developed a new technology to eliminate ozone-depleting substances (including those with a high global warming potential), obtained approval from the United Nations Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to be listed as a destruction process that is compliant with the Montreal Protocol.

Conducted environmental due diligence for the potential acquisition of multiple assets from a merchant power generation company in a bankruptcy proceeding.

Handled environmental due diligence in the potential acquisition of a large domestic refinery.

Conducted environmental due diligence for an international bank when refinancing the debt of a large refining corporation.

Publications and Speeches

"EPA Targets Refineries, Power Facilities, Large Sources in GHG Permit Tailoring Rule," Environmental Law Update, May 17, 2010.

"EPA Expands GHG Inventory Rule to Target Petroleum & Natural Gas Systems," Energy Legal Blog, April 13, 2010.

"SEC's Puzzling Pronouncement on Climate Change," Corporate Counsel, March 25, 2010.

"EPA's Proposed Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule," Air & Waste Management Association Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting, November 3, 2009.