Aaron L. Szabo

Energy and Environmental Policy

Industry Experience

Aaron has years of experience advising clients on environmental and energy regulatory, policy and compliance issues.

He has extensive experience on environmental policy issues including EPA actions related to:

• Development and transmission within the oil and natural gas sector
• Power plants
• The manufacture, import and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Use of ethylene oxide (EtO) and other chemicals
• Climate change

Aaron’s experience in this space assists clients with compliance, due diligence, sustainability and other issues related to the Clean Air Act (CAA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), among others.

He has worked extensively on energy policy related to issues including:

• Federal incentives related to traditional and renewable energy projects
• Permitting related to critical minerals, electric transmission and siting, and oil and natural gas pipelines
• Renewable fuel standards and sustainable aviation fuels
• Compliance with energy efficiency standards

Aaron uses his knowledge and experience with federal agencies and the White House to advise clients on federal incentives established for energy and fuel production and the environmental regulations that govern them.

Government Experience

Aaron has more than a decade of experience in federal environmental and energy policy. His executive branch career spanned three presidential administrations, during which time he counseled decisionmakers on environmental, energy and natural resource statutes and regulations; analyzed regulatory policies to identify potential legal issues; researched and evaluated proposed legislation to respond to congressional reports and prepare testimony; and acted as liaison with other federal agencies and state, local and tribal representatives.

He was involved in the development of multiple significant Environmental Protection Agency climate and air regulations, including the Clean Power Plan, and oil and natural gas methane regulations. Aaron also worked on the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act’s updated regulations and federal sustainability policies.

Prior Experience

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Aaron served as a partner at a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and strategic communications firm. Prior to that role, Aaron was senior counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. He has also served as senior policy advisor for the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, where he worked on domestic environmental and energy regulatory policy. Prior to his work in the White House, Aaron worked at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Personal Interests

Aaron and his wife, Pamela, live in Virginia. When not at work, Aaron and his wife enjoy touring historic American cities and hiking through parks and trails.