Client Alerts
Last fall, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) gave project developers a valuable thing in Clean Air Act permitting: a usable …
May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026 • 6-minute read
Grant Tolley
Senior Associate
Environmental & Natural Resources
Overview
Grant is a senior associate in the Washington, DC office of Vinson & Elkins and a member of the firm’s Environmental & Natural Resources practice. He represents clients across diverse sectors on a range of complex litigation and regulatory matters arising under the major federal environmental statutes. His clients have included automotive companies, oil and gas companies, utilities, developers, and manufacturers.
Served three years as a member of the court-appointed monitorship overseeing Volkswagen’s compliance with the civil and criminal settlements resolving the $33 billion Dieselgate scandal
Represented petrochemical manufacturer in CAA New Source Review enforcement during negotiation of consent decree and in subsequent arbitration seeking indemnification to recover consent decree costs
Counseled automaker on disclosure of AECDs pursuant to EPA’s audit policy
Drafted comments on behalf of trade association on EPA’s National Compliance Initiatives
Prepared litigation risk assessment for public utility following the D.C. Circuit’s partial vacatur of EPA’s RCRA coal combustion residuals rule
Provided strategic analysis on defenses to products liability and toxic tort claims related to groundwater contamination in federal district court
Represented housing developer in appeal of permit conditions in state court and administrative litigation
Credentials
Education
- Georgetown University, J.D., cum laude, 2017 (CALI Award for the highest grade in Environmental Law)
- Yale University, M.F.S., Forest Science, 2012
- University of Hawaii, B.A., English, and B.S., Botany, 2009
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Supreme Court
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), (Washington): “Ones to Watch,” Environmental Law, 2025–2027; Natural Resources Law, 2026 and 2027
Insights
Client Alerts
EPA Draws the Line: What Can You Build Before Getting an Air Permit?
What can project developers actually build before securing an air permit?
September 18, 2025 • V&E Environmental Update
September 18, 2025 • 4-minute read
Client Alerts
On June 17, 2025 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a proposed rule to repeal the amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (“MATS”) adopted by the Biden administration in 2024.
June 17, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
June 17, 2025 • 5-minute read
Client Alerts
Power Move: EPA Proposes GHG Rules Repeal
On June 17, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a proposed rule that, if finalized, would repeal all greenhouse gas (“GHG”) standards for the power sector.
June 17, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
June 17, 2025 • 8-minute read
Client Alerts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule (the “Rule”) that substantially expands its Risk Management Program (“RMP”) regulations aimed at preventing chemical accidents.
May 3, 2024 • V&E Environmental Update
May 3, 2024 • 7-minute read
