Annie M. Cook

Annie Cook’s practice focuses on administrative, environmental, and oil and gas transportation laws. Annie counsels clients on regulatory issues, compliance and litigation strategy, construction and siting, and permitting and enforcement defense relating to the Pipeline Safety Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, National Environment Policy Act, TCSA, and related state and local laws. Her team also represents clients regarding related transportation security issues and in responding to inquiries and investigations from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.. Annie’s clients include owners and operators of oil and natural gas pipeline and related storage, terminal, and LNG facilities as well as other energy industry stakeholders.

Firm/Organization: Troutman Sanders LLP

Blogs: Pipelaws

Latest Articles

Pipelaws

Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization: Issues for Resolution

By Catherine D. Little, Annie M. Cook & Robert E. Hogfoss

August 6, 2019

Both the Senate and the House now have bills in varying stages of review for reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act, which expires at the end of September. There are some notable differences in the bills, reflecting the Democratic majority in the House and the Republican majority in the Senate. Neither bill has been put before the entire chamber for a vote. If they do progress further, it remains to be seen how the bills…

Pipelaws

Vapor Pressure Remains a Volatile Topic

By Catherine D. Little, Annie M. Cook, Robert E. Hogfoss & Houston Shaner

July 30, 2019

On July 24, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published an invitation to comment on a preemption application submitted by the States of North Dakota and Montana. The States’ application asks PHMSA to override vapor pressure limits for crude by rail imposed by the State of Washington. New Washington law, which became effective on July 28, 2019, prohibits loading or unloading crude oil from a rail car unless the vapor pressure is…

Pipelaws

House Democrats Seek Bipartisan Support with Revised Pipeline Safety Bill

By Catherine D. Little, Annie M. Cook & Robert E. Hogfoss

June 28, 2019

In an attempt to garner support from House Republicans following last week’s release of draft legislation to reauthorize the Pipeline Safety Act (PSA), Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a more bipartisan version, The Safer Pipelines Act of 2019, H.R. 3432. The revised bill was subsequently approved by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee and heads to the full committee for consideration and mark-up. At a minimum, it appears that legislators…

Pipelaws

Beyond the Scope of NOPVs – Recent Region Recommendations

By Catherine D. Little, Annie M. Cook & Robert E. Hogfoss

June 28, 2019

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has recently issued some Region Recommendations in enforcement actions that have either added new material allegations or requested relief beyond that contained in the underlying matter. The Agency’s rules do not provide for Region Recommendations to be used in that manner. If PHMSA decides to add new allegations or seek additional relief in an enforcement action, the rules (and precedent) anticipate those modifications will be made through…

Pipelaws

Pipeline Safety Draft Legislation Adds New Proposals to Reauthorization Debate

By Catherine D. Little, Annie M. Cook & Robert E. Hogfoss

June 19, 2019

As the Pipeline Safety Act (PSA) reauthorization deadline approaches, the Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently released draft discussion legislation titled, The Safer Pipelines Act of 2019. The “discussion draft” was released in advance of a Committee hearing held on June 19, 2019. At the hearing, it became clear that the recent legislation was drafted behind closed doors and that it was not well received by the minority Republicans on…

Annie M. Cook

Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization: Issues for Resolution

Vapor Pressure Remains a Volatile Topic

House Democrats Seek Bipartisan Support with Revised Pipeline Safety Bill

Beyond the Scope of NOPVs – Recent Region Recommendations

Pipeline Safety Draft Legislation Adds New Proposals to Reauthorization Debate

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