The current Administration has focused on reforming federal administrative agency enforcement by emphasizing transparency, due process, and fair notice. The concepts of due process and fair notice are well-established legal precepts, and they are critical to the regulated community. For
Pipelaws
More than a quarter century providing legal analysis to the oil and gas pipeline industry
Pipelaws, published by Troutman Pepper Locke, focuses on legal developments and regulatory updates related to pipeline infrastructure, natural gas, and environmental compliance. The blog covers topics such as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) policies on pipeline project analysis and greenhouse gas emissions, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulations on pipeline safety and leak detection, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules affecting natural gas processing and toxic release reporting, and broader environmental and water law issues impacting the energy and pipeline sectors. It also addresses enforcement, compliance, and litigation matters relevant to pipeline operators and stakeholders.
Latest from Pipelaws - Page 5
Energy Infrastructure Projects Take Heed: FWS Northern Long-Eared Bat Listing Remanded and SPR Policy Vacated
In a decision with significant potential implications for infrastructure construction projects, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia recently remanded, but did not vacate, the Fish and Wildlife Services’ (“FWS”) 2015 decision to list the northern long-eared bat…
Council on Environmental Quality Proposes Long-Awaited NEPA Regulations Overhaul
On January 10, 2020, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published the long-awaited proposed rule to amend its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The statute, sometimes pejoratively referred to as a “paper-tiger,” requires a federal…
Final Rule Imposes Expansive New Requirements for Liquid Pipelines
PHMSA recently finalized a rule that significantly revises certain aspects of liquid pipeline safety regulation under 49 CFR Part 195. Nearly nine years in the making, the final rule is intended to address PHMSA and NTSB accident investigation findings from…
PHMSA Updates its Latest Enforcement Tool: Emergency Order Final Rule
On October 1, 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA or the Agency) issued three long awaited final rules. This post addresses the Agency’s final rule on Emergency Orders, a significant new tool in PHMSA’s pipeline…
PHMSA Publishes Long-Awaited Final Rules
Tomorrow’s Federal Register will include three final rules published by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that have been years in the making: (1) Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements…
Troutman Sanders Pipelaws Team Authors Article on the Pipeline Safety Act for Law360
Troutman Sanders Pipeline partners Catherine Little, Bob Hogfoss and Annie Cook authored an article published in Law360 on the Pipeline Safety Act reauthorization legislation currently in the U.S. House and Senate. The current authorization of federal pipeline safety laws and funding of…
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Changes to Endangered Species Act Regulations
On August 12, 2019 the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service (“USFWS”) and National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) (collectively, the “Services”) released pre-publication versions of three final rules that are expected to significantly affect the applicability and implementation of the Endangered Species…
EPA Proposes Sweeping Changes to Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Regulations
On Friday, August 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) unveiled a pre-publication version of a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NOPR”) to clarify state water quality certification (“certification”) procedures under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) to allow for…
Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization: Issues for Resolution
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…