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Inflation Reduction Act
The Lobby Shop: An Intro
Dee Martin, co-head of the Policy Resolution Group, joins host Josh Zive in our kickoff podcast. https://soundcloud.com/thelobbyshop/the-lobby-shop-an-intro The Lobby Shop is also available on iTunes and Google Play .
The Lobby Shop: Environmental Policy
In this week's episode of the Lobby Shop, Scott Segal, co-head of the Policy Resolution Group, joins host Josh Zive for a discussion on the current state of environmental policy. https://soundcloud.com/thelobbyshop/the-lobby-shop-environmental-policy The Lobby Shop is also available on iTunes and...
EPA Announces Methane Rule Reconsideration, Adding to List of Obama-Era Rules Under Review
On April 18, 2017, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that the EPA will convene a proceeding for reconsideration of certain elements of the 2016 rule establishing methane emissions standards for the oil and gas industry (“Methane...
Industry Responds to U.S. Made Pipe Directive
Industry trade groups anticipate construction delays and cancelations, higher costs, and consumer impacts if the Trump administration’s January 24, 2017 Executive Memorandum , requiring that all new and repaired pipe be made in the U.S., is implemented. In comments filed...
U.S. Futures Exchanges Disciplinary Actions Report - March 2017
NYMEX NYMEX 15-0200-BC-6 EFRP Violation of Rules 538 – Exchange for Related Positions and 538.C – Related Position. A non-member entity was found to have entered into an EFRP transaction on December 1, 2014 that was in violation of Exchange...
Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure from Pipeline Sabotage
Oil and gas provides nearly two thirds of all energy used in the United States, which is primarily transported by pipelines. The United States currently has roughly 2.8 million miles of pipelines. Most of this infrastructure is buried, but aboveground...
EPA Seeks Public Comment on Existing Regulations for Repeal, Replacement or Modification
On April 13, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is seeking comments from the public on existing regulations that the Agency should consider repealing, replacing, or modifying. 82 Fed. Reg. 17793 (Apr. 13, 2017). EPA issued...
SEC Will Not Enforce Part of the Conflict Minerals Disclosure Rule
On Friday, April 7, 2017, the acting Chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) Michael Piwowar released a statement that the Commission will not recommend enforcement of certain parts of its Conflict Minerals disclosure rule (Securities Exchange Act...
Expansive Integrity Management Training and Qualification Advisory
PHMSA issued a brief advisory reminding gas transmission operators of training and qualification requirements under the integrity management regulations. The advisory responds to inconsistencies in operator implementation of these rules (at 49 C.F.R. Part 192.915) and outlines PHMSA’s “expectations.” Further...
Underground Natural Gas Storage: Regulations and Fees Move Forward Despite Appeal and Criticism
Last December, PHMSA issued an interim final rule (IFR) to establish—for the first time ever—minimum federal standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. The IFR imposes significant new requirements in a short timeframe for “downhole facilities,” including wells, wellbore tubing...
USCIS Announces New Measures to Detect H-1B Visa Fraud and Abuse
On April 3, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced heightened measures to deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. In its site visits to H-1B petitioners and the worksites of H-1B employees, USCIS will implement...
EPA Proposes to Delay the Effective Date of RMP Rule Amendments to 2019
On April 3, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule that would delay the effective date of the recent Risk Management Program (RMP) rule amendments to February 19, 2019. 82 Fed. Reg. 16146 (Apr. 3, 2017)...
For Those Keeping Tally, Another Win for Defendants’ Rights: Exploring De Novo Review and Burdens of Proof
On March 30, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued an order denying, without prejudice, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC” or the “Commission”) Motion to Affirm Civil Penalties against Barclays Bank PLC and four...
President Trump Signs Executive Order “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth”
On March 28, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order titled “ Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth .” Touted by the administration as both “protecting the environment and promoting [the] economy,” [1] the Order aims to “promote clean and...
Texas Regional Haze: Fifth Circuit Grants EPA’s Motion to Remand the Texas Regional Haze FIP
On March 22, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit allowed EPA to revise and change the Texas Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) when it granted EPA’s motion to remand the plan to EPA for revision...