Gas Pipeline Safety Under Heightened State and Federal Scrutiny
Navigating the New Regulatory Landscape and Preparing for Increased Testing and Penalties
Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE webinar with Q&A
This CLE course will provide energy law practitioners with an overview of recent changes in state and federal safety regulations affecting natural gas pipelines. The panel will examine developments following two recent deadly pipeline explosions in California and review the newly passed Pipeline Safety Act.
Outline
- Overview of Structure of State and Federal Overview of Gas Pipeline Safety
- State & Federal Regulatory Response to San Bruno/Rancho Cordova Gas Explosions.
- Review of San Bruno/Rancho Cordova accidents
- CPUC response: resulting penalties and new restrictions
- Rancho Cordova penalty
- Hydrostatic pressure tests
- NTSB Response
- Expected responses from other states.
- Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (“Pipeline Safety Act”)
- Brief legislative history of Pipeline Safety Act
- Pipeline Safety Act expansion of DOT Pipeline Safety authority
- Key provisions of Pipeline Safety Act
- Expected future developments
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key questions:
- What state and federal regulatory penalties and restrictions do pipeline operators face in the aftermath of California's San Bruno and Rancho Cordova pipeline explosions?
- How does the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act expand federal pipeline safety regulation, as well as the potential for heavy fines for rules violators?
- What areas must be monitored for developments in the near-future by counsel involved in pipeline-related practice?
Following the speaker presentations, you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your specific questions during the interactive Q&A.
Faculty
Darren J. Hunter
Counsel
Dewey & LeBoeuf
He has more than two decades of experience defending clients during government investigations and against government... | Read More
He has more than two decades of experience defending clients during government investigations and against government enforcement actions under a variety of regulations and statutes, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, and various other environmental, health and safety laws.
CloseAhren S. Tryon
Associate
Dewey & LeBoeuf
He has worked as a presiding official for the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials... | Read More
He has worked as a presiding official for the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. He has represented energy industry clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Surface Transportation Board, and federal courts.
CloseVidhya Prabhakaran
Associate
Davis Wright Tremaine
He focuses on energy industry matters and has managed client interests in climate change, renewable energy, ratemaking,... | Read More
He focuses on energy industry matters and has managed client interests in climate change, renewable energy, ratemaking, and procurement dockets. He has substantial experience before the California Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies working for clients in the energy industry.
Close