Gas Pipeline Safety Under Heightened State and Federal Scrutiny

Outline

1. Overview of Structure of State and Federal Overview of Gas Pipeline Safety
2. State & Federal Regulatory Response to San Bruno/Rancho Cordova Gas Explosions.
   1. Review of San Bruno/Rancho Cordova accidents
   2. CPUC response: resulting penalties and new restrictions
      1. Rancho Cordova penalty
      2. Hydrostatic pressure tests
   3. NTSB Response
   4. Expected responses from other states.
3. Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (“Pipeline Safety Act”)
   1. Brief legislative history of Pipeline Safety Act
   2. Pipeline Safety Act expansion of DOT Pipeline Safety authority
   3. Key provisions of Pipeline Safety Act
4. 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.