Inflation Reduction Act
In Line With Recent Precedent, Trump Administration Directs Federal Agencies to Halt New Regulations
As expected, one of President Trump’s first actions after being sworn in to office was to issue a memorandum outlining his administration’s plans for managing new or pending federal regulations. As shown in the Table below, the memorandum from President...
Federal Court Sets Timeline for EPA to Reconsider Regulation of Oil and Gas Waste Under RCRA
In yet another example of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) “sue and settle” approach to regulation, in late December 2016, EPA entered into a Consent Decree with an environmental group and agreed to reconsider the Agency’s current treatment of...
PHMSA Proposes Plans to Revise Volatility Standard for the Transport of Crude Oil
Today, PHMSA released an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), announcing that it is considering revising the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to establish vapor pressure limits for the transportation of crude oil and potentially all Class 3 flammable liquid hazardous...
Risk Management Program (RMP) Update: EPA Adopts Final Amendments to the RMP Rule
Partners Whit Swift and Matt Paulson will discuss the amendments to the RMP rule at 40 CFR Part 68 that EPA finalized on December 21, 2016. The talk will cover the changes to the RMP program that EPA adopted and...
Obama Bans Drilling Offshore Atlantic, Arctic – But For How Long?
With a new President on the White House doorstep, President Obama has announced a ban – ostensibly permanent – on offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters along the Eastern seaboard and offshore Alaska. President Obama appears to be...
Bracewell Environmental Law Seminar – Fall 2016: Highlights on “The Desktop Regulator”
On November 15, 2016, Bracewell’s Environmental Strategies Group hosted its third biannual Environmental Law Seminar in Houston. The seminar was attended by nearly 100 industry representatives and featured five guest speakers, including Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, CSB Board Member Rick...
Bracewell Environmental Law Seminar – Fall 2016: Highlights on Strategic Permitting
On November 15, 2016, Bracewell’s Environmental Strategies Group hosted its third biannual Environmental Law Seminar in Houston. The seminar was attended by nearly 100 industry representatives and featured five guest speakers, including Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, CSB Board Member Rick...
The Trump effect on energy and environment law, manufacturing — an E&E News and ABA presentation
[video] What will a Trump administration mean for the energy and environment legal landscape, and do manufacturers stand to benefit? Bracewell LLP's Jeff Holmstead and the National Association of Manufacturers' Ross Eisenberg sit down for an in-depth discussion on the...
2016 Election: Outlook for the Clean Power Plan and Other Environmental Issues
Scott Segal, co-head of Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group, and Jeff Holmstead, head of the Environmental Strategies Group at Bracewell, discuss how the next President and Congress will confront issues such as climate change, the Clean Power Plan, and other environmental...
2016 Election: Election Day Takeaways and What to Expect in the Trump Presidency
Dee Martin and Scott Segal, co-heads of Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group, discuss their reactions to the surprising results of the 2016 elections and what to expect during the first 100 days of a Trump administration. [video]
TCEQ Adopts Changes to Affirmative Defense Rule in Response to EPA SIP Call
On November 2, 2016, the Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved the adoption of changes to the rule language in 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 101 that establishes an affirmative defense to enforcement for unauthorized...
Federal Report Identifies New Criteria for Underground Gas Storage Facilities
On October 19, a federal task force released a Final Report outlining recommendations for industry and government in the wake of the 2015 natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon in southern California. The Interagency Task Force on Natural Gas Storage...
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Releases Strategic Plan for 2017-2021
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (“CSB”) released its Strategic Plan for 2017-2021 today. The Strategic Plan is the result of 18 months of staff and stakeholder development and review. The plan serves as a blueprint for the...
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Releases Strategic Plan for 2017-2021
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (“CSB”) released its Strategic Plan for 2017-2021 today. The Strategic Plan is the result of 18 months of staff and stakeholder development and review. The plan serves as a blueprint for the...
PHMSA Releases Civil Penalty Policy Framework, Sets its Sight on Higher Penalties “Across the Board”
This week, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a General Policy Statement announcing its intent to make available to the public a Civil Penalty Policy Framework. Previously only available by request, the civil penalty framework provides insight...