Project Catalyst: An Economic Development Podcast | Episode 9: The Role of Railways in Economic Development with Brian Gwin of Norfolk Southern
On June 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to approve Texas’s application for primary permitting and enforcement responsibility (primacy) for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration wells...more
A "Course Correction" of NEPA Review - In an 8-0 judgment, the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that had vacated the U.S. Surface Transportation Board’s (the “Board”)...more
On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, clarifying the standards for judicial review of challenges to agency action under the National Environmental Policy Act...more
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition et al. v. Eagle County, Colorado, et al. The U.S. Supreme Court recently clarified the scope of federal agency review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”)...more
Last week, the Supreme Court issued its eagerly awaited National Environmental Policy Act decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County. We were not disappointed. ...more
Over the last half century, federal courts have interpreted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to require federal agencies to study an ever-growing range of indirect effects and impacts when approving large...more
In the first major National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) case to reach the Supreme Court in almost two decades, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on May 29, 2025, in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v....more
On May 29, 2025, the Supreme Court held that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — which requires federal agencies to analyze the environmental impacts of projects that they carry out, fund, or approve — does not...more
Stakeholders following developments in states obtaining primary authority for implementation and enforcement of permitting of carbon storage and sequestration wells, take notice. With a recent Memorandum of Agreement between...more
In 1984, while Ronald Reagan was securing a landslide reelection and Apple introduced the Macintosh, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) last updated the state’s primary oil and gas waste regulations. Now, four decades...more
On November 6, 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would mandate cyber risk management and reporting requirements for certain surface transportation...more
The Transportation Security Administration's ("TSA") proposed rule would require owners and operators of certain pipeline, freight railroad, passenger railroad, rail transit, and over-the-road bus ("OTRB") systems to...more
On June 24, the Supreme Court granted certiorari review in a case with serious implications for those seeking federal permits which, in turn, require environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act...more
Over the past few years, we’ve faced and weathered tough crises—from COVID to war to inflation—each one disrupting some aspect of the supply chain. Earlier this month there was another shock to the system which thankfully...more
In the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, the Texas Legislature in Senate Bill 3 (2021) required the Railroad Commission of Texas to adopt rules requiring certain pipeline facility operators to weatherize equipment in order to...more
Texas regulators recently took additional steps in an effort to prevent another catastrophic loss of power like that experienced during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. On November 29, 2021, the Railroad Commission of Texas...more
On 8 November 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to propose a temporary suspension of transport...more
Gas flaring, especially in the Permian and the Eagle Ford, is coming in hot these days at the Texas Railroad Commission. Presented here are viewpoints from several stakeholders in the discussion. My comments are summaries....more
The Texas Railroad Commission (state agency that regulates the Texas oil and gas industry) has held two hearings to discuss production demand and proration. The Railroad Commission (RCC) announced formation of a task force...more
On April 14, 2020, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) conducted a conference on the application of Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. and Parsley Energy, Inc. for market-demand proration of oil production in Texas. The...more
On April 14, 2020, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) will conduct an initial public conference to consider the joint application of Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. and Parsley Energy, Inc. for market-demand...more
According to a recent filing,1 the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is considering recommendations to increase the outer tank shell for the DOT-113 tank car in...more
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to authorize the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by...more
Focus - Four automakers reach deal with California to increase fuel efficiency standards - The Washington Post – July 25 - Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW - major automakers with a combined 30 percent of the U.S....more
On June 6, 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (PHMSA) announced the availability for comment of its draft Environmental Assessment for a Special Permit to...more