The Trump Administration’s recent executive order signals potentially significant changes to the regulatory landscape for domestic energy infrastructure generally and LNG in particular. Among the notable features of the order are the provisions directing US DOT to (1) update its 49 C.F.R. Part 193 regulations for LNG facility safety; and (2) issue regulations allowing LNG to be transported in approved rail tank cars.
Continue Reading LNG a Focus of Recent Executive Order

President Trump signed another Executive Order (EO) on January 30, 2017, entitled Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs. The new EO, applicable to the entire Executive Branch, including all federal administrative agencies, makes a straightforward directive: “…for every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination.” The Order goes on to state that the costs associated with any new regulations may not exceed the savings realized by repealing at least two prior regulations (“the total incremental cost of all new regulations…shall be no greater than zero.”).
Continue Reading New Executive Order Requires Agencies to Withdraw 2 Regulations for Every 1 Proposed

In his first days as President, Donald Trump has issued several directives to expedite pipeline and energy infrastructure projects and bring pipe steel manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Through an executive order, the President directed federal agencies to expedite environmental reviews and approvals for all infrastructure projects, with emphasis on “high priority” projects such as pipelines.
Continue Reading Pipelines and Infrastructure Projects are Front and Center in Administration’s First Days

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently released the final “Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.” The Framework addresses procedures and processes for reducing cyber risks to critical infrastructure – which includes the transportation sector and pipeline systems.
Continue Reading Issuance of Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Framework and Launch of DHS Cyber Community Program

During his State of the Union Address, President Obama unveiled an Executive Order (EO) and Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) to improve critical infrastructure cybersecurity . The EO and PPD come in the wake of two failed attempts by Congress to pass cybersecurity legislation, and are generally aimed at seeking to improve relationships across the federal