As published in a recent Husch Blackwell client alert, on April 26, 2017 the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) published a notice in the Federal Register setting out the hearing schedule for the investigation of steel imports that was announced on April 20, 2017. The scope of the investigation appears to be broad and could
Paul Atkinson
Dissecting DOE’s Recent Quadrennial Energy Review
By Paul Atkinson on
Posted in Department of Energy, Transmission
In a four-part series recently published in Law360, Husch Blackwell’s energy regulatory group analyzed the significant aspects of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) most recent installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER). The first article focused on the QER’s discussion of the critical role that the nation’s electricity industry plays in supporting the country’s economy and national security. The second installment examined the QER’s emphasis on grid security. The third focused on
President Trump Mandates “Buy American” for Construction of US Pipelines
By Paul Atkinson on
Posted in Oil & Gas
In a Presidential Memorandum issued January 24, 2017, President Trump directed the Secretary of Commerce to develop a plan within 180 days to require that pipelines in the United States use materials and equipment produced in the United States “to the maximum extent possible and to the extent permitted by law.” The plan will extend…
FERC Proposes Broad Reforms to the Interconnection Process
By Paul Atkinson on
On December 15, 2016,the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed broad regulatory changes to enhance the interconnection processes first developed in 2003, prior to the proliferation of new generation resources and transmission investments. FERC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) that proposes to modify many aspects of the large generator interconnection process. The full…
EPA Releases Final Report on Fracking Impacts to Drinking Water
By Paul Atkinson on
Posted in EPA
On December 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its widely anticipated final report on the impacts to drinking water sources from hydraulic fracturing. In its final report, the EPA backed away from its earlier conclusion that fracking has not caused “widespread, systemic” impacts to drinking water, instead concluding that fracking activities can impact…
Texas Solar Webinar Series
By Paul Atkinson on
Husch Blackwell and the Texas Renewable Energies Industries Alliance have teamed up to produce a webinar series titled, On the Horizon, focused on the Texas solar industry. The latest installment focused on solar leases and mineral right issues and is now available on-demand. The panelists discussed recommended provisions for solar leases including steps solar project developers can take to anticipate mineral estate operations and lessen the potential impact of right of access under the Texas’ Accommodation Doctrine.
Register here for the final two webinars of the year: