Pipeline 101: An Overview of the Legal and Regulatory Framework Around America's Energy Arteries

There are over 200,000 miles of hazardous liquids pipelines and about 2.5 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the United States. The legal issues associated with this industry are diverse. Typical corporate and business issues, real estate matters, and operating and emergency-related challenges are all happening in the shadow of multiple regulatory schemes dealing with rates charged, protection of the environment, and safe operations.

This course will provide an overview of pipeline legal issues, with a few examples of circumstances unique to pipelines. 

Semi-retired Chris Paul worked for pipelines for decades as both an inside and outside counsel and will offer up thoughts useful to lawyers who may need a start in addressing various pipeline-related matters.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the general scope of issues encountered when dealing with pipelines

2. Review certain regulatory programs focused on or impacting pipelines

3. Recognize what clients look for in counsel and how to build a practice involving pipelines