Construction of Pipeline and Storage Facilities
The firm’s professionals are highly experienced in obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals and permits, handling right-of- way and land use rights issues, developing open seasons, negotiating transportation agreements, drafting tariff provisions, and managing complex certificate processes before not only the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), but also other federal, state, and local governmental agencies and tribal entities.
Environmental Consultations and Compliance
Whether as part of the initial certificate process or as part of ongoing operations, Van Ness Feldman provides strategic advice on federal, state, and local environmental regulations, authorizations, and approvals, including those under the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Marine Transportation Security Act, Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Oil Pollution Act, and the Clean Air Act.
Government Relations and Legislation
Van Ness Feldman has been involved with every major piece of federal energy legislation affecting domestic oil, refined products and gas production over the last three decades. Our attorneys and policy professionals specialize in designing and implementing strategies to effect policies favorable to oil, refined products, and natural gas producers and pipelines, as well as monitoring crucial agency and legislative developments and positioning specific projects on master limited partnership tax issues. The firm actively advises natural gas companies and trade associations on developing U.S. regulations regarding climate change and the natural gas industry.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response
The firm provides continuous intelligence, advocacy, and strategic advice on the federal response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, including changes to the offshore leasing program and the restructuring of the Minerals Management Service, amendments to the Oil Pollution Act and other laws and regulations, liability and spill preparedness issues, and modifications to the federal environmental review process for offshore exploration and production activities.
LNG Projects
The firm’s professionals are adept at managing the complexities of developing LNG import projects, including environmental permitting, siting approval, supply, offtake and terminal use agreements, FERC authorization, and tariff implementation.
Oil and Refined Products Pipelines
The firm provides counsel to a number of oil and refined product pipeline companies on a broad array of issues – from project development to ongoing regulatory compliance. We have helped clients with project siting, right-of-way issues, protests and complaints under the Interstate Commerce Act, and ongoing pipeline safety, rates, and terms of service compliance issues.
Rate Cases and Appellate Proceedings
The firm is regularly guides clients in developing and implementing litigation and corporate strategies, preparing and drafting testimony, prosecution of rate case proceedings. Handling appeals before FERC and federal circuit courts.
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
Van Ness Feldman frequently assists clients with federal regulatory issues including audits, investigations, and complaints concerning tariffs; pipeline safety; ratemaking; gas quality; interchangeability; accounting; and environmental compliance. The firm also trains clients’ personnel on compliance issues.
Transactions
Van Ness Feldman’s attorneys help clients with negotiating and drafting supply, marketing, transportation, and interconnection agreements; capacity release and tolling arrangements; and facilities precedent agreements. We regularly conduct regulatory due diligence reviews of proposed projects and contractual arrangements for financing of LNG facilities, and assist clients by advising on contractual structures for joint ventures, consulting agreements, technical and engineering services, and right-of-way and conservation/mitigation transactions.