Obama Administration Announces Plans to Control Methane Emissions...

On January 14, 2015, the Obama Administration issued its long-awaited “blueprint” outlining the policies it will adopt to address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.  The blueprint – which consists of a White House press release and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fact sheet – announces an overall goal to cut methane emissions from the sector by 40-45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025.  To achieve this goal, the blueprint outlines a roadmap of regulatory and voluntary initiatives that the Obama Administration will roll out over its last two years.  Under this proposed approach, the Administration will address new and modified sources in the sector primarily through new regulations.  For existing sources, the blueprint calls for an... READ MORE

Five Things to Look for in the Obama Methane Policy Announcement

The Obama Administration is set to unveil its plan to address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.   Here are five things to look for in the announcement: 1.  Will the Administration opt for regulation, voluntary programs, or some combination? Environmental groups are pushing for comprehensive regulation, but there are at least three reasons why the Administration might not commit to a 100 percent regulatory approach, at least for the near-term: (1) A Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulation already on the books – the 2012 OOOO New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Gas Sector – is achieving significant “co-benefit” methane reductions;  (2) The Administration might lack sufficient administrative and political resources –... READ MORE

Roadmaps to the New Congress: Calendar and Committee Rosters

2015 Congressional Calendar House Committee Roster Senate Committee Roster READ MORE

Energy Exports in the Pacific Northwest

Van Ness Feldman's Jay Derr will be speaking in a panel entitled, "Transportation of Oil By Rail:  The Challenge of Developing Public Policy to Address Random Events with Potentially Catastrophic Consequences."  Mr. Derr will be providing a "developer perspective on the potential impact of revised federal, state, and local oil train regulations on proposed export projects for the Pacific Northwest."   READ MORE

23rd Annual Coal Properties & Investment Seminar

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My Best and Worst Experiences Facing the Appeals Court Judges...

Ever wonder what experiences other attorneys may have had before the appeals courts - what may have worked, what did not?  This event will answer those very questions. Join Van Ness Feldman Associate, Justin Moeller, and the EBA Judicial Review Committee for this entertaining panel discussion with four well-known energy law practitioners, who, given their clients, will have varying perspectives on this issue. For more information and to register, visit the Energy Bar Association's website. READ MORE

Friends of Van Ness Feldman Victorious in Maryland Election

Van Ness Feldman congratulates our former colleague, Boyd Rutherford, who was elected to serve as Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor in Governor-Elect Larry Hogan’s administration.  Mr. Rutherford was an associate with the firm in the mid-1990’s.  We are also pleased to congratulate Marc Korman and Bill Frick on their election to the Maryland House of Delegates for District 16.  Mr. Korman is the son of Van Ness Feldman partner, Paul Korman, and Mr. Frick is the son of former Van Ness Feldman partner, G. William Frick. Chairman of the firm, Richard Agnew, said of the election victories, “We celebrate the success of Boyd, Marc, and Bill and know they will serve the people of Maryland with integrity and honor.” READ MORE

FutureGen Receives Favorable Summary Judgment for Project in Illinois

On Nov. 6th, the Illinois Pollution Control Board granted FutureGen Industrial Alliance Inc. a favorable motion for summary judgment against claims brought by The Sierra Club.   The decisions affirms that FutureGen has valid permits to proceed with the development of a near-zero emissions, coal-fired power plant project in Illinois.  Van Ness Feldman attorneys Dale Johnson and Chris Zentz represented FutureGen Industrial Alliance in this matter. READ MORE

Van Ness Feldman Ranked as a "Best Law Firm in the US" by US News &...

The firm’s Energy, Environment, Government Relations, Land-Use & Zoning, Litigation (environmental), Native American, Natural Resources, Real Estate,  and Water Law practices honored as among the best in the nation, with Energy, Environmental, Litigation – Environmental, and Natural Resources practices ranked as the top practices in the country.  “It is an honor to be recognized by the clients we serve and by our peers in the legal industry,” said Rick Agnew, Firm Chairman. With over 100 professionals in Washington D.C. and Seattle, Van Ness Feldman is grateful for the dedication and creativity of the firm's personnel in building the firm into what it is today: one of the premier energy and natural resources, public policy, and land use firms in... READ MORE