Related Information For James Curry
Areas of Practice
Education
- J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 2005
- B.S., Boston University, 2001
Bar and Court Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
James Curry
TEL: 202.298.1831
FAX: 202.338.2361
Seventh Floor
Washington DC 20007
Jim Curry’s practice focuses on assisting clients with pipeline safety matters, including compliance, audits and enforcement. Specifically, Jim provides day-to-day guidance on regulatory interpretive and operational issues, reviews compliance procedures, and helps clients navigate the changing legal landscape of pipeline safety. Jim also assists clients with preparing responses to enforcement cases and petitions for reconsideration of final orders, rulemaking comments, developing plans for verification of pipeline records and maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP), strategies for integrity management compliance and documentation, legislative outreach, and agency communications. In addition, Jim counsels clients on a variety of other regulatory issues facing gas and hazardous liquids pipelines, including cost recovery and certificate matters.
Jim is co-author of Van Ness Feldman's bi-weekly Pipeline Safety Update.
Professional Background
Prior to joining the firm, Jim worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). As Attorney-Advisor, Jim represented PHMSA in the administrative enforcement of hazardous liquid and gas pipeline safety laws and regulations, working closely with engineering staff to develop and prosecute notices of probable violation and corrective action orders. Jim also served as a hearing officer in informal agency adjudications, independently managing a docket of several enforcement cases and drafting recommended decisions.
As part of his enforcement work, Jim worked extensively with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on complex pipeline litigation involving claims under the Pipeline Safety Laws, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act. Much of Jim’s work at DOT focused on matters in Alaska and the western states. He also was involved in developing agency rulemakings, drafting regulatory interpretations, providing legal reviews of special permit applications and decisional documents, and reviewing congressional testimony.
Through all of these experiences, Jim has developed expertise or familiarity with numerous statutes, including the Administrative Procedure Act, Pipeline Safety Laws, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Minerals Leasing Act, Oil Pollution Act, Natural Gas Act, and various Alaska-specific federal laws.
Government Service
Attorney-Advisor, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 2006-2010
Law Clerk, U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Enforcement Section, 2004
Judicial Intern, Bergen County, New Jersey, Superior Court, The Honorable Peter F. Boggia, 2003
Professional and Civic Affiliations
- Energy Bar Association
- Maryland Bar Association
Publications
Susan A. Olenchuk, James B. Curry, Katie E. Leesman, "The Potential Impact of New Pipeline Safety Legislation on PHMSA's Regulatory Initiatives," Pipeline & Gas Journal (April 2012)
Susan A. Olenchuk, James B. Curry, Katie E. Leesman, “The National Transportation Safety Board’s Report on San Bruno: Implications for Pipeline Safety,” Pipeline & Gas Journal (November 2011)
Articles
- Potential Impact of New Pipeline Safety Laws on PHMSA's Regulatory Initiatives
- The National Transportation Safety Board's Report on San Bruno: Implications for Pipeline Safety
Speaking Engagements
- AGA: Reauthorization and Transmission Pipeline Design, Construction and Operations Workshop, February 29, 2012
- American Gas Association 2011 Energy Market Regulation Conference, The Impact of Pipeline Safety Costs on Rates for Pipeline Services, September 22, 2011