Susan A. Olenchuk

Susan Olenchuk focuses her practice on natural gas regulatory and policy, pipeline safety, and compliance, audits, and enforcement matters. 

Ms. Olenchuk has acquired substantial experience advising clients on an array of federal regulatory matters arising under the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) in administrative proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and in appellate litigation before the courts of appeals.  Her experience and capabilities in this area include:

• Advising regulated pipelines and customers in the development and prosecution of rate and tariff proceedings, filing comments on rulemakings, and navigating FERC’s certificate/construction requirements. 
• Counseling clients on the complex jurisdictional issues associated with interstate natural gas transportation and storage services provided under Section 311 of the NGPA.
• Counseling natural gas pipelines and electric utilities on implementation and compliance issues arising under FERC’s affiliate Standards of Conduct and other regulatory requirements.
• Assisting clients in auditing and evaluating internal processes and procedures, and in developing workable and effective compliance plans and training materials that reflect best practices, conform with regulatory guidance and mandates, and achieve corporate objectives.

Ms Olenchuk also provides operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines with regulatory advice and guidance on pipeline safety matters with respect to requirements of the Pipeline Safety Act and the regulations of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  Her work in this area includes: 

• Providing interpretative guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements, reviewing and drafting written compliance programs and procedures to effectively address all aspects of regulation, and advising clients in the critical area of documenting compliance activities. 
• Teaming with clients’ engineering personnel in developing and executing effective responses to PHMSA enforcement actions; developing and executing litigation strategies; and negotiating settlements when appropriate. 
• Helping pipelines obtain special permits from PHMSA.

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• President, Energy Bar Association (2012-2013)
• President-Elect, Energy Bar Association (2011-2012)
• Member, Board of Directors of the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association and the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal
• Member, Technical Advisory Group for the FERC Rate Course for the Natural Gas Interstate Pipeline Industry presented by the Center for Public Utilities at the New Mexico State University

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)

Susan A. Olenchuk and James B. Curry, “Pipeline Safety:  Attorneys Ready for the Challenge” (interview), Pipeline & Gas Journal (August 2011)

Susan A. Moore, “Hydro Licensing and the Endangered Species Act:  Implications of FERC’s Current Approach,” Hydro Review, Volume XXVI, No. 3 (June 2007) (received the Author’s Award as the article ranked No. 1 by readers). 

“Report of the Judicial Review Committee,” Energy Law Journal, Volume 27, No. 1 (2006) (contributing author)

Susan A. Moore and Theresa I. Zolet, “The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002,” Energy Law Journal, Volume 24, No. 1 (2003)

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
• LSI: New Initiatives in Pipeline Safety, December 6, 2011
• 34th Annual AGA Legal Forum, July 17, 2011
• Energy Bar Association, Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting, May 5, 2011
• Law Seminars International: New PHMSA Rules for Pipeline Safety, October 28, 2010
• Practical Regulatory Training for the Natural Gas Interstate Pipeline Industry, May 9, 2010, Presented by the Center for Public Utilities at New Mexico State University

News

• Van Ness Feldman's Susan Olenchuk and Jim Curry Interviewed in Pipeline & Gas Journal
• Van Ness Feldman's Susan Olenchuk and Emily Pitlick Quoted in American Gas Magazine on PHMSA Rules
• Van Ness Feldman's Susan Olenchuk Quoted in Article on FERC Compliance