Biography

Peter K. Wahl focuses his practice on a broad range of environmental matters, with particular emphasis in the energy sector. Recent representations regarding environmental matters in the energy sector include:

• Evaluation of potential liability exposure pursuant to onshore and offshore drilling contracts and other contractual arrangements;



• Counseling regarding the scope and impact of new federal and Texas oil and gas air regulations and permitting requirements;



• Evaluation of the permissible scope of municipal regulation of oil and gas exploration and production pursuant to the Texas Constitution and Texas Clean Air Act;



• Resolution of produced water discharge permitting issues occasioned by disagreement between the U.S. EPA, TCEQ, and Railroad Commission of Texas; and



• Settlement of alleged regulatory noncompliance claims with state and federal regulators.

Involvement with other regulatory matters have also included voluntary audits of and resolution of noncompliance issues at industrial facilities, the obtaining of Clean Air Act regulatory approval for modifications to refining and steel facilities, the development of an offshore LNG regasification facility authorized under the federal Deepwater Port Act, and development of an Australian oil shale mine and processing facility.

Mr. Wahl is also regularly involved with transactional matters, including the acquisition and divestiture of steelmaking, electric generation, oil and gas exploration and production, and refinery and pipeline assets. His experience supporting litigation matters includes the case of a laboratory manager in a multi-defendant, seven-week federal jury trial involving a 77-count fraud indictment, and a matter involving dairy operators in a civil lawsuit filed by a Texas municipality alleging contamination of its downstream drinking water supply. Mr. Wahl has also assisted with a number of bankruptcy matters in the steel, manufacturing, and agriculture industries.

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Organization Membership

Mr. Wahl serves as the Chair of the Dallas Bar Association's Environmental Law Section and has served on its Executive Council from 2002 to present. He is a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation.

Mr. Wahl is a member of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources and the State Bar of Texas' Environmental and Natural Resources Section. He serves on the Criminal Justice Act Voluntary Panel for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, representing federal felony defendants by Court appointment.

Community Involvement

Mr. Wahl is a member of the North Texas Business for Culture and the Arts' Leadership Arts Class of 2009, as well as the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Mr. Wahl is on the board of directors for the USA Film Festival and Texas League of Conservation Voters.

Mr. Wahl has provided pro bono legal work as an attorney ad litem for a child subject to the State of Texas raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ranch in El Dorado, Texas; representation of federal felony defendants pursuant to Criminal Justice Act appointments; negotiation of contracts for development of the Texas Horse Park, Inc. facility in the Dallas Trinity Lakes Project; and representation of a South Dallas community development organization.

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Peer Recognition

In 2006, Mr. Wahl was named as one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40" by D Magazine. Mr. Wahl was named a "Rising Star" by Thomson Reuters (2009-2012).

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Speeches / Publications

• "Environmental Liability Issues from the Deepwater Horizon Spill," ABA Section of Environmental, Energy and Resources Water Quality and Wetlands Committee Newsletter (October 2010)



• "Legal Ramifications of the Deepwater Horizon Spill," Paper presented at 22nd Annual Texas Environmental Law Superconference (August 4, 2010)



• "Environmental Issues in Oil and Gas Transactions," Sixth Annual Environmental Transactional Roundtable, Dechert LLP, Philadelphia, PA (May 14, 2010)



• "REACH and other International Issues," Fourth Annual Environmental Transactional Roundtable, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Washington, D.C. (May 9, 2008)



• "Risks and Opportunities in Emerging Climate Change Law and Policy," Akin Gump In-House Counsel CLE Series (February 21, 2008)



• "Emerging Trends in the Regulation of Electronic Waste," Uniden Corporation Annual Corporate Compliance Seminar (October 2, 2007)



• "Theories of Liability and Damages in Toxic Tort Cases," American Bar Association (2006)



• "Mitigating Risk in Brownfields Redevelopment," Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, Midatlantic Edition (April 2003)



• "The Criminalization of Quality Assurance – United States v. Jeffus, et al.," American Bar Association Environmental Crimes Section Newsletter (April 2002)



• "Criminal Liability Concerns to the Environmental Professional – I Should Have Known Better," Texas Environmental Law Superconference (August 2, 2001)



• "Little Power to Help Brenda?: A Defense of the Indian Child Welfare Act and its Continued Implementation in Minnesota," 26 William Mitchell L. Rev. 811 (2000)



• "Regional Agreements: A Model for Native Title Conflict Resolution," University of Queensland (1997)

Links to Publications

• What You Need to Know About EPA's Newest Oil and Gas Rules
• EPA Proposes Emission Standards for Hydraulic Fracturing and Oil and Gas Industry
• TCEQ Proposes New Air Emission Regulations for Oil & Gas Facilities
• New Air Emission Regulations for Oil & Gas Facilities
• Railroad Commission of Texas to Issue Notice to Operators Regarding Air Emission Issues
• SEC Issues Guidance Regarding Climate Change Disclosures

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Latest News

• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 19 "Rising Stars"
• Jackson Walker Represents Exelon in Power Plant Acquisition
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 21 "Rising Stars"
• Jackson Walker Honored for Mentoring Program Leadership
• Mike Nasi, Peter Wahl and Pinar Dogru to Speak on Environmental Issues
• Peter Wahl Speaks on Environmental Issues in Oil and Gas Transactions
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 31 "Rising Stars"
• New JW Partner: Peter Wahl

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