Biography
Benjamin Rhem is a partner in the environmental and legislative practice group where he advises clients in the power generation, oil and gas, and mining industries regarding compliance with federal and state environmental laws. Ben works regularly before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. EPA. Ben’s practice also extends beyond environmental law, as he assists clients deal with regulatory issues before FERC, PHMSA, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and MSHA.
Ben was formerly an attorney in the Environmental Law Division of the TCEQ where he represented the Executive Director in permitting matters and provided guidance to various TCEQ air programs. Ben also clerked for the Office of General Counsel and in the Litigation Division as a law student.
Education
B.A., University of Richmond
J.D., University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas, 2008
Spotlight
Ben has given numerous presentations regarding environmental and pipeline regulations, and in July of 2015, he gave a presentation titled, “GHG Regulation and the Politics of Climate Change for the Oil and Gas Industry,” which was published in the 61st Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute.
Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Compliance
- Advised a major oil and gas production company regarding multiple environmental audits under the Texas Environmental, Health, and Safety Audit Privilege Act covering upstream and midstream oil and gas facilities located in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale.
- Assisted client in removing unwarranted violations and significantly reduce penalties assessed by MSHA.
Environmental Due Diligence
- Conducted environmental due diligence for over 3,000 MW of wind energy electric generation.
- Assisted with environmental due diligence and permitting relating to a major corporate reorganization of one of largest electric energy providers in the U.S.
FERC Compliance – Open Seasons, Tariffs, Petitions for Declaratory Orders
- Assisted multiple clients to prepare and conduct successful open seasons and petitions for declaratory orders.
- Assisted client in conducting environmental, pipeline safety, FERC compliance audit of major interstate liquids pipeline.
- Successfully assists clients in obtaining air, water, and waste permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, provides advice on complex environmental audits, and conducts environmental reviews for energy and real estate transactions. Assisted in the development and financing of over two dozen wind and solar energy projects, as well as numerous natural gas-fired power plants.
- Advises pipeline clients on compliance with FERC regulations and the Interstate Commerce Act. Recently assisted several clients conduct open seasons, draft petitions for declaratory orders, and file tariffs with FERC.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Environmental Law, 2023
- “Texas Rising Star,” Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2016-2019
Publications
- “Key Permit Used in Keystone XL Pipeline Put On Hold – Potential Far-Reaching Impacts on Other Projects,” Jackson Walker Insights (May 1, 2020)
- “EPA Proposes to Revise Significant Aspects of Methane Rule,” Jackson Walker Insights (September 13, 2018)
- “Petition for Rulemaking Requests Standards of Conduct for Oil Pipelines,” Jackson Walker Insights (February 13, 2018)
- “DOI Reverses Course and Declares Migratory Bird Treaty Act Does Not Prohibit Incidental Take,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 11, 2018)
- “Appeals Court Decision Requires Air Emissions Reporting for Animal Waste,” Jackson Walker Insights (May 10, 2017)
- “Denbury v. Texas Rice “Texas Rice II”: The Texas Supreme Court Affirms Common Carrier Status,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 9, 2017)
- O’Connor’s Texas Oil & Gas Statutes & Regulations, Editor, 2014-2018
Speaking Engagements
- “Legal Roundtable: Is Texas Still Energy Friendly?”, MIDSTREAM Texas Conference, Midland, Texas (June 6, 2018)
- “Interstate Determinations under the Natural Gas Act and Interstate Commerce Act,” Pipeline Safety Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana (August 10, 2016)
- “Emergency Demand Response Under EPA’s RICE MACT Rules,” San Antonio, Texas (March 10, 2016)
- “GHG Regulation and the Politics of Climate Change for the Oil and Gas Industry,” 61st Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, Anchorage, Alaska (July 17, 2015)
- “Regulatory Compliance After the West Fertilizer Explosion,” Texas Ag Industries Association Regional Meeting, Belton, Texas (October 8, 2013)
- “Compliance with EPA and TCEQ Air Quality Regulations Affecting Oil and Gas Operations,” San Antonio Association of Professional Landmen Mid-Winter Seminar, San Antonio, Texas (February 9, 2013)
- “The Denbury Decision – Its Impact on Pipeline Construction and How the Legislature and Railroad Commission Will Respond,” Obtaining and Expanding Pipeline Capacity in the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution, Houston, Texas (January 16, 2013)
- “Environmental and Clean Air Regulations Affecting the Midstream,” Midstream Oil and Gas Law Conference, Houston, Texas (December 7, 2012)
In the News
- “EPA’s Methane Emission Proposal Fuels Oil And Gas Uncertainty,” Hart Energy (September 10, 2019)
- “Don’t Worry, Texas Will Still Be Energy Friendly,” MIDSTREAM Business (June 27, 2018)
- “Texas Supreme Court Establishes a Pipeline-Friendly Threshold,” Texas Lawyer (March 1, 2017)
- Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program, Advisory Board, 2017-Present
- Generation Waller
- Vice President, 2015-2017
- Volunteer Committee Chair, 2014
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
July 27, 2022
WebinarsJoin Jackson Walker for “Hot Topics in Oilfield Produced Water” Webinar
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT
Join Patrick Knapp, Reagan Marble, Ben Rhem, and Taylor Holcomb for this upcoming webinar as they provide an overview of how the midstream water business is among the fastest-growing segments of the oil and gas industry.
June 8, 2021
InsightsProposed Listing of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Under Endangered Species Act and Potential Impact on Energy Projects
By Jerry Webberman, Alicia French, Jesse Lotay, & Ben Rhem
On June 1, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. If finalized, the species would be listed as endangered in the Southern DPS, which is located in West Texas and New Mexico and overlaps with the oil- and gas-rich Permian Basin, and threatened in the Northern DPS, located in the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. Public hearings to gather comments on the proposal will be held on July 8 and July 14, and all public comments must be submitted by August 2, 2021.
August 17, 2020
InsightsEPA Rolls Back Portions of Methane Rule
On August 13, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency issued two rules rolling back portions of its 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry to simplify compliance and reduce regulatory costs.
July 7, 2020
InsightsCourt Orders Dakota Access Pipeline Shut Down
On July 6, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling ordering that the Dakota Access Pipeline be shut down and emptied by August 5, 2020.
May 1, 2020
InsightsKey Permit Used in Keystone XL Pipeline Put On Hold – Potential Far-Reaching Impacts on Other Projects
On April 15, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana vacated a key general permit pipeline and utility project that owners have used for decades to address Clean Water Act requirements, including the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
October 1, 2019
MentionsBen Rhem Weighs in on EPA’s Proposed Updates to New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
As the period for public comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry, Hart Energy featured insights from Ben Rhem on the latest action, the oil and gas industry’s response, and what to expect.
March 6, 2019
Attorney NewsUp and Coming: 34 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2019 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” List
Jackson Walker is excited to congratulate our 34 attorneys who were named to Thomson Reuters’ 2019 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list.
September 13, 2018
InsightsEPA Proposes to Revise Significant Aspects of Methane Rule
Two years ago, the EPA adopted the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Subpart OOOOa (commonly known as the Methane Rule), which allowed the EPA – for the first time – to regulate directly the emissions of methane gas from oil and gas operations. On September 11, 2018, the EPA released its proposed rule reversing significant aspects of the Methane Rule.
August 14, 2018
Client ResultsJackson Walker Represents Bridger Logistics in Successful Divestiture of Saltwater Disposal, Crude Oil Truck Transportation, and Logistics Businesses
Jackson Walker successfully represented a subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. in the sale of its saltwater disposal, crude oil truck transportation, and logistics businesses to subsidiaries controlled by the largest North American operator of travel centers and the fourth-largest tanker fleet in the U.S.