Oil & Gas Regulatory

Oil and gas companies, large landowners, and others involved in the Texas oil and gas industry understand that the Railroad Commission of Texas is important, though it is often less clear just why it is important. The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas. Its rules, orders, and other actions affect private agreements, oil and gas interests, remedies, and other important matters. Jackson Walker helps clients understand and deal with the significance and potential consequences of the Railroad Commission’s many requirements.

Our firm handles contested and uncontested cases in all areas falling within the Railroad Commission’s jurisdiction, including oil and gas, common carrier pipelines, utility rate cases, environmental matters, and pipeline safety; advises and assists clients in connection with permit applications before the Railroad Commission; and advises clients on the intersection between the Commission’s rules and private agreements. We also represent clients in rulemaking proceedings and legislative matters that may impact the energy sector.

Amy L. Baird

Amy L. Baird

Partner, Houston
713.752.4525

John Beckworth

John Beckworth

Of Counsel, Austin
512.236.2034

Alicia R. French

Alicia R. French

Senior Counsel, Austin
512.236.2352

Jeffrey Grable

Jeffrey Grable

Partner, Fort Worth
817.334.7259

February 27, 2024
Attorney News

John Beckworth Receives Highest Honor at the 2024 TJOGEL Symposium

Jackson Walker congratulates John Beckworth on being named the recipient of the 2024 Ernest Smith Lifetime Achievement Award at the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law (TJOGEL) Symposium, held on February 22-23 at the Austin Public Library and simultaneously streamed on Zoom.

Landscape of Oil and Gas Refinery Manufacturing Plant., Petrochemical or Chemical Distillation Process Buildings., Factory of Power and Energy Industrial at Twilight Sunset., Engineering Petroleum.

April 25, 2023
Mentions

Taylor Holcomb Featured in ‘Energy Intelligence’ Discussing US Ruling That Could Upend Gas Bans Beyond Berkeley

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently tossed Berkeley, California’s 2019 ban on natural gas infrastructure in most new construction. In an interview with Energy Intelligence, Taylor Holcomb stated, “While other cities with similar gas bans will argue that their ordinances are distinguishable from Berkeley’s, the bottom line is that this is a broad ruling that binds federal judges in the 9th Circuit.”

Taylor Holcomb with Jackson Walker logo

October 20, 2022
Speaking Engagements

Taylor Holcomb to Discuss Impact of New Mexico’s Ozone Precursor Rule on Upstream and Midstream Facilities

Taylor Holcomb will partner with air quality permitting and compliance specialist, Adam Erenstein, from Trinity Consultants to provide perspectives on the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) new Ozone Precursor Rule during a webinar presented by Trinity Consultants on November 3, 2022.

Renewable energy with Jackson Walker logo

August 16, 2022
Insights

What the Energy Industry Should Know About the Inflation Reduction Act

By Ali Burner and Amy Baird

President Joe Biden is set to sign into law the Inflation Reduction Act, which is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 40% by 2030 and to invest $369 billion in energy security and climate change. This article summarizes how the new law impacts new and existing investors, developers, and producers in the energy industry.

Lesser prairie-chicken with JW logo

June 8, 2021
Insights

Proposed 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.

Meghan Griffiths, Richard Howell, and Mike Nasi with Jackson Walker logo

December 1, 2020
Speaking Engagements

UT Law’s Hot Topics in Gas and Power to Feature Meghan Griffiths, Richard Howell, and Mike Nasi

During the 2020 Hot Topics in Gas and Power webcast on December 11, 2020, Jackson Walker partners Meghan Griffiths, Richard Howell, and Mike Nasi will discuss regulatory updates and environmental challenges and impacts on energy infrastructure.

Oil and gas refinery with Jackson Walker logo

August 17, 2020
Insights

EPA 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.

June 16, 2020
Press Releases

Third Annual Oil & Gas Awards Recognize Innovation and Resiliency in Texas Energy

Supported by a host of allied organizations, the Oil & Gas Awards celebrate leaders in upstream, midstream, services, and finance sectors. Nominations are due July 10.

October 1, 2019
Mentions

Ben 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.

September 13, 2018
Insights

EPA 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.

More Oil & Gas Regulatory News


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