Arbo

Each year on Thanksgiving, we think of all those who inspire us, help us grow, give us purpose, and keep us grounded in our values. Warm wishes to you — our colleagues, customers, friends, and family members!

In an increasingly uncertain regulatory environment for #infrastructure projects, a clear ruling from #SCOTUS on the scope of #NEPA analysis could provide much-needed guidance for developers, financiers, agencies, and courts. My colleague Thomas L. Sharp discussed an important case we're watching -- involving the Uinta Basin Railway -- on stage at DUG Appalachia.

We've had lots of interest from customers on how this unexpected ruling on #NEPA regs stands to impact #oilandgas #infrastructure. Our take hit the blog today.

Last week in Pittsburgh, Hart's Jordan Blum asked Thomas L. Sharp about our expectations for the #DOE #LNG pause, why we're watching a few SCOTUS cases this season, and what's likely to happen at #FERC under a Trump administration.

The Commission's approach to determining market need for new pipeline capacity stands at a critical juncture. Recent judicial decisions and evolving market dynamics may reshape how FERC evaluates demand, particularly when evaluating capacity subscribed by affiliates or LDCs.

As a veteran-owned business, we’re especially proud to help protect and advance America’s energy security. Arbonauts are grateful today and everyday, to all who've served our nation with courage, dedication, and selflessness.

Thanks to Hart Energy for inviting us; Arbonauts are looking forward to a little roadtrip.

Stakeholders need insight into broad thematic developments AND specifically relevant litigation to inform strategic decisions about project development. Litigation complexity makes project planning extremely challenging by injecting seemingly endless variables into the process, increasing uncertainty. These developments take resources to monitor and detailed expertise to interpet, which is why many #pipeline companies and #commoditiestrading teams rely on Arbo. Thanks to The Energy Council, who invited our Founder & CEO, Chip Moldenhauer, to lead a discussion of these regulatory and policy issues at a recent event in Houston.

We are closely watching the status of the Ridgeline Expansion project, which is the largest #natgas #pipeline project application submitted at #FERC since the beginning of 2021 and the only project to undergo a full environmental impact statement since Chairman Phillips took over.

#FERC may need to consider altering its longstanding approach of relying primarily on precedent agreements to show market need after the DC Circuit found flaws in its market need analysis for Transco’s REA project. About 3/4 of the project’s capacity was subscribed to by 6 different local distribution companies and the rest by 2 gas marketers. This #pipeline project was heavily opposed and many of the official protests cited lack of market need. It is no secret that not all projects are opposed equally... But examining the 3 projects approved at the last Open Meeting reveals FERC’s market need analysis must vary in response to the unique characteristics of each project, region, shipper type, and subscription level — as seen in the chart below. All these projects are relatively small, received little opposition, and are located in states that have not historically been hostile to #naturalgas. We will be following closely to see if FERC enacts any broad policies related to market need considerations, or if it will continue making determinations on a case-by-case basis.