Transportation & Energy Issues

National Security

Homeland Security’s top lawyer details department milestones

The 2,500 lawyers who serve at its headquarters and operational components of the Department of Homeland Security General Counsel’s office are working to safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values, said DHS General Counsel John Mitnick, at the 13th Annual ABA Homeland Security Law Institute on May 31 in Arlington, Va.

Energy

Energy Regulatory Considerations Regarding Emerging Blockchain Technologies in the Electricity Industry

Mark Sundback, James Gatto, Kenneth Wiseman, Andrew Mina, William Rappolt, and Mark Patrick

Blockchain technology and smart contracts have the potential to become major disrupters in the energy industry.

Patents

A Patent Perspective on Autonomous Vehicles

By Bruce Rubinger and Benedikt Biechele

An overview of recent patenting activity in the field of autonomous vehicles highlights trends in areas such as transportation as a service, rider security, and vehicle behavior.

Energy

FERC Holds the Line on One-Year Limit for State Review of Clean Water Act Certifications for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines

Andrew P. Mina

On April 2, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) determined that the one-year statutory limit on state review of interstate natural gas pipeline company applications for water quality certification was a bright-line deadline that could not be extended by private agreement.