Special Institute on Solar Power
2021-01-26 - 2021-01-28 | Webinar
As the solar industry grows, the universe of legal issues surrounding solar development grows with it. With clients diversifying and practices growing — what do lawyers need to know to be successful? On January 26-28, 2021, solar energy industry personnel and attorneys focused on solar developments, including Babst Calland’s Ben Clapp, will present on the myriad of legal, financial, and practical considerations for solar power projects during the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s (EMLF) “Special Institute on Solar Power.” For more information, click here.

Cybersecurity Update – Empowering In-House Counsel in Support of More Proactive Cybersecurity and Defense of Corporate Networks
2021-02-03 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Webinar
Concurrent with the rise in the frequency and the sophistication of cyber-attacks, organizations are increasingly adding legal leaders to teams with strategic cybersecurity oversight and responsibilities. On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, Babst Calland’s Carl Ronald will join PacketViper President Ken Wolf and CTO Donald Gray to review fundamental network-related cybersecurity concepts for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association for Corporate Counsel (ACC).
Topics covered will include:

The Solarwinds third-party breach – key takeaways
Network cybersecurity 101 – terminology & concepts
Protecting networks – IT vs OT challenges
Common cyber threats – an overview
Vendor ecosystems and network cybersecurity risk
Balancing compliance and cybersecurity
Do it yourself vs managed security service providers
Suggested questions to ask and topics to raise, to your cybersecurity leadership team
Legal tips for in-house counsel on risk mitigation

For more information, click here.

Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce's Virtual Issues & Eggs Legislative Breakfast 2021
2021-02-08 09:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
Babst Calland joins the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce for it’s annual Issues & Eggs Legislative Breakfast on Monday, February 8, 2021. For more than 50 years, Issues & Eggs has served as an enriching kickoff for the legislative session and shines a spotlight on policies that promote Kanawha County business and advance economic development and growth throughout the state. This year’s virtual event includes:

Keynote remarks by West Virginia’s legislative leaders, including Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw and Senate President Craig Blair
A preview of the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 legislative agenda
Question & answer opportunities for audience engagement with state legislators

Pipelines 101 - Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines
2021-02-16 07:45 - 12:15 | Webinar
On Thursday, February 16, 2021, Pipeline Attorney Keith Coyle will be an instructor for EUCI’s “Pipelines 101 – Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines.” This course will concentrate on natural gas and petroleum pipelines, cover the history of pipelines, review pertinent definitions and terminology, and explain how pipelines are designed and how they operate. This course is intended primarily for those individuals that may have a limited knowledge or experience with pipelines.
Key Takeaways include:

Major differences in the types of pipelines
Vernacular related to pipeline terms of design, construction and operation
How pipelines work
Route selection process
Right of way acquisition process
Types of pipeline equipment and facilities
Requirements for proper maintenance activities
Safety practices that need to be put in place Describe SCADA
Familiarity with the major codes and standards as well as pipeline regulatory agencies

For more information, click here.

2021 Virtual Appalachian Land Institute
2021-02-18 08:00 - 16:15 | Webinar
On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Attorneys Nik Tysiak and Chuck Saffer will join the Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the American Association of Professional Landmen for its 2021 Virtual Appalachian Land Institute (ALI). Nik will present “Practical Usage of the Ohio Dormant Mineral Act and Marketable Title Act” and Chuck will serve on the 2021 ALI Committee. For more information, click here.
Nik Tysiak
Chuck Saffer

MBA's Construction Industry Evening of Excellence
2021-02-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Webinar
Babst Calland joins the Master Builders’ Association (MBA) for its Construction Industry Evening of Excellence on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The Construction Industry Evening of Excellence is a celebration of the region’s great building construction industry heritage. This event brings together the people that represent every facet of the construction process with a commitment to excellence in each and every construction project. This commitment to excellence is on display during the event as the winning projects in the MBA Building Excellence Awards are announced. For more information, click here.

Smart Business Dealmakers Conference - M&A in a Post-COVID World
2021-03-04 08:30 - 14:00 | Webinar
Babst Calland joins Smart Business for its Dealmakers Conference, “M&A in a Post-COVID World,” on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Attorney Chris Farmakis will be the moderator for the panel on “Deal Preparedness for Buyers and Sellers: From Pre-Deal to Post-Closing.” Whether a buyer or seller, deal preparedness starts well before an actual transaction and ends well after closing. Being prepared comes down to being informed and ready. A group of entrepreneurs and industry-seasoned service providers offer a deep dive into how to make sure you’re checking the right boxes before you go to market—during the deal and post-close.
The Dealmakers Conference connects thousands of local dealmakers – from middle-market CEOs to top investors and lenders to leading M&A advisers. With sessions ranging from raising capital to buying and selling companies to alternative asset investing, this conference covers the breadth of the M&A landscape and will focus on the pandemic’s impact on dealmaking. For more information, click here.

Energy Storage Technology and Regulatory Implications for Renewable Energy Power Supply
2021-03-19 15:00 - 16:30 | Webinar
On Friday, March 19, 2021, Attorney James Curry will be a co-presenter for Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s (RMMLF) “Energy Storage Technology and Regulatory Implications for Renewable Energy Power Supply.” This webinar will provide a primer on energy storage technology, challenges facing electric utilities in incorporating energy storage on their systems, and legal and regulatory opportunities and challenges for public utilities regulated by state commissions. Energy storage is becoming a more important part of electric utilities’ resource portfolios to serve power consumers. The increase in renewable energy in utility portfolios and abandonment of fossil fuel-fired baseload generation poses challenges for utilities to maintain reliable service for customers when wind and solar generation are not available or when intermittent generation does not match well with a utility’s peak consumption demands. Large power consumers, including oil, gas, mining, and processing companies, can be particularly vulnerable to power reliability concerns and also want, like all consumers, to manage their electric power costs. Companies also may have internal policies or objectives that support “greener” approaches to power generation. Energy storage is a key piece of how utilities will incorporate more “green” power alternatives and provide reliable electric service.
Topics to be covered in this webinar include:

Basics of electric energy storage technologies, including batteries.

Recent and expected trends in costs of and incorporation of energy storage in utility systems.

Challenges for electric utilities to incorporate storage on their system, including matching energy dispatch with peak demand as it may change minute to minute as well as how it evolves seasonally and annually.

Legal and regulatory opportunities and constraints, including increasing renewable energy and zero carbon standards, reliability requirements and measures, and safety codes.

For more information, click here.

Renewable Gas in the Energy Industry
2021-03-23 07:45 - 2021-03-24 23:30 | Webinar
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, Attorney Jim Curry will present “U.S. RNG & Hydrogen Regulatory Frameworks: Opportunities & Challenges,” at EUCI’s Renewable Gas in the Energy Industry Conference. Topics include:

Federal regulatory frameworks for hydrogen and RNG
Areas of clarity versus regulatory uncertainties that may cause delay
Options for closing the gaps

2nd Energy and Environmental Law Conference
2021-03-24 09:50 - 2021-03-25 15:20 | Webinar
Attorney Jean Mosites will present “The Climate Change Outlook for Energy in 2021” at The Center for American and International Law’s 2nd Energy and Environmental Law Conference on Thursday, March 25, 2021. This session will cover recent developments in both federal and state climate change initiatives affecting the oil and gas industry. The session will discuss a wide range of actions, from cap-and-trade programs, to litigation, legislation and regulation. Climate change initiatives are expected to gain momentum and creativity as all sectors of the economy consider and address the local, regional and global effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The session will address legal, practical and policy considerations. For more information, click here.

The Rise of Legal Tech and Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) – Trends, Uses and Lessons Learned
2021-04-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
On Wednesday, April 8, 2021, Babst Calland’s Board Chairman and Management Committee Member Christian Farmakis and Attorney Dane Fennell will present “The Rise of Legal Tech and Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) – Trends, Uses and Lessons Learned” for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association for Corporate Counsel (ACC). Mr. Farmakis and Mr. Fennell will discuss how in-house legal departments and their law firms are rapidly increasing the deployment of “Legal Tech” and the utilization of Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) and how these trends are impacting the practice of law, both at in-house departments and at their outside legal counsel. They will touch on which Legal Tech has already “taken hold” and which ones are still emerging. Throughout their presentation, they will share some personal experiences and “lessons learned” from utilizing certain Legal Tech and managing and leading the efforts of Solvaire, Babst Calland’s affiliated ALSP. For more information, click here.
Christian Farmakis
Dane Fennell

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Annual Meeting
2021-04-12 09:30 - 2021-04-13 18:00 | Webinar
Attorney Keith Coyle will be a panelist for a technical session on “Midstream Policy Outlook” during the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers’ (AFPM) Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In recent years we have experienced a myriad of legislative and regulatory midstream policies that improved pipeline safety and streamlined infrastructure permitting. During the same period, pipelines have become highly politicized. We have seen widespread efforts to stifle or stop midstream infrastructure projects through the regulatory process, legislation, and litigation. Furthermore, with a new Administration and Congress focused on transitioning to renewable energy sources the next four years are likely to remain very active. This panel will review current regulatory, legislative, and legal midstream issues and provide and near-term outlook on midstream policy issues. For more information, click here.

PBI's 2021 Environmental Law Forum
2021-04-21 09:00 - 2021-04-22 16:45 | Webinar
Babst Calland joins the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) for its 2021 Environmental Law Forum, April 21-22, 2021. Attorney Kevin Garber served as a member of the planning team for this Forum. For more information, click here.

Spill Discovery, Reporting, and Remediation
2021-04-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Attorney Kevin Garber will present “Legal Considerations and Liabilities” during PIOGA’s Technical Seminar Series on Spill Discovery, Reporting, and Remediation. For more information, click here.

Ask the Attorneys - A Year Later
2021-04-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Webinar
On Thursday, April 29, 2021, Construction Attorney David White will be a co-panelist for Keystone Contractors Association’s (KCA) “Ask the Attorneys – A Year Later.” A year ago we found ourselves in a state of uncertainty: What exactly is the Coronavirus? When will the construction industry fully reopen? What are the legal ramifications from everything that is going on? There were so many questions a year ago. Fortunately, KCA members stepped up to help each other, from the safety professionals who shared best practices to the financial advisors who offered market commentary to attorneys who answered legal concerns. This webinar is a sequel to KCA’s “COVID-19 Panel Discussion – Ask the Attorneys” webinar that occurred in May 2020.

2nd Annual Hydrogen Markets Americas Virtual Conference
2021-05-05 12:00 - 2021-05-06 17:00 | Webinar
On Thursday, May 6, 2021, Attorney Jim Curry will be the moderator for “Regional Initiatives to Support the Growth of Hydrogen” during the 2nd Annual Hydrogen Markets Americas Virtual Conference. Topics include:

What are the scenarios for growth of hydrogen?
How much will depend on federal energy policy in the U.S.?
Potential for green hydrogen production in the U.S. and Canada
Views from different states and regions: advancing hydrogen in the Gulf Coast and Northeast
Canada’s initiatives and ties to existing industries

For more information, click here.

Pipeline Safety Regulations
2021-05-20 07:45 - 12:15 | Webinar
On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Pipeline Attorneys Keith Coyle, Jim Curry and Brianne Kurdock will be instructors for EUCI’s “Pipeline Safety Regulations.” This course will highlight changes in the law and explain how companies can address compliance challenges in the context of stricter regulator interpretations of current regulatory requirements and increased enforcement. It will dive into developing an increased awareness of the scope and content of regulations and how to best comply with those rules. Objectives include:

What is the scope of 49 CFR Parts 191 – 195?
What facilities and products are covered?
How are Federal and State jurisdictional boundaries determined?
What does compliance look like?
What enforcement tools can be used and by whom?
What sorts of civil penalties can be levied?
What are an operator’s options for responding to an enforcement action?
How do prescriptive and management-based regulations differ?
What regulatory provisions apply to which facilities?
How do reporting requirements differ for different types of pipelines?
What new regulations apply to both gas and liquid pipelines, and to UNGS facilities?

Keith Coyle
Jim Curry
Brianne Kurdock

DRI Seminar - Toxic Torts and Environmental Law
2021-06-17 12:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins DRI for its Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar on Thursday, June 17, 2021. This is the premier gathering for the defense bar, focusing on litigation tactics, science, and regulatory updates. For more information, click here.

Pipeline Permitting and Safety Seminar
2021-07-14 10:00 - 2021-07-15 14:00 | Zoom Webinar
Pipeline Attorneys Keith Coyle and Brianne Kurdock will present “The Megarule, Gas Storage and Other Recent Developments” during the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Pipeline Permitting and Safety Seminar on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
Keith will also be the moderator for the “PHMSA and PUC Discussion” session.
For more information, click here.
Keith Coyle
Brianne Kurdock

Pipelines 101 - Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines
2021-08-26 07:45 - 15:30 | Webinar
On Thursday, August 26, 2021, Attorney Keith Coyle will be a co-presenter for EUCI’s “Pipelines 101 – Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines.” This course will concentrate on natural gas and petroleum pipelines, cover the history of pipelines, review pertinent definitions and terminology, and explain how pipelines are designed and how they operate. This course is intended primarily for those individuals that may have a limited knowledge or experience with pipelines. It will provide a better understanding of how pipelines are constructed, how they are operated and maintained, and the applicable safety and regulatory requirements. This course is especially beneficial for anyone involved in land development, marketing, engineering, or insurance. It’s also of value for various local government agencies to help with zoning and location issues.
This course will provide you with a better understanding of pipelines, a good working knowledge of the language used in the pipeline industry, and an understanding of where to go to obtain assistance from the various government agencies that conduct pipeline safety oversite.

12th Law of Shale Plays Conference
2021-09-15 09:25 - 2021-09-16 15:25 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins the Institute for Energy Law and the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) at the 12th Law of Shale Plays Conference, September 15-16, 2021. Focused on legal issues related to the shale plays in the United States, this conference brings together clients, attorneys, professional landmen, and other professionals to learn and discuss important cases, concepts, and trends. In addition, the conference features multiple networking opportunities with other attendees.
Attorney Jennifer Hicks will be the moderator for “In-House Counsel Panel.” This panel of senior industry lawyers will address the concerns of general counsel in operating and developing shale plays and getting products to market.
For more information, click here.

Moving from Counselor to Decision Maker
2021-10-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
On Thursday, October 7, 2021, Managing Shareholder Don Bluedorn will be the moderator for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s (ACC) panel on “Moving from Counselor to Decision Maker.” This panel will feature local in-house counsel who have successfully transitioned in their organizations from legal positions to business positions. For more information, click here.

Pipeline Safety Regulations
2021-10-14 07:45 - 15:30 | Webinar
On Thursday, October 14, 2021, Pipeline Attorneys Keith Coyle and Brianne Kurdock will be co-presenters for EUCI’s “Pipeline Safety Regulations.” The pipeline industry is under heightened scrutiny by regulators, the media, and the public. The NTSB highlighted aging pipelines as a concern in its 2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Likewise, Congress has an ongoing interest in the safety of older transmission pipelines and in the replacement of leaky and deteriorating cast iron pipe in natural gas distribution systems.
The Pipeline Safety Regulations course will highlight changes in the law and explain how companies can address compliance challenges in the context of stricter regulator interpretations of current regulatory requirements and increased enforcement. The course will dive into developing an increased awareness of the scope and content of regulations and how to best comply with those rules.
For more information, click here.

2021 Annual Environmental Conference
2021-10-14 08:30 - 14:30 | Virtual
Attorney Lisa Bruderly will present “Hot Topics in Water Law: Regulatory Issues Affecting Permitting and Compliance” during the PA Chamber of Business and Industry’s 2021 Annual Environmental Conference. Topics include:

A discussion of recent key federal and Pennsylvania water law developments that will affect regulatory permitting and compliance.
The latest definition of “water of the United States,” industrial stormwater compliance, drinking water and spill prevention and response.
Updates on case law and guidance regarding discharges to groundwater that reach surface water, as well as new water-related federal and state guidance.

For more information, click here.

Energy & Mineral Law Foundation - Petrochemicals Update
2021-10-20 - 2021-11-10 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins the Energy Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) for its “Petrochemicals Update” weekly webinar series, October 20-November 10, 2021. Following up on the popular 2018 Petrochemicals Special Institute, this webinar will feature a series of business and legal topics, including updates on the Shell cracker plant in Pittsburgh and other developments, navigating economic incentives for petrochemical projects, safety and permitting best practices, and panel discussions on environmental, social, governance and sustainability initiatives and corporate legal issues.
On Wednesday, November 3, Attorney Kevin Garber will be a panelist for a panel discussion on Environmental, Social, Governance, and Sustainability Initiatives. This panel will feature attorneys and industry representatives discussing sustainability initiatives, climate change, environmental justice, and state pushes for recycled plastic.
For more information and to register, click here.

Renewable Gas: Project Development, Regulation and Emerging Markets
2021-11-09 07:45 - 2021-11-10 11:00
Babst Calland joins EUCI for “Renewable Gas: Project Development, Regulation and Emerging Markets,” November 9-10, 2021. Renewable gas is increasingly gaining traction as a valuable resource in the decarbonization era. This symposium will serve as a forum for the energy sector to explore the applications and opportunities of this resource – specifically evaluating two categories of renewable gas:

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG): pipeline-quality natural gas (biomethane) derived from processing, cleaning and treating raw biogas; primarily from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and animal manure. It is interchangeable with natural gas and carbon neutral.
Renewable Hydrogen or Green Hydrogen: hydrogen produced without emitting greenhouse gases as a by-product. It can be generated from renewable electricity by electrolysis, from biogas by steam reforming, and biomass through thermal conversion.

Attendees will gain in-depth knowledge about these renewable gas resources, with sessions providing comprehensive coverage of their involved technologies & production processes, market outlook & project economics, and related policy & regulatory initiatives.
Expert discussions will also address the potential roles of renewable gas to: utilize existing infrastructure (thus mitigating stranded assets), serve as an energy storage resource (power to gas), and support decarbonization efforts and high penetrations of renewable energy on the grid.
Attorney Gary Steinbauer will be the moderator for “The Regulatory & Policy Landscape: Decarbonization, Natural Gas & Renewable Gas Initiatives” on Tuesday, November 9. Topics include:

RNG in the Biden Administration

The Renewable Fuel Standard in 2021: How We Got Here
EPA on the RFS and Post 2022 Set Rule

Various States Approaches to RNG:

Califonia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Oregon SB 98 Implementation and SB 844
Minnesota’s National Gas Innovation Act

For more information, click here.

Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awards
2021-11-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins Smart Business for their Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awards on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Since 2014, the Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awards recognize the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the Greater Pittsburgh region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. All 50 winners will be honored at a special celebration, and three organizations will receive specialty awards for their achievements in three category areas – innovation, impact and sustainability. Additionally, all guests will be treated to a keynote address on what it takes to lead a successful “smart” company. For more information, click here.

Green Hydrogen 101
2021-12-07 07:50 - 2021-12-08 11:00 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins EUCI for “Green Hydrogen 101,” December 7-8, 2021. Green hydrogen as a clean energy resource has attracted the attention of governments and businesses worldwide, and has become a central part of many nations’ decarbonization plans. 2021 has already been a defining year for green hydrogen development with a marked increase in deals in the past few months. The strategic implementation of green hydrogen could revolutionize value chains in the energy industry. Green hydrogen could fuel vehicles, be used for heating, and be used in industries that have no economically viable alternative to fossil fuels. But without a strategic route to green hydrogen at scale, these efforts toward hydrogen implementation won’t contribute to net zero targets.
This seminar brings together leading utilities, developers and industry experts to explore the regulatory and economic implications of green hydrogen, plus the fundamentals of production, storage and distribution.
Attorney Ben Clapp will present “Hydrogen Policy: Regulations and Incentives” on Tuesday, December 7. The initial large-scale deployment of green hydrogen will likely be led by government mandates and the availability of incentive programs. This session will explore the state, federal and international policies, programs, and initiatives accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen by utility companies.
For more information, click here.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill | What Natural Resources and Energy Lawyers Need to Know
2022-01-12 09:00 - 12:45 | Virtual
Babst Calland joins the The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation) for “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill | What Natural Resources and Energy Lawyers Need to Know” on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
Attorneys Jim Curry and Sean McGovern will co-present “Energy Sources and Production.” Topics include:

Programs to plug orphaned oil and gas wells and remediate and restore well sites;
Background on potential role of hydrogen in the energy sector;
Grants, loans and other support for hydrogen infrastructure and research and development, and a standard for “clean hydrogen”;
Promotion of micro and small modular nuclear reactors;
Production and efficiency improvement incentives for hydropower, and support for pumped hydro storage and renewables integration; and
Incentives for alternative fuel vehicle refueling and recharging infrastructure.

For more information, click here.
Jim Curry
Sean McGovern

PHMSA Gas Gathering Rule Webinar
2022-01-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
On Thursday, January 13, 2022, Pipeline Attorney Keith Coyle will present a webinar on the “PHMSA Gas Gathering Rule” for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA). On November 15, 2021, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a final rule for onshore gas gathering lines. The final rule, which represents the culmination of a decade-long rulemaking process, establishes new safety standards and reporting requirements for historically exempt gas gathering lines in rural areas. Keith will provide an overview of the new requirements in the final rule. For more information, please contact OOGA.
