In an article published by Law360, Squire Patton Boggs principal John Rainwater and senior associate Phil Sandick offer practical guidance for corporate counsel responding to significant pipeline incidents and the overlapping regulatory, enforcement and litigation risks that may follow.
The article discusses how a single pipeline incident can trigger investigations by multiple federal and state agencies, including PHMSA, OSHA, EPA and the Department of Justice, while also exposing companies to private litigation. Using a composite pipeline-release scenario, the authors emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent factual record and coordinated response strategy from the outset of an investigation, particularly as regulatory and enforcement developments continue to evolve.
