Joint committee contracts for D.C. legal assistance

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Natural Gas Pipelines has hired a Washington, D.C., law firm to boost its expertise on federal regulatory issues critical to eventual construction of a pipeline to bring North Slope natural gas to market.

The $150,000 contract, which runs through the end of the current legislative season, is with Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., which the committee said is the oldest and largest major law firm based in Washington, D.C.

“Most of the decisions on an Alaska natural gas pipeline will be made in Washington, D.C., by the Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,” Committee Chairman Sen. John Torgerson, R-Kasilof, said Feb. 7.

“If we want to have a seat at the table, we need to develop a level of expertise on FERC issues and Congressional legislation,” he said.

Torgerson and Vice Chair Rep. Joe Green, R-Anchorage, met with Karol Lyn Newman, a Hogan & Hartson partner with many years of experience in all aspects of natural gas pipeline regulatory issues before FERC and state regulatory authorities. Newman will serve as the primary contact with the committee.

“Ms. Newman will give us legal advice regarding construction, operation, and regulation of a gas pipeline to the Lower 48,” said Torgerson, who will serve as project director for the contract. “She’ll also monitor and report to us on the development and implementation of federal gas pipeline law, give us monthly reports on congressional action on any such legislation, and represent the Legislature before FERC and other committees.” Green, who also serves as chair of the Legislative Council, which approved the contract, said, “Ms. Newman will provide the Legislature with the expertise to protect the state’s interest and to maximize the benefit Alaskans receive from our natural gas resources.”