Future-Proofing Energy Transport Law

71 Pages Posted: 18 Mar 2016 Last revised: 10 Nov 2017

Date Written: March 16, 2016

Abstract

The U.S. energy system is critical to every aspect of the nation’s economy and daily life. That energy system, in turn, is completely dependent on U.S. energy transport infrastructure — the oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines, electric transmission lines, and import and export facilities that transport and distribute the energy resources that power the country. This Article explores how the law can influence the billions of dollars in private sector energy transport investments necessary to meet current energy needs as well as respond to the significant technological, market, and policy developments in the energy sector. In doing so, it develops criteria policymakers should consider in creating laws and regulations to govern energy transport infrastructure that focus on federalism principles, flexibility in the location and amount of energy resources, and clean energy goals. It then applies these criteria to two of the nation’s most pressing energy transport debates: (1) whether to transfer more siting authority for interstate electric transmission lines from the states to a federal or regional authority and (2) whether to transport new sources of North American oil primarily by an upgraded rail system or by expanded pipeline infrastructure.

Keywords: oil pipelines, gas pipelines, electric transmission lines, merchant transmission lines, oil by rail, federalism, energy transport, renewable energy

JEL Classification: K23, K32, L51, L94, L95, L97, L92, Q2, Q3, Q4

Suggested Citation

Klass, Alexandra B., Future-Proofing Energy Transport Law (March 16, 2016). 94 Wash. U. L. Rev. 827 (2017), Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2748905

Alexandra B. Klass (Contact Author)

University of Michigan Law School ( email )

625 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States

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