Biography
Dan brings more than a decade of regulatory experience to clients in the energy industry where he helps oil and gas producers, midstream companies, and utility clients navigate various regulatory matters before public service, utility commissions, and Department of Transportation agencies, including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC), and Maryland Public Service Commission (MD PSC).
Previously, as a state regulatory attorney for a major regional electric utility company, Dan provided legal counsel during rate cases, formal complaints, and a corporate consolidation involving four different utility companies. During his time as a regulatory compliance manager for a midstream company serving the Marcellus and Utica Shale regions, Dan developed and implemented various transportation safety programs for gas gathering pipelines, hazardous liquid transmission pipelines, fleet vehicles, and rail, managed regulatory audits initiated by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC WV) and PHMSA, and developed and revised policies and procedures for state and federal regulatory compliance requirements.
He also founded a pipeline compliance consulting company where he provided pipeline owners and operators with comprehensive pipeline safety regulation compliance counsel and services including developing and implementing pipeline safety awareness programs, advising on federal safety regulations, and conducting emergency responder liaison programs.
Dan has frequently lectured on pipeline safety and infrastructure, as well as federal safety regulations, and has co-instructed multiple CLE programs relating to pipeline safety requirements.
Representative Experience
- Represented regional electric utility company in various regulatory matters before the MD PSC and PA PUC
- Provided legal guidance to regional electric utility company business units on state regulatory matters relating to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, electric vehicle tariffs, and energy storage pilot programs
- Drafted comments relating to various Notice of Proposed Rulemakings issued by both the PA PUC and MD PSC
- Developed and implemented various pipeline safety programs required by federal regulations, 49 CFR 192 and 195, which include gas gathering operations and maintenance manual, regulated liquid pipeline operations and maintenance manual, control room manual, operator qualification for gas gathering and liquid pipeline manual, corrosion control manual, and integrity management plan manual for regulated liquid pipelines
- Coordinated and managed regulatory audits for a midstream company initiated by the PUCO, PSCWV, PHMSA, and other regulatory agencies, including preparation and review of responses totaling in excess of 22 pipeline safety compliance audits resulting in $0 fines paid over a six-year period
- Provided counsel to midstream company and coordinated PHMSA investigation on two separate pipeline incidents resulting in a satisfactory outcome
- Successfully responded to a jurisdictional challenge from PHMSA resulting in a jurisdictional analysis of a pipeline system involving gas gathering, gas processing, condensate gathering, hazardous liquid pipelines, and two major processing facilities
- Developed PHMSA Pipeline Safety and Regulatory Compliance audit program for gathering and midstream assets
- Developed and implemented safety program for a midstream company’s vehicle fleet, as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Managed the development and implementation of a midstream company’s transportation of hazardous materials via rail and barge
- Advised pipeline operators of transmission and gathering pipelines on PHMSA jurisdictional and regulatory classifications
- Provided general counsel services to oil and gas startups and vendors in the upstream and midstream markets
- Drafted various agreements including non-disclosure, non-compete, non-circumvent, master service, right-of-way, oil and gas lease, lease verification, oil and gas yard services, and other oil and gas related agreements and documents
- Drafted and certified original title opinions and supplements for exploration and production units in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia
- Participated in due diligence efforts of oil, gas, and mineral values for estate tax purposes
- Provided pipeline designers and operators with regulatory counseling to ensure compliance with state and federal pipeline safety requirements
Education
- J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- B.A. Texas A&M University
Memberships
- Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2011-Present)
- Commissioner, Governor’s Advisory Council on Latino Affairs (2012-2015)
- Allegheny County Ethics Commission (2011-2015)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pittsburgh Young Professionals Board (2010-2012)
Speaking Engagements
- “So there’s a pipeline coming to your neighborhood…,” Local Government Academy, 2016
- “Understanding Pipeline Infrastructure,” Buckeye STEPS Safety Network, 2016
- “So there’s a pipeline coming to your neighborhood…,” Webinar for ECBM, 2016
- “Understanding Pipeline Infrastructure,” McDonald Township Supervisors, 2016
- “Onshore Pipeline Safety and Regulations: PHMSA Regulatory and Enforcement Trends,” Kinetic CLE, 2015
Publications
- Despite Drilling Slowdown, Pipeline Safety Remains a Priority, Gas & Oil Magazine, May 16, 2016
- Get Your Ducks in a Row, Gas & Oil Magazine, October 8, 2014
