Fred Jauss is currently a partner at the international law firm Dorsey & Whitney and is one of the United States’ foremost experts in licensing and permits.
As a former attorney with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), Jauss has significant experience in all areas of FERC’s jurisdiction and has also represented energy clients in regulatory matters before the California Public Utilities Commission, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, and other state public utility commissions.
“In obtaining the Presidential Permit, TransCanada has cleared a big hurdle towards its goal of getting Keystone XL operational. However, the Presidential Permit is only one part of a web of federal, state, and local permits that must be obtained prior to starting construction. Other federal agencies, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, state regulatory commissions, and even local planning boards may have requirements that need to be fulfilled by Keystone prior to construction.
“In addition, TransCanada may still need to reach deals with hundreds of potentially affected landowners on the pipeline’s route. There is a lot of work ahead for TransCanada before crude oil starts to flow from Alberta to the Gulf Coast on Keystone XL. However, today’s grant of the Presidential Permit allows TransCanada to push forward in earnest towards obtaining those other permits and getting pipe in the ground,” Jauss says.