This episode of Political Sidetrack, which explores politics from an energy perspective, wraps up Hart Energy's Marcellus-Utica Midstream conference from Pittsburgh, where pipeline operators and natural gas producers weighed in on the new political and regulatory environment in front of them.

While there was excitement over the Trump administration in the wake of executive orders to kickstart the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline projects, pipeline operators and natural gas producers on hand expressed “cautious optimism” about what it all means for other infrastructure projects in the near future. Many recognized the double-edged sword the actions present and acknowledged the biggest challenges for getting infrastructure projects off the ground remain at the state and local levels, despite a friendlier federal government.

On this episode, host Len Vermillion and co-host Joseph Markman discuss what they heard at the conference and analyze what speakers had to say about the political environment the oil and gas industry now faces.

Among those speaking were Alan Armstrong, president and CEO of The Williams Cos. Inc., and Daniel J. Weaver, president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association (PIOGA). We listen in to what both had to say.

Len and Joe also interviewed Keith Coyle, attorney and shareholder at Babst Calland in Washington, D.C.. Coyle discussed the outlook for the regulatory environment as the new-look federal government takes control of the process. He forecast what operators can expect from the regulatory process and agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

To comment on this episode please use the comment section of below or tweet our hosts Len Vermillion (@LenVermillion) or Joe Markman (@JHMarkman).

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View these interviews on Facebook Live from the Marcellus-Utica Midstream Conference.

Featured in this episode:

Keith Coyle is a member of Babst Calland’s Washington, D.C., office and a shareholder in the firm's Energy and Natural Resources Group.

Drawing on his experience as an attorney-adviser for PHMSA, Coyle advises clients throughout the United States on matters concerning the regulation of pipelines and LNG facilities and the transportation of hazardous materials.

He is a member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Pipeline and Midstream Committee, where he leads the Pipeline Safety Workgroup, and previously served as a member of Pennsylvania’s Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force.

Coyle earned his J.D. in Integrated Trial Advocacy from Temple University and an LL.M. in Law & Government from American University. He has a degree in International Relations from Lehigh University.

Len Vermillion (host) is group managing editor for Hart Energy’s Digital News Group. Based in Houston, he manages editorial content development for Hart Energy’s upstream and midstream websites.

He has worked in publishing for more than 20 years, having led several magazines and digital products serving various industries including engineering, retail and travel.

He has a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from the University of Pittsburgh.

Joseph Markman (co-host) covers midstream operations and finance for Hart Energy’s websites. He also edits the weekly MIDSTREAM MONITOR digital newsletter and authors the NGL Frac Spread feature, which is published online and in MIDSTREAM BUSINESS.

He joined Hart Energy in 2010 after more than 20 years in the daily newspaper business, many of them with the Houston Chronicle. He has also written and edited for Newsday and The Jerusalem Post, among other publications.

Prior to moving to Hart Energy’s editorial division, he served as editor and communications manager for the company’s research and consulting unit, now known as Stratas Advisors.

He received his bachelor of science degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.