Experts

Paul Blackburn

Attorney, Pipeline Expert

Paul Blackburn provides legal services on pipeline and renewable energy matters. He has worked on crude oil pipeline issues since 2008, and also has experience in renewable energy policy and development. Paul represented nonprofit clients in the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline, and in the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission hearing on expansion of Line 67, another Enbridge pipeline. He has provided policy analysis and strategic advice on a variety of pipeline matters and authored reports on pipeline safety and oil spill response.

Paul started his legal career in Washington, DC, at the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, where he assisted clients in renewable energy and coal-fired power plant development, a variety of regulatory, legislative, and litigation matters, and Native American commercial law.  After leaving private practice, he began a career in the nonprofit sector, including employment by the Sierra Club, the National Environmental Trust, and Oceana in organizing and media.  He also has experience in community wind and solar energy development.  Paul holds a B.A. in Biology from Macalester College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

PUBLICATIONS

• What Did PHMSA’s “Consent Agreement” Over Denbury’s CO2 Pipeline Rupture in Satartia Really Do? Pipeline Fighters Hub (4/24/23)
• Double-Dipping of Federal Tax Credits for Carbon Pipelines? Pipeline Fighters Hub (4/19/23)
• The Inflation Reduction Act may save the fossil fuel industries The Hill (8/14/22)
• The Keystone Pipeline Is A Lemon. It Just Leaked Again for the 22nd Time Pipeline Fighters Hub (12/9/22)
• Welcome to the 45Q Tax Credit Piggie Farm! (Part 1 of 5) Pipeline Fighters Hub (5/24/22)
  • The 45Q Tax Credit Pipeline Goldrush: Slop Time at the Piggie Trough Pipeline Fighters Hub (6/1/22)
  • Meet the 45Q Tax Credit Piggies! Pipeline Fighters Hub (6/8/22)
  • Is the IRS Ready to Wrangle the 45Q Tax Credit Hogs? Pipeline Fighters Hub (6/20/22)
  • Will the 45Q Tax Piggies Be Hogtied by the U.S. EPA? Pipeline Fighters Hub (6/20/22)
• Why is the Summit Carbon Pipeline Going to the Middle of North Dakota? Pipeline Fighters Hub (5/13/22)
• Does Federal Law Prohibit Counties from Imposing Setbacks on CO2 Pipelines? Pipeline Fighters Hub (5/3/22)
• Risks of Converting Natural Gas Pipelines to CO2 Service Pipeline Fighters Hub (3/24/22)
• The Northern Great Plains at Risk: Oil Spill Planning Deficiencies in the Keystone Pipeline System Plains Justice (November 2010)
• Use of Substandard Steel by the U.S. Pipeline Industry, 2007-2009 Plains Justice (June 2010)
• Plains Justice letter to U.S. PHMSA re: TransCanada Use of Substandard Steel Plains Justice (6/28/10)