Keith J. Coyle

Area of Emphasis

Keith Coyle is a member of the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office and a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources, Environmental, and Pipeline and HazMat Safety groups. Mr. Coyle advises clients throughout the United States on energy matters, but his practice focuses primarily on the regulation of pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and the transportation of hazardous materials. He has significant experience working on these issues for clients in the private sector, as a former government attorney, and through his participation in industry task forces and trade organizations.

Mr. Coyle acquired a deep understanding of matters relating to the regulation of oil and gas pipelines and LNG facilities while serving as an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the federal agency responsible for overseeing the safety of the nation’s pipeline transportation infrastructure. Working in cooperation with other agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and United States Coast Guard, PHMSA also regulates the safe transportation of energy products and other hazardous materials.

Mr. Coyle advises his clients on PHMSA compliance issues and acts as outside counsel during audits and investigations, enforcement cases, and other administrative proceedings. He also assists clients by participating in PHMSA-related proceedings at the state level and in the federal courts and by drafting legislative and regulatory proposals.

Mr. Coyle currently represents some of the country’s most important pipeline industry trade organizations as well as various regional, national, and multinational energy companies. He has testified before legislative bodies, is a frequent speaker at industry forums, and has written articles on pipeline safety issues for a variety of publications.

In addition to his client representations, Mr. Coyle is an active member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the Appalachia Basin’s leading oil and gas trade organization, where he leads the Pipeline and Midstream Committee’s Pipeline Safety Workgroup. He also served as a member of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force, a stakeholder group formed in 2015 by Governor Tom Wolf to examine a range of pipeline developments issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Coyle previously served as legislative counsel for Congressman Kevin Brady, where he focused on energy, natural resources, and environmental issues. He has prior experience in the areas of veterans’ and special education law.

Background

Mr. Coyle earned an LL.M. in Law & Government from American University in 2006, and a J.D. in Integrated Trial Advocacy from Temple University in 2005, where he served as an officer and member of the Moot Court Honor Society. He graduated from Lehigh University in 2000, earning a B.A. with Highest Honors in International Relations.

Prior to rejoining Babst Calland, he worked for a prominent Washington, D.C.-based energy, environmental and natural resources law firm.

Memberships and Affiliations

Mr. Coyle is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 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.

Mr. Coyle is the recipient of PHMSA’s:  2011 Bronze Team Award for Enforcement Guidance, 2011 Bronze Team Award for LNG Vapor Gas Dispersion Modeling, 2010 Eagle Award for Enforcement Training and Procedures, 2010 Bronze Award for Superior Advice and Counsel on LNG Matters, and 2010 Peer Award for Letter of Interpretation Review Team.

Publications/Presentations

• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 360: LDAR Final Rule,” October 2024.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 354: Regulatory Update and Recent GPA and INGAA,” September 2024.
• Presenter, “A New Era: The Implications of the Supreme Court’s Recent Administrative Law Decisions on the Natural Gas Industry,” American Public Gas Association Webinar, August 2024.
• Presenter, “Best Practices for Managing Root Cause Investigations,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute, June 2024.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 334: March 2024 GPAC on LDAR and Class Location,” April 2024.
• Author & Presenter, “Failure Pressure: The Impact of Significant Incidents on Pipeline Safety Policy in the United States,” 19th Pipeline Technology Conference, Berlin, Germany, April 2024.
• Lecturer, “US Pipeline Safety Laws and Regulations,” 19th Pipeline Technology Conference, Berlin, Germany, April 2024.
• Co-Presenter, “Oil and Gas Blitz,” 2024 OOGA Annual Meeting, March 6, 2024.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 322: Upcoming GPAC on LDAR,” February 2024.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 313: GPAC Meeting for Leak Detection & Repair,” December 2023.
• Presenter, “PHMSA LDAR Rulemaking: What’s Proposed and What’s Next,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Fall Symposium, October 2023.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 301: PHMSA Gas Distribution Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” September 2023.
• Presenter, “PHMSA Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Rulemaking Process: Final Rule Development & Administrative and Judicial Review,” American Gas Association Legal Forum, July 2023.
• Co-Author, “D.C. Circuit Decision Vacates PHMSA’s Final Rule Applied to Gathering Lines,” The PIOGA Press, July 2023.
• Presenter, “New Federal Gathering Line Regulations,” 44th Annual EMLF Annual Institute, June 2023.
• Co-Author, “D.C. Circuit Vacates PHMSA’s Final Rule Applied to Gathering Pipelines,” GO-WV, June 2023.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 289: PHMSA’s Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Rule with Gary Steinbauer,” June 2023.
• Author & Presenter, “Pipeline Safety in the Biden Administration,” 18th Pipeline Technology Conference, Berlin, Germany, May 2023.
• Co-Presenter, “What’s New in Pipeline Safety:  Recent Change’s to PHMSA’s Regulations,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Pipeline Safety Seminar, May 17, 2023.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 281: Pipeline Safety Act Preemption,” April 2023.
• Presenter, “Pipelines:  Gas, CO₂ and Hydrogen,” 2023 PBI Environmental Law Forum, March 2023.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 257: Pipeline Incidents from an Inspector’s Perspective with Chris Hoidal, November 2022.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 252: The Mega Rule Part 3 is Published,” October 2022.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA’s New Rule for Gas Transmission Lines,” The PIOGA Press, October 2022.
• Co-Presenter, “Pipeline Safety in the Biden Administration,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight 2022, September 2022.
• Co-Presenter, “Regulatory Impact:  Local and State Governments Loom Large,” Hart Energy’s DUG East Conference, June 2022.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 231: PHMSA Valve Installation and Rupture Detection Rule,” May 2022.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 230: API RP 80 Definition of Onshore Gathering with Jim McKinney and Keith Coyle,” May 2022.
• Presenter, “PHMSA Gas Gathering Rule,” OOGA Webinar, January 13, 2022.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Releases Final Rule for Onshore Gas Gathering Lines,” GO-WV News, January 2022.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Releases Long-Awaited Final Rule for Onshore Gas Gathering Lines,” The PIOGA Press, December 2021.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 207: PHMSA Publishes Gas Gathering Final Rule,” November 2021.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 202: PHMSA’s Enforcement Process,” October 19 2021.
• Co-Presenter, “Pipeline Safety Regulations,” EUCI Webinar, October 14, 2021.
• Co-Presenter, “Pipelines 101 – Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines,” EUCI Webinar, August 26, 2021.
• Co-Presenter, “The Megarule, Gas Storage and Other Recent Developments,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Pipeline Permitting and Safety Seminar, July 15, 2021.
• Co-Presenter, “Pipeline Safety Regulations,” EUCI Webinar, May 20, 2021.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 179: What’s Next for the PHMSA Gas Gathering Rule,” May 2021.
• Panelist, “Midstream Policy Outlook,” American Fuel & Petroleum Manufacturers’ (AFPM) Annual Meeting, April 13, 2021.
• Instructor, “Pipelines 101 – Basic Principles of Onshore Pipelines,” EUCI Webinar, February 16, 2021.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Publishes Gas Regulatory Reform Final Rule,” The PIOGA Press, February 2021.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 164: Pipeline Policy — Last 4 Years, Next 4 Years,” January 2021.
• Co-Author, “President Signs Law Reauthorizing Federal Pipeline Safety Program,” The PIOGA Press, January 2021.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Proposes Integrity Management Alternative for Class Location Changes,” The PIOGA Press, November 2020.
• Instructor, “Pipeline Safety Regulations,” EUCI Webinar, November 6, 2020.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 151: PHMSA Valve & Rupture Rule Meeting Recap,” October 2020.
• Co-Presenter, “Pipeline Development:  Legal Challenges and Federal Permitting Issues,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight 2020, September 2020.
• Instructor, “Pipeline Safety Regulations,” EUCI Webinar, July 14, 2020.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Proposes New Guidance for Farm Taps,” The PIOGA Press, May 2020.
• Instructor, “Introduction to Pipeline Safety Regulations,” EUCI, March 2020.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 116: New Underground Gas Storage Rule,” February 2020.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Episode 97: New PHMSA Final Pipeline Safety Rules,” October 2019.
• Author, “Gas Pipeline Group’s Meeting Signals Stricter Safety Rules,” Law360, July 2019.
• Author, “It Was Pipeline Workers Who Helped Defeat the Nazis,” Delco Times, May 2019.
• Author, “Trump Executive Order Puts Spotlight on DOT LNG Rules,” The PIOGA Press, May 2019.
• Interview, Pipeliners Podcast, “Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization,” April 2019.
• Co-Author, “Issues Redefine Regulatory Landscape,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter, November 2018.
• Author, “PHMSA Finalizing New Regulations for Issuing Emergency Orders,” The PIOGA Press, October 2018.
• Author, “Oppose the Ban on Pipeline Construction:  A Moratorium Will Make Pennsylvania Less Safe,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 2018.
• Co-Author, “New PHMSA Rulemaking Proceedings Targets Changes to Class Location Requirements,” Pratt’s Energy Law Report, September 2018.
• Co-Author, “Legal Issues Impact Appalachian Gas,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter, March 2018.
• Author, “PHMSA Eyes Progress in Pipeline Safety Rulemaking Proceedings,” Pipeline & Gas Journal, March 2018.
• Author, “New PHMSA Administrator Confronts Outstanding Pipeline Safety Rulemaking Proceedings,” The PIOGA Press, November 2017.
• Co-Presenter, “PHMSA Update: The Megarule, Gas Storage, and Other Recent Developments,” Marcellus Shale Collation’s Pipe Up:  Pipeline Safety, Regulatory and Operational Experts Share Their Knowledge, November 2017.
• Moderator, “State Update:  Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Marcellus Shale Collation’s Pipe Up: Pipeline Safety, Regulatory and Operational Experts Share Their Knowledge, November 2017.
• Presenter, “Regulatory Enforcement & Citizen Suits in the New Administration,” American Gas Association’s Legal Forum, July 2017.
• Author, “Trump Effect: How the Administration Could Reshape Pipeline Regulation,” Pipeline & Gas Journal, May 2017.
• Speaker, “Slow US Pipeline Safety Reforms Get Caught in Presidential Transition,” S&P Global Platts Capitol Crude Podcast, March 2017.
• Speaker, “Pipelines, Regulations & ‘Cautious Optimism’,” Hart Energy Political Sidetrack Podcast, January 2017.
• Co-Presenter, “PHMSA Rulemaking and Legislative Update,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Safety Seminar, December 2016.
• Author, “Pipelines Are Safe,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 2016.
• Presenter, “Midstream: Understanding Laws and Regulations,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale 101 Seminar, November 2016.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Increases Civil Penalties and Commits to Providing Detailed Calculations in Individual Cases,” The PIOGA Press, November 2016.
• Presenter, “Midstream: Understanding Laws and Regulations,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale 101 Seminar, November 2, 2016.
• Presenter, “The Big Reach:  What You Need to Know about PHMSA’s Mega-Rule for Gas Gathering and Transmission Lines,” 7th Law of Shale Plays Conference, September 2016.
• Co-Author, “Proposed Rule Impacts Gas Gathering,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter, May 2016.
• Co-Author, “PHMSA Proposes Significant Changes to Gas Gathering Line Regulations,” The PIOGA Press, April 2016.
• Co-Author, “Proposed Federal Regulations Expand Pipeline Requirements,” Marcellus Business Central, April 2016.
• Co-Author, “For PHMSA’s Proposed New Rules, ‘The Devil is in the Details,'” Natural Gas Intelligence, March 2016.
• Author, “Federal Pipeline Safety Agency Issues Advisory Bulletin for Underground Gas Storage Facilities,” The PIOGA Press, February 2016.
• Panelist, “Achieving Success in a Demanding Market: Pipeline Project Siting, Supporting Infrastructure Buildout and Addressing Community Based Challenges,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight 2015, Philadelphia, PA, September 2015.
• Speaker, “Pipeline Safety Enforcement and Compliance: Recent Trends and Developments,” Southern Gas Association’s Operating Conference & Exhibits, Nashville, TN, July 2015.
• Speaker, “Transportation Safety Issues for the Midstream Sector: Pipelines, LNG Facilities, and Crude by Rail,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Understanding Appalachian Basin Midstream Assets, Canonsburg, PA, April 2015.
• Panelist, “Looking Ahead: The Impact of Pipeline Safety on the Shale Revolution,” 9th Annual Gas Processors Association Convention, San Antonio, TX, April 2015.
• Forum Organizer, Energy Bar Association’s Energy Enforcers and Defenders Forum, Washington, DC, March 2015.
• Panelist, “Looking Ahead: The Impact of Pipeline Safety on the Shale Revolution,” Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Shale Insight 2014, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2014.
• Presenter, “Federal Preemption of State and Local Regulations Under the Pipeline Safety Act,” 2014 AGA Legal Forum, July 2014.
• Presenter, “Pipeline Safety Enforcement and Compliance: Recent Trends and Developments,” B2B Webinars, June 2014.
• Panel Moderator, “Pipeline Safety Seminar,” Marcellus Shale Coalition, Canonsburg, PA, February 2014.
• Presenter, “Federal and State Pipeline Safety Laws,” Southern Gas Association Operating Conference, Houston, TX, July 2013.
• Presenter, “The Role of Citizen Suits in the Shale Revolution,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 34th Annual Institute, Baltimore, MD, June 2013.
• Presenter, “Pipeline Safety Forum,” West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, Charleston, WV, May 2013.
• Presenter, “Managing Marcellus:  Pipelines, Easements & Rights of Way Program,” Local Government Academy, Harmony, PA, May 2013.
• Presenter, “Pipeline Construction and Safety,” M2M Marcellus to Manufacturing, Charleston, WV, March 2013.
• Contributor, “White Paper on State Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement Programs,” U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Prepared for National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, December 2011.
• Presenter, “The Regulation of Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities under 49 C.F.R. Part 193:  Summary of Recent Activities by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,” 2011 Southern Gas Association Operating Conference, Jacksonville, FL, July 2011.
• Presenter, “Gathering Lines Briefing,” U.S. Department of Transportation, Joint Meeting of Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, Arlington, VA, March 2011.