David L. Wochner
David L. Wochner
Managing Partner, Washington Office
David Wochner has advised and represented energy industry clients in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. As a thought leader with regard to the natural gas and hydrogen industries’ intersection with government, David regularly advises clients on critical US federal regulatory and policy issues that impact energy infrastructure and commodities, with a particular focus on issues related to the global energy transition. David co-leads the firm’s global liquefied natural gas (LNG) practice, as well as its global hydrogen practice, and co-hosts the bi-weekly podcast, “Hydrogen Rising.”
Over the years, David has appeared regularly on behalf of clients before the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); the US Departments of Energy, the Interior, and Transportation; EPA; and on Capitol Hill. In 2010-2011, he served as lead Washington counsel on behalf of Transocean in multiple Congressional, US federal agency, and UK House of Commons’ investigations and hearings related to the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
David's clients include natural gas and LNG marketers, importers, exporters, and project developers; hydrogen project developers; financial institutions and hedge funds; offshore energy project developers, including offshore wind and marine hydrokinetic projects; oil and gas pipelines and shippers; oil and gas drilling companies; and state and provincial government officials.
His experience includes counseling and representing clients in matters concerning:
- Development of hydrogen projects, including regulatory and policy considerations related to the development of clean hydrogen standards.
- US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and imports.
- Interstate natural gas, oil, and oil product pipelines' operations and policies before FERC.
- Natural gas trading operations, including NAESB agreements, interstate transportation capacity, and asset management arrangements.
- US federal, state, and local authorities' roles in the development of energy infrastructure.
- Safety regulations under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Part 193, applicable to pipelines and LNG facilities.
- Congressional investigations into oil and natural gas related matters, including oil spills.
- Minerals Management Service (MMS) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) leasing issues associated with offshore energy facilities, including LNG terminals, wind and hydrokinetic power facilities, and natural gas pipelines.
- Development of stakeholder engagement strategies for energy infrastructure projects.
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for Energy regulation: oil and gas and Government relations, 2024
- Recognized by Chambers USA in Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) nationally, 2024
- Selected for Best Lawyers in America for work in Energy Regulatory Law by Best Lawyers, 2017-2022
- Selected to Rising Stars list for Energy, 2013-2014
- Recipient, 2007 Burton Award for Legal Achievement for “Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Litigation After the Energy Policy Act of 2005,” Energy Law Journal, 14 November 2006
- Member, Connected DMV National Capital Region Hydrogen Initiative Steering Committee
- Past chair and current member, Georgetown University National Law Alumni Board
- Member, Energy Bar Association
- Speaker, “General Session 2 - The State of LNG Markets and the Future of U.S. Gas and Export Facility Development,” Energy Bar Association, Washington, DC, 26 April 2024
- Witness, “Philadelphia LNG Exports Task Force Hearing,” 19 May 2023 (Remarks begin at 1:23:00 mark.)
- Moderator, “DOE Support for Hydrogen RD&D and Regional Hydrogen Hubs,” S&P Global Platts Hydrogen Markets Americas: New Opportunities for Growth and Investment,” San Diego, CA , 31 March 31, 2022
- Moderator, “Focus on Hydrogen - Is large scale, cost-effective commercialization possible for hydrogen as an alternative fuel?,” Decarb Connect North America, Houston, TX, 30 March 2022
- Speaker, “Hydrogen Town Hall: Key Trends in Global Hydrogen Policy and Regulation,” Washington, D.C., 24 March 2022
- Moderator, “The State of Decarbonization in North America: Hydrogen,” Decarb Connect North America: Identifying Competitive Industrial Decarbonization Business Models, 15 June 2021
- Moderator, “The Role of LNG in the Energy Transition,” S&P Global Platts 20th Annual LNG Conference, 25 March 2021
- Speaker, “Energy & Environmental Policy in the Next Administration,” hosted by K&L Gates, 5 November 2020
- Speaker, “US LNG Update,” presentation to Atlantik-Brücke, Washington, D.C., 31 October 2019
- Speaker, “Making American Energy Great Again? The Trump Administration’s Use of Regulation and Policy to Impact Global Energy Markets,” World Energy Engineering Conference, Charlotte, NC, 18 October 2018
- Speaker, “The U.S. Offshore: Outstanding Opportunity or Onerous Obstacle,” presented at “Issues of Offshore Wind Power Generation,” Japan Overseas Institute, Tokyo, 13 September 2018
- Speaker, “LNG and U.S. Trade Developments,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Teleconference, 20 April 2018
- Speaker, “Contracts and Offtake Agreements: A Legal View,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. LNG Prospects Conference, New York, 9 March 2018
- Speaker, “US Infrastructure Cooperation | US Energy / Infrastructure Investment Opportunities Analysis,” Beijing, 18 April 2017
- Speaker, “New Administration Policies: How to Maximize Your Business for Growth,” OCTANe - Orange County, CA,19 January 2017
- Speaker, “Winter is Coming: The Regulatory Onslaught Against Oil & Gas Midstream Infrastructure,” Credit Suisse Restructuring Mini-Conference - Houston, Texas, 1 February 2016
- Speaker, “U.S. Environmental Standards and Regulations for Shale Gas Development,” U.S.-China Shale Gas Training Program, Environmental Policy and Technology for Shale Gas Development - Beijing, China, 3-4 December 2015
- Speaker, “Developments in North American Oil, Gas and LNG,” Australian Institute of Energy - Perth, 29 September 2015
- Speaker, “Developments in North American Oil, Gas and LNG,” K&L Gates - Singapore, 26 March 2015
- Speaker, “Regulatory Risk Factors for US LNG Export Projects,” Hart Energy North American LNG Exports Conference, 20 November 2014
- Speaker, Seoul LNG Seminar, 25 March 2014
- Speaker, “U.S. LNG Exports: Consideration of the ‘Public Interest,’” 4th Annual North American LNG Exports Conference, 11 December 2013
- Speaker, Tokyo LNG Seminar, 10 September 2013
- Speaker, “Responsible Shale Development - Industry Perspectives,” K&L Gates Second Annual Alaska Oil & Gas Conference, 10 July 2013
- Speaker, “U.S. LNG Exports: Policy and Political Issues,” LNG Export Forum North America, 16-18 May 2012
- Speaker, “Obtaining Permits for LNG Export,” 2nd Annual North American LNG Exports Conference, 1 December 2011
- Leader, Workshop: “Addressing the Impact of Legal & Regulatory Issues on the Shale Gas Industry,” World Shale Gas Conference 2011, 7-11 November 2011
- Speaker, “Federal Agency Jeopardy: An Insider’s Guide to the Federal Regulation of Energy Companies and Commodities,” ACC 2011 Annual Meeting, 23-26 October 2011
- Moderator, “Key Policy Developments and their Impact on Offshore Wind,” Offshore Wind Power North America - Boston, MA, 1-2 February 2011
- Speaker, “Issues for Obtaining Liquefaction and Export Authority,” Prospects for North American LNG Exports Program, 11 November 2010
- Co-Leader, “Shale Gas Legal and Regulatory Issues Master Class,” World Shale Gas Conference and Exhibition, 3-5 November 2010
- Speaker, “Managing Regulatory Hurdles in Offshore Wind Projects,” EUEC 2010 – 13th Annual Energy & Environment Conference, 2 February 2010
- Speaker, “U.S. Climate Change Regulation: A Framework for Business Planning For a Sustainable Midstream Industry,” Gas Processors Association – Houston Chapter Annual Conference, 13 October 2009
- Panel Moderator, Platts Gas Interchangeability and Quality Forum, Washington, D.C., 19-20 November 2008
- Speaker, “Improving Stakeholders Perception of LNG,” 15th International Conference and Exhibit on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG 15) - Barcelona, Spain, 25 April 2007
- Speaker, “Regulating Gas Composition: The U.S. Regulatory System and Its Impact on the Globalization of LNG,” Gas Technology Institute Global LNG Interchangeability Conference, 11-12 September 2006
- Speaker, “LNG Market Outlook,” Valve Manufacturers Association’s Annual Market Outlook Workshop, 18 August 2005
Additional Thought Leadership Pages
- “It’s a Gas! Federal and State Developments Continue to Light Up the Natural Gas Debate,” Energy Law Report, May 2024.
- “US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Cans Berkeley Gas Ban Under Federal Law,” Pratt’s Energy Law Report, July-August 2023
- “Proposed Regulations to Improve Offshore Wind Lease Auction Processes and Timelines,” ALI CLE’s The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, May 2023
- “How Proposed BOEM Regs Will Boost Offshore Wind Projects,” Law360, 1 February 2023
- "Hydrogen Gets a Lift in Federal Infrastructure Act," Pratt’s Energy Law Report, April 2022
- “NY, NJ Lease Auctions Highlight US Push For Offshore Wind,” Law360, 10 February 2022
- “Key Provisions of FERC’s 2021 Enforcement Report,” Pratt’s Energy Law Report, February 2022.
- “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 Is Now Law,” The Banking Law Journal, February 2022
- “Pipeline Projects Face New Questions On Landowner Rights,” Law360, 6 November 2019
- “When States Fail To Act On Federal Pipeline Permits,” Law360, 24 July 2017
- Co-author, “Antitrust: A New Line Of Attack Against Pipelines,” Energy Law 360, 13 February 2017
- Co-author, “Antitrust Claims: A Novel Line of Attack by Groups Opposing Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects,” The Override, January 2017
- Co-author, "Paris Agreement to Enter into Force: Implications for Enforcement in the United States and Internationally," The National Law Review, 25 October 2016
- Co-Author, CEQ Issues Final Greenhouse Gas Guidance Directing Federal Agencies to Consider Climate Change in Their NEPA Reviews, Pratt’s Energy Law Report, Vol. 16-9, October 2016
- Co-author, "K&L Gates: How will the US Presidential Election Affect the Energy Landscape," Caijing, 23 September 2016
- Author, "The Implications of Final Rule Regulating Arctic OCS Drilling," Alaska Journal of Commerce, 18 September 2016
- Co-author, "Federal Court Upholds FERC’s Approach on LNG Environmental Permitting and Shifts Focus to Challenges to DOE’s Environmental Review," Pratt’s Energy Law Report, September 2016
- “The European Commission Approves an Energy Security Package Emphasizing Infrastructure Development and LNG Imports,” Pratt's Energy Law Report, May 2016
- Co-author, “FERC's Jurisdiction Now Reaches Ethane Pipelines Too,” Energy Law 360, 27 February 2014
- Co-author, “The Development of US Shale Gas Resources: Regulation and Litigation,” Managing Power Magazine, 1 September 2011
- Commentator, “Pro-drilling GOPer wins Va. governor’s race, fueling push for 2011 lease sale,” Inside Energy, 9 November 2009
- Commentator, “MMS issues rules for renewable projects on the OCS, eases way for offshore wind,” Inside FERC, 24 April 2009
- Co-author, “LNG Importer Focus Turns to US Interchangeability Rules,” LNG Journal, November/December 2007
- Co-author, “Reviewing LNG Regulations,” Pipeline and Gas Technology, November 2007
- Author, “Middle Eastern Oil and Gas,” CQ Press, 2007
- Co-author, “European LNG Developers Face Complex Commercial Landscape,” Oil & Gas Journal, 9 April 2007
- Co-author, “Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Litigation After the Energy Policy Act of 2005,” Energy Law Journal, 14 November 2006
- Co-author, “Florida’s Gas Composition Decision Offers Preliminary Guidelines for US LNG Imports,” LNG Journal, May 2006
- Co-author, "LNG’s Final Hurdle," Public Utilities Fortnightly, March 2006
- Co-author, “Sandia LNG Study Changes Landscape for Terminal Siting,” LNG Observer, April–June 2005
Additional News & Event Pages
- Quoted, “Narrow IRA hydrogen guidance hit,” Project Finance International, 16 January 2024
- Quoted, “Australia to profit from new US hydrogen rules,” Australian Financial Review (AFR.com), 5 January 2024
- Quoted, “US – Narrow hydrogen guidance may impact hubs,” Project Finance International, 10 January 2024
- Quoted, “Narrow hydrogen guidance may impact hubs,” Project Finance International, 10 January 2024
- Quoted, “US green hydrogen incentives cut to boost Australian industry prospects,” Investing.com, 4 January 2024
- Quoted, “Tough rules for US green hydrogen incentives open door for Australia,” Australian Financial Review, 3 January 2024
- Quoted, “Firm Leaders Share Their Priorities For DC Offices In 2024,” Law360, 2 January 2024
- Mentioned, “DOE Shirked Climate In LNG Export Approvals, Sierra Says,” Law360, 8 February 2023
- Quoted, “Despite Slowing M&A Market, Firms With Regs Expertise Are Poised to Stay Busy,” The American Lawyer, 5 August 2022
- Quoted, "FERC Says it Will Consider Greenhouse Gas Emissions and ‘Environmental Justice’ Impacts in Approving New Natural Gas Pipelines," Inside Climate News, 21 March 2022
- "Law Firms Seeing Green From Hydrogen," Reuters, 17 November 2021
- Quoted, "Justices Ease Pipeline Fears In State Land Rights Fight," Law360, 29 June 2021
- Quoted, "Democrat-Controlled Senate Sets Stage for New FERC Majority, Policy Direction," S&P Global, 7 January 2021
- Quoted, "Biden May Have to Tread Carefully with Energy Nominees, Policy Experts Say," S&P Global, 2 December 2020
- Quoted, “DC Circ. Fails To Clear The Air On FERC’s Climate Duties,” Energy Law360, 9 May 2019
- Quoted, “Offshore Crude Exports Hopefuls May Face Project Permitting Pains,” SPG Global, 1 April 2019
- Quoted, “For Energy Projects, GHG Scrutiny Now A Fact of Life,” Energy Law 360, 2 April 2014
- Quoted, “Panel to Obama: Overhaul 1970s energy policies,” Politico, 28 January 2014
- Quoted, "Freeport won’t likely appeal ‘bogus’ DOE order: CEO," Platts Gas Daily, 12 December 2013
- Quoted, “US LNG export ‘sweet spot’ may be elusive: officials,” Platts LNG Daily, 11 December 2013
- Quoted, “Industrial energy group calls US LNG export policy unfair, but opponents claim argument misleads,” Inside FERC, 11 November 2013
- Quoted, "Shutdown Will Grind New Energy Projects To A Halt," Energy Law 360, 1 October 1, 2013
- Quoted, “Analysis: Companies may turn to courts on U.S. natural gas export push,” Reuters, 18 June 2013
- Quoted, "DOE Seen Delaying LNG Export Licenses Next Year," Argus Media, 14 December 2012
