The highest profile duty to consult case this past year was the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision in Coldwater First Nation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2020 FCA 34, relating to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX Project). This was a judicial review of the federal Cabinet’s decision to approve the TMX Project for the second time subject to numerous conditions. The TMX Project involves the twinning and expansion of an existing pipeline from Edmonton, Alberta to Burnaby, British Columbia.
Volatile commodity prices in 2020 led to the bankruptcy of many oil and gas producers. While some analysts expect oil and gas prices to rise during 2021, the US Energy Information Administration’s 2021 annual outlook advises that a return to 2019 levels of US energy consumption will take years.[2]
Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Brazos) recently filed bankruptcy in federal court in Houston, citing a disputed $1.8 billion bill from the state’s grid operator, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Brazos is one of dozens of electricity providers in Texas facing enormous charges stemming from severe cold snap last month.
Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc. (Brazos) recently filed bankruptcy in federal court in Houston, citing a disputed $1.8 billion bill from the state’s grid operator, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Brazos is one of dozens of electricity providers in Texas facing enormous charges stemming from severe cold snap last month.
We discussed in the March 2020 edition of the Texas Bar Journal1 the bankruptcy court ruling by Judge Craig A. Gargotta of San Antonio in In Re First River Energy LLC that oil and gas producers in Texas do not hold perfected security interests in oil and gas well proceeds, notwithstanding the Texas Legislature’s efforts to protect producers and royalty owners following the downturn in the 1980s. The Fifth Circuit recently reaffirmed Judge Gargotta’s decision.
知的財産法：改正個人情報保護法に関する動き 競争法／独禁法①：公取委、フランチャイズ・ガイドライン改正案の公表 競争法／独禁法②：ドイツ競争法の重要な改正 エネルギー・インフラ：発電側基本料金制度に関する続報 労働法：「男性の育児休業取得促進策等について」の建議について 会社法：会社法施行規則及び会社計算規則の一部改正－定時株主総会におけるウェブ開示によるみなし提供制度の対象範囲の拡大特例－ 危機管理：日本監査役協会が「企業集団における不祥事防止を切り口とした監査体制強化の在り方」を公表 一般民事・債権管理：「事業者を支える融資・再生実務のあり方に関する研究会」による論点整理の公表（新たな担保権「事業成長担保権（仮称）」の提言） M&A：中小企業庁、産業競争力強化法等の一部を改正する等の法律案の概要を公表 ファイナンス・ディスクロージャー：経済産業省「事業報告等と有価証券報告書の一体的開示FAQ（制度編）」 税務：国税庁、「在宅勤務に係る費用負担等に関するFAQ（源泉所得税関係）」を公表 中国・アジア（中国）：「外国の法律及び措置の不当な域外適用の阻止に関する規則」の公布 新興国（UAE）：オンショアの外資規制緩和を含む会社法の改正 国際訴訟・仲裁：ICC、SIAC等の近時の動向
Almost 15 years ago, new shale and fracking technology opened areas like North Dakota and Appalachia to significant oil and gas exploration and development, but the advances also created the need for construction of pipelines and related facilities (e.g., gathering, storage, and/or transportation systems) to ensure that oil and gas could be economically moved by interstate transport to markets vital to the U.S. economy.
GOVERNANCE & SECURITIES LAW FOCUS
Proxima Nova A ExCn 35pt
MAY 2020/LATIN AMERICA
Below is a summary of the main developments in US, EU, and UK corporate governance and securities law since our last update in February 2020.
Financial regulatory developments are available here.
IN THIS ISSUE
On Wednesday 29 April the Outer House of the Court of Session in Edinburgh issued an opinion sanctioning two schemes of arrangement proposed by Premier Oil Plc and Premier Oil UK Limited (together, Premier Oil) (the Schemes). The Court addressed multiple grounds of challenge and did so without hearing live evidence, despite disputes of fact between the parties.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVID-19: Summary of Key Issues.................................................................................... 1