navigating the legislative and legal landscape of energy dominance

This session brings clarity to the complex legal and regulatory frameworks shaped by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), regulations from the prior Administration, and Executive Branch policy initiatives—all of which are reshaping the future of federal onshore development, presenting the need to proactively manage legal and business risks. The panel will break down what these new frameworks mean for operators, investors, and stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain. After establishing a clear picture of the legislative and legal landscapes, they will provide a practical, solution focused dialog on advocacy and risk management strategies tailored to today’s business realities.

Theresa Sauer, Shareholder, Beatty & Wozniak

Theresa M. Sauer chairs Beatty & Wozniak’s federal practice group. Theresa specializes in supporting upstream and midstream energy companies on federal lands access and development, species, sub- and surface rights and legacy environmental concerns. She counsels clients on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as operating mineral leases on state and federal lands. Theresa also advises clients on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and related issues, including options for operating in special status species’ habitat, and works with federal and state regulators to process permits and documents. Theresa represents the energy and natural resources industry in state and federal rulemakings potentially affecting the ability to develop leases through trade associations and on behalf of individual clients. She also represents industry in NEPA-based federal litigation. Prior to law school, Theresa worked as a natural resources analyst for a former Colorado governor and was at the Colorado Bureau of Land Management (BLM) where she worked directly with program leads on issues including oil and gas leasing and species conservation. Theresa provides a pragmatic approach to legal issues faced by energy companies. She is thorough, creative, and knows how to think outside the box to reach durable, practical business solutions and achieve client objectives.

Melissa Simpson, President, Western Energy Alliance

Melissa Simpson advocates for permitting certainty on behalf of Western Energy Alliance. She has an extensive career in natural resources, conservation, and energy policy that spans across private government, and non-- sector, governmental organizations.

Prior to joining the Alliance, she was the director of global government affairs at Sempra, heavily focused on liquified natural gas (LNG) exports and emissions verification and reporting. Before her time at Sempra, she served as deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources at the Department of State in the first Trump Administration, leading efforts on cross border permitting for hydrocarbons. During the George W. Bush Administration, she served as deputy under secretary of Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she supervised energy and wildlife policy directives and regulations for the U.S. Forest Service. She also served as counselor to the assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior, where she developed strategies to expedite oil and natural gas permitting on public lands through collaboration with multiple use conservation groups.

Between her years of service in government, Melissa was the director of government affairs and science based conservation at Safari Club International and a consultant for independent oil and natural gas companies.

She is a native Coloradan, holding a JD from Creighton University School of Law and a BS in political science from Colorado State University.

$45 for DAPL Members  

$60 for Non-members

Virtual & In Person Option

11:30-12:00: Networking and Buffet

12:00-12:50: Presentation

12:50-1:00:  Q&A