Michael D. Olsen

Prior to joining Bracewell & Giuliani, Mr. Olsen served for more than five years at the Department of the Interior, most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. In that capacity, he oversaw a wide range of energy and environmental issues, including the development of both conventional and renewable energy on the outer continental shelf nationwide, and energy development on public land in Alaska, both onshore and offshore. He was also involved in locating renewable energy projects and energy corridors on public land in the western United States. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, he served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. In that role, he managed a number of Indian issues, including natural resources, energy development and gaming.

Before working at the Interior Department, Mr. Olsen was a member of the Legislative Staff and Director of the Office of Native American and Insular Affairs for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Resources. He advised the Chairman, Chief of Staff, and Chief Counsel on legislative matters, developed legislative strategies, and planned hearings and markups.

Prior to his government service, Mr. Olsen was an attorney in private practice in Washington, D.C., where he advised and represented clients in litigation involving the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and other federal statutes dealing with environmental and natural resource issues.

Publications and Speeches

"Oil and Gas Development in the Gulf of Mexico Post-Macondo," 37th Annual Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute (The University of Texas at Austin School of Law), Houston, April 8, 2011.

Moderator, The New BOEMRE and the Future of Offshore Drilling, LawSeminars International, November 4, 2010.

"Congress Considering Sweeping Measures in Aftermath of Deepwater Horizon Incident," Oil & Gas Financial Journal, October 2010.

Moderator, "Regional Challenges for Development of Offshore Wind Projects," American Wind Energy Association WINDPOWER 2010 Conference, Dallas, TX, May 26, 2010.

"Obama's Offshore Odyssey," The Deal Magazine, April 21, 2010.  

Co-author, "White House Guidance on Climate Change Will Affect Permitting and Infrastructure," Environmental Law Update, February 19, 2010.

"Wait for Important DOI Decisions on Offshore Energy Development Continues," Energy Legal Blog, February 2, 2010.

"Industry Awaits Obama Administration Decisions on Offshore Oil Exploration," Energy Legal Blog, October 1, 2009.   

"White House Task Force On Track to Set New Oceans Policy for Energy Development," Energy Legal Blog, September 10, 2009.  

Co-author, "New Offshore Energy Rule Leaves Environmental Challenges Intact," Environmental Law Update, May 11, 2009.

Co-author, "Federal Stimulus Funding Fuels Further DOE Loan Guarantee Program Opportunities, Energy Law Update, April 16, 2009.

Co-author, "Interior Department Announces Key Advances in Offshore Energy Development," Energy & Environmental Law Update, January 16, 2009.

Co-author, "An Important Opportunity for Input: DOE Requests Information About Barriers to Renewable Energy Deployment," Indian Law Update, January 13, 2009.