TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 11, 2018) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a pre-publication Federal Register notice, proposing targeted improvements to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the oil and gas industry (also known as Quad OOOOa Technical Package).
“I am thrilled that EPA has listened to GPA Midstream’s suggestions and we welcome the proposed changes that we have been advocating for. I am also encouraged that this proposal removes the unnecessary and duplicative red tape proposed in the draft rule and ensures public health is protected,” said GPA Midstream Association President and CEO Mark Sutton.
According to EPA, the improvements in the final rule will streamline implementation, reduce duplicative EPA and state requirements, and significantly decrease unnecessary burdens on domestic energy producers. EPA estimates this package could save up to $484 million in regulatory costs from 2019 – 2025 or $75 million annually.
GPA Midstream has actively engaged EPA on a number of issues over the last two years to push for changes for the midstream industry, such as:
- Co-proposing semiannual and annual monitoring for compressor stations from the original quarterly monitoring requirements
- Amending the well site definition to exclude midstream equipment located on production well pads by adopting definitions that GPA Midstream proposed
- Amending the capital expenditure equation for natural gas processing plants to reflect the 2015 proposal year
- Amending the leak monitoring requirements for processing plants to include an exemption for certain equipment that an owner or operator designates as being in volatile organic compounds service less than 300 hours per year
- Clarifying that the addition of a vapor recovery unit does not constitute a modification triggering leak detection requirements
- Equivalency for state leak detection programs for compressor stations in California, Colorado, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
