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Controlling Air Pollution from the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

Actions and Notices about Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards

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Regulatory Actions

New Source Performance Standards

Final Policy and Technical Amendments to the New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

August 13, 2020 – EPA issued two final rules that will make it simpler and less burdensome for the oil and natural gas industry to comply with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. The two rules include policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 NSPS, and technical amendments to the 2012 NSPS. Learn more

Proposed Policy Amendments 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

August 28, 2019 --  EPA signed proposed amendments to the 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry that would remove regulatory duplication and save the industry millions of dollars in compliance costs each year, while maintaining health and environmental protection from oil and gas sources that the Agency considers appropriate to regulate. The proposed amendments are estimated to save the oil and gas industry $17 to 19 million a year, for a total of $97 to $123 million from 2019 through 2025. Learn more

EPA Proposes Oil and Gas Targeted Improvements Package

September 11, 2018 -- EPA proposed targeted improvements to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the oil and gas industry that streamline implementation, reduce duplicative EPA and state requirements, and significantly decrease unnecessary burdens on domestic energy producers. This oil and gas targeted improvements package is expected to save up to approximately $484 million in regulatory costs from 2019 – 2025 or $75 million annually. Learn more

EPA Amends Narrow Portions of Fugitive Emissions Requirements in the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

March 1, 2018 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced amendments to two narrow provisions of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry in response to comments the agency received on proposed stays of the rule and on subsequent Notices of Data Availability. The amendments address two of the “fugitive emissions” requirements in the 2016 rule that pose significant and immediate compliance concerns: a requirement that leaking components be repaired during unplanned or emergency shutdowns; and the monitoring survey requirements for well sites located on the Alaskan North Slope. Learn More

EPA to Reconsider Aspects of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), Stay Compliance Date for Fugitive Emissions Monitoring Requirements

April 18, 2017 – EPA intends to reconsider certain aspects of the 2016 NSPS for the oil and natural gas industry, in response to several administrative reconsideration petitions. In a letter to the petitioners, the agency said it also intends to issue a 90-day stay of the June 3, 2017 compliance date for the fugitive emissions monitoring requirements in the rule. Read the letter

EPA Updates New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), permitting rules
May 12, 2016 - EPA has issued three final rules that together will curb emissions of methane, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene from new, reconstructed and modified oil and gas sources, while providing greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the industry. Learn More

EPA Issues Final Air Rules for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
April 17, 2012 – EPA issued cost-effective regulations, required by the Clean Air Act, to reduce harmful air pollution from the oil and natural gas industry while allowing continued, responsible growth in U.S. oil and natural gas production. The final rules include the first federal air standards for natural gas wells that are hydraulically fractured, along with requirements for several other sources of pollution in the oil and gas industry that currently are not regulated at the federal level. Learn More

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Federal Implementation Plans

Final Amendments to the Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector

March 6, 2020 - EPA has issued final amendments to streamline the Clean Air Act permitting process for certain sources engaged in oil and natural gas production activities in Indian country. The final amendments to the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for True Minor Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector could reduce, by up to 30 days, the time between a source owner/operator’s submission of required Endangered Species Act (ESA)/ National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) screening documents and beginning construction.

Proposed Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for Oil and Natural Gas Sources on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation

December 16, 2019 -- EPA signed a proposed reservation-specific Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for oil and natural gas sources on the Indian country lands within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation (U&O Reservation) in Utah. Learn more

EPA issued Final Amendments to Federal Implementation Plan for EPA’s Indian Country Minor New Source Review Program for Oil and Natural Gas Sources

May 2, 2019 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed amendments to the 2016 federal implementation plan (FIP) for managing air emissions from new and modified true minor oil and natural gas sources in Indian country. The FIP limits emissions of harmful air pollutants while providing streamlined construction authorization for new and modified “true minor sources” in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector. The amendments would allow the FIP to continue to apply in portions of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation that are included in an area EPA has designated as nonattainment for the 2015 national ambient air quality standards for ozone. Learn more

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National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

EPA Requests Information on Hazardous Air Pollution Emissions from Sources in Oil and Natural Gas Production, and Natural Gas Transmission and Storage
Nov. 4, 2015 – EPA has issued a request for additional data and information on emissions of hazardous air pollutants (air toxics) that were not available in 2012 when EPA updated its major source air toxics standards for oil and natural gas production facilities, and natural gas transmission and storage facilities. The agency is requesting data on storage vessels without potential for flash emissions, and data on air toxics emissions from regulated small glycol dehydrators.

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Control Techniques Guidelines

EPA Issues Final Control Techniques Guidelines

Oct. 20, 2016 - EPA has issued final Control Techniques Guidelines for reducing smog-forming volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from existing oil and natural gas equipment and processes in certain states and areas with smog problems.

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Information Requests

EPA Withdraws Information Request for the Oil and Gas Industry 
March 2, 2017-- EPA has withdrawn the 2016 information request for the oil and gas industry, effective immediately. If you received a letter requiring you to fill out a survey, you are no longer required to respond. Survey recipients who have questions may contact the ICR help desk at 888-372-8696, or by email icr@epa.gov

Final Information Collection Request (ICR) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
Nov. 10, 2016 - EPA issued a final Information Collection Request (ICR) seeking information needed to help the agency determine how to best reduce methane and other harmful emissions from existing sources in the large and complex oil and natural gas industry. The final ICR reflects a number of changes made based on comments about on two drafts of the ICR, issued for public review and comment earlier this year. Learn More

Second Draft Information Collection Request (ICR)  for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
Sept. 23, 2016 - EPA issued the second draft of an Information Collection Request (ICR) to require oil and natural gas companies to provide extensive information needed to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. The second draft reflects a number of changes EPA made based on comments the agency received on a draft ICR announced in May. Learn More

Voluntary Request for Information on Emerging Technologies

July 8, 2016 - EPA has issued a voluntary Request for Information inviting all parties to provide information on innovative technologies to detect, measure and mitigate emissions from the oil and natural gas industry. Notice (PDF) - Federal Register - July 18, 2016

Draft Information Collection Request for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
May 12, 2016 - EPA issued the first draft of an Information Collection Request (ICR) to require oil and natural gas companies to provide extensive information needed to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. In addition, the agency announced plans to issue a Request for Information to seek information on innovative strategies that can accurately and cost-effectively locate, measure and mitigate methane emissions. Learn More

Controlling Air Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Production