Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production, Transmission and Distribution for Which Construction, Modification, or Reconstruction Commenced after August 23, 2011 and on or before September 18, 2015: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
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Rule Summary
Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to list categories of stationary sources, if such sources cause or contribute significantly to air pollution, which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. The EPA must then issue performance standards for such source categories. This new source performance standard regulates volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from specific sources within the oil and natural gas industry which include new, modified, and reconstructed natural gas wells, centrifugal compressors, reciprocating compressors, pneumatic controllers and storage vessels. This action also regulates VOC emissions from leaking components at onshore natural gas processing plants and provides standards for sulfur dioxide emissions from natural gas processing plants.
Rule History
08/10/2016 – Reconsideration of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector: New Source Performance Standards; Final Action
06/03/2016 – Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources: Final Rule
09/18/2015 – Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources: Proposed Rule
08/12/2015 – Definitions of Low Pressure Gas Well and Storage Vessel: Final Rule
03/23/2015 – Definitions of Low Pressure Gas Well and Storage Vessel: Proposed Rule
12/31/2014 – Reconsideration of Additional Provisions of New Source Performance Standards: Final Rule
07/17/2014 – Reconsideration of Additional Provisions of New Source Performance Standards: Proposed Rule
09/23/2013 – Reconsideration of Certain Provisions of New Source Performance Standards: Final Rule
04/12/2013 – Reconsideration of Certain Provisions of New Source Performance Standards: Proposed Rule
08/16/2012 – New Source Performance Standards and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews: Final Rule
08/26/2011 – New Source Performance Standards and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews: Proposed Rule
08/23/2011 – New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews: Proposed Rule
Additional Resources
Compliance
Applicability Determination Index (ADI). The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues. The database is searchable by Subpart.
Manufacturer-Tested Combustion Control Devices
Notification Requirement for Well Completions Begins October 15, 2012
Beginning October 15, 2012, gas well completion notification provisions under EPA's 2012 oil and gas standards take effect. Companies can meet this provision by complying with state advance notification requirements. If a state does not have an advance notification requirement, companies must inform EPA no later than two days before the well completion using hydraulic fracturing begins. Companies may submit this notification electronically or in writing. EPA finalized this approach after receiving feedback from industry, states and others during the 100-day public comment period. Companies have until 2015 to meet the green completion requirements in the final rule.
On August 16, 2012, EPA published the notification requirement in Oil and Natural Gas Sector: New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews; Final Rule (PDF) (112pp, 1.0 MB). Owners or operators that need to notify EPA may send a notification email to the appropriate region at the address listed below.
- Region 1: none (No fracturing anticipated)
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Tribal Nations - Region 2: r2wellcompletion@epa.gov
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Tribal Nations - Region 3: r3wellcompletion@epa.gov
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia - Region 4: r4wellcompletion@epa.gov
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Tribal Nations - Region 5: r5wellcompletion@epa.gov
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Tribal Nations - Region 6: r6wellcompletion@epa.gov
Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas and Tribal Nations - Region 7: r7wellcompletion@epa.gov
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tribal Nations - Region 8: r8wellcompletion@epa.gov
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Tribal Nations - Region 9: AEO_R9@epa.gov
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations - Region 10: r10wellcompletion@epa.gov
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Tribal Nations