Environmental Quality Board Meets March 15 To Consider Final Rule Reducing VOC/Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on March 15 to consider a final regulation reducing VOC/methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations.

This regulation, which is a key part of DEP’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth, has been in development since early 2019.  The EQB adopted the regulation as proposed for public comments in December 2019.

This regulation adopts reasonably available control technology requirements and RACT emission limits for oil and natural gas sources of volatile organic compounds.  By reducing VOC emissions, methane emissions are also reduced as a co-benefit.

The new regulations would require oil and gas operators that produce above a certain threshold to use leak detection and repair (LDAR) equipment to identify (and fix) leaks, as well as use other equipment designed to reduce emissions.

The Department identified 5,039 owners or operators of approximately 31,149 facilities in this Commonwealth which may be affected by this final-form rulemaking. Approximately 3,834 of the 5,039 owners or operators may meet the definition of small business.

The Department estimates there are 30,648 well sites, 486 gathering and boosting stations, 15 processing plants, and 121 transmission stations. 

The Department estimates that these owners or operators have at least 51 storage vessels at 18 facilities, 34,856 pneumatic controllers at 31,134 facilities, and 40 pneumatic pumps at 17 facilities will be subject to requirements under this final-form rulemaking. 

The owners or operators of approximately 2,711 of 30,648 well sites will be required to implement instrument- based LDAR inspections or increase the current instrument-based LDAR inspection frequency under this final-form rulemaking. 

The owners or operators of approximately 263 of 486 gathering and boosting stations and 1 of 15 processing plants will be required to implement a new instrument-based LDAR inspection program or will be subject to new requirements under this final-form rulemaking.

DEP's Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and Small Business Compliance Advisory Council were consulted in the development of this regulation at the proposed and final stage.

Click Here for copies of handouts related to this final regulation.

DEP may also give an update on its evaluation of rulemaking petitions proposing to increase bonding amounts for conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells.  Read more here.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 9:00 a.m.  Visit the EQB webpage for remote options for joining the meeting.

For available handouts and more information, visit the Environmental Quality Board webpage. Questions should be directed to Laura Griffin, Regulatory Coordinator,  laurgriffi@pa.gov, 717-772-3277.

Related Article:

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Should Enact Methane Regulations - By Rep. Greg Vitali

[Posted: March 2, 2022]  PA Environment Digest