EPA's Oil & Gas Air Pollution Standards

Proposed, New Rules for Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards

by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | July 28, 2011

The Upper Green River Alliance and the people of Sublette County are breathing a sigh of relief today, because the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a common-sense strategy to strengthen air quality protection of our communities, friends and family members.

Last winter, ground ozone levels in the Upper Green River Basin resulting primarily from natural gas development were dangerous to our youth, our elders and those with breathing difficulties; on some days ozone was higher here than in Los Angeles or Salt Lake City. 

It just makes sense to use the most advanced technologies and best scientific strategies to address this human health threat. 

We commend EPA for this significant progress that will allow industry to recover its costs quickly, while conserving this valuable energy supply to benefit our state and nation. 

For more information see: http://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/

For a basic fact sheet on the proposed amendments for the oil and natural gas industry see: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/pdfs/20110728factsheet.pdf

From the EPA website:

EPA has proposed a suite of highly cost effective regulations that would 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 proposed updated rules would rely on proven technologies and best practices that are in use today to reduce emissions of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The proposed rules include a requirement that would capture 95 percent VOC emissions from wells that are hydraulically fractured. This dramatic reduction would largely be accomplished through capturing natural gas that currently escapes into the air, and making that gas available for sale. The rules also would reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and air toxics, which are known or suspected of causing cancer and other serious health effects.

The proposal includes the review of four rules for the oil and natural gas industry: a new source performance standard for VOCs; a new source performance standard for sulfur dioxide; an air toxics standard for oil and natural gas production; and an air toxics standard for natural gas transmission and storage.