EPA Proposes 2 Year Stay of Emission Standards for Oil and Gas Sector

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal to stay for two years certain core requirements of the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) for the Oil and Gas Sector (which covers methane as well as VOCs).

On June 5, 2017, EPA published a notice that it was reconsidering and had stayed for three months the NSPS fugitive emissions requirements, well site pneumatic pump standards, and the requirements for certification of closed vent systems by a professional engineer. The newly proposed two year stay would apply to those same requirements and follow the three-month stay. According to EPA, the stay is needed to give EPA sufficient time to propose a modified rule, take public comment, and issue a final action.

Comments on the proposed stay are due on July 17, 2017, and can be submitted here.