EPA Issues Final Information Collection Request in Its Effort to Reduce Methane Emissions from exiting Sources in the Oil and Gas Industry

On November 10, 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final Information Collection Request (ICR) to assist the agency in drafting eventual regulations on methane emissions from the Oil and Gas industry.  The EPA issued the ICR in its effort toward implementing the Obama Administration’s policy to reduce emissions from existing oil and gas sources. 

The ICR covers onshore natural gas production, gas processing, transmission, storage, and imports and exports. It does not cover offshore production or local distribution facilities to homes and businesses.  The ICR will be sent to approximately 15,000 owners/operators in the oil and gas industry, and a more detailed faculty survey will be sent to approximately 4,645 owner/operators.   Recipients of the ICR are obligated to respond and to attest to the accuracy of the information in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The time to respond to the survey is 60 days for owners/operators, and recipients of the more detailed facility survey will have 180 days to respond.   The 60-day response time for owner/operators means that they will be required to respond prior to President-Elect Trump taking office, so there will not be a withdrawal of the requirement as a result of the change in administration.

Click here for a link to the EPA fact sheet.