Petroleum Alliance—roll back EPA rules…reset no

 

 

As six former administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency called to reset the rolled back rules of the EPA under the Trump administration, the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma said otherwise. Especially for one of the rules.

The Alliance on Thursday came out with a statement applauding the EPA’s roll back of a duplicative 2016 air emissions regulation that it said cost the industry’s smallest producers and transmission sector “greatly while providing little public benefit.”

 EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler unveiled the long-awaited rewrite Thursday of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) rule to provide clarity as the United States continues to lead the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Today’s rewrite is a much smarter approach to regulating air emissions,” said Alliance President Brook A. Simmons. “The NSPS rule requires controls and measures to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) identical to those that reduce methane emissions. Contrary to election-year fearmongering, the oil and gas industry will continue to reduce methane emissions, but our smallest producers cannot afford the financial burden of a duplicative regulation that accomplishes little.”

The Alliance said the important rewrite will save Oklahoma’s smallest producers several thousands of dollars per well site at a time when the increased use of natural gas for electricity generation is cutting greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.

The energy organization also said that in fact, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to their lowest levels since 1992.  Between 2011 and 2017, methane emissions fell 24% while oil production increased 65% and natural gas production rose 19%.

“The Alliance strongly supports EPA in the removal of NSPS Subpart OOOOa requirements from all sources in the transmission and storage segment since they are distinct separate downstream source categories. This EPA is actually working to find a balance—ensuring that we have sensible regulations instead of rules that hinder both economic development and environmental progress,” said Simmons.

Source: Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma