US EPA proposes air pollution standards for oil and gas production

US EPA proposes air pollution standards for oil and gas production



The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes standards to reduce harmful air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations. The standards would rely on cost-effective existing technologies to reduce emissions that contribute to smog pollution and leverage the operators’ ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes into the atmosphere.

“This administration has been clear that natural gas is a key component of our clean energy future, and the steps announced today will help ensure responsible production of this domestic energy source,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Reducing these emissions will help cut toxic pollution that can increase cancer risks and smog that can cause asthma attacks and premature death – all while giving these operators additional product to bring to market.” 


Today’s proposal would cut smog-forming volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95 percent reduction in VOCs emitted during the completion of new and modified hydraulically fractured wells. This dramatic reduction would largely be accomplished by capturing natural gas that currently escapes to the air and making that gas available for sale through technologies and processes already in use by several companies and required in some states, according to an EPA statement.

http://www.ifandp.com/article/0012620.html