EPA proposed New Source Performance Standards under the Clean Air Act on August 18 that would reduce methane emissions from upstream and some midstream operations. Among other requirements, the rules would mandate green completions of new or modified hydraulically fractured oil wells. EPA issued standards to require green completions of new or modified hydraulically fractured gas wells in 2012. Comments on the proposal will be due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, which has not yet occurred.
EPA will hold public hearings on the proposed rules on September 23 in Denver and Dallas and September 29 in Pittsburgh.