The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set forth a series of proposed amendments to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems source category, also known as subpart W, under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). This move comes as part of the EPA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the monitoring and reporting of methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sector.
The proposed amendments encompass four key areas:
- Addressing Gaps in Emissions Reporting: The EPA seeks to bridge potential gaps in reporting emissions data for specific sectors, ensuring that the data accurately reflects total methane emissions from relevant facilities. By adopting more comprehensive reporting requirements, the EPA aims to bolster the accuracy and completeness of emissions data.
- Improved Emissions Calculation Methodologies: Through the proposed revisions, the EPA intends to incorporate new emissions calculation methodologies or enhance existing ones, rooted in empirical data. These improvements will result in more reliable and scientifically grounded emissions data under subpart W.
- Enhanced Verification and Transparency: To boost the transparency and verifiability of the data collected, the EPA proposes amendments to reporting requirements. These changes aim to facilitate the accurate reporting of emissions, making it easier to verify the data submitted by owners and operators of applicable facilities.
- Technical Amendments, Clarifications and Corrections: Additionally, the EPA is proposing various technical amendments, clarifications and corrections to refine the subpart W requirements. These changes will clarify the EPA’s intent and address any editorial inconsistencies for a clearer and more comprehensive rule.
WORKING GROUP DETAILS
Energy Workforce is forming a working group to submit a formal response to these proposed amendments on behalf of the sector once it is published in the Federal Register. If your company is interested in joining this working group, contact Energy Workforce Senior Director Government Affairs Deidre Kohlrus.
EPA released a draft of these proposed amendments, which is expected to be posted to the Federal Register in the coming days, at which point additional details will be provided. A fact sheet with additional summaries of this proposed supplemental rule was also released.
Energy Workforce previously filed comments on the EPA “Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review” Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0317.
If you are interested in Energy Workforce’s advocacy efforts or would like to join the Government Affairs Committee, contact Senior Director Government Affairs Deidre Kohlrus.
Maria Suarez-Simmons, Senior Director Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
