US EPA

Controlling Air Pollution from the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

New Source Performance Standards and Permitting Requirements

EPA Updates New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), Permitting Rules for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

May 12, 2016 -- EPA has issued three final rules that together will curb emissions of methane, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene from new, reconstructed and modified oil and gas sources, while providing greater certainty about Clean Air Act

Final Updates to New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) - Under the President’s Climate Action Plan: Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions and the Clean Air Act, EPA has issued final updates to the NSPS that curb emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds from additional new, modified and reconstructed sources in the oil and gas industry.

• Final Rule - Federal Register - June 3, 2016
• Regulatory Impact Analysis
• Oil and Natural Gas Industry Sources Covered by the 2012 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and the 2016 NSPS for Methane and VOCs, by Site
• Fact Sheets and Presentation

Final Source Determination Rule – This final rule clarifies EPA’s air permitting rules as they apply to the oil and natural gas industry.

• Final Rule - Federal Register - June 3, 2016
• Fact Sheet

Federal Implementation Plan for EPA’s Indian Country Minor New Source Review (NSR) program for oil and gas production sources – This final rule will limit harmful emissions while streamlining the permitting process for the oil and natural gas production industry in Indian country. Learn more.

Proposed measures to cut methane and VOC emissions from the oil and natural gas industry and clarify permitting requirements

August 18, 2015 - EPA has proposed a suite of commonsense requirements that together will help combat climate change, reduce air pollution that harms public health, and provide greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the oil and natural gas industry. These include:

Proposed updates to New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Draft Control Techniques Guidelines

• Proposed updates to the NSPS would set methane and VOC requirements for additional new and modified sources in the oil and gas industry
  • Proposed Rule - September 18, 2015
  • Regulatory Impact Analysis
  • Notice of Availability - September 18, 2015

  Proposed Source Determination Rule – This proposed rule would clarify EPA’s air permitting rules as they apply to the oil and natural gas industry.

  • Proposed Rule - Federal Register - September 18, 2015
  • Fact Sheet

  Proposed Federal Implementation Plan for EPA’s Indian Country Minor New Source Review (NSR) program for oil and gas production sources – This proposed plan would limit harmful emissions while streamlining the permitting process for this rapidly growing industry in Indian country.

  Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.