Smart, science-based standards and regulations continue to protect public health and reduce emissions

WASHINGTON, October 15, 2018 – API issued the following statement regarding EPA’s proposed technical revisions to the NSPS OOOOa rule, regarding air emissions standards regulating the natural gas and oil industry, published in today’s Federal Register.

“EPA’s technical corrections to federal regulations are essential to ensure that the respective rules reflect current technologies and operations that are continuing to reduce methane emissions while ensuring alignment to the statutory authority of the agency,” Senior Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman. “Methane emissions from U.S. natural gas production are down significantly since 1990 while natural gas output increased has doubled over the same period. Methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, and minimizing its release is a top priority from both an environmental and business standpoint for the natural gas and oil industry.

“Industry initiative, not government mandates, is the driving force behind this success and data confirms industry’s commitments and efforts are working. The Environmental Partnership and  the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) are examples of our industry’s many forward-looking commitments to providing Americans with the cleanest air in years and delivering on a continuous cycle of learning, collaborating, and taking action.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans.