September 24, 2019
On August 27, 2019, at a four-day event hosted in Medora, North Dakota, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is renewing its commitment to collaborate with the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) through the EPA-IOGCC Task Force.
First established in 2002, the task force is made up of EPA’s senior leaders and state oil and gas leadership and is a mechanism for better communication and collaboration between the federal government and the states. Together, EPA and IOGCC leadership will continue to promote protection of human health and the environment, while recognizing each other’s missions, responsibilities and authorities, increasing efficiencies and facilitating the exchange of information and expertise.
“Referring to collaboration in the abstract does not go far enough,” said EPA Senior Counselor for Regional Management and State Affairs Doug Benevento. “Instead, it’s important to memorialize our intentions to work together with our state oil and gas co-regulators through the renewed Memorandum of Understanding we will sign later this year. The agency looks forward to strengthening its relationship with IOGCC.”
EPA’s efforts to facilitate compliance in the oil and natural gas industry also creates opportunities to collaborate with our state co-regulators. EPA’s New Owner Audit Program for Oil and Gas encourages environmental audits and self-disclosure of noncompliance, consistent with many of our state co-regulators’ audit programs. Another example is EPA’s Environmental Compliance Information for Energy Extraction website, an online portal intended to help the regulated community comply with both federal and state environmental regulations.
In addition, EPA has proposed changes to the new source performance standards applicable to the oil and natural gas industry. EPA’s proposal will deliver on President Trump’s executive order by removing unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry, saving millions in regulatory costs from 2019 to 2025.
What this means to you
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a renewed commitment to collaborate with the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) through the EPA-IOGCC Task Force.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for stationary engine compliance solutions in the oil & gas sector.