Are New Regs to Reduce Methane Emissions for Oil & Gas Operations Coming to PA?

Gov. Josh Shapiro last week announced the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will develop new regulations to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations across the state, including requirements to detect and repair leaks and phase out routine venting and flaring — two major sources of methane pollution. 

According to a press release, DEP will develop rules requiring equipment and practices that reduce leaks from well sites, pipelines, and other oil and gas infrastructure, while reducing emissions from venting and flaring activities.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the principal component of natural gas. The new regulations are expected to reduce leaks and emissions from wells, pipelines, and other infrastructure, and require regular monitoring to identify and plug any new leaks.

Some more potentially good news: Through the RISE PA program, the Commonwealth is investing $396 million “in projects that will create thousands of good-paying construction and manufacturing jobs while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution from industrial facilities.”

The release also indicated that more than $210 million in federal funding has been secured to plug 400 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells — more than were plugged in the previous 10 years combined — and secured more than $29 million in state funding to continue this critical work and reduce methane emissions that contribute to climate change.

DEP announced the rulemaking in its updated Regulatory Agenda, which outlines the regulatory actions DEP expects to undertake over the coming year. 

The proposal will move through Pennsylvania's public regulatory review process, including opportunities for stakeholder and public comment before any final regulations are adopted. The full Regulatory Calendar can be found on the DEP website.

Advanced drafts of the regulation will be presented to the Citizen’s Advisory Council, Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board, and the PA Grade Crude Advisory Council.

GASP lauds the announcement and looks forward to reviewing the regulatory language when it is published for public comment. Stay tuned, we continue to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted as the process unfolds.