On July 28, 2011, the EPA proposed new regulations governing the oil and natural gas production industry sector (to be codified at 40 CFR Parts 60 and 63). With this action, the EPA proposes the following four air regulations for the oil and natural gas industry:

• A new source performance standard (NSPS) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• A NSPS for sulfur dioxide

• An air toxics NESHAP (National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants) for oil and natural gas production

• A NESHAP for natural gas transmission and storage

The EPA is also proposing to add to the source category list any oil and gas operation not covered by the current listing and not previously subject to federal regulation.

Article authored by McAfee & Taft Attorney: Mary Ellen Ternes.