The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to ensure portions of the agency’s 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the oil and natural gas industry do not take effect while the agency works through the reconsideration process.
The agency is proposing a 2-year stay of the fugitive emissions, pneumatic pump, and professional engineer certification requirements in the rule while the agency reconsiders issues associated with these requirements. Under the proposal, sources would not need to comply with these requirements while the stay is in effect. Since issuing the final rule, the EPA has received several petitions to reconsider certain aspects of the rule.
Earlier this month, EPA used its Clean Air Act authority to issue a 90-day administrative stay of these requirements. To ensure there is no gap in the stay between the 90-day stay and the proposed 2-year stay if finalized, the EPA also is proposing a 3-month stay.
The EPA will take comment on both of the proposed stays for 30 days after they are published in the Federal Register.
Read more about the proposed stays and reconsideration here.