Emissions and Source Reporting Requirements for Natural Gas Operations [42 Pa.B. 7865]
[Saturday, December 29, 2012]In accordance with section 4(3) of the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P. S. § 4004(3)) and 25 Pa. Code § 135.3 (relating to reporting), the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is authorized to collect air quality emissions inventories including those from owners and operators of facilities engaged in unconventional natural gas development, production, transmission, processing and related activities.
The notification published here applies to any owner and operator involved in unconventional natural gas development in this Commonwealth. Sources and activities at unconventional natural gas operations that the Department has identified as subject to the emissions reporting requirements include the following: compressor stations; dehydration units; drill rigs; fugitives, such as connectors, flanges, pump lines, pump seals and valves; heaters; pneumatic controllers and pumps; stationary engines; tanks, pressurized vessels and impoundments; venting and blow down systems; well heads; and well completions. The source reports are due for activities at all unconventional natural gas wells and facilities that support the unconventional natural gas wells.
This notification also applies to any owner and operator of natural gas compressor stations regardless of whether the natural gas was processed at a conventional or unconventional well site. Complete source reports should be submitted for these activities as well.
Complete source reports including emissions data for unconventional natural gas operations during the 2012 calendar year should be submitted to the Department no later than March 1, 2013. Subsequent source reports and annual emissions inventories will be due to the Department by March 1 each year for operations during the preceding calendar year. Emission statements required for stationary sources emitting 50 and 100 tons per year of volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen, respectively, should have already been submitted to the Department as required under 25 Pa. Code § 135.21 (relating to emission statements).
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Michael Rudawski, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, Air Information Section, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg PA 17105-8468, mrudawski@pa.gov or (717) 783-9241.
MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-2535. Filed for public inspection December 28, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]
