Amid recurring declarations that the US government and western states need to closely work together, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) reminded two federal agencies' top administrators that the idea should apply to controlling methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
In his capacity as president of the Western Governors Association, he mentioned to US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and US Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze that state and federal agencies are coregulators of oil and gas activity in the West.
"The purpose of this letter is to request that the agency engage in meaningful consultation with state regulators, including governors, in advance of the release of its methane emissions reduction proposal," Sandoval said in separate letters to both on May 20.
He said EPA plans to propose a rule this summer, under Clean Air Act Section 111(b), to establish revised New Source Performance Standards for oil wells and for natural gas processing and transmission sources it does not otherwise currently regulate.
BLM, meanwhile, is preparing its own proposed rule to address methane venting, flaring, and leakage from new and existing wells on public lands, Sandoval noted.
"Some western states have already taken substantial steps to reduce atmospheric emissions of methane from oil and gas development operations. Many have implemented state regulations," he told both federal agency leaders.
He attached a copy of WGA Policy Resolution 2015-12, which covers regulating methane emissions. In addition to closer federal-state cooperation, it calls for methane "commoditization" to encourage its capture and sale while providing economic value for states.
"It is through early collaboration and consultation that federal agencies and western states can best work together to protect western air resources while achieving the mandates and fulfilling the needs of both," Sandoval said.
Greater sage grouse plan
His reminders came a week before BLM and the US Forest Service jointly released 14 final environmental impact statements and proposed federal land management plans in Cheyenne, Wyo., to protect the greater sage grouse and its habitat in 10 Western states.
US Interior Secy. Sally Jewell and Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead (R) spoke extensively there about cooperative efforts that also involve oil and gas producers, ranchers, sportsmen, local communities, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.
Two other governors also weighed in. Colorado's John A. Hickenlooper (D) said he was cautiously optimistic, but continued to believe state-led efforts are the best way to protect the bird.
Utah's Gary R. Herbert (R) said that while officials there would examine the plan, "we are already concerned that the federal agencies do not endorse certain vital conservation measures necessary for success in the Utah environment."
