The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed giving oil and gas producers more time to identify and correct emissions leaks at newly acquired drilling sites. The program would give new owners up to 12 months from the acquisition date to do this instead of the current 60 days. Comments on the proposal will be accepted until June 4.
The program initially will be available to new owners at sites where EPA and states “have seen significant noncompliance,” the agency said. “We believe offering additional flexibilities under a specific and tailored new owner audit program will make it easier for the regulated community to self-disclose and correct violations, thereby providing additional protection for public health and the environment,” it said.
New owners would be required to assess a property’s storage tank battery vapor control system design as part of the audit process, EPA said. It issued a draft standard audit program template, and announced that it would seek feedback from states, Indian tribes, regulated entities, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders on it.
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