REGULATORY NEWS

News, information and comments relating to our policy and regulatory work.

NDPC Submits Comments on EPA’s Proposed Emissions Standards

The NDPC submitted comments on EPA’s proposed regulations to manage methane emissions for oil and gas operations that would impose additional and sometimes duplicative requirements on both new and existing operations.  Compliance with the proposed regulations will undoubtedly add production and processing costs, which will result in higher costs for consumers.  Furthermore, it is not clear these additional costs will result in any significant environmental benefit.

Among the key suggestions by the NDPC was to:

  • Focus on the parts of this proposal that will have the most cost-effective impact on reducing Methane and Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC) emissions going forward and reconsider some of the unnecessarily burdensome requirements, including but not limited to, regulating insignificant sources of emissions, administrative recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that do not directly or significantly impact emission reductions.
  • Acknowledge the states and regions that already have emissions regulations in place and that additional or duplicative regulations add costs and administrative burden that significantly outweigh any corresponding environmental benefit.
  • Propose actual regulatory text before publishing a “proposed rule” so interested parties can provide thoughtful and meaningful comments.

Other News

A Smile Like No Other

A Smile Like No Other

Each year, the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) requests its members to submit photographs to be considered as the photo of the year. When Communications Director, Reva Kautz, saw the 2023 NDPC Membership Photo, it became her goal to meet this young professional featured in the image, whose captivating smile catches everyone’s eye.

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Ron Ness: The Truth About Bakken Air Quality

Ron Ness: The Truth About Bakken Air Quality

The American Lung Association recently reported (2022 State of the Air Report) that counties in the North Dakota oil patch had some of the cleanest air in the nation. That report is certainly great news for those people who live in work in western North Dakota. It is...

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